Just open: Popol Nah

The city end of Lygon Street is home to a sleek new restaurant with not a spruiker in sight. New York-based, Melbourne-raised businesswoman and philanthropist Carolyn Ferreira has opened Latin American eatery Popol Nah, which roughly means "the people's house". The interior, by Peter Strateas and Mario-Luca Carlucci of Brunswick-based fashion label Strateas. Carlucci, is a striking combination of raw timber, antlers hanging from the ceiling and hand-painted wooden dolls, with seating for 80.

Honduras-born chef Cali Rivera, whose CV includes stints at Gabrielle Hamilton's Prune and the Gramercy Tavern in NYC, has crafted a menu of dishes from throughout South America, including prawn ceviche, empanadas, Argentine-style beef skewers, and chicken in adobo sauce.

Sommelier Carolyn Brown has brought together wines from Spain, Chile, Argentina and Australia, and she is making her own flavoursome syrups for mixed drinks and cocktails.

Details: Popol Nah is open daily for lunch and dinner, 171 Lygon Street, Carlton, 9347 3293.