Overview
If good things come to those who wait, then three-storey beachfront haunt Manly Greenhouse must be destined for greatness. The hotly anticipated venue has launched, months after its original April opening date, and a whole four years since the site last saw customers as the former Shore Club Hotel.
The venue's opening in two stages, with the ground-floor Greenhouse and the Rooftop first up. Next month will then see the launch of the middle level, which will be home to a sit-down restaurant named The Grill.
In its entirety, the multi-faceted waterfront destination has space for a whopping 400, boasting a foliage-heavy coastal-style fit-out by award-winning studio Luchetti Krelle. Expect a super lush setting befitting the name, including some pretty special collaborative efforts from illustrator Beci Orpin and the greenery experts at The Plant Room.
Downstairs, The Greenhouse is your go-to for casual eats at any time of day. The menu's got a modern Italian bent, starring pizzas done in the woodfire ovem, and pasta dishes like pappardelle with slow-cooked brisket. Other bites might include the likes of crab bruschetta, a bone-in grass-fed Riverina sirloin, and mushroom and provolone arancini served with garlic aioli.
The cocktail lineup's another nod to Italy, starring classics like the negroni, an Aperol spritz and the Cafe Frizzante, a blend of sparkling water, cold brew, vermouth and Campari. A sprawling selection of Aussie wines sits alongside a few key Italian varietals, and two Hope Brewhouse collaborations headline a crafty list of beers.
One level up, The Grill's food offering will be guided by the kitchen's charcoal grill, matched with a largely natural wine lineup curated by Lo-Fi Wines co-founder James Audas.
And the icing on this cake is the rooftop, where panoramic ocean views and a healthy dose of greenery prove a breezy backdrop for signature cocktails, toasted sandwiches and an edit of bar snacks from the menu downstairs. Looks like the Steyne has some competition.
The first stage of Manly Greenhouse is now open at 36-38 South Steyne, Manly. The ground floor will open from 11.30am daily, while the rooftop will be open from 3pm. We'll let you know when The Grill has an opening date.
Updated: October 2, 2018.