Is barbecue restaurant Kong the next king?

Chris Lucas, the man who taught us to wait patiently in line at white-hot CBD Thai diner Chin Chin and gave us pizza at Baby in Richmond, has finally announced his plans for the former Pearl Cafe, also in Richmond. Collingwood-based studio Eades&Bergman will transform the 60-seat space, which has been vacant for the past 12 months, into an ''Oriental pit barbecue house'' called Kong.

Marrying American barbecue techniques with Japanese and Korean flavours, Kong will serve meat and seafood, cooked on an open-flamed charcoal grill or in a smoke oven, on bread with chillies, pickles and kimchi, says Lucas, who promises casual all-day dining at an approachable $10 to $15 price point, along with takeaways.

Kong, at 599 Church Street, Richmond, aims to open in March 2014.