MELBOURNE | The Albert Park Hotel was purchased by Colonial Leisure Group (Lucky Coq, Half Moon, The Portsea Hotel) a few years ago. The heritage listed Victorian era pub was extensively renovated, while maintaining its heritage elements, and now, after several lockdown related delays, it’s open.
I was recently invited in to check out the revamped space, and it’s beautiful. A four storey atrium opens up the space, bathing the entire venue with natural sunlight. The original brickwork remains, complimented by leather lounges, teal carpet, and plentiful greenery. A live native fig tree fits nicely in the centre of it all.
The main bar is the most ‘pub’ like space in the venue. There’s a plush cocktail bar upstairs, and to the left, you’ll find Happy Valley Chinese restaurant. The name is a nod to the famous racecourse in Hong Kong, and indicates what the food offering at the Albert Park Hotel is all about. Contemporary Cantonese cuisine inspired by Hong Kong, using the best quality local produce.
I enjoyed the banquet, which gives diners a good taste of what the menu is all about. It’s dishes like salt and pepper calamari with curry leaf, coconut, and chilli, and raw salmon with house made chilli oil, sesame dressing, and prawn crackers to start. There’s a steamed dim sum selection, and large dishes like char sui pork, wagyu beef and kampot pepper beef, and roast duck with plum sauce. For dessert, it’s impressive takes on the classics, like charcoal chocolate lava bao filled with salted egg yolk custard.
The drinks menu features classic cocktails, and signature creations which also take their inspiration from the flavours of Hong Kong. Think five-spice Old Fashioned, and sesame oil negroni. The St Vincent’s Garden – chrysanthemum infused Tanqueray, dried fig, and lemon, is delicious.
The Albert Park Hotel
85 Dundas Place
Albert Park
Victoria 3206
Australia
Telephone: (03) 8644 4095
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Sun – Wed: 12:00pm to 12:00am
Thu – Sat: 12:00pm to 1:00am