The Continental

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 146

The Continental climate is defined as one with widely varying temperatures. The Continental Cafe lives up to its dictionary definition by serving all from "people on budgets and those who sit around drinking French champagne - it's a kind of cross pollination . . . we are not aiming for any one particular area, (but) a diverse cross section," says management. People of all kinds and at all times of day.

Breakfasts are still big business every day but especially on Saturdays after the ritual of going to the Prahran Market nearby.

But then for R.G. it's also duck salad to die for. Juicy and crispy - an unusual combination lying on a bed of peppery chicory topped with vinaigrette dressing - oily with a balsamic aftertaste. Eating this combination with solid white bread and I am in ecstasy. This and other wonderful dishes created by John Dench have become the classics of cafe society that truly make me consider, at those particular moments at least, that food is the greatest of pleasures.

Late at night the nightclub upstairs is packed full. The outer rim of standers sway in the dark, adding to the rising energy as The Continental highlights fantastic contemporary jazz, such as Mike Nock, Scott Tinkler, Paul Grabowsky and Blossom Dearie - a creative tour de force. There's also Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter to rouse us and inspire the fight for rights. Bernard Galbally has added to the richness of life in Melbourne with his lively program offering a chance to international, Australian established and starting out musicians. R.G.'s preference is jazz but the music program lives up to the rest of the Continental's reputation for variety and also showcases the best of rock, soul, r&b and pop.

132A Greville Street
Prahran
Melways reference 2L:G11
Phone: 9510 2788
Opening hours: Cafe 7 days Mon-Fri 7am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-late. Cocktail bar: Thurs & Fri Sat 5pm-late
Licensed
Accepts credit cards
Seats Inside: 70
Closed: Christams Day & Good Friday
Features: Restricted smoking
Favouites: Penne mattriciana $10.00, Penne puttanesca $10.00, Spaghetti carbonara $9.50