Rosie loves to dine. Its the whole ceremony of sitting across from The Operator and talking about the day, planning the future or blethering about nothing. Give me a place with ambiance, dim lighting and flowing sparkles, that’s all I ask for….initially.
When in Melbourne Rosie cant do without her Melbourne Mentors The Boss and HM. They are a couple who are passionate about the finer things in life and love the clean, fresh, unadorned gastro experience. Their spiritual, second home is Melbourne and they are a trusted source on where to go.
Rosie and The Operator love Tapas. Small plates of multiple selections designed to be shared. So on recommendation from The Boss and HM as soon as the plane hit the runway we were off to Bar Lourinha 37 Little Collins Street in the heart of the CBD. www.barlourinha.com.au
Standing outside peeking into the bay window at 6.30pm and seeing the narrow dining room packed with bodies was daunting. Don’t let it deter you, push through the doors into the only free space and the Maitre’ d will be welcoming you in a flash leading you into the famous ‘waiting area for a table as we do not take bookings’….In this case, the corridor leading to the toilets. Its well equipped with a leaner for your wine and a tapas style bar snack menu. Its amazing how many people they can fit in that corridor but, we have never waited more than 40 mins.
Time goes quick in this lively arena and we have met very interesting people from all walks of life over a cava and, we are all here for the same experience, sampling Matt McConnells Spanish/Portuguese mouthwatering specialities. The dishes are simplistic and honest with a modern edgy city touch. The wine list is extensive and from the same area as the food, if you like a certain style of wine waiting staff can professionally equate. We would order a couple of shared starters followed by 3 more plates. Pricing ranges from $9 – $29 per plate.
Seating at Bar Lourhina is not for the faint hearted or claustrophobic. You will be shown to either the bar or a table shared by multiple strangers where you sit shoulder to shoulder to your neighbour. It is the perfect place for a blind date, if you do not like the company you are with…start chatting to the stranger next to you. The dining room is low lit with atmospheric collections of nik naks adorning the walls, there is always something to catch your eye from the glowing statue of Jesus to the monkey head in the coffee bean grinder. Staff are knowledgeable, attentive and forever on the move.
Bar Lourhina is a Melbourne institution and definite a must do. If you are looking for a quieter, calmer experience call in for lunch….not as much fun though…..
