Jacqui Felgate: How to get the Stokehouse experience at half the price
Want a hack to get into the Stokehouse at half the price? Head downstairs.
The Stokehouse is a Melbourne institution but for most it’s very much a special occasion restaurant.
Formally known as Pontoon, a place for boozy brunches and hens days, downstairs has been reimagined as Stokehouse Pasta and Bar and it is very much for everyone. It’s basically Stokehouse light!
It’s cool, it’s understated, the Mediterranean menu ticks all the boxes with a few nifty touches.
The entire wine list is $79. You read that right! 85 bottles are hand-picked by the Stokehouse sommelier, the list is extensive and I loved the idea that every single bottle was the same price. We let our lovely waiter choose a delicious Prinz 2020 Riesling which paired perfectly with some Sydney rock oysters and nduja king prawns. Two fat, juicy crustaceans swimming in the sweet, spicy oil. Delicious.
Mains included spaghetti, crab and chilli, $23/34/52, and orecchiette, broccoli, anchovy and pecorino. There are seven pasta options on the menu and all come in entrée, main and family size (to encourage sharing).
A 300g cape grim sirloin with gremolata is $48. Again, designed to share the 600g wanderer rib eye is $98. We had the market fish with pepperonata ($42) and watched the storm roll in.
Sides include grilled cabbage, pesto and pinenuts and grilled zucchini and stracciatella.
Stokehouse Pasta and Bar hits all the right notes. Our early sitting saw families with high chairs, corporate types and the fashion set. There’s plenty of seating outside to enjoy the sunset and you’re right on the beach so there’s plenty of people watching too. It’s Melbourne, at its best.
Pro tip: check out the weekday special express lunch menu, pasta, bread and wine for $30
Stokehouse Pasta and Bar
Ground level, 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
stokepastaandbar.com.au