Overview
Shannon Bennett already boasts Vue de Monde, Benny Burger and Iki-jime to his name, and is set to open music venue Geddes Lane Ballroom in the coming months. There's no rest for the chef, however, perhaps thanks to his latest caffeine-fuelled endeavour — a CBD cafe.
Opening on Tuesday, October 9, Barista by Vue is the next addition to Bennett's growing portfolio, and it's taking over a familiar location. Find the coffee spot at 430 Little Collins Street, in the space that previously housed the Café Vue servery. Yes, that means it's in very close proximity to both Benny Burger and Iki-jime.
The familiar elements keep on coming, with the new venture a collaboration with long-term Vue Group employee Todd Gatehouse.Vue Group executive chef Justin James will oversee the menu, executive pastry chef John Demetrios — the figure responsible for Iki-jime's dessert degustations — is on pastry and dessert duty, and the cafe has paired up with Vue's coffee regular Five Senses to create its own Vue Blend.
As a result, Melburnians can expect a deli-style range of sandwiches and salads, plus a selection of sweet options that have been designed to go with coffee. And as far as grabbing a cuppa is concerned, the custom Five Sense blend will be joined by limited-release single-origin brews, special pours and bulletproof coffee.
Wary of the environmental footprint that cafes can cause, Barista by Vue is also doing its part for the planet in a variety of ways. The space is decked out with as much recycled and excess materials as possible, including timber from the old Bar 20 that Bennett is currently turning into Geddes Lane Ballroom. It'll also be recycling and composting its used coffee grinds.
And, in excellent news for war on waste-conscious customers, the cafe will also offer a cup exchange. You'll be able to pick up a non-single-use cup for a fee, or bring in your own. Do the latter on opening day, and you'll also nab a coffee for $1.
Find Barista by Vue at 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne from Tuesday, October 9.