Oh Loretta!: Interview with Kate Peat

Oh hey! Oh Loretta! is the brand-new Northcote eatery and bar that is dying to meet your acquaintance. Described as a sexy older lady, with stretched out arms, this cougar is not one to pass up. Situated on High Street, Oh Loretta!’s ethos is differentiation. Milk Bar was fortunate enough to catch up with Kate Peat of  Blue 13 Consulting to find out more.

Oh Loretta! is run by the Blue 13 Hospitality Consulting Team – we have now conceptualised, designed, manned and opened over 80 venues around the country and in Asia. Our day job can be pretty structured, full on and stressful – so we wanted to create a place we could let our hair down, keep it simple, have some fun … the food we make, the wine we serve, the cocktails we make are all things we love to eat or drink and are grown or produced by the friends we have met along the way. We feel pretty humbled by some of the amazing producers, famers, growers we have met over the last 10 years so we are pleased as punch to be able to hero what they do too.

Oh Loretta! is one of many restaurants, cafes and bars in the bustling High Street scene. How does it stand apart from the rest?
We do everything differently. We really genuinely care. We love what we do and welcome anyone and everyone with open arms. Oh Loretta! is our home, a place to kick of your shoes, relax and be surrounded by friends and family. We will have a drink with you, we will give you a try before you buy, we will check in, play your favourite song and watch with anticipation and genuine excitement as you bite into our food or sip our drinks.

How would you describe Oh Loretta!’s vibe? 
Think sexy older lady, with out stretched arms, free flowing wine and liquor, bare foot in apron.

The menu is a scream, and for our vegetarian readers, is a sight to behold. From the coal roast eggplant to the white asparagus dish, there are many solid options. Could you talk to the decision-making process in crafting the menu? 
Dan is a legend – he cooks what he feels – there is no process. If he loves it we serve it.   He loves the simplicity of fresh seasonal veg which is why we have so much on the menu but he is masterful when it comes to the detail – roasting, smoking, dehydrating creating layers of texture and flavour.. He has complete freedom to be who he is and to make what he loves.  Our kitchen is also very small so our menu changes daily – our aim to grab what’s fresh at market and use it that day – less stored on site, fresher ingredients and a short punch menu that evolves daily to keep our regulars interested.

Let’s talk wine – are there any standouts in the wine list? 
That’s like asking us to pick our favourite child: impossible.  We hero wine we love to drink ourselves so we pretty much love them all.  Like our food the wine list changes frequently based on what we feel like drinking. We love to support the winemakers and characters that make us laugh – our friends and family –  the little guys. From Jones at Payton & Jones through to Jim at Chatto Wines. [There are] great women and men making beautiful wine.

And cocktails, any winners?

Sounds delicious! Head to Oh Loretta! today.

Oh Loretta!
324 High Street, Northcote, 3070
Open Wednesday to Sunday, Wednesday to Friday, 5pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 11pm
ohloretta.com.au