Paint the town red

Mahjong Black in Little Collins Street in the city has been taken over by the Apples and Pears Entertainment Group, which owns the city's Red Spice Road (see review here) Asian eateries on McKillop Street and in the QV Centre.

Co-owner and general manager Gavin van Staden says they are planning a Burmese-style venue to be called Burma Lane.

''The food will be a modern interpretation of Burmese food; I'm loath to say we're traditional as none of us are Burmese,'' van Staden says, referring to his business partners Andrew Cameron, executive chef John McLeay and the new restaurant's head chef, Adam Trengove, who will be moved over from Red Spice Road McKillop Street.

Expect a warmer fitout, with oak tables, bentwoods and the almost ubiquitous street art. Mahjong Black owner Max Tsang's manager Simon Tsui says of the city restaurant's closure: ''It was very sad. We had many regular customers, but we just weren't busy enough overall.'' Tsang still has Mahjong on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

Burma Lane will open weekdays and for Saturday dinner from mid-October.