Overview
In the past six months, The Mulberry Group (founders and past owners of The Kettle Black, Top Paddock and Higher Ground) has gifted Melbourne with two stunning venues: Liminal in the CBD and Geelong's road trip-worthy Common Ground Project. But already the team is already gearing up to unveil another two.
The first to launch is contemporary CBD diner Hazel — who flung open her doors just this week — while late-night sibling Dessous is set to follow suit on Monday, October 21.
Gracing two levels of the 1920s T&G Building at 164 Flinders Lane, Hazel marks a shift for the group as its first venue to open nights. Helming the kitchen is Head Chef Zac Nicholson (Rockpool Bar & Grill) who's cooking with a woodfired grill and oven both fuelled by Australian-grown ironbark.
Pete Dillon
Expect small bites like a pig's head terrine and grilled prawns with cumin mayonnaise, alongside larger plates like the wood-grilled duck breast teamed with aged balsamic. Pasta might feature the likes of fettuccine with baby kale and chilli, a lamb forequarter chop is matched with chimichurri, and a chopped salad side is finished with pork crackling for extra crunch. There's also seven different things on toast, such as mussels and white wine, anchovy and kefir butter, and duck liver pâté with caramelised onions.
With over 120 bottles, the wine selection has decidedly broad appeal and is backed by a lineup of local brews and an unfussy handful of cocktails, such as strawberry negronis, grapefruit sprtizes and salted cucumber concoctions.
Meanwhile, the light-filled space is also primed for lingering — award-winning interior design firm The Stella Collective has left its mark with a restrained, but elegant mix of gentle curves, natural linens and polished floors.
Find Hazel at 164 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. It's open Monday to Saturday from 12–4pm and 6–11pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Dessous is slated to launch on October, 21.
Images: Pete Dillon