The original Stokehouse on St Kilda beach, Melbourne, was going strong until the building was destroyed by a fire in January this year after more than 25 years of service. But you can’t keep a good business down, especially an Aussie one, and the Stokehouse is back; although the address is slightly different, the qualities that made the place so successful the first time around are all there in abundance at the new CBD location.
Stokehouse City has retained the layout concept from the original venue, offering casual eating and a bar downstairs, while upstairs is dedicated to a more fine dining experience. Interior architecture comes from Melbourne designer Pascal Gomes McNabb. The lower floor has been divided into two spaces, a main area and the intimate Back Bar. Proceeding up the impressive staircase guests enter the Grand Room, once home to renowned Melbourne restaurant Mietta’s, and the redesign has kept a suitably period feel. One particular favourite feature of ours is the chandelier, which viewed from the stairs below almost resembles an octopus (with nine legs) caught in a fishing net. Or maybe that’s just me.
