An Ambitious Multi-Million Dollar Dining and Retail Centre Is Opening in Chadstone This December

It might be best known as Melbourne's fashion capital, but Chadstone Shopping Centre is about to up the ante in its culinary department, announcing an ambitious new food and dining project to open this December.

Taking over the two-level space most recently home to the Louis Vuitton Time Capsule exhibition, the project will be home to two different dining offerings — a second outpost of restaurant-to-retail concept Calia downstairs and a Chinese yum cha restaurant above.

This next iteration of Calia comes two years after the original launched within Melbourne Emporium, boasting a larger, 120-seat capacity space, complete with retail area, dining space and dedicated section for wine and whisky tastings. Chef Francisco Araya (from Spain's Michelin-starred elBulli and Mugaritz) is plating up a luxurious, yet affordable menu, crafted around quality ingredients that are also available to buy in the adjoining retail space.

Expect Japanese-inspired dishes such as chirashi bowls, sushi and sashimi platters, Tasmanian sea urchin bowls, king crab legs and fresh truffle fries, showcasing goodies from the likes of Yarra Valley Caviar, San Pellegrino, Robbins Island Wagyu, LMVH and Bibelot. The multi-faceted space will also play host to a program of interactive masterclasses and events led by renowned chefs.

Meanwhile, Yu Kitchen is launching in partnership with Malaysia's famed Ruyi & Lyn restaurant, boasting a crafty pan-Asian menu by Chen Kentaro — chef-owner of Singapore's two Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten and son of Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi. The kitchen will be whipping up dishes like foie gras crab roll soup, sweet and sour Kurobuta pork, and roasted chicken stuffed with foie gras, plus there'll be regular masterclasses and banquet events to add to your calendar.

The new dining precinct is only part of Chadstone Shopping Centre's plans for the future. The centre is also set to gain a $130 million luxury hotel, called MGallery by Sofitel, which is slated to open in late 2019.

Cali and Yu Kitchen are slated to open in December, 2018, at Chadstone Shopping Centre.