City steakhouse Meat & Wine Co. closes for African-inspired refresh as Seagrass fires up WA expansion
Part of the Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group founded by South African-born meat lover Bradley Michel, the CBD diner which opened in the former Palace Hotel in 2018 will unveil a 'sophisticated redesign celebrating its African-inspired heritage' on June 2.
'In pursuit of an elevated and immersive dining experience for its discerning clientele, including Perth's esteemed steak aficionados, corporate professionals and Perth residents, The Palace's 'ballroom' (is) temporarily closed until June 2nd for an exciting and unique transformation,' the restaurant group said in a press release.
The revitalised interior comes courtesy of the COOOP, an international architectural and design company.
'Patrons will dine under Acacia trees', a reference to the African landscape which takes centre stage in the new-look dining room.
Other new furnishings include high-back banquette seating, as well as state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Meat & Wine Co. in the city back in 2018. Credit: Daniel Wilkins / The Sunday Times
COOOP Australia principal and creative director Callie Van Der Merwe said the refurbishment aimed to connect the baroque style of the old ballroom with the contemporary elements of Meat & Wine Co. dining rooms.
The ground floor restaurant at 108 St Georges Terrace will also relaunch with a winter menu starring dry-aged steak with confit garlic and bone marrow.
The city steakhouse's refresh follows news of Seagrass' expansion in the WA hospitality market.
The company has already acquired the South Perth site previously home to iconic local restaurant Coco's for its second Meat & Wine Co. outlet in WA, due to open in late 2025.
There are also plans for a Meat & Wine Co. in Margaret River, as well as three new Hunter & Barrel outlets in the next few years. Perth meat lovers can expect more Meat & Wine Co. restaurants to open in the next few years. Credit: Supplied
In 2024, the hospitality business split into SeagrassBHG and Blue Coral Concepts, which oversees more casual dining options Italian Street Kitchen, Ribs & Burgers and the Five Guys burger chain.
The West Australian understands that Ribs & Burgers is also poised to refresh and relaunch its Perth restaurant.
Seagrass also owns the high-end 6Head steakhouse at Elizabeth Quay.
Seagrass chief executive Ravi Singh said in 2024 that the hospitality group was 'bullish about WA', saying there was room in Perth for 6Head, Meat & Wine Co. and Hunter & Barrel.
'All three brands have got a space in the market,' he said.
'Perth is a living example where we've got the three brands within 250m of each other and all three are roaring successes.' Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group chief executive Ravi Singh. Credit: Supplied / TheWest
According to figures provided by Seagrass, Hunter & Barrel's Perth restaurant enjoyed an impressive 21.1 per cent increase in revenue in July to November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The total number of patrons dining at the Raine Square diner rose by more than 9 per cent.
Meanwhile, Meat & Wine Co. in Perth earned 4.5 per cent more income in the same timeframes with a 2 per cent lift in clientele.
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