It's not every day an iconic Melbourne restaurant passes from one hospo stalwart to another, so Andrew McConnell's Stokehouse takeover is a big deal. While the upstairs dining room has been gently refreshed, the new casual Marea Beach House & Bar downstairs brings an informal, fuss-free vibe to the shorefront, with generous beachside dining inspired by European summers. St Kilda's the Stokehouse, a classic Melbourne establishment, has been through its ups and downs with fires, renos and the like, with The Van Haandel Group steering it through the challenges and achievements with confidence and success. And when it came time to pass the baton, they couldn't have found more reliable and trustworthy new owners than Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann of Trader House, who operate a suite of Melbourne's best restaurants. "We both have fond memories of Stokehouse, as I think many people in Melbourne do," says McConnell. "It's a remarkable place with so much history. With Stokehouse upstairs, it's about taking care of what is already special and giving it new energy. Downstairs gives us an opportunity to do something quite different." With its uninterrupted views of the sparkling sea, the upstairs dining room needed little more than a gentle refresh by long-time collaborator ACME studio, to maintain its sense of grandeur and occassion. Unsurprisingly, fresh seafood takes centre stage, from crab salad to spaghetti vongole, and, in good news for devoted regulars, familiar favourites will remain, such as the King George Whiting with hand-cut chips and grilled whole lobster with tarragon butter. "The menu is simply an extensive list of all the things I love to eat while relaxing by the seaside — a glass of crisp wine in hand," says McConnell. While upstairs much remains the same, McConnell is changing things up more significantly downstairs with Marea Beach House & Bar, a laidback spot for leisurely lunches, relaxed afternoon drinks, or last-minute long summer dinners. Live music, generous Euro summer-inspired plates, and plenty of refreshing bevs have us guessing that this will be the spot to be this coming summer. Completing the trio of new venues, Ultramarinos will take over the kiosk, serving Pidapipo gelato and cocktails with sand underfoot, with the venues set to open in stages right in time for summer. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
