Overview
When the new Hilton hotel opened in Melbourne's heritage 1930s Equity Chambers last year, it needed a swanky destination eatery to seal the deal. You can't open a luxury hotel these days without a big-name chef downstairs cooking eggs.
That restaurant turned out to be Luci: a contemporary Australian fine diner with an Italian-Euro twist, named after the Roman leader and famous gourmet, Lucias Lucullus. The chef is Sam Moore (Pier in Rose Bay, Becasse, No.35 at Sofitel Melbourne), who has just released a sharp new menu across three services – brekkie, lunch and dinner.
Kristoffer Paulsen
"Striking a balance between classic and modern sensibilities, my produce-driven food highlights quality ingredients prepared with an elegant simplicity at the fore. From ocean-fresh seafood, or vegetables just out of the soil, I am proud to deliver this menu to our diners," says Moore.
Luci isn't really trying to appeal to the W Melbourne or QT crowd. This isn't where you come for DJs and pool parties. Set inside the vaulted ceilings of the Equity Chambers, and positioned in the heart of Melbourne's legal district, it's a deliberately old-world set-up. Think, original wood panelling, restored heritage elevators, timber banisters and stonework galore.
The menu is upscale too. There's a wicked crab benedict for breakfast, topped with umami-packed bonito hollandaise; Hiramasa kingfish crudo for lunch, with celery, horseradish and orchard apples; or maybe Wimmera duck breast for dinner, served with radicchio and creamy celeriac. The wine list is fully stocked, as you'd expect, with a broad mix of local Victorian drops and low-intervention stuff. Plenty of options to keep things interesting.
Kristoffer Paulsen
Speaking of drinks, if you want a cocktail before dinner, check out the 1930s-style Douglas Club bar, just next door to Luci. It's in the fully-restored front bit of the Equity Building, and Hilton have even snagged bar manager Gee Shanmugam (from Windsor's Galah Bar and Mya Tiger at The Espy). Our tip: try the mini parmesan donuts from the bar menu.
As part of their takeover-refurbishment of the Equity Chambers, Hilton has also installed some pretty eye-catching new suites upstairs. The entire building has had a massive glow-up. If you're looking for a romantic night away in the CBD, with killer food and a 1930s cocktail bar downstairs, the Hilton on Little Queen Street is now a serious contender.
Find Luci within the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (entry via 472 Bourke Street, Melbourne).
Images: Food and interiors by Kristoffer Paulsen; Hilton entrance by Paul Gosney