Who are your favourite painters and what sort of style of art do you like? When you look at paintings, do you see the same things that others do? It perhaps follows reason that if you are a food lover, you might like an artist that paints food. Staring up at The Olsen, I see a fantastic illuminated painting in yellow hues that resembles a ball of the sun. I later learn that it is called paella and suddenly, it all makes sense. Of course it is paella!
I’m in Melbourne for a very quick visit to try out The Olsen and their restaurant Spoonbill. Inside the lobby is a large framed contemporary Landscape painter John Olsen original. The Art Series Hotels is a relatively newish concept started in 2006 in which three Melbourne hotels are dedicated to three Australian artists. There is also The Cullen and The Blackman with The Olsen being the flagship hotel. There are several original Olsen paintings as well as several prints on the ground, all from the owner’s private collection.
Service at the hotel is very friendly and personable and I go upstairs to my room. I was a little surprised at the room size, it is small at 24 square metres, It features a kitchenette on the right and a king sized bed with a small balcony on the left. The view is of the tennis courts nearby and I hear the gentle thwacking of the tennis balls which remind me of popcorn. There is a large art book called William Creek and Beyond left open on the bed. This is the book of the exhibition that the Art Series Hotels owner commissioned in 2001, where he asked 10 Australian landscape artists to paint a series of oils and etchings.
The bathroom in this deluxe balcony room is small, there is no bath and the toiletries are made up of shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, grooming kit, shower gel, shoe care and soap. The mini bar makes me giggle; there’s a big lollipop and four types of vitamins (for men, women, liver and sleep well). Teas are by T2 and the mini bar is very reasonably priced with a soft drink for $3.50. Internet is charged at either $3 an hour or $10 for 24 hours which is a reasonable cost and the speed is quite fast.
Other pluses are easy powerpoints to work with and a big flat screen television. They also hire out scooters, smart cars and bikes to guests (smart car hire is $10 an hour) and the location is excellent right on Chapel Street and the shops nearby with a stretch of vintage shops or high end boutiques a short walk away. A couple of things: the iPod dock and clock are blinking showing no time (and I have not the wits nor the time to reset it) and there is no place for the luggage apart from on the floor at the door.
One of the most important things is the bed which is extremely comfortable and can be purchased along with linen and keychains and luggage tags. There is also a kitchenette for self catering. I usually think of self catering as an option for long term guests or families although I don’t know if this is what I’d consider a family hotel.
Later that evening I meet my friend Nic for dinner downstairs at Spoonbill restaurant and bar which is their signature restaurant. I’m glad for the proximity and the fact that I don’t need to don a coat for the chilly weather. The restaurant uses herbs from their own edible herb garden and John Olsen’s paella dish is one of their signature dishes. It seems only fitting given the enormous reproduction of his paella painting and the menu reflects his Mediterranean travels.
The room itself is welcoming with booth seating as well as free standing tables and bar tables with high partitions for privacy. There is a giant woven structure that reminds me of a hornet’s nest and the bar shows the specials or signature items in chalk. The menu has a map of Australia and points to where the menu’s produce comes from.
Smoked almonds and olives
I find the salted smoked almonds quite addictive and polish most of them off while Nic likes the olives.
Tacos $6.50 each
Shortly after, the first tacos arrive and there are two types: a lemongrass and chilli snapper, red onion and coriander which is strongly flavoured with lime and reminds us of a ceviche filling. There is also a soft taco filled with Wagyu rump, avocado, dried tomato, lettuce and emmental cheese which is nicely balanced and is both of our favourite.
Scallops $18 for three
“I have to take a photo to send to my husband” Nic says as her hubby is a huge scallop fan. These are a beauty with a sweet apple puree, thin radish and apple julienne and a thin slice of morcilla (Spanish black pudding) sausage and a sweet Pedro Ximenez reduction to dress it.
Zucchini flower $5 each
A surprise course were the zucchini flower, beer battered and filled with goats cheese on a preserved lemon guacamole which gives it a slightly different flavour to regular lemon.
Otway Ranges Pork $31
The mains arrive and the first is a square of slow cooked belly with a jellied top, an apple coleslaw, a green broad bean & potato puree and two pieces of crispy crackling. The pork belly is so rich and given that we’ve had so many entrees it is hard to finish it all but the texture is soft and creamy. I did however miss the crackling or crispy skin that sometimes comes with pork belly.
John Olsen’s famous paella $30 for 1 person
The paella comes as a serve for one, two or four and we had a serve for one. It was filled with a lot of seafood from clams, prawns and mussels and chorizo (although the chorizo was in one corner clustered together). It was strong with safforn and slightly wetter than paellas that I’ve tried although the flavour is good and the seafood generous and nicely cooked.
Asparagus, egg and jamon salad
This salad had us divided. I was surprised that this was fridge cold including the plate and so was another table where the woman asked this to be heated for her. However, Nic was quite happy with this cold.
A Taste of Chocolate $14
Billed as a “selection of chocolate decadence” there were three parts to this dessert. Firstly, there was a chocolate ganache triangle and then there was a thick fudgey rectangle with a rich chocolate sauce on top which was so thick and dense and chocolatey. There were raisins inside this and you could just have a little square of this and have any chocolate craving satisfied. The last component was a scoop of vanilla ice cream which was a good partner for the rich chocolate.
Apple Delicious $14
Another three parter, there was a sublime apple jelly and calvados panna cotta – slightly firmer than we’ve had, There was also a refreshing apple sorbet which tastes of pure apple and a mille feuille filled with a similar filling to theapple puree from the scallops which isn’t bad but perhaps the element that we loved the least out of the three. Both Nic and I liked both the desserts but we couldn’t choose one over another as they both satisfied different palates.
I feel sorry for Nic who must brace herself to go back out into the cold. Me, I’m going upstairs for a sleep where I dream that the sun has turned into a giant ball of paella.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever tried an Art hotel and if so, what did you think of it? And do you use kitchenettes in hotel rooms or do you tend to eat out?
NQN was a guest of The Art Series Hotels
The Olsen
637-641 Chapel Street South Yarra VIC 3141
Tel: +61 (03) 9040 1222
Spoonbill
637-641 Chapel Street, South Yarra 3141
Tel: +61 (03) 9040 1333
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
35 Comments | Add your own
The Olsen looks lovely and the food delicious.
We stayed at the Blackman about 18 months ago and loved it. A family hotel it’s not (despite the kitchenette) but it was really lovely. I like the innovative and eclectic feel the art brings to the space.
I am now craving zucchini blossoms! And chocolate! Did you go to Burch and Purchese while you were there??
K xx
The concept of an art hotel has me grinning my friend – so much more exotic thanks fun!
Your hotel room looks fantastic, and yes, the mention of a lollipop made me giggle
Your dinner looks fantastic, the way you describe it and presentation wise as well!
My favourite? That three chocolate masterpiece!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’ve never been to an art hotel. There are things I’ve wanted to take with me when I leave a hotel but never the bed. That room seems very small especially if you had more than one person in it. The restaurant looks lovely. As for the food I think I would have been very happy just eating the zucchini flowers xx
Scallops, zucchini flowers, pork belly and asparagus all in one meal – sounds heavenly to me.
The paella does look at bit risotto like, did it have the lovely crusty bottom that it should have?
There used to be a show on SBS called Eating Art that picked a famous artist each time and would get chefs to recreate or re interpret one of the artists food based paintings. One show focused on a 17th centuary painters fish stew, and shouted how many of the species he had painted were now extinct from the Mediterranean. So interesting!
The Blackman on St Kilda Rd is my favourite hotel to stay in in Melbourne. I love that the rooms have balconies (very rare in hotels) and the beds are like sleeping on a cloud. We also love the vibe being that the staff and friendly but leave u be, and the fact that it is not a particularly “kid-friendly” hotel means its always really quiet. We did use the kitchen once to heat up (microwave) last-nights dumplings that we couldn’t finish. So handy!
Nope I’ve never stayed at an art hotel but it sounds like an interesting concept.
I like the idea of a kitchenette but I doubt I’d use it unless I was staying a long time.
That was a very interesting mini bar. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an odd combo!
Have very much learned something and shall note the ‘Olsen’ in my little black book! Since I love art even more than food, the idea is certainly of interest. Collect modern Oz paintings and sculpture, being especially interested in Aboriginal art. Childhood passions in Impressionism and the Heidelberg School have remained. Back to food: appealing, especially the very richly dressed Olsen’s paella: actually tho’ have never taken to John Olsen’s art
!
oooo lucky you for getting to stay there! It’s a gorgeous hotel
I LOVED the apple dessert, all elements oh so good!
Dear Lorraine,
I think John Olsen’s little froggies are really cute. My absolute favourite Australian artist is John Coburn’s works.
I love reading your Melbourne adventures because lol I can also go and experience them without having to catch a plane
I don’t really cook when we travelling but it’s always nice to have a little kitchenette hehe
Such gorgeous hotel!!
You are one lucky gal and you totally deserve it…
Love the food… smoked almonds, sounds really yum, you know I have never seen them anywhere.. Need to look out for them
Local art and tacos? Sign me up!
What a comfortably lush hotel – and the food looks utterly elegant and scrumptious!
I’ve considered staying at the Olsen but thought it was too far from the CBD (though Sth Yarra has some nice shops!). Love the modern decor and your observations on the room and food make me think it’s a definite maybe for my next Melbourne trip
I was talking to my husband how food in Australia is amazing. But my husband also reminds me how expensive it is over there and tax etc. I’m enjoying your travel and restaurants posts a lot, and I really hope that we can visit one day! I’ve never stayed at art hotel, but it might be fun to do so when kids are older. We usually eat out – it’s the only (sort of) break from kitchen!!
Hi Nami! Thank you so much
Food is expensive here. Just with taxes, there is no added taxes or tips added to the bill (although we do tip if the service is good but it’s not expected). Income tax on the other hand is very high here! 
I love looking at paintings and art, unless it’s modern art…I find those “art” pieces very puzzling, because I keep thinking, “A few splotches of paint? I could do that with one hand!”
Those artful dishes though, I totally GET.
I miss Melbourne until I look at the temperature in the winter.
The Olsen is a lovely place to stay and one day Spoonbill and I will be friends.
I’ve never even heard of the idea of an ‘art hotel’ so no I haven’t stayed in one before.
But it’s such an interesting idea! I love the painting there, especially that frog one. 
The dishes do look artsy, but it’s such a shame about the lack of crackling on the pork!
Your dinner looks delish! Were there only two of you dining?
I tend to eat out on holiday, so i can always try new dishes around the world 
You know, I’m of 2 minds about the size of hotel rooms. If I’m staying a while, I like and need room. If its for a night or 2, seems wasteful to use up all that space. Still, I’d miss a bathtub — after a long day running about, there’s nothing like a soak and good bath products.
Food looks yummy, especially those scallops.. I’m mad for Pedro Ximenez sherry, I think it is heaven sent!
That frog painting is incredible. And I’m in love with the paella for one with its enormous mussels saluting the sun. However, I will never, ever be able to get behind chocolate smears on the plate. *shudder*
The tacos and paella look so good!
The food looks spectacular, especially the scallops and zucchini fritters. I like to think of food as my art. For years I wished I was good at painting or drawing (I’m terrible at both). Now I feel just as artistic as any painter.
I”ve never been to an art hotel, but am fascinated by this post. Gorgeous food with two standouts for me: the preserved lemon guacamole (I just made some fresh preserved lemon and will definitely play with that) and the apple jelly=Calvados panna cotta (I adore Calvados and am sure I would love this). You always plant interesting seeds…Thanks, Lorraine
We are surprised with your review. We found this place particularly unspectacular…underwhelming.
Strange.
Olsen definitely one of my favourite artists!
Hi Lorraine, lovely place you’ve visited! I love those scallops, I am sure they were delicious! As of staying in “artsy” places it depends, sometimes it could be overwhelming… I would stay in this one though, it looks like they used art to naturally blend in the interior. I especially love the Paella painting…
I can’t get over how beautiful the food looks. Gorgeous!! I have a very very dear friend in Melbourne, and I told her about your blog. Hopefully she will get to try out some great food.
I have never stayed in an art hotel, they aren’t very big here in the West. When I stay on the coast, I like to get a place with a kitchen because I love to fish and clam and then cook my catches and eat them the same night!
I have heard of this series of hotels as one of my friends stays in them often. I am one who always books hotels with kitchenettes as I like to be able to cook if I feel like it. I think the room looked a tad small and hate not having anywhere to put luggage.
Love the frog, it is also on one of my favourite wines – the Leeuwin Art Series Riesling.
Food looked good – great photos!
My favourite artists are the great masters, I love them all for different reasons! This hotel sounds cool; we’re used to small rooms particularly in the large expensive cities like New York, Paris and Lindon. In NYC we stayed at the Time Hotel and I had to jump on the bed if JT needed to walk around. On a plus side, they gave you jellybeans EVERY night!
I’m a big art fan and I love all sorts from Durer in the 15th/16th century to Klimt, from graffiti art to local East End artists in London. It’s almost as important to me as food. I’ve been to one or two art hotels and it’s definitely a big bonus. I like the frog picture. Also, your photos are getting better and better with every post Lorraine! They’ve always been great, but that shot of the scallops is fab
Post a Comment