The words ‘Boozy Brunch’ are explicit enough to conjure several shades of disorderly Sunday folly. When there’s a chance to suit up for a Sunday sesh, I’m there. The 10th Boozy Brunch installment chose Saké Restaurant for their bimonthly food and booze gochisō (ごちそう; feast). When Boozy Brunch hits town, expect completely justified contemporary hedonism and to do what they tell you: booze and brunch.
You’d be forgiven for mistaking a clowder of well-dressed cats strutting Melbourne on a Sunday as wedding guests or Melbourne Cup fodder. Stepping into the heated Saké restaurant from nippy Flinders Lane was already a welcome ambiance, but the awaiting tray of Rum Diary Bar spiced rum cocktails was a more befitting one. One cocktail down. Boozy Brunch’s other sponsors Bondi Sands and Bodyography had also pimped out gift bags to complement the attractive food and booze menu. Speaking of attractive, anyone else notice the bevy of impeccably dressed women sprinkled around the venue? Two cocktails down.
A Boozy Brunch wouldn’t be a boozy brunch without brunch. Hamachi (はまち; tuna) with tomato jelly and tataki gyūniku (たたき牛肉; seared beef) for entrées. It’s a 5-course menu, but I’m digging the mingling vibe. Mojo Shiraz has now replaced cocktails. Three reds down and I’m eager to unleash my freshly redeemed drunken swagger on the D-floor, but can’t just yet because the Arthur Galan and Misha fashion show is on. After feasting on red velvet blazers and even more reds, it’s mingling time again. I’ve now mistaken someone working with Boozy Brunch as one of the models (did I mention everyone here is super attractive?). We’re now convincing the roaming caricature artist to draw me as a Rick and Morty character. Boozy Brunch-model gets a realistic portrait. Looks ace. I oblige. Four reds down.
models at Boozy Brunch
By now I’m no longer going to my volleyball game tonight and I’ve missed the tanindon (他人丼) and sashimi (刺身) main course. Ah well, red wine. MC is now telling everyone to get low (and by low, they mean below to the basement D-floor). After inhaling some myōga (茗荷; Japanese ginger) marshmallows and quizzing Blondie next to me if her lychee liqueur and lemonade is a real drink, I spend the rest of the night divulging about the trials and tribulations of long-term relationships and lazy exes over more booze. Wasn’t this thing supposed to finish at 5? In true Melb style, we overstay our welcome and debate whether south- or north-side will host the night’s impending shenanigans. North-side e’ryday.
DJ Mark John
Ate: Nihonryōri (日本料理; Japanese cuisine)
Drank: Sake, sake, sake (酒, 酒, 酒; booze, booze, booze). Frangelico and lime, anyone?
– Matt M.
Matt M. is a mad scientist by day and beer connoisseur by night. When he’s not devouring a new set of craft beers you will find him in a dankly lit room plotting his approach at the next alcohol-related festival.
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