Girls Weekends Away Blog

Yes girls it once was a Mortuary but thankfully that was a very  long time ago. The only thing that remains now of this buildings past is it’s name. This establishment is quirky and oozes warmth and charm. I have eaten here a few times and can I say on this visit the food was outstanding, thanks to a new Chef. For entree my friend and I shared the duck confit and walnut croquettes with duck parfait  and shiraz black pepper jelly and Sesame and pepper calamari. The croquettes were  outstanding, so good in fact that I am still craving them now! For mains I had the Pasture Fed Gippsland Tenderloin which was cooked to perfection, it basically melted in my mouth. My friend had the Roasted Pork Belly which was served with cider stewed apples and a pickled mushroom salad, with each bite my friend almost replicated the scene from when Harry met Sally. The wine list had a good selection and the staff were friendly and attentive. I can’t wait to get back to try the roasted pumpkin risotto with almonds crème fraiche and honey or even the The  Hawthorn (a waygu burger).

This new menu is to die for…To visit the website and see the menue  Click Here

Okay girls Euphoria is on every Saturday night at the High Fidelity Bar, and just could become the best night life experience in Melbourne. With plenty of music and atmosphere plus a dress to impress philosophy this is almost a retro experience. The best thing yet is that there is free entry and Bubbles for all us girls, only if you get there before 10:30. 

So where is this : The high Fidelity Bar, 461 Bourke St, Melbourne
Doors open at 9 and remember it is a Dress to Impress event.

Girls this may not be something that I would (these days) want to do but I know that there are many of you that still have plenty of energy in those dancing shoes and plenty of personal stamina to go the distance. This is definitely not for the faint hearted,and you will have to be willing to party party party...Mmm maybe I could reconsider??

P.S. there are asian and local tours as well.. 

If you want something different this New Years Eve try the Burlesque Bar where this year there will be  ‘LIFE IS A CABARET,’ a burlesque-inspired ode to all things CABARET! Featuring some of Melbourne’s most talented burlesque and cabaret artists, they will take you back to where Liza began.

Complimentary drink on arrival, canapes, door and costume prizes…and a live 2 hour burlesque and cabaret show that will have you singing and dancing your way into 2011!. Dress to impress or get into the mood with some era inspired costumes; anything from 1920′s flappers and gangsters to 1940′s dapper dans and dames are encouraged. Or throw out your inhibitions and spread some burlesquey corset and lingerie-clad love!Tickets are $65, and are limited so better get in fast! 42 Johnston Street  Fitzroy.  Telephone: (03) 9415 8088

Girls, as promised we will add some more Spring & Summer ideas to have fun in the city. Here are a few more bars to enjoy.

Madame Brussels – Bourke Street
The darling of Melbourne’s balconies is Madame Brussels. The décor;  the feaux lawn, lawn furniture, staff in old fashioned country club outfits. All makes a casual drink feel like a fancy dress party. Why not enjoy cucumber sandwiches, delightful frosted cupcakes and a Pimms on the terrace.

The Deck, Mercantile Place- Cnr Flinders and King St
The Waterside Hotel opens its deck at nights. This open air deck is huge and boasts a barbecue, comfortable outdoor lounges and unique views of the city. On Tuesdays, nibble on a gourmet pizza and wash it down with a beer or glass of wine for a mere $10.

Match Bar + Grill – Swanston Street
There’s nowhere quite like Match in Melbourne – although it does have sister bars in London and Ibiza. This swanky clubhouse comprises a restaurant, cocktail bar, lounge and ‘Wine Wall’ (just insert credit card). But Match’s pride and joy is its sprawling, partly-covered deck overlooking the State Library lawn, where you can do some people watching

Well Girls, here is another Melbourne Spring/Summer thing to do.

Every Wednesday Collins Quarter will have you salivating over their spit.
Yes, yummy rosemary and garlic lamb wraps with yogurt and tomato salad!  for just $7.  Yes, every Wednesday’s from 5pm in The Magnolia Courtyard of Collins Quarter, a perfect place to sit with friends after work and enjoy a glass of wine and a chat, they have a Spit.
Where: Collins Quarter 86a Collins Street Melbourne 3000.
Yes another hidden secret in Melbourne.

Girls with warmer weather coming and no need to be indoors why not meet up with your friends and head for one of Melbourne’s rooftop bars. But which one you ask ???  Well, to help you decide over the next few days we will post some suggestions and remember some of these are hard to find but well worth it once found.

So here are three to start with:
- Siglo Bar- Spring Street Melbourne
With one of the most impressive views in the city, Siglo is the icing on the cake for the building that houses “The European” (ground floor) and “The Melbourne Supper Club” (level one).  Siglo offers an elegant, sophisticated balcony experience with an extensive drink list. Perfect for before or after theatre drinks

- Red Hummingbird – Russell Street
With Flamboyant but tasteful décor, an array of actually comfortable couches plus generous cocktail mixes is enough to get noticed in the Melbourne bar scene, but when you add an awesome but small rooftop bar to the mix, you get a great place for a night out. Look for the red bird cage on Russell Street to find the entrance to this lovely spot.

- Sarti, hidden in Russell Place
This is a sophisticated spot for those who like their al fresco authentically Italian. Boasting a seriously urban view and extensive wine list, Sarti offers a stylish, quiet nook to hideaway in the middle of the city.

Melbourne offers so many diverse things to do and if you don’t have local knowledge then where do start??
So here is our weekend suggestions to ensure your time in the city is full of fun and laughter.

Friday night check into your accommodation ( check the GWA site for suggestions)
Start out by putting your party shoes on and head off to one of Melbourne’s bars. Here are some of our favourites:

• Silk Road in Collins Street
• Collins Quarter in Collins Street
• Transit in Swanston Street
• Seamstress in Lonsdale st
• Blue Diamond Club in Queen St

After a few quiet bubbles its time for dinner and as Melbourne is full of fantastic restaurants the choice is almost endless. Here are our suggestions again

• Chocolate Buddha at Fed Square
• Movida in Flinders Street
• Scusami at Southbank
• Eurpoean in spring st
• Punch Lane top of Little bourke

Or stroll down china town, there are plenty to choose from. Our favorite is Longrain at the top end of little Bourke.

After dinner why not head to one of the bars, where people watching is always fun but remember not to stay out toooo late as there is shopping to be had on Saturday.

Our suggestions of late night bars where you don’t need to yell to have a conversation are:

• Long Room in Collins St
• Madame Brussels in Bourke St
• Society in Bourke St
• Martini bar in Collins St

Saturday if breakfast is not included in your accommodation then my suggestions are:

• European in Spring St
• Ludo in Queen St
• The Young and Jacksons opposite Flinders Street Station.

Now your tummy is full its time for shopping!

Melbourne is renowned for our funky boutiques, outlet stores and high end fashion.
If its bargains you want then catch a tram and head to Bridge Road Richmond for factory outlets or for Shopping under one roof get a bus to Chadstone; which is the largest shopping centre in Australia.

For High end fashion head to the Paris end of Collins St. Alternatively why not check out the laneways and secret shops, take a ”hidden secret” tour.

As we know shopping can be tiring so Saturday night why not stay in put your feet up and relax, you can order in dinner by using cuisine courier.
Sunday:
After breakfast head down to the weekly outdoor market along the banks of the yarra, just near the Arts Centre and Southbank. You will find  lots of homemade gifts, funky jewelry and street performers.

If you are like me, by now you would have had enough of shopping. So why not indulge in a spa treatment before heading home.

My suggestions are:

• Aveda on Spring
• Ella Bache at Melbourne Central
• Orchid Day Spa in Hardware Lane

We have now shared a few things to do in Melbourne, so whats holding you back? Why not start organizing your weekend away now!

 We at Girls Weekends Away can also help you to plan and organize your weekend for you. That way you can focus on having fun while we focus on making things happen. This includes all of  your bookings, we even provide you with a daily itinerary.

For more information email at bookings@girlsweekendsaway.com.au

La mama is currently showcasing a Triple Bill of Wild Delight!
The Feast of Argentina Gina Catalina, Salon de Dance…Deluge and The Candy Butchers, Tooth & Nail.
We went to the first show; written and performed by Moira Finucane, mainly because we had seen her work in the Burlesque hour( we have reviewed previously). Again we were confronted, humored and enthralled by the performance. The show is intimate, basically the theatre can only seat about 40 or so people, so be prepared to be virtually in the show. Savory style food is served before and during the show and is magnificently melded into the performance. With the integration of taste and theatre all combining to provide a truly alternate yet provocative experience. Cured meats, wine and mussles, tequila and ice cream all served sequentially to entice the taste buds while Moira Finuccane excites the senses. This is a must see, go to http://www.lamama.com.au for more information on the shows.

 The Blairgowrie strip just gets better and better with Live music most Sundays from about 4pm. A little bar called Coast plays host to artists like Lisa Bade, Wilbur Wilde and Kathy & Erin. So if you are planning a long weekend, there is no better way to finish it off than to rock away the Autumn afternoons than at Coast. Coast is located at 2827 point nepean road, Blairgowrie. Ph (03) 5988 0700.

We were recently invited to the launch of the Ted Baker Autumn Collection, hosted at Match on the evening of the 24th February. The collection was as usual to the standard we have all come to expect from such a Global brand. Match bar & grill is located up some fairly steep stairs at 249 Little Lonsdale st in the QV complex and is a pleasant surprise. Winner of the best new bar, The Australian Bar Show Awards 2009, they hosted an RSVP only event with Michael Roberts as the host. The bar has a funky outdoor area, restaurant and bar. There were complimentary canapes, champagne on arrival (served by the lovely Laura, pictured above) and free wine tasting with Vino Bambino.  We loved the atmosphere and generally canapes at these events are a bit Ho Hum. This was not the case with Match and if the canapes are any indication of the food in the restaurant, then we are definitely coming back to do a full GWA review.
The web site is  at http://www.matchbar.com.au go and see what is coming up.

This funky place is located at 1/246 Russel St, in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Now Girls I have given you the address first up as if you blink while walking down the street you will definitely miss the red door that takes you to this bar. There are two levels, the second level, the roof top, has been given a Bali-resort feel, complete with hanging wicker chairs, palms, timber decking, candles and a heated undercover area to keep you sheltered from Melbourne’s four season days. We found that as we were not smokers, we were definitely out numbered on the roof top, so if you smoke that is the place to be, if not then descend down one level. There you will find another bar (less the smokers) and this resembles Bali/Morocco, decorated with reflective wallpaper, ottomans, a stone fireplace and comfortable  lounges. This is definitely the place to sit while you have one of their famous cocktails. Please note that the service can be slow and the staff are not overly friendly. My suggestion is to get there when it opens at 4pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays have a cocktail on the rooftop and leave before the smokers arrive…