The Docklands goes Spanish

The Docklands goes Spanish with Bar Nacional, the latest offering by chef, health-nut and cookbook author Pete Evans. He's partnered with chef Gavin Baker, who was brought to Melbourne by Evans to open Little Collins Street restaurant Little Hunter, and Lang Walker, chairman of Walker Corporation, the company behind the ambitious, multimillion Collins Square development.

Baker describes the menu as "Spanish food that's more substantial than pintxos" and the menu focuses on low-fuss, easy-sharing tapas - charcuterie, smoked salt cod, patatas bravas. Heading the kitchen of the 78-seater is chef Alex Drobysz, who moved from Perth for the gig.

Bar Nacional - a weekday enterprise - is aimed squarely at the office-worker market, with outdoor dining and a bar just right for that after work tipple or office lunch by day. The only real question is will there be activated almonds on the menu?

Bar Nacional: 727 Collins Street, Docklands. Phone: 92527999. See: barnacional.com.au. Open: Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm.