The iconic Red Hill Lookout has been glammed up and is ready to reopen as an elevated dining destination.
Opening its doors in November, the much-loved site will now hold two new venues – Lunetta, a refined restaurant occupying the first floor and Lunetta Trattoria, a relaxed neighbourhood bar located on the ground floor.
Three years following the sale of the mid-century landmark, multi-award-winning restaurateur Tracy Keeley has revitalised the space into a unique offering with her sons Matthew and Nicholas.
“Lunetta will be a truly unique offering — capturing the spirit and soul of the nation’s capital. We envision it becoming Canberra’s iconic dining destination, blending modernist design and Italian-inspired cuisine to create memorable shared experiences that connect and inspire in a place where memory, nature and community converge,” says Tracy.
“This project not only revitalises a significant site but also redefines its role as a gathering place for both the local community and visitors alike,” she says.
A fresh, local and considered Italian-inspired menu cooked with fire, both venues will be led by Tristan Rebbettes (Mona Farm, Saint Peter in Sydney) as Executive Chef and John Logan as General Manager (Gimlet in Melbourne, Lake House in Daylesford).
Starting at small plates and entrees, the menu includes thoughtful dishes like a Welsh rarebit, caviar and onion tartlet; cured ocean trout with capers, salted almonds and pickled fennel; and raw beef with wild rice, capsicum, chilli and sesame. It then moves onto large plates consisting of pork belly porchetta with fiolaro di creazzo, burnt onion and black garlic; Tathra duck with morcilla, beetroot, currents, radicchio and hazelnut; and a whole market fish with butter sauce, macadamia and cherry tomato.
The drinks list too has been carefully assembled to reflect the ambience, offering an extensive wine list with plenty of Italian drops and seasonal cocktails.
Re-imagined by leading Sydney architecture studio ACME, the new iteration honours both the original architect Miles Jakl and its later renovation by Canberra architect Enrico Taglietti.
“The architectural vision is rooted in the building’s evolution whereby the heritage has been preserved while infusing it with renewed relevance for contemporary use,” says ACME Directors, Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker.
In ACME’s design, the relationship between earth and sky is reflected through the building’s two distinct levels and in its name, with Lunetta meaning little moon that sits between the earth and sky.
With uninterrupted panoramic views of Canberra, Lunetta embraces the sky among the treetops but is grounded with its wood-fired menu. Meanwhile, below at Lunetta Trattoria, the space is anchored by warm, grounding tones that reinforce its connection to the earth as well as its energetic, neighbourhood atmosphere.
Opening Friday 1 November, Lunetta will seat 82 people including a semi-private dining space for up to 10 guests, while Lunetta Trattoria will open on Wednesday 6 November, seating 84 with both inside and outdoor dining.
Reservations are now open visit their website.
