The Crest on Barkly pays homage to a local legend, launching eponymous restaurant bar Saint Evie
Saint Evie joins the Crest on Barkly Hotel in St Kilda, born out of an urban legend who aided St Kilda’s homeless. The hotel was built back in 1974 and Head Chef at the time Duillo told the tale of a young Asian girl, Evie, who was familiar with the chefs and ate in the hotel kitchen, before giving restaurant leftovers to the homeless of St Kilda in nearby Catani Gardens and the like.
As you enter the restaurant bar the high-ceilinged spacious interior pans out in front of you, and a neon sign at the far end guides you to the bar. Graffiti artist Jazzy Mishap has produced a piece of floor-to-ceiling wall art, forming a feature wall that’s hard to miss upon entering. Paying homage to Evie, the vibrant colours are cohesive with the neon signage and eclectic vibe.
Let the bartenders whip you up one of their cocktails. For something zesty and grapefruit-inflected opt for The Saint, otherwise, there is a good selection of wine on offer. Beer fans will be pleased to know their 4 Pines pale ale also comes served in pints.
John Paolacci, the owner of Saint Evie and Crest Hotel, said at the launch, we “felt the hotel could really give a lot more. The best part of the venue is the food – it’s fantastic and we believe in it”.
Head Chef Andrew Hosking brought the crowd a decadent array of canapés, from fresh oysters and smoked salmon blinis, to Chicken Karaage – Japanese fried chicken – and the most melt in your mouth slow cooked lamb sliders paired with pickled cucumber and Gruyère. I’m not normally a big burger person but these were de-lish.
A favourite from the Asian-inspired menu was the fresh oysters, looking spectacular with dry ice oozing from underneath them; the sesame and seaweed atop the oyster made the seafood simply divine. Cured salmon pastrami with crème fraîche resting on blinis and a generous seasoning of black pepper; with such beautifully paired flavours you can’t go wrong.
An all-day brunch menu ensures Saint Evie can host all walks of life from dusk until dawn from its St Kilda local. The destination restaurant bar brings a vibrant energy to a location set back from St Kilda’s main strip, serving up contemporary dishes and cocktails to perfection.
Saint Evie
47 Barkly St, St Kilda, Melbourne VIC 3182
(03) 9525 5273
Monday – Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5pm – late
Thursday – Friday 10am – late
Saturday 10am – 1am
Sunday 10am – 6pm
hello@saintevie.com.au
Saint Evie