A substantial part of workplace culture is co-workers sharing lunches or dining out together but that has been largely absent for over a year because of the pandemic. Not one to be easily discouraged, the owners of BarLume forged ahead and opened their newest lobby cafe in North Sydney to appeal to office workers despite companies adopting a work-from-home setup.
Adam Choker planned BarLume with his sister, Caroline Choker, well before the world shut down due to the virus. Whilst most food business owners would regret launching a restaurant in this uncertain period, Adam — who isn’t just any restaurateur — saw this as an opportunity to work with very accommodating landlords, the Winten Property Group.
They believed that Adam can turn the lobby of the tallest building in North Sydney into another dining destination.
His family is behind some of Sydney’s popular food venues like The Grounds of Alexandria, Happy Larry and Flower Child Cafe, which have flourished despite the lockdowns. Needless to say, Adam knows what will click with a specific dining crowd and tapped head chef Jimmy Ryu, sous chef Jonathan Dobbin and chef de partie, Hazahab Putragading, to run BarLume’s kitchen.
BarLume’s chefs planned out a mouthwatering menu perfect for Sydney professionals, executives and business people who crave healthy but appetizing meals before work, during lunch breaks, or after work. The choices include toasts, Panzella, healthy bowls, sandwiches, grills and pasta, and there’s a separate takeaway menu as well.
Thursday and Friday, between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., is reserved for aperitivo with $6 to $10 drinks.
Meanwhile, Caroline took charge of putting together BarLume’s glamourous but cosy interiors with the help of the architectural company, Bates Smart. She came up with a sleek spot that would be irresistible to Nine and Microsoft employees, who are just some of the tenants of the building.
BarLume opened in mid-March. Follow the restaurant’s Instagram page for updates.