Melbourne’s love affair with hidden bars, lane ways and restaurants doesn’t seem to end and in saying so, the journey to Thomas Olive certainly lives up to this standard. Thomas Olive is located above Saint Crispin and accessed through a narrow flight of stairs at the back of the retaurant and long corridor afterwards.
Upon reaching the top, you are greeted by the sounds of Sinatra and Fitzgerald and a dark, elegant interior which evokes the old school charm of a by-gone era. The bar is divided into two sections, with the one containing the bar itself filled with chic white round tables and tiny native florals, and the room adjacent to it sparsely filled with coffee tables and two Chesterfield couches.
The drinks menu is French influenced and consists of an excellent range of cocktails. The bar also features a selection of menu items taken from Saint Crispin, a few sharing plates and three mains. The appropriately named Snap, crackle and pop is easily a standout. This is essentially fried pork skin reminiscent of a prawn cracker that has been dusted in tangy sumac seasoning. The creamy Smoked eel croquettes and French onion soup were also delicious.
Definitely a hidden gem worth visiting.
Smoked eel croquettes
Snap, Crackle and Pop
French Onion Soup
Thomas Olive
No.300 Smith Street, Upstairs
Collingwood, Victoria 3066
http://www.saintcrispin.com.au/bar-events/thomas-olive/
