Moon Under Water

Moon Under Water will close on August 8, 2016 and turn into Chinese restaurant Ricky & Pinky.

Within the walls of the Builders Arms Hotel in Fitzroy, supervised by owners Andrew McConnell, Anthony Hammond and Josh Murphy, Moon Under Water offers punters a fine dining option.

The George Orwell essay, from which the restaurant takes its name, describes the ultimate public house; stipulated by a specific 10 key points. While Mc'Connell's version doesn't feature the majority of the rather dated requirements, it's nevertheless a place frequented by regulars, with an atmosphere that is convivial, bar food that is perfectly paired with good beer and attention to detail that is particular without being pedantic.

Designed by Projects of Imagination (Golden Fields, Chin Chin, Trunk), Moon Under Water is white on white without feeling stark and features an impressive wine cabinet lining the back wall. The room seats 50 and has an emphasis on dining that manages to remain fun and is, of course, delicious.

Moon Under Water isn't about having 50 options to choose from, instead, it's about enjoying time with friends. There’s no à la carte ... just a $75 prix fixe four course chef's menu. It's open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and thankfully, reservations can be made.

Murphy has worked with McConnell for almost a decade, most recently at Cumulus Inc., where he won The Age Good Food Guide’s Young Chef of the Year. The two chefs have created a menu that changes weekly and showcase the best produce they can source. It’s a set menu, but it’s not a degustation, each course is a complete dish.