Saint Gorge (formerly known as The Saint Hotel) has swung open its doors in St Kilda with celebrated chef Karen Martini leading the charge as Culinary Director.
Saint George is the work of Martini and partner Michael Sapountsis plus growing hospitality group Public Hospitality.
The venue has two sections: The Grill and The Tavern where Martini is serving up a menu featuring Italian dishes and elevated pub classics.
The Grill is Saint George’s sit-down, bookable space with a menu of Italian primi, antipasti, handmade pasta, and reimagined pub classics.
Some of the highlights on the menu include a paccheri marinara pasta and a beef tartare with chives, shallots, and horseradish served with chips.
The Tavern is a more casual space at the venue, which only caters for walk-ins and boasts a menu of approachable dishes such as a house-spiced chicken schnitzel, fish burger, and gnocco fritto.
Martini’s role at the venue was announced last month, and sees the chef return to her roots in the town she grew up and spent her first hospitality roles in.
“St Kilda holds a special place in my heart, but this return isn’t for waxing lyrical about the past,” says Martini.
“Saint George is a completely new and of-its-time venture for us, and a challenge to totally reinterpret a venue that has lived many lives … Maybe it’s a well-earned pub stint or a proper sit-down feast with friends — Saint George is what you want it to be depending on the occasion.”
Saint George is now open at 54 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria.