The Town Mouse Goes Al Fresco

The Town Mouse Goes Al Fresco

Having quickly become Carlton's favourite dining destination, The Town Mouse has raised the bar even further with its new al fresco area. Designed, as with the interiors, by New Zealand-based Allistar Cox, the new courtyard accommodates a further 20 seats – ideal for the evening crowds who battle it out for a spot at the 30-seater restaurant.

Inside, The Town Mouse is characterised by sleek black tiling and terrazzo floors. Outside, dark hues have been blessed with a festive splash of colour in the form of baby blue banquettes and festoon lights. Victorian tessellated tiles provide the previously unused space with a touch of tradition, and the sense that it's -always been there'.

With Cox likening the comfortable, heavily padded chairs with backs to 'your
grandmother's daybed", diners are more than welcome to relax for a while following a long lunch, dinner, or pleasant afternoon of small snacks and mixed drinks, such as The Drinker's Drink of cognac, saffron, mint oil, bitter chocolate and coffee.

Locals and regulars will notice Chef Dave Verheul's new seasonal dishes as they sip on a global selection of wine outside (choose from red, white, pink or orange) – open to the air but sheltered from the elements. The latest addition of poached chicken, shaved artichoke, ricotta, avruga & salad burnet makes for an elegant starter, accompanied with the fresh and full of flavour new season asparagus with pecorino custard, sesame, green olive and lemon.

Continue with more substantial dishes such as hapuka with buttermilk, spring peas, pistachio, capers and verjuice, before finishing with a vibrant dessert of white chocolate and lavender curd with strawberry, shortbread and violet ice cream.

Owners Christian McCabe (Matterhorn, 2008 Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year), along with sister Amber McCabe (ex Longrain) and Jay Comeskey, are thrilled to be bringing Carlton's most intimate outdoor space to the area. As the weather warms, street and courtyard tables are set to become the hottest seats in the house.

In other The Town Mouse news, Greg Doyle is welcomed on the team, restaurant manager at Matterhorn for some years, including during 2008 when it won restaurant of the year, the Melbourne venue is pleased to have him on-board.

The Town Mouse will open for dinner seven nights with lunches from Friday to Sunday.

The restaurant will close for the year on Sunday December 22, 2013 and re-open Wednesday January 15, 2014.

www.thetownmouse.com.au