South Yarra’s only true plant-based restaurant
Lona Misa Bar & Kitchen will officially open its doors from Friday April 16 within the new designer hotel Ovolo South Yarra as South Yarra’s only true plant-based restaurant and bar offering. A lively Latin dining experience boasting a heavily vegan menu with vegetarian options, the bar and restaurant is a collaboration between Creative Culinary Partners and Melbourne hospitality legends Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters) and Ian Curley (French Saloon and Kirk’s Wine Bar), and Ovolo Hotels.
Lona Misa moves from a daytime café to restaurant and wine bar, welcoming diners at all times of the day with a full restaurant dining experience initially from Thursday to Saturday. Home to 90 seats, the venue on all fronts is artfully combined, rich in history, unchartered in territory and designed by award-winning agency, Luchetti Krelle. The many elements of Lona Misa are nostalgic and familiar in form, delivered with a twist. From the post-modern characters in the surrounding renaissance inspired art, and quintessential chequered diner flooring reimagined in terrazzo.
With a strong focus on local produce and the freshest ingredients, the menus have been created to showcase a zero waste and sustainable approach. Leveraging both Ian & Shannon’s farm-to-table experience whilst paying homage to Shannon’s Latin roots through vegan and vegetarian dishes. Shannon will be displaying her years of dedication to vegan dining by displaying the use of personally developed techniques. Turning flour into chicharrones, soy into chicken and seaweed into fish.
The all-day menu is made up of snacks and small plates; big plates; and sides. With an entire section dedicated to The Josper – an innovative Spanish oven that grills over charcoal at a very high heat. Lona Misa is the only plant-based restaurant to be using such a technique.
Snacks, big plates and breakfast
Snacks include char grilled whole baby corn with ancho chilli and coffee mayonnaise; oyster mushroom ceviche; fire roasted padron croquettas; or queso con chorizo (using a soy-based meat as the chorizo). Big plates feature Chille Relleno En Nogada (sweet roasted poblano pepper stuffed with spiced ground meat and topped with walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds); as well as Moqueca, a Brazilian seafood stew cooked in a spicy coconut, tomato and lime broth, served on rice). From The Josper, try the peri peri cauliflower roasted over fire and basted in peri peri sauce; or the mushroom pinchos morunos (spiced local oyster mushrooms grilled over fire); as well as slow roasted sweet potato served on mole negro, topped with spiced mince in a cast iron pot.
Inviting you to break your fast before the all-day menu, Lona Misa’s breakfast menu features a selection of Spanish favourites such as The Full Spanish (wedge of tortilla, sofrito braised with beans, eggs your way, greens, marinated goats curd and served with pan con tomate); Huevos Rancheros (crispy corn tortillas, refried beans, fried eggs salsa roja, queso fresca) and the Breakfast Burrito.
Seasonal South Yarra Cocktail List
From kombucha on tap, to Latin inspired cocktails, the drinks program will celebrate the liveliness of La Bamba, pouring liberating libations from day to night, from garden to glass. On offer is a selection of seasonal cocktails, native G&Ts, forgotten Latin classics, cold pressed juices, and bespoke sodas. Meticulously mixed and creatively crafted using the freshest locally and sustainable sourced ingredients, inspired by the lush green gardens and vibrant botanical wonders.
On the local area inspired seasonal South Yarra Cocktail List, you will find the likes of The Pedro with Pineapple Tio Pepe Sherry, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, fresh OJ, fresh pineapple, sugar, fresh mint and seasonal berries. The Classics however serve a more paired back slice of paradise with options including the Hemingway Daiquiri with Pampero Blanco, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lime and pink grapefruit, along with Martinez; a simple and impactful mix of Tanqueray Gin, Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur served with a lemon twist.
An approachable wine list features a full spectrum of classics as well as lesser-known regions and varieties have been carefully tailored to compliment the chefs’ root to stem philosophy. Highlighting small growers who protect their land with minimal impact, whether through minimal intervention, organic or biodynamic practices.
Ovolo booking information
Address: 234 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne
Phone number: 03 9116 2000
Website: lonamisa.com.au
Instagram:@_lonamisa_ or instagram/com/_lonamisa_
Operating Hours:
- Breakfast (Café); Monday – Sunday 6.30am – 10.30am
- All-day Dining Café: Monday – Sunday 11am-11pm
- Dinner Restaurant: Thursday – Saturday 5.30pm-11pm
- Bar: Monday – Sunday 11am-11pm
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