A wander through the lanes...an oasis in the sky!

In a previous post, I have all too briefly mentioned the many bars that line the maze-like network of Melbourne's lanes but I know "our lanes" require a more detailed examination.  Melbourne lanes have become the focus for casual, alfresco cafe dining in the CBD and have become such a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, that the many cafes, bars and tiny boutiques now feature on tourist maps and in "Where to Eat and Drink" guides.  Degraves Street running between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane is one of the more popular and now even has its own business directory!

But what appeals to me most, and increasingly to more and more tourists, is the more 'grass roots', even seemier nature of our lanes.  Street art has taken over a number of less well frequented and known lane ways...and Melbourne loves it.  These smaller (and often smellier) lanes have fast become a 'must see' for our international backpacker brigade and are even promoted by the City of Melbourne in its What's On website. Well, there goes the street cred!

None-the-less, the street art lanes are a fascinating and rewarding glimpse of Melbourne and the art work is at the very least skillful and well worth a visit.

One aspect of the street art that I particularly like is the emergence of what I like to call, Wallposter Art...pre-prepared installations that are often very two dimensional and are usually designed to provoke an idea or concept in the viewer.  I am still looking for the creator of this wonderful piece to take them up on the offer. 

As with any day of adventure and exploration in the sun, one must eventually seek a shady spot to recharge the batteries. Looking to the sky for inspiration (and to see where in the city I was in relation to my favourite drinking holes), I found the perfect location...the roof top bar of the Carlton Hotel.  While not a spot I frequent often, it is perfect for a hot summers day and an unusually novel oasis in an often frantic city.

Given my surrounds, the shady spot provided by the roof top trees and the warm scent of jasmine in the air, I decided to start the evening with an old standard...a Negroni. I have just rediscovered the Negroni after many years of neglect.  Made this time in an old fashion tumbler with one part gin, one part Vermouth rosso and one part Campari, poured over ice and garnished with a sliver of orange peel, I feel that I am not only floating high above the city but truly in aperitif heaven!

Mi Casa....tu Casablanca

You know, despite all of the negative things I have heard about Casablanca, I actually like it.  Yes it has the problems of any huge city; traffic, fumes and the general chaos of business, but a long stroll around town reveals a very chic Art Deco glory to it.  I certainly managed to track down a couple of interestingly smoky salons and some noble beachfront views of the Corniche.  Mind you, I fit in pretty well with faded glory.  Despite the Spanish influence in the title of this entry, Casablanca abounds with its French colonial past and it is this heritage that leads me to this evening's tipple....Dubonnet Rouge, a red-wine based aperitif flavored with spices and hints of quinine.