Chef Mitch Orr, known for his playful approach to Italian and Asian cuisine, enjoys pushing the boundaries of traditional ‘dining culture’.

At the heart of each of Mitch’s restaurants lies a community-focused and unpretentious dining experience that his guests have come to love, so it was important that his new venture, Mitch Orr X The Bower, reflected this ethos in both its design and location.

Situated along the iconic Ferry Bower, the venue enjoys a prime position with sweeping ocean views, complemented by the vibrant activity along the Marine Parade Walking Track. The layout prioritises community, with thoughtful table arrangements and expansive openings that enhance the connection to the stunning coastal surroundings, where the design itself reflects the raw beauty of the Australian coast through the use of locally manufactured materials and the craftsmanship of Australian designers.

Honouring both the building's history and the Asia-Pacific region, the interior blends Eastern and Western influences, incorporating traditional woven tapestries for upholstery, stained glass windows, and low stool seating.

The Bower x Mitch Orr

Hospitality

CLIENT PROFILE

MITCH ORR

Mitch Orr has an elegant way of weaving cultures together through his cooking. Affectionately known as the Prince of Pasta, Orr is recognized for his fusion of Japanese and Southeast Asian flavours with Italian influences.

His culinary style often emphasises a playful, contemporary approach that heralds the importance of high-quality produce, meat, and seafood - creating, authentic, unique, and novel dishes that gleefully challenge stuffy dining culture.

SITE CONTEXT

Commercial ares highlighted in orange from South Steyne to Cabbage Tree Bay

Bower Street provides the sole access to Bower Lane, while the Marine Parade walking track also passes by the nominated site.

REFERENCES

DESIGN NARRATIVE

Australians are intrinsically drawn to life by the sea, with 80% of the population living along the coast. This coastal lifestyle is a commonality shared with many Asia-Pacific cultures, where communities have flourished along shorelines for centuries. In these regions, the sea is more than just a geographical feature—it is a vital part of daily life, influencing cuisine, trade, traditions and interactions.

Before the colonial federation of Australia, there was even a long history of culinary and cultural exchange with communities through the Asia-Pacific.It has been recorded that the Malayo-nesians traded sea cucumbers, language, spices, and games with the Galwinku people. The Japanese and Chinese dived for pearls in Western Australia and some eventually settled in Broome with the Indigenous population.

DESIGN VISION

The Bower restaurant, led by Chef Mitch Orr, captures the essence of antipodean life while celebrating our rich cultural connections with our international neighbours.

Upon approach, patrons are immediately immersed in an environment that reflects the effortless and contemporary charm of the Manly location, while the menu highlights an all-day dining style, featuring comfort classics, such as the B&E roll, but with Orr’s signature twist.

The design itself emphasizes community through thoughtful table layouts and expansive openings, seamlessly blending the raw beauty of the Australian coast through the materiality and the craftsmanship of local designers. Honouring both the building's history and the Asia-Pacific region, the interior mixes Eastern and Western influences such as traditional woven tapestries for upholstery, stained glass windows, and low stool seating.