Bentley Partners – a great fit with Docklands

Bentley Partners has only been in Docklands for six months but its tax manager, Craig Ball, says it is already a successful business.

“In the current economic environment it is becoming increasingly important to have a reliable accountant,” Mr Ball says.

“Bentley Partners are accountants and business advisors who assist small to medium businesses and individuals with all facets of the business life cycle.”

“We provide bold and pro-active advice and team with our clients to maximise the value they get from their business.”

“In addition to our team of accountants we also have a network, which includes a financial planner, loan broker and lawyer.”

Mr Ball has been working at Bentley Partners since October last year and says its position is the company’s greatest asset.

“When I first started here I hadn’t really been down to Docklands, other than to go to the football, but I have already noticed that the number of people coming down here is increasing every day.”

“We also have a fantastic client base that are a joy to work for and we can see their businesses growing on a yearly basis.”

Mr Ball says Docklands’ easy accessibility is also a huge bonus for clients.

“I love our proximity to Etihad Stadium when the cricket and footy are on,” Mr Ball says. “I can just stroll up the stairs and watch a game after work.”

“The restaurants and pubs are great down here too and you can see businesses are really starting to pick up.”

Bentley Partners is located at 744 Bourke St, Docklands. Call 96 001 100

Bigger, brighter, better for City Residential

After five successful years in business, local real estate agent City Residential has moved to larger and very prominent premises in Lorimer St, Docklands.

Directors Glenn Donnelly and Richard Mindraoui, who have 40 years of real estate experience between them, say the move to the former prestige car showroom at 50 Lorimer St is already paying off.

“It’s amazing how many people have dropped in to congratulate us on the move,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Being next to Lorimer St and the freeway, it’s just amazing how many people pass by and notice us every day.”

“In the six weeks that we have been here we have experienced enormous growth.”

“New and existing customers have dropped in and said that the place looks fantastic and how good it is that we are here.”

Glenn Donnelly and Richard Mindraoui started their business a little upstream at Flinders Wharf but say they had outgrown their previous office.

“We’ve got nine staff now and the new office is so much bigger, with plenty of room to grow too,” Mr Donnelly said.

“I’ve always felt that the new premises would be ideal for our business.  So when it became available, we snapped it up.”

“I’d say we would have secured the new place within 48 hours of it becoming available.”

“We are truly now positioned at the gateway to Docklands, Southbank and the city, which is great as we pride ourselves on being the inner-city apartment specialists.”

Mr Donnelly said City Residential prided itself in looking after vendors and landlords better than any other local agency.

Forget Don’s Party, this is Dom’s Party …

Two floors above Victoria Harbour, in the lap of Etihad Stadium, a birthday party is about to rock Docklands.

Docked Wine Bar & Tapas turns one year old on Saturday, May 19, so join the indomitable Dom as he celebrates with a night of ’70s glam, live music, a DJ, cocktails, Spanish cerveza (beer), enough sangria to float an Armada and enough tapas and paella to feed Barcelona

Fawlty Towers has Manuel, but Docklands has Dom and he is falling over himself to give you a good time.

“We will have prizes, singing, dancing and fabulous food,” Dom said.

“Join us for a cocktail in Docklands’ only two-storey-high bar. The view from up here is stunning.”

Oven-baked Turkish bread rolls, shared-platters, garlic prawns, stuffed mushrooms, fried eggplant, bravas, paella and, of course, muchos nachos.

“I chose a Saturday night when the footy is not on, so there won’t be a huge crowd,” Dom said.

Opposite the NAB building, Docked is conveniently nestled between the Bendigo Bank building and the YMCA, in front of Etihad Stadium’s Gate 9. Take the stairs on either side, or call Dom on 9642 1882 for lift access.

The free City Circle and No.70 trams stop out the front. Car parking is plentiful at Etihad Stadium and Southern Cross Station is a five-minute walk.

Dom said he was working at the YMCA gym “when I stumbled on this location”.

“This place has been Docklands’ best kept secret,” he said. “What a great view!

“I thought, what is Docklands missing? What does it need?”

“The answer: music, dancing and great Spanish food - with a view.”

Dom is constantly trying new dishes and flavours with his menu, and live Latin sounds.

“I have a lunch special offer – order three tapas and get a small paella free, Wednesday to Friday,” he said.

“Footy fans, come in and try our game day specials.”

“Every Thursday is Ladies Night, with $12 cocktails and $5 bubbles.”

Docked offers discounts on corporate functions and Dom is always keen to cut a deal for birthday parties and group bookings.

Docked Wine Bar & Tapas is at 2/106 Harbour Esplanade. Call 9642 1882 or visit http://www.docked.com.au  

Whet your appetite at Melbourne Aquarium

Imagine sipping a peach Bellini cocktail in Antarctica, followed by canapés on a river and finishing with desserts next to a coral atoll.

You might achieve it on a billionaire’s yacht ... or simply join Friday night drinks at the Melbourne Aquarium.

Held on the last Friday of the month, the evening is a roaming affair, taking in the underwater “worlds” of the aquarium.

“The evening starts with the penguins in our Antarctica world, and finishes at the Fish Bowl,” said the aquarium’s food and beverage manager Jo Beshara.

“It’s an amazing, two-and-a-half-hour underwater journey through the entire aquarium, accompanied by a live band,”
she said.

“You enjoy the spectacular night views of the Yarra River from the upper deck and watch the graceful rays and marine life in the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.”

Ms Beshara said the evening was one of many packages offered by the aquarium’s Five Star Functions.

“We host weddings, birthdays, hens and bucks nights and corporate get-togethers,” she said.

“School formals, bar mitzvahs, gala dinners, charity fund-raisers, the list goes on.”

“It can be a traditional three-course dinner, or a less-formal stand up cocktail reception.

“There are heaps of marriage proposals on our Valentines Day event!

“Two couples held their wedding ceremony underwater in the Oceanarium fish tank, while guests watched from outside.

“For a corporate function, you can have the company CEO underwater with a two-way, greeting his staff through the tank as they arrive.”

Aquarium communications manager Gabriella Iacuone said company family-days were popular, with face painting, balloons, tours, fish feeding and lunch.

“Our Mother’s Day brunch and lunch will include all-day entry and is attractive to all age groups,” Ms Iacuone said.

“Access is easy – there are no stairs.”

Ms Beshara said executive chef Michael Craig was preparing a new winter menu. British-born Craig recently joined the aquarium following five years at the Melbourne Sofitel, and before that at Harrod’s and the Mandarin Hotel in London, and the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh.

“We serve sustainable seafood and source our produce locally when we can,” Ms Beshara said.

“And yes, we do serve fish – but they are not from our fish tank!”

The Melbourne Aquarium is on the corner of King and Flinders streets, Melbourne. Call 9923 5952, email [email protected] or visit http://www.fivestarfunctions.com.au

We’re just Wilde about Oscars Table

“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”

1870s Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s wise words, in “Aristotle at Afternoon Tea”, ring true today at Oscars Table, in NewQuay.

With a new winter menu and wine list being unveiled on Mother’s Day, Oscars Table is driven by imagination and is not afraid to try new things.

Manager George Petinakis – a huge fan of Oscar Wilde – has worked in hospitality since high school, so he has plenty of experience to draw on.

“Spoil your mum on May 13,” Mr Petinakis said.

“We will have a special Mother’s Day menu, and a free glass of sparkling wine for every mum.”

Oscars Table’s wines are sourced both locally and overseas.

“We are introducing our own label, from the Hunter Valley,” Mr Petinakis said.

“We will have our own shiraz, a pinot grigio and a sparkling white.”

The cuisine emphasis is on shared plates, tapas and desserts.

“Our shared plates are influenced by the flavours of the Mediterranean,” Mr Petinakis said. “We cater for everyone.”

“Our rustic breakfast is popular on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.

Mr Petinakis wants all Docklanders to put Oscars Table’s barista to the test.

“We use Signature Coffee, which is roasted here in Melbourne,” he said.

“Also, our Sunday Sessions are a big hit, with Tommy singing and playing guitar.”

Mr Petinakis sees a positive future for Docklands.

“Docklands has become a teenager,” he said. “With every precinct, popularity ebbs and flows.

“When Docklands started 10 years ago, many people came here. Then they went to other new precincts, and now they are coming back here again.”

“At Oscars Table, we want to be different to everyone else.”

Not unlike Oscar Wilde himself …

Oscars Table is open seven days, at 50 NewQuay Promenade, Docklands. Call 9642 4242 or visit http://www.oscarstable.com.au