Down the bottom end of the city, sure, Collins Square feels a little cold, but we’re told it has great things in the pipeline.
The Walker – Evans – Baker Restaurant Group is taking matters into its own hands and has started with Bar Nacional.
Lang Walker (property development), Pete Evans (celebrity chef, author) and Gavin Baker (Little Hunter, ex The Fat Duck) have hand picked some top-notch players in the hospitality scene to play out their ideas for this one.
Taking inspiration from San Sebastian and Spanish food culture as a whole, Bar Nacional – with head chef Alex Drobysz – is serving up tapas and share style dishes. No surprises there.
With approximately 80 seats, the interior straddles the lines between a bar vibe and a restaurant vibe. Perfect for the mix of the two that occurs in your after-work hours.
The menu opens with charcuteria of Jamon Bellota Puro, aged over 36 months. Tapas and raciones round out the offering with highlights from the charred Brussels sprout croquettes and the smoked salt cod, quail egg, confit potato, olives and sherry vinegar.
The wine list plays in the Australian and Spanish varietals. Drops include the 2012 Some Young Punks Riesling from the Clare Valley and the 2010 Asenjo & Manso Ceres Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero in Spain.
Head to the fringe of the city and bask in some Spanish – Basque goodness.
Bar Nacional
727 Collins St
Docklands VIC 3008
(03) 9252 7999
Monday-Friday
8am-9pm
