MELBOURNE | Springrock is the newest venue from the team behind American BBQ spot Fancy Hanks, and rooftop bar, Good Heavens. It’s located between, and connected to those venues, in the space that’s lay dormant since Grand Trailer Park Taverna closed. I was invited to the media launch event last night to check it out.
Named for co-owner Mike Patrick’s grandfather’s Gippsland property, Springrock draws influence from classic Victorian country pubs. There’s dark timber furnishing and plenty of booths, 1970s inspired green and gold carpet, and a judicious use of tiles on the central, U-shaped bar. Large windows wrap around the space, providing a great view and lots of natural sunlight.
Head chef Jarrod Di Blasi, who’s come over from the sadly closed, Izakaya Den, is in charge of the kitchen. He’s created a succinct menu of contemporary takes on country pub classics. There’s bar snacks and counter meals, a few desserts, and a weekly rotating Sunday roast.
I sampled most of the bar menu at the event, and enjoyed what I had. Highlights include the pull-apart smoky garlic bread, master stock braised lamb shoulder nuggets with jalapeno mint jelly, wagyu salami with honey mushrooms and rye crisp, and the ‘crispy AF’ chicken wings with Fancy Hank’s chilli mayo.
For mains, there’s a few burgers, a chicken parma, striploin steak, and a couple of other dishes. Based on the bar snacks, I’m keen to pop in sometime and check out this part of the menu. So too the dessert menu, which features one of my favourite desserts that you don’t often see in Australia. The decidedly not Aussie country pub, S’more.
The drinks list, 20 pages strong features house cocktails, local and European wines, with many options available by the glass, and Aussie craft beers on tap and in cans. There’s a focus on approachable styles like lagers, Pale Ales, and XPAs.
Springrock
87 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9453 2882
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Sun – Wed: 12:00pm to 11:30pm
Thu – Sat: 12:00pm to 2:00am