Estelle Bistro opens in Northcote

It's out with the pink and grey tiles and in with a timeless urban look at The Estelle in Northcote. After a month-long renovation, Estelle Bistro opens on 243 High Street, Northcote, tomorrow, with chef-restaurateur Scott Pickett returning to his original plan: "A really good local restaurant."

Pickett closed the contemporary dining room on January 2, stripping out the tiles and replacing them with a strong, textured look: recycled timbers, copper piping and concrete. He's also extended the rear courtyard, which now seats 40, with 40 seats inside and a further 20 on the footpath.

The menu will be far more flexible than the contemporary eight-course degustation that became The Estelle's hallmark. Pickett says in its new guise, bistro customers will be able to pop in for some oysters, charcuterie or a single course, or stay for a three- or five-course chef's menu.

Pickett and head chef Aaron Brodie have collaborated on the menu, which includes snacks of pork jowl and red cabbage, and padron peppers with celery salt, with mains of tuna nicoise and roasted Milawa chicken for two. Brodie, who has worked for Pickett for the past two years, was previously at Cumulus Inc.

While the bistro finds its rhythm, building will start on Pickett's fine-diner, The Estelle, next door at 245 High Street. Expect lots of dark granite, black glass and leather finishes when it opens in late April. Estelle Bistro will be open for lunch Friday to Sunday and for dinner daily from Wednesday, February 4.