The Commons at Ormond Collective gives us hope for the future of outdoor dining

There’s been a lot of talk about St Kilda Rd’s leafy new outdoor venue The Commons at Ormond Collective — so does it live up to the hype?

The Conservatory at The Commons at Ormond Collective. Picture: Marcel Aucar.

If 2020 changed the world as we knew it, it’ll also be known as the year Melbourne embraced outdoor dining.

We dusted off the old picnic rug and strapped on our face masks for some socially-distanced, alfresco fun in October.

Now in November, the city’s peak party season, many of us are venturing out for the first time since June, either giddy as the kids on Christmas Eve or nervous about this post- lockdown world.

Melbourne spent 112 days without dining in restaurants, cafes or pubs.

Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh at their new venue The Commons. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Jobs were lost, livelihoods destroyed, and some say the worst is yet to come when JobKeeper ends in March.

It’s been a tough slog for all, but in what seems to be a silver lining, the industry has gifted us a shiny, new venue — The Commons at Ormond Collective.

This play-space for adults, ahem, massive beer garden, is large enough to pack em’ in safely and is serving whatever you fancy all-day long — coffees and cakes, beers and burgers, cocktails and cheese platters — and you can even take your dog.

The ‘Lukey’ Angus beef burger. Picture: Marcel Aucar.

The prrawn roll. Picture: Marcel Aucar.

This all sounds too good to be true in a year of disappointment but after visiting Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh’s (of The Big Group and Real Housewives of Melbourne fame) new venue it really is as big and brilliant as what’s been hyped.

The 1700sq m green patch on St Kilda Rd (main entrance via Moubray St) may seem like Melbourne’s answer to Sydney’s The Grounds of Alexandria more than its predecessors The Belgian Beer Garden and The Village, with its leafy sun-drenched spaces, manicured hedges and on-site kitchen garden.

At one time 400 punters can safely dine 1.5m apart in the beer garden, garden cafe and conservatory, and on rainy days another 400 can pack into those other on-site spaces — Western Bar, Ormond Hall and Eastern Bar. What’s reassuring, and defining of The Commons, is its approach to COVID safety — check-in with your smartphone, let the dapper-dressed COVID concierge take you to your table, browse the menu, order and pay from your phone, if you choose, without speaking to another soul.

Limited social interaction with waiters is something that’ll take time getting used to, especially if you’re partial to a cheeky wine or snack recommendation.

One of the expansive outdoor areas at The Commons at Ormond Collective. Picture: Marcel Aucar.

Executive chef Lisa Bolle (of Cutler & Co, Caterina’s Cucina e Bar) uses skills earned over 18 years in Melbourne restaurants and London’s events scene, in the all-day menu.

The creamy prawn brioche roll ($15) is a two-bite take on the lobster classic, while the pretty as-an-Insta-pic Commons Flatbread ($22) is perfect for sharing, although you may not want to. It has a flavoursome dough that’s fluffy, chewy and crisp where it counts, topped with a delicious artichoke and That’s Amore mozzarella spread and decorated with seasonal greens and flowers plucked from the kitchen garden a few metres away.

But in 2020 we’re after food that feeds the soul and The Lukey ($25) angus beef burger does the trick with a fat, juicy meat patty and oozing American cheddar between buttery brioche, with a side of pickles and golden fried chips.

The kitchen garden at Commons at Ormond Collective. Picture: Marcel Aucar.

Sadly The Commons doesn’t do breakfast or brunch, which is almost redeemable in their creation of what’s been touted as the best cookie you’ll eat this year — and I would agree. It’s a sophisticated, Subway-style cookie on steroids made with massive chunks of macadamia, dark chocolate, Davidson plum and a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth buttery base.

You can snack on these with a Small Batch brewed coffee inside the fancy conservatory that’s been decked out with enough wicker furniture, green plaid and crisp white tones to be mistaken for a Provincial Living store.

The food and drink prices may be steep for some, but after a hard year, this may be where you choose to let loose.

The Commons has perhaps given us the greatest gift of all this year — a space to see our mates, tasty treats and a safe and fun return to outdoor dining in Melbourne.

THE COMMONS AT ORMOND COLLECTIVE

557 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Ph: 8416 9791

Open: Mon-Wed: 8am to 5.30pm, Thu-Fri: 8am to 9.30pm, Sat-Sun: 11am to 9.30pm.

WEBSITE: ormondcollective.net.au

Go-to dish: The Commons Flatbread

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@kara_irving