Westgarth's Breezy All-Day Diner Ophelia Will Soon Open After Dark — with $20 Pasta Nights and Vinyl-Spinning DJs
The neighbourhood eatery is entering its evenings era with Euro-style snacks, house-made pasta and vibey weekend vinyl sessions.
Ophelia, the charming all-day Westgarth diner from the Yolk Group (whose stable also includes Tinker, Terror Twilight and Convoy), is officially turning nocturnal. From Tuesday, June 17, the High Street corner spot will dim the lights and welcome guests for dinner and drinks on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
It's the first time the Yolk crew has taken one of its venues into after-dark territory, but the move has been on the cards from the start. "We've always loved the idea of a place that evolves throughout the day and shifts gears as night rolls in," says co-owner Kieran Spiteri. "Ophelia's got a laidback moodiness about her that's made for an evening operation, and is something locals have been asking us for."
Much like the venue's daytime offer, Ophelia by night lets you choose your own adventure, whether you're popping in for a light snack-and-sip session or settling in for a relaxed dinner. Whatever you decide, you'll be in good hands — nights at Ophelia will be led by Yolk's newly appointed Executive Chef Mitchell Velo (ex-Cumulus Inc. and Marion) (pictured below) and new Venue Manager Heidi Modra (formerly of Pinotta).
The approachable, European-leaning menu doesn't veer too far from the tried-and-true wine bar formula — the result is a smartly pared-back yet creative list that spotlights seasonal produce, including fresh fruit and veg from Collingwood supplier Natoora. On the list, you'll find the likes of dates stuffed with nduja, pancetta and olive, pickled mussel toast with aioli and Aleppo pepper and hot-smoked trout rillette served with crisps and caperberries. You can pair your plates with a selection from the chalkboard wine list, featuring Australian and European labels, or one of the evening-exclusive cocktails.
Swing by on a Tuesday night when, from 6pm, you can take your pick from a tight weekly rotation of house-made pasta dishes for $20 a plate. Spiteri is hopeful it'll be the start of a new local tradition: "Westgarth Theatre slings its own Tuesday special just across the road, so we're hoping a budget-friendly flick and feed will become a midweek ritual for locals and beyond," he says.
Fridays and Saturdays will see Ophelia invite local vinyl selectors to soundtrack Pour and Play sessions, where snacky small plates will do the rounds. And while dinner service doesn't start until 6pm, you can pop in for aperitivo from 4pm to enjoy roaming snacks and cocktail specials. Plus, with wine dinners, guest chef collabs and private events also in the works, Ophelia's night-time chapter is only just beginning.
Ophelia will be open on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 4pm for aperitivo and from 6pm for dinner, from Tuesday, June 17. Find it at 85 High Street, Northcote. For more information, head to the venue's website.
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