Bligh Place’s new Middle Eastern restaurant and bar Souk has opened at the end of the laneway. Souk (in the space formerly occupied by The Deanery) will give diners the opportunity to experience the flavours of Arabia, North Africa and Anatolia in a slick new venue seating 130 people.
After many sleepless nights working on the build with their team, owners Ergun Elmas (Arabesque) and Vlad Kovacevic are thrilled to reveal the stunning venue and menu to Melbourne diners. Staying true to Middle Eastern style of dining, Souk’s menu is designed to share with a selection of small and medium plates designed by head chef Rogelio Almanza and Elmas, whose career in hospitality spans a lifetime.
The menu is a contemporary take on many Middle Eastern homestyle dishes including Stewed Okra and Tomato and Chicken and Apricot Kofta. The indulgent dessert menu includes Adanali Osman, slowcooked tapioca pearls in a sweet Turkish coffee cream and white crispy tapioca. With a licence until 3am from Thursday to Saturday there is plenty of time for patrons to settle in to their surroundings and enjoy a few extra cocktails as well.
Souk’s floor-plan is separated into two main areas, featuring a bar and small tables downstairs and a larger dining space upstairs. The interior is a collaborative project by artist Tom Adair, interior consultant Robyn Levin and Melbourne-based design studio Mildred & Duck. As you enter the building playful neon signage reading ‘magic flying carpet’ and ‘rugs, rugs, rugs’ are splashed against the walls with warm pink and beige hues, giving the large space a cosy feel. When referring to the inspiration behind Souk’s interior, Tom Adair said, “We focused on daily life in the Middle East, the cultural habits, mystical stories and the innate attitude of the Middle Eastern people”. The evidence shows in the sophisticated yet playful final design.
Bookings available, email merhaba@soukmelbourne.com.au or call (03) 8597 5444.
Souk – 13 Bligh Place, Melbourne 3000 (03) 8597 5444
Leave a Reply