Overview
Melbourne's hospo scene was fairly devastated to see Rosetta close in May this year, as the popular Italian fine-diner wasn't included in Crown's ambitious redevelopment plans.
Now the space — which was opulently decorated to look and feel like the iconic 1930s spot Harry's Bar in Venice — has been totally gutted to make way for its replacement: Marmont.
Run and owned by Crown itself — in conjunction with DJ and Restaurateur Grant Smillie — Marmont will be both a bar and all-day diner inspired by California. Smillie just spent 12 years in LA, setting up a slew of bars and restaurants, and is bringing all he's done there to this new riverside venture.
Rosetta
The new Marmont is slated to open this summer, and be a destination for Yarraside sip and snack sessions, long boozy lunches and intimate dinners. No further details have been shared about the food and drink lineup, but we'll likely hear more in the coming months.
Music is also set to be a highlight — unsurprisingly so, given Smillie's DJ background — with an all-vinyl DJ console featuring in the space.
Smillie said of the partnership, "It is great to be back in Australia, and even better to be partnering with Crown for this landmark project. Having been overseas for over a decade, I look forward to bringing a piece of California to my hometown.
"This has always been my favourite site in Melbourne, and I'm excited to share my vision for this dynamic indoor-outdoor spot that is perfect for the day-to-night nature of the venue.
"I can't wait to give Melburnians a taste of all of my favourite things — good music, atmosphere and food."
The pressure is on for these guys to get Marmont right, with many people still sour about Rosetta's demise.
Marmont is set to open this summer and will be found at Crown Riverwalk, Southbank. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.