Dinner
Review: Pho24
I’m the first to admit that I’m not a fan of franchises. I’m not sure when or why I developed this aversion but in my opinion franchises are the restaurant equivalent of soup in can (which has never seen the inside of my pantry!). So, if I’m brutally honest, I wouldn’t ever of my...
Review: Pastuso – Perfect Peruvian
Trying to find a table in Melbourne for six people is no easy feat. All the latest restaurants only take bookings for 8 people or more, but if you can manage to secure a table for a smaller group you usually have to choose from two “sitting options”, one that’s at seniors eating hour and...
Review: Sake Restaurant
Japanese is easily top of my list when it comes to cuisines. It’s the food I crave on many occasions – the freshness of sashimi, the variety of a bento box or the comfort of donburi. But I also love the welcome that comes with entering Japanese restaurants. The call of “IRASSHAIMASE” on arrival makes...
Function and Event Spaces Melbourne
Function and Event Spaces Melbourne Planning a special event really starts with finding the right venue. Like our Private and Group Dining Melbourne mini-guide, our Function and Event Spaces Melbourne mini-guide should helpfully give you a starting point when looking for a great spot for a birthday, work party, special event and even weddings. ...
Private and Group Dining in Melbourne
I’ve had many requests over the years for recommendations on private dining rooms, as well as restaurants that allow bookings for larger groups, so I thought it was about time to put together a list of where I often recommend to people; hence I present to you a mini version of Private and Group Dining...
The Last Jar
(The bar at The Last Jar – image credit, Eugene Hyland) (Starter – Smoked Mackerel Pate with house baked Soda Bread) ‘Twas a wint’ry Melbourne eve… perfect conditions to have accepted an invitation to visit The Last Jar in North Melbourne. Formerly the live music venue The Arthouse, new owners Siobhan Dooley and head chef Tim...
Horn Please
(The bright, vintage inspired Horn Please menu card) Husband and wife couple, Jessi and Jennifer Singh, left San Francisco for Victoria in search of a better work-life balance. San Fran’s loss is most definitely our gain and needless to say, we are simply thrilled about that. Initially settling and working in Kyneton, about eighteen months...
duNORD
(Image credit – Tess Williams) The words ‘Scandinavia’ and ‘Nordic’ immediately bring to mind a number of things: Ikea; royal families (including our very own Princess Mary); bicycle-friendly cities; and advanced education systems to name just a few. However, I’ll be honest, food traditionally hasn’t made this list. duNORD Kitchen & Bar definitely challenges...
Hammer and Tong
To be honest, I would suggest that before reading any further you just glance at Hammer and Tong’s menu here. Now come back and email me here if the menu alone did not excite you or inspire you to visit. To date, Hammer and Tong remains one of the most impressive Melbourne brunch spots (and if...
Event: Hophaus Opening
(Hophaus entrance in the mid level of Southgate) On arrival at this event we weren’t surprised to see Hophaus staff with trays of drinks waiting to greet us at the door but what was a bit unexpected was the choice of welcome drink – Jagermeister shots or Apple Schnapps! Ten points for theming! That...
Ribs and Burgers
Wow. Rib and Burger lovers I am going to say that this place is up there. A friend of mine kept raving about their Northcote restaurant, and apart from that the name (Ribs and Burgers) sounded like it had some meat to it (pardon the pun). Not too long after these praises...
Event: Mua Dong at Ba’get
(Ba’get Bahn Mi – Image by Amy Martin) When someone says Vietnamese food, what’s the first thought that comes to mind?? Pho or Bahn Mi would surely be top of the list. What about Spicy Beef Stew? Didn’t think so! That’s exactly what our host Duy Huynh created for us at his restaurant Ba’get this week....
