It is arduous to think about Al Capone in reference to Geelong, however The 18th Modification is making me suppose in unusual and alternative ways. It is perhaps the mellow affect of the cocktail I am sipping, however I think about the notorious bootlegger would really feel proper at residence on this laneway bar.
Approached up a slender flight of stairs and adorned with uncovered picket rafters and framed black and white interval photographs, it has a classy speakeasy vibe which could enchantment to any gangster on the make.
Its cocktails are loosely impressed by the Prohibition period, together with the signature Boardwalk Empire. This memorable beverage arrives in a small picket casket, and when opened there is a momentary sight of the smoke which is a key ingredient, alongside whisky, bitters, almond syrup and apple juice.
This energetic bar is an efficient instance of the current flourishing of eating and ingesting venues on Little Malop Avenue, a slender laneway within the coronary heart of Geelong’s CBD.
“It doesn’t matter what you need to eat or drink, there’s one thing for everybody right here,” says Damien Kos-Beckwith, supervisor of The 18th Modification, and he is proper – there’s a formidable array of choices alongside the strip. See the18thamendmentbar.com.au
STAY SOBER WITH RAMEN
My intention is to have a progressive dinner, so it is time for an entree at Sober Ramen. This compact restaurant fusing Japanese and different Asian cuisines is a plainly adorned area with naked concrete partitions, slate tiles and timber tabletops.
Regardless of the straightforward décor it has a heat and pleasant vibe, stuffed with early diners on this Friday night. I strive a couple of dishes from the starters facet of the menu, which incorporates such delights as steamed greens with sesame miso dressing, spicy calamari, and fried oyster mushrooms. I believe the spicy calamari would match nicely with the venue’s number of sake. See fb.com/soberramen
ARTY LATIN AMERICAN DINING
Cease quantity three is Alma. As usually appears to be the case in Geelong, it is a restaurant serving a up to date model of a regional delicacies – on this case South American – with out the chef hailing from that space. That is an asset, in keeping with proprietor Jesse Hughes, permitting “conventional flavours with trendy methods.”
It is good meals. Regionally-sourced beef is a characteristic of the menu, however a seafood spotlight is the barramundi with moqueca sauce; and the vegetarian possibility of roast cabbage with chilli and chickpea is equally interesting.
The décor right here is smooth and darkish, with a touch of aquamarine to brighten the partitions, and the doorway is dominated by an intriguing portray of a face with dripping paint streaks. See almarestaurant.com.au
DRINKING LOCALLY
Geelong Cellar Door. Picture: Tourism Higher Geelong & The Bellarine
The finale to the night is a nightcap at Geelong Cellar Door. This place payments itself as “a really native wine bar”, and its cabinets are stacked with bottles from wine areas surrounding Geelong. I discover there’s snug seating close to a hearth within the again too, which is simply my pace.
The meals menu is dominated by cheese and charcuterie platters, together with a vegan variant. That is the proper place to finish my evening, having fun with a glass of shiraz from Heroes Winery, and never simply due to the atmospheric décor with its excessive ceilings, tiled bar, snug cubicles and wooden hearth. The place is buzzing with excessive spirits, stuffed with teams of pals having fun with wine and good meals. What’s to not like? See geelongcellardoor.com.au
THE DETAILS
FLY OR RIDE
Jetstar flies to Avalon Airport, close to Geelong (jetstar.com); alternatively, Geelong is one hour by prepare from Melbourne (ptv.vic.gov.au), or simply over an hour by ferry (portphillipferries.com.au).
STAY
Quest Geelong presents snug flats in a central location from $177 an evening. See questapartments.com.au
MORE
Tim Richards was hosted by Tourism Higher Geelong & The Bellarine.
