Louis opens at Hotel Realm, Canberra

The newest addition to the Australian capital’s upscale dining scene, Louis offers cuisine inspired by the South of France from acclaimed chef, Ben Willis.

A new restaurant has opened in Canberra’s Hotel Realm, offering the culinary specialties of Southern France with elevated cocktails. Louis takes over the space formerly occupied by Buvette, with menus designed by prominent, two-hatted chef, Ben Willis.

Willis was recently appointed as culinary director of DOMA, the parent company of Hotel Realm. Together with head chef Sun Hwa Jang, former sous-chef at Aubergine, Willis has curated a menu that draws inspiration from the cuisine of the French Riviera and Provence, created using fresh ingredients from Australia. Guests can sample dishes such as John Dory with braised beans and chorizo, fougasse and tapenade, and potato and leek pithivier with salsa verde.

“I’m very excited to work together with DOMA Hotels, a very successful hotel group which is precisely what I was hoping for after closing Aubergine … For most of my career I’ve leaned towards a classic European style of cooking and this new venue sticks to the theme: staying true to the heritage and the elegant simplicity, without trying to modernise things too much,” said Willis.

Design Notes

Louis’ European theme continues in the design conceptualised by interior designer Rachel Luchetti of Luchetti Krelle, with luxurious materials such as marble, leather, textured glass, and bronze used throughout.

The restaurant’s custom marble mosaic bar is complemented by marble lazy Susan tables, set with richly coloured bentwood chairs. Other designer furnishings include Thonet Hoffman stools and low stools by Missana.

In the warmer months, guests can dine outdoors at Louis Alfresco, a terrace stylised with a custom lounge banquette, Parisian-style bistro seating, and Rendition tiles.

Louis is open for dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.

www.louisdining.com.au