little italy

Chapel Street is unavoidable, what for the pleasures of the Chapel St Bazaar, Jayson Brundson and that little piece of Italy, Cafe e Cucina. Buongiorno, come stai? Italian down to its very core, the waiters will greet you ceremonially and vorrei un vino rosso e di olivas, per favor!

Set aside your pretence about the "half cast" misinterpreted guck that is served elsewhere, and let your tastebuds dance to the traditional Italian culinary that is preached at Cafe e Cucina. With an album of Awards and accreditations, it is little wonder they are booked to the rim weeknights and weekends in rain, hail or sunshine.

Whether you are shopping a marathon and need to zone out with an espresso, or looking for the authentic, rustic charm of an European hot spot, visit no. 581 Chapel Street without hestitation for this place is undoubtedly a step back to the real Italy.

cafe culture on st kilda road

Yes it's true, believe it or not, I have found the culture on St Kilda Road and it's located at no. 401.

Owned by the brainchild behind Melbourne's finest French Restaurant, Vue De Mon, Cafe Vue is itself an extraordinarily petit utopia among St Kilda Roads concrete monstrosities.

French baguettes, croque monsoirs and mad'am's, shelves of sweet delicacies, it is a wonder how the women of France stay so wafer thin - but of course, all in moderation! Cafe Vue stays true to its origins of French culinary, its baguettes are crisp and crunchy, the coffee is well rounded and the waiters all have accents - a feeling of escapism from Melbourne for a moment.

With capabilities of catering for up to 60 diners inside and an outdoor (grassed) space shaded by umbrellas and topiary for another 20, Cafe Vue is a metropolitan experience whether you are an office worker or freelance artist - a sure spot to stopover on your city visist for a quick bite to eat.

size matters and here's one sure bar that counts

Following the trail of blood red carpet you'll be led down a flight of grand stairs and into a dimly lit but exquisitly decorated foyer where your hostess awaits you. To your left, an informal dining area abutts the sumptuous sushi station, where raw fish and seaweed wraps are delicately presented - enough to tantelize your tastebuds merely by the sight. As the flames of the candles dance you are swept down a narrow breezeway that is lined by linen sofas, marble highlights and luminous crimson drapery, similar to that of a harem. At the back and beyond, lies an exclusive bar for private affairs, cordoned off again by a sheer crimson curtain. You'll make a 360 and head back toward your starting point, however this time you walk beside the bar, that long long bar, 50 something metres of it. The bar segregates an upper and lower service area, to the upper are small boudoirs sectioned off by sheer curtains and the lower, well down here it's all a fluster of cocktail shakers, chit chat and being apart of the friendly banter.

 

What to expect on a Friday evening? As you'd expect in most taverns around any city, many single lads and ladies, corporate types and an impromptue perve. At capacity, you could expect to bump into nearly 400 faces, familiar or not so. The space is loud and lively, vibrant and assured. A talking point among new aquaintences.

By far one of my favourite settings in marvellous Melbourne for a mid week cocktail with the girls. The Long Room oozes expensive luxuries with horned chandeliers to boot, a nice fit to its classic Collins Street location - it glows with an exotic mystique and hypnotises you from the moment you enter.

baroq house

nestled in one of melbourne's cobble stoned laneways lies baroq house with its unusual sculptural entrance, once you're at the mouth of drewry lane it's hard to miss.

just as the name suggests, and for fans of marie antoinette, lovers of melodramatic interiors, historians or those in search of vivacious scenery, baroq house may just be your cup of tea.

segregated into many rooms via period archways and brickwork, there are many ways the space can be utilised. an entrance directly off the laneway offers cloak room and entry via a laser-cut doorway... prepare yourself, it's a step back in time - all things decadent of course.

a long bar with occasional seating, heavily guilt mirrors and fine decor suggests you are among the high and mighty at this tea party. a few steps up into a formal lounge and glorious powder rooms. a narrow staircase covered in fabric and damask print leads to a side exit (or exclusive second entrance point) as well as a basement bar, dance floor and private headquarters.

if you are considering a large private affair, baroq offers staged buffet feasts, fit for a king (and queens) as well as an elaborate wine and champagne list.

one of the playground group's finest establishments to date, baroq house is sure to impress genuine royalty. ensure you don't come ill-prepared with pockets half full, baroq culture is about being frivolous and ignoring the credit crunch. as one fine queen once said, let them eat cake!