We caught up with our better halves as we went up to the rooftop bar at the State of Grace venue. Really nice rooftop with plenty of atmosphere on a Friday night and some seriously baking warm heating. The whole place a really eclectic deck out with lots of greenery and a super sleek bar area too. The ladies had pizza before we arrived and enjoyed while we enjoyed a variety of quality spirits and generous pours of vino.
We’ve dined downstairs previously and ventured into the hidden speakeasy one before also.
Alisha (LifeUnleashed)
+5
An afternoon to remember! I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone.
We recently visited State of Grace (located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD) for their G & High Tea. I only heard about this for the first time last month, and I can now safely say – whoever thought of this combination is an absolute genius. Easily the best idea since the Malteser-Popcorn combo was created.
For two hours, you will enjoy delicious combinations of Gin and delicious plates of food. The best part about it is that the Gin is served in elegant tea pots, so you feel classy whilst enjoying the drinks…
You are able to choose from the selections of Infused Gins and pair it with mixers.
The infused gins included Marmalade, Peppercorn & Coriander, Chamomile, Strawberry & Basil and ofcourse the Classic Gin. The choice of mixers included Capi Tonic, Sparkling Grapefruit, Gingerbeer, Bitter Lemon and Spiced Apple. Let’s just say – a G&T has never tasted so seriously good!
This is absolutely perfect for anyone who appreciates gin, a sneaky drink, high tea or anything deliciously different! It really was an afternoon none of us will forget. Everything was perfect, but completely unexpected. The whole experience was such a different take on what you’d generally expect at a lunch or high tea.
This is just a short walk from Southern Cross Station – perfect when driving isn’t an option!
The interior is luxurious and boasts class.
The staff are wonderful!
$ - The best part about all of this.. is the price. It is such incredible value. For just $55 per person, every Saturday from 12pm.
Afternoon treats include:
Warm Bellinis, were the first plate that was served. It just sings ‘classy tea party’. With Yarra Valley caviar, crème fraiche, cucumber ketchup, lemon evoo, lime curd, red pepper and juniper jam … it is the starter to get you started.
Next we were served the old school cucumber sandwiches. They were filled with herb cream and dill. The loved tea classic but done better…
Next was the showstopper and a mutual favourite by the entire table. The FRENCH ONION SOUP TOASTIES with thyme & lemon myrtle. Our only complaint here was that there was not enough.. actually there could never be enough, because they were THAT good. The best toastie, any of us have ever had.
Next up, the mini donuts filled with gin & orange curd, rosemary & thyme sugar. These were light and fluffy with delicate flavours from the curd.
Finally, the last plate - Gin & juice sorbet pops, white chocolate, rosemary bitters. INCREDIBLE! Such a delicious creation.
I genuinely cannot give this experience enough praise. They may need to create a loyalty card because if I had my way, I would be there every Saturday!
The Complete Experience
Perfect for Friends
Incredible Value for Money
Stunning and Thoughtful Interior
Delicious Plates
Best Toasties I have Ever Had
I took my interstate colleagues to the rooftop for lunch yesterday and everything was great. It was quite busy and the food took a while but when it came it was great. The staff never failed to check in on how we were as they walked by. A special thanks to Tayla who got our food out ASAP and gave my colleagues and I a great laugh and friendly hospitality. We will be coming back in this evening before they fly back to Sydney.
Very delicious cocktails! The place has a great vibe! Love the guy who served us the cocktails, he helped us decide which cocktails we would like! Cute speakeasy bar in Melbourne, definitely gives me New York feels☺️
The hidden bar in the heart of CBD with classy and sophisticated ambiance, and phenomenal drinks. There’s literally huge selection of cocktails to choose from which is crafted to the perfection!
As a bar, State of Grace is a decent option with a lot of areas to park yourself in. There's a spacious ground level, a rooftop, and of course, the lower ground accessible only by pulling the right book on the shelf.
I've been here a few times with an after-work group and have always enjoyed myself.
Haven't tried any of the food so can't comment on that.
How about this place then. The Dear Luncher is unsure if this place has any association with the most excellent Hare and Grace that used to be situated at the bottom of the Rialto.
Doesn't matter though, State and Grace is a multi level bonanza, one of the go-to venues on the West side of the CBD.
The rooftop is superb, showcasing wide spanning views of Melbourne town. Just make sure you take the lift up and not the stairs. It's a long way up for portly types like The Dear Luncher.
So glad that State of Grace has reopened. New venue isn’t in the best location but the fit out adheres to the previous theme. Lots of eclectic old world charm. Food menu is impressive- definitely on the fine dining side. We shared the prawn and prosciutto croquettes for entree. So so tasty! Then for main I went for the barramundi. The fish was nice but I felt that the accompanying tartare like sauce was a little on the sickly side. Didn’t ruin the dish though. Am keen to go back and try more options on the menu.
Personal: 6.4.
I had the:
Barramundi, Classic Pizza, Prosciutto Pizza.
I really enjoyed the barramundi. The pizzas, I didn't enjoy so much.
The place serves drinks downstairs, and has a rooftop bar with more bar-type foods, such as the pizza.
Extremely spacious, a large menu, great vibe - really like the new space they have to offer. One issue we had was that it took ages and ages to make our drinks! But when they came, they were certainly delicious. Will be back soon.
The new home for State of Grace is a beautiful mix of dark and cosy, quirky, and light and spacious. The dining room feels like an old gentlemen’s club.
We visited on a very quiet Sunday evening and enjoyed a leisurely dinner with a lovely waiter. The highlight of the meal for me was the barramundi. The texture of the fish was creamy and the flavour combination of fennel and fried kale was perfect. The steak, gnocchi and chips were also faultless dishes. The beetroot and lentil dish was nice, but was over-salted for my taste. The least-amazing dishes were the desserts. The ‘mousse’ was frozen and definitely needs more cherry. The pina colada looked beautiful but was a bit underwhelming.
Overall a lovely experience. We’ll definitely be back to explore Fall from Grace for a cheeky cocktail.
State of Grace has reopened - ThankGod! I miss this place, secret doors, candlelit venue, comfy couches and great company. This place is an awesome pre drinks, all night drinks, post dinner drinks. You get the point it’s for drinks 😁 but not just any sort, the delicious, well balanced, garnished to perfection cocktail and fine spirits sort. Take a small - medium size group, or your girls, your lover, hell take them all and have a drink for me. Kudos to the team and owners for the reopening and nailing the decor, ambiance and cocktail list (again). Never doubted for a second you’d be back, and back you are 😉 @stateofgracemelbourne x
State Of Grace's original spot closed at the end of 2016, when the premises was demolished to make way for a new tower, and two years later it’s opened in a new location on King Street.
Consider this to be a 4.5 rating.
Booked last minute for a birthday as I was surprised to see State of Grace had reopened (on Kings Street of all places).
Upstairs was quiet (we didn’t end up going downstairs to the bar as we had commitments and we all know how Friday night can get away from you after a few).
Great service, delicious food. We had the Wagyu (M) melt in your mouth, Gnocchi, Parmesan Chips, Green Beans (crunchy) and the Chocolate Mousse. (If we had to be really picky, it would be that the mousse needed to come to room temp before serving.)
All set a good standard. Service was attentive and polite. Restaurant was quiet for a later evening booking with upbeat music.
Same SoG vibe. Looking forward to returning for the food and heading downstairs for a drink very soon.
Friendly and well-dressed bar staff. Impressive bartending skills. Quirky decor inside. Nice chandelier. Nice ambience. Delicious and sweet Diamond and Pearls Cocktail. Good place to chill.
One of the hottest bars in Melbourne at the moment. Get there after 5 and expect a line outside. It's built in and around a beautiful heritage building and the fit out and decor does not disappoint. It's got a few different areas serving drinks and also many levels and areas to hang out in. Can get a bit too busy after work but it's still one of my fav bars at the moment.
Oh the restaurant and the dance floor area downstairs ain't bad either!
State of grace is an eclectic bar with outdoor seating, small booth style seating indoors and then a hidden underground bar (fall from grace) downstairs. Enter through the bookcase and like Alice descend the stairs into a dimly lit bar.
Seating is scant so either perch yourself on a standing narrow table or find one of the limited number of couches if you're in a group and plop yourself down.
Cocktails start from around 20 dollars with a variety of martinis to choose from. Their sparkling wine is delicious.
Food options include chips with aioli, breaded fried chicken and other small sides.
On this occasion my friends and I were invited to an exclusive closing down willy wonka themed party as state of grace finds a new location.
We had lots of candy, a chocolate fountain, marshmallows, strawberries, cake, chocolate with golden tickets and of course willy wonka himself with three oompa loompas.
Waiting in anticipation for its new location.
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Fall from Grace
What a great little hideout. The bar was exquisite and every bar tender was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. Ordered a couple of Pimms - $9 Gin & tonic $9 the cosmos were a bit steep i think at $20.
Also ordered the fat chips and aioli as an entree as we waited for our reservation at State of Grace. It was very cute to get a little book with our order number, I felt like i was at Hogwarts for all you Harry Potter fans!
For a early Friday night i felt that there was not enough seating or places to perch your drink, however the chandelier is beautiful and the atmosphere was great.
Update - State of Grace
Walked in just after 7.30 and was able to book a table for 8.45pm.
I ordered the main of duck. This confit thigh was unfortunately very dry and did not come with enough sauce and i found the duck a little bit rubbery but overall tasted ok. My friend had the gnocchi which tasted delicious and had broccoli in it - this was really yummy. This was washed down with a lovely glass of red wine.
Overall the aesthetics of the room looked and felt granduier, however it was really dark in there and we had trouble reading the menu and seeing our food. But overall a great experience with lovely staff in the restaurant and security certainly not pretentious at all - EK
Great place to catch up with your girlfriends for a much needed girls night out! Great set up with amazing vintage styled decor. Dinner menu is very limited and not much selection for vegetarians!
After dinner is best to wonder down to fall from grace behind the hidden bookcase (door opens by pulling the big large red book). Great bar with creative drinks menu. Music is slow at start but picks up as night goes go... few RnB in the mix.
Overall, a cherished gem in Melbourne making it iconic for interstate travellers to definitely check out!
If the quirky interior doesn’t draw you in, the giraffe taxidermy will certainly make you do a double take! Set in the heart of Melbourne on Collins street, this quaint eatery embodies a relaxed vibe with exposed brick walls, worn timber and relics. An air of chic elegance is apparent, with a nod to the 60’s in true New York and European style. But the fun doesn’t stop there – the winding staircase at the back of the restaurant reveals a secret entrance to Fall From Grace, Melbourne’s favourite hidden bar.
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If the quirky interior doesn’t draw you in, the giraffe taxidermy will certainly make you do a double take! Set in the heart of Melbourne on Collins street, this quaint eatery embodies a relaxed vibe with exposed brick walls, worn timber and relics. An air of chic elegance is apparent, with a nod to the 60’s in true New York and European style. But the fun doesn’t stop there – the winding staircase at the back of the restaurant reveals a secret entrance to Fall From Grace, Melbourne’s favourite hidden bar.
Lunch is served here from 12pm-3pm, with generous deals that won’t break the bank. We ordered the beef burger and the tagliatelle with sardines. The burger patty amounted to succulent perfection, served with a side hot chips. The tagliatelle is ideal if you’re opting for something lighter. Combined with sardines, fluffy ricotta, capers and chilli, the pasta dish was positively delightful! Oh Charles, do pass the caviar! The extensive wine and cocktail list will also enthrall those who enjoy a good drop/alcoholics everywhere. I myself enjoyed a glass of Fickle Mistress Pinot Noir.
State of happy inebriation. The small window fronts at State of Grace hide the cavenous cellar bar, cutely called Fall from Grace, below. Whilst the upstairs spots are the prime locations for being seen in busy Collins St, it's down underneath in the gorgeous chandelier studded surrounds that Melburnians gather in huge numbers at night.
A fab place to bring interstate or overseas guests, l wandered in with a Territorian around 4pm on a Friday afternoon - and wondered who all these people were who start early for the weekend, seemingly regularly. Drink prices are average, service standard but the atmosphere is like a suave speakeasy. Go along if you can get in!
Absolutely love fall from grace (if you can find it). What an awesome concept for a bar. The guys behind the bar were killing it, cocktails were great and a good selection of wine too.
Only downfall was once it hit knock off time you couldn't walk around without pushing through people. A few more seats wouldn't kill either! But all in all loved it here.
A great place to visit on a Saturday night. Enjoyed entering through a secret bookcase. Not enough table space if you want to order food and was hard for staff to find where you are if the place is busy. Favourite cocktail would have to be the state of grace martini, the flavour of salted caramel in a martini is delicious!
Booked in for lunch today at state of grace. Even though the food was lovely, the 45 minute wait for it to arrive dragged down the overall experience. I had the salmon with parsnip chips and purée, was really nice. I really like the interior of this place, very quirky and fun. They have good lunch specials here, but maybe just mention you're on your break so you don't have to wait too long!
Love this place! Great cocktails, fun atmosphere & delicious food... how can you go wrong?! On my most recent visit I opted for the gnocchi. It took around an hour to come out however I was enjoying my martinis and good company so wasn't that bothered. Possibly because the staff continued to let me know they hadn't forgotten about us and explained the cause of the delay. They apologised profusely & comped the table a round of drinks. Even better! 5 star customer service. When our food arrived we were far from disappointed... worth the wait! 😉
Fourth time back for dinner before the theatre and not disappointed. The croquettes are delicious and a must to start with. The duck is always my go to and every time has been spot on and cooked perfectly! Sister had the veg option (which is always the same option at every restaurant- broccolini, ricotta, etc etc) and she has to say state of grace does it very well. Good punchy flavours. Mums steak was overcooked but wouldn't stop us from returning. Espresso martini (traditional) was good, on the slightly sweeter side. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. Unfortunately we didn't have time for dessert but will have to try next time. Overall atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous, warm vibe, excellent music. Can't wait for my next visit.
5 stars for the drinks, service & atmosphere. Food was just ok. Entree croquettes & haloumi were nice, mains (between us we had the chicken/gnocchi/barramundi/duck) were underwhelming & definitely not worth the price tag!
Usually I'm really underwhelmed at most "cocktail" bars as most "cocktail" bar have staff that haven't a f@&King clue how to make a simple whiskey sour. Tonight though I was very impressed spot on guys keep up the great work
Steeped in history, Amaro Montenegro, ‘the liqueur of the virtues’, was created by famous distiller and herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi. With over 100 years of refinement, today’s Montenegro blend is a perfectly balanced mix of over 40 herbs, vanilla and citrus pops of orange peel. The Montenegro brand claims top place as one of Italy’s leading exports thanks to its ability to be enjoyed straight, with soda water and a dash of orange rind, or in complex cocktails. We headed over to Fall from Grace (located down the rabbit hole of the sassy State of Grace on Collins Street) for a bangin’ cocktail party to celebrate the re-launch of Amaro Montenegro in Australia.
One of my favourite ritzy bars in Melbourne, stupidly fancy and decked out, the highlight of which, is definitely Fall From Grace.
The interactive 'reveal' of the cellar bar adds a playful touch to the serious business nature of this venue.
Brought some visiting friends here for some truly tantalising cocktails and a sensory overload. They loved the experience fully.
All the well chosen furnishings, design scheme and layout, encapsulates a high-class social space tailored to fit.
Perfect place to go for after-work drinks. This place has all the cool vibes. Service is a bit slow due to the crowds. Havent yet tried their food but will be going back again for sure.
Awesome place ! A must see and do for anyone in the CBD. A secret hidden bar that can be found upon pulling the right book and the journey downstairs to a hidden cocktail bar is an amazing experience.
The whole dinning experience was fabulous. The decor is super cool. Food was really nicely prepared, flavour was great...i cant fault any single dishes on the night.
The only draw down is the waitress is kinda rude when she pushed us to order when half of the guests are still on their way.
Also when she took away dirty plates. ..she just grabbed them over us...pushed our arms to the side rather saying anything at all.
Another Melbourne hidden bar. This one is quite busy for a weekday evening. The key is to find the fall from grace which involves a secret door and bookcase. Once you get there it's an awesome cocktail bar with comfy couches and bar stools.
Came here to visit "fall from grace", down stairs bar. I love the adventure it takes to not only get to the bar, but to figure out how to as well. The cocktails are very well made and the atmosphere is really cool and chilled out. It's a bit dark to chat amongst friends sometimes but I guess that just adds to the atmosphere of the place. Great place to hang out with mates or a partner.
Wagyu rump + Piccadilly salad decent meal good portion only thing to improve is service is kinda slow considering it's not a busy night (Good Friday).
Visited the cellar bar. ...what a treat! Fantastic ambience, reminiscent of a speakeasy. ..not that we can remember! Our very cool barman meticulously made us fabulous cocktails. ..Mr magoo and Charlie Chaplin. ...will be sure to return.
The food was good, nice venue with good drinks and a great hidden bar beneath. Definitely going back for some drinks to fall from grace. Great venue to take visitors.
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State of Grace has quickly become one of my favourite restaurants to visit in Melbourne!
I came here on one of my last nights in the city and my expectations were high after all of the amazing things I had heard. I was not disappointed! A first walk into the restaurant showed the perfect mixture of elegance and comfort- the design was undeniably cool and eclectic, and made eating there seem really unique and special.
The staff were quick to seat us and helpful with our ordering. They recommended great wines with our meals and were always helpful with our questions and quick to assist. We ordered two mains and were absolutely astounded by how delicious they were! We agreed it was one of the best meals we have had in Melbourne.
Then we took a visit to "Fall From Grace", the restaurant's hidden bar which is revealed by pulling a book from a bookcase! The sliding door had us all excited and made going there seem really special. We ordered cocktails at the bar and soaked in the atmosphere- brick walls, chandeliers and happy looking customers held our attention as we sipped our drinks. The decoration down here was eclectic as well, and we could even often see customers stopping to read the articles and signs on the walls. It looked like the type of spot a hidden celebrity or superhero would come for a drink.
Definitely worth another visit or ten- State of Grace is the best!
Came here for the "hidden bar" and I wasn't disappointed. Firstly I loved finding my way down to "fall from grace" trying to find the right book on the bookshelf was fun and felt like something from Indiana jones. We only stayed for a few cocktails. The staff were extremely helpful, recommending some for our tastes and also letting us taste some before buying. Although expensive, it's always good to treat yourself. Would definitely be a great to impress visitors, dates it tough in laws!!
The restaurant delivers on use of fresh produce and skilful execution of dishes. We loved each course we had over the course of our dinner. The duck we ordered for our mains was of particular note. Cooked to perfection - skin beautifully seared while the centre boasted a lovely pink. . Our dessert of chocolate and banana was similarly well devised. While this restaurant is known for its delicious cocktails, the restaurant certainly gives its bar reputation a run for its money.
Went to Fall from Grace and this bar is amazing! Bar tenders are very friendly, helpful and also very patient. I love the atmosphere and also the interior design of this place. Cocktails were also very nice. Excellent bar and I would definitely go again
Fall from Grace, the hidden bar underneath the State of Grace dining area transports you back to a time of old world class. Lavish decor compliments the high quality service of the knowledgable bar tenders.
We went to Fall from grace, which is the hidden bar beneath the restaurant. The entry itself was a lot of fun, trying to find the right book to pull to let us in. The atmosphere is that of prohibition era with walls full of wine bottles (it is supposed to be a wine cellar). The cocktails were great, but the service was understandably slow because of it being Saturday night and almost everyone ordering cocktails. The cocktail selection was great although probably not as much flair as Eau De Vie. But all in all a great experience! Would definitely recommend this place.
Beautiful food .. Prompt and efficient service. One of the nicer restaurants - without being so stuffy and uncomfortable that you can't relax and enjoy the food.
That said - the table next to us could have taken the chance to enjoy the ambience a little more and contribute to it a little less.
The food was cooked to perfection. It was well presented and interesting without being over the top. This kept it simple and balanced.
Great atmosphere and setting. Staff was friendly. Bartender was slow in service. Locational easy to get to by tram. Recommended if never been.
We were really looking forward to 'trying to find' the secret bar at state of grace. But when we walked in and the bookshelf was open we were a little disappointed. We had an old fashioned and an amaretto sour. The cocktails were good. Definitely will try this place again maybe during the week so there isn't 1000 people there.
Had a lovely dinner here! Great little spot, just need a bit better vibe with some better music or more outgoing personable staff. Also the curred meats and cheese board was not worth it.. 3 pieces of salami, bit of prosciutto and one small knob of cheese was a definite disappointment and not enough to enjoy between two people.. Cocktails are delish! Main meals were lamb which was devine and a very good steak. Doesn't leave me dying to come back but did enjoy my night.
Beautiful place. Staff were fine without being great. We had the lunch special. The food was nice but not memorable. I would probably give it another go. The decor was very special.
If you like exclusive hidden away bars. This is the place. Hard to find and with a secrete hidden door you know where to look. The decor is Amazing and the dirty martini is a killer
Lovely place! waitress was super attentive and friendly, ambiance was nice. We were seated near the window and along the back wall had fitted couches, it was super comfortable! Unfortunately they mixed up our order which was fine, we werent in a rush. They offered to keep the food warm while my partners dish was being fixed. They did apologise and took our Mocktails off the bill. I requested medium for my steak, it came out more medium well done; doesnt bother me too much but to those who are a bit more pedantic then avoid the steaks. The chips were crunchy and cauliflower gratin was cooked well. The dessert was enjoyable too, we had the moose which was quite rich but the other ingredients on the plate do balance the flavours. If you have an entertainment card, make sure you use it!
Great staff , very friendly and attentive . The place has a good vibe to it and so many different searing areas that I think make it unique , its also great for some quiet late night drinks during the week. The hidden entry is a pleasant surprise and to explore it on its own is pretty exciting.
My bf's favourite bar in Melbourne, and he's a true blue Melburnian so he has been to more than enough bars in his time to make a sound judgement. At first glance, State of Grace was alright, I didn't see what all the fuss was about until...Lo and behold, the secret door swung open and I entered a world so sleek and sophisticated that I was instantly and utterly charmed. The cocktail list left me spoilt for choice, and I had a wonderful time picking and choosing my poisons for the night.
This was on our very first date, and I always look back with a lot of fondness. Fall from grace indeed =D
I got this lovely duck dish. The duck was done three ways - two pieces of roasted duck breast, a pan-fried disc of shredded slow-cooked duck, and a crumbed cube of this slightly odd mushy duck (potted duck, perhaps?). I loved the duck breast the best (breast is best!) and the lovely waxy nuggets of chestnuts. And if you're curious enough, you may even stumble across it's "hidden" bar, Fall From Grace. I'm told there are two ways to enter FFG. One is apparently via a side street off Collins Street (which I haven't tried), the other is via the toilets of SoG. It's worth finding as the bar is gorgeous with a magnificent marble staircase, candelabras and I wouldn't be surprised if I found the Phantom of the Opera lurking around here.
This is my second time here.. Decided to try the place again as it was in the entertainment book (25%). First time wasn't that great - was for a xmas party so we had a banquet and the service was too slow waiting over 30min between each course/s where some course was simply cheese or ham.. And servings were quite small.
Ambience though was lovely! Definitely a theme going on.. And the giraffe head in the middle of the dining room was def an icon attraction!! The big lounge chair completed the look unfortunately not very comfortable to sit in...
Food wise second time round! Mmmmm!!! Ordered the pate for entree was ok. Ive had better... The toasted brioche was too sweet and soft.. Ordered the duck breast as main and that was delicious! Presented beautifully and cooked exceptionally well! The cocktail were delicious also!
So overall a lovely experience. Did start getting busy at around 6/6.30pm even on a tues!! - Unfortunately no photos of the foods..
The cocktails are amazing but it is a really small portion and over priced. I loved the idea of the entrance to the bar! Wish they had more sitting spaced though!
One of the classiest bars to hang out in Melbourne in own opinion and from what I've heard. The service is great and quick. Drinks are matched to perfection when we come to talk to cocktails. I have a peculiar taste for my martini done a certain way and this place is one I have never been disappointed in for how they exactly follow all the instructions. Food is great and I believe the quality and taste palette it caters to justifies the fine price this dinning experience comes with. The barramundi is my favourite and hence highly recommended. A lot of first timers can skip checking out the bar in the underground , so there comes the tip too!
Went to the hidden bar downstairs. It's so beautiful! Felt I was a tycoon in the prohibition era! Drinks are nice but food definitely let's it down. We had the Haloumi with Figs and the Prawn & Prociutto croquettes.
Visited for the first time recently to meet a friend and grabbed a drink at the street level bar while I waited. Mind was blown when they took me out the back, pulled a book in the bookcase which slid open to reveal a downstairs speakeasy. Great venue, nice bar staff. Will definitely be back, especially with friends from out of town.
very cool place and great concept ! I had been here before mid-week but for the first time we went there on a Saturday night and it was great, very busy, great vibe my only complaint is that I would prefer better songs past midnight to keep the vibe going.
The restaurant delivers on use of fresh produce and skilful execution of dishes. We loved each course we had over the course of our dinner. The duck we ordered for our mains was of particular note. Cooked to perfection - skin beautifully seared while the centre boasted a lovely pink. . Our dessert of chocolate and banana was similarly well devised. While this restaurant is known for its delicious cocktails, the restaurant certainly gives its bar reputation a run for its money.
We came to Fall from Grace with some out of town friends promising them delicious drinks and ambiance +. Whilst this was met, unfortunately the unspoken promises of perfect service and attentive bar staff (which is really an unspoken expectation at any reputable bar) was not at all met. Staff seemed disinterested and were most unhelpful when we asked for an extra seat for one of our friends. The member of staff simply told us he could not give us another seat (even though there were spare seats to the left of us) and when we pointed this out, he simply shrugged and stated there was nothing he could do. We spent upwards of $200 that evening, a little lenience and help with an extra chair to make out interstate guest even marginally more comfortable would not have gone astray! Overall and as always, fabulous drinks however service this time left a lot to be desired.
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The unspoken warmth of the eternally open door at State of Grace is matched by décor that has everything a rural millionaire’s library would have, short of a fireplace and a bearskin rug. If you’re after more of a visual reference, imagine TGI Friday’s if it were styled by someone from a PG Wodehouse novel.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room, the giraffe in the room. Not only is there a life-sized, neck-up, stuffed giraffe protruding from the wall, there are two horseshoes just below that... that, for a moment, occur to you could have come from that very giraffe. Then you realise that giraffes don’t wear shoes aren’t they aren’t even horses and then you need to sit down and put a cold towel on your head. But the giraffe is still there.
I’m told that there’s a hidden cellar bar, secreted behind a bookcase and access can be only be had by pulling on a certain book. That sounds kitsch and overdone, but it’s un-ironically appropriate, serving as an ideal starting or finishing place to a dining experience.
Service is warm without being intrusive, but occasionally uninformed. Sure, it was an off night and maybe it was a new employee, and overwhelming perspicacity wouldn’t really have made more than a percent of difference, but the few questions that went unanswered where noticeable. Plus, while an effort is made not to be stuffy, the staff managed to take it a step further by almost dropping several plates – perhaps to prove how un-stuffy they could be. Given the context, I’d wager that these aren’t common occurrences, but they were occurrences nonetheless.
As for the food, the easiest thing to say is that every plate was returned to the kitchen looking like it did on the day it was taken from its packet, having been almost licked clean. The grazing menu is awash with creativity (such as Olive and Goats Curd Pastries with Truffle Honey and Port Poached Figs with Haloumi) and they live up to the un-verbose descriptions. Steaks were cooked delicately but well; duck was soft, sweet and salty. Lamb looked amazing and was (anecdotally) as good to taste. The only disparaging thing to say was that sides favour quality over quantity. Two people sharing potatoes with a steak might be left a tad hungry and the same can be said of most others accompaniments.
State of Grace isn’t going to be for everyone because of the eclectic décor and chic menu. My hope would be that those who would be bothered can self-select by viewing the website before going, because those that go are sure to like it for the casual refinement, the stylish comfort and the eccentric flavour.
Six of us went for dinner Sat night. Food was great. For mains we had duck, lamb and steaks. Everyone loved their meal. Worked out to be $95/head including drinks. We had 1 non-drinker. Only down side was they have sittings. We chose the 6.30 sitting and were giving the big rush by 8pm 8.30 sitting is too late !
Never actually eaten here because I'm always drawn to the downstairs mystery bar. If it's you're first time you'll definitely love the exciting entry! Such great atmosphere and delicious cocktails too, but try to get in early because it tends to get very busy very quickly and the seating is quite limited.
Foodie. We went to this restaurant for lunch I must say I was really impressed this place is great, the atmosphere was wonderful. We had the express lunch and what value for money for $25.00 you get a meal and a glass of wine or beer. I chose the cheese burger with pickles and fat cut chips, my friend had the pumpkin and feta pasta both was yummy, we will be definitely going back there again. The staff were friendly and attentive
Just what we wanted!. Went to State of Grace last night for dinner for my husband's birthday. I mainly chose the venue because of the historic fit out (which we loved). But also the menu was really appealing, comfort food. And we got what we went for! I had a Scotch fillet steak. Was perfectly cooked and delicious. The best bit was that there was red Wine Jus in the sauce choices. So many places have gotten rid of the best sauce you can get! One thing though you need to buy your sides, but we bought 3 between 6 so it still worked out to be ok price. All up we paid around $80pp with 2 bottles of wine, so pretty good! Meals were excellent. The Duck they were swooning over, and the lamb was Amazing! I've been to a lot of restaurants, this definately has the atmosphere and taste. highly recommend!!
...Opening the bookcase lies in picking out the correct book from the bookcase itself and upon finding the right one, it would instantly open up to a beautiful, cellar bar that you descend to via an ornate marble staircase. Opulent furnishings and high ceilings of grand proportions gives the bar itself a captivating, old world charm.
AMAZING! My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at State of Grace and the food was sensational. We have not one bad thing to say about it. Staff were lovely, service was fantastic, food was amazing and drinks were delicious. We can not speak highly enough!! Definitely coming back!!
Wow amazing food! Service was also great. And I like the bar downstairs and the bookcase! I recommend this!
Can the service be any worse?!?! Unhappy, desorgnized and rude staff in need of a proper manager and proper training. The food though is amazing. Creative, simple and tasty. Would come back for the food but the staff has to change.
What a night!! Came here with my sisters on the weekend and had an absolute ball. The cocktails were fantastic and food was great. They moved locations but it’s still just as good. I love the antique interior it’s like stepping into Europe! 😍
we had not made a reservation and they fortunately had a free table. enjoyed the drinks and lovely ambience. ordering drinks were at our fingertips via the QR code which made it very easy (no more lining up at the bar). they also served food upstairs but we were specifically there for drinks.
Front service was a bit off but maybe because they were understaffed that night?? the food covered up for that. Food was amazing! Perfectly cooked steaks, hot fries, arancini and the chocolate mousse was topnotch!
What an amazing atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious cocktails and even the perfect food.
My wife and I had a stayed in the city without the kids and found this gem for dinner and some cheeky cocktails.
Definitely would go back again!
My partner introduced me to this place. We were greeted with a smile and were given a table on the roodtop. I must say that I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. You can tell that the staff there were passionate about their jobs, especially the chef and kitchen staff, the foods were meticulously prepared with their heart and soul. Vey delicious and just the right portion. Will definitely come back for more. Keep up the good work guys!
The hidden effrontery of 'State of Grace' is the ultimate 'Fall from Grace' , an hidden bar that's as exciting as the entrance to the bar.
Some amazing drinks, beautiful ambience, nice music makes a perfect spot for a special date or a party!!
Not costly at all, soon becoming one of the best bars in Melbourne, loved every moment spent here.
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