Many Victorian hospitality venues are preparing for an uncertain future as JobKeeper is set to end in March. Not so at Mr Joe, with the Richmond venue utilising the lockdown period to reinvent itself as a world-class establishment – serving a selection of visually stunning global-fusion dishes and pan-Asian cocktails that raise the bar for bottomless dining experiences in Melbourne.
Situated on the outskirts of Richmond, Mr Joe has been a local venue for around two years now, known predominantly for their Japanese inspired cuisine. As lockdown halted business for many Victorian hospitality venues, the team at Mr Joe used the time to rethink their menu in favour of a trendier, more elevated dining experience that takes on a global menu. The new, refined menu draws inspiration from a number of regions, cuisines and ingredients to create the ultimate fusion of tastes and experiences for their guests.
The name, Mr Joe, is inspired by Joe Hisashi – a Japanese composer who is renowned for using fantastical elements to spark a sense of adventure and joyous innocence. This concept sets the foundation for the experience that the duo hope to achieve at Mr Joe – expressing creativity through the amalgamation of global flavours and spirited customer service. Previously called ‘Mr Joe’s All Day,’ the new, shortened name represents the venue’s new focus on creating a refined lunch and dinner experience, rather than brunch.
After moving to Australia when he was fifteen, head chef Martin Sun has always surrounded himself in a multicultural environment – inspiring him to create a brand new menu that showcases the diversity of Melbourne culture, alongside the introduction of Mr Joe’s bottomless dining experience – a unique twist on the popular bottomless brunch affair. Whilst many venues consolidate their menu to a single cuisine, the ability of Sun to create synergies between dishes from all corners of the world is truly impressive – often introducing unexpected ingredients such as mousseline cream and saikyo miso with well-known dishes.
The new menu is based on the idea of socialising and sharing special moments through dining – featuring a selection of ‘snacks’ that can be adapted to suit any sized group. Favourites such as the signature Pumpkin Tortellini dish remain on the menu – artfully crafted to create a unique flavour sensation by combining ingredients such as pumpkin cream, mushroom fricassee and yuzu pressed cucumber. For entrees, the team has introduced two new dishes, including Crispy Goulburn Valley Pork Belly – served with umeboshi foam, fennel and caramelised apple, as well the Grilled Salmon – a texturally exciting dish completed with mousseline cream, finger lime and buttered macadamias.
Mr Joe’s global inspiration extends to their drinks selection, with Asian inspired cocktails proving a real highlight of the venue. Combining Japanese elements such as shiso, yuzu juice, Japanese whiskey as well as locally sourced Australian ingredients, the unconventional combination of flavours work seamlessly together to fuse their cuisine and drinking experiences together.
Whilst bottomless dining experiences are a dime a dozen in Melbourne, many venues have settled into a status quo of uninspiring, mediocre offerings that trade quality for quantity. Determined to do better, Mr Joe is raising the bar with an uncompromising dedication to serving the best of both worlds – exquisite global cuisine with free flowing cocktails and fine beverages. The team comments “we wanted to fill the gap as a venue where people can enjoy themselves while we look after them with delicious dishes and a great environment.” The new bottomless dining experience is available for only $65p/p on Saturdays – a day that Han believes is the perfect moment to get together with friends or family.
The ability to adapt in face of adversity has kept a number of businesses alive throughout 2020, and Mr Joe’s is no exception – using the period to listen to the demands of their consumers to refine their dining experience through a customer-centred approach. Drawing inspiration from the diversity of Melbourne culture, Mr Joe pushes the boundaries of what is considered modern dining by constantly innovating with unique flavours and cooking techniques. Through an honest experience of fusion food in Melbourne’s wider culture, Mr Joe hopes to become the new social space where endless drinks and a never-ending rotation of beautifully prepared dishes takes the spotlight in Richmond. The next time you’re after a bottomless brunch with an undeniable commitment to quality, we recommend an evening at Mr Joe. You’ll be glad you went.
Mr Joe is located at 362-364 Burnley St, Richmond.
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 3:30pm, 5:30-9:30pm
Saturday: 11am – 11pm
