Two Signature Spots Transform
Fancy a bit of a culinary shake-up? Melbourne’s dining scene just got a boost. W Melbourne has revamped its food landscape with new talent and reimagined menus at its signature restaurants: Lollo and Warabi.
A New Direction for Lollo
Lollo is shaking things up. The restaurant recently welcomed Head Chef Tuan Tran, a seasoned hand known for his stints at Nobu, Koko, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. His new menu at Lollo focuses on the fundamental element of heat and leans towards Southern Vietnamese influence. Dishes are meticulously crafted using local produce, touched by flame, spice, or the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. It’s all an exciting nod to Melbourne’s multicultural palate.
His standout creations include a free-ranged chicken breast with a spice crust and lemon myrtle emulsion, as well as an O’Conner’s MB5+ dry-aged Tomahawk served on a bed of aromatic herbs and blow-torched tableside. Vegetables? Wood-fired within the Beech Oven, of course.
And it’s not just about the food. Tran works closely with local suppliers to ensure that everything, right down to the herbs, is on point. Located above Flinders Lane, Lollo encapsulates the eclectic, bold spirit of the city and engages with its vibrant streets below.
Warabi’s Fresh Philosophy
Next door, Warabi has unveiled its new chef, Kyoto-born Hajime Horiguchi, after a painstaking three-year search. Formerly of Ascott Thonglor Bangkok Hotel, Wasabi, and Minamishima, Horiguchi is here to introduce a modern yet rooted perspective to the menu. Seasonal changes in Melbourne inspire dishes, which are reimagined daily based on the freshest market picks.
Signature items like the K’Gari Spanner Crab and the unagi sushi are on offer as part of Warabi’s $285 per person omakase experience. The new chef’s approach marries modern tastes with traditional Japanese principles, creating an unforgettable dining affair.
Conclusion
W Melbourne’s updates offer something new for regular diners and a mouth-watering introduction for first-timers. Both Lollo and Warabi now stand as two of the city’s most compelling food destinations, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to top-tier hospitality.
For more about W Melbourne and its stellar dining options, visit wmelbourne.com.
