Charlie Carrington has finally revealed plans for the space recently vacated by Colours by Atlas.
The chef behind hatted restaurant Atlas Dining had quietly closed his second venture, which opened in February 2018, with little explanation.
Carrington has now reinvented Colours. While the venue will continue to showcase Israel cuisine, it’ll do so under new branding, including a name change.
The Mediterranean restaurant, explains Carrington, will offer a refined quick-service experience inspired by the flavours and vibrancy of Tel Aviv.
“It draws on the original concept that was Colours Kitchen but boasts a deeper heartiness and soulfulness of Israeli flavours we felt we were missing with Colours,” says Carrington. “We began Colours, after falling in love with Israeli food. But we tried to appropriate it into what we thought Melburnians wanted. Turns out, the versatile, more traditional Mediterranean Israeli cuisine we experienced in Tel Aviv is what people have been after all along.
While vegetarian and vegan options still abound, the new menu will see the re-introduction of meat. Menu options include trays featuring freshly whipped hummus and thick, warm pita with the choice of grilled chicken (flavours of charred chilli, burnt onion and green chilli zhug); shaved lamb; smoked fish; falafel; and eggplant. Trays can be converted in pita.
Ready-made options include Eggplant sabich; roasted beef or chicken; bag of (chef’s choice) salad; and bag of vegetables with spicy harissa.
Fries with za’atar salt and five piece falafel with tahini are on offer as sides.
“We haven’t fully re-invented the wheel but were humble enough to know things weren’t at their true potential,” admits Carrington.
The Commercial Road venue will be open Tuesday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner. A second Lomah site is already in full swing at Melbourne Central’s Ella Precinct, open Monday through Saturday 11am–8pm.