Julian Gerner heads to the beach

Julian Gerner, who walked away from his role as operations and marketing manager for the Melbourne Pub Group in March, is planning a new venue for Sorrento called Beach Shack, which he hopes to open by New Year's Eve. Beach Shack won't just be a restaurant or a bar, ''but both, with good- food focus'', says Gerner, who plans to move to Sorrento.

The menu will offer burgers, burritos and tacos ''but with a healthy approach''. Gerner, still a silent partner in MPG, which renovated the Newmarket, Albert Park and Middle Park hotels, along with St Kilda's Prince of Wales, has taken over Morgan's and Sorrento Seafood Tavern on The Esplanade for the venture with business partner Paul Olynyk, with whom he owns Royal Saxon in Richmond.

The Beach Shack, 1 The Esplanade, Sorrento, will open daily in summer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Winter hours will be revised.

Source: Good Food, 10 December 2013