The Long Room, the long-time haunt for after-work drinks, was rebranded to The George on Collins earlier this year. Gutted and completely refurbished, the slick and modern interior has been designed by Hecker Guthrie. White walls and ceilings brighten up the basement space. The bar still takes centre stage, encircled by dining tables. Booths run around the perimeter, complete with curtains if you want that extra bit of privacy.

There’s a lengthy drinks list to choose from. One Night In Paris is one of their signature cocktails, and for good reason. The combination of Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka, Alize Gold French passionfruit liqueur and white rum creates a smooth, velvety cocktail that’s perhaps a little too easy to drink.

The menu is designed for sharing, and many dishes are well suited to being enjoyed with drinks. Crumbed Lamb Ribs are almost a whole cutlet rather than the thinner ribs we’re used to seeing. The chimichurri dip sauce is vibrant, though more tanginess would help to cut through richness of the lamb better. Tender Scallops go nicely with the Jerusalem artichoke puree, which also balances some of saltiness of the bacon. We also try one of their flatbreads: the 20-month aged Iberico jamon, saucisson sec, nduja salami, tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella. The simplicity of the crisp flatbread allows the flavour of the produce to come through.

Wagyu Carpaccio comes with cheddar cheese and homemade pickles. The crispy quinoa adds crunch that’s a nice contrast to the supple wagyu. For mains we order the Baby Barramundi, semolina and wasabi mayo. We didn’t expect a fried dish, but it’s broken down into manageable crispy pieces and easy to eat. The mayo balances out the oily nature of the fried fish, though there isn’t a strong wasabi flavour to it.

One of the sigh-inducing items on the menu is the black truffle, Iberico ham and mozzarella hot sandwich – a souped up, cheesy toastie with the decadence of truffle oil.

The George on Collins is a huge change from The Long Room, and it’s a slick place where you can now head into for breakfast and coffee, or end the night with dinner and drinks.

Disclaimer: I was invited to The George on Collins as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

The George on Collins
Georges Building
162-168 Collins St
Melbourne CBD, VIC, 3000
(03) 9663 7226
www.thegeorgeoncollins.com.au/