Now Open: Celebrity Chef Karen Martini Is Running the Show at St Kilda's New Saint George

In October last year, Karen Martini's restaurant Hero suddenly closed its doors to the public. It was a shock for the industry. But the author and celebrity chef wasn't gone for long. She soon became Culinary Director of Johnny's Green Room, and most recently took charge of all things food at the new Saint George gastropub in St Kilda.

The newly transformed venue (formerly The Saint Hotel) now includes two distinct drinking and dining spaces, The Tavern and The Grill.

The Tavern is home to some classic gastropub eats like an elevated chicken schnitty (seasoned with 17 seeds and spices), plus a few fun and more interesting dishes like the potato cake topped with whipped cod roe and caviar.

But it's within The Grill where Martini is really showcasing her signature contemporary Italian culinary stylings. For one, it is where she is bringing back her much-loved bistecca alla Fiorentina (from when she worked at Melbourne Wine Room). A slew of antipasti dishes and handmade pasta will also feature in this more refined part of St Kilda's Saint George.

We don't know too much about the drinks menu, but it is said to include a "quirky wine list featuring friends of Karen Martini, small producers, and a love for Italian wine". Plenty of Italian-inspired cocktails and local beers will also make appearances.

The backdrop to the food and drink lineup will be the newly designed Saint George.

Chris Connell Designs has kept things simple, restoring the exposed brickwork, while placing simple black tables throughout the two drinking and dining spaces and injecting a bit of colour with pleasing earthy hues. A few wall-sized David Band artworks from Martini's personal art collection have also been recreated for the pub, adding to its sleek and contemporary feel.

Martini is leaving her stamp all over the new Saint George gastropub in St Kilda, and we are all for it.

Images: Kristoffer Paulsen