Melbourne pre-theatre dining just got a new star with the opening of Bossley Bar and Restaurant Melbourne. Located in the heart of the Melbourne east end theatre precinct, the new venue means pre theatre dining in Melbourne has never looked better. Head to Bossley for a pre theatre, post theatre or after-work drink and enjoy the drool-worthy menu, moody interior design, and locally sourced top-tier produce.
Bossley Bar and Restaurant Melbourne is on the ground floor of the new Rydges Melbourne Hotel. Here’s my review on the hotel.
Bossley Bar and Restaurant Melbourne
Bossley’s menu curated by award-winning Executive Chef Paul Griffiths and his team, showcases Victorian food and wine, with around 80 per cent of the seasonally changing menu sourced locally. Ingredients are sourced from Victorian suppliers located in regions such as Port Phillip Bay, Diamond Valley, the Yarra Valley, Lockwood, and Gippsland.
Local menu standouts include Line caught fish species from Port Phillip Bay, such as Port Phillip Bay snapper, premium 28-day aged rib eye beef from the Gippsland region in the beef tartare, and House Made Burrata made with cream from local dairies.
EVT Director of Culinary Adam Petta said, “With Bossley, we have taken inspiration from Melbourne’s eclectic culture and modernised it to match the experience that diners are looking for today.”
What else will you want to try on the Bossley menu?
The menu includes expertly grilled Abrolhos octopus, local handmade burrata, and the most delicious free-range lamb shin croquettes. Lockwood Hazeldene’s roasted half chicken infused with black garlic and macadamia pangritata (flavoured breadcrumbs) is just as moist and juicy as you would hope.
Don’t miss the fries! Simple things done exceptionally well always shoot a restaurant to the top of my must-return list. Bossley’s fries are pillowy soft inside with a crisp exterior that almost cracks in your mouth. They are up there amongst the best I have tasted, and no wonder because Chef Paul puts these hand-cut beauties through three stages of cooking with stints in the freezer in between. There’s a secret ingredient as well, but I have promised not to tell.
All the desserts are not skippable, but the must-try is a taste of Bossley’s signature Snickers-inspired dessert. It’s a confab of salted caramel, milk chocolate and peanuts that will leave you feeling like a happy little kid.
Each dish can be paired alongside the extensive wine and cocktail list.
Pre theatre Melbourne dining experience
Bossley promises a 60-minute dining experience that will make sure you don’t miss a minute of the show. It’s a sharing experience with a hand-picked selection of the chef’s favourite dishes for bookings between 5.30 and 6 pm. There needs to be at least two of you, and the pre theatre experience includes a beverage.
Where is Bossley?
Bossley Bar and Restaurant Melbourne sits adjacent to Rydges Melbourne, which has re-opened following an extensive transformation to offer guests a refreshingly local experience in the heart of Melbourne’s theatre district.
It’s ideally located for pre theatre dining in Melbourne, with the city’s best theatre experiences all within a short stroll. Head back to Bossley after the show for post theatre beverage or bite to eat.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK dined as a guest of Bossley.
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