Chris Lucas' Highly-Anticipated Italian Restaurant Grill Americano Will Open This Month at 101 Collins Street

2021 proved a busy year for Chris Lucas and his growing hospitality stable, with the addition of not one, but two new restaurants — the glamourous Society and buzzing Japanese spot Yakimono.

But hey, why stop when you're on a roll, right?

Lucas (of Chin Chin, Baby Pizza, Hawker Hall) is gearing up to open the doors to yet another hotly anticipated eatery before the month's out, with the impending arrival of new Italian-inspired bar and restaurant Grill Americano.

First announced last June and originally slated for a spring launch, the newcomer is now set to welcome customers from Monday, March 21, making its home in the iconic 101 Collins Street tower. If you're extra keen, however, you can get in early as bookings for the venue open today, Tuesday, March 8.

Grill Americano owner Chris Lucas

While you'll have to wait a couple more weeks to find out exactly what's in store, the team has unveiled a few key details to tide us all over until then.

You can expect a Northern Italian flavour to Lucas' latest menu, from a kitchen that's centred around a bespoke wood oven and flame-licked grills. The food offering is set to hero top-quality Aussie meat and seafood, running to the likes of sophisticated grill classics, handmade pasta dishes and slow-cooked braises. And tying it all together is a sense of modern elegance, right through to the team of smartly jacketed waitstaff bringing the dining room to life.

Lucas says: "Grill Americano speaks of the rich cultural heritage of Melbourne as one of the best food cities in the world", sharing that he hopes the newcomer will help give a much-needed boost to the city's rebuilding restaurant industry.

Grill Americano will open at 101 Collins (entry via Flinders Lane) from Monday, March 21. We'll share more details about the venue as they drop.