Just Open: Centra, Geelong

Take an 1854 Geelong pub. Bring in architect Tarryn Joyce (The Smith, Prahran, Press Club) to give the Carrington an update and chef Glenn Laurie (Royal Saxon, River Cafe London) to design a rustic Italian-inspired menu and you have Centra, the latest addition to Geelong's dining scene.

The project is headed by Cam O'Keefe, who grew up in hotels and, like Laurie, worked at the River Cafe in London. The menu includes house-made pasta such as pumpkin tortellini with burnt butter and sage and amaretti biscotti, risotto with cuttlefish and squid ink or baby quail with red wine and grape confit, and classic pizzas.

Wines have been crafted specifically for the venue by Bests, Rob Dolan in the Yarra Valley and Del Rios at Anakie and include some kegged wines on tap plus a special local beer from Southern Bay brewery.

The charcoal-and-white interior is split between a casual bar area and a more formal restaurant, and a north-facing courtyard with retractable roof is on the way for summer.

Open Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6pm-late.

131 Yarra Street, Geelong, 03 5224 1515, centrahotel.com.au