This bluestone brasserie might just be the most charming new restaurant in Melbourne
If you love Caretakers Cottage, you’re in for a treat at Reed House, a new British-inspired brasserie in the same historic city precinct.
If you love the house-party vibes (and, of course, first-rate cocktails) of Caretaker’s Cottage, chances are you’ll love the dinner-party vibes of new restaurant Reed House, opening next Tuesday in a similarly beautiful bluestone building in the same city precinct.
It’s by British chef Mark Hannell and front-of-house expert Rebecca Baker, who met working in London at celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s Soho restaurant, Nopi.
Leaning into Hannell’s heritage – and that of the building’s original architect Joseph Reed, who it’s named for – the menu skews British, but bucks tradition in exciting ways.
The cheesy Welsh rarebit is built on a house-made sourdough crumpet; a classic bread sauce accompanies the roast chicken, but so does saltbush zaatar; and the scotch egg honours Hannell’s love of ramen, the eggs soy- and vinegar-cured before being wrapped in pork mince and deep-fried, then served with old-school mushroom ketchup.
There are also plans to do regular Sunday roasts, with guest chefs and winemakers. Baker’s tight cocktail list toes the British line too – think milk punch with a Yorkshire tea infusion – plus find taps pouring Stomping Ground lager, and espresso martinis.
Originally a home for clergy, and most recently The Manse cafe, the late-1850s-built structure is deceptively spacious, with two snug dining rooms and two outdoor spaces.
Reed House opens Tuesday, September 3.
Open Tue 11.30am-3pm; Wed-Fri 11.30am-3pm, 4.30pm-11pm; Sat 4.30pm-11pm.
130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, reedhousemelbourne.com
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