Here's something to make you feel old: Shane Delia's flagship Melbourne restaurant, Maha, is turning 15. It's nearly old enough to vote. In fact, Maha first opened its doors in 2008, before Instagram even existed.
To mark the occasion, Shane and the team are throwing a special birthday menu which will run through June and July. It's a throwback to some of Maha's classic hits – one dish from each year.
There's the famous charred kingfish with pickled zucchini, lemon thyme and za'atar; the spiced lamb cigar, with its Middle Eastern spice blend and house-made cinnamon sugar; and (the big one) Delia's signature 12-hour roasted lamb shoulder with za'atar and pine nuts.
"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Maha over the past 15 years," Delia says. "It has been a journey of hard work, passion, and dedication to deliver an authentic, flavoursome, and unforgettable dining experience to our guests. I'm grateful to our team, suppliers, and loyal customers for their support and commitment to our vision."
In a lot of ways, Maha put Maltese and Middle Eastern flavours on Melbourne's fine dining map. It has earned a bunch of awards, a hat and accolades over the years, including being named as one of Australia's Top 100 restaurants.
If you've never been or you've been putting Maha off for 15 years, June and July is definitely the time to visit.
Images: Supplied