Marmelo & Mr Mills
THE VERDICT
Hold onto your tastebuds, Melbourne—the culinary heavyweights Ross and Sunny Lusted are about to shake things up in a big way.
The internationally acclaimed duo, known for redefining dining with their boundary-pushing concepts, are unveiling not one but two new venues this Thursday, 5 December. Say hello to Marmelo, a luxe love letter to Portugal and wood-fired cooking, and Mr Mills, a vibey late-night basement bar that screams Melbourne cool.
Nestled at the Paris end of Russell Street (yep, we’re making it a thing) alongside boutique hotel Melbourne Place, Marmelo is your next must-book. Picture a striking 90-seat dining room buzzing with energy, an intimate bar perfect for pre-dinner spritzes, and uninterrupted Russell Street views. Meanwhile, downstairs at Mr Mills, you’ll find an eclectic, high-energy supper club where cocktails and good vibes times flow late into the night—like only Melbourne knows how.
At Marmelo, Ross brings his signature touch to the open kitchen, centered around a custom charcoal grill and wood oven. The menu is a sensory journey through salgados (salty delights), petiscos (snacks), and shareable mains straight from the fire. Highlights include: salted Murray cod and potato croquettes with whipped potato and hot mustard sauce, burnt rice pancakes loaded with prawns, garlic oil, and tomato refogado, wood-roasted cockerel with African spices, chilli, and fried potatoes and the show-stopping arroz de marisco—a rich, seafood-laden rice dish for two.
Save room for desserts, like the intriguingly decadent Pudim Abade de Priscos, a 19th-century pork and egg pudding, or a woodfired olive oil cheesecake sprinkled with sea salt. Trust us, quince—the inspiration for the venue’s name—will also make an appearance.
Then there’s Mr Mills, a sultry, intimate destination for late-night lounging. Sink into plush booths and sip on cocktails that are anything but ordinary—think tomato and anchovy martinis, bergamot and green apple margaritas, and a spring rhubarb and bayleaf Americano. Pair those sips with bar snacks so good they might steal the show.
Ross and Sunny are no strangers to the spotlight. With a resumé spanning Aman Resorts, Sydney’s award-winning The Bridge Room, and Crown Sydney’s Woodcut, we can definitely expect something magic at these two new venues. Book your table here.