Rue de Fleurus Opens on Gertrude

Last night marked the opening of Rue de Fleurus, a new restaurant/bar/salon on Gertrude Street that’s taken over the space formerly occupied by Claypots.

But the link isn’t lost - Claypots owner Renan Goskin has teamed up with Wayne Markus and designer Aaron McKenzie to launch this new food and drink cum art space, named after the Parisian Street where Gertrude Stein once ran her own salon entertaining the likes of Hemingway and Alice B. Toklas.

Local luminaries will be attracted to the revolving exhibitions Rue de Fleurus will be hosting, from art and performance to film screenings. And, as befitting a salon, there’s a piano you can tinkle the ivory on (kudos to the first person to perform the track from Big).

While food won’t be coming for a few weeks, when it does it’ll be a fluid affair, with a rotating menu ranging from seafood inspired Claypots fare to one night to vegentarian another night and so on, in addition to lighter lunch options.

Until then guests can work their way through the impressive wine, beer and cocktail list.

On opening night Rue de Fleurus was packed so it’s hard to gauge what the space will like once things settle, though with a focus on food, film, wine and art (four of my favourite things) I look forward to seeing it evolve.

Rue De Fleurus
153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
9416 4116
Daily noon–1am
www.facebook.com/ruedefleurus?sk=wall