Lexus returns to the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival with a reimagination of luxury and elegance at LANDMARK by Lexus. Through the overarching theme Future Catalyst 35, Lexus celebrates 35 years as a luxury brand disruptor with a commitment to continue innovating as it drives towards an exciting future of electric vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions.
With more than 15 years of experience in the culinary industry having worked in kitchens across 15 countries, Australian Chef and 2024 LANDMARK by Lexus collaborator Charlie Carrington opened Atlas Dining in the heart of South Yarra, Melbourne, in 2016.
Atlas Dining offers culinary experiences from across the globe with a menu that changes regularly; dubbed the most ‘Ambitious Restaurant Opening’ of the year, the restaurant quickly rose to cult status, making Charlie the youngest Australian Chef to be awarded a Chef’s Hat, an accolade he still holds to this day.
Charlie’s innovation will be expressed through ‘Future Zero’ – a culinary journey taking guests to a new sensory destination through a three-course experience designed to visually pop against the all-white restaurant space created by Melbourne-based Interior Designer and 2024 LANDMARK by Lexus fellow collaborator Brahman Perera, serving 240 guests daily.
‘Future Zero’ draws inspiration from the Lexus LF-ZC, a concept vehicle showcasing the Lexus vision for future design with next-generation electric battery vehicle architecture. Guests at LANDMARK by Lexus will experience a gastronomic offer that embodies the rich Japanese omotenashi values of warm hospitality, where guests’ needs are anticipated.
Charlie says ‘Future Zero’ is a balance between indulgence and responsibility:
"The main course embodies the theme by sourcing high-quality, sustainably raised lamb and locally grown salad greens. The luxury and sophistication of the lamb is tempered by the understanding that future luxury must be sustainable.
"We are keeping it local; everything is Australian as we have the best produce on earth, so we wanted to showcase what we have on offer from all corners of the country by working directly with farms and what they have available at the right time, but most importantly, what is delicious. We want to create tasty and flavour-forward courses, with subtle and challenging complements without going too crazy,” he says.
Bringing to life the commitment Lexus has to a sustainable future and complementing the ‘Future Zero’ theme, guests will experience culinary delights across the three interior levels of LANDMARK by Lexus, with fine cuisine and specially crafted beverages offered against the unrivalled backdrop of the Flemington Racecourse.
As guests ascend to the top floor of the pavilion, Australian Chef and 2024 LANDMARK by Lexus Collaborator Gareth Whitton from cult favourite Tarts Anon will create an engaging one-on-one experience, preparing iconic yet innovative pastries presented with elements of theatre for an elevated experience.
"Looking to the future, luxury and indulgence are taking a new shape. This is something that we want to be part of at Tarts Anon and our offering at LANDMARK by Lexus celebrates the evolution of high-end culinary experiences. Like Lexus, we have a strong desire to be progressive and innovative,” Gareth says.
"The essence of Lexus in its approachable luxury speaks volumes to us at Tarts Anon. Providing elevated experiences in a familiar context is something that we set out to do every day and this can be seen in the way that we approach our pastry-making.
"The Lexus reputation for creating amazing experiences and providing functionality in an elite delivery inspires how creatives like us strive to purposefully bring our passion to our guests and community. Everything we set out to serve plays a part, yet each is created with sophistication and guest experience in mind. We feel that these extra elements of consideration are what takes what we do from the ordinary to the extraordinary.”
Guests will indulge in a selection of tarts that will unleash a blend of flavours and textures – Saint Honoré tart, baked coffee custard made with beautiful espresso from the team at St Remio with hazelnut caramel and vanilla cream; blueberry cheesecake tart, the perfect way to welcome the warm weather with fresh fruits that springtime brings; and lemon meringue tart, an old classic format elevated with a zingy lemon gel and a fragrant torched meringue.
Serving the perfect accompaniment for all three Tarts Anon delights are ethical and sustainable coffee Melbourne institution St Remio. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Trent Knox and Julia Tink, St Remio will serve ‘Crafted’, an exquisite blend created exclusively for Lexus, with beverage concepts such as whipped iced coffee, cold brew and tonic and other coffee classics on offer.
Also, on the top floor and taking inspiration from Bacari bars in Venice will be a Cicchetti bar, offering guests an assortment of tasty morsels paired with a ‘shadow’ – the Italian term for the accompanying wine of choice. With flavours such as prosciutto di Parma, baccala Mantecato, Fontina cheese and potato, the Cicchetti bar offers a refreshing take on a food bar.
