Drew Gibbs, Brenton Lang, Michael Conlon, Ben Pigott and Tom Bulling
In late 2020, Rustica founder Brenton Lang restored Williamstown pub the Hobsons Bay Hotel to its former glory, recruiting ex-Supernormal head chef Ben Pigott to helm the kitchen.
Now, Lang and Pigott are bringing their expertise to another watering hole: The Flying Duck Hotel, a backstreet boozer in Prahran that’s been around since 1868. And while it’s had many different names – and led many different lives – over the years, it’s perhaps best known for its lush green beer garden (with a soaring glass atrium).
The pub has been closed since May, but come late October – or early November – the corner spot on Bendigo Street will be back in action as a neighbourhood local.
However, the goal for the refurb (and new offering) is to blur the line between pub and restaurant. “We have designed a new dining space … creating a mixture of both a public bar atmosphere at the rear and a more polished restaurant service in the dining room at the front,” Piggott said in a statement. Behind the interiors is designer Fiona Drago, who’s responsible for most of the Rustica locations and the Hobsons Bay Hotel.
Menu-wise, the tried-and-tested pub stalwarts will be rounded out with dishes like ocean-fresh tuna sashimi, crisp roast duck and a trifle loaded with super-seasonal fruit.
The Flying Duck Hotel is slated to reopen in late spring.
flyingduckhotel.com.au
08 Jun 2023
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