Stalactites Melbourne
In my line of work, one of the many things you can definitely expect includes last minute interstate trips to cover pretty spectacular events. I love the ambiguity that comes with it… rushing off to destinations far and wide to write all about people and how they get creative.
One of the downsides is pretty common to most busy career folk… getting so busy that you forget to eat. Yes. Me. Forgetting to eat. It happens ok?!
So it was stupid o’clock in Melbourne and while sitting front row, to the left of the runway, it happened. My stomach viciously reminded me that the last time I had filled it was precisely 7 hours ago. She yelled at me… and swore at me, making me promise that I’d tend to her needs as soon as the show was through.
Always one to keep my promises, I arranged to catch up with Melbourne local, the lovely Lady Matchstick (also known to me as Rachel) who scooped me up and took me to a late night Greek eatery. The place is called Stalactites and it’s on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell.
Because of the time we got there, I felt like I needed to hurry up and get my order in before the kitchen closed – but Rachel kindly advised me not to rush, because this place is open 24 hours.
It was as though the skies opened, and the gracious lights of heaven shone brightly over the counter tops, while the angels sang and danced in joyous harmony… right, slight exaggeration, but nobody knows what this means to me, a night owl. Think about it – open every single hour of the day, and it’s not a fast food outlet. My dear American readers probably don’t have any idea why I am so excited about this. Well let me clear a few things up – I am from Sydney, where most kitchens close at 9pm, fashion retailers at 5pm, and most grocers at the latest, midnight. So if you’re working late, have fun finding anything open that’s not a dirty kebab or burger joint. Having lived and worked through a few American winters, no other Australian knows the value of 24 hour service more than me.
When we sat down, we decided we’d order a vegetarian share platter and meat platter, with a side of deliciously comforting pita bread. When the food hit the table, we knew that there was no way we could finish it – but we had a good time trying. The vegetarian platter was a standout, particularly the wonderfully flakey spanakopita. The pita and the dips were just as good – flat breads, with olives, feta and dips are the way to my heart.
This place has officially become my late night Melbourne meal hook up.
…and I don’t give a shit if it’s 3am and I’m eating carbs.
