Melbourne

HOT: Sataylicious, Shop W3, Dandenong Market, Cnr Clow and Cleeland St, Dandenong

October 19, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

Is it possible that I’ve found the best satay sauce in Melbourne…in Zone 2? Every family, every region and every country has their own satay recipe – and everyone has their favourite. I’ve eaten a lot of satays both in Australia and in South East Asia and I’m so excited about discovering the spicy satay [...]

HOT: Quartetthaus, Melbourne Festival, Ngargee Centre for Contemporary Art, Sidney Myer Courtyard 111 Sturt St, Southbank

October 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Something very curious has landed in the courtyard of the Malthouse Theatre. What is it? It looks like a big wooden box. No obvious doors or windows but if you listen carefully you can hear the faint scraping of string instruments. It’s the Quartetthaus! The Australian National Academy of Music and lighting and design studio [...]

HOT: Town Hall Hotel, 166 Johnston St, Fitzroy

October 16, 2011 ⋅ One comment

The Town Hall Hotel is a handsome gastropub where you can expect fine dining quality of food and service, without having to wear your best frock or bear the fine dining prices. The bistro menu has a heavy Italian focus and spans small, medium and large plates to cater for any appetite (they also have [...]

HOT: Pope Joan, 77-79 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East

October 12, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

At last count, there were 19 blog reviews of Pope Joan on Urbanspoon. So I’m far behind with my visit and now I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long. Pope Joan is the kind of neighbourhood cafe for which you’d be willing to travel. Which is why it has found success despite being located [...]

Giveaway: Environmental Film Festival Melbourne 2011

October 7, 2011 ⋅ 9 comments

The Environmental Film Festival Melbourne is back again this year with more environmental themed films screening from 11-16 October at Kino Cinemas, 45 Collins St, Melbourne. The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of key environmental issues by bringing together film-makers, experts, policy makers, politicians and the wider community in an open conversation about [...]

HOT: Cafe Vue at Heide, Heide Museum of Modern Art, 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen

October 6, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments

It’s been a while since my last visit to Cafe Vue at Heide and this time we decided to try the a la carte menu rather than the Menu du Jour set menu. On a sunny weekend the cafe is a real drawcard for visitors to Heide Museum of Modern Art. There’s often a queue [...]

HOT: High Tea at Lobby Lounge, The Westin, 205 Collins St, Melbourne

October 4, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

I can think of no better way to spend a cold, rainy afternoon than in front of an open fireplace drinking tea. Better still, drinking tea, eating cakes and lounging around reading an Evelyn Waugh novel. I recently indulged in my perfect rainy-day afternoon scenario with High Tea at the Lobby Lounge of The Westin [...]

HOT: Mitte, 76 Michael Street (cnr Rowe Street), North Fitzroy

October 3, 2011 ⋅ One comment

I’m not sure whether Mitte is named after the district in Berlin and the German word for ‘middle’ but let’s just say at the outset that there are no German references in the menu, decor or service of this neighbourhood cafe. It’s in a little hideaway location on the corner of two residential streets in [...]

HOT: The Wine Bar Restaurant, Yering Station, 38 Melba Hwy, Yarra Glen

September 30, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

Fancy a day out in the country? In just 45 minutes from the city you can be out in the vineyards of the Yarra Valley. One of the most popular wineries in the Yarra Valley is Yering Station. It’s the first winery established in Victoria and is definitely worth a stop for the cellar door/art [...]

HOT: The Commoner, 122 Johnston St, Fitzroy

September 29, 2011 ⋅ One comment

The Commoner is one of my local favourites – great food, reasonable prices, friendly service and lots of different spaces depending on your dining needs, from intimate couples tables to the outdoor courtyard to upstairs private dining room. My most recent visit to The Commoner was for Sunday lunch. I reckon Sundays are the best days [...]