Vibe Shift: South Melbourne Venue James Drops Asian Influences To Reopen as a European Cafe

“I knew what I wanted [my venue] to look like in 20 years’ time, and it was quite different to the one I was standing in,” Kirbie Tate, owner of South Melbourne restaurant James, tells Broadsheet.

Tate says she had the revelation about a year ago and has been working to rejig the space since. She’s taking James, an upmarket, slightly formal restaurant with what Tate describes as “technical food”, and turning it into a new, more relaxed venue named Kirbie.

Tate previously ran Wynyard, a cafe that shared a laneway with James, and Giddiup in the space now home to Juniper. She has lived and operated businesses in the neighbourhood for 15 years.

“I’m pretty certain of what the area needs and that I can create an offering that will stand the test of time"

Her answer? A local bistro or “Euro cafe” that she describes as a “casual, familial offering” with a laid-back feel.

She’s not planning a big cosmetic change or refurb – instead, the vibe shift will come through in the menu and atmosphere. James currently has an à la carte offering, but is focused on the $165 set menu with Korean- and Japanese-influenced dishes that use ingredients including miso, adzuki beans and gochujang.

When Kirbie opens later in the year there’ll be a “less is more approach” that will see latte glasses used to serve wine, and comfort dishes like chicken lemon soup. Tate plans to keep most of the existing kitchen team, and more details on the menu will be announced closer to opening.

James will have its last service on Saturday August 31.