1. 12 EPICURE THE AGE Tuesday, February 2, 2010
NEXT GENERATION
MoVida Terrazza, at 500 Bourke
Street, is perfect for sun-seekers.
PICTURE: EDDIE JIM
Oldies but goodies
Siglo Level 2 (above the
Melbourne Supper Club),
161 Spring Street,
9654 6300;
theeuropean.com.au
Madame Brussels
63 Bourke Street,
9662 2775;
madamebrussels.com
Red Hummingbird
1st Floor, 246 Russell
Street, 9654 2266;
theredhummingbird.com
Belgian Beer Cafe
Bluestone 557 St Kilda
Road, 9529 2899;
belgianbeercafe
melbourne.com
Lazy days in the sun
NikkiHaynesdiscoverswateringholesofferingachancetocatchlatesummer’srays.
HE sun is still shining and Beer lovers unite made in-house) but has been given a
T you want to be outside
having a drink with your
friends but you’re tired of
the rooftops and beer
gardens where you hung out last
year. Luckily, you’re in Melbourne, a
city with a constantly evolving bar
The Local Taphouse (184 Carlisle
Street, St Kilda East; thelocal.com.au)
Open: Noon-1am, daily
The Local has a welcoming
atmosphere. Downstairs, there’s
modern twist. There’s a rooftop bar
with artificial turf, wooden tables and
stools. It’s finding its feet but is
worth a look.
Drink and eat Campari House’s
share plates are a great option if you
just want to graze (try the arancini of
and restaurant scene. Here are some wooden furniture and comfy sofas porcini thyme and goat’s cheese) and
exciting additions. but it’s upstairs that it comes into its there are ‘‘grown-up’’ cocktails such
On hot days, there’s plenty of cold comfort at (left) the Local Taphouse at St Kilda and Match own, with wooden wall panelling, as the Italian Sunrise (Smirnoff
For strutting your stuff Bar & Grill in the city. PICTURES: GARY MEDLICOTT, SIMONE STABB books and wooden tram-car seating. Black, Campari and limoncello
The room opens on to a simple shaken with orange and sours) to
Emerald Peacock (233 Lonsdale Flash tapas on the Yarra Underground cool, overground rooftop terrace with exposed brick. sup on the roof.
Street; theemeraldpeacock.com) The star of this show though is the
Open: Mon-Wed, 4pm-midnight; Sotano (Hilton Melbourne South Match Bar & Grill (249 Little beer. The tap list is changed regularly Spanish sophistication
Thurs-Fri, 4pm-1am; Sat, 6pm-1am Wharf; sotano.com.au) Lonsdale Street; matchbar.com) (sometimes daily) and features an
Open: Mon-Sun, noon-late Open: Mon-Thurs, 4pm-late; international mix with a strong MoVida Terrazza (Level 1,
Located on the site of a former Fri-Sat, 3pm-late (opening for lunch Australia/Victoria preference. If 500 Bourke Street, access via Little
Buddhist centre, there’s a good vibe Spain’s culinary influence is all too daily and on Sundays noon-midnight you’re unsure, grab the beer book Bourke Street; movida.com.au)
here. The first floor has lavish evident here, with a 2500-bottle wine at the end of February) that will tell you all you need to Open: Mon-Wed, 7am-3.30pm;
boudoir decor with vintage French cellar suspended from the ceiling know, or ask the knowledgeable staff. Thurs and Fri, 7am until late
foil peacock wallpaper and and a 4.4-metre-tall charcuterie tower Match has an outside decking space Drink and eat If you want to try a
chandeliers. Ascend to the rooftop packed with cured meats and overlooking the State Library and few of the speciality brews then go This is a terrace in the true sense of
and the surrounds are toned down cheeses. There’s an outside area Swanston Street. for the tasting panel — it showcases the word. It’s elevated above the
but still glam, with white pillar overlooking the Yarra. It has high Most of its walls are glass so at five beers, with some crackers to street and, with its big, brown
candles in huge glass encasements, tables, red bar stools and white pillar night, you’re treated to an cleanse the palate. There’s seasonal, umbrellas, is sunny-day heaven.
and wood decking adorning the floor candles in rusty holders — all very illuminated vista. Graffiti and posters hearty fare with a cooking-with-beer MoVida Terrazza is a more casual
and walls. cool. The drinks and food are adorn the walls and all interior pieces slant. Try the meatballs cooked with little cousin of adjacent diner MoVida
Apart from the candles, there isn’t deconstructed wonders; mixologist were gathered from various London a German smoked beer, or the Aqui (see page 7 for a review). While
much light at night — not good if Grant Collins has worked his magic clubs — 1970s retro chic mixed with chocolate mousse made with a sunning on benches or nibbling
you’re eating but very romantic if to give the cocktails a modern, modern Melbourne cool. double-chocolate stout. tapas at high tables, customers get a
you’re on a date. molecular twist. Drink and eat Summer buckets — knockout view of the century-old
The views aren’t as stunning as Sotano isn’t a budget night out but retro holders such as glass goblets Cocktails with a view dome of the law courts. It’s a vantage
some rooftop bars but are still quality is outstanding. and champagne buckets, filled with point of an oft-forgotten landmark.
impressive. An informal venue with Drink and eat The twisted white or innovative cocktails — get the girls Campari House (23-25 Hardware Drink and eat Mediterranean and
a high sense of style. red sangria (Collins invented a around. There’s also an Enomatic Lane; camparihouse.com.au) Spanish nibbles and meals are on
Drink and eat The place for cocktails raspberry puree sphere that sits at wine system, aka the wine tunnel, a Open: Restaurant 11am-11pm, offer for breakfast, lunch
— share a “Big Cock” (a sharing jug) the bottom of the jug and slowly constantly changing selection of Mon-Fri; 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun; and supper (Thurs and Fri).
of the Majestic Taj (a refreshing disperses, giving a fruity kick from whites and reds all twinkling at you. rooftop noon-11pm, Sun-Wed; The lunch menu has a
peachy twist with gin and iced tea) or beginning to end), any of the Buy credit and off you go. You get a noon-12.30am, Thurs-Sun choice of bocadillo
the harder-hitting Calibri Rojo (a alcoholic granitas or Collins’ new generous taster for $3, or buy a full (Spanish bread) with
fruity tequila concoction with basil sherry cocktails — the perfect glass; someone will be on hand to Campari Bistro was an several fillings, salads or
and vanilla). Food includes tapas accompaniment to the sharing answer questions. Match also serves institution that closed five light dishes. Try the
such as pan-fried saganaki with boards of melt-in-the-mouth iberico wines selected by Matt Skinner. years ago. New owners tortilla ($3) and ensalada
lemon sorbet, or pizzas. Try the ham and salami. Much of the bar and restaurant food refurbished the building, (salad) of fig, green beans
Urban Chick topped with chicken, There’s modern tapas such as intermingle — wagyu bresola; adding two levels. It and manchego cheese ($13).
spinach, fior de latte, almonds and potato crisps with truffle honey, or Parisian burger served with bone retains its name and Beer is on tap and bottled
garlic-infused mushrooms — a braised bull tail with white pearl marrow and gruyere cheese; and roots (pasta, breads, ($8 for top Barcelona
delicious stinker but best avoided if onion. Look out for the paella pans Valrhona chocolate fondant. It’s bar- infused oils and drop Moritz). Wine by
you’re out to impress. that will be al fresco this summer. raising bar food by chef Paul Wilson. flavoured salts are the glass ($6.50-$9).
NATAGE G012
