Overview
Ned's Bake and Bistro has been kicking around South Melbourne since 2017, pumping out fresh sourdough loaves, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and brunch bites. It's since expanded to Middle Park Armadale and Albert Park — making Melbourne's southeast its home.
Earlier this year, the Middle Park venue experimented with opening for dinner service, and it's clearly been a success because the team is set to do the same with its South Yarra spot.
From Thursday, October 10, the team will be extending Ned's opening hours, delivering a new bar menu from 3–5pm and a dinner menu from 5pm–late (Tuesday–Saturday).
Leaning into its Mediterranean roots, Ned's evening offerings will be very similar to those at Middle Park, focusing on classic European comfort food served in a semi-casual setting.
You can expect a selection of handmade pasta dishes, including the pappardelle with lamb ragu and pecorino cheese, and the tagliolini packed with spanner crab, chilli and lemon. A classic steak frites with Montpellier butter, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled octopus and lobster-loaded croissant will also feature on the spring dinner menu.
These are all set to be paired with local and European wines, plus a smattering of cocktails.
Ned's Armadale and Ned's Albert Park will soon follow with their own dinner service, as the team plans to transform each of the venues into an all-day diner.
These changes are all a part of the the Valarc Group's (The Meatball & Wine Bar, Tartine Bistro and Ines Wine Bar) ambitious plans for expansion. Not only did they recently acquire Ned's, but they also plan to open more Ned's sites soon, plus a slew of new venues — including a cocktail bar above Ines, a European restaurant in Middle Park Village, an Italian deli in Kyneton and a boutique winery in the Macedon Ranges. It's full steam ahead for these hospo heavyweights.
Ned's South Yarra — found at 134 Toorak Road — will open for dinner service on Thursday, October 10, open 5pm–late from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.