Local Melbourne hospitality figure Glen Bagnara is onto his next project – and this time, it’s a collaborative effort with Fortis, the developers behind Neil Perry’s growing Margaret precinct in Sydney’s Double Bay.

Known for Hemingway’s Wine Room and Bar Bianco, Bagnara’s upcoming project comprises two standalone venues Clementine and Castlerose which will take up residency on Palmerston Crescent in South Melbourne.

Daytime eatery Clementine is set to take over the ground floor, while restaurant Castlerose will be underground.

​“It’s wonderful to be launching Clementine and Castlerose in collaboration with Fortis,” says Bagnara.

“There’s nothing else like this in the area, and we can’t wait for diners to experience breakfast and lunch at Clementine and meals, snacks and late-night drinks downstairs in Castlerose.”

GM Philippe Perrey and Head Chef David Yuan will work across both spaces, which will each offer a complementary but unique food and beverage offering.

The 60-seat Clementine will focus on elevated cafe fare, with dishes covering confit duck waffles, lobster Florentine and beef short ribs with kimchi fried rice.

When the sun sets, patrons can head downstairs to Castlerose, which is set to combine an element of theatrics with Euro-centric plates.

The front-of-house team will man a vintage cheese trolley that will be filled with 12 options from Occelli al Barolo to Herve Mons Soumaintrain, while other options are set to include roast chicken with black garlic, lemon and gravy and Wagyu rump cap with Yorkshire pudding and red wine sauce.

 “[It’s] A truly special opportunity to bring two singular venues to South Melbourne,” says Bagnara, “offering locals and visitors spaces they can visit from morning until late at night.”

Official opening date to come, with both venues slated to open by winter.