Time to dust ’em old boots

LIKE it or loath it, you simply can’t underestimate the impact a certain piano-themed bar has had on the Geelong entertainment nightlife over the past decade.

When it first opened as a 30-something seater in Little Malop Street, Piano Bar was an instant success.

It spawned multiple outlets within only a few years, as well as a larger facility for its original Geelong homebase.

Fast-forward a few years, add a pandemic, a split of ownership and one hell of a determined operator (not a bad pianist, too) and you reach its modern day version.

Or what was its modern day version, as the place we all knew as Piano Bar, has finally enjoyed its last hurrah (for now, anyway).

Like Tulip only a couple of weeks ago, Piano Bar has gone out on its own terms, and on top.

And it shouldn’t bring tears to all, as in its place we get a proper saloon bar (country music and all) to be known as Honky Cat.

What is most exciting about this new spot though, is that local craft barbecue legends, Wildfire, will be in charge of the food offering: finally finding a bigger fixed address for their wagyu briskets and smoky cheeseburgers.

And on top of that, you may just find Piano Bar popping back up every once in a while to bring that music-magic back.

After a longer-than-planned hiatus, Tastes of the Philippines is reopening in a new, polished CBD location, after years spent in its former Bell Park home.

I went to the original once, and although not overly familiar with Filipino cuisine, I quite enjoyed what tasted like authentic, homemade and modestly cooked food.

The new location will be on the ground floor of the recently completed 11-storey development on Myers Street, towards the La Trobe Terrace end.

It’s good the building (which houses 117 apartments) is backing a restaurant space as its key commercial tenant, as many other new-ish builds (eg Geelong Quarter, The Mercer, Wurriki Nyal to name a few) have shied away from hospitality over the previous few, given the perceived uncertainty of the industry.

Although not yet open, the venue is much, much larger than the previous digs (which sat just a handful of tables) and should add some nice spice to the dining mix at that end of town.

Roughly a block or two away at the Empire Grill, I enjoyed a sensational abalone dish last week which is really worth bringing to your attention.

Sorry, I shouldn’t refer to the place by that name anymore, as Frenchy’s Bistrot (silent T) is the space’s new identity.

 

I really like what’s going here (ie Michelin starred chef, smart renovation, contemporary French menu, reborn dining room) particularly given they’re open every weekday lunch and dinner.

Tried booking a decent restaurant on a Monday night recently? Or a Tuesday lunch for that matter?

But back to the abalone special they were running: a lightly aromatic, herb-infused oil dressed a simply seasoned whole abalone that was sliced and accompanied with a small touch of caviar beside it.

The dish was unpretentious and luxurious all at once.

I’ve visited here a couple of times now and the venue neatly serves as both part-bistro (tablecloth-adorned dining room tables) and part-restaurant – featuring dishes like the aforementioned mollusc – choosing whichever side of the line they want to walk depending on what dining experience you’re after. Bravo.

There’s an event this weekend at the Geelong Gaol which may be of interest to some, particularly if you’ve ever wondered what a party in the roaring twenties was like.

The night, titled Velvet & Vice, will bring together a handful of well-known Geelong venues (including Anther Distillery, Farm Dog Brewery, Splatters and Fantome Bar) to help recreate the feel of a prohibition-style ball, set against the backdrop of the fittingly-gloomy, 19th century gaol cell blocks.

Crafted cocktails and roaming canapes will accompany the jazz and theatrical entertainment on offer, as guests are encouraged to dress in their best crime or glamour outfit to help set the theme.

Following on from my thoughts last week on where to watch the final few games of the World Cup, I can now safely report the Sporting Globe may be your best (and only) bet to watch the single remaining match.

The Geelong CBD venue has been screening many of the earlier starting matches throughout the tournament, and apparently with great demand: so much so that I was advised that a booking would be required to secure a seat to watch the final game.

Match kick off is 5am, but doors to the pub swing open at 4.30am to allow fans to settle in.

I got a funny look when asked if they served much beer at that hour, so I figure this is a given. WLike it or loath it, you simply can’t underestimate the impact a certain piano-themed bar has had on the Geelong entertainment nightlife over the past decade.

 

When it first opened as a 30-something seater in Little Malop Street, Piano Bar was an instant success.

It spawned multiple outlets within only a few years, as well as a larger facility for its original Geelong homebase.

Fast-forward a few years, add a pandemic, a split of ownership and one hell of a determined operator (not a bad pianist, too) and you reach its modern day version.

Or what was its modern day version, as the place we all knew as Piano Bar, has finally enjoyed its last hurrah (for now, anyway).

Like Tulip only a couple of weeks ago, Piano Bar has gone out on its own terms, and on top.

And it shouldn’t bring tears to all, as in its place we get a proper saloon bar (country music and all) to be known as Honky Cat.

What is most exciting about this new spot though, is that local craft barbecue legends, Wildfire, will be in charge of the food offering: finally finding a bigger fixed address for their wagyu briskets and smoky cheeseburgers.

And on top of that, you may just find Piano Bar popping back up every once in a while to bring that music-magic back.

After a longer-than-planned hiatus, Tastes of the Philippines is reopening in a new, polished CBD location, after years spent in its former Bell Park home.

I went to the original once, and although not overly familiar with Filipino cuisine, I quite enjoyed what tasted like authentic, homemade and modestly cooked food.

The new location will be on the ground floor of the recently completed 11-storey development on Myers Street, towards the La Trobe Terrace end.

It’s good the building (which houses 117 apartments) is backing a restaurant space as its key commercial tenant, as many other new-ish builds (eg Geelong Quarter, The Mercer, Wurriki Nyal to name a few) have shied away from hospitality over the previous few, given the perceived uncertainty of the industry.

Although not yet open, the venue is much, much larger than the previous digs (which sat just a handful of tables) and should add some nice spice to the dining mix at that end of town.

Roughly a block or two away at the Empire Grill, I enjoyed a sensational abalone dish last week which is really worth bringing to your attention.

Sorry, I shouldn’t refer to the place by that name anymore, as Frenchy’s Bistrot (silent T) is the space’s new identity.

 

I really like what’s going here (ie Michelin starred chef, smart renovation, contemporary French menu, reborn dining room) particularly given they’re open every weekday lunch and dinner.

Tried booking a decent restaurant on a Monday night recently? Or a Tuesday lunch for that matter?

But back to the abalone special they were running: a lightly aromatic, herb-infused oil dressed a simply seasoned whole abalone that was sliced and accompanied with a small touch of caviar beside it.

The dish was unpretentious and luxurious all at once.

I’ve visited here a couple of times now and the venue neatly serves as both part-bistro (tablecloth-adorned dining room tables) and part-restaurant – featuring dishes like the aforementioned mollusc – choosing whichever side of the line they want to walk depending on what dining experience you’re after. Bravo.

There’s an event this weekend at the Geelong Gaol which may be of interest to some, particularly if you’ve ever wondered what a party in the roaring twenties was like.

The night, titled Velvet & Vice, will bring together a handful of well-known Geelong venues (including Anther Distillery, Farm Dog Brewery, Splatters and Fantome Bar) to help recreate the feel of a prohibition-style ball, set against the backdrop of the fittingly-gloomy, 19th century gaol cell blocks.

Crafted cocktails and roaming canapes will accompany the jazz and theatrical entertainment on offer, as guests are encouraged to dress in their best crime or glamour outfit to help set the theme.

Following on from my thoughts last week on where to watch the final few games of the World Cup, I can now safely report the Sporting Globe may be your best (and only) bet to watch the single remaining match.

The Geelong CBD venue has been screening many of the earlier starting matches throughout the tournament, and apparently with great demand: so much so that I was advised that a booking would be required to secure a seat to watch the final game.

Match kick off is 5am, but doors to the pub swing open at 4.30am to allow fans to settle in.

I got a funny look when asked if they served much beer at that hour, so I figure this is a given. Well, only one way to find out!