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The whole tapas thing has become ridiculous. My personal low point was when a once much loved restaurant on Fitzroy St reopened serving Italian tapas, tapas, of course, being Spanish for bar snacks. Within a few days the concept was retired, although I’m not convinced that the whole italian–Indian food match is any better.
And this is what I admire about Bar Lourinhã (37 Little Collin St, Melbourne +61 3 9663 7890); The T-word is not spoken.
Nestled at the Spring Street end of Little Collins, it sits opposite possible the ugliest car-park in Melbourne. This doesn’t matter as we are not here for the view. It’s about the cool vibe plus the simple Spanish and Portuguese style food with that Moorish influence and sitting on high stools either around the bar or one of the two parallel tables.
For though art in the loo…
The entrance to the loos is a faux Mediterranean church or shrine. It is reached up a long stairwell flanked by kitsch pictures.
The food is the whole Spantuguese thing, innovative but not clichéd. We’re talking about various fish Carpaccios, chorizo with Apple, the inevitable salt cod balls. Everything is excellent (although I’m not game enough to eat offal nowadays).
Salt cod balls
The wine list is focused and well selected with some well-price Spanish whites and reds.
The only thing I’m not sure about is the caramel sauce served with the skinny but excellent churros. Oh, and the rest of the desserts are worth making room for too.
You can’t book. But both times I visited the crowd seemed to turnover quickly enough. You can always turn your back on the car park have a drink, and dream of Iberian holidays.
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I’ve been meaning to visit after reading lots of good things so this gives me one more reason.
What’s wrong with offal nowadays?
Do visit. It was realy great both times I did. nothing wromg with offal but i still have the memory of a very nasty offal cooked in chatreuse ten years ago.
The offal is fantastic. I had a great tripe dish last time I was there…it was the special, but the standard menu is packed with tasty morsels.
Maybe I should revisit tripe then but it’s a hard one.