DJ Grant Smillie leads Crown Melbourne’s restaurant revival with Marmont
DJ Grant Smillie says he can lead Crown Melbourne’s restaurant revival with his buzzy new day-to-night venue tipped to a celebrity hot spot this summer.
Food
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Can Aussie DJ Grant Smillie return Crown Melbourne to its former foodie glory?
“I’m happy to be the change agent,” he tells Kitchen Confidential.
“There’s a new generation (of restaurants) coming through and I’m excited for the future.”
The ARIA Award-winning artist turned LA restaurateur made the ultimate homecoming last week by launching Marmont — his first Melbourne venue in 12 years.
Smillie, who rose to fame on the international DJ circuit, also moonlights in hospitality and owns fellow riverside bar Ponyfish Island.
Marmont, however, will be different.
Living in Neil Perry’s former Rosetta site at Crown Melbourne on the river walk, the day-to-night venue boasts a “deep snack menu” and “all-day grazing”, led by his former EP and LP head chef Mark Tagnipez.
“Marmont is the definition of modern dining. It’s not just about coming in and ordering the chicken. We’ll have a deep snack menu where (diners) can treat it like a wine bar before building up to larger plates,” Smillie said.
Tagnipez, who previously cooked at Supernormal, is working with Marcus Lubiato (ex-Studio Amaro) behind the bar, to give locals a taste of that carefree Cali lifestyle.
As for the music?
“There won’t be a lazy Spotify Top 40 playlist. For afternoon and lunch we’ll dive back into the late 70s for some cool classics we’ve forgotten,” he said.
“Then we’ll follow the natural moment of the place until sunset, then we’ll add some uplifting beats and transition to live music and DJs in venue.”
Smillie said striking a divide between restaurant and bar would be key to Marmont’s success.
“The transition to restaurant and bar will be the trickiest thing. Food has longevity in the game and the quality attached to that. Will this just be another bar on Southbank? Will we be here in 10 years time? We don’t settle for mediocrity and we want to challenge people to push the boundaries.”
Marmont, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank, crownmelbourne.com.au
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