When the iconic mid-century dodecagon on Canberra’s Red Hill sold in May 2021, the nation’s capital was abuzz with rumours of who the new owners would be, and what they would do with the space.
Peter Vidovic brought architect Miles Jakl on board to design the building, which opened in 1963. From 2008 until is sale, fine dining restaurant Onred leased the space, and over the years became an icon for its bold architecture and sweeping views of the city.
After the Vidovic sold the building in 2021, it sat barricaded and closed for more than two years, and the whispers slowly subsided – until earlier this year, when it was announced that renowned restaurateur Tracy Keeley had purchased the venue alongside her sons Matthew and Nick Keeley.
Tracy is a multi-award-winning restaurateur and owner of Bookplate at the National Library of Australia, and Pollen at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
“Some people like stumbling across a home in need of a makeover,” Keeley writes on her LinkedIn. “For me, it’s a restaurant. Specifically, restaurants and cafes in a prime location where their potential hasn’t been realised.”
The Keeleys enlisted ACME to work on the two-storey restaurant, transforming it into Lunetta upstairs and Lunetta Trattoria below.
The restaurant will feature Italian inspired cuisine, with Lunetta offering elevated fine dining. Entres include burrata with mushroom, chilli, aubergine, endive, and olive oil; ravioli with garlic, honey, potato, pecorino, and ricotta; and grilled calamari, with verjus, cavolo nero, pistachio, and parsley.
The more relaxed neighbourhood bar at the ground floor Lunetta Trattoria has a pared back menu, with bar snacks including guanciale with white anchovy, pickled pepper, and olive; a welsh rarebit, caviar, and onion tartlet; and decadent cheese and services.
Tristan Rebbettes joins the team as Executive Chef, bringing a depth of experience as former Executive Chef of Mona Farm in Braidwood, and with high profile Sydney restaurants Sant Peter, Café Paci, and Sepia on his resume. The Keeley’s have also brought John Logan (Gimlet in Melbourne, Lake House in Daylesford) on board as the restaurant’s general manager.
Photography: Lillie Thompson
