Stokehouse’s Pontoon is no longer, with the venue reopening in Melbourne’s St Kilda as Stokehouse Pasta & Bar.
Hugh and Pete van Haandel, the sons of Stokehouse Founder Frank van Haandel, are leading the Mediterranean concept.
The pair are paying homage to the venue’s previous concepts with an all-day dining experience that focuses on high-quality food and service.
“We’ve taken what people loved about Stokehouse downstairs and returned to memory and the nostalgic feel of what people used to know and love,” says Hugh.
“The coastal vibe is still the same, and there is reference to what was with a softer fit-out and simpler approach to the dining space.”
Executive Chef Jason Staudt has teamed up with Head Chef Brendan Anderson to create a casual pasta-driven menu with a similar culinary approach to Stokehouse restaurant.
The offering encompasses snacks, pastas, mains, grilled seafood and desserts alongside signature cocktails and wines.
Snacks can be ordered individually or shared and include dishes such as a salumi plate with jamon, mortadella, salami, pickles and gnoco fritto.
Pasta dishes range from entrée to family sizes, covering spaghetti with crab and chilli; fusilli with tomato sugo and parmesan; orecchiette with broccoli, anchovy and pecorino; tortellini with spinach and ricotta, pesto lasagne and more.
Mains include salad nicoise with albacore tuna, veal schnitzel with pecorino and chives, market fish with pepperonata, lamb rump with tzatziki and fish and chips with tartare sauce.
Guests can also choose to share a 600g whole Murray cod with pepperonata or a 300g Cape Grim sirloin with gremolata and chips.
Group Pastry Chef Ash Smith is behind the dessert offering: think ice cream sundaes, cannoli with lemon ricotta and pistachio and a signature tiramisu in the shape of Stokehouse’s popular bombe Alaska.
On the beverage front, Sommelier Wil Martin has curated a wine offering that lists traditional classics along with skin contact white wine, pet nat, chilled red, sparkling and rosé.
The bar is serving up an extensive range of digestifs and whiskies along with Negronis, margaritas, an espresso-tini and a signature spritz made with amaro, white peach, jasmine soda and orange.
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar is open seven days a week from 12pm until late.
