The Town Mouse is one of the restaurants in Carlton that stands out in my memory, so the news of a sister site opening in the CBD got me excited. It won Best New Restaurant and a hat in the Good Food Guide 2017 awards, so things were looking good, but as with many places, an exploratory visit kept slipping my mind....
Inspired by the speakeasy culture of the 20s and 30s, Speakeasy isn't exactly a secret, nor illegal. Aside from its main dining areas, the spacious restaurant and bar has an upstairs function room, and a large, enclosed courtyard bar around the corner from the kitchen....
An avid traveller, Adam Davies has spent many years working and travelling abroad in countries including Mexico, Japan, China and France. His two years living and breathing French hospitality in Lyon led him to open Fortify in Armadale. He brings all of his experience together here at Fortify, where he acts as Executive Chef, aiming to bring us French dishes that you wouldn't easily find in Melbourne: Alternative French, if you will....
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 was designed by Hecker Guthrie. Crisp white walls and ceilings brighten up the basement space. The bar takes centre stage, encircled by tables. Booths run around the perimeter, complete with curtains if you want that extra bit of privacy....
Burger bar and sake dens are not exactly easy to come by, especially ones that look like this. Taking inspiration from the biker bars and bosozoku culture in Japan, Bosozoku HQ comes complete with karaoke, a Nintendo 64 room, pool table and a dry-ice ‘onsen’. Burgers are a bit different at Bosozoku, and not just because of their colourful brioche buns....