Welcome
Our head chef- Craig Huntley has earned his cooking chops from earlier stints at much lauded venues such as the River Café & Kensington Place in West End London, so it’s no wonder this man’s no slouch in the kitchen. Not only talented, he’s also a super charming gent.
From nascent digs in Margate town- he’s made his way to mercurial Melbourne- with him some well-travelled tastebuds, a swag of Italian & Spanish influences and a wry, laddish nod to English pub grub classics.
THE HISTORY
Grace Darling was a sassy 19th century heroine and celebrity, feted by socialites and adventure- seeking folks worldwide. In 1838, after spotting a shipwreck from her Northumberland Lighthouse home, the 22-year-old maiden rowed out to sea, saving nine sailors and sending the Victorian version of the paparazzi into a flap. On that day an English rival to the legend of Joan of Arc was born, and – with the twin advantages of being better dressed and still alive – began to kick the French lady’s butt in three directions. William Wordsworth wrote a poem, The Queen sent 50 quid, someone immortalised her achievements in song – and, before anyone had heard of Britney Spears, Grace began selling off bits of her hair.
After yielding to consumption (and not the Saturday night kind) Grace Darling had a hotel named after her in downtown Collingwood – officially opened by a Tassy Politician in 1854 with luminaries such as Squizzy Taylor knocking the froth off a few at the launch party.
THE PRESENT
Whether you want pub classics with a crafty twist, a cheeky red taken on a Chesterfield by an open fire, a candlelit dinner for two in a leafy atrium, or a special occasion in a spooky-cellar- turned-private-dining-room – this is the joint for you.
Feast on seasonal produce, free range and organic fare. Wash it down with a drop from our boutique wine list (focused on locally produced and small owner growers), or one of a large selection of local and international beers. Housemade pickles, preserves and local cheeses are served up peasant-style, alongside slow-cooked Sunday roasts served to juicy perfection in traditional cast iron pots.
Check out what’s happening in the Grace Bandroom. My Disco, Teeth & Tongue, Lost Animal, The Process, Super Wild Horses, The Frowning Clouds, The Bonniwells, Sophie Brous, Electric Smile, Ouch My Face, Duck Duck Chop, Tessa & The Typecasts, Shout Out Louds, Kirin J Callinan & Six Foot Hick have all pounded the upstairs stage.
