Landmark CBD venue, the Castlereagh Club, will have its first level transformed into a warm, local pub-style bistro with chef Colin Fassnidge (MasterChef favourite and former executive chef at Four in Hand, 4Fourteen, and Banksia) taking over the kitchen. Set to open late March this year, the Castlereagh by Fassnidge bistro will focus on quality pub food with a strong emphasis on sourcing produce from local farmers and suppliers.
Fassnidge says: “The venue is inspired by the charm and comfort of a community-oriented pub, where people recognise your face and beer order.”
The décor of the bistro, which is located on level one of the Castlereagh, will be elevated to show natural wood tones with accents of greenery, a cellar style wall and house-cured meat on display.
Alongside pub classics, there will be a few fancy numbers on the menu including a suckling pig sausage roll with apple butter, as well as a crisp and tender buttermilk steeped chicken schnitty.
The historic building was once a home to the Catholic Club, before becoming a men’s club established in 1909 by 25 men, which grew over time to 10,000 members. Over the years, the club marked historic cultural milestones like opening its doors to women in the '70s and evading bankruptcy after World War 1. The new venue, which is part of the City Tatts group, is part of a broader transformation across the group’s clubs to bring old-world charm to 2022 and beyond.