One of the country’s premier gastro pubs and few to offer two-Hatted dining, is transforming to open a very Zen Chinese restaurant.
The Builder’s Arms Hotel opened four years ago under the guidance of acclaimed chef Andrew McConnell and partners Josh Murphy and Anthony Hammond.
McConnell brought his reputation and expertise to the innovative new business in the historic building, attracting an amazing two chefs hats at The Age’s Good Food Guide Awards.
But as with all good things, the time has come to see a change say the owners, who suggest the future lies in a “Chinese restaurant within a landmark Fitzroy pub, run by Australian hospitality veterans”. This is Ricky & Pinky.
The “Eastern Evolution” is the brainchild of McConnell, who will lead the way down the new path, joined by former McConnell protégé and master of “elegant and accessible Asian cuisine”, Archan Chan.
The group says the space will be “playful, vibrant, and smile-inducing”, incorporating favourite aspects of traditional Chinese restaurants in Australian venues, such as round tables, fish tanks and the ever-popular lazy-Susan, with a free-flowing layout that harnesses the traditional Chinese notion of infinity.
Internal walls will be removed, and the current home of Moon Under Water will become part of the new restaurant with the culinary masters now on show in a visible kitchen.
“The chefs of the Builders Arms Hotel have been hidden for far too long.”
It will feature design by Sibling, creative touches by Tin & Ed, and brand identity by Studio Round.
The beloved front bar of the hotel will remain unchanged, as will the exterior and “soul of the building”.
The Builders Arms Hotel will be closed for refurbishment from Monday, 8 August until Monday, 22 August.
