Bang Bang at The Rifle Club Launches in Elsternwick
The World Loves Melbourne was invited to Elsternwick's highly anticipated opening of "Bang Bang at the Rifle Club". The historic Caulfield Rifle Club site has been transformed by the Riverland Group, together with Victrack, to create a striking new urban escape set against the leafy reserve next to Elsternwick Station.
Bang Bang is an Indochine-inspired café and bar, serving everything from coffee through to cocktails, seven days a week until late. Six Degrees architects, in collaboration with Chamberlain architects, have designed an expansive indoor/outdoor space that blends the exotic with a touch of whimsy to create an inviting refuge from the daily grind.
Head chef Matthew Dunbar (ex-Longrain) has created an enticing menu of dishes that respectfully interpret the flavours of Southeast Asia as influenced by French cuisine.
Diners will start the day with Seven Seeds coffee and a satisfying breakfast from the all-day menu, with the likes of black sticky rice porridge and coconut broth, or a savoury dish such as congee with XO sauce topped with masterstock pork with crisp egg; smoked trout, prawn and spring onion; or charred corn, oyster mushrooms and ginger. Throughout the day baguettes or jasmine rice bowls come with a choice of vibrant fillings, such as crisp fried chicken, mint, coriander and chilli, or soft shell crab with papaya and tamarind salad.
The substantial night-time menu begins with bar snacks such as crispy crickets and heavenly beef jerky perfectly paired with a glass of wine – likely local or French. Small share plates include tofu and crisp pumpkin laab, or a confit duck leg with pomelo and peanuts. The flavours of French cuisine are especially seen in Bang Bang’s large share plates, such as rotisserie whole chicken with steamed bread as well as char grilled Cape Grim rump cap with wild ginger and holy basil broth both, coming from the custom built fire pit.
Bang Bang will be keeping the cocktail offering light and refreshing - ripe summer fruits will go hand-in-hand with the herbs and aromatics from the kitchen, perfect for warm evenings by the park.
Bang Bang at the Rifle Club is the latest venture from the Riverland Group, the innovative company behind the revival of some of Victoria’s most iconic sites, including The Boatbuilder’s Yard, Pilgrim Bar and Wye River General Store. Headed by business partners Richie Ludbrook and Dave Sharry, the group works to breathe life back into local community haunts, making them destinations that locals and tourists alike seek out.