under $20

HOT Chat: Philippa Sibley of Il Fornaio

August 6, 2010 ⋅ 6 comments

Over a million of us watched Masterchef Australia every night, which means you’re probably familiar with the work of award winning Melbourne-based pastry chef, Philippa Sibley. Being a HUGE dessert fiend, I’ve been a fan of Philippa’s work ever since I moved to Melbourne and she was cooking at three-hatted est est est. Her latest [...]

HOT: I Love You Phillip Morris

August 3, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments

MIFF #5: Today’s we have another guest review from Yalin of the MIFF film (and potential upcoming general release TBC), I Love You Phillip Morris, which was released in the UK several months ago. Thanks Yalin! The poster for I Love You Phillip Morris shows a gay couple with two pooches, Barbie-like hair and glowing [...]

NOT: Picture Me: A Model’s Diary

July 30, 2010 ⋅ One comment

MIFF #4: I am going to disclaim responsibility for choosing to see Picture Me: A Model’s Diary at 9:15pm on a school night. So RM and I were flicking through the MIFF program and he surprised me by saying that he wanted to see ‘a visual diary of Sara [Ziff]’s experiences within the sometimes glamourous, [...]

NOT: Four Lions

July 29, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

MIFF #3: Today’s we have a guest review of the MIFF film and upcoming general release, Four Lions, from Yalin, who saw it in the UK several months ago. Friends J+B were at the MIFF screening last night and thought that it was very funny and effective – a HOT. I have a preview pass [...]

HOT: Singapore Chom Chom, 188 Bourke St, Melbourne

July 29, 2010 ⋅ 8 comments

One advantage of living in a multicultural urban centre like Melbourne is the myriad of opportunities for trying out new cuisine with friends of different ethnic backgrounds who can guide you through the menu maze. On my first visit to Singapore Chom Chom, I was glad that S, a Singaporean, was on hand to explain [...]

HOT: Stellini Bar, 198 Little Collins St, Melbourne

July 28, 2010 ⋅ 5 comments

Stellini Bar is small, buzzy and crowded eatery dropped in straight from Milano and filled with office workers and uni students alike. As you’d expect from the owners of The Mess Hall, it serves ready-made sandwiches, piadinas, calzone and easy Italian favourites, 7 days a week from breakfast till late. There is also an unexpectedly [...]

NOT: The Red Chapel

July 27, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments

MIFF #2: I had high hopes for the Danish documentary The Red Chapel. Described as ‘a subversive comedy tour through North Korea’ and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, I was expecting lots of laughs and a rare glimpse into an insular society built on the personality cult of [...]

HOT: Teenage Paparazzo

July 26, 2010 ⋅ One comment

MIFF #1: OK, I confess that I booked Teenage Paparazzo because Adrian Grenier aka Vinnie Chase from Entourage, was the director of the documentary and presenting the film at the festival. Regardless of my groupie-dom, Teenage Paparazzo is an enjoyable film reflecting on the nature of celebrity, society’s insatiable appetite for gossip, why we care [...]

HOT: Chocolate Buddha, Federation Square, Melbourne

July 23, 2010 ⋅ 39 comments

Sponsored by Nuffnang When Federation Square first opened back in 2002, Chocolate Buddha was the hottest place to eat and drink. It was the first of the communal Japanese dining halls in Melbourne (before the advent of places like Wagamama) and at night there were queues for the rows of communal tables and bar area. [...]

HOT: Liaison Cafe, Monaco House, 22 Ridgway Place, Melbourne

July 21, 2010 ⋅ 4 comments

I must be the only food blogger, nay the only Melburnian, who doesn’t drink coffee. Sometimes it can really hinder the completeness of my reviews, especially when I go to a place that specialises in coffee, like Liasion. Liasion is the sixth cafe run by Danny Colls of Cafe Racer fame, and from what I [...]