Chessell & Clarke Is Southbank's New All-Day Mediterranean Spot From Yagiz's Murat Ovaz
With its bold Flack Studio fitout and lively daytime menu, this 50-seater sails easily from breakfast to lunch — and soon, it's adding dinner and wine, too.
One is best known as the chef and co-owner behind former South Yarra Turkish restaurant Yagiz, and the other for his involvement in Italian pizzeria i Carusi II. Now, Murat Ovaz and Serge Thomann are pooling flavours and inspiration for their new joint project, a Mediterranean-inspired eatery in the heart of Southbank.
Chessell & Clarke has taken over the space last home to Square and Compass, reimagining it with a bold fitout of marble, mahogany and maroon leather led by Flack Studio (Sydney's Ace Hotel). It's a multi-layered, colourful nod to Italy's architecture icon Carlo Scarpa, with room to seat 50.
Debuting with a daytime-only menu with plans to add a dinner service in May, the venue's embracing a range of influences. Its culinary direction is driven both by the Turkish flavours of Ovaz's heritage and the Italian cuisine that's been honed by Head Chef Frank Berardi (The Melbourne Club) over the years.
The end result is a simple yet lively menu heroing freshness and a splash of creativity, which works just as hard at breakfast as it does at lunch. And it's all showcased on porcelain plates foraged by Ovaz himself from local op shops.
There's a Middle Eastern riff on PB & J featuring date syrup and tahini, Turkish-style eggs done with brown butter and hung yoghurt, and a brekkie roll that pairs apple and cabbage slaw with house-cured roast pork belly.
You'll find a brioche burger teaming harissa lamb with a red onion and mint marmaletta, gnocchi dressed in a honey-roasted parsnip purée, and house-made pork and gremolata snags matched with salsa verde and saffron caramelised onions.
Vegetarian options abound; think: prosecco-battered zucchini flowers stuffed with lemon ricotta, plus quinoa-crusted chickpea patties served with a cashew cream. Also, the deli bar is brimming with a hefty array of fresh salads, dips and sweet things.
Coffee comes courtesy of Piazza D'Oro, soon to be complemented by a vinous offering that'll trip through Australia, Turkey, Italy and France. That's launching next month alongside Chessell & Clarke's incoming dinner menu.
Find Chessell & Clarke at 31 Chessell Street, Southbank. It's open daily from 7.30am–3pm, with hours to extend in May.
Images: Hugh Davison.
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