Luke Mangan to open new French bistro at Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders
Renowned chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan will open his first Melbourne restaurant in more than a decade this winter with the launch of Bistrot Bisou.
Set on the corner of Flinders Lane and Spencer Street, the relaxed French bistro and bar will feature modern takes on classic French dishes and cocktails, with a sharp international wine list featuring French and Australian varietals.
Melbourne-born Mangan says he is excited to be back amongst the city’s bustling food scene, and to continue his love affair with French cuisine, having trained under the acclaimed Michael Roux at Michelin-starred London restaurant, Waterside Inn.
“Melbourne has a real European feel to it - especially as we come into the cooler months - and French fare is having a moment, so I can’t wait to share my take with diners,” he says.
“We’ve created a thoughtful menu full of classics like steak frites, an incredible twice-baked gruyere souffle and apple tarte tatin, with modern twists.
“Enjoying these in the stylish bar and dining room, with its leather banquette seats, marble benchtops, red leather bar stools, and gold touches, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a trip to Paris.”
Dishes will be cooked over the kitchen’s wood-fired grill, with slow-burning ironbark and hardwood charcoal used to add smoky flavours, while the team will also be smoking their own salmon and crafting house-made terrines from free-range, Victorian roosters.
Supporting Mangan will be Bistrot Bisou’s head chef Rory Kennedy, former co-owner of Northcote’s hatted Vex Dining.
Kennedy, whose CV also includes head chef at Bar Romantica, says the expansive open kitchen overlooking the restaurant is one of the reasons why he does what he does.
“There’s nothing better than seeing people smiling from ear to ear after they’ve enjoyed a great meal,” he says.
“To get that feedback in real time is priceless, while guests will be taken on a sensory experience from the comfort of their seats, as they see and smell their food being prepared on the wood-fired grill before they taste it.”
Bistrot Bisou is located on the corner of the newly-opened boutique Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders.
Hotel general manager Joseph Simmons says the new restaurant and bar offering will deliver a welcoming and fun dining experience for hotel guests and Melbourne locals.
“It’s the perfect place to settle in for a happy hour cocktail or French wine, before you treat your tastebuds to our delicious menu,” he says.
Bistrot Bisou will open in early June for lunch from Wednesday to Friday, and for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. For more information, visit bistrotbisou.com.au.
About Bistrot Bisou
Indulge in casual French bistro-style dining and fine French and Australian wine at Melbourne’s newest restaurant, Bistrot Bisou. Headed by renowned chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan, the venue celebrates classic French cuisine via a modern interpretation. Located within the art-focused, character-filled Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, the standalone restaurant joins a community of artistic hubs and a buzzing dining scene. Bistrot Bisou is located at 575 Flinders Lane.
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About Pro-invest Group
Established in 2010, Pro-invest Group invests in hotels and commercial property assets on behalf of global institutional investors across Europe, Middle East and the APAC region.Pro-invest Group manages c.$3 billion in assets under management through a combination of discretionary funds, joint ventures, and managed accounts. Pro-invest Group’s integrated platform spans the asset lifecycle, from arranging funding through to developing, operating and asset managing individual assets as well as portfolios. Pro-invest Group assets include 31 hotels (approx. 6,000 rooms – open and pipeline) in Australia and New Zealand, in addition to commercial and mixed-use properties. Having established itself as a management platform in Australasia, the Pro-invest Group London office was established to focus on growth in the UK and Europe. Simultaneously, Pro-invest Group is raising a third value-add fund of $500 million for opportunistic investment in Asia-Pacific.
