MELBOURNE | Coupette is the latest venue by Mulberry Group. Unlike prior venues, however, Coupette doubles up as the restaurant of new hotel, Hannah St Hotel. In fact, Mulberry Group runs all of the hotel’s food and beverage. Hannah St Coffee, the Carriage Lounge, Bar Hannah, and rooftop terrace bar, Propeller. I was recently invited in to take a look.
Coupette is modelled off a classic European bistro. The 66-seat venue features terrazzo floors, marble-topped tables, cushioned seats and banquettes, and wood accents throughout the fitout. The theme flows through to the food menu, developed by executive chef Andrew Beddoes (ex. Tartine, Enoteca Boccaccio) and head chef David Warne.
It’s things like Nardin smoked anchovies with jalapeño, steak frites with Montpellier butter and condiments, foie gras on brioche toast with sauternes jelly, and lamb rump with sweetbreads, eggplant, black olive jus, and labneh. The latter is a particular highlight, beautifully tender and exploding with flavour. For dessert, be sure to try the strawberry Eton mess with strawberry jelly, meringue, and vanilla crème.
By day, Coupette switches into brunch mode, with classics like eggs Benedict, avocado on toast, and French toast. There’s also a selection of pastries and coffee. The lunch offering is a reduced selection of dishes form the dinner menu, which transitions into the full menu from 5pm.
The drinks list moves between international, old world wines, and Victorian producers. The spirit and beer selection leans heavily local, with a focus on quality producers. I quite like the Coupette take on the martini, which uses Four Pillars Olive Leaf gin, vermouth, olive bitters, olive oil, and saltbush. There’s also a decent selection of non-alcoholic options, if you’d like to skip the booze altogether.
Copuette
90 Queens Bridge Street
Southbank
Victoria 3006
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9944 6028
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 7:00am to 10:00pm