Carine & Michael Northern Git
Northern Git has been a Thornbury institution for 12 years — a restaurant with hints of a classic British pub, where community comes first.
Owners Carine and Michael have built ‘The Git’ (as it’s lovingly called by locals) on a simple philosophy: honest, no-B.S. dining and sipping. But it’s their combination of a welcoming atmosphere, delicious hearty food, and responsive hospitality, that has made Northern Git feel like a true gathering place for locals.
We speak with Carine and Michael about their 12 years in Thornbury, and how the community has helped shape their venue.
(Photos by Julian Lallo)
Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury?
Carine & Michael (c&m): We’ve been operating in Thornbury for 12 years this year! Everyone is supportive, caring and for a city suburb, it feels like a small country town, how everyone rallies and supports each other.
(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?
(c&m) Community. We’ve been so accepted into the area both professionally and personally.
(mg) How does being in Thornbury shape what you do?
(c&m) Community means everything, we’d be nothing without our locals and regulars, continuously showing up to support us. We take everything on board, from compliments to ways to improve. We’re constantly listening to what our local community wants/needs and strive to make it happen.
(mg) What is your favourite time of day in Thornbury?
(c&m) There will be certain times during the day in which the street seems super quiet, then on a hot summer’s evening all of a sudden, the street is full with people enjoying a bar crawl, a full dinner, or just out for a walk.
Everyone is supportive, caring and for a city suburb, it feels like a small country town how everyone rallies and supports each other.
(mg) Where is your next travel destination?
(c&m) Beirut. We’ve just had our Christmas period over in Europe visiting family in the UK, and decided to go to Beirut after nearly 18 years! It’s just how we remember it, and we made a pact to return!
(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?
(c&m) You just see so many different walks of life. You see how everyone operates and in some ways it’s similar to Australia and in other ways, completely different. You experience new flavour profiles, see the different service styles. It just makes you see everything in a new refreshing light, and gives you a pep in your step into how you can incorporate what you’ve seen into your everyday life, professionally and personally.
[Travel] just makes you see everything in a new refreshing light, and gives you a pep in your step into how you can incorporate what you’ve seen into your everyday life, professionally and personally.
Local knowledge
Favourite local ingredient or product:
Mushroom forestry, based down on the Mornington Peninsula. Dave and his team have such amazing produce.
What to do beyond High Street:
Preston market!
Best coffee in the neighbourhood:
Short Round — the crowd itself on a Sunday morning speaks for how good it is.
Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:
Bespoke Wines and Spirits. You can find some great products, including their own gin. They released a Whiskey Creme Liqueur for Christmas, delicious!
Neighbourhood must-eats:
Aside from us (duh), The Moors Head.
Neighbourhood must-visit:
Palino bar
Thornbury’s best kept secret:
Did you know we just opened a spritz garden? ;)
