Lots of restaurants are set to open in Melbourne this year. Here’s a few that will surely tickle your taste buds.
- Lady Carolina – expected to open its doors to the public in autumn, this project is the result of the collaboration between restaurateur Alby Tomassi and award-winning chef Paul Wilson. The restaurant will feature a custom-designed pit smoker plus wood barbecue, as well as an asado grill and rotisserie.
- Chris Lucas’ latest project – this yet-to-be-named project by restaurateur Chris Lucas is in its conceptualisation stages and is expected to open in Windsor in June.
- Estelle Bistro – Estelle briefly closes its doors this month for a quick retouch where it will eventually come out in February as an all-new Estelle Bistro. Its fine dining counterpart, Estelle by Scott Pickett, will be easily accessible by its side and will start operating by March.
- Ezard @ Levantine Hill – this 100-seat restaurant is set to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with its kitchen headed by Teage Ezard. The establishment is slated for a July opening.
- The Fat Duck at Crown – set to open on February 3, this highly-publicised and anticipated restaurant opening will have its 70-person team serving lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays as the restaurant operates for a six-month season that ends on August 15.
- 5 Points Deli – chef Nick Stanton will spearhead the kitchen of the American brothers Will and Mick Balleau’s latest project in Carlton. This New York Style deli and seafood bar is set to open in February where it will be joined by a wood-fired bar and grill, Longhorn Saloon, upstairs.
- Lee Ho Fook – with a main dining room that seats 50, and a more intimate space downstairs for 16 to 20 people, the restaurant at Duckboard Place will soon feature Victor Liong’s signature Chinese dishes and more beginning March or April.
- Lûmé – this 40-seat fine dining bar is the product of the Shaun Quade and J.P. Fiechtner team up. Sommelier Sally Humble has been enlisted to manage this restaurant that is set to serve dinner Wednesdays to Mondays, and lunch on Sundays starting April 8.
- (All new) Ms. Katie’s Crab Shack – a bigger 60-seat shack is coming at the Rochester Castle Hotel sometime around March, with a new and improved nautical theme with a diver bar feel. New dishes on the menu include Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum-glazed chicken ribs and Old Bay seasoned popcorn.
- Rosa’s Canteen – it’s all about Sicily and Italy in general for this restaurant behind 500 Bourke Street. Guided by Rosa Mitchell and Braedan Cleave, this place looks about ready to open in March.
