Overview
The term 'hotel bar' is set to take on a whole new meaning when Estate opens within the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach on Friday, March 13. The four-in-one venue boasts a seafood-focused dining room, a tropical terrace bar, a dedicated taqueria and even a hidden karaoke room.
The multimillion-dollar refurbishment is headed by Chef (and Creative Director) Matthew Butcher, who has worked alongside a few of the culinary greats — including big names like Gordon Ramsay and Vue de Monde's Shannon Bennett. Butcher is joined by Head Chef Scott Eddington, who has clocked time with Rene Redzeppi at Noma, as well as at Australian favourites A1 Canteen, Belle's Hot Chicken and Melbourne's Mamasita.
Lobster roll
Start off at the Terrace, an outdoor bar giving off Bali beach club vibes. Think beanbags, heaps of tropical palms and a projector screening sunset films and live sporting events. Bar snacks — such as lobster rolls, waffle fries and puffed pork with guacamole — are served out of a vintage Airstream trailer alongside locally made beers and wines.
Meanwhile, over at the dining room — dubbed Kitchen — expect an ocean-themed fit-out that reflects the menu's focus on fresh, local seafood. Whole Moreton Bay bugs with green chilli butter, scampi risotto with caviar and salmon crudo with finger lime all make the regularly changing menu, as do tableside guacamole, lobster rolls and smoked mussels. For dessert, dig into Cherry Ripe bombe alaska or white chocolate s'mores.
Taqueria
In the Taqueria, there are neon lights, orange furnishings and bright patterns aplenty. The main offering here is the soft-shell tacos, which come in five varieties: pork belly with tamarind glaze, grilled fish with chipotle mayo spicy tofu, chorizo and barbecue chicken with tomatillo salsa. Otherwise, you can tuck into a big ol' bowl of vegan nachos. There are heaps of margaritas and micheladas going around, too — and a 25-strong tequila list is also available.
Also hidden within the premises is Confessional, a private karaoke room that can (and should) be reserved for late-night revelry.
Views of the Coogee coastline surround the venue and it's set up to fully embrace in those views —the courtyard even has three-step bleachers installed, from which punters can look out over the the ocean. Estate will be run separately from the hotel, though nothing is stopping you from turning your night out into a new excuse for a staycation.
Find Estate within the Crowne Plaza at 242 Arden Street, Coogee from Friday, March 13. Terrace is open 4–10pm Monday–Thursday and 12–10pm Friday–Sunday; Kitchen is open 5pm–late Monday–Thursday and 12pm–late Friday–Sunday; and Taqueria is open 12pm–late daily.