Richmond Restaurant Changes Its Offer to Be the Everything to Locals
As the local restaurant increasingly becomes the go-to, Richmond restaurant, Mr Joe has taken a new direction – providing a fine-dining global-fusion set menu alongside a casual a la carte line-up of tapas – an offering set to satisfy a variety of tastes and excuses to dine out.
Husband and wife owner-operators Martin Sun and Yang Han noticed the shift in consumer demand and the changing hospitality landscape coming out of the pandemic. “It’s been a fork in the road to pivot dynamically to introduce the two deliciously distinct menus,” says Sun. “Our regulars, across all age groups, have become accustomed to staying local, and they have a preference for different styles of dining across work-from-home lunches, bottomless cocktails with tapas, and fine-dining experiences.”
With a continued focus on culinary innovation Head Chef and co-owner Martin Sun has composed an elegant five-course degustation for $90, which will change monthly, with matching wines for $55, emphasising adventurous flavour combinations and signature dishes;
- Cured salmon, pesto siphon, sauce olive, vegetables, citrus emulsion
- Duck mille-feuille, prawn, duck liver parfait, fig chutney, carrot crisp
- Grass-fed Angus eye fillet, truffled ball, confit potato, warm peach salad
- Toothfish, sauteed celeriac and buckwheat, beurre blanc, witlof
- Praline cake and chocolate mousse with caramel, miso caramel ice cream
While the casual dining offer has Spanish-inspired sharing plates of tasty morsels to more substantial dishes, priced from $12 to $24, including;
- Grilled sardines with, tomato and paprika
- Pinchos morunos pork skewer, ras el hanout
- Roasted garlic eggplant, tomato, gruyere
- Charred rump, chimichurri
- Smoky Spanish meatballs, tomato and garlic
Both menus solidify Mr Joe’s position as Richmond’s neighbourhood go-to while giving diners the variety and sense of place they are craving. With a strong work from home trade and an influx of diners exploring the area, the new menus have a wide reach to cater to Richmond’s diverse and vibrant population.
The team has also upped the ante with the drinks offering, engaging Sommelier Tim O’Donnell (ex-L’Hôtel Gitan, Movida and Private Dining Room pop-ups) to consult across an extensive collection of local and international varietals, expertly matched in taste and complexity to complement the two menus. Additionally, there is a selection of signature cocktails with highlights including Yuzu Sour, Strawberry Shake, Wafu Old Fashioned and a Sake Mojito, with craft beers, Japanese and Tasmanian whisky and a line-up of sake.
Popular ‘Bottomless Cocktails’ with Mr Joe continues, at $39 per person, patrons can enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited sip-worthy cocktails to quench their thirst with a selection of tapas dishes.
The restaurant space, by Figure Ground Architecture, is a contemporary balance of casual charm that meets sophistication. The minimalist, industrial aesthetic is showcased in navy-blue tile finishes, textured concrete walls and light plywood, while softening the space is flowing, draped linen textiles and lunar eclipse wall light fittings that create an intimate dining atmosphere, with an elevated inner-city vibe.
Mr Joe is open for lunch Friday to Sunday from 12–3 pm and dinner Thursday to Saturday from 5:30–10 pm.
Website: https://www.mrjoe.com.au/
Instagram: @mrjoedining #mrjoedining
Address: 362 Burnley St, Richmond VIC 3121
Image credit: Pete Dillon