Upper Middle

Overview

South Melbourne lands a new neighbourhood eatery from a hospitality veteran. Upper Middle has opened within the Eastern Road complex in the heart of South Melbourne, designed as a spot for quick coffees or leisurely lunches. 

Upper Middle is the debut venue from Franck Sammut, whose career spans some of Melbourne's most popular dining rooms, including France-Soir, Stokehouse, The Botanical and Bistro Thierry. Armed with years of experience, Sammut will build his own venue around the kind of hospitality he has always championed. 

"Upper Middle is a new chapter for me, and one I'm excited to bring to South Melbourne. After many years working in other dining rooms, it feels special to create something that reflects my own style of hospitality; relaxed, genuine and built for the neighbourhood. The menu and the space both draw on the food and places I love: simple things done well, European touches, and a room with personality. My hope is that it becomes part of people's daily routine, a spot they return to without thinking," says Sammut. 

Classically trained Lakshay Kapoor takes up the Head Chef position, showcasing a menu that balances technique with comfort: everyday food executed with precision. A brunch menu is complemented by goodies from a baguette bar and a pizza oven.

Crusty baguettes are stuffed with the likes of chicken, grilled peppers, potatoes and dressing, house-cured salmon, dill cream and fennel salad, and premium leg ham, Comte, butter, pickled beetroot and alfalfa. From the pizza oven, grab classics such as a margherita or a potato with rosemary, a vegetarian creation of zucchini, capsicum and pickled broccoli, or a spicy slice with nduja, salami, pickled chilli and jalapeño honey. 

Taking its lead from European bakery culture, Upper Middle is set to become a local fixture, an everyday spot built into a daily ritual.    

Images: Michael Pham. 

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