Geelong’s Beach House renamed The Pavillion in hospo takeover

The man behind some of the city’s best cafes has taken over an iconic Geelong venue, turning the space into a thriving daytime eatery and Asian restaurant by night.

Melbourne cafe king Julien Moussi’s coastal domination continues after taking over an iconic Geelong landmark to open his latest venue.

The Pavilion will sling coffees by day and Asian eats by night in the former Beach House site at Eastern Beach, previously run by hospo players The Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, Liminal), from next Friday.

Julien Moussi. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“We can’t wait to bring our own DNA into the space – the venue will have a buzzy atmosphere and provide a great experience from breakfast through to dinner,” Moussi said.

Only Hospitality Group executive chef Jung Hwan Woo and Allan Hwang will lead The Pavilion’s kitchen, as well as upstairs bar Caledonia Shores, that’ll have a snacks and cocktail focus.

John Woo and Allan Hwang will lead the charge at Geelong’s rebranded The Pavilion. Picture: Michael Klein.

Moussi said the opportunity to take over the Geelong space was well-timed for both parties.

Only Hospitality Group was keen to build its coastal property portfolio and Mulberry Group chief executive Nathan Toleman was ready to move on to his next project.

The Mulberry Group’s Beach House was ready to see a new chapter. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.

“These coastal towns crave something like this, and this is a great opportunity to co-brand venues and have two different elements to them,” Moussi said.

The group’s first regional venue comes after a successful summer on the Mornington Peninsula, where it launched its first day-to-night eatery Bonny in Blairgowrie alongside cafes Buckley in Sorrento and Rosebud’s Hobson.

Only Hospitality Group is well-known for its Melbourne cafes including Bentwood Fitzroy, Winter Malvern and Nelson Box Hill.

The Pavilion, 95 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong

Ellington's Ballarat is a new 100-seater wine bar that’s opened on Ballarat’s main drag. Picture: Michael Watson.

Boom town

After Melbourne’s lockdown exodus to the regions, gold rush city Ballarat is now booming with wine bars and posh bottle shops – and more high-end venues are on the way.

Mitchell Harris is no longer the only option for a wine-fuelled night, with Ellington’s opening on the city’s main drag in February.

Myles Williams and Sol Taite are among five partners behind the Sturt St business, which boasts the city’s first rooftop bar serving a range of local, French, Italian and Greek wines.

The 100-seater also doubles as a bottle shop and sells coffee from early afternoon for the after-school crowd.

“Ellington’s is inspired by our favourite bars around Melbourne and the world,” Williams said.

“I think having a rooftop has been a big drawcard for us – there’s nothing like this in Ballarat.”

Williams and his dad owned Cabinet Bar, off Swanston St, pre-Covid.

Ellington’s lives next door to Midtown Cellars, which also doubles a bar and bottle shop selling craft beer and wine.

Ellington’s Wine Bar, 405A Sturt St, Ballarat

Rocky Road Festival is back in 2022.

Ready to rock

Chocolate lovers can hit the road for some rockin’ good treats when the Rocky Road Festival returns this month.

More than 100,000 handmade blocks and 31 different flavours of our favourite choc-studded treat will be available to try at the Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Rd and Mornington Peninsula Chocolateries.

The line-up will include Golden Gaytime, espresso martini and Biscoff bites, black forest and pistachio praline flavours, as well as vegan and gluten free options.

There’ll also be rocky road inspired desserts, hot chocolates and tasting sessions at each location.

Can’t make the festival? Head online to curate your own 1kg block loaded with your favourite jellies, nuts and marshmallows.

gorci.com.au

mpchoc.com.au

yvci.com.au

Gin time

World class gin distillery Four Pillars has opened its flashy new Healesville digs.

The government-funded revamp allowed for the expansion of the existing Lilydale Rd distillery to include a new gin garden, eatery, bar and store.

Gin production will increase to one million bottles a year thanks to a new bottling line facility and 2000L German-made still which will arrive later this year.

The once-tiny cellar door can now hold up to 300 people at once, allowing gin-lovers to enjoy cocktails or tasting paddles in the new Jude’s Gin Garden or Beth’s Bar.

There’ll also be a snacky menu by Matt Wilkinson and Caro Gray, which may include duck liver pate and jelly spiked with the distillery’s Bloody Shiraz Gin or bagels with olive leaf gin-cured salmon. A Four Pillars tuck shop is also in the works for late 2022. Watch this space.

2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville