We commenced the day at galleries. The first, at the end of Swanston Street, is the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. We had time to look through two free exhibitions, Mary and Max and Story of Films, Television and Digital Images. Not enough time. We will have to come back. The second gallery was the Victorian Gallery of Art. We crossed the Yarra to get there. As time was short we obtained a list of the current exhibitions for another return visit. There is some nice stuff to see here.
Our appointment for the afternoon was at Beaconsfield Upper to see the oldest preserved 60hp N type Dennis in Australia. This appliance was ordered by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade and left the factory on 5 June 1914. The MMFB ordered it without a body preferring to build their own. That body no longer exists. Unfortunately the original engine has been replaced sometime during its life which makes the machine less representative. It does however retain the big pump will look good once restored.
We returned to town in preparation for dinner with Brendan Pentony. After meeting Brendan at the Windsor Hotel and having an obligatory drink at the Cricketers' Bar, we set out for a special place for dinner. Brendan led us to the Italian Waiters' Restaurant upstairs at 20 Meyers Place, between Bourke and Little Collins Streets. Comments about this place I researched si8nce read: "Terrific service and very special prices", "For around an average of $15 for a pasta you get a simple yet generous serving", "Good, fast service".
What a place! Brendan and I ordered a beer and Adrienne a red wine. Adrienne's wine came in a tumbler, full to the brim. Then came the time to order dinner. The menu did not include a price for any item. This allowed the choice to be about what we wanted to eat, without concern for the cost. The menu was genuine Italian, so no real concerns about expensive dishes. We ordered a bottle of red wine with the meal, and in quick time a bottle arrived. It was quite a classy bottle, but we were not offered a choice! The table next to us also ordered a bottle of red, and theirs was different. It seems there is a selection of house quality wines, and just like at home, you get what they have.
The food was terrific and the price surprisingly low. I recommend this place if you have the opportunity while in Melbourne.
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