The Cliveden Bar & Dining

The Cliveden Bar & Dining (phonetically pronounced ‘Cleev-den’) officially opened its doors in late August, offering a “new way to buffet” across an impressive 1000-square metre space that overlooks the Fitzroy Gardens, adjacent to the MCG. Post-footy cheese platter, Melbourne fans?

The name is a head-nod to The Cliveden Mansion, built on a large plot of land in East Melbourne, which was the hub of Melbourne’s elite social scene in the 1880s. In the 1980s and 90s — after the mansion had been converted into a Hilton Hotel —The Cliveden Room restaurant boasted famous clientele, such as Barry Humphries, Bert Newton and Jeff Kennett. This will be the third ‘Cliveden’ instalment, and dare I say — with barely any knowledge of the previous two — the best one yet.

Executive chef John Ross has curated five unique buffet menus for the The Cliveden Dining to create an evolving all-day experience of the classic buffet, influenced by European and Mediterranean cuisines. Also featured is a Pop-Up Carvery, fresh seafood and weekend brunch(!) with pancakes, honey-baked ham and an egg station(!!). This is all in addition to afternoon share plates, charcuterie and cheese offerings, and high tea, which will be coming this month.

The Cliveden Bar showcases wines and beers from France, Spain, and Lebanon, backed by brews and vinos from local producers in the Yarra Valley, Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. A bespoke spirits range is in development, whilst the current headline cocktail, the Bloody Aussie Negroni, is made purely with Australian spirits – Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, Maidenii Sweet Vermouth, and Red Økar Amaro. Oyster shucking is available on selected days, and if you’re lucky, the chefs might tell you how they like theirs. Wink.

The new and improved Cliveden Bar and Dining is part of the $6m makeover of Pullman Melbourne on the Park. Rotherlowman, the Melbourne interior design and architecture firm responsible for the revamp, has given the bar a moody colour scheme and provided constrast in the dining room’s fresh and light palette. Salvaged and reused original woodvarvings and stained glass from the historical mansion, along with a double-sided fireplace, add to the ambience of the space whilst maintaining a connection to The Cliveden’s history.

I’m normally an Airbnb girl, but the wonderfully extensive offerings at The Cliveden Bar & Dining have me looking for an occasion to spend a night or two at the Pullman, just so I can spend most (okay, okay, all) of my time at The Cliveden.

Cliveden Bar & Dining 
193 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Open everyday, Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 12am, Saturday and Sunday, 7pm to 12am
theclivedenbaranddining.com.au