Kirbie, South Melbourne’s highly anticipated bistro is now open at 323 Clarendon Street. A labour of love from South Melbourne local and restaurateur Kirbie Tate (James, Giddiup, Wynard), Kirbie is an intimate 40-seater, exuding the effortless charm of a European café, neighbourhood bistro, and a Melbourne wine bar, all rolled into one.
Recognising a gap in the market in South Melbourne for a flexible venue that lends itself to all occasions, Kirbie is a familiar, foodie-friendly spot for a lunch meeting, and in equal parts, a moody and intimate setting for a date night or drink with friends. Tate previously established cult-followed South Melbourne cafes Giddiup and Wynyard, and most recently, Korean-Australian fine without fuss diner, James, which occupied the Clarendon Street site before making way for Kirbie.
“I’m a long-time local and have always felt like the area was missing an offering I like to call “local done well” – somewhere you can go 2-3 times a week for any occasion,” says Tate. “Kirbie is for the young and the young-at-heart; it’s somewhere that feels like it could belong on the other side of town.”
A shop front-style entrance is inviting by day, and moody at night, with an orange Kirbie neon sign that emits a warm glow onto the Clarendon Street pavement. In the dining room, a bistro mirror highlights rotating daily specials such as a soup of the day, to a braise, and a bistro sandwich. Delivering alfresco experiences in spades, a connecting laneway along the southern face of the building offers a spot to stand and snack whilst waiting for a table. Customers can also sit at a handful of outdoor tables on Clarendon Street, or once inside, an internal courtyard is an inviting spot to perch on a step with a glass of wine.
A collaborative effort from Tate and her kitchen team, the food offering at Kirbie is built on a no-fuss ethos of authentic, high quality, comfort food. A thoughtfully curated menu starts off with snacks such as pâté toast; crudités with whole-braised beets and labne, and mussels and fennel in Pernod. Moving into larger plates, a beef tortellini in brodo features alongside a NY strip steak with Kirbie butter and parsley sauce, that can be paired with an array of substantial sides. For dessert, finish on a sweet note with a Galaktoboureko; chocolate tart du jour; or lemon sorbet with extra virgin olive oil; or opt for a cheese plate for the savoury-inclined.
“For the menu I’ve turned to all the incredible authentic home cooks who’ve inspired me over the years. Kirbie is about well executed dishes that aren’t overworked or over-plated, and let the flavours speak for themselves. Our specials will offer everything you look for on a menu but can’t find anymore – all the things I love to eat,” says Tate.
Drinks, in keeping with the mood, include classic cocktails focusing on top shelf spirits rather than garnish theatrics, alongside a well-curated list of local and international wines served as you wish – into a demitasse for a casual catch up in the laneway, or opt for a boutique grower Champagne poured into hand-blown stem glasses. All in keeping with the come-as-you-are mentality at Kirbie, asking “What’s open?” and “What should I be drinking?” is encouraged.
“Kirbie is an amalgamation of a little bit of everything I’ve done before. Ultimately, it’s a space that will be about the people who fill it, and the kind of venue that I want to hang out in,” says Tate.
Walk-ins and bookings available via the website.
Address: 323 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – late, Sunday – closed
Website: https://kirbie.com.au/
