Fancy Hanks has now found a permanent home on Bourke St to match its name. Walk up to the first floor of this Art Deco building and be greeted by a swanky interior complete with marble counters and leather banquettes.

We’re celebrating their new restaurant with food of course, and the starting snacks leave a mighty good first impression. Creamy devilled eggs pop down the hatch for a moist and vinegary treat. Maple glazed belly ham comes with a dob of tasty red eye mayo. Crunchy fried cauliflower is enjoyed with ranch dressing and hot sauce. Then there’s the crowd favourite, the scone-like buttermilk biscuits. They sport a crunchy crust, but are fluffy in the middle. Eaten plain they’re delicious, but they taste even better with the maple-infused butter.

Time for Fancy Hank’s speciality – the barbequed meat. Trays come laden with Victorian-sourced free range meats, cooked in their two-tonne custom-built smoker. Being at the tail end of service we experience a little wait, but we’re well rewarded. The buttermilk-brined chicken is moist, the beef brisket is succulent, and the pulled shoulder is tender. Sides are made to order and include jalapeno buttered corn bread, wedge lettuce salad with a blue cheese dressing, and pit-braised beans with smoked bacon and sour cream. A variety of sauces are available for spicing up the mains, including an interesting cayenne watermelon dressing.

A dessert of doughnuts and coffee pudding concludes the feast. Though the doughnuts are quite dense, the rich coffee pudding manages to save it.

Come and visit Fancy Hanks at their fancy new digs, but don’t skip the starters or you’ll be missing out. Their Good Heavens rooftop bar will be opening soon for you to party on afterwards well into the night.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Fancy Hanks as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

Fancy Hanks
Level 1
79 Bourke St
Melbourne CBD, VIC, 3000
(03) 9348 9998
fancyhanks.com