Chris Lucas to open mega French dining destination

Chris Lucas is set to open his anticipated French restaurant Maison Bâtard next month after eight years in the making.

The four-level French dining destination will include a late-night supper club in the basement, a restaurant spanning the ground and first floor, and a rooftop terrace.

Lucas has drawn on decades working as a restaurateur and travelling through France to develop the restaurant. “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.”

The menu is the product of close collaboration between Lucas, celebrated Executive Chef Adam Sanderson (Fat Duck, Noma, Ten Minutes by Tractor), and Lucas Restaurants Head of Culinary Damien Snell. Grill Americano’s Head Pastry Chef Michaela Kang will take on the same roll at Maison Bâtard, while Head of Wine will be celebrated sommelier Loic Avril.

The restaurant sits in 23 Bourke Street Melbourne behind The Windsor Hotel, in a historic building that partially dates back to the early 1900s. The site formerly housed The Italian Society.

“Our historic buildings are critical to the identity of Melbourne. The opportunity to bring new life to this significant and beautiful building for future generations has been an act of remembrance, marrying the history with what is to come,” says Lucas.

Lucas is the owner of a string of prolific restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, including Chin Chin, Yakimono, Baby, Grill Americano, and more recently, Tombo Den.

Reservations for the restaurant open 7 November and the restaurant will open on 26 November.

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