Double up

Recently I discovered the secret to week night dining simplicity is just to ‘double up’. Coupled with great Italian food and an outdoor continental atmosphere my group of friends’ desire was to have a meal and drink afterward without going overboard and walking more than one block in case it rains.

The Mess Hall, despite its name, dishes up more than military slops – in fact quite the opposite. Now normally locals would recommend Lygon for Italian grub yet having coffee(ed) at Mess Hall I thought the dinner menu deserved a guernsey. And we weren’t disappointed. My friend and I chose to share two pizzas – quattro formaggi and prosciutto with rocket. My other friends chose the slow cooked pork shoulder which evoked some food envy. But the Arancini (deep fried cheese balls – four of my favourite words) were to die for! The Mess Hall is cantina style serenity and has an excellent European varietals wine list, partial to reds: we were charmed. If you wander past a crowded Mess Hall, be not deterred, there’s another dining room upstairs – as is the Melbourne way.

Verdict: Love

But where’s the second in this dual affair? Our night cap was at Siglo, the little known rooftop courtyard bar above the Supper Club. Settling on four comfy patio chairs, overlooking the gardenia laid planter boxes, we ordered espresso martinis to further indulge and give a personal high five to our city. As the smallest droplets of rain fell upon us we retired to the grown up tables under the awning encircled with the air of cigars and the chatter of people with nothing to complain about. At this moment we realised how much we love.

Verdict: Love

Two ambient Melbourne spaces filled four hungry hearts on a humble Wednesday eve.

The Mess Hall is on Bourke Street, then amble up towards Parliament and take a left onto Spring to get to the Supper Club and upstairs to Siglo.

Happy hour

Melbourne CBD is not short of watering holes for Friday night knock off drinks, however some seem to provide more cheap drink options in a bar slash pub atmosphere than others. Wanting to avoid standing side-by-side with suits? Or somewhere the tourists don't flock to? Whilst it's no secret by any means, Society gets my vote. There's an outdoor smoking verandah slash alleyway (for all those rich people who can still afford a darb), multi level interior set up with side rooms (clad with arty wall paper) and bars that don't take forever for service. And the return of the dry bar - best solution for minimal space in standing rooms for those who need both hands to talk and somewhere to plonk the beer down.

Verdict: Love

Also try The Carlton Hotel (Bourke St), Workshop (A'Beckett St) and 3 Below (Swanston St)