DP owes me a REALLY nice meal for my 40th birthday and it's a while since I had my finger on the pulse.

Where would you go?

Money no real object since DP's paying!

Preferably close, like really close, (staggering distance) to some bars where we'll find a seat.

I used to like going to Matteos in North Fitzroy because it was next to The Newry Hotel so I could combine sticky carpet pub with fancy restaurant but pub has now closed.

So that would be my ideal - fancy restaurant next door to grungy/small/decadent/preferably not TOO many suits/ bar.