The Stokehouse is back
More than two and a half years after it burnt down, St Kilda’s popular Stokehouse restaurant is reopening.
Sitting right on the St Kilda foreshore, the Stokehouse is expected to open in November. That comes after the launch of a fish and chip outlet, Paperfish, on the ground floor.
The new Stokehouse designed by Robert Simeoni Architects will have three offerings. It will be 12-metres high, almost three metres higher than the restored 1920s pavilion it replaces.
The first offering is Paperfish, which will also come with an app that lets people order their fish and chips from the beach.
Downstairs, the old Stokehouse café will reopen as Pontoon. The place will be embanked by a giant landscaped sand dune.
The idea of Pontoon is to have something that’s super-casual, fast-moving and affordable. The kitchen will be open from midday to late so people can drop in on all hours.
That’s in contrast to what’s upstairs, the fine diner.
It will feature indoor and outdoor seating and capacity for 350 people and its menu will be based around a four-metre-long, custom-made grill, which will quickly fire up fresh fish, meat, quail and vegetables.
There will also be options to dine at the bar, or have a stand-up drink. Alternatively, people would be able to settle down into a cushioned lounge facing the foreshore.
Proprietor Frank Van Haandel says public views of the ocean will be preserved.
"The previous ground floor of the Stokehouse restaurant was very low and dark so we have increased the ceiling height of that floor, however the big win in all of this is the stunning view between the sand dune and the restaurant with a clear view through to the ocean and sunset," Mr Van Haandel told The Age.
"When you drive in the driveway, you'll see the entire ground floor of the restaurant buried under the sand dune, so it will be quite dramatic."
by Leon Gettler, September 1st 2016
