When I was young, I subsisted on a diet of television shows, mostly from America. I’d see items such as meatloaf and crave for those (I would be a full grown adult before I’d try my first meatloaf). And even now, when I hear about things like chopped salad (friends), wedge salad (around which an entire episode of Modern Family was based) and Reuben sandwiches (countless movie and tv references), I find myself dying to try them. Reubens can be found but a chopped salad or wedge salad? That’s a little harder.
I’m at Gramercy Bistro which is an American inspired bistro in Melbourne “The Cullen” hotel. The menu is a large steak house sized menu with a breakfast until 3pm on one side and lunch on the other. There is an indoor and outdoor terrace section (the bistro was formerly called The Terrace) and jars of various deli items sit displayed to the left of the kitchen. Steaks feature heavily but asking the lovely waitress about what she recommends yields lighter items starting with the curiously named “Pickelback” a whisky shot chased with a shot of pickle juice followed by a split kosher dill pickle.
I’m not a huge whiskey drinker and usually eat my whisky in a bread and butter pudding sauce but the name and the fact that it is incredibly popular puts one on the order. I go for a sandwich next, there are two: the Hero and the Reuben. I thought I had ordered the meat but the Reuben is brought but for the life of me I can’t remember what I ordered.
Pickleback (a NY phenomenon) 30ml Jameson Irish whisky chased with a shot of pickle juice $9
I had a meeting that afternoon so the idea of downing this whole shot wasn’t perhaps a great idea. And whiskey, well I always think of rich, older men in libraries wearing smoking jackets and pipes talking about share prices (again the tv has a lot to answer for 
). The bitterness of the whiskey is quelled with the briney pickle juice heady in dill and salt. Chasing it with the half kosher pickle seems the absolutely normal thing to do.
Gramercy “Chop Chop” salad with goat’s cheese and poached egg $16.5
I opted for the regular version of the chop chop salad although you can add chicken, tuna or minute steak to the salad for an extra $5. This is a tomato, cucumber, red onion and feta salad which isn’t a Greek salad but takes a turn for NY with the flavour of dill. A runny yolked poached egg sits on top of this and I enjoy the crunchy textures and creaminess from the feta.
Reuben Sandwich House made pastrami on rye $14.5 plus fries $3
The Reuben is filled with a generous portion of house made pastrami, a slathering of sauerkraut, some grilled Swiss cheese & mustard on a lightly toasted rye sandwich with a dill pickle. It’s good although I do find Reubens can be a bit on the dry side and would have really preferred the Hero sandwich (which the waitress immediately offered to make for me but I didn’t want to waste the Reuben).
Gramercy Ice Cream Sundae caramel sauce, chocolate shavings and cherry crispies $15
I suspect ice cream sundaes are like birthday cakes. No matter who it is, when you carry a sundae to a table, a happy, smiling kid emerges from an adult, This one is a beauty, with house made vanilla and chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce, crumbled up brownies, slivered almonds and cherry crispies which are like freeze dried cherry pieces and white chocolate shavings. It is a delectable confection of flavours and textures. The only suggestion? Some more caramel sauce as the toppings are generously apportioned and could be a bit dry otherwise.
Completely stuffed, I exit the bistro and just outside is a little exhibition of Andy Warhols. The Cullen is one of the Art Series hotels with each hotel devoted to one Australian artist. This one is inspired by Adam Cullen and features several of his pieces in the foyer as well as prints in the rooms. Currently, they are asking guests and Warhol aficionados which one of the nine pieces is a real Warhol while the rest are from art forgeries. You enter your name and details (and room number) into the iPad on the ground floor for a chance to win your own $20,000 Warhol original.
So tell me Dear Reader, if you could own any piece of art, which one would it be?
NQN dined at The Gramercy as a guest of The Art Series Hotels
Gramercy Bistro
Art Series The Cullen Melbourne, 162-164 Commercial Rd, Prahran VIC 3181
Tel: +61 (03) 9098 1155
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35 Comments | Add your own
I smile at the American foods that captivated you. I, from this side, wanted to be a jillaroo, specifically at Drover’s Run–and I wasn’t even young at the time! You longed for meatloaf, I thought and still do that I would die if I didn’t get to try wattle seeds, yabbies, and blue swimmers.
So much art…so little space on my walls. Kidding. I would probably pick this one particular painting called the Weeping Madonna by Cezanne, that I used to visit weekly when I lived in Paris. I would just stare and stare.
I love the artwork!
This restaurant looks lovely and what a great idea. You don’t come across too many American restaurants on these shores. I I used to drink the brine out of the pickle jar when I was little when my mother wasn’t looking. It never occurred to me people would pay to drink it in restaurants. When it comes to art, I’m reminded of the Shirley MacClaine/Jack Nicholson seen in Terms of Endearment – ‘Would you like to see my Renoir?’ Who wouldn’t want a Renoir xx
Glad you fulfilled your desire for Reuben my friend, supersize American style
But as always my eyes are glued on that sundae… What a sundae… Gaaaah
If I could own any type of art? That sundae. Right here. Right now
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
OH AMERICA I LOVE IT AND I’M HERE!!
I need to find somewhere that will serve me a Pickleback.
I’d so love to have a Reuben from an iconic NY Deli, but this looks like a cool Aussie substitute:) I craved pickles and vinegar when I was pregnant and would drink it, so the pickle shot doesn’t sound that bad- but I don’t think the whiskey would be a great idea!
I have been to Gramercy Tavern in New York and it is excellent. This one looks good too.
This was fun to read and I shall certainly reread when more time available
! I happen to love Jameson’s Irish – don’t know that I would ‘muck’ it up with dill pickles after 
! Now, to have it in/with really good, strong black coffee: another matter altogether! And I DO like my Reubens much thicker and made with waferthin. supersoft corned beef and absolute piles of sauerkraut!! The best chop-chop salad in the world is the beetroot/potato/herring etc one usually called ‘Russian Salad’ or ‘Rosolje’, methinks. I am an absolute modern art fanatic, but would not like to nominate any one painting: personally collect modern Australian, very much including Aboriginal, art and sculpture. Am still in love with Impressionists also!
Never been to Melbourne, really must get my skates on and pay the place a visit. Love the Pickleback and the chop chop looked really refreshing. Art hmmm Salvador Dali, Warhol or anything by Lowrie.
Sounds like a place made just for me. I will add it to my list of places to go in Melbourne. John’s from Melbourne and all his family are there so we do get there every once in a while.
When I was a kid it was English shows that got my attention. They were always on PBS and everyone was so proper. I couldn’t wait to visit.
“I suspect ice cream sundaes are like birthday cakes. No matter who it is, when you carry a sundae to a table, a happy, smiling kid emerges from an adult, “….I had to laugh at that line…
Great food…..I never knew much about American food other than burgers…..
Could you figure out the real art?
Quality American food – yum.
As to art, I would choose ‘The Kiss’ sculpture by Rodin, anything by Renoir, and Mulholland Drive by Hockney. Choosing just one piece of art is an impossible ask.
Hi Minnie! Thanks so much
And hehe no I took a guess but I wonder which one was the real one? I must look it up! 
Wow, you really took that pickly-whiskey combo down girl!
Salad looks really good
Being born and bred in New York, JUST HAD to speak, TRUE!
), MELTED Swiss cheese, Russian dressing with HOT sauerkraut in between tow pieces of FRESH rye bread!
There are many Reuben sandwich variants, so this version for me would NOT do!
Cannot get any more authentic than Katz’s Deli in New York City!
As a Reuben, your experience was a pity!
Is a HOT sandwich with corned beef (or pastrami — but MUCH better with corned beef…silverside for Aussies
NOW have the craving inside my head!
re ART…The Never Ending River at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, TRUE!
Speaks to me in a unique way and personally carried a handcrafted piece bought at MOMA from NY to Adelaide when I moved here; makes me smile EVERY day!
http://0.tqn.com/d/gonyc/1/0/5/F/met_09.JPG
Wow I did NOT know this was in Melbourne, must make a visit!
Ooooh, yum! I do love well-executed American food. That Reuben is a shadow on the famous Carnegie Deli one, which costs a motza (over $20). However, it is huge and, having convinced myself I’d only eat half and it was just for the “experience”, could barely stop eating – the pastrami was mouthwatering. I took the second half to go and devoured it later in my hotel room. I will have that again, once I’ve prepared my arteries as its drowned in melted cheese.
I’d love to own Michelangelo’s David. I’m not sure where I’d put it, but it has a lot of meaning for me.
This looks fantastic Lorraine! Whenever I think of American food – I can help but think of Fonzie and the happy days crew!
I would be more than happy to own a Caravaggio, any one doesn’t matter!
How funny that just today I watched the Cobb Salad episode of Modern Family and proceeded to google where you can try one in Sydney. Any suggestions? I’m dying to try one!
HI Melissa! I’d love to know too as I want to try one
If anyone knows, pleeeease post here! 
Talk about getting an NYC culinary experience WITHOUT having to fly out to the Big Apple! The sandwich doesn’t crank my proverbial chain, but the salad had bells ringing in my head – it looks tempting!
Oh, and if someone gave me an Impressionist period still-life (even a repro will do if it’s a Cezanne, a Matisse, or a Berthe Morrisot!), I’d bless ‘em forever.
A Ruben here is usually corned beef, a mess of sloppy sauerkraut and some cheese on marble rye. It’s also slathered in butter and fried so the cheese melts. Never dry.
A chopped salad is usually just a mess of egg, cheese and meat chopped into a salad and severed with a chunky blue cheese dressing.
Those shots look dangerous.
Dear Lorraine,
Although I love a corn beef sandwich with a few slices of cucumber, I’m a Reuben sandwich virgin.
wonderful restaurant.. i love the stools ( the way you captured. )
ohhh i had coffee here once
But didn’t get the chance to eat anything think it’s time I went back 
Especially with the SUNDAE hehe ~
Whiskey & pickle juice?? You’re a braver woman than I!!
I too am having a love affair with American food and not the oversize burger kind! Since going there for the first time earlier this year, I am fascinated by the mexican/spanish influence on the east coast, lots of corn and pumpkin and pickles which I have a childhood phobia to overcome being one of those kids that ensured any green pickle made a hasty departure from my burger in the days when pickles on burgers were a standard inclusion. The sundae looks sublime by the way
God I love Reuben sandwiches! I am seriously salivating! I had the best one at Katz’s deli in NYC, but there is a little place around the corner from work that does a pretty good version. As for art….I would love to own a Jeffrey Smart painting….I love his work.
sounds like a fun place – wish I could have had lunch there with you – especially when I see that sundae – I think it produced a little-girl smile from me too!
What a lovely post – I had no idea that such a place was in the Cullen hotel; I must check it out next time I’m shopping at the Prahran Market across the street. (Which is often!)
That chop chop salad looks like my idea of heaven!
xox Sarah
We thought we had commented on this post of yours. Must have not. Glad you got to visit this place, albeit at invitation. This isn’t our policy but that is just us. We visited as independent/anonymous reviewers but we quite liked it too. Desserts are spectacular, you must return for the NY Cheesecake and the more American desserts than the one you had.
Hi Dessert Correspondent-I do a lot of reviewing anonymously too. I do recall you leaving a comment on the Oman story saying that you’re curious about how to visit Oman as a guest of the Oman government? Just curious, would your policy change for overseas trips?
Wow imagine owning your own Warhol original?! If I could pick a piece of art to own I would have to go for the statue of Venus de Milo. I had a small 30cm replica of her before I was married and when we went to find the real thing in the Louvre in Paris, I was in the room that they said she was in and couldn’t see her anywhere, until I realized, she was in the middle of the room standing 2 meters tall!!!!
Had the most amazing Rueben today at Gramercy with my wife. Remembered reading about it a month ago and today finally made the trek across town in Fri pm traffic – am glad I did. I’ll be back for another one. Next time we’ll share a burger as well, which looked wonderful! Can’t wait!!!
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