Omnia Bistro & Bar, the European restaurant by acclaimed chef Stephen Nairn, will open its permanent iteration on 29 November.
After launching as a pop-up on Toorak Road, South Yarra in June, the venue will now take up residence at the Capitol Grand luxury development.
The pop-up’s evolution into a fully-fledged restaurant will see Nairn implement an expanded menu — the executive chef has spent the past four months visiting producers throughout Victoria sourcing a wider selection of ingredients to feature. A few menu favourites will remain, with the tartlets, steak tartare and Gascony apple pie dessert all set to stay. However, the new purpose-built kitchen, which features a large smoker, means the menu can broaden in scope with dishes such as brisket and smoked lamb on the cards.
On 7 December, the team will introduce a breakfast menu featuring a French tartine breakfast of pastries and preserves (croissants, house-made bread, pain au chocolat, house-made jams, local raw honey and bottomless coffee) alongside European breakfast classics, including house-smoked
trout, sausages and seasonal fruit dishes.
Kevin McSteen (Attica; Eleven Madison Park; Dinner by Heston’s London location), has joined the team as general manager.
Architects EAT and Curious by Design have partnered to bring the restaurant to life, with the larger space allowing for multiple seating options to suit different moods and occasions. The front room will feature floor to ceiling windows overlooking Chapel Street, while seating at the central bar will direct guests attention to the the bespoke mural by Capitol Grand artists in residence, Bromley & Co. The back of the restaurant will offers leather banquettes with views of the kitchen, with counter dining also available.
Omnia Bistro & Bar is the first restaurant to open in the Capitol Grand, with more venues to open throughout 2020. The vacated pop-up space will continue to operate as a private event space until February 2020.
Image: Harvard Wang