The duo behind Sydney’s Woodcut restaurant, Ross and Sunny Lusted, have opened their first two Melbourne venues, Marmelo and Mr Mills. Positioned on the Paris finish of Russell Avenue, alongside the Melbourne Place Lodge, Marmelo and Mr Mills intention to seize the playful and energetic spirit of Melbourne’s distinctive laneway nightlife.
Marmelo includes a 90-seat eating room and intimate bar with sweeping views of Russell Avenue, a personal eating room that may seat as much as 14 visitors, and a custom-built charcoal grill and wooden oven.
Nestled beneath Marmelo, down a chartreuse central staircase, Mr Mills gives a moody and eclectic environment. Serving as a vacation spot bar and late-night supper membership, Mr Mills supplies intimate cubicles, bar seating, and an open kitchen.
Signature cocktails embody a tomato and anchovy oil martini, a bergamot and inexperienced apple margarita, and a spring rhubarb and bay leaf Americano.
The menu options Iberian dishes comparable to swordfish in olive oil with ash-grilled peppers and uncooked tuna, tomato, and anchovy on toast.
 
Ross Lusted, a chef famend for his experience in charcoal and wood-fired cooking, mentioned, “Marmelo has come to life via a inventive journey that I’ve been exploring for a few years.”
At Marmelo, Lusted mentioned he introduced his South African roots and nostalgic flavours to the desk, whereas exploring rustic cooking strategies.
Designed by Mitchell & Eades, each venues honour Portuguese tradition with shows of azulejos (conventional hand-painted tiles) and unique artworks by Lucy Roleff and Ben Mazey. The primary eating room includes a bespoke wood-fired grill and a glass wine room. At Mr Mills, there are a number of excessive and low tables for eating, together with a 20-seat semi-private room, furnished with architectural particulars like mirrors, heavyweight velvet, and timber.
The Mitchell & Eades design staff mentioned, “Texture and authenticity play pivotal roles, and the result’s an area that resonates with historical past, vibrancy, and group. A spot the place the previous and current collide, inviting visitors to share within the wealthy narrative of Russell Home.”
