Planning for this revamp has been years in the making now, but the wait is finally over: Vue de Monde, its sister bar Lui and Vue Events are set to reopen on November 8 at Rialto Towers, following a three-month beauty sleep.
Both the dining room and kitchen at Vue have been fully refurbished, while the menu has evolved to become an 18-serving series of culinary enchantments – not too far of a stray from the globally recognised fine diner’s usual brand of refinement, but with just enough changes to thrill returning and new visitors. (Don’t fret – that mind-blowing chocolate soufflé hasn't gone anywhere.)
Executive chef Hugh Allen and the senior culinary team have collaborated closely with exceptional Aussie producers to highlight local seasonal ingredients. Dishes from the opening menu include grilled lamb sweetbreads with asparagus sourced from Koo Wee Rup and fermented macadamia sauce; padrón peppers stuffed with heirloom eggplant cooked in wild nasturtium oil; and grilled marron tail with a fried native herb paste followed by a warm marron roe custard.
“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,” says Allen. “We’re looking forward to showing our regulars the changes we’ve made, but also welcoming new guests to the venues.”
As far as the look goes, the swank factor remains. However, various key elements of Vue’s dining room have seen exciting new upgrades. The kitchen’s new tile treatment and timber cladding creates a dramatic new view from the dining room, while an extended show kitchen reveals a brand new pastry section.
Expect subtle updates to the signature Vue de Monde tables via kangaroo hide table tops by Theo Hassett, plus moody new lighting arrangements throughout the space. The private dining room now boasts a bespoke hand-blown light feature by Leisa Wharington, as well as a dedicated hanging space for Vue de Monde’s signature artwork 'Gordon Bennett Notes to Basquiat: Liberty 2000'.
“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,” said general manager Hugo Simoes. “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 also undergone a complete redesign, highlighting Aussie materials like granite, natural brass, sheepskin and smoked glass, and making space for significantly larger capacity. Here, you can anticipate all-new locally made furniture and lighting, as well as a wider and more diverse range of bar snacks.
Lui Bar’s manager, Elisabetta Lupi, brings fresh inspiration on the back of a world trip, during which she visited many of the world’s most sophisticated and renowned bars. Look out for her magic touch, with a bold new range of sustainability-informed cocktails that highlight unique Aussie ingredients, such as Geraldton wax, sunrise limes, Tasmanian wasabi leaf, macadamias and Quandongs. On the drinks front, visitors can also access Vue de Monde's extensive wine list and selection of vintage spirits, plus rare cigars.
From November 8, Vue de Monde will be open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday and lunch on Friday and Saturday. For more information about all the venue’s new and improved offerings, head to the website.