Côte Basque

Overview

When one of Melbourne's most successful and prolific restaurateurs opens his next restaurant, especially after a six-year gap since the establishment of the last, it's something worth getting excited about. Following the incredible achievements of renowned Gimlet at Cavendish House, and the continued success of each and every one of the restaurants in his stable, Andrew McConnell, with partner Jo McGann, have opened Côte Basque at a storied site with important hospo history, ready to continue its legacy. 

"Since my first trip to the Basque in the 90s, I have been inspired by the region. We wanted to do an authentic wood grill and wood-oven restaurant, dedicating a menu to the beauty of that tradition of cooking. We're trying to keep it as simple as possible — the best produce we can get our hands on, treat it with care, grill it perfectly, put it on the plate," says McConnell. 

And that's exactly what Côte Basque is all about. A European grill house where the freshest seafood and premium cuts of meat are treated with the utmost respect and restraint, cooked simply over flame and embers, letting the produce do the talking. Rustic, rather than refined, McConnell will channel the simplicity of Basque cuisine by focusing on traditions, rather than technologies. 

"We're taking this opportunity to pare things back, and focus on really great-quality produce, saucing and technique — traditional service styles that elevate these dishes," says head chef Allan Doert Eccles.

A two-part menu features signature dishes, alongside an ever-evolving daily grill list. On the former, expect the likes of calamari à la brute and a fish soup, which according to Doert Eccles, is a "pure expression of the sea." The dynamic grill list will feature fresh-caught fish and seafood, as well as exclusive cuts of meat, including David Blackmore's Rohne hybrid of wagyu and Galician rubia gallega. 

The leather-lined bar is bolstered by a 12-metre mural by artist Magnus Reid, and it's the perfect spot to sample Sommelier Leanne Altmann's collated list of bright, textured, Euro-leaning wines. The restored 1950s green terrazzo flooring, cherrywood panelling, and stainless-steel framed windows, designed by ACME, honour the heritage space — which began as the home to Pellegrini's Tavolo Freddo Cantina in 1954 — with nostalgic elements, while bringing it into the modern era with a sense of theatre by channelling the grandeur and spirit of New York dining rooms. 

Images: Sharyn Cairns. 

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