Over all a very good weekend landing in the unexpected and the unknown no matter how mundane it may sound, these kinds of serendipitous events truly make life worth living.
Saturday night had dinner in Glenferrie at the local hotel. A wonderful meal of Baby Quail and mashed potatoes mixed with basil & other herbs, washed down with an incredible Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The décor of the pub is typical for Melbourne, that is to say, most of our buildings’ retain their 19th century New Gothic style, yet the insides of the building can be anything from nineties Minimalist, fifties Art Deco to Eastern Persian and Seventies Garish. The Glenferrie has maintained the exterior as New Gothic and has refurbished their bar and rooms eclectically, meaning, combining modernist clean lines with comfortable lush furniture; bookshelves crammed with old books can be seen in many places throughout the hotel including ‘live’ fireplaces and the smells of fine cooking, burning wood and an undefinable air of the old world.
After a terrific meal, walked the main thoroughfare, and for a Saturday night, as Glenferrie is a University town, the space brimmed with life.
On the corner of Burwood and Glenferrie road used to stand the State Bank. Only in the last few months has it morphed into an interesting new fashion establishment in Melbourne, The Cigar Lounge.
As you walk into this seeming ‘institution’ from times past, the smell of fine cigars and expensive liquor pervade as the lighting comes from only tasteful lamps beside quality leather chairs and couches. The place is dark but not so dark where actual seeing is a problem.
Shown to my seat, a leather couch with a view of the busy road, the dark and brooding waitress handed me a menu of perhaps, every cigar available in Australia. The menu contained literally hundreds of brands and types, including the famous Cuban, selling for $59…for one.
Finally decided that the proprietor should recommend, describing that my taste is akin to a thin cigar though stronger a bigger in size.
My attractive, dark and brooding waitress returned with the subject in question; along with an expensive Brandy that I’ll only drink on special occasions. (This seemed to be one of those occasions.) She lit the cigar for me and I breathed in the smoke, feeling its benefits and aroma; then tasting my expensive Brandy, the entire experience combined to settle my soul into pure hedonistic pleasure. The quiet jazz in the background, the hush of conversation, and pleasure of the brandy and special cigar all said to enjoy the moment.
Once finishing my cigar and lovely brandy, decided to have one more drink, as the couple in front of me happened to be celebrating their twentieth anniversary, and obviously wanted to share their marital successes with me. (I really have know idea why…)
The night ended.
Daylight Savings has begun, in the Southern Hemisphere, the start of long summer nights.
Taking a right turn instead of a left, entering the Cigar Bar, truly made my night.
I enjoy this atmosphere and hope to do it once again.
Overall, a great weekend.
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