CP Picks: Here's How Our Editors Are Celebrating American Express delicious. Month Out in Melbourne

Of the far too many things I miss about travelling, somewhere near the top of my list is being holed up in a buzzy izakaya in a Shibuya alleyway. For now, though, the next best thing is firing up my home hibachi (you know, like any other self-respecting and all-too-easily-influenced MasterChef fan) and playing make-believe.

So when the opportunity to take my home grilling to the next level presents itself, you best believe I’m rolling up my sleeves and getting involved. Especially when it’s in the form of a masterclass led by Stephen Clark and Yosuke Furukuwa of Exhibition Street go-to Robata. Not only will the class offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Robata kitchen, you’ll also leave armed with handy hints for your next at-home yakitori and sushi feast. Oh, and did I mention there’s also a three-course sake-pairing lunch included, too?

If those leftovers you meal prepped on Sunday are beginning to feel a little played out and you’re looking to reward yourself for getting through half of the week, hit up Bar Lourinhã during American Express delicious. Month Out for a midweek lunch feast that won’t break the bank.

The Little Collins Street eatery is cooking up a rabbit, prawn and clam paella each Wednesday during May. Round up your best work buddies or call in a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with and for $40 per person, you’ll be treated to a heaped serving of paella with your choice of a glass of Spanish wine or beer.

If you’ve never experienced the joy of making — and then eating — fresh pasta, consider this your sign to rectify things. I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times before, but I’m going to say it anyway: the final dish tastes infinitely better than anything you could produce with the dried stuff. Plus, the entire process of turning flour and eggs into a restaurant-worthy dinner is surprisingly therapeutic — particularly if wine is involved.

To help you add this new skill to your kitchen toolkit is Italian diner Tipico, which is hosting a 2.5-hour masterclass guided by Chef Andrea Serreli. Enjoy coffee and cake to start before learning how to make long golden ribbons of pappardelle. Then, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labour with a big glass of wine before hitting the road with even more pasta to enjoy at home.

I’m a total sucker for a bargain — especially when it involves delicious food. So, when I found out Argentinian culinary whizzes San Telmo were offering a lunch special during American Express delicious. Month Out this month, it caught my attention.

From Monday–Thursday throughout May, you can score the generous lunch special at the buzzy CBD spot for just $30. There are two sandwiches to choose from — the lomita and the choripan. The first is loaded with tender slices of premium beef and chimichurri and the latter is all about smoky chorizo. Alongside your sandwich, you’ll also get one of San Telmo’s famous empanadas and a refreshing beer to wash it all down.

If it’s an al fresco vibe that you’re chasing in May and gin is your drink of choice, Pilgrim is serving up both on the banks of the Yarra every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the month.

The Gin High Tea will hero the spirit in a series of tea-infused gin cocktails and the food lineup is a showcase of native ingredients remixed into high-tea standards (think: tonic scones with strawberry and hibiscus preserve and prawn toast with lemon myrtle aioli and sea spray). Add bottomless sparkling wine into the mix and, at just $65 per person, you’re looking at an extremely reasonable and buzzy afternoon with your chosen or actual family. Bottoms up.