Acclaimed Chef Andrew McConnell Is Opening a New CBD Restaurant and Cocktail Bar This Summer

The yet-to-be-name venue will open in Russell Street's heritage Cavendish House early next year.
Libby Curran
October 16, 2019

When it comes to creating smash-hit venues, legendary chef Andrew McConnell knows what's what. He's the mind behind favourites like Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal and Marion, to name a few. And now, Melbourne's set to score another, with news McConnell's planning a new restaurant, to open in the 1920s heritage Cavendish House building at 33 Russell Street in the CBD. It'll be his first new project in five years.

The restaurant is yet to be named, though McConnell has dropped some clues as to what we can expect. "The inherent design of the room made me think of a clubby European bistro that manages to be familiar and elegant at the same time," he said in a statement. Part of the space will be home to a cocktail bar, so you'll be able to pop in for an after-work or pre-dinner drink and snack combo, too.

Sydney-based architecture and design studio Acme will be heading up the build, charged with creating 'a sensory experience' through a mix of marble, brass, linen and leather. The space will feature a dining area decked out with booths and banquettes, and a separate cocktail bar. Considering the studio is responsible for highly Instagrammed venues like The Grounds Of Alexandria, Charlie Parker's and Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, you can expect it to be very impressive.

As for the food, we're told to expect elements of French, Spanish and Italian cuisine, with a few flavours from the British Isles thrown in for good measure.

The building — which was previously a fancy flagship for Bang & Olufsen — is located on the corner of Flinders Lane and Russell Street, only a short walk from McConnell's Supernormal and in the middle of the Flinders Lane dining action.

Andrew McConnell's next restaurant will open at 33 Russell Street, Melbourne in early 2020. We'll let you know when we have more details and an opening date. 

Image: Google Maps. 

Published on October 16, 2019 by Libby Curran
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