Superstar chef Crenn to launch in Melbourne

Dominique Crenn, one of the highest-profile chefs in the world, is to open a restaurant in Melbourne.

French-born Crenn will open Petit Crenn in partnership with Australian hospitality operators Salter Brothers next month in the Rialto building at 495 Collins St.

Petit Crenn will bring together French hospitality and Melbourne's vibrant dining culture, Salter Brothers said in a media release.

"Petit Crenn comes from my own life, from the cafes in France where you can sit for five minutes or five hours and always feel welcome," Crenn said. 

"I've wanted to bring that feeling to Australia for a long time." 

As the chef behind the three-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, Crenn was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024. Her portfolio also includes Bar Crenn, Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas and Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn in Beverly Hills.

The new eatery will offer everything from morning coffees to late-night gatherings.

Crenn says the restaurant will reflect her approach to everyday French bistro cooking; drawn from her childhood memories, shaped by place and community, and guided by seasonality and simplicity.

The intimate 40-seat venue has been designed by Crenn herself in partnership with Salter Brothers’ design team. It draws on the landscapes and coastline of Brittany, her home region in France.

On the menu, guests can expect signatures including steak tartare with egg yolk jam and sauce au poivre, alongside a croque madame with jambon and gruyère. Seasonal tartines, composed salads, and daily French classics will complete an all-day menu.

Matthew Butcher, director of culinary at Salter Brothers, said “This is a landmark moment for Australian dining. Dominique Crenn is one of the world’s most celebrated culinary voices and to bring her vision to Australia for the first time is incredibly special.

"Petit Crenn reflects exactly the type of partnership we are focused on building; globally recognised talent, a distinctive hospitality concept, and a city with the energy and appetite to embrace it. Melbourne is the right place, and this is the right moment.”

See www.petitcrenn.com.au

Bright future envisaged for historic Melbourne hotel site

Major changes are afoot for the historic InterContnental Hotel site on Collins Street, Melbourne.

With part of the building dating back to 1891, the hotel was originally know as the Menzies at Railto when it opened in 1984. 

It became part of the InterContinental group in 2008, and was extensively refurbished,[whilst not changing the heritage structures.

It is sometimes known as the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto and is part of IHG Hotels group.

The Rialto Building is architecturally significant as one of the finest ‘boom style’ buildings in Melbourne and is an integral part of an exceptional group of late Victorian commercial buildings in Collins Street

Now owners Salter Brothers have announced the achievement of Heritage Victoria Permits with conditions and City of Melbourne support with recommended conditions for the department to consider, to revitalise the hotel.

The site renewal secures the long-term retention and conservation of the well-known Winfield and Rialto heritage buildings, and a new mixed-use development on the site comprising of retail, office, a luxury hotel and a club with meeting and conference spaces, the company said.

"Salter Brothers has worked collaboratively with Heritage Victoria to achieve a design that respects, conserves and evolves these beautiful heritage buildings into future Melbourne."

Commenting on the approval, Paul Salter said “I am incredibly proud of our team in achieving these approvals. I would like to thank Patrick Ness who led the Cox Architecture team and Nick Touzeau from Planning & Property Partners who advised on Heritage Victoria and planning permits.

“We are honoured to move forward with the preservation of the heritage Winfield and Rialto buildings and excited about the dynamic this project will bring to central Collins Street.

"Subject to consideration we look forward to receiving planning approval from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning”