Just Open: Belles Hot Chicken, Richmond

Stand by for sandwiches stuffed with cayenne-spiced chicken or hot fish and coleslaw when Belles Hot Chicken opens in Richmond on Tuesday, February 16.

As at their Fitzroy diner and Sydney pop-up, Nashville-style hot chicken takes centre stage on the menu, but in Richmond, sandwiches are leaping off the specials board and on to the main list.

Medium-spiced boneless thigh chicken will come with cheese, lettuce and sauce, and rockling will join coleslaw and cheese in soft milk buns. There's also a portobello mushroom option for vegetarians.

Wine guy Peter Jo has been busy collating a drinks list showcasing locally made natural wines and a smaller selection of French and Italian imports. They'll have Coopers beer on tap, along with house-made lemonade and iced tea.

As for the interior, co-owner Reno Pontonio has been able to start with a clean slate, rather than inheriting the Fitzroy decor from Belle's Diner. Business partner Miranda Campbell describes the 100-seat Richmond space as sleek and stylish, with beautiful timbers and textures.

The team has batted away rumours of a fourth Belles opening in Singapore or Hong Kong, but says they're nearing an agreement for a permanent Sydney base.

Open Sun-Thu noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm.

107 Swan Street, Richmond belleshotchicken.com

Update: Belles opened on Tuesday, February 16.