New name and refurb for Paddington's Captain Cook Hotel

It's on a tough strip that has claimed its share of venues (the Flinders Inn crew among them), yet Paddington's Captain Cook Hotel has remained the stalwart of the busy arterial.

But there's been a small mutiny, with Cook's name sidelined.

"The whole hotel is still referred to as The Captain Cook, but the business is The Captain Paddington," says Tristian​ Hope, the consultant chef drafted to the project.

It has also had a modest makeover while retaining a modest and honest pub feel.

"Alex Zabotto-Bentley from AZB Creative was the interior brains behind the refurb, tapping into the history of the 100-plus-year-old pub, [but] with a concept of modern Italo pub style," Hope says.

Steven Tkautz, formerly of the London Hotel, has signed on as head chef.