Andrew McConnell’s Trader House Restaurants has expanded the Meatsmith brand to Melbourne’s east.
The new store is located on Whitehorse Road in Balwyn, and is the fourth location for McConnell and Troy Wheeler.
The brand has taken over a site which was previously home to the Bouchiers of Balwyn butchery.
Owner Geoff Bouchier made the call to retire, which led to McConnell and Wheeler securing the location, which has operated as a butcher for more than 40 years.
“Andrew and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue in the tradition of operating a local neighbourhood butcher in Balwyn and we look forward to getting to know our new customers in the community,” says Wheeler.
The store features Meatsmith signatures including house-made sausages, Gippsland lamb, Katy Brown’s pork, Aylesbury duck and Bannockburn chicken products.
Large-format steaks on the bone, dry-aged O’Connor Farm rib-eye, David Blackmore Wagyu from Victoria’s high country are also on offer.
Much more than just a butcher, the store also stocks pantry staples, with everything from pasta to oils, hot sauces and pickled seafood available plus wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic options.
Customers can purchase ready-to-cook options, too, such as beef en croute; rolled and trussed porchetta roast and stuffed chicken ballotine.
And for those who don’t feel like cooking, in-house Chef Sascha Randle has prepared take-home meals covering coq au vin, lasagne and braised beef cheeks and confit duck legs, to name a few.
Meatsmith Balwyn is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am and from 9:00am on Saturday.