LOCATIONMelbourne Inner City
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThe older sibling to its Southbank namesake, Eureka, the Belgian Beer Cafe Bluestone has been a popular stop for quite some time. Located in the grounds of Vision Australia, formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, the leafy green beer garden shaded by elm trees is thought to one of Australia’s largest. Live music is offered on Sunday afternoons along with an extensive barbecue menu; a favourite during the summer months.
Belgium, a city rich in culture, draws its culinary influences from its French and Flemish origins. Renowned for its exceptional beer, plenty of which is on offer here, Belgium is also famed for its mussels. A signature dish at BBC Bluestone is the mussel pots: large pots of mussels steamed in a variety of ways and served with frites and creamy mayonnaise. A beer food and a la carte menu is offered, both designed to complement the range of Belgian beers available, or choose instead the barbecue option. Weather permitting, the barbecue offers European-influenced foods designed to eat with your hands. Feast on a selection of Euro dogs, served with caramelised onion, including bratwurst pork or chicken and rosemary sausage. From the rotisserie try the fried calamari and frites perhaps, or the grill offering of grilled salmon salad. Finish with some chilled watermelon or the chocolate mousse pots.
Veda Wickens, February 2007
