After eight-weeks and a $300,000 fit out, The Common, located in the Margarets Beach Resort complex in Gnarabup, is open for business.
The Common is a cool yet comfortable casual bar and bistro with a focus on locally brewed craft beer, delicious affordable bistro food and has wine served on tap.
It’s Margaret River’s newest venue and the third owned and operated by the Margaret River Hospitality Group (MRHG).
MRHG Managing Director Anthony Janssen said The Common was created with locals in mind, to provide them a place to eat, drink and hang out.
“Come in for a quick drink, a bite to eat, to celebrate a special occasion, or settle in for a long lunch, dinner and beyond, it doesn’t matter – that’s the sort of friendly casual coastal-bar-bistro vibe The Common has. If locals love it, then visitors to the region will love it too.”
Janssen said that he project managed the new fit out and is thrilled with the result.
“The new oak flooring, polished concrete, new lighting and ceiling have completely changed how the place feels – it feels really warm and inviting, like going to a good friend’s house,” Janssen said.
“Best of all, we’ve built a new alfresco deck – The Common Deck – that has ocean views and is covered by an awning made from recycled timber that in time, will have beautiful coastal wisteria growing over it.”
MRHG Executive Chef Tony Howell said that the menu is based on local seasonal produce.
“The menu is designed to be flexible to take full advantage of the exceptional produce we have access to in the Margaret River region and beyond,” Howell said.
“We’ve created a menu that makes eating out affordable for locals as well as visitors – we’re offering great dishes at really reasonable prices – the most expensive main is $35 and that’s the Thai yellow curry broth with seafood.
“The rolling menu will change depending on what produce we can access and what’s in season – it might be a special of zucchini flowers for a week, or it could be that spring lamb features on the menu for a couple of months.
“We’ve got two mains designed for two people to share and at $49 they’re great value - Asian style sticky pork hock with wok tossed greens and jasmine rice, and 24-hour slow cooked beef short rib with roast pumpkin, charred corn and garlic potatoes.”
Howell said he's thrilled to welcome Andy Foulsham who joins MRHG as head chef at The Common.
The Common has a craft beer focus – the heroes being the local brews that will be offered on tap.
“It’s not only local beer, we have other Australian and international beer, a small and interesting list of wines by the glass and bottle, and wine on tap served via glass sight fonts from Swings and Roundabouts winery - buy a glass, half carafe or full sized carafe,” Janssen said.
“We’re really looking forward to establishing a new place for locals that offers quality hospitality experiences – that’s the driving force behind everything we do at MRHG,” the 33-year-old said.
Every AFL game featuring WA teams Fremantle and West Coast will be shown on the big screen with surround sound.
Janssen said that functions are already booked at The Common and he is excited to grow this side of the business.
The function spaces at The Common cater for up to 200 people in the bistro and 100 people cocktail-style in the separate Common Room. The Common Deck is also available and caters for 60.
The Common is open seven days per week from 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 12pm on weekends in off peak season, and will be open seven days per week from 12pm in peak season. Visit www.thecommonbistro.com.au for more.