The welcome demise of Retro Cafe (the ol’ girl ain’t what she used to be) has seen the opening of Eat Drink Man Woman, which adds a smart eating house to the mishmash of dining rooms that is Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

Owned and operated by Marcello Tummino – a founding partner of The European and The Melbourne Supper Club with chef Daniel Schelbert, most recently Head Chef at Hare & Grace – the EDMW space has been completely pulled apart and redesigned in-house. Tummino, who in a former life worked in advertising as a creative director, has made the lightshades, designed the central waiters’ station, finished the room in soft clean timbers, whites and rich blue tiles, all set against bold brass shingles (made by his father) on the back and side walls.

Put simply, this is a space designed for the customer. “I really wanted a place that’s about good value for money and trying to get people to come regularly, for all different purposes throughout the day,” says Tummino. “They’re the sort of places I’m interested in.”

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This interest sees Eat Drink Man Woman open seven days for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with bar/snack plates from 3pm and a varying menu that draws on a diverse assortment of cuisines. It’s an eclectic approach that doesn’t seem out of place in an eclectic suburb. Breakfast sees son-in-law eggs with charred roti sidle up to cured salmon on pea and ricotta pancakes, all coming from a very open kitchen. “I also wanted a place that is honest, that says ‘This is what we do, this is who we are’,” Tummino urges, “and an open kitchen adds to that.”

With a striking function room upstairs and a view to opening later at night down the track, it’s refreshing to see more places like EDMW open on Brunswick Street, which has long been the home of the late-night kebab joint and greasy pizza slice. Eat Drink Man Woman is very welcome – let’s hope the finicky Fitzroy crowd feel that way too.

Eat Drink Man Woman

413 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

(03) 9419 0088

Hours

Mon-Fri 7am–10pm

Sat- Sun 8am–10pm