Date nights and late nights at Elsternwick’s new restaurant and cocktail lounge
From the sibling team behind Armadale’s Mammoth, restaurateurs on the rise Nick and Zac Beerens will soon introduce Elsternwick to Copycat, a restaurant, cocktail bar and date-night spot at the former After The Tears site on Gordon Street, opening its doors in early September.
Positioned alongside the longstanding arthouse picture theatre Classic Cinemas, Copycat is a play on doing nothing new after having learned from the best. Part-owner Nick Beerens explains: “We’re not reinventing the wheel, we’re reinventing date-night. Our restaurant is a representation of what we think is the best in Melbourne hospitality and we are excited to bring it to Elsternwick, a location we feel has been missing a late-night date spot. Copycat is filling that void, offering a place to go for a great meal, a few oysters and a wine, or a nightcap at the bar after seeing a film next door”.
Technē Architects have reimaged the space to offer an alluring dining room, an intimate bar, and a semi-private lounge perfect for late-night canoodling. Forest green hues set the tone, along with textured concrete walls and banquette seating with white marble tabletops. The team has restored the original century-old timber flooring and created a sunken intimate cocktail lounge, and a covered and heated outdoor terrace extends the dining space throughout the entire year.
The European-leaning menu by Head Chef Kevin Middleton (Naked For Satan, Donovans) offers a large portion of vegetarian dishes and is designed to be shared, championing the authentic flavours of the highest quality produce from local suppliers.
Unpretentious and approachable, dishes include:
Halloumi and Walnut Empanada, Honey
Marinated Spring Bay Mussels, Saffron, Harissa, Red Onion, Sourdough
Kingfish Ceviche, Fennel, Ras El Hanout, Coriander, Pomegranate
Leek Tarte Tatin, Almond Feta, Hazelnut Dukkah, Red Vein Sorrel
Twice-Cooked Half Chicken, Jus Gras, Tarragon
Pan-Fried Barramundi Fillet, Pickled Radish, Mojo Verde
Braised Beef Rib Cap, Soubise, Herbs, Crispy Shallots
Baked Cheesecake, Citrus, Baklava Crumbs
Bombe Alaska, Salted Macadamia, Chocolate
Spiced Pear & Almond Cake, Maple, Caramel Mousse, Pickled Ginger
Complementing the offering from the kitchen is an extensive drinks menu by Bar Manager Harry Whitelegg (Vue Group) with the help of wine consultant Jane Semple (Goodie Group, Vue de monde, Ezard), presenting a range of well-known Australian wine producers, and drops from lesser-known wineries. There is also a tight selection of European wines and an entirely Victorian beer list.
Eleven produce-inspired cocktails are minimalist and sophisticated, and a 1am liquor license means movie-goers now have a destination for a pre- and post-flick beverage. Named in reference to pop culture, guests will be able to try:
• Pink on Wednesdays – vodka, lemon juice, raspberry liqueur, lemonade,
raspberry foam
• Rum them Jewels – dark rum, lemon, yellow Chartreuse, Dom Benedictine,
house-made fermented pineapple tepache, spicy ginger beer
• Velvet Fog – an absinthe and melon liqueur based cocktail locals may
remember from After The Tears that is a nod to the building’s history.
“We’ve grown up in Elsternwick and now are taking it into our own hands to create what’s been missing – a place with good vibes, good drinks, and bloody good food,” says Nick.
Copycat
9b Gordon Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Opening hours:
From September 6
Sunday to Thursday: 4pm–11pm
Friday and Saturday: 4pm–1am
From October 1
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm–11pm
Friday and Saturday: 12pm–1am
Image credit: Steven Gringlas
Coming Soon: Copycat
