Hop Sing Bar & Food at Mercure Treasury Gardens then AFL at the MCG
The World Loves Melbourne was invited to an exclusive media event to experience Hop Sing Bar & Food as a destination for football lovers going to the nearby MCG. This restaurant and bar on Spring St is ideally placed for a pre and post game drinks and food experience, and even for a sleepover in one of the attractive rooms.
We were excited to be part of this event arriving Friday afternoon at Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens on Spring St Melbourne before the "big game" and checked into our fabulous accommodation. We enjoyed a bed, breakfast and wifi experience. Parking arrangements were also available.
The World Loves Melbourne was invited by Accor Hotels to enjoy a staycation in our wonderful city. It’s not often one takes the time to check out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so we were excited to do so.
Accor hotels is the world’s leading hotel operators with a large portfolio of internationally renowned brands such as Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery and Mercure which we had the pleasure of experiencing. Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens is the perfect location in the CBD, smack bang between Melbourne’s shopping and dining precincts as well as being a stones throw away from the best sporting venues in Australia.
After checking in and relaxing in our well-appointed room, we started feeling slightly peckish so headed downstairs to grab a bite and wet our whistles. Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens has unveiled its new look restaurant ‘Hop Sing’, which serves up Asian-infused hawker style food - perfect for sharing! A little birdy told me that the name “Hop Sing” is a testament to their excellent range of beers (hence the Hops) and their Singaporean (Sing) influenced food.
The space, previously known as Lime Restaurant, has been completely redesigned with recycled timber furnishings, commissioned artworks and a signature ‘green wall’ with vertically draped foliage and wall to ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views over Treasury Gardens and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens is primly positioned just moments away from the bustling CBD, Melbourne’s premier sporing arena the MCG and the city’s picturesque Treasury Gardens, making it ideal for both business and leisure travellers.
In harmony with people and places, the room design reflects the hotel’s location with black and white photography of Melbourne architecture and landmarks emblazoned on the bed heads. Room rates start from $158 per night. Mercure Privilege Rooms start from $215 per night and come with complimentary wifi, Nespresso coffee machine, gourmet slice, bottled water, newspaper, bathrobe and slippers all inclusive.
Hop Sing’s hidden gem is the newly designed menu crafted by executive chef Sunny Singh. Singh’s exciting menu offers guests a taste of Asia featuring Wagyu beef sliders with burnt chilli aioli, pickles and Monterey Jack Cheese, and Singapore chilli soft shell crab & steamed buns for starters. The main affair delights with Malay style lamb Rendang curry, wok tossed pippies in XO sauce and Wagyu rump beef in gomadare sesame sauce and kimchi. Leave room for dessert as the Matcha tiramisu with black sesame mascarpone and Bundy Rum is to die for.
Cocktails were A grade and the perfect pre-match enjoyment.
A highlight was the Singapore chilli soft shell crab bao and kimchi- crunch and big flavours!
The Grilled chicken satay is another winning dish.
Also rewarding was the Wagyu rump, gomadare sesame sauce with kimchi.
This is modern relaxed dining at its best! Finished off with delicious dessert.
Cupcakes with a football theme were playful and compelling, found in our room!
The restaurant’s new Asian infused menu is designed for sharing and pairs perfectly with the extensive collection of Australian wines on offer.
“We really want to encourage Mercure guests and Melbourne locals to taste a variety of dishes from the menu and partake in a culinary journey with those important to them,” says executive chef Sunny Singh.
Accompanied by an array of craft beers, tasty cocktails and an impressive wine list, Hop Sing is destined to be the place to go for a delightful culinary experience before and after sporting events at the MCG.
“It was important for us to have a restaurant that not only serviced our guests but also gained interest from locals. Melbournians are very particular with their food and we are thrilled to be winning over our patrons and proving that we are far from a typical hotel restaurant,” says Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens General Manager, Guy Marinucci.
With relaxing views of Treasury Gardens complementing the superb cuisine, Hop Sing Bar & Food is the perfect dining spot for business breakfasts, pretheatre dinners, family meals and a pre-footy feed.
We then had the thrill of walking down to the MCG for the Richmond vs. Collingwood game. This was a brilliant game where Richmond played one of its best games for the year. Collingwood mounted a challenge but Richmond Tigers stood firm. We watched the game from decent seats which was much appreciated.
After the game we returned back to Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens for drinks at Hop Sing Bar & Food before retiring to our room for a restful night’s sleep.
Next morning we were able to enjoy breakfast at our leisure.
Hop Sing is open daily from 10am – 10pm offering lunch, dinner and all day dining options.
Thank you to Accor Hotels for the weekend getaway. There is nothing better than being a tourist in your own home town.
We highly recommend Mercure Treatury Gardens and Hop Sing Bar & Food for your next visit to the MCG!