Hell of the North

The Hell of the North is the name given to the Paris-Roubaix, a gruelling one-day, 260-kilometre cycling event in the north of France, considered hellish because much of the route is along cobbled bluestone roads.

When Adam Ferrante, co-owner of the Hell of the North, was building the interior, it was such hard work that notions of hell sprung to mind. Plus, many of the walls are bluestone. The space was designed by Lucas Chirnside of Smlwrld. There’s the warmth of wood with an industrial edge, but there are added classic bistro touches, such as brass and blackened steel. The restaurant is split into several rooms for an intimate, warren-like feel.

The menu has a classic bistro feel but isn't limited to French food. You'll probably start with rillettes or beef tartare, but when mains roll around there may be deviations such as cured ocean trout with native finger lime, nashi pear and celery, or maybe Milawa duck breast with pickled blood plum and cavolo nero.

The well-rounded wine list takes a similar tack. It's heavily invested in France but also encompasses Tuscany, Yarra Valley, Margaret River, Rheinhessen and other great wine-making regions around the world.