NRTW HISTORY - MELBOURNE '04  

Friday 30th 

JANUARY

THE LOUNGE ROOM:

28 New Quay Promenade,

Docklands

VIC 3008

TEL: 96000565

New Quay appears to be a very up-and-coming side of the city. It is evolving into a sort of younger generation's South Bank, with the bar and club scene, not to mention the  most excellent restaurants. (I've done the Chinese - can't remember the name, but I've heard that the Moroccan is pretty good too).

If you haven't already been, you will love the Lounge Room. It appears to be set up with tables and chairs inside that then get whisked away at the watershed hour (8pm), to make way for the funky DJ, and dance floor.

The semi-transparent make shift marquee outside overlooking  the moored boats allow for excellent seating space for a pack of louts like us to hang around and enjoy the almost waited-on-service to bring on the bevvies.

Good to see Zane, Rich Larcombe, Begona, Horst, and about 20 others join in on the fun. Great start to the new year!

PRINCE ALFRED HOTEL:

619 Church Street,,

Richmond

VIC 3121

TEL: 9428 8962

Excellent night guys!  The 50/50 split between the expected and the unexpected attendees, along with the excellent and extensive size of the beer garden, made it an interesting night. If you haven't been, you should, provided you like to chat over a few bevvies of course.

Thank you -  to those who came. Well where do I start. OK - John Stoneman popped in for a jar or two on an almost transiting stop in Australia, (from Western Samoa). We talked about everything from Samoan architecture, to the price of Broccoli. 

As for the rest of the bunch, well it's always great to see Begona & Horst - this time, with a friend who I must say didn't lack character, for a better word.

Great to see that some of Jane's tennis associates are cottoning on to the NRTW also, namely Mark & Zoe, on this occasion.

Finally, apart from the commendable presence of the stalwarts, it was great to see Rich Larcombe, his girl-friend, and his dad who had just flown over from the UK, turn up. (I would like to thing the Rich's dad's attendance was purely in view of the NRTW, but I think that would be wishful thinking on my part!).

Prince Alfred Hotel - Totally recommended, especially for larger crowds.

Saturday 10th 

APRIL

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH HOTEL - SYDNEY:

63 Bay Street,,

Glebe

NSW 2037

TEL: (02) 9692 0414

WE HAD A BALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having a turn out of just under 15 of us on Saturday night at the AYH was more than we could have asked for, but firstly lets just step back a bit, to Friday night  :

Arriving at the our hotel (generously transported by Kit Chan Transportation Services), things looked very ordinary, and not totally unexpected of course considering it was Good Friday, but lo-and-behold heading towards the water that evening, all was revealed in its full glory. 

It was lit up like Liberace's jim-jams! Everyone in full swing, so we headed down towards a very well known seafood restaurant and remained quite content to consume copious quantities of their red wine and fish. The weather was also unbeatable at around 20 degrees and dry. 

It was great to be joined up by Andrianna and Ivan, and later by half dozen or so of Kit's mates from long past, who's guest appearance wasn't in vain, as I managed to squeeze a buck or two out of them, towards the Deaf and Blind (not blinded !!) Association Raffle.

10 out of 10 to Kit for his choice of venue (AYH). You definitely will be nominated for the Sydney branch (if it ever gets off the ground !).

Major downer on Sunday having to come back though.

GUEST APPEARANCES

Ross Newman,

Paul Holt.

Saturday 29th 

MAY

As I have mentioned in the past, you just can't go wrong with the New Quay area, - and my birthday / NRTW bash proved this to be case once again.

Starting at 1pm was actually a great idea although it had a potential for disaster. All those with family commitments were quite happy to have a couple drinks, and indulge in the unbeatable Chinese cuisine early on. The service as impeccable ! - They really didn't have to know who the birthday boy was, but when they work it out and call you by your name,  it tends to personalize the moment. 10 out of 10 in my books !

I guess walking out of the Chinese at about 5pm and onto the Lounge Bar virtually next door, gives you a good indication as to how chilled everyone was (including the staff).

No stress man ... - that's what I say, and most certainly on my birthday !

At this point I must thank Maree for taking over the food orders for all 20 of us with excellent choices all round, -  and to Liz, Andy, Jacinta and Pacey for taking over the bill split calcs. They all insisted that it I shouldn't have to do anything. So thanks once again !!!

Thanks to Jane for taking care of me on the night, as I had been sick as a parrot over the last 6 weeks.

Thanks to Catriona for the Ebeneezer Shiraz (absolutely excellent), and to Xinhua for the Penfold Bin 407 - hadn't had that one before either. Very good Cab. Sav. Xinhua. I am going to add those two to my list of favorites. I recommend trying then if you like  reds.

Thanks to Dom and Ceris for the Award winning chilli sauce and jar of pickled chillies. As Jane would tell you, it lasted just over a week.

Last but not least, thanks to all forty or so of you for joining me on my birthday, and making it one to remember.

Jesus, I feel like I've just  rehearsed for the Oscars. See you soon.

Friday 25th 

JUNE

TRIBECA

RESTAURANT & BAR:

Only discovered Tribeca a couple of month ago, Didn't really believe there could possibly be a trendy, under 30s kind' a bar  anywhere near Toorak village, but yes, I have to admit there certainly is. 

OK, OK, - before everyone sends me a barrage of emails reminding me of how old I am, it doesn't mean that I can't stop acting like I'm in my 20s. (I guess even that is debatable I hear you say, - but let's not get off the beaten track.)

 The great thing about the place is that the entire  downstairs section is devoted to an Italian style restaurant, and the upstairs section is a funky, dimly lit bar, even boasting a little courtyard.

 It's surprisingly big inside, and gets pretty much packed out with 20 to 30 year olds, even on a Thursday. The time-bomb appears to go off at around 9.30 - 10pm. They have a DJ playing on both Thursdays and Fridays.

As for beer, well what can you say, they've got Guinness and Stella so I'm not complaining. There's also a good selection of bubbles and wine for the ladies (and gentlemen).

Pacey was definitely doing is PR bit for the NRTW, and managed to invite a new guest, namely Donna, who made an appearance amongst a bunch a strangers. So 10 out of 10 for Mark's effort, and 10 out of 10 to Donna for braving it !

We were also accompanied by a few of Maree's work colleagues a bit later on, so must also give Maree some brownie points.

As for the carry on party, I think that Mark, Genine, and Andy moved on to some wacky Lebanese venue for afters. They made it sound like the best thing since sliced bread, but it sounded pretty dodgy to me :-)

 I surrendered to a KFC, and the rest of us called it quits for the night.

All in all, Tribeca is definitely a place to visit again.

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

Donna & friend

Maree's work friends

Friday 30th 

JULY

FELIX RESTAURANT

& BAR

43 Fitzroy Street,

St. Kilda VIC 3182.

Haven't been to the Felix Bar in ages ! It's reminiscent of Huggie Bear's old patch in Starsky & Hutch. (You'll only have a clue what I mean if you are an old bugger like me).

Wasn't bad at all. Had a 20-odd turnout, including the likes of Rich and his better half whom we only have the pleasure of seeing once in a while these days.

Even Andrianna turned up after a long stint of promises stretching the best part of this year.

We headed off to a couple of other places afterwards (including the Pub below the White Bar), and called it quits not long after.

Not a hell of a lot else to say really !

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

John Boy

Andrianna

Borath

Friday 27th

AUGUST

ALBERT PARK HOTEL

83 Dundas Place,

Albert Park VIC 3206.

I have come to the inevitable conclusion that I simply cannot anticipate the turnout to these events, even after all these years !

Due to the total absence of smses, calls or emails from almost everyone, I was expecting that Jane and I had been deserted  last month, - only to find that there were around 30 of us, of which 20 had turned up before we did !!!!! 

- It's always good to know that people are easy going enough to just rock up to these events. - That's how I intended them to be.

There were loads of guest appearances including the elusive Steve Foster and his better half Liz, whom I have to profusely apologise to, for not having got round to having a chat with. 

- So Liz if you are reading this, hope you can make another NRTW in the near future. 

The last and only other time I've been at the Albert,  was after the races. Too bloody packed and stuffy at the time. Last month shed new light on the place. It was modern but not sterile, filled with personality. Great music and very spacious. 

Definitely a recommendation for taking a large group along, provided you can anticipate the lack of one, before you get there !

Another great surprise was seeing Mr. Larcombe who I believe is probably back out of the country again. We might have to call him Phileas Fogg judging by his track record. 

- Off to South America this time I think.

We stayed on till past 1am. By then everyone appeared to have had enough, so we packed it in for the night. - Stonking night though !!!!!!!

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

Rich Larcombe & friend

Begona & Horst

Peter K???? (Richard's mate)

Kosta & his better half.

Steve Foster and Liz.

Matthew Waters

Pacey's mates from squash

Friday 1st

OCTOBER

Little Lonsdale St (cnr Hardware St) 

Melbourne 3000

TEL: (03) 9670 5011

T'was but an interesting experience ! - The entire venue was held in tandem with Jacinta's birthday bash.

No surprises to see Andy and Jacinta already supping on a few proverbial sherries when we got there, as they are both city slickers on the professional front these days.

Besides that, I have to confess that it took us the best part of half an hour to find the blasted place. A bit embarrassing when you consider that its a bit like the mayor not knowing his own city !

To put another spin on the night, Jane & I started an ALM, ( for those not in the know, this is an Alcohol Low Month ), and I must stress, we were certainly not interested in an AFM !!

A great city venue. A 7 out of 10 on the funky scale. It never brimmed out either. To give you a feel for the ambiance, it had a reddish hue on a predominantly wooden landscape, with 70s soft furnishings. (I think my descriptions are getting more abstract as time goes on, don't you think ?? It's the wine taster's syndrome.) 

I particularly liked the unique restroom symbolism.  - A member of the feline species an the one hand, and a male member of the flightless clucking bird species on the other !

It was rather amazing to walk out of there stone cold sober.

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

I think we were more the guests this time !

Saturday 30th

OCTOBER

567 St. Kilda Road

Melbourne 3004

TEL: (03) 95292899

Absolutely fantastic lunchtime venue. There is so much space out on the lawn of the Institute of the Blind (or Blinded as it has been known to be called).

Tons (Tonnes, for those with a problem with the Imperial system) of bench space, and an outdoor bar and barbie stand. Even though you could move indoors, it is a damn site better sitting outdoors when the weather is warm.

We had NRTW goers wander in and out of the place through the day, but it started filling out at around 6pm. Only drawback was Melbourne Cup Weekend (as Mike O'Keefe) kindly pointed out. So the likes of Andy and Maree were ever promising to turn up over many a progressively slurry phone conversation / SMS.

We drew the line at 8pm as we were getting knackered, but as Murphy's Law would have it Maree and friends turned up there after many a battle with the trams. She didn't sound like a happy camper once she found out that we had buggered off, but she got over it !

Excellent place, so much so that my next one will probably be there too !

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

Gary & Pat Schiralli

Saturday 18th DECEMBER

ELLIS STREET LOUNGE

16 Ellis Street (off Chapel St. by the Jam Factory)

South Yarra

TEL: 98274032

If you think you're happening enough to know what there is to know about the Chapel Street area, and you have never heard of the Ellis Street Lounge, - you'd better think again !

It's just round the corner from Borders book shop, but just a couple of side street to the south. When you find it, you won't be convinced that it is what you're looking for.

In fact it may even resemble an institution that has been a source of entertainment for 'mankind' for many a century - only from the outside though !

It's contrast with the inside ? - Well let me think .... I suppose it's as contradicting as the Tardis, not so much in defying the laws of physics, but more in defying the laws of belief.

There was a combination of opulence and spirituality within which could be considered a contradiction in itself.

I'll stop before I get too carried away, but a few keywords that will put you in the picture before I do, include, candlelight, Chesterfields, incense, and a statue of the Buddha.

The Christmas do was coming along nicely with an unbeatable made to order Tapas selection, and the funkiest selection of cocktails until .....

- another group of party animals arrived on the scene at around 1am. Little known to Jane, one of whom turned out to be a client of hers - Ty.

For those of you who are in the know may recognise the unusual name as belonging to the Australian Carsen from Queer eye, and boy did  Andy and I get a complete make over !!  

His idea of a change of wardrobe requires re-mortgaging the house. I think I'll stick to below $1000 annual clothing budget and suffer the flack.

Neil Kuruppu

GUEST APPEARANCES

Xinhua

Steve Foster and the imminently expecting Liz

Anthony Fernando