‘The Town Mouse’ Moves Into Iconic Melbourne Venue

Media Release November 27, 2012

‘The Town Mouse’ Moves Into Iconic Melbourne Venue

The recently vacated Embrasse Restaurant in Carlton is set to receive a new tenant with ‘The Town Mouse’. Industry frontrunner Christian McCabe is behind the new restaurant going into the familiar site that has seen the inauguration of two of Australia’s best chefs, Andrew McConnell and Nicolas Poelaert.

Known for his successes in New Zealand with multi-award winning Matterhorn and Mighty Mighty, McCabe with partners, sister Amber McCabe and Jay Comeskey, is giving the Carlton locale a casual establishment open to pop-ins for a glass of wine and taste plate or a full-service dining experience for those seeking more by the stellar team.

McCabe is currently in negotiations with three known chefs to select the perfect fit who will create and execute a menu variant to that of the regular Carlton Italian fare, though some Mediterranean influences will feature the cuisine will promote seasonal and available local produce in a modern southern European style.

Currently in conceptual stage, McCabe’s architect, Allistar Cox from Wellington (designer of both Matterhorn and Mighty Mighty) has been briefed to open up the restaurant to Drummond Street and create a vibrant, atmospheric venue visitors can enjoy for a range of tastes and desires.

The Town Mouse will open evenings Tuesday to Sunday with weekend brunches while lunch opening hours are yet to be determined.

About the team
Christian McCabe opened Matterhorn Restaurant and Bar, Wellington in 2002 and sold the business in 2010. During that time the venue became what was seen as the benchmark for hospitality in NZ and awarded a number of industry accolades including Cuisine magazine Supreme NZ Restaurant of the Year 2008 and finalist 2010. NZ Bartender magazine Best Bar 2006, 2007, 2008, and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2010. Mighty Mighty, Wellington is still owned by McCabe. Since arriving in Melbourne he has worked at Movida Aqui.
Amber McCabe worked for her brother at Matterhorn in Wellington before moving to London with husband Jay. There she worked for craft catering company Natural Addiction on big budget films, looking after the likes of Johnny Depp. She then worked with chef/restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, assisting in the opening of his new Soho venture, NOPI. Since moving to Australia, Amber most recently worked as an integral part of the front of house team at Longrain.

Jay Comeskey left behind a nine year career in specialty coffee with leading New Zealand coffee company Caffe L'affare to move to London and work alongside wife Amber, serving coffee to the stars at Natural Addiction as well as working stints at London's iconic Flat White Cafe. Since arriving in Melbourne he has worked at South Melbourne’s coveted St Ali, and more recently for Richmond's The National Hotel.

ENDS

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