Melbourne fine diner Vue de monde is back after closing in July for a multimillion-dollar renovation.
The restaurant, located on the 55th floor of a Rialto Tower in the CBD, has undergone a significant revamp covering the installation of a new kitchen; the relocation of Lui Bar; an updated private dining room, and revised interior furnishings.
Led by Elenberg Fraser, the venue has been fitted out with hand-blown lights; shou sugi ban timber, a new pastry section in the kitchen, and kangaroo hide-topped tables.
Long-term Executive Chef Hugh Allen (founding chef Shannon Bennett sold his share of Vue Group back in 2020 and resigned as director) is running the kitchen, with Hugo Simoes leading the restaurant as general manager, who says the new aesthetic will be familiar to diners.
“It was important to us that we didn’t lose any of that magic with these changes,” he says.
“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.”
Along with the interior changes, the Vu de monde 18-course menu has been overhauled by Allen who has spent the past few months developing dishes with the senior chef team.
Debut plates included grilled lamb sweetbreads with asparagus and fermented macadamia sauce; grilled marron tail with fired native herb paste; and padron peppers stuffed with eggplant cooked in nasturtium,
Lui Bar now connects the eastern and southern sides of the venue and will reopen on 8 November with an increased capacity for guests.
Manager Elisabetta Lupi continues to run the space after five years at the venue, with the bar talent focusing on sustainability for the revised drinks offering as well as native ingredients including Geraldton wax and sunrise lime.
Vue de monde is open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday and for lunch on Friday and Saturday.
Lui Bar is open from 5:30pm on Wednesday and Thursday and from 11:30am on Friday and Saturday.