After an enigmatic announcement in May that Sunny and Ross Lusted (Woodcut, the Bridge Room) would be opening not one, but two new venues in Melbourne, the couple have finally unveiled their big plans.

Marmelo, a Portuguese-influenced restaurant will take over a prime spot on Russell Street while Spanish-style basement bar Mr Mills will open downstairs. Marmelo will feature a vibrant dining room with 90 seats and an elegant private dining room, with basement bar Mr Mills accessible through the restaurant for post-dinner cocktails, or via Melbourne Place Laneway if you’re just getting your night started.

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Ross said of his long-held dream of opening a Portuguese restaurant, “Marmelo is inspired by the small restaurants and bars of coastal Portugal and Spain and will embrace the European essence of Melbourne’s fresh produce markets.”

The menu will feature beautiful oceanic dishes like anchovy fillets and Ross’ creative savoury take on a Portuguese tart – handpicked crab meat on a smooth custard pastry tart, and a sheep’s cheese tart with salted pork.

Downstairs at Mr Mills, guests can unwind in intimate booths, or dine at the bar or open kitchen. A late-night supper club, the menu is all about classic Iberian snacks like grilled padron peppers, poached tuna Gilda, and cured baby eels.

Larger plates of quail escabeche, baked cod with roasted onions, and prawns
cooked with garlic and burnt chilli can soak up the night’s sins or fuel you up for an evening sipping Mr Mills cocktails.

Marmelo and Mr Mills will be the Lusted’s first foray into the Melbourne dining scene after years abroad running hotels and opening beloved restaurants in Sydney. Sunny says of the dream move, “Melbourne is one of the world’s most vibrant food cities and we look forward to this new chapter and to joining Melbourne’s hospitality community.”

Marmelo and Mr Mills is set to open later this year at 130 Russell Street, Melbourne. Keep an eye on the Marmelo and Mr Mills websites for updates.

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