Residing inside South Yarra’s slick and arty Olsen Hotel (one of two venues, see also Steer Bar and Grill) Spoonbill takes its cues from John Olsen, a prolific painter dedicated to the Australian landscape – his works can be found around the hotel and yep, you guessed it, in the restaurant too.
The menu draws inspiration from John Olsen’s love of regional and seasonal Australia, offering an all-day selection that highlights the origins of native ingredients with a spattering of international inspiration, including their take on Olsen’s famous paella, a recipe the artist perfected when living in Spain in the 1950s and a dish that has had a reoccurring theme in his work ever since. Breakfast is good to go too, with coffee from St Ali rounding out the usual (organic, free range) egg and toast options. It’s all made to order mind, there’s no hotel buffet here.