“I feel like this is the calmest, most organised opening I’ve done,” says Andrew Baturo, co-owner of DAP & Co, just days before the grand unveiling of the most ambitious opening of his career.

It’s a bold statement, considering the scale of the project – a multi-level venue featuring Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace on the ground floor, Club Felix on the first floor, and a yet-to-be-announced venue on the third floor. Yet, after four years of planning, everything has fallen into place.

“We’ve had a lot of time to think about it, and nothing feels contrived,” he continues. “Everything feels exactly where it should be, which is rare at this stage of opening.”

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On Thursday, DAP & Co (Popolo Italian Kitchen, The Gresham, Walter’s Steakhouse) will open Naldham House at the corner of Mary and Felix streets. The stunning 140-year-old heritage-listed building, which was home to the members-only Brisbane Polo Club for 25 years, has been vacant for the past nine years. Four years ago, real estate company Dexus approached DAP & Co to take over the space.

“Really, it was a once-in-two-lifetimes opportunity,” Baturo says. “You feel like fate had a hand in it. We were at the right stage in our partnership as a group, and we had a lot of heritage experience by this stage.”

Now, the building has been returned to its former grandeur. While the exterior of the building remains largely unchanged, the interior fit-out by designer Anna Spiro bursts with vibrant colours, patterns and textiles.

The ground level is home to Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace, inspired by the grand hotel lobbies of the world and European brasseries. There is outdoor seating and around 95 seats inside with a blend of booth and table seating, centred around a grand piano.

In the kitchen, executive chef Douglas Keyte (ex-Grill Americano in Melbourne) is serving starters like a beetroot tart with goat cheese, ricotta and hazelnut; followed by beef cheek bourguignon pithivier; market fish with lemon butter and capers; and a hefty 800-gram côte de boeuf.

Outside, the 120-seat terrace has its own menu that includes chicken skin crisps with whipped cod roe and caviar; potato and mortadella croquettes; and a Wagyu cheeseburger.

Club Felix, on the first floor, offers a late-night supper club experience with cocktails and an extensive champagne list. Open until 2am, it’s moody with dark blue hues and large banquettes, and original timber work.

The menu upstairs includes snacks and share plates like jamon and Comté toasties; a fried whiting sandwich with herb mayo; potato pavé fingers topped with caviar and crème fraîche; and salted cod and potato croquettes.

For cocktails, you might order the Cafe Felix (spiced rum, coffee, vanilla syrup, Brookie’s mac cream and grated chocolate), or the Newton’s Law (vodka, apple liqueur, apple juice, citric and milk). A Coravin system allows guests to sample premium wines like Krug and Chateau d’Yquem by the glass.

For Baturo, the journey of working with a heritage building like Naldham House has been lengthy but rewarding. “If it were easy, everyone would do it – it’s time-consuming [with] lots of delays,” he says. “But the exciting part is showcasing the beautiful features of the building to people who might not otherwise get the chance to see them.”

Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace
33 Felix Street, Brisbane City
(07) 3187 7815

Hours
Brasserie: Mon to Sat 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–10pm
Terrace: Mon to Sat 11:30am–11pm
Club Felix: Wed to Sat 5pm–2am

www.naldhamhouse.com.au
@naldhamhouse