Merivale is set to open Bert’s, a brasserie and bar located in the grounds of The Newport, in early January.

Led by executive chef Jordan Toft, group sommelier MS Franck Moreau and group bars manager Sam Egerton, Bert’s will serve a coastal European menu.

Whimsical and nostalgic, Bert’s is inspired by the grand hotel dining rooms of the 1930s. The kitchen takes centre stage, accented by charcoal ovens and basque grills, and opens up to an elegant brasserie and cocktail lounge accented with jade green and coral pink.

The menu features natural oysters, dressed crab and toasted brioche canapés followed by leaf salads and charcuterie for starters. For mains, guests can choose lobster from the tank, a selection of beef or whole fish roasted in the charcoal oven or cooked over the basque grills, accompanied by simple preparations of vegetables. Dessert will be decadent and fun to finish the celebration in style. Notably, the menu is suited to both guests who enjoy sharing and those who prefer their own entrée, main and dessert.

“We want to create that sense of relaxed indulgence you experience on a coastal European holiday; to capture that feeling when you decide to order the fresh lobster or relax into the afternoon with champagne and oysters,” says Toft.

“It is very special, yet completely fuss-free – beautiful, fresh produce, served simply and elegantly,” he said.

Master Sommelier Franck Moreau has focused on classic Australian wines, including back vintages of Riesling, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet, alongside European wines and emerging and quirky labels like the Lucy Margaux ‘Wildman’ or Patrick Sullivan ‘Windy Cottage’. There will be an impressive selection of rosé, including Jeroboam bottles – the perfect accompaniment to a long lunch.

Bert’s bar will takes its cues from grand European hotels and American country clubs, serving a selection of classic drinks and snacks.

Created by Merivale’s design team of Justin and Bettina Hemmes, Akin Creative’s Kelvin Ho and stylist Amanda Talbot, Bert’s is the highly anticipated second phase of The Newport’s redevelopment.

Bert’s will open in early January, with the exact opening date announced soon.