Bang Bang at the Rifle Club

Overview

The crew behind Pilgrim Bar and The Boatbuilder's Yard have kicked open their latest venue with a bang. Located in the old Caulfield Rifle Club building, the fittingly named Bang Bang at the Rifle Club is a cafe, bar and Asian-style eatery all rolled up in one.

Open 6am till late, seven days a week, and situated within shooting distance of Elsternwick Station, Bang Bang is the brainchild of the Riverland Group's Richie Ludbrook and Dave Sharry. In turn, they've tapped ex-Longrain chef Matthew Dunbar to craft a menu inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asia. "Travelling through most of Southeast Asia has really simplified my approach to food," said Dunbar in a statement.

The stripped-back approach is on display in Bang Bang's selection of bar snacks, which include chargrilled king prawn with lime and roasted shallot, pork scratching with green chilli, lime and spring onion, and crispy chicken ribs with house spice and sriracha.

Those after something a little more substantial can opt for one of the large share plates, such as the whole steamed snapper with Chinese cabbage, or the roasted pumpkin curry with cinnamon and kipfler potato. Bang Bang also offers a range of tasty desserts, including sago, coconut and pineapple with chocolate chilli crumble, and black sticky rice with pandan sweet cream, mango and coconut sorbet.

The day menu, meanwhile, features a number of delectable breakfast and lunch options, including French toast with grilled banana, passionfruit ice cream, palm sugar caramel and freeze dried berries, a turmeric omelette with bean shoots, prawns and pork; and jasmine rice bowls with satay vegetables, tofu and egg.

Finally, we get to the beverages. Bang Bang's coffee comes courtesy of Seven Seeds, and their tea courtesy of Larsen & Thompson. They also offer an array of milkshakes, in chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel and fresh young coconut. As for booze, they've got a variety of wines, beers and ciders and a small but impressive mix of summery cocktails. The basil cucumber smash includes Thai basil and cucumber (duh) along with Plymouth gin, pineapple juice and lime. We're also quite taken with a watermelon-based cocktail kicked with chilli salt and pepper-infused vodka.

Appears in:

The Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne for 2023