(Ed note: June 2010, sadly this great space has recently been taken over by a very popular, but only moderately good Mexican restaurant.  *Sigh*)

Bar/Cafe
Upstairs, 11 Collins Street

I love a set of stairs.  Oh, not for the workout for the gluts (pleeese!).  But for the fabulous sense of anticipation you feel at the bottom of a partially lit stairwell peering upwards while a wave of convivial chatter cascades over the banister and over your head.

‘Quick.  Quick.  There’s something exciting going on up there’.  This is the feeling I get at the unprepossessing entrance to the Recorded Music Salon.  And the anticipation pays off.

Fabulous bar.  Great breaky spot.  Comfy haunt for a casual coffee.  This place is great.  I’m a sucker for the window bench where you can ‘voyeur’ to your hearts content with a bird’s eye view of the goings-on at the ‘Paris end of Collins Street’.  The food’s great and the service attentive and friendly.  Well worth the workout on the gluts.

review courtesy of
Apartment Alkira – Melbourne’s best boutique short term apartment