Thai restaurant Tenpin hopes to bowl over Port Melbourne

Does Tenpin strike you as a Thai restaurant name? Lyndal Barnes hit paydirt when she stumbled across the original signage from the defunct Mentone Tenpin Bowl in a collectibles store on the Mornington Peninsula.

It seemed like the perfect name for the fun, modern south-east Asian joint she's opening with partners Nick Savage, Matt Thurley and chef Ashley Richey in the dilapidated two-storey shell that was once home to R Bar in Port Melbourne.

To complement the punchy Thai-inflected menu, the drinks list will feature small-parcel wines from home and abroad, craft beer and spirits and Asian-inspired cocktails.

The partners also operate the nearby London Tavern (92 Beach Street), with Richey overseeing the Middle Eastern menu at Mr Lawrence. Savage says the restaurants play to Richey's twin strengths – his CV includes stints at both Mecca Bah and Chin Chin.

Tenpin is expected to open at 67 Beach Street, Port Melbourne, in late December-early January, with seating for about 200 and a bar upstairs taking in bay views.