![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/13238a-2_11069.jpg\")
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Rather than reinventing the wheel entirely though, the French-trained chef (Andrew owned a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris for many years) simply wants the Grill to be modernised enough to properly appeal to the next generation of diners, through a new menu, fit-out and wine list and beverage overhaul.<\/p>\n
It’s really great to see an iconic Geelong venue receive a fresh shot-in-the-arm like this. I’m seriously excited to see what changes happen over the coming few months.<\/p>\n
Also, of note, is the restaurant’s underutilised private dining room (which seats roughly 20 diners), where future intimate dinners are being planned to showcase themed wine and food events.<\/p>\n
And as to the now-vacant Geelong Club kitchen, I have no idea what will fill this space.<\/p>\n
Staying in the CBD, I’ve been watching the progress of one particular wine-related event rather closely the past couple of months, largely due to wishing it becomes a success for its innovative theme.<\/p>\n
I’m told the tickets for Fantome’s Wine Festival in May are selling super well, with their advertising material promising over a hundred wines of international and rare status to be on tasting.<\/p>\n
What I really like here is that a small local venue \u2013 reasonably new(ish) \u2013 is having a proper go at offering the Geelong public quite a unique wine event, even without the track record of it working in the past. Good on them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Artisan cheese and other snacks will be available on the day to accompany the (many) wines on tasting, helping make the afternoon more of a civilised outing, rather than just a booze-fest.<\/p>\n The Ryrie Street venue will also be offering special retail pricing on the day, making the cost of a ticket (which is minimal, anyway, at $25) just that little bit more enticing. I, for one, think this event is definitely worth the modest ticket price. I’m in!<\/p>\n If you like big menus and big serves, Lazy Moe’s has recently opened on Yarra Street, where (for decades) once stood Palace of the Orient, a Chinese joint loved by many.<\/p>\n Its model is an interesting one \u2013 basically wanting to serve almost anything to everyone \u2013 it has triple stacked pancakes, three cheese parmigiana, tandoori chicken pasta and a cocktail list that is probably better suited to an 80s dive bar.<\/p>\n But hey, if the same cross-continental food menu has worked for the brand’s other 10 or so locations around the state, their Geelong outpost will probably yield the same success.<\/p>\n At least there are restaurants opening rather than shutting in our CBD!<\/p>\n Another new restaurant (well, let’s call it an eatery) opening soon in the city centre will be the next branch of the GYG juggernaut.<\/p>\n Its latest outpost will be found in the renovated Lloyd’s Corner building (corner Little Malop\/Moorabool) on the ground floor, next door to where ice-cream king favourite, Messina, is also due to be setting up shop.<\/p>\n I actually don’t mind the Guzman y Gomez concept, compared with the vast majority of other (lesser) fast-food outlets in the market.<\/p>\n And given its central location, it’ll probably be quite a hit with those wandering through our CBD. At least it’s not another McDonald’s?<\/p>\n Finally, I caught up with Mike Jacques (TARRA, Onda, Searoad Ferries) last week for the upcoming episode of The Local Palate podcast. Stay tuned next week for a full debrief of our conversation.<\/p>\n Besides having a perspective on what’s happening on the Bellarine at present, he also gave a unique insight on our local hospitality industry in general.<\/p>\n Thankfully, most of his thoughts are all positive! Tune in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ASK anyone in Geelong what some of the continually running staple or landmark dining venues have been in the city over the past 40+ years, and chances are The Empire Grill may crack a mention. Other notable references might include Fishermen’s Pier or Sawyers Arms, but the EG certainly has had its loyal followers over […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/a0COd00003rklFL_a0CO_16158.jpg\")