Ausopen.com checked in for a quick Q&A with Grant Smillie, co-owner of Grandmaster Recorders in Los Angeles.
Grandmaster Recorders will form part of the exciting offering at Riverside Social for AO Reserve guests, and Smillie gives us a taste of what to expect from the collaboration at Australian Open 2025.
He also loves his tennis.
Ausopen.com: Grant, tell us about Grandmaster Recorders?
Grant Smillie: "Grandmaster Recorders is an LA restaurant and rooftop bar which launched in December 2021 in the heart of Hollywood looking up at the hills and the synonymous sign. Fantastic Australian chef Blake Shailes, who previously cooked at Eleven Madison Park in New York and Raes in Byron Bay, is behind the menu."
What was the inspiration behind Grandmaster Recorders?
"It was actually a no-brainer. It was an existing recording studio which instantly rang my bell! It was home to artists like Bowie, Blondie and the Chili Peppers so we kept the name as the heritage was incredible, but we added a dining room and a rooftop. It's a mix of Australian Italian food, music and good times."
How would you describe the Grandmaster Recorders experience in LA?
"It's a one-stop shop where you can go for a rooftop drink, have a meal, and then end up watching a show in the studio. At the AO, you can almost do the same thing! Have a rooftop drink, grab a bite and listen to great music, then go watch some incredible tennis."
What can AO Reserve guests expect from Grandmaster Recorders at Riverside Social this summer?
"You'll see a lot of references to GMR in the space with our custom DJ booth, art and cocktail programming - all paired with an incredible menu of the GMR greatest hits. We're also partnering with iHeart to get some great music and DJs happening throughout the tournament."
What GMR dish (or dishes!) on the Riverside Social menu are you most excited about?
"Our Caviar Cannoli in the finals period is a real winner and worth buying a ticket for alone! The tuna tartare is also excellent, as is the corn risotto and mafaldine pasta."
What’s your favourite thing about being back in Melbourne?
"I love how spoiled for choice we are for amazing food and beverage and of course, the sports. I am a sports nut!"
Where is your go-to place to enjoy live music in Melbourne?
"Too many to name. I grew up in the live venues - the Gershwin Room however was a formative one for me and will always hold a special place in my heart."
What’s your go-to cocktail for a hot Australian summer?
"To me there's nothing better than a Garibaldi. It's so simple but can be so good. It's just Campari and Orange Juice but the trick is to put the juice through a blender or a milk frother so you get a super fluffy top. The perfect mix of tart and sweet."
What do you most look forward to about this Australian summer?
"The beach, BBQs, friends and of course the tennis. There’s nothing quite like the AO."
As a self-proclaimed ‘Sports Nut’ and lover of tennis - what is your favourite tennis memory?
"Massive tennis fan. I remember watching that 11-hour match with Isner and Mahut at Wimbledon - it was just insanity. In recent times however it's hard to pass up all the duels between Rafa, Djokovic and Roger - they were magic. Now it's Alcaraz and Sinner, Swiatek and Sabalenka. The future is bright."