The duo behind Sydney’s Woodcut restaurant, Ross and Sunny Lusted, have opened their first two Melbourne venues, Marmelo and Mr Mills. Located on the Paris end of Russell Street, alongside the Melbourne Place Hotel, Marmelo and Mr Mills aim to capture the playful and energetic spirit of Melbourne’s distinctive laneway nightlife.
Marmelo features a 90-seat dining room and intimate bar with sweeping views of Russell Street, a private dining room that can seat up to 14 guests, and a custom-built charcoal grill and wood oven.
Nestled beneath Marmelo, down a chartreuse central staircase, Mr Mills offers a moody and eclectic atmosphere. Serving as a destination bar and late-night supper club, Mr Mills provides intimate booths, bar seating, and an open kitchen.
Signature cocktails include a tomato and anchovy oil martini, a bergamot and green apple margarita, and a spring rhubarb and bay leaf Americano.
The menu features Iberian dishes such as swordfish in olive oil with ash-grilled peppers and raw tuna, tomato, and anchovy on toast.
 
Ross Lusted, a chef renowned for his expertise in charcoal and wood-fired cooking, said, “Marmelo has come to life through a creative journey that I have been exploring for many years.”
At Marmelo, Lusted said he brought his South African roots and nostalgic flavours to the table, while exploring rustic cooking methods.
Designed by Mitchell & Eades, both venues honour Portuguese culture with displays of azulejos (traditional hand-painted tiles) and original artworks by Lucy Roleff and Ben Mazey. The main dining room features a bespoke wood-fired grill and a glass wine room. At Mr Mills, there are several high and low tables for dining, along with a 20-seat semi-private room, furnished with architectural details like mirrors, heavyweight velvet, and timber.
The Mitchell & Eades design team said, “Texture and authenticity play pivotal roles, and the result is a space that resonates with history, vibrancy, and community. A place where the past and present collide, inviting guests to share in the rich narrative of Russell House.”
