After a long hiatus, The Old Clare Hotel recently reopened! It is certainly the centrepiece of the $2 billion redevelopment of the former Carlton United Brewery site as Kensington Street laneway precint. You can stay here of course, in one of the luxury hotel rooms. Non-guests are also welcome to dine at the restaurants; 2 of the 3 have already opened. There is Silvereye, from former Noma executive sous-chef Sam Miller, and Automata from Clayton Wells (Momofuku Seiobo and Quay). Jason Atherton will open his first Australian venue, the 118-seat Kensington Street Social, early next year I was reliably told on my visit to the bar downstairs last Saturday night.
So far the only food they are serving in the bar is mixed nuts and/or olives, but their kitchen is opening in about 4 weeks, when a more extensive bar menu will be on offer. I am looking forward to dining at all 3 restaurants over the next few months, as well as relaxing by their rooftop pool with city views. But in the meantime, we enjoyed their craft beers (they do pints!) and excellent cocktails.