Chris Lucas may be best known for his Chin Chin restaurants, the Asian fusion dining destinations that have become institutions in Melbourne, and more recently Sydney. But now he has his sights set on Gallic cuisine with the launch of Batard, a french bistro and bar set to open in late 2018.

Batard is an ode to steak and charcuterie, with plenty of wine to boot promises Lucas. “I’ve spent a great deal of my past visiting all corners of France and like many, dreamed of having my own little bistro.  I’m somewhat of a nostalgic and want to bring some of that romance to Melbourne with my own touch at Batard,” he says, ” I mean, who doesn’t love steak frites with a glass of Burgundy?”

While Batard has been in the works for some time, Lucas hasn’t been able to find quite the right building in which to house it until now. A renovated Victorian terrace on the Spring Street end of Melbourne City will house Batard’s offerings; constituting the restaurant, and an accompanying rooftop bar and basement cellar.

More information on the Batard team is set to be announced in due course.

Batard
19-21 Bourke Street, Melbourne
@batardbistro