Chris Lucas’ Maison Bâtard set to open on November 26
Chris Lucas will open his new French restaurant Maison Bâtard in November, named for his favourite vineyard, Bâtard-Montrachet.
“It of course also shares a name with a special French bread that we’ll be making in house,” Lucas told the Herald Sun.
The restaurant will span four levels: a two-level restaurant on the lower floors, late-night basement supper club and a rooftop terrace. It is opposite Grossi’s iconic restaurant trilogy: Florentino, Cellar Bar and Grill.
The establishment cost $45 million to build and took more than eight years of restoration at the heritage Italian Society restaurant site. Lucas is said to have bought the three buildings that form Bâtard for about $19 million. It will open at the top end of Melbourne’s Bourke St on November 26.
Executive chef Adam Sanderson, who previously worked at The Fat Duck in the UK and Danish celebrity chef René Redzepi’s Noma in Denmark, will head up the kitchen.
Up to 500 jobs are set to be created.
“This project will provide an amazing training ground for the next generation of hospitality professionals, from sommeliers to pastry chefs and beyond,” Lucas told The Herald Sun.
“It’s a unique opportunity to foster local talent and elevate Melbourne’s position as a global dining destination.”
Lucas called the restaurant a Melbourne interpretation of simple, regional French cuisine.
“There’s an etiquette and culture surrounding French passions for food and dining that has always resonated with me, and I hope to capture some of this joie de vivre in a very Melbourne way with Maison Bâtard,” he said.
Damian Snell has been selected as culinary director, while Michaela Kang will take on the role of head pastry. Kang has worked as chef of Grill Americano in Flinders Lane and is the creator of its famed tiramisu.
Lucas Restaurants’ director of wine Loïc Avril will also play a key role.
Maison Bâtard opens on November 26 at 23 Bourke St, Melbourne. Reservations open on November 7.
Jonathan Jackson, 22nd October 2024
