In something completely new and inspired for the restaurant scene in Melbourne, Lume has taken over a heritage-listed burlesque lounge found at 226 Coventry Street, South Melbourne. The young and eager team behind this new venture includes Shaun Quade (Quay, Royal Mail), John-Paul Fiechtner (Paris’ Le Chateaubriand), Maître’d Sally Humble (Melbourne Pub Group, Cutler & Co), and Sommelier Brodie Comer. The young team are coming together with their own unique ideas and takes on the hospitality scene and bringing them together in the new restaurant.

The space has an unassuming frontage, high ceilings, and pale furnishings offering a comfortable place to enjoy this new experience. Designed by Melbourne’s Studio Y there is a 40-seat tasting menu only room, plus a separate 40-seat bar area that is its own destination.

When you think of the phrase tasting menu, we often think of a standard line up of entrees, fish, meats, dessert, and maybe something cheesy. But Quade and Fiechtner want guests to throw away that expectation and just hold on for the ride. With a menu only presented towards the end of the dining experience, it’s a taste first, think later kind of thing. With no dishes from either of the chef’s past gigs and about 18 courses on the tasting menu, you can expect weird and wonderful dishes like Emu jerky with red cabbage cooked in liquorice. It takes three hours to get through the tasting menu so get ready to settle in for the night and don’t plan to go anywhere else afterwards.

The bar space, which is being managed by managed by Nick Tesar (ex-Gin Palace) has its own menu of oysters and charcuterie. The wine list, which has been designed by Sally Humble and Brodie Comer is trying to land somewhere between classic and playful.

Leave the expectations at the door and spend three hours letting your taste buds lead the way. 

Lume
226 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
www.restaurantlume.com