The Event: Opening of Rue & Co.
The pristine 'Paris' end of Collins street is not typically a late night hot-spot, but Thursday night saw this usually quiet end of the CBD overrun by the bad and the beautiful, with the VIP opening of pop-up street-food quarter Rue & Co.
Jimmy Grants by George Calombaris, Kong BBQ by Chris Lucas, and St Ali by Salvatore Malatesta will now ply their own unique menus from sister shipping container kitchens based at 80 Collins street. The soiree took place in the fairy-light-decorated courtyard, where invited guests were plied with a delicious selection of food and champagne, topped off by killer espresso martinis designed by champion barista Matt Perger.
St Ali executive chef Andrew Gale sees the cult coffee institution's taking part in Rue & Co. as a great opportunity.
“We’re rubbing shoulders with the high flyers on the restaurant scene. We’re a café, we’re a separate entity, but now [café’s] are starting to raise our game. The food is getting there."
For Kong BBQ, this pop-up gives Executive Chef Ben Cooper the first chance to introduce the soon-to-open restaurant's food to the public, while Jimmy Grants will bring the best souvas from the popular Fitzroy restaurant to Melbourne city's white collar set.
Rue & Co. is now open to the public (Friday 2nd May) from 7am.