Monday, 10 April, 2017 – Melbourne City

This day is a change of schedule from the original plans. There were a variety of reasons, not the least that very scheiss weather was predicted and outdoor activities were not a good idea. Any way, yesterday at the Red Spice Road do, everybody (Jan, Kate, Julie, etc.) decided that we should go the the Flower Drum today, not later in the week. Flower Drum is a premium Chinese restaurant that in some stages in the past was known as the best restaurant in Australia, not just the best Chinese restaurant. Many consider it now to be old fashioned, as the decor has not changed for years, but we think it is great with tremendous service, great food, large spacing between tables, etc.

We arrived a bit early so waited in the lobby for our table to be ready. I get a phone call from Julie to say she is running late but will be there shortly, only for her to ring 3 minutes later to say that she is not coming at all. Then David shows up sans Kate who went to another function. So our table for 6 becomes a smaller table for 4.

Note the decor, the spacing between tables, etc. Although the place was nearly empty because of our early arrival, it eventually became 2/3 full, not bad for a random, rainy Monday.

The Flower Drum is considered by many to be quite expensive and perhaps it is. However, they have a lunch special, that varies from season to season the gives you a number of interesting choices with 2, 3 or 4 courses plus.

This dish was not on the special lunch menu but it is one of my favourites so we ordered it any way.

Plus there was fried rice. No one went for a dessert. Another great meal. David says goodbye and I take Jan and Hugh to a restaurant with a great view, Level 35 of the Sofitel which is not far away. I had hoped we could get a drink there but the restaurant and bar were closed at that time.

One of the best things about Level 35 is the tremendous views of inner and outer Melbourne to the East and South East – from the restrooms!

Note the famous MCG sport stadium, home of the 1956 Olympics, the Yarra River and the threatening skies. Nevertheless we decided to take public transport home, train to Glenferrie and the tram up.

We managed to get home before the heavens truly opened which it did for most of the rest of the night. We, after the activities of today and the last several days, had a very quiet night for a change.