Carlton welcomes new all-day venue Sunhands - hospitality

The team behind Heartattack and Vine have launched their latest Carlton venue Sunhands.

The cafe, deli, wine bar and general store is located on Elgin Street in the former IMA Project Cafe space.

Co-owners Ishella Butler, Matt Roberts and Nathan Doyle are behind the new venue which will focus on a seasonal menu showcasing local producers from Victoria and beyond.

The ethos of Sunhands came from the trio’s experience during the pandemic with their venues Heartattack and Vine which saw them pivot to a more localized offering to support struggling suppliers.

The all-day menu is led by Head Chef Pat Drapac (Bar Romantica, Old Palm Liquor) and features an array of produce-driven small dishes with vegan and vegetarian options.

Highlights include house-pickled octopus, baked ricotta with agrodolce, oysters with mignonette and Akimbo country sourdough with Chasney Estate EVOO.

Sunhands is working with locals like sustainable seafood supplier Two Hands, along with Keilor Valley’s Day’s Walk Farm, Alphington’s Sporadical City Mushrooms and Long Paddock Cheese.

The venue hosts a dine-in and takeaway menu plus an array of house-made products to take home.

“We want people to pop in any time of day for a beautiful glass of wine and bar snack – a daily ritual for those who enjoy the finer things in life,” says Butler.

The local focus carries over into the wine list, which aims to tell the story of local producers.

Doyle’s own Upside Wine is on pour, along with other wineries like Blood Moon Wines, Beyond the Glass and Mine in Place.

Sunhands is located at 169 Elgin Street, Carlton and is currently open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-3pm with plans for dinner in the coming months.