Remember Moon Park? That sleek Redfern eatery that opened in Sydney in 2013, putting modern-Korean food firmly on the map. It closed late last year. Sydney-siders will remember it well, Melbournians probably less so. But that will change later this month when chef Ben Sears brings Moon Park back, and down south, for a six-night takeover at St Kildaโs Luxembourg Bistro.
The week-long pop-up, named Zona Rosa after Mexico Cityโs Koreatown, will see Sears collaborate on a Korean-Mexican menu with Luxembourg chef and owner Chris Watson. The pair cooked together more than a decade ago at Andrew McConnellโs restaurants Three, One, Two and Cutler & Co.
โMoon Park was totally unique and thereโs still nothing like it,โ says Watson. โThis is an opportunity for people to experience Benโs cooking but also something new and a bit different.โ
The โnew and a bit differentโ part is the duoโs unique take on Korean and Mexican flavours. Along with a selection of beloved Moon Park classics (hello, shrimp-brined fried chicken with soy and maple syrup) Zona Rosa will feature numerous new dishes such as chilli con carne ssam tacos, Korean corn cheese, fajitas with bulgogi kalbi [grilled beef short rib] and a hybrid Pocky-churro dessert. โThe ideas are all a bit vague but itโs coming together,โ says Watson. โProbably one of the best things weโve come up with is the al pastor tacos โ weโre marinating the pork in gochujang [Korean chilli paste], and serving them with pineapple kimchi.โ
Related: our favourite Korean recipes.
The takeover will feature an ร la carte menu spanning bar snacks, small plates, around five different tacos, a few larger dishes and dessert, or you can leave the menu entirely to the chefs to decide for $65. Diners are being advised to book, but walk-ins will also be encouraged. โSwing by for a can of beer and some fried chicken, or book in for the whole deal,โ says Watson.
And what does Andrew McConnell think? โItโs rewarding to see a chef Iโve mentored in the past doing something as interesting and creative with their career as Ben Sears has with Moon Park,โ he says. โItโs a thrill to have him back in one of my kitchens.โ
Zona Rosa: Moon Park at Luxembourg will run from Tuesday 21 February to Sunday 26 February at Luxembourg Bar & Bistro, 2/157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, Vic, (03) 9525 4488, luxembourgbistro.com.au