In just a few short years, Melbourne’s multi-level Farmer’s Daughters has gone from instant hit to an industry institution. The city has fallen so in love with the Collins Precinct restaurant that the poster child of the Renascence Group has undergone a transformation, turning the rooftop from a cocktail bar reserved for walk-ins and restaurant overflow into a full-fledged extension of the restaurant.

For executive chef Alejandro Saravia, the demand for extra seats and a dedicated wine bar for Farmer’s Daughters is a vote of confidence that the team is doing something right. But most importantly the chef is proud to have an extra platform to champion the incredible produce of the Gippsland region – where he sources the vast majority of the ingredients and wine found on the menu. A full dining experience on the rooftop is impressive. The addition of a cosy and specialised wine bar goes above and beyond.

“Gippsland provides such beautiful and award-winning wines, and there are so many new and young winemakers pushing the envelope. Why not give them the spotlight and the space they deserve to show off these wines?” Saravia tells delicious.

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“This reimagining of the rooftop comes with the maturity of the venue, the maturity of ourselves running the venue as well. In the beginning, the rooftop was always holding space for guests who arrived early for their bookings, or guests who wanted to have a little bit more of a nightcap. Now we have space for people to enjoy the wines that we love so much, and to experience the food that we love to serve.”

At the moment, the seasonal menu heroes Gippsland’s Amber Creek leg ham with Powlett Reserve feijoa and wholegrain mustard; Lakes Entrance crudo with lime, orange, smoked green chilli, and coriander; pasture-raised chicken and celeriac pie with kale and tarragon butter sauce; and lamb loin with squash puree and black currant vinaigrette. It’s Victoria on a plate and served almost exclusively with wine from the region. 

“The wine team has a running joke that we’re drinking Gippsland dry,” Saravia laughs. 

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That ethos of championing and fostering relationships with producers, guests, and staff goes beyond just the extraordinary dishes on the menu. The slow-and-steady Renascence Group is sure-footed when it comes to upskilling and advocating for staff, and taking a carefully considered approach to expansion. Custodians of Farmer’s Daughters at 80 Collins, Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters in Fed Square, Morena in Sydney (and soon Morena Melbourne), the group is determined to give guests a great experience while shining the light on the hardworking producers they work with.

“For us as a group, it’s very important that every project has something that gives back in some way to our communities, not only hospitality but the communities that we represent. In this case, you know, Victorian regional Gippsland. It’s important that we represent them in the best we can.”

95 Exhibition Street, 80 Collins Precinct, Melbourne
Monday to Sunday – 4:00pm – late
@farmersdaughters_gippsland

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