Collins Square needed a dash of Spanish flavour to liven it up and Bar Nacional was happy to provide. Australian Chef and cookbook author Pete Evans has joined forces with American Chef Gavin Baker and Lang Walker to launch Bar Nacional, the new must-visit knock off work drinks and dinner destination.

The Spanish inspired restaurant has an impressive menu and an even better outdoor area that’s perfect for summer. Guests and foodies at the launch enjoyed sumptuous tapas and sangria all night long. Knowledgeable waiters gave detailed descriptions of each dish. Guests could savour the rich Bar Nacional flavours for longer with gifts of marinated Spanish olives and bite-sized deserts to take home too.

Baker and Evans were proudly in attendance and mingled with guests to passionately discuss the menu. With great revere, they introduced their power team of chefs as the best in the business. The duo doesn’t plan to stop there. Evans took the opportunity to announce that Collins Square will also be home to an Italian Restaurant called Chiara. The next Evans/Baker/Walker project is sure to be just as much of a success.

Artwork by pre-eminent Aussie artist John Olsen is a feature piece in the Collins Square lobby and visible from Bar Nacional. You don’t get décor much more quintessentially Australian than that!

The multi-million-dollar Collins Square commercial development, surrounded by large corporate headquarters like Myer and Channel Nine, is hotly anticipated to become the heart of Melbourne City. With Bar Nacional at its centre, it’s certainly off to a delicious start. ☆

Images: APL