Longrain in Melbourne CBD to reopen with new owner Scott Pickett
One of the first hospitality scalps of the coronavirus lockdown has been given a lifeline and will live on. Here’s what chef-restaurateur Scott Pickett has planned for Longrain 2.0.
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One of the first hospitality scalps of the coronavirus lockdown has been given a last-minute lifeline and will live on.
Longrain, one of Melbourne’s original modern South East Asian restaurants, closed its doors in March and soon after it was announced it would not reopen once COVID-restrictions eased.
But new owner Scott Pickett has given the popular CBD restaurant lifeline, buying it from hospitality veterans John and Lisa Van Haandel.
Longrain, along with its upstairs sibling Longsong, adds to the chef-restaurateur’s stable of restaurants that includes Estelle, Matilda 159, Lupo and Pastore at the Chadstone Hotel.
Pending further changes to restrictions, Longrain will reopen on July 29 serving the same dishes that made the restaurant famous, including betel leaves, caramelised pork hock, and filled egg nets, along with some new additions.
Pickett said he was excited to ensure Longrain lived on.
“It’s a Melbourne institution, it’s an amazing building and an unbelievable space upstairs. It’s a massive risk, but I want this to be a good news story in this Covid nightmare,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to see a great restaurant serving great food live on. We can’t wait to go hard again in three weeks.”
Arte Assavakavinvong – Longrain’s head chef of the past six years - and longtime operations manager Natasha Firman, will lead the reborn restaurant alongside Pickett.
Firman said almost 30 former staff had been rehired.
“It’s been a rollercoaster over the past few months, but it’s really exciting. I’m thrilled with the opportunity to see Longrain continue,” she said.
Until restrictions on dine-in numbers ease, there will be two set banquet menus offered across the two restaurants featuring classic signature dishes along with some new items that showcase Pickett’s mod Oz style, such as dry red curry kangaroo with macadamia.
A Longrain takeaway menu will also be introduced a couple of weeks after the restaurant reopens.
Former owner Lisa Van Haandel said she and husband John were thrilled to see the restaurant continue under Pickett’s ownership.
“Having followed his successful career for years we have complete confidence that he will maintain the soul and legacy of this iconic business. We are delighted to see him embrace the wonderful Longrain team and believe he brings an energy that will see Longrain continue and grow.”
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