Ivanhoe Hotel raises the bar in Manly
After an eight-month overhaul, one of Manly's oldest pubs has re-emerged to capitalise on community demands for a more sophisticated food and beverage offering.
On Monday The Ivanhoe opened its new doors to the public, with a 'strong emphasis on food, quality and fresh produce', offering two levels of seated dining and bar areas and a nod to the local culture with surf club-inspired area, 'The Pines' on level two.
Designed by Paul Kelly, the pub's new look is based on a 'Hamptons-style coastal beach vibe', with sixteen indoor and outdoor all-weather spaces over three floors, including two impressive rooftop bars.
Owners, the Peterson family, intend for the new venue to be a classic, relaxed and welcoming space, with lots of natural timbers, sandstone walls, lush greenery and coastal chic furnishings.
The new-look Ivanhoe Hotel
Emma Peterson told TheShout the area's growing 'foodie' culture drove their decision to execute the big-dollar rebuild.
"Manly is definitely making its mark as a go-to dining and drinking destination in Sydney, thanks to a host of new café, restaurant, bar and pub openings over the past few years.
"This area is so vibrant and beautiful, and our intention with The Ivanhoe Hotel refurb was to reflect the sophisticated local seaside vibe and create a neighbourhood meeting place for anyone and everyone.
"Manly is raising the bar in terms of its food and drink offering, so there's real potential for hospitality venues that embrace this," said Peterson.
As part of the all-important food offering, the kitchen team will make all pizza bases, burger patties, stocks, chutneys, mayonnaise and sauces on the premises, and the impressive new ground floor pizza and burger kitchen also includes a takeaway menu.
The Pines – a tribute to the palm-lined Manly streets – is intended to be an old-school surf club hangout, complete with ping pong bats, tennis racquets, dance floor, outdoor greenhouse and lots of lush pine trees. It features paintings of old surf club members on the walls, and much of the specialised woodwork was created by a local from Narrabeen.
Source: The Shout, 27 March 2013
