Historically, 'beautiful' is probably not the first word you'd pick to describe your local butcher shop. But then again, Victor Churchill isn't your average meat store. For Sydneysiders, the name is a familiar one, with the butcher's OG Woollahra site an eastern suburbs staple since opening in 2009. Anthony Bourdain famously once called it ' the most beautiful butcher in the world'. But these days it's Melbourne's turn, after the Victor Churchill stable expanded to include a southern flagship on Armadale's High Street. Opened in 2021 in a former bank, the Armadale store more than ' meats' your expectations of a butcher, boasting a specialty charcuterie counter, wine bar, grocery corner, retail booze offering and lunch counter, along with its premium curation of meat products. It's an undeniably dapper space, too, clad in warm timber, green marble floors and chic copper accents, with dry-ageing meat hung theatrically as if in a gallery. The brand is a family affair, founded and run by Anthony Puharich and his fourth-generation butcher father, Victor. And together they've built some serious pedigree, with their wholesale business Vic's Premium Quality Meat a longtime supplier of top Melbourne restaurants including Attica, Flower Drum and Grossi Florentino. Here at the Armadale outpost, Victor Churchill is continuing its legacy of serving top-quality protein sourced from leading Aussie producers. As with its sibling, the store also does away with the traditional physical butcher's counter, in an effort to make the shopping experience more inviting and personal. The aforementioned wine bar is an intimate, 12-seat space at the back of the venue, where you can settle in for a glass of vino, a cocktail and dinner. Here, a Josper charcoal-fuelled rotisserie, charcoal oven and basque grill guides a menu filled with top-notch meat, charcuterie and seafood. Think, steak tartare, prawn cocktail and lobster pulled fresh from the tank. Meanwhile, your picnicking endeavours are serviced by the bumper charcuterie counter, that is stocked with an ever-evolving selection of house-made patés, terrines and snags, plus savoury goodies whipped up by the house pastry chefs. While you're there, you can shop a considered retail curation of seasonal produce, pantry staples and wine. And you probably shouldn't leave without grabbing one of the signature lunchtime rolls, loaded with rotisserie chicken or hot roast beef. Images by Pete Dillon.
Beautifully restored back in 2021, the 150-year-old Orrong Hotel, an art deco gem among Armadale's other art deco gems, is the kind of pub you keep returning to once you discover its magic. The interior itself is stunning, with a curved wooden bar, polished floorboards, ornate ceilings and tiled features throughout — you can tell no expense was spared on the restoration. The Orrong Hotel menu is chock full of classic pub fare, dressed up for a fun night out. Bar snacks include warm olives, mac and cheese croquettes and Louisiana hot wings. The small plates are designed to share, and you can't go wrong with a selection of salt and pepper squid, pork giblets and a beetroot-balsamic tart. For a main, you can opt for either a classic counter meal, such as the much-loved chicken parma or a peri-peri grilled chicken burger with guac, tomato and cheese. For something a little fancier, try a twice-cooked confit duck leg, a Moroccan veggie stew or a delicious blue swimmer crab pasta lightly seasoned with chilli, garlic and a splash of vermouth. If you're after something meatier, then the steak menu has you well and truly sorted. Served with thick-cut chips and your choice of sauce, The Orrong Hotel's cuts include a 300-gram Thousand Guineas scotch fillet and a 300-gram Jack's Creek porterhouse. For dessert The Orrong Hotel, there is a classic sticky date pudding, a spiced red wine poached pair or a cheese plate to pair with a bottle of red. Go glam, or keep it simple. The choice is all yours at this classic gastropub.
Do you have Champagne taste on a VB budget? We empathise. When you live in a city like Melbourne, the temptation to drink, dine, and spend is all around you. The amount of great restaurants make it hard to say no to an invite to check out a new spot, or to have a night out at an old favourite. While it's probably imprudent to be out Monday to Sunday living large, it's nice to sometimes splash out and treat yourself without going into debt. Here's nine fancy spots that you can get to on a budget — so you can enjoy the best of the best and still pay your share of the power bill. [caption id="attachment_586143" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pork neck, the first broccoli, pickled tomatoes and meat jus.[/caption] LUNCH AT VUE DE MONDE We know Vue as that impressive and hard to get into venue at the top of the Rialto. It's renowned for both its sky-high views and sky-high prices. If you've ever thought that this spot was out of your reach, it's time to think again. No, you don't need to schmooze anyone - because Vue do a lunch special. Available every Thursday – Sunday from 12pm, you can enjoy a four-course selection from $150 per person. While this is by no means a cheap lunch, it's certainly less expensive than the $250 per person menu from dinner and brings this squarely into the affordable range. [caption id="attachment_586145" align="alignnone" width="1280"] West Footscray radishes.[/caption] DINNER AT IDES The crew at Ides have been making a few ripples – ok, a splash and a half – from their digs on Smith Street in Collingwood. With an all-star team in the kitchen (ex Attica, among others) you can be assured of an inventive and enchanting experience when you sit down for dinner. With six courses ($110) on offer, you'll dine on dishes like crumbed avocado with poached prawn tails, finger lime and fried bread; and braised beef check with toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, black lentils and pomegranate. This would be great for a very special date night as you soak up the relaxed bustle from your seat in the tasteful dining space. BREAKFAST AT CUMULUS INC. Dinner at this Flinders Lane classic can be a bit expensive. Good thing that you can get the same Cumulus vibes for a fraction of the cost when you head here for breakfast! Squeeze in at the bar, or a seat at one of the tables around the edge for some serious people watching. Their shakshouka is endlessly good ($17), as are their marinated mushrooms, served with a humble combo of black barley and a 65/65 egg ($17). Sip a spicy tomato juice ($6 or $12 with a shot of Ketel One) or get your probiotics for the day with a fig and ginger kefir ($7). [caption id="attachment_586148" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fermented lady finger banana, packet cheese, flattened unripe rice, coconut, hazelnut.[/caption] DINNER AT NORA A little bit of quirky paired with a lot of finesse; Nora is doing some exciting things on Elgin Street in Carlton. Thai-Aussie couple and owners Sarin Rojanametin and Jean Thamthanakorn have stated that, "We want our diners to be excited, for there to be a sense of discovery and also find warm familiarity in our food." With a current dinner offering of a progressive tasting (ponying up 12+ dishes for a very reasonable $115) you will enjoy an intimate, relaxed and exciting night out. From your cosy seat in the wee dining space, strap in and while away a pleasant couple of hours as you are taken on a journey to the roots of the best of Thai cuisine. If dinner ain't your thing, stop by for an equally exciting breakfast. [caption id="attachment_586114" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Coffin Bay oysters with cider emulsion.[/caption] OYSTERS AT PANAMA DINING ROOM Mother shucker. If you're a fan of bivalves (and are nowhere near South Melbourne Market), head to the Panama Dining Room for $1 oysters every damn day between 6 and 7 pm. Order your oysters and a drink, and plop down near the arched window or gaze down on bustling Smith Street below you. Perhaps shoot some pool while you wait for your plate of perfectly plump oysters to arrive, and for drinks you could do worse than to support a local company by drinking a cocktail. Try The Lost Mermaid – made with Melbourne Gin Company Gin, Grapefruit and Rosemary Shrub, Mint, Lime and Soda ($20). Look at it this way; with the money you save on oysters you can afford to spend more on drinks. [caption id="attachment_586115" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marron brioche rolls.[/caption] LUNCH AT LUI BAR If you want to step things up a notch the next time you lunch, head on up to the Lui Bar for a counter meal. The bar for Vue de Monde, they're no slouch in service, ambience or style. For the very reasonable sum of $39 you will enjoy a main course, seasonal side and a glass of wine or a beer plus a coffee and a sweet. Yep. From 12pm – 2pm Thursday to Sunday just head on up in the lifts to the 55th floor, to soak up some of the best views in Melbourne and some fabulous food too. If you don't have to head back to work in a rush then you can settle in on one of the comfy couches, and enjoy the sweeping views from your opulent surrounds. [caption id="attachment_586117" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The world's best margherita pizza.[/caption] PIZZA AT 400 GRADI If you've wanted to try the world's best margherita pizza but can't afford the airfare to Italy then you're in luck. Get yourself to 400 Gradi for a crispy slice straight from the wood fired oven of chef Johnny Di Francesco. In 2014 Di Franceso swooped in and beat out 600 competitors to scoop top prize at the World Pizza Championships in Italy, making this the official home of some world-class pizza. If the crowds at this Lygon Street spot are anything to go by, we continue to agree with the decision whole-heartedly. Tuck into the oh-so-crispy base topped with perfectly melted San Marzano tomato, buffalo mazarella, and basil ($22). You might not ever want to eat another pizza again, but when it's this good it's s a risk we're willing to take. [caption id="attachment_586118" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Young lettuce served fresh with baby sun rose, garden spices and chicken sauce.[/caption] DEGUSTATION AT O.MY If you're out in east Melbourne and simply dying for a degustation made from fresh seasonal produce then you're in luck. Located in an old butcher shop in Beaconsfield, O.My is the passion project from three Bertoncello brothers with a love of great food. Blayne, Tyson, and Chayse hit all the right notes as they run the venue as chef, front of house and sommelier. Ingredients are prepared thoughtfully, and artfully paired with the freshest of herbs and shoots from their kitchen garden. Whether you opt for the four-course ($65), six-course ($85) or eight-course ($110) degustation, you'll be delighted with the result. Enjoy dishes like dry aged beef paired with fermented potato and the crisp sweetness of baby leek; or delight in the piquant, herbal sweetness of kaffir lime, chilli brownie and chocolate. One thing is for sure, it's time to head to Beaconsfield. [caption id="attachment_585975" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pearl on the ocean floor.[/caption] LUNCH AT LUMÉ South Melbourne venue Lumé is doing some pretty wonderful things from their airy, light and inviting dining room on Coventry Street. While dinner at $170 per person might not be an option for you every week, you can always stop by for a very long and lazy Saturday lunch. Priced at a very reasonable $80 per person, you'll enjoy dishes like seacorn taco with grilled camel hump, dry aged duck smoked over bottlebrush finished with elderflower honey, and caramelised artichoke with La Sirene Praline and chamomile. Available Saturdays only from 11.30am – 1.30pm, it's the perfect way to indulge without breaking the bank.
By now you've probably heard the news that this morning we awoke to a world a little less wondrous. After a long battle with a form of Alzheimer’s disease, beloved fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett has passed away at the age of 66. Best known for his ever-popular Discworld series, Pratchett published more than 70 books over the course of his lifetime, and won countless fans with his irreverent writing style and limitless imagination. With so much writing under his belt, there's a Pratchett line for seemingly any situation. In tribute to the well-lived author, we’ve collected some of our favourite Pratchett advice. ON OPTIMISM "There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!" – The Truth ON SEX “He'd noticed that sex bore some resemblance to cookery: it fascinated people, they sometimes bought books full of complicated recipes and interesting pictures, and sometimes when they were really hungry they created vast banquets in their imagination - but at the end of the day they'd settle quite happily for egg and chips.” – The Fifth Elephant. ON GENDER RELATIONS ON MARRIAGE “A marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores.” – The Fifth Elephant ON AMERICANS “A European says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with me?’ An American says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with him?’” ON DRINKING “Death: "THERE ARE BETTER THINGS IN THE WORLD THAN ALCOHOL, ALBERT." Albert: "Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.” – Death’s Domain ON FOOD “Sham Harga had run a successful eatery for many years by always smiling, never extending credit, and realizing that most of his customers wanted meals properly balanced between the four food groups: sugar, starch, grease and burnt crunchy bits.” – Men at Arms ON STYLE ON EDUCATION “Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.” – The Hogfather ON EXAMS “It is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street- cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.” – Moving Pictures ON HARD WORK “If you trust in yourself…. and believe in your dreams…. and follow your star… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy.” — The Wee Free Men ON GOD “God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players, to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.” – Good Omens ON EVIL “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.” – I Shall Wear Midnight ON DIFFERENCE ON LOVE “‘And what would humans be without love?’ ‘RARE’, said Death.” – Sourcery ON CREATIVITY "Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one." ON GETTING OLD “Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.” – Moving Pictures ON DEATH “It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living.” Image: Dementia Friends.
Gyms: musty, boring, full of intense bodybuilders and just so 2012. Why would you slog it out on the treadmill when you can dance in the dark? Why lift weights next to a grunting lifter when you can hang upside down bat-style in aerial yoga? Or shake those hips at a Bey Party? Exercise doesn’t have to be your bog standard running, squats and bicep curls. Creative and unusual alternatives are being offered around Melbourne. Try a different way of working out, and you may just enjoy it. BEY PARTY All the single ladies and non-single ladies plus gents are welcome to learn the dances to Queen Bey’s famous tracks for fun and to tone your bootylicious bods. Held in the tiki surrounds of LuWow in The Forbidden Temple on Thursday and Friday for $15 a session, it’s a party vibe with the opportunity for after-dance cocktails in easy reach. Beyonce-inspired outfits such as leotards, sequins and glitter are strongly encouraged, but no need to take it too seriously. Beyonce wouldn’t like that. Note: the same group is launching Bey Yoga on November 21 at Kal Studios. Thursdays and Fridays 6-7pm at The Forbidden Temple, LuWoW, 62-70 Johnson Street, Fitzroy DISCO YOGA If you like yoga but think your Vinyasa Flow would be improved with the rocking beats of MJ or Lady Gaga, you’ll find your centre in these classes. Held sporadically throughout the year with different themes across Melbourne, you can expect glitter, fluoro, a DJ and a high-intensity two-hour workout combined with plenty of kitschy freestyle dance. Disco Yoga is a weird mix of spiritual yoga and party atmosphere, and not for the introverted soul. This event will cost you around $45. The next Disco Yoga is Halloween themed and to be held at Chunky Move, Southbank. NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA 'Dance like nobody’s watching' isn't a saying for nothing. Founded in Fitzroy and now a worldwide movement, No Lights No Lycra invites you to reunite with the joy of dancing for fun and exercise to a mix of pop tracks from across the decades. They do it by switching off the lights. With no instruction, it's really just about letting loose, expressing yourself and embracing your inner daggy Dad dancing — because who can see you anyway? The class will cost you $5 - $7 for one hour to dance the way you feel. Held across various locations throughout the week in Melbourne. PARKOUR FOR FIRST-TIMERS Jump things. Climb. Vault. Parkour is an exercise that proves that you don’t need to join a gym to get fit; you can scale your neighbours backyard fences instead. Though it's probably best not to do that either, when you can go to the safe environments of Coburg Park and Southbank, and for $20, join a parkour class. This attitude and training style is about moving through urban environments like a ninja. Flipping, jumping across skyscrapers and other cool (but dangerous) tricks you may have seen on YouTube are not taught here, because legality. Southbank every Sunday 2.45pm–5pm, Coburg North first Thursday of every month 7-9pm. MORNING GLORYVILLE RAVES While most of us are still in the land of nod at 6.30am, a select few crazies are ready to “rave their way into the day” at the motivational yoga/dance party Morning Gloryville. As well as yoga classes and a DJ ensuring early risers get their sweat on, there are plenty of juice bars, vegan treats to help ravers reach natural highs and free massages to soothe their aching muscles. Every event is different, but the Morning Glory style ensures that glitter, performance artists and bright colour will be a given. Prices range from $16 - $26, and events are held sporadically throughout the year. THE CIRCUS SPOT Before running away and joining the circus, maybe try a few classes and see if it’s the life of which you’ve always dreamed first. The Circus Spot offers a range of classes for the acrobatically enthusiastic — trapeze, aerial hoop, tissu and tumbling — spread across studios in Fitzroy and Pascoe Vale. There are drop-in and term classes available depending on what you’re after, with casual classes costing $15. Skilled instructors will help you through the basics and guide you towards circus super-strength. If all else fails, you can always have a career as an amusement ride operator. Pascoe Vale (main studio), 204 Sussex Street, and Fitzroy, 304 Gore Street. VIBES ANTI-GRAVITY YOGA In anti-gravity (or 'aerial') yoga, you use a hammock for support, balance and to fly like a bird. Hang upside down like a bat, and try superman pose to swing side-to-side. It’s still yoga, so there’s a lot of balancing poses and tonal strengthening, but in the air. It’s a hell of a workout for your core and you will develop awesome arm strength from the jungle-like postures. What it’s not so great for is vertigo, and for the less coordinated among us, be prepared to knee yourself in the face. Anti-gravity doesn’t come cheap — casual drop-in classes cost $30. 106 Leicester Street, Fitzroy. HOOPS, THIGHS AND BUTTOCKS Remember hula hooping? Those were simpler times when success meant keeping a plastic toy moving around your hips. Turns out this kids' plaything is not a bad way to get moving and shaking. Hoops, Thighs and Buttocks have the philosophy that workouts don’t need to be so serious. They offer two fun classes: Booty Camp (some hooping combined with a variety of other dance aerobics) and Show Us Your Tricks! (100% pure hoopage). The classes are led by talented hula hoopers in Brunswick, Fitzroy, Northcote and St Kilda and are $20 per hip-shaking session. Various times and days across Brunswick, Fitzroy, Northcote and St Kilda.
Renowned Melbourne street artist Rone is no stranger to the intersection of beauty and decay, and you'll find this theme tying together much of what he puts his hands to. But his latest work really slaps you in the face with it — part exhibition, part installation, the artist's newest large-scale works are located inside an abandoned weatherboard house in the Melbourne suburb of Alphington. Dubbed The Omega Project, Rone has transformed each room in the house — including the kitchen, dining room and bedroom — into haunting mini installations. He spent weeks working his magic within an actual demolition zone, given free reign by developers to transform the last remaining house on the former Amcor paper mill site from an early-1900s weatherboard cottage into what he describes as 'a fantasy film set'. In striking contrast with the surrounding destruction, the space features the artist's signature Jane Doe portraits adorning the walls, while interior stylist Carly Spooner has gone all out with the chenille bedspreads and wood-grain telly sets to recreate the look of a classic, mid-century suburban Aussie pad. This isn't Rone's first time at the demolition zone rodeo, either — last year he held a solo exhibition Empty in Fitzroy's about-to-be-demolished Star Lyric Theatre. And, adopting the transience of the street art you spy splashed across the urban landscape, this exhibition isn't sticking around for long at all — catch it from Saturday, July 22 until Sunday, July 30 before it, too, meets the demo crew. The Omega Project by Rone will open to the public from July 22–30. RSVP to have the exhibition's exact location revealed to you via email. Find more info here.
Anyone familiar with Neil Perry, the pony-tailed chef at the helm of Rockpool Dining Group, will know of his affection for Asian cuisine. It is a passion that has been successfully translated into his Spice Temple ventures first in Sydney and then Melbourne. With more than 50 dishes on the epic menu, Perry — together with executive chef Andy Evans — has pushed the fusion aspect of Chinese food without losing traditional flavours. The focus shifts away from Cantonese-style food and instead explores regional Chinese provinces including Sichuan, Yunnan and Jianxi. The extra spicy dishes are highlighted in red either as a warning to those intolerant of fiery mouthfuls of food or a beacon to those who love burning sensations. The dishes, to be shared, are monumentally large, even for two people. Divided between salads and cold cuts, hot entrees, noodles, dumplings, seafood (live from the tank and pre-prepared), poultry, pork, lamb, beef and veggies, Spice Temple's variety is impressive. "Tingling" and "hot and numbing" pop up frequently on the menu, an indication of the tongue-burning content within. Fish drowning in heaven facing chillies and Sichuan peppercorns sounds (and looks) like a dish made only for the brave. Tea smoked duck breast with pickled cabbage and Chinese mustard is a formidable fusion, old school yet unusual. For the next hit, the fried pork cutlet with pickled red onion is to die for, however it is only available on Fridays and Saturdays. The highlight is a beef fillet in fire water, a fancy way of saying wagyu beef strips in a chilli broth with peppercorn, which is volcanic in taste and appearance. To cool the fire, and a recommended necessity, steamed Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and fried garlic are a great juxtaposition to the spice. For dessert, the mango mousse with condensed milk chantilly will soothe those scorched taste buds. If you're keen, there are two comprehensive banquet options or, if you're visiting during the day, an extensive yum cha lunch menu. Images: David Griffen
Glamour's the name of the game at Fitzroy's latest late night venue, from the team behind South Yarra's much-loved Less Than Zero. Open as of earlier this week, Glamorama will be serving up tasty food and extravagant beverages from their Brunswick Street kitchens and pumping electronic music well into the early hours. Located at 395 Brunswick Street, Glamorama boasts a beer garden, private booths and a state-of-the-art sound system, through which they'll blast the best in disco, techno and house. Local newcomers will play alongside major international artists, with H.O.S.H and Dense & Pika both booked for the coming months. The drinks list will have a focus on local whiskies, with drops from Sullivans Cove to Bakery Hill. They also offer an extensive range of amazingly named cocktails. Our favourite would have to be Bring Back Savage Garden (Hendricks, cranberry juice, cucumber, basil, celery shrub bitters and soda). That said, Buffalo's of the Caribbean (Angostura and peach bitters, buffalo trace, toasted coconut syrup and lemon juice) doesn't sound half bad either. The kitchen will be manned by head chef Shaun Hansen, whose experience at the now-closed Sweetwater Inn should hold hungry patrons in good stead. Vegan chicken wings may sound like a contradiction in terms, but we can't say we're not curious to give them a try. And who could have any reservations about Tim Tam trifle or lamington fried ice cream? Other options include moussaka with potato, eggplant, zucchini, capsicum, basil puree and red cabbage, and 'Botox' pies complete with syringes full of sauce. Dinner will be served until 11pm each night, while bar snacks will be available until 3am. Glamorama can be found at 395 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Their hours are 5pm – 3am on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 5pm – 5am on Friday and Saturday. For more information visit their website. Images: Eugene Hyland.
Johnston Street continues to be one of Melbourne's coolest strips — packed with some of the city's top bars, cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. But the sheer amount of places to drop by can be really overwhelming. You'd need days to properly explore all of its best bits. Knowing this, three neighbouring businesses — JUDE, Shop Gal and Addict — have joined forces to create a mini-shopping trail that includes free styling sessions and a ramen workshop — an unlikely but still brilliant pairing (that's also very Johnston Street). [caption id="attachment_982871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Addict[/caption] Starting at 6pm on Thursday, December 5, you'll first drop by JUDE — an independent fashion label championing Melbourne-made and gender-neutral clothing — to get free styling advice and do a spot of Christmas shopping. You'll then take a few steps down the strip to Shop Gal — Melbourne-based designer Tara Whalley's boutique fashion store that's home to her own colourful creations as well as a heap of other local designers' wares — for more styling tips and shopping opportunities. This is a must-stop spot for those looking to add a bit of colour and pattern to their summer wardrobe. [caption id="attachment_982877" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JUDE[/caption] The final stop is Addict — a cafe and ramen haunt — where punters can join a hands-on ramen workshop ($20) that comes with a complimentary cocktail. Either spend the rest of the night drinking and eating here or head back to JUNE and Shop Gal for more shopping. As a special treat, the teams have also created a limited-edition JUDE x TARA designer tote bag filled with goodies from all three stores. These will be available for purchase exclusively on the night, which is running up until 9.30pm. The event is free to attend, but booking is essential. [caption id="attachment_982870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shop Gal by Tara Whalley[/caption]
Shanghai Street has been around since 2010, and is Melbourne's foremost specialist in Shanghai cuisine, especially Shanghai xiaolongbao and juicy dumplings. The restaurant itself is elegant and charming, with attentive and friendly waitstaff which a few similar venues could learn from. The focus here is on food however, and with a regular queue out the front, it's hard to miss. The menu kicks off with a focus on homemade traditional xiaolongbao and fried mini buns, with the highlight being the steamed crab and pork option — vegetarians can tuck into the steamed vegetable version. These are as traditional as you'll find in Melbourne, and they are perfectly soft and succulent. There is a strong focus on dumplings, too, with the option to have them boiled or pan-fried. We'd recommend the chicken and prawn boiled, while the pan-fried beef dumplings are also a big hit. If you like them in a broth then the pork, mushroom and prawn wanton soup is for you. For some heartier meals try the Sichuan spicy chicken with peanut serve and a side of boiled rice, or the marinated duck with light sea salt for something more delicate. One of the house specialties here is the signature crispy chicken, that's deep fried and marinated with salt and pepper. Alternatively, the sweet and sour chicken with pineapple is a fun, flavoursome dish that you won't soon forget. There is also a strong seafood focus here, with the salt and pepper soft shell crab tossed in greens a must, while no order is complete without the stir-fried clams in XO sauce.
Going out for a meal in Melbourne is often a celebration in itself. We're ludicrously spoiled for choice, with a huge variety of cuisines hiding in every nook, cranny and alleyway of this glorious city. Unfortunately, buying drinks out on the town can sometimes cost you as much as meal — sometimes much more, depending on how extravagant you're feeling. Don't panic, good people of Melbourne, we hear your budgetary woes, and so do a number of Melbourne's restaurants. Whether you are trying to save a few bucks on beers or you've had a particular drop reserved for a special occasion, here are some of Melbourne's finest establishments where you can bring your own beverages. LAKSA KING, FLEMINGTON If you're after a knock-your-socks-off laksa to stave off the winter chill, you can't go past Flemington's Laksa King. While there are plenty of delicious menu items that are sure to catch your eye, we believe that everyone in Melbourne should have a combination curry laksa at least once in their lifetime, filled with mixed noodles, shrimp, fishcake and chicken for good measure. Believe it or not, all this slurping is still pretty thirsty work. It's BYO wine only here, with $8 corkage per bottle. THE RECREATION, FITZROY This North Fitzroy restaurant is not just a restaurant. It's part wine bar, part bottle shop and part French bistro, all wrapped up in one delightful package and helmed by the expert trio of chef Steven Nelson (ex-Bistro Gitan and Jacques Reymond), sommelier Mark Protheroe, and FOH gun Joe Durrant (both ex-Grossi Florentino). The kitchen's plating up modern iterations of some classic French flavours — think veal tartare, flat iron steak and free-range chook. The food is fancy, so prepare for a fancy corkage fee — $20 a bottle. But, if you're celebrating, this is good chance to bring in a (really) fancy bottle of bubbles. PIZZA MEINE LIEBE, NORTHCOTE If you're a BYO Bundaberg type, maybe a takeaway Dominos is your best bet. For everyone else, the gourmet pizzas at Pizza Meine Liebe are ideal for consuming alongside a cracking bottle of red from home. Case in point: the Ring of Fire ($16) with buffalo mozzarella, green chilli and chilli salt or the vegetarian Greenpeace ($15) with brocolli, silverbeet and taleggio. Gluten free pizza bases are available, too, and corkage comes in at an affordable $4 per person. Probably the only issue here is the restaurant's decision to use un-pitted olives — a controversial strategy, but maybe that's how they cut down on labour costs to offset the BYO licence. HUTONG, CBD At the high-end of Chinatown's dumpling bar district, HuTong is a buzzing CBD eatery that shouldn't be missed. Book in advance, because the restaurant's three levels of seating are consistently occupied with diners. Don't bother with anything else on the menu — just come for the hand-assembled bliss-bombs (otherwise known as dumplings), served fried or steamed or spurting with hot soup, xiao long bao-style. Despite being a little more upmarket than the usual dumpling canteen, the traditional suburban Chinese restaurant BYO ($4 per bottle) format is still honoured. TRATTORIA EMILIA, CBD It's not often that a restaurant offers a nice wine list and allows you to bring your own booze. And while Emilia isn't new — it's took over from Gills Diner back in 2015— it's pasta is some of the best in the city. It offers BYO wine on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night or $15 a bottle. It's a little on the steep side, so dust off something nice you've been saving (or splash out a little at the bottle o) — it will go extremely well with your pork and beef ragu. [caption id="attachment_568916" align="alignnone" width="1280"] a11m33 via Instagram[/caption] JIM'S GREEK TAVERN, COLLINGWOOD Jim's Greek Tavern is one of those venues that's been around for yonks, long before cold-drip cafes and bespoke barbershops began to take over the Smith Street strip. With a BYO anything policy, it's the kind of venue where customers can comfortably settle in for a night on the brews. There's no formal menu here — just a banquet of hot chips, gyros, calamari, octopus, a continuous stream of traditional Greek treats. While the internet's public jury is continually deliberating over the quality of the service here, the word 'authentic' tends to be thrown around a lot at least. FRANCE-SOIR, SOUTH YARRA Since 1986, France-Soir has been serving up classic French fare on Toorak Road. Choose from an extensive list of timeless, simple French classics — escargot, tuna tartare, rillettes de canard and steak au poivre, to name a few. But it's not just the food that keeps the restaurant packed after nearly 30 years. The raw intimate, atmosphere of is nearly impossible to replicate. As is it's cellar. With 30 wines available by the glass (and hundreds more available by the bottle) you are destined to find something you like. But if you don't, they also accept BYO — for $16.50 a bottle (but it's not allowed on Saturday nights). LADRO, FITZROY Every Monday, Ladro waives their usual $15 corkage fee in favour of a $5 transfer from your pocket directly to charity. For Fitzroy Ladro, that money goes straight to the local Vinnie's soup van or the Prahran Mission Christmas Day lunch. Team up a special (or not so special — there's nothing wrong with a casual award-winning Aldi tipple on a Monday night. after all) bottle with a salami board ($15) before unleashing the pizza procession. Keep a look out for the porcini e gorgonzola number ($24) and the gamberi piselli ($21) with tomato, lemon garlic prawns, peas, chilli, basil. MAMAK, CBD Malaysian-inspired, this Sydney import smashes the senses with ita satay, curry, roti and sambal, and as such, is bustling with spice-sweaty bodies on a nightly basis. Brave the queue for its BYO privileges ($2 a head), and find yourself reliving your gap year travels with hawker-style delights. A dozen charred satay sticks ($22), teamed with the flaky pastry of fresh roti ($7.50) and a selection of curries — we suggest the kari ikan ($17) fish curry with tomato, okra and eggplant — make the wait worth the effort. THAILA THAI, BRUNSWICK EAST Finding a venue that caters for a large group, allows BYO, and isn't cheap dumplings in the city is not easy. Thankfully, we've found just what you're looking for, as Thaila Thai does not fail to deliver on the good times and tasty Thai cuisine. Conveniently, there is a pub across the road that has a nifty little bottle-o attached. We recommend you duck in there, pick up a six pack of beer or a bottle of white and order yourself some pad thai. As previously mentioned, Thaila Thai is perfect for large group catch-ups, with an upstairs section decked out with plenty of table space. In other great news, the BYO fee is $1.50 per person for beer, wine and whisky.
Matsu has just four seats. We'll let that sink in while you keep reading. Owner and chef Hansol Lee spent over a decade in the kitchens of Kenzan — one of the best restaurants in Melbourne — before opening his own tiny venue in Footscray. Matsu offers diners a truly unique experience through the Japanese style of dining known as kaiseki. While similar to omakase, kaiseki, which originated from Japanese tea ceremonies, has slight differences. If omakase is relaxed, kaiseki is more formal. If omakase has a flamboyant chef you can interact with, kaiseki has a more focused chef with limited interaction. If omakase is a free-flowing menu with whatever is fresh that day, kaiseki is a predetermined set menu focusing on traditional structures. What they have in common, however, is a multi-course meal where the dishes are decided for you and watching the chef at work is a huge part of the experience. And when it comes to soy, the chef will let you know whether to add any or not, and it's best you listen to them. The feast at Matsu will include a series of small courses — appetisers, steamed items, nigiri, hassun (which means eight-sun, and this part of the experience includes some of the more visually stunning dishes and is entirely at the chef's discretion), soup, sashimi, a boiled course and dessert. It is a long and enormous feast of spectacular Japanese food, served up like tiny sculptures. It's edible art that tastes incredible. Just remember the restaurant has four seats. So book ahead, if you can, that is.
Melbourne has no shortage of minimalistic spots for breakfast and brunch, but West Melbourne's Japanese gem, 279, has got to be one of our very favourites. Despite some of its similarities to the city's many (many) cafes, 279 owner Kantaro Okada has done a lot to stand out amongst the local crowd. "One of the biggest reasons we chose West Melbourne was because of the lack of Japanese food options in this area," says Okada. "But the area does have a really interesting pocket of cafes — so I feel it will attract people who love food." Although the interior of the cafe is clean and light, the menu is hearty and traditional — and definitely not 'fusion'. "I really don't like doing fusion," says Okada. "We wanted to focus on home cooking and Japanese soul food that has been passed down through generations." The result of that is a menu that centres on onigiri (also called omusubi): triangles of rice wrapped in nori and served with a variety of toppings. Try out the classic miso (shiso-miso, $6), salted salmon (sha-ke, $5.80) or plum (ume, $5) for something on the lighter side. But if you're hungrier, the slow-cooked pork belly with ginger, garlic and spring onion (negi-shio, $14.80) and the smashed tuna with avocado and Japanese mayonnaise (negi-toro, $18) will both knock your socks off. Once you've ordered your onigiri, add some osozai (side dishes) — our top picks are the smashed tofu with shiitake and shimeji mushrooms ($5), the sweet soy glazed potato ($6) and the fried lotus root chips ($4.50). If you don't want rice, you can opt for one of three types of miso soup (kome, mugi and hiyoko mame, $6–6.50), which are individually strained through a specially designed 'pour over-style' machine to ensure each bowl is rich in flavour and smooth in texture, with no grainy mouthfeel. Still peckish? 279 also has a range of Japanese sweets on offer — most notably, its mochinuts ($6). A cross between mochi and doughnuts, these baked goods are made with tapioca and rice flour, which gives them a springy, slightly chewy texture. To get one, though, you'll need to get there early — they're usually sold out by lunchtime. Other sweet options include the roasted matcha tiramisu ($11) and the latte dorayaki pancake ($6.50). Like the food, the coffee is strictly Japanese. Sit at one of the countertops — drowning in morning light — and order a coffee made on Fuglen Tokyo beans, which are imported straight from the capital. 279 might look a little plain from the outside, but this authentic Japanese café serves up a huge spread of alternative brunch options. Don't be overwhelmed by dishes that might seem unfamiliar to you, either. It's all good. Trust us. Pick a bunch to share with your mates and enjoy the ride. If you can't manage to get a table at 279, you can also order many dishes to be delivered here. Appears in: The 13 Best Cafes in Melbourne for 2023
Hawthorne's Tao Tao House is your classic white linen Chinese restaurant complete with lazy susans, with a strong focus on traditional and aromatic dishes served with just barely the hint of a smile. The menu here is everything you dream of when heading to a Chinese-Australian restaurant. Tao Tao House has an impressive and notably delicious yum cha selection including classics such as prawn dumplings, spare ribs in black bean sauce and mushroom and duck roll. The poultry dishes are also big hits. These include diced chicken in a teriyaki sauce and a succulent sesame duck — stuffed with prawn paste, coated with sesame and served with mushroom sauce. Vegetarians can indulge with the 'typhoon shelter' eggplants that are wok fried with garlic and chilli and a side of Chinese broccoli and fried rice. Wash it all down with a hot a sour soup or a crab meat sweet corn soup. For dessert, get around Tao Tao House's egg custard tarts, a mango pudding or some very charming Cadbury chocolate sesame dumplings. If you're in Hawthorn and haven't tried Tao Tao House, add it to your list right now.
Hidden in a basement just off Little Collins Street, Dodee Paidang is a vibrant Thai restaurant bursting with aromatic smells and bustling conversation which perfectly captures the energy of a Bangkok diner. Opened by Somporn Phosri in 2017, who grew up working in his mother's kitchen, Dodee Paidang is now a chain of restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne — but this one is the original and, fair to say, the best. The menu includes a range of spicy, sweet and sour pork-based soups including tom yum noodles with combination meat served with or without chilli. (A note on the chilli, the menu gives a guide of zero to seven chillies, with seven being enough to make your taste buds erupt in flames). If you're game however, go for the DoDee Super Nova soup, just be sure to have a beer or water in reach. There are wonton soups too, featuring egg noodles and optional barbecue pork, as well as tom yum noodles with grilled mussels. For a more filling meal try the grilled salmon with noodles or the seafood bonanza, featuring grilled king prawns, salmon, grilled octopus and mussels. If you're after some soft boiled rice there are several options with a selection of fish balls, tender pork, pork ribs or mixed seafood to choose from. With the amount of chilli on offer, you're going to need to wash it down with something, and thankfully they have a range of local and imported beers to choose from including Furphy and Sapporo, however Singha is always recommended when available. And for some added theatrics, your food will be delivered to your table by a Dodee Paidang robot. These roll around the dining room floor with ease, with the smiling digital cat faces being both cute and creepy all at the same time. Come in on a Friday and Saturday night and you might even get some live music playing over the noisy crowds of diners who are lapping up all the best Thai eats at this underground restaurant in Melbourne's CBD. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
As well as being a stand-up Sydney Road pub, The Cornish Arms is also an amazing place for vegans. That's because, alongside the traditional pub fare, it also serves up some pretty great vegan meals. Love a parma but don't eat meat? The crumbed mock chicken parma (with vegan mozzarella) will hit the spot. Got a hankering for some seafood? The vegan fishless and chips — with vegan fishes fillets and mushy peas — is sure to fix you right up. There's even a vegan pot pie, as well as vegan burgers and burrito bowls. It's a great choice if you've got both vegans and traditional pub food fiends in your party. From the carnivore menu, try classics such as a chicken parma with fries and salad, a double cheeseburger with bacon or a Cornish steak sandwich with cos, pickles and a smokey BBQ sauce. The Cornish Arms Hotel's Guinness braised Gippsland lamb shank is worth the journey alone. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Sick of being turfed out of rentals, but no idea how you'll ever afford your own home in Sydney? Let Big World Homes architect Alexander Symes come to your rescue — he's created Australia's first flat-packed 'tiny home' that's entirely off-grid. You heard us. Flat-packed homes. And they're going for a cheeky $65K each. Big World Homes are self-described as "a transitional housing product that offers a solution to people currently unable to get into home ownership" — that means most of us living in Australia's capital cities. To check out this highly unique housing solution for yourself, get along to the 2016 Sydney Architecture Festival. On Thursday, September 29, Symes and a bunch of vollies will put the house together in just 2.5 hours, using only a hammer and a drill. Then, they'll drive it to the Festival Hub in Central Park, where it'll stay on display until October 3. Never been in a tiny home? You'll be able to explore the structure's many mod cons, including running water, electricity, a bathroom with plumbing, a living room and a comfy bed. Power comes from solar panels, while water is sourced via inbuilt rainwater tanks. "Big World Homes seeks to bridge the gap between renting and home ownership, offering a transitional housing product that is affordable and also rethinks the way people live," said Symes. "We're excited to be launching at the Sydney Architecture Festival one of the most progressive, socially oriented, community driven housing projects that Australia has ever seen. This comes at a time when the need for new options in affordable housing has never been greater." You can buy your very own tiny home for $65,000, which is a significant improvement on the cost of a studio apartment in Sydney right now. Get together with a group of mates and start your own, eco-friendly community. For more small house inspiration, take a wander over here. Check out Big World Homes at the Sydney Architecture Festival Hub at Central Park, Chippendale from September 29 to October 3.
Give Melburnians an occasion, and they'll show their love for cheese in all of its creamy, gooey, rare and stinky forms. Add some delicious wine, beer and cider to the table and you've got one heck of an afternoon. Setting up shop at the magnificent Werribee Mansion once again, Fromage a Trois Cheese Festival is back to pair the former with the latter, returning after a one-year hiatus. Here, showcasing Australian artisan cheesemakers is on the agenda — and they'll be displaying their tasty wares for you to sample and inevitably take home by the wheel-load. For those after a filling array of dairy goodness, you'll want to head to the 'Build Your Own Picnic' pavilion. And if you're particularly interested in the process behind the practice, there'll be demonstrations and meet-the-maker sessions, so you can stock up on tips for your own cheesemaking adventures. Fromage a Trois Cheese Festival takes place on April 8, with early bird tickets currently available for $35 (plus booking fee). As well as entry and plenty of samples, attendees will receive their own festival glass to keep. Once the first batch of tix have been snapped up, this cheesy day (in the best possible way) will set you back $45.
For a big three days — from Friday, November 29–Sunday, December 1 — the latest iteration of Melbourne's The Big Design Market will feature 250 stalls showcasing homewares, fashion, jewellery, stationery and more by local independent designers at the Royal Exhibition Building. It's tailor-made for early Christmas shopping. There'll also be a slew of tastemakers serving up exceptional food and wine experiences, including coffee from ST ALi, hot chocolates from Mork, pasta from That's Amore Cheese, tacos from CDMX, sweet treats from Gelato Messina and innovative cocktails from Sydney's Archie Rose, among others. The event will also see the return of the popular showbags and art installations, as well as great visitor prizes and a colourful play space for kids created by Claire Mosley. Images: Blake Walshe.
Brisbanites, you’d best start the coffee percolating and put a cherry pie in the oven, because David Lynch is coming to town. Yes, the filmmaker with some of the most strangely sublime sensibilities in the business — and the best hair, too — is making his first trip to Australia, with Brisbane his sole stopover. We know how lucky we are. He’s here to launch the Gallery of Modern Art’s David Lynch: Between Two Worlds exhibition, and though most might know him from his movies and that one certain TV show that some rightfully say is the best thing to ever grace the small screen, this is a whole-of-building affair. You can watch his films, as well as films about his films. You can hear renditions of the music that helped make much of his work so great. You can buy his signature blend coffee from the gift shop. And you can look at paintings, sculptures, carpet and more that only a mind like his could come up with. By now you hopefully have tickets to his sold-out in-conversation event, a busy film viewing schedule mapped out and plans to stare at his artwork more than once. We’ve got a few other things for you to do, too. Let’s call this your David Lynch homework. WATCH TWIN PEAKS We’ve said it before (just above!), and we’ll say it again: Twin Peaks is one of the best shows that has ever been on television. Sadly, GOMA’s program doesn’t currently include the chance to watch its first and second seasons in full, likely due to rights issues, but anyone with even the tiniest bit of interest in Lynch owes it to themselves to do so at home. You can see the pilot as part of the lineup, as well as the scariest horror film ever made — in the form of movie follow-on, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me — but they’re just not enough. Once you enter Twin Peaks’ world of diminutive dancing men and ladies with logs, you won’t want to leave. And if you need any more convincing, consider it preparation for the third season due out next year. LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC Lynch’s movies are inextricably linked with music; what would Blue Velvet be without Bobby Vinton’s title track, Wild at Heart without Chris Isaak’s 'Wicked Game', or Twin Peaks without Julee Cruise’s 'Falling' and composer Angelo Badalamenti’s haunting themes, after all? The director has been instrumental in the creating distinctive soundscapes for his on-screen work, so it should come as no surprise that he has also released his own albums. His 2001 release, BlueBob, was an experimental rock record. His 2011 effort, Crazy Clown Time, featured the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O on one track and favoured experimental electronica. His 2013 album, The Big Dream, was inspired by blues and pop, combining for a dreamy, experimental sound. Noticing a trend here? So are we. And you’ll also notice that listening to his music — much of which can be found on Spotify — feels just like bathing in his film scores. WATCH LOUIE In 2012, Louis CK pulled off what will likely be his best-ever casting feat. Plenty of familiar faces and recognisable names have popped up in his fictionalised TV series, Louie, but when the comedian pursued an arc in season three that saw his on-screen alter ego considered to replace David Letterman as the host of the Late Show, there was only one person to turn to. Well, several actually, because Lynch wasn’t his first choice (Jerry Lewis, Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese all turned him down); however, it is now impossible to see anyone else as the plain-talking Jack Dall, the man who attempts to guide Louie to success over two episodes. It’s as if Twin Peaks’ Gordon Cole left the FBI and got into the television talk show game — and it is just as glorious as that sounds. READ HIS COMIC STRIP From 1983 to 1992, Lynch wrote and illustrated a comic strip. The Angriest Dog in the World appeared in the LA Reader, the Village Voice and other alternative US publications, inspired by a time in the 1970s when Lynch himself was seething with rage. No, we’re not kidding. Yes, Lynch’s life is filled with the kind of stuff that sounds made up, but isn’t. The image in the comic strip never changed, and always featured the same introduction, explaining that the dog is so angry that he cannot move, eat or sleep. Thought bubbles then delivered existential musings as well as puns and jokes, such as “If everything is real… then nothing is real as well.” Only selected strips can be found online, but even a quick glance proves that they’re pure Lynch. WATCH HIS TV COMMERCIALS AND MUSIC VIDEOS When he’s not making films, albums, TV shows, comic strips and artwork, or popping up in ingenious acting roles, Lynch also dabbles in the world of television commercials and music videos. Okay, okay, so do many other filmmakers – but we guarantee Lynch’s creations are unlike anyone else’s. You might have seen the Japanese coffee ads that tie in to Twin Peaks, but he has also spruiked everything from home pregnancy tests to perfume to Playstation, and even made a spooky public service announcement denouncing littering. In the music video realm, among others he directed an alternative video for Chris Isaak’s 'Wicked Game', an animated clip for Moby’s 'Shot in the Back of the Head', and a video for Nine Inch Nails' 'Came Back Haunted' that comes with a seizure warning. David Lynch: Between Two Worlds is on at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art from March 14 to June 7. See the full program of exhibition-related events at the gallery website.
The word 'mansae' is Korean for 'hip hip hooray', which is appropriate as this is the type of authentic Korean restaurant where the food is a real celebration. The atmosphere here is casual and fun, so bring a group of mates for that upcoming birthday or drag your family along for a much-needed catch-up. This is a destination restaurant in Melbourne, and it is bound to be a dining experience you won't soon forget. Mansae Korean BBQ doesn't take bookings, and there is often a line, so be sure to turn up ready to wait. Then, once inside and seated, quickly start ordering as there is a strict 90-minute limit on seatings. The vibe here is hectic and heaving, with a real market atmosphere to complement the smells and sounds of the sizzling Korean barbecues. The barbecue meat includes wagyu scotch fillets, short ribs and oyster blades, while the striploin is especially lean. There are also more exotic options such as the thinly sliced ox tongue, the prime pork belly as well as prime pork jowl. Pair the barbecue with sides and appetisers including lightly spiced edamame, a healthy serving of school prawns dished up like french fries or a kimchi jeon. The hotpot options are not be missed at Mansae with the seafood feast — haemul doenjang jiggae — the highlight. The mural on the wall shouts 'Go beef or go home', which might scare off vegetarians, but being a barbecue it's hard to get too offended. There is however a veggie platter with zucchini, mushrooms and pumpkin, which can be had on its own or shared between servings of meat. But if this doesn't suffice, you might prefer changing up cuisines and heading around the corner to The Happy Mexican's CBD location — a super veggie-friendly diner.
If you can find it, Eau de Vie is one of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne. Down Malthouse Lane, next to a hotel car park, slip through the large wooden door and enter a new world. An intimate space, Eau de Vie is the kind of world where you feel as though you could find yourself sitting next to Jay Gatsby or Mr Fitzgerald himself. Choose a spot at the bar, or perhaps retire to one of the more private booths towards the back. Headed up by Greg Sanderson, the spot is a perfect balance of artistry and fun. Cocktails, made by seriously talented bartenders, can be finished with liquid nitrogen or served up in a giant lady's shoe. Whatever you may be in the mood for, it's likely they've got the perfect tipple. Cocktail drinkers should try the Noble Experiment, an ice-cold martini finished with liquid nitrogen, or perhaps The Aviator, a mix of handmade rhubarb and juniper puree with Tanqueray Gin, lemon juice and a touch of maraschino. For something a little fun, try the Peanut Butter Jelly Time, a combination of peanut butter rum, hazelnut liqueur, lemon, cassis, maraschino and plum bitters. The menu is sure to include something to take your fancy, and the bartenders are keen to whip up a drink to attend to personal taste. [caption id="attachment_700888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eau de Vie Melbourne[/caption] For the champagne drinkers, bubbles include Moet Brut Imperial N.V. or 2006 Kreglinger Brut Vintage. A good selection of red and white wines is also on the menu, with the 2011 Red Claw pinot gris and the 2009 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone from France being highlights. Beer drinkers are looked after with a small but considered list — go for the Beechworth Pale Ale or, for something heavier, try the Red Duck Porter. Match your drinks to a plate of freshly shucked oysters, tuna tartare, braised beef cheeks, fried cauliflower or crispy potatoes with truffle aioli and comte cheese. Indulge in a luscious creme brulee torched tableside or a traditional almond Santiago cake. Or keep it simple with a stocked charcuterie or cheese board (or a mix of both). If all this decision-making gets too much, there is a chef's choice 'Feed Me' degustation that will take you on a journey through both the cocktail and the food menus. To top it off, they've got a 10-page whisky list that will make the most discerning whisky drinker smile.
There's a new powerhouse partnership hitting Melbourne's hospitality scene, as Nic Coulter and Simon Blacher (Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina) join forces with David and Michael Parker (the brothers behind Pastuso and San Telmo), on an ambitious new Windsor venture. Now open, two-level Neptune is a reimagining of the wine bar concept, sharing its focus between food, wine, and cocktails. With a considered assortment of stylish spaces and intimate nooks, the guys have created a year-round charmer that's seriously dressed to impress. We're foreseeing many a cosy night in the 'fireplace lounge', sophisticated sessions hidden away in the 'cocktail saloon', and evenings camped out downstairs, quaffing vino at the suburb's largest bar. Neptune's menu will have a Mediterranean vibe, with clever share plates backing up a solid grazing selection and a range of cured meats, fresh from the bar's slicer. Dishes like an absinthe bonito tartare and a classic 'fritto misto' will sit alongside an assortment of signature pasta creations, to be teamed with expertly-crafted classic cocktails and sommelier-picked wines. Find Neptune at 212 High Street, Windsor. Images: Steve Murray.
If your mental images of Chinese restaurants mainly consist of large, ornately-decorated rooms bustling with trolleys of dim sum dishes, Mahjong is ready to strip away those assumptions.The venue has a distinct industrial feel with polished concrete, painted brick walls and an impressive marble bar. The menu covers a broad span of Cantonese favourites with a few modern twists (mini wagyu bao burgers, for one). If decisions are not your strong suit, the daily chef selection banquet is a good option to cover all your bases — or head along to a weekend yum cha service. Dumpling classics include the ginger prawn, chilli chicken, juicy pork and tangy vegetables with vinegar sauce options, while the bits and pieces menu features salt and pepper calamari, the'Quack Quack' spicy duck salad delightfully wholesome prawn wonton soup. If you're after something with a bit of kick opt for the supreme chilli lamb with four different chilli varieties. Wrap itall up with some sticky coconut rice and a sweet tea.
Despite the name, Secret Kitchen has quite the reputation in Melbourne. As one of four outposts under the moniker across the city, this CBD location maintains the restaurant groups A-plus scorecard, providing reliably slick and sophisticated service. Menu-wise, don't expect any major surprises — this is simply traditional Chinese cuisine done really well. Seafood is proudly the main focus here, which is evident in the menu (each species has at least a dozen options) and the enormous fish tank by the entrance. Dessert doesn't disappoint either — expect deep-fried durian puffs and steamed custard buns fashioned as cutesy pig heads. Dumpling options include steamed Shanghai pork dumplings, and king prawn dumplings, while the entrees include traditional Peking duck pancakes and crispy garlic prawn spring rolls. The seafood san choi bao is a delight while the braised whole abalone is an exotic option. For a main go no further than the perfectly succulent and deliciously saucy suckling pig with a side of veggies and some fried rice.
Ōtautahi Christchurch is a nature lover's dream. As soon as you arrive you'll notice the crisp air, and you'll soon find out that you're surrounded by scenes of otherworldly, serene natural beauty that changes with the seasons but is ever-present. From some of the world's darkest winter skies without a hint of light pollution to the deserted beaches of the Akaroa Peninsula, you will no doubt find something that will take your breath away. Lean into the naturally cooler climate of Christchurch and visit during winter to experience the full extent of the region's charms. Venture just outside of the Christchurch city centre and it's almost as if you're in another world. Drive for ten minutes in almost any direction and you'll discover something unexpected. Adventurous souls and nature lovers will relish the chance to get in touch with the great outdoors — perhaps by peeling off the layers and relaxing in a natural hot pool or barrelling through the hills on a mountain bike. It was incredibly hard to choose, but here are our favourite cool weather experiences to take on when you're in Christchurch. [caption id="attachment_986567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miles Holden[/caption] Look Up at One of the World's Darkest Skies Mackenzie is home to one of the only International Dark Sky Reserves (IDSR) in the world — land which usually surrounds a park or observatory and is home to exceptional views of starry nights. The darkness of the sky in this region of New Zealand is almost unbeatable, and it's the perfect place for a bit of stargazing. At Big Sky Stargazing you'll sit down for an astronomy lesson at the planetarium and take a short drive to an outdoor stargazing area where you'll use telescopes, astronomy binoculars and your own eyes to look up at constellations and enjoy spectacular, peaceful views. Soak in Hanmer Springs' Geothermal Pools When the air has a crisp bite to it and you wouldn't want to be caught outside without being bundled up, that's how you know it's the perfect weather for getting into your swimwear and making a beeline for a hot spring. Don't settle for any run-of-the-mill hot spring either. Located just outside of Christchurch is the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, where 22 natural thermal pools sit surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains. If the prospect of a soothing soak isn't sufficiently appealing, there are also spa treatments and massages to really kick your relaxation up a notch. [caption id="attachment_986614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miles Holden[/caption] Wander Christchurch's Natural Landscape Lush rolling hills are surrounded by a crystal blue expanse of water on the edges of Christchurch. If you venture slightly out from the town centre, you can explore deserted beaches and dramatic landscapes that have to be seen to be believed. In the small town of Akaroa on the water's edge, you'll find a beautiful cluster of old English-style buildings. Whether you're after a short stroll or a day-long hike, the idyllic beaches, rough bush and winding tracks of this quiet little area will keep you more than occupied. If you need more convincing, take another look at the above photo. Paddle Through Pohatu in a Kayak Head to Akaroa and jump into a 4WD for a spectacular scenic safari that stuns year-round. Travel for just over an hour through the highest passes of the Banks Peninsula with Pohatu Adventures until you reach Pohatu Marine Reserve. When you arrive you'll discover the Christchurch region's most abundant wildlife ecosystem up close via kayak. Get ready to paddle alongside blue penguins, seals and Hector's dolphins. Depending on the timing of your trip, you might even catch a glimpse of the circle of life of the region's wildlife. As temperatures dip, you'll see penguins at their most social as they build homes, find mates and head out and about. If the water is calm, get ready to lose your breath — not because of the brisk air but because of the scenery — as you paddle out to Flea Bay Island where you'll discover a mass of land characterised by desolate beaches, sheer sea cliffs and mysterious caves. Find your very own Aotearoa New Zealand here.
Moon Dog's three-storey, 800-person, wild west-themed bar in Footscray's former Franco Cozzo building had quite a few unforeseen delays in the lead-up to its opening. But it eventually came to be, and it is one of the most impressive bars in Melbourne's west. Guests can find bars on each level pouring Moon Dog beers and seltzers from over 100 taps. Three-time Australian Bartender of the Year Chris Hysted-Adams was also brought in to design the cocktail list and shots menu. This includes an old-school pickleback shot, a regularly changing old fashioned that'll be served in a barrel for four people and a layered tequila sunrise slushie. A mechanical bucking bull takes centre stage down on the ground floor, where people can compete in actual tournaments with prize money. There's also a secret little Pianola Bar, an arcade, pool tables, a private dining space, a barrel-ageing room, and a stunner of a dog-friendly rooftop that's littered with cacti and fake desert rocks. The Moon Dog crew has completely packed this space out. Then you've got the food, which is all Tex Mex-inspired. The team is pumping out buffalo chicken ribs, double-decker tacos, roasted pumpkin mole and a Western barbecue bacon burger. Everything at the new Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray just screams unabashed fun. Images: Arianna Leggiero
When the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards descended on Australia earlier in the year, we were lucky enough to not only have the world's best chefs on our shores, but also the world's best sommeliers. Over April, Wine Australia took 50 talented wine professionals on a tour of our best wine bars, restaurants and wine regions — starting in Sydney before moving on to Melbourne and visiting bars including Embla and Bar Liberty, then stopping to experience wine regions in Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, South Australia and Western Australia. For one of their first stops at Newtown's Continental Deli, established wine writer Mike Bennie took the sommeliers on a wine-tasting journey. We couldn't lose an opportunity to get all patriotic, so we asked them for their thoughts on Australian wine. A pattern appeared in their answers: Australia, once known only to produce bulk, heavy wine varieties like Chardonnay and Shiraz, is going through a renaissance of sorts. A new generation of winemakers are jumping in and producing unique vintages with a true expression of the Australian terroir. All that small-batch, natural wine you've been hearing about is finally garnering the interest it deserves from international sorts. Sitting at the table was Alessandro Perricone of Copenhagen's relaxed, fine dining establishment Relae, Heidi Nam Knudsen, a wine buyer who works closely with Yotam Ottolenghi in the UK, Fahara Zamorano, head sommelier at Curtis Stone's restaurant Gwen in Los Angeles, Ambrose Chiang, of Australia's own Momofuku Seiobo, and Hiroshi Ishida, a multi award-winning sommelier from L'aube (an established restaurant in Tokyo with little online presence). Over the morning, each of them tasted around ten different Australian wines — they remained controlled and professional at all times, but make no mistake, they were drunk. [caption id="attachment_619886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fahara Zamorano.[/caption] What did you know about the Australian wine industry before coming to Australia? Alessandro Perricone: I knew little. While working in Italy at the beginning of my career, I came across some famous Australian brands which, in my opinion, speak more for themselves rather than talking about a territory. Now in Copenhagen, some of the new-generation winemakers are getting more and more popular, but my knowledge was quite confused before I arrived. Hiroshi Ishida: I know quite a lot about Australian wine as I've visited before. Australian wine is really diverse, it honestly offers the A-to-Z. I am more familiar with established regions such as the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, Barossa, Clare Valley and Margaret River. These are all sophisticated and sustainable wine growing regions, with well-known large wineries that we are familiar with in Japan. Fahara Zamorano: My knowledge about the Australian wine industry was limited to the wines I had been shown in the US. I do have the privilege to taste some beautiful Aussie wines in California, but the selection is quite limited in comparison to everything that's happening in Australia right now. Heidi Nam Knudsen: To be honest I didn't know a lot. I stopped paying attention a few years back because I felt that all the wines I tried were too big and heavy. It was all about Shiraz and Chardonnay, but without much terroir-driven personality. Only recently did I start taking notice again, when I tried the wines from a new generation of winemakers in the Adelaide Hills. [caption id="attachment_619884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hiroshi Ishida.[/caption] How has your perception of Australian wine changed? Ambrose Chiang: This program has shown me how physically big Australia is — Portugal to Poland is almost as far as Perth to Sydney. Imagine the different micro and macro-climates! The Australian wine industry has seen tremendous growth in the past decade. From internationally recognised as a single wine region for big, bold, alcoholic Shiraz and cloying, toasted Chardonnay, to establishing a country with a diverse range of terroirs which produce wines not only reflective of place, but good farming, skilled winemaking and dedication toward quality wines. FZ: My perception changed immensely, I was extremely surprised in the best possible way to find a renaissance happening in Australian wine right now. The energy is contagious, the collaboration between winemakers within regions is inspiring, and the unification of the country to elevate the world's perception of Australian wine is just a wonderful thing to witness. AP: Yes! I certainly went deeper regarding some territories. I see a change in style with the last vintages and in general a much better approach to winemaking with less intervention. Different to what my thoughts of Australian wines were. Many of the wines in Australia have a hard time talking about a terroir, as the approach to agriculture and viticulture is wrong, but this new wave of producers makes me hope for a better future. HI: On this trip to Australia I felt dynamism. There is much more diversity in the styles that winemakers are crafting, from conventional to funky. It's obvious there is some great talent within the new generation. There are new, emerging regions and I saw a lot of potential. [caption id="attachment_619905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessandro Perricone.[/caption] Describe Australian wine in one sentence. AP: Australian wine is a total lack of rules and pure freedom. It can easily turn into something marvellous, or just as easily, into a mess! FZ: Renaissance. HNK: There's more history to Australian wine than one might think, and judging from what I've seen on this trip there's a big, bright future ahead of it. I guess the biggest difference is that Australia is such a large country and almost every climate and soil type can be found. That means Australia can produce all of the major wine types from red, white, fortified to sparkling wines. AC: I believe that it's almost impossible to describe Australian wine in one sentence. Our freedom of viticulture and vilification and the dedication of so many producers, along with the multiplicity of terroirs, drives us to be one of the most diverse and innovative wine industries in the world. [caption id="attachment_619888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heidi Nam Knudsen.[/caption] What were you looking forward to seeing the most, and did it live up to your expectations? HI: I wanted to see the potential in new regions and explore the Victorian High Country and Tasmania. Absolutely, this trip lived up to more than I expected. All the sparkling wine from Tasmania was fantastic. We tried sparkling wines from House of Arras, Josef Chromy, Pipers Brook. FZ: I was very excited to visit Tasmania because not much of their wine makes it out of Australia (thanks Melbourne and Sydney). The little exposure I had prior to this trip left me wanting more. Tasmania lived up to and surpassed my expectations. For such a young wine growing region, there's some serious talent that's 'put all their eggs in that one basket' as we say in America. That alone is an indication of the potential of the region. Now they just need to make more juice so we can get some too! HNK: I was really excited about visiting Adelaide Hills and visit some of the vineyards there. On my last day I went to Manon Farm up in Forest Range. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Spending time with Tim and Monique on their beautiful farm was very special indeed and their approach to farming really inspired me. [caption id="attachment_619907" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ambrose Chiang.[/caption] What was the most notable wine you've tasted, or thing you've seen on the tour? FZ: The wine that left me speechless was Henschke Hill of Grace. There's a lot of high end/expensive wines out there and I've been fortunate enough to taste many, but not many have the soul that wine has. Every vintage I tasted, from 1986 to current vintage was absolutely stunning. That kind of depth is only developed with the wisdom of time and those vines have attained it and pass it along in their fruit. It's hard to describe in technical notes. Like I said, it left me speechless. AC: Out of the 1000-plus wines tasted, the most notable wines were 2014 Si Vintners Halcyon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Yarra Yerring Chardonnay and 1996 Henschke 'Hill of Grace' Shiraz. They were wines that displayed incredible flavour. One of the best trips in the program was visiting Western Australia. The sunset at the White Elephant Cafe was out of this world. What are you taking back home? AP: The passion of the people, organisers and winemakers who worked so hard and beautifully showed me their jobs, their produce and their land. I'm taking home Australia, as it deeply touched my heart. I will start importing some of the young and small producers I met during my trip. I look forward to coming back to Australia. FZ: Love. HI: I'll be taking a huge amount home. I use Australian wine very often in wine pairings in my restaurant, and I'd really like to showcase more Australian wine so Japanese diners can recognise its diversity. HNK: The energy and excitement of the new generation of winemakers in the Adelaide Hills and Basket Range and the outstanding quality of food on display everywhere we went. Celebrate Australian wine by attending Aussie Wine Month over May — there are events and tasting opportunities happening across the country. Images: Kimberley Low.
Most of us hit up Melbourne's best high tea spots because we want to spoil ourselves with some old-world luxury. It's not one of your three main meals of the day. The finger sandwiches don't have to have the crusts cut off. And who really needs to sip on tea and champagne in a grand dining room while eating tiny ornate cakes? No one. But that's kind of why we love afternoon tea so much. It's just for the sake of it — to really treat yourself to something special. And while we are fans of traditional high teas that some of Melbourne's best hotels create, there are stacks of neighbourhood tea rooms and cake shops that have made the whole affair more contemporary. Some are a modern interpretation with Japanese elements. Others are all about chocolate. But just about everyone comes with freshly made scones — so you can continue the age-old debate of whether the jam or cream goes on first. We won't participate in that feud, but we will round up some of the best Melbourne high teas for you to try for yourselves. Check them all out here. Recommended reads: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne The Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne The Most Romantic Restaurants and Bars in Melbourne The Best Day Spas in Melbourne
At a time when much of Melbourne's food-related buzz is reserved for the boundary-pushing contemporary, The Recreation is a refreshing nod to the old-school. It's a wine bar, bottle shop and bistro, all wrapped up in one delightful package and helmed by the expert trio of chef Steven Nelson (ex-Bistro Gitan and Jacques Reymond), sommelier Mark Protheroe, and FOH gun Joe Durrant (both ex-Grossi Florentino). To one side, the bar space of any wine lover's dreams boasts a huge communal table and a jam-packed wall of bottles, carefully plucked from all over. There's something here for every budget and palate, whether you're dropping in for after-work sips, or grabbing a take-home treat. Next door, the dining room is an instant charmer, with its rustic mix of timber and exposed brick, and affably crisp service. The kitchen's plating up modern iterations of some classic French flavours, with just the right amount of cleverness shining through. It's comfort food with a sophisticated edge — a study in beautifully executed, classic Euro flavours. And, just as that hefty retail collection alludes to, the wine list here is brimming with gold, and the waitstaff know how to help you get the most out of it — whether that involves amping up your meal with a 2007 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes from the cellar, or ambling through the global range of pouring wines. There's even the option of bringing along a special bottle of something from home for a $20 corkage fee.
The Everleigh is so very Melbourne — hidden where only those in the know can find it, up a flight of stairs above a restaurant. This sophisticated speakeasy from the Made in the Shade group is fitted out in marble, leather and mahogany, with a stunning vintage chandelier lighting up the long polished bar. At this highly-awarded bar, cocktails hail from 'the golden age', when fixes, fizzes, old fashioneds, sours and sazeracs were considered as compulsory as a ramrod straight spine. It's the perfect place for a first date — the cocktail list is relatively short and full of winners, though the bartenders will also happily (and skilfully) whip you up a drink according to your particular tastes. [caption id="attachment_719907" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Everleigh, by Pete Dillon[/caption] Cosy up on your anniversary in a plush leather booth while you enjoy The Adderly (rye whiskey with maraschino cherry, lemon and bitters, $25), or — romance be damned — sit at the bar and flirt with the immaculately dressed bartenders. There's plenty to admire about these guys as they go about their business: all ice is hand-cut, courtesy of Made in the Shade's own Navy Strength Ice Co, and all juices are freshly squeezed. In terms of food, the Everleigh offers delectable cheese and charcuterie boards to complement their signature sips, and the extensive wine and spirits lineup. Top images: Gareth Sobey. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023
In 1978 Robert Redford helped oversee the first Sundance Film Festival, an event originally designed to attract the cinema world to Utah. Four decades later, and that aim has well and truly been achieved. Come the end of January each year, the who's who of filmmaking rush to Park City for a feast of film surrounded by wintry snow. And, with good reason. Over the decades, Sundance has helped launch everything from Reservoir Dogs, The Blair Witch Project and Donnie Darko to Boyhood, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Manchester by the Sea. In 2017, two movies that we were excited about after their Park City debuts — Call Me By Your Name and The Big Sick — ended up on Concrete Playground's best movies of the year list. So did Get Out, which premiered at Sundance as a secret screening, wowed viewers around the globe afterwards and recently picked up four Oscar nominations. In short, the fest's lineup usually offers a reliable roster of the flicks to look out for in the months afterwards. With 110 feature-length films on Sundance's 2018 program, as selected from 29 countries, including 47 first-time filmmakers and culled from 3901 full-length submissions, there's plenty to tempt cinephiles on this year's bill. One of them, the amusing National Lampoon insider effort A Stupid and Futile Gesture, is already screening on Netflix if you're keen to jump right in. Another, Australia's own stellar Indigenous western Sweet Country, just opened in local cinemas. As for the rest, here's our picks of the flicks we're hoping to see on our shores soon. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Earning more than a few comparisons to Get Out thanks to its smart social satire, Sorry to Bother You marks the directorial debut of The Coup frontman Boots Riley. A workplace comedy set in the world of telemarketing, it's the tale of a black salesman (Lakeith Stanfield) who suddenly discovers magical selling abilities. As his career takes a turn for the better, his artist girlfriend (Tessa Thompson) has some concerns. Acclaimed for its distinctive voice, its no-holds-barred humour and its provocative absurdity, it's one of the most talked-about flicks of the fest, and also features Call Me By Your Name's Armie Hammer in a memorable supporting role. Also watch out for: Blindspotting, the hip hop-style comedy co-written by and starring Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, who play two Oakland pals trying to get their lives on the straight and narrow. DAMSEL Two of cinema's best current trends combine in Damsel — everybody's making westerns, and Robert Pattinson is making, well, everything. Trust the folks behind Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter to bring them both together; if brothers David and Nathan Zellner can turn a Fargo-inspired urban legend into a thoughtful and intriguing film, then they can remake the Old West in their own comedic way, and take Pattinson along for the ride. The former Twilight star-turned-indie darling features opposite Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, veteran Robert Forster, and the writing, directing and producing Zellners themselves. Also watch out for: The latest effort from Aussie filmmaker Claire McCarthy, Ophelia takes on Hamlet in a fresh, female-focused way, with Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, George MacKay and Tom Felton among the cast. THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST You have to admire Desiree Akhavan's Sundance record. The writer/director's second feature marked her second stint at the festival, and it picked up the US Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic for its troubles. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, American Honey's Sasha Lane and The Revenant's Forrest Goodluck, and adapted from the novel of the same name, The Miseducation of Cameron Post follows a high schooler sent to a gay conversion centre. She might be stuck in a place of oppression and repression, but a sense of community springs among her fellow attendees. Four years ago, Akhavan's Appropriate Behavior proved astute, insightful and amusing, so expect good things. Also watch out for: Bisbee '17, the latest documentary from Kate Plays Christine's Robert Greene, this time exploring a different historical chapter: the Bisbee Deportation of 1917, where 1200 striking miners were taken from their home, banished from the town and left to die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbiakAVaXgU TULLY After completely hitting it out of the park on their first collaboration, Young Adult director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron join forces again with Tully. Where their last effort was steeped in arrested development — the state of not quite growing up, not the TV comedy Theron once appeared on — this time around they're wading into the womb of motherhood. When Theron's stressed mother-of-three Marlo welcomes the titular night nanny (Mackenzie Davis) into her life, a bond blooms, as does an empathetic dark comedy anchored by two of today's best actresses. Your usual mum-focused movie, this is not Also watch out for: Laura Dern stars in The Tale, writer/director Jennifer Fox's handling of the tough topic of sexual abuse, following a journalist and professor forced to delve back into her childhood relationship with two adult coaches. KUSAMA - INFINITY Yayoi Kusama is everywhere. The Japanese artist's work is splashed across the walls of Australian galleries, she now has her own Tokyo museum, and she also features in a documentary at Sundance. Kusama - Infinity seems an apt title for many reasons, not only due to Kusama's famed mirrored 'infinity rooms', but also because the singular creative's adaptability, innovation and influence seems like it will go on forever. Understandably, writer, director and producer Heather Lenz spent years charting the course of Kusama's seven-decade career beyond the dots and pumpkins. Whether you're a fan or a newcomer, you're in for an informative ode to an artist like no other. Also watch out for: U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking winner Mind the Gap, the personal documentary not only made by Bing Liu, but interweaving his return to Rockford, Illinois to reconnect with his childhood skateboarding buddies with archival footage of their younger heyday. LEAVE NO TRACE It's been eight years since filmmaker Debra Granik made one of the first great films of this decade, won Sundance's Grand Jury Prize and unearthed a star in the process. In Winter's Bone, the movie-watching world was gifted a tense family drama, as well as a career-making performance from Jennifer Lawrence — and Granik might've just done it again with Leave No Trace. Ben Foster features opposite acclaimed newcomer Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, playing a father and daughter living off the grid until their cover is blown. If you're thinking that it has been too long between fictional films for the exceptional writer/director, then you're right. Also watch out for: In Shirkers, Sandi Tan hunts down her own film — one she penned in the '90s, was shot on 16mm, but disappeared along with her mentor, friend and director Georges Cardona. THE GUILTY Winner of the audience award in Sundance's World Cinema Dramatic section, The Guilty is the latest Nordic noir effort exciting cinema-goers. And, following in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock, recent films such as Buried, Locke and more, it's the latest single-setting flick as well. From first-time Swedish helmer Gustav Möller, the movie finds its story in the police emergency dispatch department, as a cop takes a call from a kidnapped women. Starring Jakob Cedergren (The Killing, Those Who Kill), it's a claustrophobic ticking-clock thriller that has already started buzz about an inevitable English-language remake. Also watch out for: Idris Elba steps behind the camera with Yardie, a gangster effort that's also a tense coming-of-age film, as split between Kingston and London in the '80s. SEARCH Another favourite with the Sundance crowd, this time winning the audience award in the festival's Next section, Search gives viewers what we've always wanted: a decent online-focused thriller, and a showcase starring role for John Cho. Sure, other films have unfurled their content via on-screen computer screens, but this debut effort from 25-year-old writer/director Aneesh Chaganty has been pegged as a potentially huge hit — and it's likely a case of when, rather than if, it'll make it to Aussie cinemas. Cho plays a father worried about his teenage daughter when she doesn't come home one night, and doing what everyone would do in that situation these days, aka taking to his computer and phone to look for answers. With that in mind, Search also won Sundance's Alfred P. Sloan Prize, which is awarded each year to a film focusing on science or technology. Also watch out for: Pity, directed by Greek filmmaker Babis Makridis, and co-written with Dogtooth and The Lobster's Efthimis Filippou, about a man who proves happy when his wife falls into a coma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6wWKNij_1M HEREDITARY If it already sounds like this year's Sundance lineup has been doing what the festival always does best — that is, uncovering ace new talent — then Hereditary isn't going to change that perception. The first film from writer/director Ari Aster has been earning rave reviews for its take on haunting, grief-fuelled, despair-ridden horror, particularly in regards to its emotional depth and fleshed-out performances. Given the feature boasts an applauded turn by Australia's own Toni Collette, the latter is understandable. As for the story itself, it centres on a family's reaction after the death of their grandmother. Also watch out for: Nicolas Cage is back in the vengeance-driven Mandy, which sees Beyond the Black Rainbow director Panos Cosmatos dive head first into the pulpy genre realm. LIZZIE The story of Lizzie Borden has fascinated the masses for more than a century. Being accused and tried for the murder of your father and stepmother, but ultimately acquitted in a case that was never solved — well, that'll do it. Ballets, songs, operas, plays, novels, musicals, TV shows and films have all examined her story, with Lizzie the latest. Set in 1892 and starring Chloë Sevigny, it focuses on Borden's bond with her live-in maid, played by Kristen Stewart, while working towards the scandal that's now a matter of history. And if that doesn't intrigue you enough, it's billed as a psychological thriller, as well as a film that champions feminism and sexuality. Also watch out for: Four-time Independent Spirit Award-nominee The Rider, about a rodeo star yearning for the ring after suffering a head injury, from Chinese writer, director and producer Chloé Zhao. Images: courtesy Sundance Film Festival.
Chef Matt Stone wants to you to make a bar out of your own backyard. Really. Melbourne's young gun head chef of Victoria's Oakridge winery, Stone made his industry name as head chef of Joost Bakker's Greenhouse, Silo and Brothl, then as the culinary brains behind IconPark's Sydney pop-up Stanley Street Merchants and a MasterChef regular. At his core, Stone's a stickler for ethical and sustainable cooking, so he's just released his first cookbook The Natural Cook to help fuel some of that philosophy in everyday Aussie kitchens. The (extremely well photographed) cookbook's brimming with recipes meant to make you rethink food, bring you back to basics, try traditional techniques, adopt new sustainable cooking habits and make the best of the bounty of native ingredients Australia's got going on (one of the most sustainable ways Australians can cook). Of course, the book champions Stone's infamous 'zero-waste' philosophy, whether you're making yoghurt, pickling things or making a Bloody Mary. We've taken a couple of recipes out of of Stone's book, to show you how easy it is to incorporate native Australian ingredients into your everyday — well, into your cocktails in particular. Here's a little humdinger of a recipe for a Bloody Mary using native Australian spices — a truly homegrown breakfast of champions. Once you've crafted this gem, try making Stone's ant-rimmed Aussie South Side too (recipe over here). NATIVE SPICED BLOODY MARY "For a fresh kick, you can also add finely chopped veggies such as tomato, cucumber, celery and chilli. Hangover be gone!" INGREDIENTS Serves one ice 3 dried bush tomatoes 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) vodka 15 ml (½ fl oz) lemon juice 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 5 dashes of Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce) 2 large pinches of ground pepperberry, plus extra to garnish 2 large pinches of Australian Seven Spice (recipe below) (see page 211), plus extra to garnish 1 pinch of pink salt, plus extra to garnish 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) tomato juice celery stalk or cucumber slice, to garnish Fill a serving glass with ice and let it stand. Muddle the bush tomatoes, and any other vegetables you feel like, in your cocktail shaker. Add all the other ingredients except the garnishes to the shaker and fill with ice. Slowly 'roll' your shaker end over end to mix and chill the ingredients without frothing things. Taste-test with a straw and add additional Tabasco if you'd like it spicier. Discard the ice from the serving glass and replace with fresh ice. Single-strain the liquid into the serving glass. Add the celery stalk or cucumber slice and finish with a pinch of salt, pepperberry and Australian seven spice. Note: Online bush food specialists offer a variety of Aussie fruits, herbs and spices, including bush tomatoes and pepperberries. HOW TO MAKE MATT STONE'S AUSTRALIAN SEVEN SPICE This is my version of Chinese five spice and it's perfect on barbecued meats, vegetables and fried bugs. If you don't feel like eating bugs with your beer then perhaps try it rubbed into barbecued chicken wings or slow-cooked beef ribs. The individual spices can vary due to season, availability and personal taste, so think of this as a rough guide. Use double the amount of mountain pepper if you like your spice mixes hot. 1 tablespoon ground bush tomato 1 tablespoon ground lemon myrtle 1 tablespoon ground wattleseed 1 tablespoon ground pepper leaf 1½ tablespoons ground mountain pepperberries 2 teaspoons ground aniseed myrtle 1 tablespoon ground mangrove myrtle Note: While most of the Australian ingredients used in this book can be substituted with something non-native, this is the one recipe I urge you to stick to (otherwise it will become 'mostly Australian seven spice'). Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container or jar. Recipe and image from The Natural Cook by Matt Stone (Murdoch Books). Photography by Mark Roper RRP $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
Born back in 2008, when Melbourne was just discovering its burgeoning coffee scene, Padre Coffee now has four locations across Australia including two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and another in Noosa. It's the Brunswick store that started it all, though, and to this day it retains the excitement and heady atmosphere of those early days of coffee explorations. The interior is fresh, light and airy with plenty of indoor plants offering up a welcome splash of green here and there. The vibe is bustling in, as its reputation stretches far and wide, and sitting back watching the coffee roasters and baristas work their magic is a big part of the charm. In terms of the coffee, there is a lot to choose from at Padre, with blends including its Golden Rule Espresso Blend with beans from Guatemala and Papua New Guinea and flavours of plum, dark chocolate, peach, macadamia, apricot and maple syrup. Another blend worth discovering is its Daddy's Girl espresso blend from Columbia and Brazil with notes of mellow caramel and sweet milk chocolate. If filtered coffee is more our thing there is a wide range here including the Hey Buddy blend with origins in Brazil and Ethiopia and hints of berries, apricot, caramel and hazelnut in the cup, as well as Gachatha AB Single Origin from Kenya, with intricate acidity and flavours of lemon, blueberry, brown sugar and blackberry. Padre Coffee also has a weekly Espresso 101 course, which runs for three hours and teaches you an understanding of espresso recipes, as well as a working familiarity with the equipment involved in making the perfect espresso. By the end of the day, you'll have expanded your knowledge of coffee and gained the skills to make it at home. Its website is also a handy resource for all things coffee, with special attention given to the sustainability and ethical side of the industry. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Having moved into the heritage-listed Masonic hall in 2012, The Hall at Welcome to Brunswick (formerly known as The Brunswick Mess Hall) is a bit of an all-rounder. The beer barn has great food and a historic atmosphere — with a young, vivacious vibe. It's the kind of place to can head to for either a quiet mid-week date (it's not open on weekends) or a big gathering with mates. Upon entering the unassuming building on Sydney Road, you'll immediately appreciate the atmosphere and beauty of the space: exposed beams, huge arched windows, greenery-lined walls and an atrium perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The dining experience is just as relaxed. Asian favourites abound, featuring the likes of pork belly baos, salt and pepper tofu, red pumpkin curry, pad Thai and crispy pork belly served with apple salad — all fab for sharing. On weekends (especially when the weather heats up), you best head next door to Welcome to Brunswick's beer garden — home to stacks of 4 Pines beers, food trucks and friendly dogs. It's slightly more laidback than The Hall and significantly bigger — BYO big group of mates and settle in for some long days and nights of drinking and eating.
A word so nice they named it thrice. Melbourne's CBD is getting a brand new pizza joint that's trying to kick it NY-style with 18-inch pies and pizza by the slice. Pizza Pizza Pizza is opening their doors today, Thursday, June 16, and they're doing so with a free pizza giveaway from 1pm. Now, the free pizza comes with a catch, but a pretty simple one. You need to first follow their Instagram and show and tell at the shop in order to make off with one of the 100 free slices. When you're not grabbing a free slice, they're priced at $4 a pop, with pies at 28 buckaroos. While these certainly don't compare to the $1 kind of New York City, they're pretty fair prices for the Aussie market and much bigger slices than we're generally used to. Pizza toppings range from classics like margherita and pepperoni to a decadent mushroom and truffle oil that you certainly wouldn't find at your corner NY pizza shop. You'll also find a triple cheese (that's parmesan, mozzarella and boccocini for ya) and Aussie favourite Hawaiian on the menu. The concept is a brilliant scheme, and there isn't much we wouldn't do for free pizza. That being said, we must admit we're a bit sceptical. Doing it NY style is always tricky - if you've ever been to The Big Apple, you know that no other pizza quite lives up and claiming that yours can is a dangerous game. We will say that they do have the lingo down at least, and for once the 18-inch pie size, though they're calling it "supersized", is just right for NY standards. The pics are looking relatively legit as well. Either way, we're not about to turn down a free slice. We'll see how many converts the joint has by the end of the day. Pizza Pizza Pizza will open on Thursday, June 16 from 1pm at 16 Meyers Place, Melbourne. Regular opening hours will be Tues to Thurs from noon to 11pm, Friday from noon to 3am and Saturday from 6pm to 3am.
If you've ever fancied a freshly cut and grilled steak at 3am on a Tuesday, Butchers Diner is one to add to your late-night list. The CBD diner serves up a full menu right up until midnight five days a week. Beginning as a storage space and deboning room for owner Con Christopoulos' nearby restaurant The European, the venue quickly realised its potential. The menu is made up of diner classics heavy on the meat, both because of the diner's initial purpose and the fact that both chefs are also butchers. Take the Coney Island chilli dog, the steak and eggs or the house-made blood sausage and devilled egg roll. If you're walking past and can't hack a full meal, grab a duck heart skewers to take away or a see vine of poutine. It also does dessert, making it a prime spot for post-dinner pop-in, including a sticky date pudding and tiramisu. It's a simple concept, but it's been well thought out — and it fills a gap for late night dining at the top end of the CBD.
The National Gallery of Victoria's 2019 program continues to pull in the big guns, with an ever-growing lineup of internationally acclaimed artists — including Keith Haring and Jean-Michael Basquiat — heading to the gallery. And from Friday, September 20, that list will include Brooklyn-based Kaws (aka Brian Donnelly), who's bringing his instantly recognisable pop-culture sculptures to Aus. Kaws is best known for his large-scale sculptures, vivid murals and distinctive, pop culture-inspired characters. You're probably familiar with his reinterpretations of iconic figures like Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and The Smurfs, all reworked with those signature Xs over the eyes. While it's a stable of work that's laced with a healthy dose of humour, this NGV exhibition, entitled Kaws: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness, focuses on the rest of those underlying emotions. You'll get a glimpse at how KAWS celebrates generosity and explores our need for companionship, offering up an antidote to the world's current 'Age of Loneliness'. Off the back of solo exhibitions at the Yuz Museum Shanghai and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis in 2017, as well as the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation earlier this year, Kaws' NGV presentation has plenty of never-before-seen goodies. It features a sprawling collection of his pop culture reworkings, human-size figures and collaborative pieces, while a newly commissioned monumental work will be the artist's largest bronze sculpture to date: Gone (2019), a seven-metre-tall bronze sculpture standing imposingly in the NGV's Federation Court. The main event is be backed by Kaws: Playtime – an interactive, touch-focused installation centred around Kaws' bright blue BFF character, complete with soft sculptures and a hands-on multimedia game. While it's created for 'children', we'll sure you'll find a few kidults exploring it, too. Top images: Kaws, Gone (2019); Kaws, What Party (2019); Kaws, Kawsbob (2007); and installation views of Kaws: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness at the NGV International. All photos by Tom Ross.
With an opulent interior of floor-to-ceiling curtains and immaculately presented dining tables, you know from the moment you enter Steer Dining Room that you are in for an extra special dining experience. The vibe here is New York meets Asia with a menu highlighting a spectacular variety of beef cuts. The team prides itself on fostering close relationships with suppliers — dating back to 2009 — so you know the ingredients on your plate are some of the finest on offer. First off, seafood dominates the smaller plates. Get around southern rock oysters, grilled squid with fermented chilli and salted egg butter, and caviar service with potato gems and sour cream — for when you're feeling extra bougie. But if you're coming to Steer Dining Room, it's most likely for the steaks. These bad boys are all of the wagyu variety, split into two sections — classic grain-fed and dry-aged. These steaks are some of the best in Melbourne and don't come cheap. But god are they worth it. Pair your melt-in-your-mouth steak with stir-fried greens and some hand-cut potato chips, and you have yourself one hell of a meal. And while this is a palace for red meat lovers, vegetarians aren't totally neglected. There are usually a couple of veggie starters — our favourite being the Jerusalem artichokes with pecorino custard and hazelnuts — and a main on offer. It's not a lot, but it does the job for anyone heading here with their meat-obsessed dining partner. As expected for any red meat dining destination, the wine list is incredibly impressive with over 60 by the glass and 400 by the bottle. We'd suggest a rich bottle of red Bordeaux such as the 2007 Chateau de Bel-Air to pair with your protein. Alternatively, let the Steer Dining Room team make all the decadent choices for you by ordering the wagyu degustation ($295 per person). It includes oysters, three wagyu beef starters including the exceptional steak tartare, a trio of steaks and a seasonal dessert. You can even go for some wine pairings that start at $130 per person and go up to $400 per person, depending on the calibre of vino you're after. Steer Dining is old school and totally luxurious. Best save it for a special occasion. Images: Tran Nguyen
Internet radio station Hope St Radio found a new permanent home in 2021, opening the doors to a wine bar and kitchen within the revamped Collingwood Yards. Also dubbed Hope St Radio, the venue boasts an expansive space beside the precinct's central courtyard — its bright, roomy interiors decked out with timber booths and fun mural art by Peter Cole and Alice McIntosh. Food-wise, it's all about the after-work snacks and dinner options; best enjoyed alongside some local beers, sustainably-produced wines, or serves of Fernet and coke. The menu changes regularly, though expect to find options like rigatoni all'amatriciana, focaccia with whipped garlic and tarragon butter, and creamy burrata teamed with artichokes and a vibrant nettle oil. Unsurprisingly, music is a big part of the bar's DNA, with a custom sound set-up courtesy of Hot Wax Sound Systems featuring tunes from Hope St Radio's expert curation of musicians and artists. A live broadcast keeps the venue buzzing right through the end of each week. [caption id="attachment_812441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Tom Blachford[/caption] Top images: Tom Blachford and Natalie Jurrjens Appears in: The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne for 2023
Renowned chef Scott Pickett (Estelle, Matilda, Pastore and Longrain) transformed his former Italian restaurant Lupo into the Parisian-inspired Smith St Bistrot back in 2021. The bistro and bar celebrates the French chapter of Pickett's own culinary training. It opens from 12pm for those chic lunching, sipping and snacking sessions, with a rotating menu du jour showcased come dinnertime. Classic European flavours star throughout finely-tuned dishes like tartare de boeuf with salt baked beetroot and dill yoghurt paired with a side of fries or the chicken fricassee with apple and pearl onions topped with cider. You'll be just as happy dropping by for a steak with green peppercorn on your lunchbreak, as you will be celebrating with friends over a barramundi with cucumber, crayfish beurre blanc and salmon roe. [caption id="attachment_849501" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannon McGrath[/caption] A matching wine offering has options for all occasions and budgets, favouring local and international winemakers taking a hands-off approach to their art. There be boutique beers and a handful of cocktails, too — revamping familiar favourites with a few new-world twists. The space has been created under the eye of Anthology Studio's Sarah Townson, with green velvet and burgundy leather played against exposed brick in a nod to both gothic and art deco stylings. Think brass chandeliers, antique mirrors and wrought iron balustrades, with a spiral staircase leading to a mezzanine level and second private dining space. Top images: Alex Squadrito Appears in: The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
The Waiters Restaurant (formerly The Waiters Club) has been around since 1947 and still resembles an old Coles canteen from the '70s. But despite missing out on the neighbouring Meyers Place revolution, the The Waiters Restaurant remains a city stalwart. Originally a members-only, after-work venue for Melbourne's new-Australian waiters, the restaurant now hosts a cross-generational legion of foodie fans. Tuck in to a welcoming bowl of pasta or a generous slice of tiramisu; fine dining it's not, but it's homely and dependable. And while its no-frills service has remained but the place has been offered up a fresh coat of paint and a new set of tables and chairs. The Waiters Restaurant might have changed a little on the surface, but the vibe of the place remains, and it will always have an air of nan's kitchen about it. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Home to an endless variety of Asian cuisine, a single street in Melbourne's east houses some of the best honest, hawker-style food in the city. On Kingsway, Glen Waverley, deceptively delicious eateries run rampant. The epitome of casual eating, Glen Waverley’s dirt-cheap Asian food is kind to both your stomach and your purse. Although often associated with notoriously poor customer service, it's quite arguably one of Melbourne's most loved and regarded cheap eating scenes. Bring some good humour and you'll enjoy a simple, tasty meal — and in classic Glen Waverley style, it won't cost you more than $15. CHIVE DUMPLINGS AT HONG KONG DIM SUM: $3.80 It's one of the smaller restaurants in Glen Waverley, but that makes Hong Kong Dim Sum ideal for grazers reluctant to break the budget on high-class yum cha. This eatery doesn’t wheel around trolleys filled with food — instead opting for a small, specialised yum cha menu made to order. Stick to classic dim sum options like the scallop or chives dumplings ($3.80 for three) and you'll walk away pleasantly topped up with quality Chinese fare. If you're particularly impressed by the food, you can purchase a freshly frozen set of items from the freezer. 77 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9545 3886; facebook.com PRAWN MEE AT PAPPA RICH: $12.90 Always the crowd pleaser, dining at Pappa Rich usually involves a short wait at peak times. But don't be deterred by the queue — you'll be seated surprisingly quickly with expert staff cleverly maximising the spacious interior. Although technically a Malay eatery, the menu is heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese flavours. There's a variety of dishes to choose from, and a pleasantly creative drink menu. The Pappa Prawn Mee is a highlight here, with a balanced broth of rich prawns and tangy Asian spices. The flavours at Pappa Rich are a little more intricate than some other Glen Waverley eateries, which is surely reflected eagerly by the restaurant's devoted following. 92-94 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 0968; papparich.net.au YONG TOFU AT THE GRAND TOFU: $9.80 Here at The Grand Tofu you'll find one of the biggest, steaming hot bowls of noodle soup available for a mere ten bucks. This is classic Asian street-style soup at its best. There are a few other standard hawker flavours on the menu, including some notable vegetarian options, but Yong Tofu orders dominate most nights. Choose from a braised, tom yum, or curry soup base. Add your choice of noodles (or choose a mix) and six feature items. As a little delight, the generous range of dumplings, fish-stuffed vegetables and bean curd items are displayed in a glass case for you. The vegetarian bean curd roll and stuffed eggplant are particular standouts. 102 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 1700 PORK DUMPLINGS AT RARAMEN: $8.80 If crowds are anything to go by, this inconspicuous dining hall serves some of the best budget dumplings in Melbourne. The menu is extensive, but most patrons don't read beyond the dumpling list. Which is fair enough, really, when a mere $8.80 will buy you 12 of the juiciest pork treasures in town. Steamed or fried, these succulent, warm parcels are easily some of Glen Waverley's most popular hidden gems. A two-storey restaurant, RaRamen is a treat for groups with the upstairs section featuring lengthy tables specifically designed to accommodate sharing and general festivity. And if you needed another reason to visit, there are also free slurpees. 114 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 5665; facebook.com HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE AT STRAITS OF MALACCA: $9.80 Traditional Malaysian dishes with a western-friendly influence reign supreme at this lively restaurant. There's a genuine mix of conventional and modern Malaysian flavours, but the "most popular" Hainanese Chicken Rice is a particular standout. Beautifully light chicken rice with sharp and sweet sauces complement softly steamed meat — be patient for this one, it's worth it. If you feel adventurous, try some Malaysian drinks including the classic Kopi ($3) and the Three Layered Teh ($3.5). Ambience can be lacking occasionally, but the food is so gloriously cheap here that it's hard to mind. 78 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 3880 Malacca Straits image credit: annieenguyenn; The Grand Tofu image credit: foodiebebs; Hong Kong Dim Sum image credit: Alpha via Flickr
If you're looking for some hard-to-find wines, Malvern's Milton Wine Shop is a clear go-to in Melbourne's southeast. The cosy bottle shop isn't just for takeaway, either — the venue doubles as a wine bar that slings rare drops by the glass. The venue is split across three spaces, including the bottle-o, a living room with fireplace, and a sun-filled courtyard. The latter is a rare outdoor gem that can also be used in cooler months, as it's heated and enclosed. Expect both old- and new-world wines on offer at Milton Wine Shop, with a focus on quality winemaking. By the glass, there are orange and chilled reds alongside the usual red, white and rosé — with 'interesting and rare' drops from France, Italy and Austria. Apart from wine, there's a strong selection of craft beers from Australia and New Zealand, too. The bar's simple food offering ranges from nibbles to share plates. There are also cheese toasties and an extensive cheese and charcuterie offering. Once you've tasted the range, you'll be more than tempted to hit the well-stocked bottle shop on your way out. Appears in: The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne for 2023
Dumpling Empire prides itself on giving guests a culinary tour of China. From Shanghai, you can enjoy handmade xiao long baos. From Sichuan, there are spiced noodles. And from Guandong, you can sample bamboo steamed rice dishes. It is the kind of joint with a team of chefs from all over, so you know whatever you order is going to be authentic and traditional. There interior here is simple yet elegant, with your typical unassuming furniture dressed up with lanterns and splashes of red. The service is welcoming and kind but the focus is definitely on the food before anything else. The menu kicks off with light snacks to get the mouth watering, including pork xiao long baos and spring onion pancakes. The dumpling menu includes classics such as prawn and chicken dumplings and pan-fried steam buns, while vegetarians can order the vegetarian option. If you're after noodles, there are steamed pork and fish meatball soups, along with pork tripe or stewed lamb noodle soups. Rice dishes include deep fried chicken with special sauce or the classic bamboo steamed black bean and fish with chilli rice. The mains are where Dumpling Empire really shines, with perfectly balanced flavours and very generous servings. The pick of the bunch is the stir-fried grab which is lightly flavoured with ginger and spring onions. Pair this with a serve of Chinese broccoli and you are well on your way to one of the best Chinese meals you've had in your life.
Melbourne, your prayers for an eclectic post-ironic, Hawthorn based club with 24-hour licensing have been answered. Untz Untz (the phonetic sound of dance music and generally jovial shit-facedness) has recently opened on Glenferrie Road and is promising great things for the neverending live music and cheap pizza scene. Untz Untz is basically a nightclub (or, as they would have you believe, a multi-faceted entertainment venue) and the hot tickets so far are the many and varied theme nights on offer throughout the week. They'll be trading four nights a week: Cheers Tuesdays (the $8 Skittle Bombs are a big hint it's a party for uni students); Animal House on Thursday; Beta Bar Fridays (a cosplay/video game themed night); and a night simply called Adultery on Saturdays (a 21+ club night with a revolving mix of house, techno, disco, hip hop, soul, funk and R&B and nary a raspberry vodka in sight). And did we mention the trippy infinity light-up dance floor? Yeahhhh. We're planning to throw every last shape on that. While the team is still expanding the empire, keep an eye on their channels as the venue is determined to make live music (featuring local acts) the big drawcard for their nights. And come September, we can expect a two more additions: a pub called Holy Moly, and its counterpart bar called Boozy Soozy, where you can expect $4 pizzas in the style of Bimbo Deluxe and cocktails on tap. Hawthorn just became our new favourite party place. Untz Untz, 660A Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn; open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
If you wander into Aunty Peg's looking for a latte, you won't find one. But rather than being turned away, you'll be sat down at the bar. You'll be talked through the coffee, perhaps given a taste or a smell (no obligation, of course). And before you know it, you'll probably be sipping a nitrogen-charged cold brew straight out of a beer glass. That seems like standard practice at Aunty Peg's, which opened way back in 2014 to showcase and sell the best beans Proud Mary can find. The drop-in coffee bar is attached to the newly relocated Proud Mary roastery, which is conveniently just a hop, skip and jump from their flagship cafe. There is one bar, three coffees on rotation, and two options. Filter or espresso. Everything's black. You might try the fragrant Colombian Popayan Reserve Washed Decaf, or perhaps go for a nitrogen cold brew. This one is special: the Panama Geisha beans (a relatively new varietal) are brewed for 52 hours at 4 degrees and then poured straight from the keg, giving it a beer-like texture. It's easy drinking and perfect for summer. The guys here know their coffee, and they want you to know about it, too. Watch them make your pour-over filter at the bar or drop in during the week, and find out how to brew your beans just right. Always wanted to learn how to use your French Press? This is your chance. It's a vast space, and the bar is just a small part of the Proud Mary story. As well as the warehouse and roastery, there's the retail corner, training area and upstairs bakery and event space. For a coffee nerd, Aunty Peg's is the ultimate school. And if you're still after that latte, Proud Mary is just around the corner. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
If September weather still isn't hitting compared to a tropical holiday, then maybe it's time to book a short-haul flight with Virgin Australia's happy hour sale. From now until 11pm today (AEST), score international flights for as little as $419 return. But be quick, because you've only got until 11pm tonight to nab these deals. Travel anywhere from Queenstown and Vanuatu to Bali, Samoa and Fiji, to make the most of this limited-time offer. Deals include a Melbourne to Bali flight for as little as $419 return, or Sydney to Fiji from $489 return. Book your economy flights between October 22, 2025 and March 31, 2026, to be eligible for these red-hot deals. If you're a Velocity Frequent Flyer, then these deals are even better, because sale fares still go towards your Velocity Points and Status Credits. Just make sure to pack light, as these fares do not include baggage and seat reservations. For more information about Virgin Australia's Happy Hour Flights Sale, head to the website. Images: iStock
