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Coats Group, the team that brought you MAYA Rooftop and Il Molo Italian Kitchen & Bar, is set to open a brand-new venue before the end of the year. Penelope – an all-new dining, drinking and dancing den – is currently taking shape on James Street, with the Coats Group crew looking to lure in night owls and foodies fatigued with formal dining. Part classic bistro and part London-style supper club, Penelope will blur the lines between restaurant, lounge and bar in a sleek mid-century-inspired surrounds. The space, which is being built by Kyson Commercial, will be accessed only via a solid brass door. Once you are inside, you’ll be greeted by a rich aesthetic encompassing amber velvet banquettes with brass detailing, dark timber-panelled walls made of acoustically treated American walnut, vintage wall lighting, a striking back-lit bar and cloistered curved eight-seater booths. On the food front, Penelope’s head chef Evan White will be delivering a menu described as retro-leaning bistro classics, with modern techniques used to execute a swathe of nostalgia-inducing delights at a high level. Designed to be enjoyed socially, Penelope’s menu will be big on snacks and small plates, including chicken liver parfait with cultured butter croissant crisp and vermouth fig glaze, fish-finger sandwiches made with crumbed blue-eyed cod and yoghurt tartare, pig -cheek croquettes, and Cantabrian anchovies that will be served to the table flaming in the tin. Hungry patrons will be able to devour larger plates of steak au poivre, penne alla vodka and market fish with parsley butter, caper vinegar and confit lemon, while a late-night menu (inspired by room service feasts) will include a classic BLT with smoked bacon, lobster and pickled tomato, bang-on cheeseburgers and a super-decadent hot chocolate fudge sundae. Penelope’s bar will dispense a ten-strong list of smashable cocktails alongside signature classic martinis and negronis, while a wine list will feature broad selection of drops, from vintage champagnes and Australian pet nats to Euro bangers. Penelope is set to open before the end of November and will operate from 5:00 pm on weekdays and from 12:00 pm, Friday to Sunday.