“Etta is definitely not going anywhere,” Hannah Green tells Broadsheet. But the restaurateur, who worked at Attica before opening the Hot-Listed restaurant on Brunswick East’s Lygon Street in 2017, is taking over the former Bar Romantica space next door to launch a new venue, Daphne.

Green hadn’t necessarily planned to open a new venue, but when the space became available, it was both “a natural progression” and “too good to say ‘no’ to”.

“Etta has evolved into what Etta is now, and it’s a little bit more fancy than I think I ever intended it to be. [Daphne’s] a place where whatever time of day, you can just pop by for a drink or a snack, and there are no rules,” says Green.

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Green hopes the 125-seat Daphne, expected to open in September, will cater to the needs of the neighbourhood. She sees it as a space where parents can bring kids for a snack after daycare or drop in for an early dinner before heading home. That said, she’s inherited Bar Romantica's 24-hour licence, and plans to stay open for late-night trade. She’s also keeping the old venue’s sound system and will collaborate with Etta regular DJ JNETT on the music for Daphne.

There’ll be wine on tap by Dom Valentine of the Yarra Valley’s Valentine Wines, and guests will also have access to Etta’s 400-bottle wine list from sommelier Ashley Boburka. Etta’s Sam Peasnell will oversee cocktails and the kitchen will feature a Brick Chef charcoal woodfired grill.

While Green is keeping mum on the chef for now, she says the food will be “Euro-leaning” and “classic”.

“I feel very lucky that it’s the continued vision of Etta, as a sister,” says Green, who is largely working with the same design team – IF Architecture – that brought her first venue to life.

Daphne is expected to open at 52/54 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, in September.