The former owners of Hotel Max, Kate Krauss-Mitchell and Brendon Mitchell have brought some class to Swan Street, with Bess. A casual yet elegant brasserie, Bess offers European cuisine in a number of guises.

Kate, who is also head chef, has created an inspired menu that reflects her stints living in France and Belgium, as well as European delights encountered on overseas sojourns with Brendon. Dishes range from homemade gnocchi, charcuterie plates, classic vitello-tonnato of veal and taramosalata, and the house favourite, spaghetti marinara. An elegant wine list is also available to compliment all meals.

The restaurant itself is housed in an old bank and has a cosy ambience, which is enhanced by high ceilings, a huge brass bar and roaring fireplace. Bess’s branding is clean and cool and was created by Marilyn & Sons, the creative agency behind the identities of Richmond’s Sophie Gannon Gallery and Australian thriller flick Red Hill.