After a decade long run in LA, DJ and restaurateur Grant Smillie returns to Melbourne for some foodie moves.
First up, he’s taken over the former site of Neil Perry’s Crown Melbourne restaurant Rosetta and dubbed it Marmont – bringing his sunny LA disposition to the Yarra precinct over the summer.
Come January 2025, he’s all eyes on the Australian Open. It’s where his famed LA restaurant and rooftop bar Grandmaster Recorders will form part of an exciting offering at Riverside Social for AO Reserve.
Guests will be able to enjoy canapes and cocktails by Grandmaster Recorders in the Riverside Social space during the tournament.
This ultra-stylish setting on River Terrace will be the place to be, with live entertainment, unparalleled Melbourne city skyline view and optimal tennis screen viewing facilities.
Grant Smillie spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
The funny thing here is that if you asked me what my city is, it was Los Angeles and I can tell you plenty of tales about what that means to me. However, right now it’s Melbourne and what makes Melbourne great is that we punch really above our weight when it comes to culture, food and design. We don’t have pretty beaches (sorry St Kilda) but we have one of the few CBD’s on the planet where people choose to come for a night out and to experience the best of Melbourne. That puts it on the map like NYC, London, Tokyo & Berlin for me.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
When I was traveling through Spain in the early 2000’s I went to a restaurant in Barcelona called Tickets. Tickets was by Albert Adria and it was the perfect mix of theatre and molecular gastronomy. When everything was serious, this was not. It was here I had their famous ‘olive’. Wow. I still have the photos of the venue. Sadly, it closed its doors in 2020 and so will now just be a treasured memory.
FAVOURITE BAR
Sunset Tower Hotel – Los Angeles. It is so old school and opulent. The perfect Gin Martini, served straight up with a twist- so cold it wants to break your teeth and generous enough that two takes you to the danger zone.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
To be fair this is a hard question. But If I shoot from the hip- probably a negroni. It gets better over time, it’s sophisticated, timeless and it’s not for everyone. The older you get, the more you understand…that’s ok.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Din Tai Fung. Dumplings. Chili. Lots of Chili. Then a Cerveza cool the palate.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
At the minute I’m loving Bobby’s in Double Bay. The Dante team is always solid in their R&D and development and this is seriously top shelf. You had me at ‘fluffy’ cocktails.
A HOT TIP FOR AN OVERSEAS BAR
Since I’ve already done a Los Angeles bar in Sunset Tower, I’ll give you another favourite in LA as it’s been a second home forever. Thunderbolt is an absolute Banger and I’m looking forward to bringing them to Melbourne for a collab later in 2025.
FAVOURITE WINE
I recently had an amazing Tolpuddle Pinot that was just incredible. It’s a magical complex wine that punches a lot more than its counterparts most likely to the touch of oak and the richness of the Coal River Valley. It was awesome.
FAVOURITE WINERY
I still love 10 Minutes X Tractor for many reasons- the food and the wine make an incredible pairing but I was recently at the Pair’d festival in the Margaret River region and the food at Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate is world class.
Tell us what appealed about the AO collab
I mean it’s the AO. Say less. This is the best tennis tournament on the planet and to have a meaningful site where we can deliver amazing product to complement their programming was an absolute no brainer.
What your dish says about you and what you do?
Look, that’s tricky. In the finals- our caviar cannoli is a true signature. During the whole tournament our Mafaldine pasta with prawns and XO is game, set and match!
What you’re most looking forward to at AO food and drink wise
Other than us obviously – there’s one that can’t be missed in my mind and that is the genius that is Tedesca and Brigitte Hafner. I can’t wait to try the food at AO.
Any famous tennis stars dined at your venues?
Yes! Serena Williams, Stefan Edberg, Lleyton Hewitt.
