Matt Wilkinson to open Crofter Dining Room & Bar in Hellenic Republic site - Restaurants

Nov 25, 2019

Don't you think it's time you gave bubble and squeak another go.

Founding chef/owner of Pope Joan and Yorkshireman Matt Wilkinson has returned to Brunswick East with a new eatery that shows off just how good British cuisine can be.

The stodge-free menu revolves around sustainably-sourced produce, taking the concept of one meat to three veg quite literally.

The menu contains more greens than a cottage garden, with offerings like summer beans in XO, baby cucumbers with soured cream and dill, woodfired spicy cabbage and charred zucchini with parmesan clotted cream. There’s even “Nan’s overcooked greens” topped with macadamia crumb, and we promise they taste a whole lot better than the ones you were forced to eat as a child.

Devilled chook.

Meats range from free-range ham with mustard to a devilled chook which sees chicken hearts and livers spread with egg on toast. While Britain’s most popular dish – chicken tikka masala – may be absent, it’s made up for with a number of subcontinental snacks, like garlic naan with daal, and pappadums with chutney.

Puds are not forgotten. The after-dinner line-up includes Eton mess with a stiffly beaten crème chiboust, and grilled strawberries with coconut ice cream.

Bubble and squeak omelette.

From the bar you can order a boozy pub squash spiked with Four Pillars Gin, as well as classic cocktails and bar snacks, like bubble and squeak omelette and potato gems in gravy.

With a name that references the “crofters” or landowning farmers of the Scotland Highlands, the interiors channel a country homestead, through its rustic tablewares and linens, varnished timbers and white farmhouse chairs.

Crofter Dining Room & Bar.