It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Melbourne. The sun is shining, the city is buzzing with shoppers looking for a last-minute present and of course ‘All I want for Christmas is you‘ is playing everywhere.
One of the best parts of this time of year is getting your loved ones together to relax with some great food, wine and entertainment. That’s where Evergreen’s Wonder Lounge at Crown steps in.
Evergreen is a great events venue within the Crown complex, with captivating views of the Yarra River and city skyline. This Christmas pop-up event is an evening of glittering cabaret entertainment, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking acrobatic shows that will leave you feeling very festive.
As you ascend to the lofty heights within the Crown complex, my plus one and I were wowed by the transformation of the Evergreen space into a Winter Wonder Lounge. Imagine twinkling (electric) candle lights, plush seating, and a stage bathed in the warm glow of anticipation for what is ahead.
As our welcome glass of champagne arrived and we settled into our comfy seats, we were told by the excited waiter that we had a three-course meal to look forward to while a variety of cabaret acts performed on the stage.
First up was an aerial hoop performance and roving drag performer who worked the room in a tartan Christmas outfit. My plus one and I selected our three-courses for the night and settled in to see what happened next.
We love a good variety show, and the cabaret performances were exceptional. Surprisingly though there was an hour wait between the first performance and the next that left us wondering if this was going to be a very slow paced night, but thankfully once the juggler and acrobat got on stage, each subsequent show happened in quick succession.
My plus one and I shared our first courses; kingfish sashimi, sumac yoghurt, black fig and walnut agrodolce as well as a tasty burrata cheese with preserved tomato and basil pesto. Both were very tasty and had us hungry for more.
As we listened to the vocalist singing classic Christmas songs, as well as a tune from the Grinch, it was time for our main course. We ordered the braised lamb shoulder with parsnip puree, grilled asparagus, and truffled peas as well as the snapper with a simple citrus salad – perfect for a hot summer in Australia.
Another thing the Wonder Lounge did quite well was some truly elaborate cocktails. We tried the Mrs Clause’s Breakfast delight which used maple bacon washed bourbon, bitters and came in a jar full of apple wood chip smoke which reminded us of a campfire. The Santa’s citrus negroni was an interesting twist on the classic negroni, but with an added citrus Prosecco foam which was piped into our glass right at our table. We also hear that some cocktails had a printed design on the foam using a specialty cocktail printer with edible ink.
During the grand finale, our singer was in full swing with her two backup dancers dressed in green top hats. We only had eyes for the dessert. The blood orange and chocolate bombe Alaska (pictured above) looks absolutely insta-worthy, and we also enjoyed the classic pavlova wreath with chocolate and berries.
So gather your loved ones, don your finest festive attire (but leave that daggy Christmas jumper at home), and step into the heart of Melbourne’s winter magic. The Wonder Lounge is ready to weave a spell of holiday enchantment that will linger long after the last snowflake melts away.
– The Plus Ones
Evergreen’s Wonder Lounge is open now at Crown Casino Melbourne until the 24th December, 2023. Get your tickets here.
