Andrew McConnell’s new big-city diner will finally open its doors today, bringing a glimpse of golden age decadence to Russell Street, Melbourne.

McConnell and his team have been working on the venue for two years, with the grand opening slated for the same week the second lockdown hit.

Channelling the supper clubs of London and New York, the historic 1920s venue has been jazzed up with a luxurious fit-out by Sydney design house Acme.

The swanky new space is dominated by a central open kitchen and black marble cocktail bar, where diners can order the venue’s namesake cocktail, gin with fresh lime, and sup oysters while they wait for a table.

The dapper dining room features brasserie tables and burgundy banquettes, surrounded by honeycomb chandeliers and geometric tiling that will take you back to the art deco age. There’s also a private dining area for 12 tucked away upstairs for private Gatsby-style celebrations.

“The space reminds me of historic big-city restaurants in London or New York, the sort we don’t really have here,” says Gimlet restaurateur Andrew McConnell. “We wanted the design to celebrate the room.”

The food menu, curated by head chef Allan Doert Eccles, celebrates the European classics of yesteryear. Expect decadent dishes like escargot in anchovy butter and dry-aged duck with sauce Cumberland and endive, with club sandwiches for lunch and homemade gelati for dessert.

“The style is leaning on Europe and America, a bit of old world mixed with new world sensibility,” head chef Allan Doert Eccles said.

The Gimlet bar will welcome patrons with expertly-made cocktails, fine European wines hand-selected by sommelier Leanna Altmann as well as non-alcoholic drinks for the sober-curious crowd.

The specialty is, of course, the venue’s namesake sipper, a classic gin and lime cocktail made from a house-made citrus cordial distilled from orange, bergamot, yuzu and finger lime.

Gimlet at Cavendish House
33 Russell Street, Melbourne
Tue – Sat, 12pm – 1am
03 9277 9777
@gimlet.melbourne
gimlet.melbourne