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by jemery
Chicago, Illinois
July 22, 2001
This is one of those classic hotel dining rooms that most of us would reserve for a very special occasion --- impressing a prom date comes to mind. ‘Old World elegance’ was the only appropriate way to describe the lobby I walked through en route to the restaurant itself. Even the location bespoke elegance: directly across the street from Parliament.
I’d discovered it while scouting both for photo opportunities and a place to celebrate the last night of a long journey through Australia and New Zealand. This would be perfect --- but would there be a dress code?
No, the host replied. Slacks and a sport shirt would be fine. I should, however, make a reservation.
I arrived for dinner amid lush carpeting, mahogany furnishings in warm, subdued lighting, and impeccable table settings ... the memory of the atmosphere overwhelms memory of the meal itself. I recall it being an Australian specialty --- lamb, most likely --- and, albeit expensive, enough to convince me that this would be the restaurant to return to should I be in Melbourne again.
From journal Melbourne and its Marvelous Trams