It’s a hotel restaurant, but you wouldn’t think it. Adam Faigen’s (ex-Pound cafe South Yarra and Carre Street Deli) NYC-inspired bistro has Manhattan style with a Melbourne twist – polished concrete floors and wooden bar stools sit alongside a Jewish deli-style display case of salami and pickles. The Art Series Hotel touch (it’s under The Cullen) is reflected in a rotating collection of artworks from nearby Metro Gallery.
The US-of-A theme rocks out breakfast ‘til dinner and beyond. Early risers should look at buttermilk hotcakes or waffles with Canadian maple syrup and crisp bacon. New York bagels filled with Benedict and Florentine bridge the brunch divide. After that, it’s all corn tacos stuffed with tuna ceviche, Southern fried chicken or beef and pickle sliders. The benefits of a hotel license appears with the drinks list. Breakfast beer? Yes please. Otherwise it’s a full cocktail selection inspired by State-side classics – a vanilla vodka, ginger beer and vanilla ice cream ‘float’ is almost a meal in itself.
