Merchant Osteria Veneta aims to bring the magic of Venice, with its water and its boats and its citizens eating and drinking with gusto, to Melbourne's culinary scene. And where better to set the dining room than a Gothic building in Collins Street bordered by a cobblestoned laneway? The Italian menu is simple and satisfying with premium produce allowed to shine and the wine list pays homage to the great producers of northern Italy.
The inspiration for the Merchant evolved from the rich Venetian culture I found myself immersed in on a recent trip to the Veneto. Back to where my mother came from and my partner in this project the Grollo family. The Gothic buildings, an abundance of water and boats, food and wine being consumed with gusto, to me it seemed this was the glue that held this happy and social lot together. I was filled with a desire for a piece of this spectacular place to be brought back to Melbourne.
In the heart of the financial district there is no better place for this concept than within the Rialto Towers forecourt. The buildings name the perfect reference to Venice’s first harbour and the set of Shakespeare’s story by the same name. Merchant is aptly named, occupying the red brick building in Collins Street with its Gothic architecture of Venetian origin which was first built as a trading house. Its cobblestone lane way runs around the perimeter of the building allowing for horse and cart to bring produce to its trading floors.
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