ViS

January 1998

The designer of Vis, opening tomorrow on Swanston Street, is literally vis-à-vis her project. Cat Macleod lives right opposite the new restaurant and bar being set up the owners of The Lounge just above (also owners of Big Mouth and the Cherry Tree).

Cat, whose other design projects include the city bar, Sadie's, said that the owners wanted a place which would be relaxing and elegant and "removed from the street". She has designed a resin front which is translucent but not transparent letting in "the light and ambience of the street without being exposed to it.". On it is drawn a royal blue wave because Cat feels that Swanston Street should have water, something pleasant to be near, "I've always wanted to see fountains on the street ," she explained.

Inside 27 year old chef Leonard Kusnezow has designed a varied menu ( five sea water derived dishes) with entrees from $7-14 and mains from $11-20. Originally from Tasmania, he has worked in Adelaide (with Cheong Liew and Gordon Parkes), Sydney ( his last position was as chef at Paddington's Four in Hand) and is relishing the opportunity to start a kitchen from scratch in Melbourne, "the food capital" of Australia. It's the first time that he has been able to participate in kitchen design and staff recruitment. Front of house will be managed by Kirsty Cemm and Jason Layh, formerley of Rospars and Hairy Canary.

Vis should seat around 80 on its red jarrah floor under a bamboo lighting feature. There will be a "formal" dining section at the front with clothed tables, then a bar with stools and at the back, with its large glass expanse onto Caledonian Lane, an area for banquettes and drink "boxes". There will be small moveable boxes to sit glasses on in this area. It will be open seven days until 3am with a smaller snack menu available until about 2.30am.