Emirates has officially launched the latest in a series of Left Bank bars right here in Melbourne following in the illustrious footsteps of exotic locales such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman. Welcome to the best, mellow Bellini cocktail I’ve ever had pass by my lips (I guess the secret must be using white peaches rather than yellow).

Matching that sunny peach hue is an epic communal drinking and dining table and the bar itself constructed from illuminated golden onyx stone (this is not a place for laminate). When the sun is long gone the room is seductively lit, not dimly so, by modern electric candle chandeliers and pleated white light fixtures that resemble petticoats. I comfortably perched myself alone at the aforementioned onyx table to settle into a sampling of both bar and cocktail menus.

The signature cocktail list, as designed by mixologist (doesn’t it sound like you need degree to be one of those?) Chris Hoy looked tempting. First up was a Basil Grande. I was expecting a herbaceous mouthful but the basil was a subtle undertone for the starring berry ingredients. Strawberry, cranberry and raspberry in the form of Chambord combined to make for a liquid jam like concoction sans the cloying sweetness or (which is fab as I usually prefer my drinks to fall on the savoury side of my taste buds). The following Key Lime Pie Martini was all lime – no pie – to me but I really enjoyed the zippy punch of acidic citrus. Does anyone else find it a task to find a great Espresso Martini? I missed out on sampling the Left Bank’s version this time but will be going  back asap to taste test. With their inclusion of vanilla liqueur, vodka and coffee-infused tequila I’m sure I’ll end up happy no matter what.

With thirst taken care of it was time to satiate the hunger. Head Chef Dean Hodgkinson’s fresh take on the classic prawn cocktail with Rose Marie sorbet went down all too easily. Give me a platter of these and a tray of those Bellinis and you have your entire Spring Carnival party ready made). It was a minor shame that the goat cheese cigars had softened by the time they made it to around me however I was still happy to help finish the last one. Dunked in an unusual (yet clever) pairing of black olive and raspberry caramel – the creamy cheese and salty olive is a deadly please-sir-can-we-have-some-more combination.

This promising new venue can be visited at 1 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank. It’s an easy totter in heels over the bridge from Flinders Street station.

Wise words by Sarah Willcocks

Super snaps by Anthony Licuria APL Photography