Messer, venue two for Ashley and Janine Davis of Seddon's pan-European bistro, Copper Pot, is opening in Gertrude Street. Part of a new apartment development, it's a 50-seater in shades of white and vivid blue.

The team is strong: Copper Pot's head chef Sascha​ Rust leads the charge and in a dual sommelier-manager role is Wiremu Andrews, formerly at South Melbourne's Smalls bar.

Like Copper Pot it's a pan-European menu, this time with a market food vibe. Expect spit-roasted pork knuckles with coleslaw, lots of seafood such as grilled sardines (on display in a big glass case) and solid dessert work from pastry chef Gemma Calleja, last at Lune Croissanterie and formerly Sydney's Quay.

To draw the lunch crowd, Messer ("knife" in German) will serve giant salads and a menu del dia (three courses for $39). Look alive, Fitzroy.

Open Monday to Saturday 11am-11pm.

Shop 1, 116 Gertrude Street, 03 9419 0035, messerfitzroy.com

Correction: A previous version of this article indicated Wiremu Andrews was a co-owner of Smalls.