I'm looking for recommendations for a restaurant to celebrate r a birthday dinner in Melbourne next month. We are pretty electic in our food tastes. Price would be up to 250 AUD for 2 with wine. Thanks!

ack -- that should be MELBOURNE.

Vue de Monde at level 55 in Rialto tower ?...

Thanks, satiric! It looks good -- no prices on the menu.

How far in advance do reservations need to be made in Melbourne?

Cumulus and Flower Drum are also both excellent.

I would think vue de monde would be 250 per person maybe even without wine, it's a top restaurant and they don't come cheap

Thank you!
Vue de Monde is booked the entire week in Feb that we are in Melbourne. They are booked the entire month of Feb.

What about Cumulus?

https://cumulusinc.com.au/menu/

As you've discovered - you need to book ahead for good restaurants here.

I sent Cumulus an email as I couldn't find a booking on their webpage.

Should I be looking now if I want to book Sydney in mid March?

Yes, if you want to go to Quay.

And check that a walloping great boat won't be obstructing your view.

If there are other places that you really want to go to & know your dates, you may as well book. You can always cancel a few days ahead, if you change your mind.


Download the schedule on this link to check the OPT ( Oversess passenger terminal @ Circulsr Quay) for your dates.

http://www.sydneyports.com.au/port_o...ruise_schedule

Cumulus doesn't take bookings for <7 for dinner, according to their website. So, good idea to email them. Tell them it's a special birthday, you're coming from the US, have been recommended to go etc., etc & they will probably make an exception for you.

Quay looks interesting but I'm not sure we will make their dress code! We are taking casual clothes for this trip.

Must have missed that on the Cumulus website.

Smart casual will cut it for Quay, if you're keen to go.

I was there last month in a summer dress & strappy sandals & my companion wore chinos, a linen shirt & loafers.

I didn't see the bookings comment on Cumulus at first either. When there weren't any booking contact numbers/ website, I guessed they mustn't take bookings, or only for large groups.

This has become a practice amongst some of the popular / trendy restaurants. ( annoyingly to those of us who loathe lining up for restaurants)

Here's the clause in their website "CUMULUS INC. now accepts reservations for up to 14 guests for lunch, Monday to Friday. For lunch at the weekend and dinner 7 days a week, reservations are taken for groups of 7-14 guests. Smaller parties are welcomed on a walk in basis. Group reservations are taken for breakfast Monday to Friday."

I hate when places don't take reservations. I don't want to spend my time waiting in line. More & more DC restaurants are starting that too.

I read that on the Cumulus website and couldn't figure out what they did for groups under 7. Would have been nice if they just said, we dont take reservations from parties less than 7. I'll see what they say when they respond to my email. Their auto response said,"If your enquiry is relating to a potential reservation for this evening or tomorrow, please phone 03 9645 1445 and press 2 to speak
directly with our restaurant team." Again, to me that implies they take reservations for any size. Maybe I'm going to have a language barrier in Australia!

No luck with Cumulus. They suggested their wine bar. Menu looks interesting. Anyone know anything about the Wine Bar?

Ezard Hotel is the best hotel for Birthday dinner in Melourne.