Restaurant icon to open new Melbourne CBD venue
Chef Michael Lambie, the UK export behind some of Melbourne's top dining spots, is making a return to the city’s culinary scene.
Lambie, known for putting St Kilda’s Stokehouse on the map and making his mark at Circa at the Prince and Federation Square’s Taxi Dining Room, also earned a following with his ventures at Lamaros Hotel and The Smith before launching the popular Lucy Liu in Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).
After a brief hiatus following the sale of Lucy Liu in 2020, Lambie is set to open a new South East Asian restaurant, Juni, on Exhibition Street, which pays tribute to his late mother, June.
The restaurant will showcase his signature take on South East Asian flavours.
“I love the clean flavours of Thailand, Vietnam and Japan, and I am loving creating a menu that encompasses all of these factors that appeal to my customer base,” Lambie told The herald Sun. “The service will be fast paced with a focus on wine, well-made cocktails and drinks.”
Lambie is also focused on assembling a top-tier team, stating, “I’m committed to building a fantastic professional team and an amazing restaurant.”
Returning to Melbourne after a short stint in Queensland, Lambie said, “My heart has always been in Melbourne, and I’ve always lived here.”
Juni’s menu will embrace the concept of 'fire and spice', with shareable dishes such as Chinese roast duck, pot-roasted beef short rib, rare tuna tataki, crispy fried eggplant, and a vegan red curry. The 140-seat restaurant is expected to open in late November.
Jonathan Jackson, 7th October 2024
