Should you need another reason to believe that Brunswick East is the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world, the arrival of Maggie's Snacks and Liquor is it.
The former site of the Alehouse Project, Maggie's Snacks and Liquor features a courtyard, natural wood fireplace and snazzy cocktail lounge. With all the familiarity of your aunt's living room and the unpredictability of a wild night out, Maggie's is helmed by a group of old friends and veterans of Melbourne's restaurant scene, including Alejandro Archibald, Kaidee Grzankowski, Scott Blomfield, Jessica Spooner and Nathan Toleman. Together, they have worked across Supernormal, Lilac Wine, the Kettle Black and Blackhearts and Sparrows.
When it comes to a tipple, you can expect a cocktail menu that prioritises seasonal ingredients and a wine list with a heavy focus on local suppliers. We can't wait to try the Margot Robbie, a blend of rhubarb, pistachio, vodka and citrus, and the seasonally-shifting cocktail, the Cobbler.
Over in the kitchen, executive chef Scott Blomfield maintains the same ethos of working intimately with seasonal, local produce while still "pushing boundaries and transforming beautiful produce into stunning dishes".
Maggie's menu will feature a sliding scale for all appetites ranging from 'snackish' to 'peckish' and 'famished'. There is also a clear nostalgic nod to Blomfield's childhood growing up on a farm in rural New Zealand, as seen in dishes like ika mata (Cook Island raw fish dish), pickled mussels with paraoa parae (Māori fried bread) and Mum's apple shortcake.
As part of their sustainability mission, the team at Maggie's has partnered with Werribee Community Garden to grow a cornucopia of heirloom varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits to use in-house. A portion of the profits will be donated to the Common Ground Project, a regenerative farm and social enterprise with future plans for solar panels, on-site growing and rainwater tanks.
Maggie's Snacks and Liquor is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. You can visit the website here for more information and to make a booking.
