Where to Have a High-Flying Feed When You Have a Win at Work

Named after chef Joseph Vargetto’s youngest son, Massi is the place to go in the CBD if you’re looking to experience true Italian hospitality. Behind the large marble bar, you’ll find a thoughtful selection of mostly Italian wines — although the Aperitivo Hour, which kicks off at 4.30pm every day, is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with Massi’s impressive selection of prosecco and beer, too. The menu isn’t bad either. There’s a crudo antipasto corner, featuring small bites like olives, terrine and salami — perfectly suited to the free Nobody’s Hero pinot gris you’ll get thanks to Citi. And mains like the squid ink spaghettini or the braised osso buco will delight diners looking for something heartier.

Entrecôte may take its name from Le Relais De L’Entrecôte — the famous one-dish steakhouse that opened in Paris in 1959 — but its Victorian terrace house setting is quintessentially Melburnian. With a prime location across the road from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, Entrecôte isn’t shy about its great views, so make sure to snag a spot out on the balcony. When it comes to food, the signature steak frites is a must-have. Doused in the buttery sauce Maison au beurre et aux herbes, the pasture-fed Black Angus porterhouse also comes with a generous serving of chips and a petite salad. If you’re more of an escargot kind of person, they’ve got those too, which will pair well with a bottle of lightly oaked chardonnay like the free one you’ll get by Coombe Farm.

Walk up to this unassuming brick exterior and purposefully low-key vibe, and you could be forgiven for thinking that L’Hotel Gitan is just another Melbourne pub — but don’t be fooled. Inside, chef Jacques Reymond and his family have combined their French roots with the building’s art deco history to create a polished bistro space that will have you nostalgic for Paris, even if you’ve never been there. The open kitchen provides an element of theatre, particularly if you’re sitting at the counter, while white tablecloths, classic French dishes like Duck Magret (which will go nicely with that free bottle of Coombe Farm pinot noir you’ll get thanks to Citi) and the uber-professional staff add a serious touch of class. In other words, L’Hotel Gitan is the perfect place to let your hair down in effortless style.

Although Melbourne fine dining institution Taxi Dining Room is gone, its new iteration as Taxi Kitchen is a fine replacement. Rich timber furnishings have replaced the white table linens affair executed by executive chef Tony Twitchett, with the restaurant being stripped back to a contemporary Australian tapas menu with a heavy Asian influence — from the same man, no less. In his own words, Taxi has lost the pretence, not the standards, meaning it’s still great for a celebratory feed. Plus, with the space still sitting above the world in Federation Square, it has some killer views. Foodwise, expect share plates of tempura bug tails, chilli beef dumplings with pickled daikon and, for the main event, dishes like Szechuan duck with hot mint salad and five spice caramel. The wine list has been stripped back too, with a fun and affordable offering, including Coombe Farm pinot or chardonnay, which will be on the house if you have a Citi card.

Image: Giulia Morlando.