The luxurious refurb of Perth’s favourite steak joint, Char Char, is very classy, a little brassy and a whole lot delicious. No bull.
“It comes as part of Char Char’s rebranding as a modern, high class eatery so the interior spaces and external façade had to be reinvented accordingly,” says architect Mathew Crawford.
Matthew Crawford Architects has taken the bull by the horns in refurbishing Char Char in Fremantle, with a complete top-to-toe makeover of the 15 year-old marina-side restaurant.
The new design allows diners to make the most of Char Char’s ringside water position with a spacious plan and lofty floor-to-ceiling glazing. “We enclosed the decking area to the south and unified the whole restaurant internally,” explains Matthew. “The existing expressive timber structure was reinvigorated and retained, and then incorporated into this space.”
In the loggia, the MCA team were able to polish back the existing concrete slab and add translucent roofing. “We wanted to introduce more natural light, so that is admitted through translucent sheeting on the existing structure over the loggia and on the new structure in the dining area,” Matthew says.
The process wasn’t all smooth sailing, as given the restaurant’s absolute waterfront position on Mews Road the team needed to think outside the box. “One of the main challenges was building over water – where the decked area to the south was internalised,” says Matthew. “This involved new foundations on the seabed in the harbour.”
The interiors were completely stripped, and so the fitout now includes a new commercial kitchen, wet areas and a stylish bar as well as a new entry statement. “We love the new entry with its perforated metal ceiling and all of the beautifully made cabinetwork by DTS cabinets,” says Matthew. “The metal ceiling is attractively backlit for ambience.”
The new bar features painted brickwork, dark metal and dark cabinetry, with carefully selected accents – reflecting the material choices in the loggia. “The solid brass used in the wine racks and behind the bar, beautiful solid timber bar tops and mosaic tile fronts really lift the space,” says Matthew. “We used a combination of industrial materials relevant to the existing building paired with more luxury touches, such as the brass and mosaic tiles.”
High-end furnishings reflect the opulent nature of the new fitout and were selected by the owners in conjunction with Sam Fazzari from Mobilia in Claremont.
The rebrand also included a menu overhaul, which Matthew says remains true to its roots as a steak restaurant, while extending its scope. “While they still do the best steak in town, the menu has been broadened to include more delicious seafood and some veggie options too,” he says.
Fremantle favourites such as mussels, oysters and prawns will appeal to the seafood lovers who frequent the marina, while comprehensive alternatives for the carnivores in the mood for something other than the eatery’s famous steaks include pork, kangaroo, duck and chicken. Don’t miss a delectable dessert line up from gourmet cheeses to pannacotta and Eton mess.
The Char Char team are rapt with the luxurious new fitout and say they will continue to wear their hearts on their sleeves as a “down to earth” restaurant – bringing clientele the food they love, the drinks they want to drink and service to keep coming back for.
Visit Char Char http://www.charcharrb.com.au
Visit Matthew Crawford Architects at http://www.mcarchitects.com.au