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31.05.11

Union Dining Now Open - Melbourne


Accomplished chef Nicky Riemer and front of house manager Adam Cash have launched their very first (and much anticipated) restaurant venture, Union Dining. Located in the heritage-listed ‘Union House’ at 270 Swan Street, Richmond, the offer focuses on a provincial European dining experience with an essential touch of Melbourne class.

The restaurant is aptly named for a duo that met whilst working together at Mecca Bah in Docklands in its early heyday. Both have impressive resumes and it’s this collective experience that makes the promise of Union Dining so exciting. Adam was last seen as the front man at Cutler & Co and prior at Three, One, Two and ezard. Nicky has worked the stoves at Richmond Hill Café and Larder, Hong Kong’s H-One and Trunk, and was most recently Head Chef at the Melbourne Wine Room. Their friendship was cemented over music, movies and a mutual love of dining out, which has given them firm ideas on what they will offer at Union Dining.

Union Dining brings tradition back to the dining room. The space consists of a ground floor dining area (seating 70) which includes a semi-private dining section (seating 30) and an 18-seater bar where you can watch the world go by or comfortably dine solo. Adam’s attentive but informal service approach will support a warm, relaxed ethos.

“Having a sense of comfort in the dining room is of upmost importance to us. Both of us grew up eating out with our families and benefitting from those times spent together, and we want Union Dining to be somewhere people can be themselves,” says Adam.

On the food front, seasonal ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, supporting small purveyors. It’s these suppliers that also have an innate care for what they offer - quality produce with great flavour.
Nicky’s love of honest dishes, from the heart of Europe, have inspired the menu. Robust flavours and traditional techniques are the key to a broad and flexible offering that allows for a multi-course menu, or a quick dinner.

The drinks list, written by Sommelier Greg Lightfoot (ex Vue de monde and Rockpool Bar & Grill) and co-owner Adam Cash, is a short but focused offer of boutique Victorian wines and beers alongside European wines that exist to complement Nicky’s menu.

Critically, they see Union Dining as much greater than themselves; a collaborative approach permeates their entire philosophy. Both Adam and Nicky have been lucky to receive valuable guidance from mentors and peers, and are following in these footsteps with their own staff. Nicky and Adam encourage and support the ideas put forward by their staff and promote a strong sense of social justice in the restaurant. Both are very hands on in the business and believe this will play a crucial role in the enjoyment and development of their staff and, ultimately, their diners.

“We are thrilled that we are now working in our own business. In the kitchen and on the floor are the places we want to be,” notes Nicky.

www.uniondining.com.au for reservations.

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