Cabinet

The Look: Illuminated by down-lights and candles, Cabinet is a drinking and dining corridor featuring de rigueur flocked wallpaper, brocade cushions and an antique dining setting.
To drink: a chalkboard list dominated by local and imported vintages. Try the Caves de Beblenheim Gewurztraminer from Alsace at $11.50 per glass.
To eat: Again look to the blackboard for a menu of modest quasi-retro classics such as Chicken Kiev with cauliflower cheese ($23) or lamb shank with garlic mash ($26). There’s also a tidy selection of small plates for between meal grazing.
The soundtrack: jazzy with R’nB leanings.
The crowd: be-suited city slickers, thanks to the bar’s proximity to Little Collins Street, and clusters of gal pals keen on a post-work catch up.
Best for: Personable staff and a very discreet location make Cabinet a good place for deal-making, debriefing and networking – not entirely surprising given the owners’ background in PR.

By Marinella Padula

Address: 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne
Phone: 9654 0915
Open: Monday - Saturday