The food here is good - some of it is very good - but the servings are minuscule. I've eaten here three times. On two occasions I shared one of their sample plates which are supposedly meant for two people (and priced accordingly). I'm not a big eater by any means, but I thought: I could easily have polished a plate off all on my own. The third time I went there, I DID eat one of the share plates all on my own - and I was still hungry afterward.

There were some odd bedfellows cuddled up together on the sample plates, such as charcuterie sharing the plate with Thai-style morsels, but I wouldn't say anything clashed violently, and individually each item was very tasty. Oh, and they do excellent chips. This is food I'd be perfectly happy to eat if it weren't so expensive for the quantity that you get.

Like most things in the Arts Centre precinct - parking, bar snacks, drinks, ice creams - the Curve Bar is vastly overpriced, in my opinion. Check out the prices on their online menu, and keep in mind that the servings are small, even the so-called "platter for two", so you'll probably need to order several dishes in order to feel satisfied. You're paying for the location, the ambience, and the convenience if you're there to see a show. I'd only consider eating at Curve Bar if I were running very late for a show and had no time to eat elsewhere. And even then, it'd still be a risk, because apparently they don't take bookings, so there's no guarantee of getting a table.

On the plus side, the surroundings are pleasant, the couches comfortable, and the staff are conscious that many of their customers are there to see a show and they do their best to serve you very quickly.

If you have very deep pockets, chances are you'll like the Curve Bar. If you're making a once-in-a-blue-moon visit to the Arts Centre to see a blockbuster show, you'll probably just consider it all part of the special occasion, and hang the expense. If you're simply looking for a place to hang out after work, have a drink or two with your friends and maybe nibble on some food, you'll probably also like it; if ambience is important to you, then the Curve Bar certainly delivers.

But if you're a regular visitor to the Arts Centre, as I am, and your food/parking budget is tight, as mine is, and you're looking for a proper pre-theatre meal rather than just something to nibble on, then I suggest you do what I do: allow plenty of time, eat somewhere else in the city or South Melbourne, and catch a tram to the Arts Centre. Even if you don't want to tram it, there are other food options only a short walk away at Southbank or across the road at Fed Square. Even the Script Bar around the corner at the new MTC theatre is better value than the Curve Bar, in my opinion. It doesn't have the same ambience, but it has equally good food (and larger serves) at significantly cheaper prices.

very picturesque scenery, They sell quality meal and it is a great place to relax and chill out after a hard day at the office. Great also if you want a light meal before hitting the clubs or going out to a concert.