Burgled

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is a warm and evocative bar in the heart of Melbourne's South-East that offers beer, burgers and a classic feel with it's sights and surrounds.

Walking on in you'll be struck by the warm hues and colours across the room. This is the first impression of the eyes of which many things shall draw their gaze as you glance along the room. Yet, as distinct from bringing about overload of the senses, everything in the decor is well balanced. Before more is said of this though, first a word of 's menu.

For those that love a standard and familar burger, has you covered. Yet, is it true Johhny and staff appear keen to encourage the trying of new states, naming the straightforward beef pattie, lettuce, tomato and so on 'The Plain Jane'. But, even if you order this one, with other options on the menu like the German (kransky sausage, sauerkraut, pickles, cheese, tomato, ketchup and mustard) and the Samurai (panko crumbed chicken patty, with Asian slaw and Wasabi aioli) it is highly likely you'll be tempted for a second before evenings end.

Yet, while being keen on a second burger may normally see off appetite for dessert, this is another avenue where the menu puts forward something different.



True Melbourne has an abundance of places to indulge in sugary treats, but perhaps too few that combine dessert and a burger into one dish. Not dissimilar perhaps to a 'Cruffin' done by the folks at Little Rogue Cafe in the Melbourne CBD; this dessert burger is surely a dish most folks would feel need to try at least once in their lives.

Alongside the burgers (both beef or chocolate laden), there is the drinks menu. In particular, while a fully licensed bar, with the abundance of milkshake flavours on offer, it'd be excusable if many forgo a lager for a lychee and vanilla or salted caramel.



Concerning the wider atmosphere of the bar, it is not a good time to pick up on the history of the bar and its design. Head Chef and Co-owner Johnny Sarandakis set up after many years working in the hospitality industry. Two features were foremost in his mind when building the bar. First, that the kitchen would be out 'in the open', so patrons could see their meal as it was being prepared, alongside the work of 's staff as it was done.

Johnny's second key feature for the bar was that it would evoke a sense of nostalgia. This is visible throughout the design and decor of the Oakleigh restaurant (and more on this in a moment), but it also offers a new take on the old.

The traditional diner counter has set up warrants a special word; as it faces alongside the open kitchen (though helpfully for safety concerns with the stoves facing the other side against the wall).


Not only does this provide another point of interest for the eyes as you sip a beer and move through the night, but also gives chance to chat with staff as they work, and this feature is something that said a lot about the restaurant and the accessibility and friendliness it is trying to put forth with customers.

With this, the same thing can be said for the memorabilia on the wall. As well as offering pieces to admire and restart old debates - e.g.'was Ali REALLY the best boxer ever?' - they are also for sale.



This offers chance for someone hosting a celebration at the venue - or even just a rather big night out - a way to walk away with a souvenir of something near and dear them, and as a memento of an notable evening out.

Throughout all this memorabilia and odes to the past, remains a modern venue with black and orange hues, white tiled walls and wooden floors. This to say, folks that enjoy a restaurant that homages the past - while avoiding being handcuffed by it - will find themselves as home here; for burgled nails the balance between classic decor and modern style.

Bar, a solid stop for a burger, milkshake and more in Oakleigh.

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