Good luck finding a restaurant more breathtaking than Strato.
Located on the 40th floor of the Oakwood Premier Melbourne Hotel, Strato features 7 metre-high windows and wrap-around views that are completely stunning no matter where you’re seated.
Trust us, no matter how hot your date is, you’ll spend the entire evening gazing out upon the city, watching the city lights reflected off the Yarra, the ant-sized cars zoom along the highway and the famous Crown fire cannons igniting on the hour.
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Glamour abounds from the moment you walk through the Himalayan salt-brick-lined entrance on the floor until you reach your table. The team behind Strato understands that a location as special as this deserves the best of the best and that extends to the menu as well as the hospitality.
In the spirit of the evening, the only appropriate choice for eats is the newly-introduced Feed Me menu, featuring an expansive selection of the chef’s top dishes and matching wines. Prepare to be thoroughly taken care of, because the kitchen does not hold back, tackling steakhouse classics with signature Melbourne flair.
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To kick off the proceedings, they’ve got to oysters unlike any oysters you’ve had before. The chilli soy caramel dressing brings out the briny flavour and silky texture of the oyster, a bold choice compared to the typical sour mignonette or citrus.
The bread and butter is pillowy-soft and sweet and the Waygu beef carpaccio is creamy and tender, especially delicious when hit with some of the extra-flaky salt in the dish on the table.
Strato’s culinary team knows its way around a piece of meat. Cooked to juicy perfection, both the duck and the lamb were matched with root vegetable purees and delicious pan drippings.
That pickled prune served with the duck – we want more! Along with crispy french fries and lemon-oil broccolini (another fave), the main course is more than generous.
The desserts are another stand-out, highly Instagrammable and moreish, especially the Yuzu Honey Ginger Semifreddo. Tangy, light and sweet with a sour jammy centre, it’s a dish I can’t get out of my mind.
The three wines – bubbles, a red and a moscato – give a nice overview of their selection, but if you really want to treat yourself, pick a bottle, down a few cocktails or sample a whisky from the expansive cellar.
Although one may be tempted to relegate a place like Strato to the realm of date nights, business dinners and out-of-town visitors, once you’ve been, you’ll want to return time and time again to see that view from all different angles.
Plus, what’s wrong with getting a little fancy for no reason at all? You deserve it!
If you’re holidaying in Melbourne and considering visiting one of those sky-high observation decks, save your cash and head to Strato, where you’ll get the view with drinks and snacks for the same price. It doesn’t get much better than that.
For more on Strato and to book a table, head here.
