Melbourne food and wine: the Friday power lunch is back

Melbourne’s society set has declared the long “power lunch” is back – but only on one day of the working week.

The “power lunch” has made its way to Melbourne as people rally behind the welcome return of a traditional Friday social gathering.

After years of lockdown without face-to-face contact, Melbourne’s society set has declared the long Friday lunch is back.

“Rockpool in Sydney, they used to talk about the power lunch and I think we’re taking over,’’ said Chris Lucas, owner of the city’s hottest new restaurants, Society, Lillian, Yakimono and Grill Americano.

“Looking at our bookings, it’s all the big guns. Sales of champagne and wine are through the roof – the pandemic has given people the opportunity to reset their minds and socialising over a lunch is back.

“Sport is back, theatre and events are back, and the other thing that’s back are restaurants and so is the long lunch.

“We are seeing people going til midnight on a Friday and Society is the biggest seller of champagne in Melbourne.”

Judy Romano and Ann Peacock enjoy a “power lunch” at Nobu. Picture: Nicki Connolly

PR mavens Judy Romano, of Romano Beck, and Ann Peacock, of Crown Resorts, have often used the long Friday lunch to connect with clients.

“We owe it to the hospitality industry and should encourage it,’’ Romano said.

“The movers and shakers always used to connect at a Friday lunch and you’d often see big business deals getting done. We’re bringing back the ’80s and ’90s vibe in Melbourne.

“When you had international clients you’d always take them to the Stokehouse before it burnt down. The food, the service was great and you’d stay and go into early dinner and watch the sunset.”

Peacock said new initiatives were also helping to bring back the long lunch ritual.

Crown has joined with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Hotels Association to offer a free one-week training course, which is designed to address the skill shortage in the hospitality industry.

“To support the Victorian hospitality industry, we all have a role to play – get back to getting out to cafes and restaurants, and why not celebrate returning to the office with the great tradition of a long lunch?” Peacock said.

“Memories of a great long lunch from the days gone by are just that, great memories, but to revitalise the people, the businesses that rely on us to step back in time, it would be fantastic to see.”

Ross Stevenson, pictured with Kate Stevenson, has declared the long Friday lunch has made a comeback. Picture: Mark Stewart

Radio legend Ross Stevenson said the long lunch was back, and the only day he would schedule one was Friday.

“We used to have an expression: I went to lunch and then it got dark,’’ he said.

“To quote Billy Joel, ‘they were when I wore a younger man’s clothes’.

“I think it’s definitely made a comeback and I’ve told mates that Friday is the only day going forward because there’s no work the next day.

“A lot of people ‘deskilled’ at lunch over two years of lockdown. It’s certainly much happier times (now).”

After the success of last Friday’s Herald Sun’s World’s Longest Lunch, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is rekindling the art of the long Friday lunch from Friday to Friday with High Steaks presented by Australian Good Meat.

Some of Melbourne’s favourite lunch spots will feature special menus, including Bar Margaux, Chancery Lane, Epocha, Kisume, Grill Americano, La Luna, Lillian Terrace, Prince Dining Room, Rockpool, Society and Victor Churchill.

Visit mfwf.com.au

Great lunch memories

CHRIS LUCAS

Restaurant owner Chris Lucas said the Friday lunch used to “go into the next night”. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The Friday lunch used to go on and on when I owned the Botanical and at Lynch’s in South Yarra. It would go into the next night and we’re seeing that again now.”

ROSS STEVENSON

“I’ve told mates that Friday is the only day going forward because there’s no work the next day … I think it’s definitely made a comeback.”

ANN PEACOCK

“Memories of a great long lunch from the days gone by are just that, great memories, but to revitalise the people, the businesses that rely on us to ‘step back in time’, it would be fantastic to see.”

JUDY ROMANO

“When you had international clients you’d always take them to the Stokehouse before it burnt down. The food, the service was great and you’d stay and go into early dinner and watch the sunset.”

SHANE DELIA

Maha chef Shane Delia has fond memories of long lunches. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“My favourite long lunch was in 2018 when it was on the banks of the Maribyrnong river in Footscray. It was the perfect setting on a warm day along the river. The chef choice was perfect with Jerry Mai and Adam D’Sylva showing the brilliant multicultural diversity of Melbourne.”

SALLY CAPP

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp says there’s nothing like an outdoors lunch under the trees. Picture: David Caird

“I’ve dined at the MCG, Southbank, and Lygon St. But, for me, Treasury Gardens holds a special place in my heart. The delicious food combined with that magnificent outdoor expanse creates an experience that really is second to none. There’s nothing quite like sitting under the trees, with that dappled sunlight, enjoying a long lunch. This event has been held in many iconic locations over the years, but Treasury Gardens is winner so far for me.”

JOANNA REYMOND

PR director Joanna Reymond’s most memorable long lunch was at the Grand Prix.

“My most memorable long lunch was on the Albert Park Grand Prix track in 2016. There was an extra thrill to the experience knowing the world’s Formula One drivers were about to drive where I was dining (not that I’m a rev head in the least!). It was also stifling hot, which was amplified by the black tarmac. The event always leaves you with a feeling of true hospitality. It’s the best!”

Plant-based party

Shannon Martinez will headline the ultimate vegan feast, Welcome to the Jungle, at the Queen Victoria Market on April 1. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Veganism is set to be celebrated and elevated at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s ultimate plant-based party.

Welcome to the Jungle will triumph vegan queen Shannon Martinez’s cruelty-free eats alongside meat-free creations by American barbecue joint Fancy Hanks on April 1.

“We’ve come such a long way (with vegan food),” Martinez said.

“I think even five years ago I wouldn’t be able to convince my fellow hospo people to be part of this event.”

“Plant-based food is not a trend, it’s become a staple, which is really good.”

The Smith and Daughters chef said she was proud the large-scale veg event was finally going ahead, after two years of Covid cancellations.

Martinez will join Melbourne restaurants Fancy Hanks, Rumi, Warung Agus and Rice Paper Scissors at the 1000-person event, which kicks off at the Queen Victoria Market from 6pm.

The tickets, now discounted through the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program scheme, include six dishes across five Melbourne venues, as well as a drink on arrival and live entertainment throughout the night.

Even Martinez will be hitting the decks before The Tarantinos take the stage.

“We want a big party. I used to DJ a bit in another life,” she said.

Smith and Daughters will carve marinated mock-chicken from the spit for its Turkish dish iskender kebap — served drenched in a sweet-sour tomato and dill sauce with toum, roasted chillies and flatbread. It’ll also serve a semolina custard and pastry dessert.

-Kara Monssen

Tickets cost between $64-$80 per person. Visit mfwf.com.au/program/welcome-to-the-jungle-7939

Originally published as Melbourne food and wine: the Friday power lunch is back