Hot new restaurants come and go, but Vue de Monde remains the Melbourne institution. Like Sydney’s legendary Quay, it’s one of the go-tos when you really, really have to impress. Crowning one of Melbourne’s tallest buildings, Vue is literally at the top of its game. But owner-chef Shannon Bennett has never been one to become complacent and saw an opportunity to collaborate with a long-time ally, French premium champagne maker Dom Pérignon, to create a top-level dining concept. Billed as “an exceptional gastronomy adventure”, the P2 Experience adds a new stratosphere of aspiration. The 10-course service takes place in a 16-seat private dining room, complete with Vue’s trademark towering views over Melbourne’s skyline. For additional contemplation, there’s a roof-mounted installation by Japanese artist Hiromi Tango that depicts a twisting, interweaving grapevine. P2 references examples of Dom Pérignon champagne from the second ‘plenitude’ of the 1998 vintage. The rare and expensive drop is the hero around which a menu featuring a cornucopia of local produce is devised. Memorable dishes from our sitting included a ‘sausage sizzle’ featuring sausages of West Australian marron tail, macadamia and King Oyster mushrooms; and kohlrabi with Yarra Valley salmon roe and finger lime. Each course is carefully paired with a selection of Dom Pérignon’s finest vintages, including the celebrated P2. Embedded content: https://vimeo.com/249350963 To finish, guests collect a heavy golden token and proceed to the ground-level foyer where – in a world-first – a vending machine theatrically reveals and dispenses the ultimate in take-home gifts: a full-size bottle of Dom Pérignon 2006.