Vue de monde, Lui Bar and Vue Events unveil new look and menus
Vue de monde, one of Australia’s most awarded and internationally recognised restaurants, sister bar Lui, and events space reopen at Melbourne’s Rialto Towers, unveiling a new look for the bar and significant refresh of the Vue de monde dining room and kitchen, following a three-month closure.
Hugh Allen, Vue de monde executive chef, said: “We’ve been working on the changes to Vue de monde and Lui Bar for a few years now, and it is wonderful to see everything come together. Taking a few months away from the day to day has helped us create what we believe are really special menus across the restaurant and the bar. We’re looking forward to showing our regulars the changes we’ve made, but also welcoming new guests to the venues.”
Vue de monde, led by executive chef Hugh Allen and general manager Hugo Simoes, reopens with an all-new menu. The 18-serving menu feels familiar to Vue de monde, while also offering a completely new experience. Allen, working closely with the senior culinary team has continued to collaborate with and highlight exceptional Australian producers. Dishes from the opening menu include: grilled lamb sweetbreads with asparagus sourced from Koo Wee Rup finished with sauce of fermented macadamia; padrón peppers filled with heirloom eggplant cooked in wild nasturtium oil; and a two-part marron serving of marron tail slowly grilled with a paste made from fried native herbs followed by a warm marron roe custard.
Wine director Dorian Guillon (MS) and head sommelier Mathieu Gobin are responsible for managing Vue de monde’s impressive wine program comprising 2000 bins, showcasing an outstanding selection of wines from both Australia and around the world.
The Vue de monde dining room has had a significant refresh, with updates to the signature Vue de monde tables by Ross Didier and kangaroo hide table tops by Theo Hassett, and updated and increased lighting throughout the spaces. The private dining room has had a complete overhaul and now includes a bespoke hand-blown light feature by Leisa Wharington, Shou Sugi Ban timber cladding and a dedicated hanging space for much-loved Vue de monde artwork Gordon Bennett Notes to Basquiat: Liberty 2000.
The open kitchen has long been a signature of the Vue de monde dining experience, and the kitchen has also had a major update. Changes to the kitchen include Shou Sugi Ban timber cladding to services alongside a new tile treatment that creates a dramatic change to the space when viewed from the dining room, and an extended show kitchen which encompasses a new pastry section. There has also been significant investment in new kitchen equipment.
Hugo Simoes, Vue de monde general manager, said: “Vue de monde and Lui Bar have always been much-loved venues in Melbourne and it was important to us that we didn’t lose any of that magic with these changes. We ensured we paid homage to the history of Vue de monde and Lui Bar, and we’re confident people will love these spaces even more than before. We can’t wait to power up the lift back to level 55! ”
Lui Bar has had a complete redesign led by Melbourne architectural designer Elenberg Fraser. With a new location of the bar that ties the eastern and southern wings of the space together, Lui Bar’s capacity has increased significantly. The ambition of Lui Bar’s design was to create an authentic sensory journey through Australian materials. Granite, natural brass, sheepskin and smoked glass come together to create a hyper-local, sustainable environment. Inspiration has been taken from Vue de monde and Lui Bar’s focus on the land with earthy, muted tones used throughout the spaces with Fraser only using natural finishes. The bar features all-new furniture and lighting, with the furniture made locally in Moorabbin, Victoria. The furniture includes a mix of stone, locally-sourced leather, Australian wool bouclé and sheep skin, that has all been sustainably and ethically sourced. The bar is made from Astrus granite sourced from Portugal, and is the first time the material has been used in a bar setting.
The Lui Bar menu has been expanded to include a larger range of snacks. The menu incorporates the same premium produce and ingredients used in the restaurant, presented in a more accessible and snack-friendly style. The menu includes: Sydney Rock oysters; Blackmore wagyu ribs; roasted macadamias with saltbush; caviar service; Vue de monde’s chocolate soufflé; and a wide selection of Australian cheeses to name just a few.
Elisabetta Lupi, Lui Bar’s manager, has been at the venue for close to five years, and has spent the recent break traveling the world visiting many of the world’s most influential bars. For the new Lui Bar menu, Lupi has curated a cocktail list that focuses on sustainability, native ingredients and her deep interest in the uniqueness of Australian produce. Cocktails in the opening list feature ingredients such as sunrise limes, Geraldton wax, Tasmanian wasabi leaf, macadamias and Quandongs, with Lupi’s favourite drink on the new menu being the ‘Margot’ – a spritz of Davidson plum, rhubarb and lacto-fermented yellow tomato. Guests can also access the Vue de monde wine list, and Lui Bar’s large selection of vintage spirits and rare cigars.
Vue Events has long been considered one of Melbourne’s best and most versatile event spaces. After a considerable refresh, Vue Events has reopened for events of all sizes, from small dinners, through to large weddings and cocktail functions.
Vue de monde is open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Friday and Saturday.
Lui Bar will open on 8 November from 5.30pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11.30am Friday and Saturday.
Vue de monde and Lui Bar
Level 55 Rialto Towers
525 Collins Street, Melbourne
