Your Key To Gastronomic Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the great foodie cities in the world and is renowned for its contemporary culinary arts scene. The restaurant scene has an incredible variety of options encompassing food trucks, bakeries, cafes, public markets, bars and fine dining restaurants.

Here are a few of my favourite gastronomic experiences in Melbourne:

  • Lune Croissanterie  The New York Times suggests  the croissants on offer here are so good it’s worth the flight from New York to Melbourne just to enjoy one!
  • Rubira’s @ Swallows offers the freshest and best variety of seafood in Melbourne.  Rubira’s is housed in an historic pub and is run by John Rubira, a 30 year veteran of the seafood business.  His restaurant is not only a culinary adventure into Australian seafood but it offers an historic Port Melbourne adventure too.
  • The acclaimed St Crispin, a modern Australian restaurant leading the way in culinary adventure.  Situated on Smith Street in the trendy Collingwood restaurant area, St Crispin offers beautiful food, wine and service with an Australian flair.
  • Donovans run by Gail and Kevin Donovan for 20 years.  This beach side restaurant has a diverse menu served in a charming and comfortable dining room, with probably the best view of the beach in St Kilda.  This is fine dining and hospitality at its best and it’s one of my absolute favourites.
  • The Point, recently renovated and situated on the lake at Albert Park.   The restaurant delivers some of the best fine dining in Melbourne and has one of the most artistic chefs in Melbourne, Andy Harmer.  The view is amazing – both the city and the lake – along with the wine cabinet in the dining room which houses a million dollars’ worth of wine.
  • Ezard at Lenvantine Hill is located in the Yarra Valley wine region.  An interesting concept where the food is created to match the wine.  Boasting that any of their new world wines can go head to head with some of the best of the old world.  Put them to the test and enjoy a contemporary dining experience in on of the states most beautiful locations.
  • Ezard by chef/owner Teague Ezard has been the standard for modern Australian culinary adventures for almost 20 years serving modern Australian cuisine with a slight Asian fusion.
  • Vue de monde by chef/owner Shannon Bennett is at the height of the Melbourne culinary scene, located next to the InterContinental on the 55th floor of the towers.  Vue de monde is not only one of the finest Australian culinary experiences but a theatrical one too with service reminiscent of the old silver service days where waiters and chefs prepare and finish dishes at your table.

One of the great things about being a concierge is the relationships that we build with these restaurants.  Guests who stay with me not only get to benefit from my many years of experience with the restaurant scene in Melbourne but also benefit from the wonderful relationships that I build with these restaurants.  Concierges are often able to get the best tables at times when restaurants are fully booked.  We can even pull off a miracle or two on occasion!

I hope you will join me at the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto so that I can assist you to enjoy the culinary scene in Melbourne.  It is simply delicious!

Published February 2018

Meet the Author
James Ridenour, Chief Concierge InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto

Concierge, Traveller, Photographer, Melbourne Enthusiast.

James began his hotel career working for some of Canada’s finest hotels including the prestigious Hotel Vancouver, now part of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and the Sutton Place Hotels in Vancouver and Toronto.

After moving to Australia James accepted the role of Chief Concierge of The Hotel Windsor.  In 2008 he was asked to open the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto as Chief Concierge.

In 2008 James became a member of Les Clefs d’Or and in 2010 I was elected to the role of Victoria State Director for Les Clefs d’Or Australia and progressed to the role of National Secretary in 2011.

In 2013 he was invited to join the InterContinental Concierge Advisory Board. The board is a group of InterContinental concierge leaders who assist the global brand team with the concierge program for InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.

In 2014 James was elected to the Executive Committee of Les Clefs d’Or International as the Assistant General Secretary and in 2015 was elected as General Secretary of the association. He continue to serve in this role today.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto – Heritage and Style in the Centre of Melbourne Hotel

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto is geared to giving you memorable and authentic local experiences. This stunning 253-room luxury Melbourne accommodation features a Venetian Gothic façade while the modern interior translates the building into the 21st century. Located on Collins Street in the heart of the CBD, Melbourne accommodation at InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto offers best-in-class facilities. Beyond the hotel, explore the vibrant Southbank, Docklands or the Yarra River.

If you would like to experience Melbourne with James as your concierge please use the following link to check availability and rates.

Contact the hotel directly: 495 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC ,3000, Australia

melbourne.intercontinental.com

+61-3-8627-1400

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