Yu-U to Be Reborn as Contemporary French Bistro

One of the most underrated Japanese joints in the Melbourne CBD is trading its teppanyaki grill for a collection of cast-iron French cookware. From the beginning of next month, the owners of nearby Coda are taking over Yu-U, with plans to reopen the much loved Flinders Lane eatery as a contemporary French bistro early in 2016.

According to Good Food, the team behind Coda will transform the underground space into a 30-40 seat restaurant, complete with bar and open kitchen manned by Frenchman Florent 'Flo' Gerardin. A veteran of such establishments as Pei Modern and Vue de Monde in Melbourne, 59 Poincare in Paris and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, Gerardin told Good Food that the menu at the currently unnamed bistro would be comprised of "soul food" made using the skills he learnt from famed chefs Joel Robuchon and Alain Ducasse.

In practical terms, that translates into simple French dishes such as beef cheek with onion and classic steak tartare, along with bar snacks and share dishes served hot and cold. No word on whether they'll be cleaning the graffiti off the location's hidden entrance – frankly that might take away some of the charm.

Yu-U is located at 137 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Via Good Food.

Image: Coda