Gimlet chef Andrew McConnell unveils new Basque-inspired grill Côte Basque
Renowned Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell and partner Jo McGann have announced plans to open Côte Basque, a European grill restaurant replacing Becco on Crossley St next winter.
Melbourne star chef Andrew McConnell is set to open a European grill restaurant in the heart of the city next winter.
Côte Basque will replace Becco, the popular Italian restaurant next door to Pellegrini’s, on Crossley St.
This is the first time in two years McConnell and partner Jo McGann have shared details of their plans for the site, which they bought in 2023.
“The name references our love of Basque culture,” he said.
“The raw beauty of the region and a bounty of benchmark produce have long been an inspiration for us.”
The 100-seater restaurant will look to woodfire cooking to inspire the menu, with plenty of outdoor dining and a private dining room.
McConnell said it’s been a “joy and a challenge” restoring the heritage site.
“It has been both a joy and a challenge reimagining this iconic space to both retain its legacy and evolve it for the future,” he said
“We don’t have many heritage restaurant spaces in Melbourne, and to have the opportunity to restore the original features in this room is a dream.”
“To continue its lineage as a restaurant will contribute to the wonderful energy on Crossley Street, re-emerging as one of the great walk-through laneways in Melbourne’s top end.”
The site formerly housed the original Pellegrini restaurant.
This will be McConnell’s second CBD restaurant in six years, since opening Gimlet in 2020.
Cocktail bar Apollo Inn opened in 2023.
The news of the opening comes as Sydney billionaire Justin Hemmes revealed he was opening his first Melbourne venue, LB’s Record Bar, this Friday.
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