Abbotsford’s AU79 Cafe set to open second store at Chadstone Shopping Centre

A popular Abbotsford cafe and roastery is the latest to open in Chadstone in a matter of months, joining the likes of Melbourne coffee giants Industry Beans and Axil. Here’s when it’ll open.

Another Melbourne coffee giant will soon call Chadstone home.

Abbotsford’s AU79 Cafe will join the likes of Industry Beans and Axil when it opens its second location in early August.

The 110-seater kiosk will live in the centre’s luxury precinct, near Nespresso and Aesop, slinging lattes and brunches by day and drinks, pastas and tapas at night.

Abbotsford cafe AU79 is set to open its second venue in Chadstone this August. General manager Lawrence Jones and chef Bomi Shin. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

AU79 also plans to open Emporium, Southbank and Richmond stores later this year.

While AU79 has built a following around its Abbotsford coffee roastery and on-site bakery, general manager Lawrence Jones said Chadstone would move in a new direction.

“We want to create the experience of a cafe in a casual, fun and enjoyable sense, but a little more refined,” he said.

“Abbotsford is a great location but it’s out of the high traffic areas not many people would have visited.”

Head chef Bomi Shin will introduce Italian-leaning snacks and larger plates, such as her popular seafood linguine, to AU79’s Chadstone’s menu.

Pt Leo Estate wines will also be available for a post-shopping tipple.

The salmon dish at AU79 cafe. Picture: Madeline Gill.

BIG PLANS FOR WINERY TAKEOVER

A Melbourne restaurateur has bought a family-owned Yarra Valley winery with plans to transform the space into a food and wine destination.

Chef Paul Cooper and wife Jaclyn will lead Fergusson Winery and Restaurant into its next chapter, launching a new 150-seater Italian restaurant, cellar door and in summer, a pop-up village selling street food and cocktails across the sprawling 10-acre block.

The purchase is Cooper’s second winery in three years, after buying Bianchet in nearby Chirnside Park, in 2018.

He’s already poached Rochford Wines sous chef Stacy Thompson to take the reins in September.

Paul Cooper and his wife Jaclyn, who own nearby Bianchet Winery, bought Fergusson Winery in the Yarra Valley. Picture: Nicki Connolly.

“I want Fergusson to be the next big thing in the Yarra Valley, the first port of call for people to go for food, wine or lunch,” Cooper said.

“We have a lot of space and I wanted to create a festival-style environment. I have a 1947 Bedford Ute that I’ve turned into a cocktail bar and a BBQ trailer that we’ll call Argie Barbie selling Argentinian street-food snacks.”

In the meantime, handmade pastas such as pappardelle with rabbit and pork ragout and gnocchi with wild mushrooms, silverbeet and ricotta salata will be on offer.

Fergusson Winery was set upon 30 acres before being subdivided into three lots.

Jeremy Fergusson, the son of the original owner, will stay on to manage the vineyard.

Local winemaker Rob Dolan will process grapes at his facility until Ms Cooper takes over winemaking duties in a few years.

Pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet and shiraz will be the main grape varieties.

When lockdown and restrictions lift, Fergusson Winery will open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, and for dinner in spring.

Cured Yellowtail Kingfish, cucumber, avocado, ginger beer jelly and Chocolate Torte, pear, peanut ice-cream. Picture: Nicki Connolly.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Daylesford’s luxe Hotel Bellinzona was set to open on-site restaurant Oxford Dining Room this Thursday, pending lockdown and restrictions.

Executive Chef Julian Albioli (ex-Rezdora in New York City and MoVida) is at the kitchen’s helm.

In Geelong, 1915 has shacked up with local distiller Anther Gin to open a 370-seater restaurant and bar at the city’s heritage Federal Mills.

Head chef Andy Symeonakis is behind a Mediterranean, modern Australian-leaning menu

boasting wood-fired pizzas and scallops with garlic butter and herb crumb.

Across town the team behind 18th Amendment Bar plans to open Non Disclosure Bar in

August.

With an Old World America-Gatsby theme, the bar will shake cocktails made from spirits and liqueurs from owner Gorge Camorra’s personal collection, including whiskeys from the ’80s and campari and gin from the ’70s.

Geelong's new restaurant 1915. Picture: Monika Berry.

FOOD ON FILM

A documentary about the life of food icon Anthony Bourdain will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival next month.

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain will look back at Bourdain’s life, with interviews by chefs David Chang and Eric Ripert, musician Iggy Popp and crew members from his TV shows Parts Unknown and No Reservations.

MIFF runs from August 5-22.

COFFEE UP

Cafe giant Rustica is set to open its fifth store inside a CBD office tower next month.

The cafe will live near the main entrance of the 34-storey GPT Group redevelopment on Queens and Collins St.

The space will be open for coffee and lunch, and joins Rustica’s South Yarra flagship and Melbourne Central, Highpoint and Rialto stores.