Melbourne is increasingly becoming known as a gastronomically interesting place to visit. So it should not be surprising that when the acclaimed Australian chef
Shannon Bennett moved his celebrated restaurant Vue de monde to the 55th level of the city's iconic Rialto building, he ordered something special by way of interior.
Elenberg Fraser landed the job of interpreting the “molecular” approach of Bennett's cooking with his interest in creating the most sustainable restaurant possible.
Fraser eschewed the stereotyped images of Australian tourism, as he calls them: “reef, rock and road”, and instead concentrated on historical environmental references to the river estuary upon which Melbourne is built. In particular the fishing and hunting that traditionally sustained people for thousands of years.
Somehow the Vue de monde feels like it belongs in Norway with its antlered light sculptures and fur seats. As a result the restaurant has an edgy, unexpected, quality. And then there is that view...
