Big Mouth Revived

Shhhh . . . Big Mouth has opened its doors, refreshed and alive on the ‘Paris’ end of Acland Street

Big mouths’ usually tell other people’s secrets, but this Big Mouth only wants to share its’ own delicious news that need only be whispered, not stirred.

The proprietors of Big Mouth Café, Bar & Dining Room are now ready to talk and reveal its stunning new and romantic makeover from the ground floor up.

Director, Carlo Colosimo (of Lounge fame) says, "For thirteen years Big Mouth has been a unique café, bar and restaurant and we decided it was time to have this 1930’s building, the food and entertainment we offer redefined to adapt to the tastes of our discerning guests who visit or live in St Kilda - without losing the original essence of our popular place".

"We contacted designer, Maree White (Atmosmith) who has embraced this project with passion and spent months researching the history of the building and its location which went as far back to the beginnings of St Kilda in the early 1900’s."

Big Mouth is located at the ‘Paris’ end of Acland Street where at the time (1900’s), ladies would walk along the promenade in their finest and meet for their daily ritual of high tea in the Oakrood Tea Gardens - where Big Mouth sits today. It started as a garden of magnificent Oak trees swaying in the breeze where the ladies sat resting in the shade taking high tea.

In the1930’s a double storey Art Deco landmark was built (now known as Big Mouth) and was many things from a gambling hall run by a feisty Russian Baron to an elegant 1950’s ballroom where the men and women danced the night away upstairs in a room lit with chandeliers, art deco cornices and very high ceilings - the room is perfect for this form of entertainment.

Maree White says, "It has been my intention to marry all of these wonderful, traditional stories and themes into the new and elegant look we have created for Big Mouth today. "

"My core design philosophy was to create an English Oak leaf design inspired from a postcard written about the Oakrood tea garden and had an artist thread it throughout the rooms from the downstairs up to the top. This gives our guests the feeling of walking up into the trees to the second floor, which is surrounded by large glass windows that open onto the hub of Acland Street."

"The high ceilings hold the original chandeliers and the walls are now washed with soft Indian tea green tones, gold hues and glazes showing off the 1930’s art deco cornices. We have been brave and bold with the colour scheme yet magically, it works."

"We have also set the room with rich red, aubergine and black tailor made lounges and stools seated on the cherry coloured floor."

"The long bar is another feature upstairs which is propped with art deco mirrors and a specially designed watermarked amber lit glass that creates a gentle, almost seductive feeling to Big Mouth."

"The room and the accessories reveal the stories of this wonderful building, enhancing the unique essence Big Mouth has always enjoyed and, like the Oak tree has stood the test of time. We feel that this special and popular venue is ready for more fine food, entertainment and sometimes dancing - where people meet to start and finish their day at the end of the tram stop on Acland Street", says Maree White.

Carlo Colosimo added, "Last, but not least is the news of our evolution by the inclusion of our passionate and earnest chef, Daniel Redhead. Daniel has worked under the wing of some of Melbourne and Brisbane’s finest chefs at France-soir, Isis, Cecconi and Jacques Reymond."

Daniel, who is only 27 years old, has redesigned our kitchen to deliver honest and creative European and contemporary inspired dishes with a gentle touch of French nuance. He is mad about his food and concentrates on the organic flow of construction and deconstruction of fresh ingredients and flavours that are fussy to prepare, yet delivers wholesome and tasty meals that are all his own creation.

The café downstairs is a local haunt for scrumptious breakfasts, breads and pastries. We have introduced a number European style set lunches for example, Coq au Vin in earthenware platters with rustic French bread, served with pilaf and green salad. These lunches are popular with the men who do not want an ordinary meal yet have hearty appetites, completed with glass of wine.

Big Mouth is now ready to talk, to savour and to purr a sweet welcome from the 'Paris' end of Acland Street.