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Kara MonssenFood and wine editor

Kara Monssen is the Herald Sun’s food and wine editor. She is a restaurant and wine critic, and reports food and hospitality news in Melbourne, Victoria. Kara also contributes lifestyle video content for the Herald Sun and delicious.

Latest

REVIEWFood

Daphne restaurant review story. Picture: Supplied

This ‘Gen Z’ restaurant will make you want to move northside

$10 wines, “reverse” martinis and a burger always on the menu — there are many reasons you’ll want to call this new Brunswick East restaurant your local.

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12 wines of Christmas story

12 Victorian drinks to put on high rotation this Christmas

From a Yarra Valley champagne dupe to a Melbourne-made tequila, these homegrown heroes will wow your Christmas celebration without breaking the bank.

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ReviewFood

Yiaga art for review story

Allen’s ambitious first-solo restaurant dares to be different

Tongues are wagging over chef Hugh Allen’s ambitious first solo-restaurant in the Fitzroy Gardens. But is Yiaga just a copy-paste of Vue de monde?

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Melbourne star chef Andrew McConnell is set to open a European grill restaurant, Côte Basque with partner Jo McGann Picture: Supplied

Star chef Andrew McConnell to bring a taste of Spain to CBD

Renowned Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell and partner Jo McGann have announced plans to open Côte Basque, a European grill restaurant replacing Becco on Crossley St next winter.

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MELBOURNE, NOVEMBER 6, 2025: Hoddles Creek winemaker Franco D'Anna and daughter Caita (of Cat and Frank Wines) explain why their wine is still good quality, but affordable. Picture: Mark Stewart

Is that $10 bottle of wine really any good?

Those bargain bin wines are cheap, but are they really any good?A master of wine and winemaker share the spending limit to remember to guarantee quality. SEE THE LIST.

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Zekkai has launched the city's most expensive taco costing $1000. It's made with luxe ingredients and gold flakes. Picture: David Crosling

Would you spend $1000 on this taco?

A Melbourne Japanese restaurant is launching the city’s most luxurious, and expensive, taco — with hoards of people already pre-ordering the dish ahead of its release.

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Art for story on the best things we ate

Best on plate: Top dishes of 2025

There were many delicious eats this year — from nostalgic desserts and unconventional pub grub to viral cheeseburgers. Here are the most delectable dishes of 2025.

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More Melbourne restaurants targeted by kegman in vandalism spree. The Osborne Hotel and Entrecote are the latest venues to be targeted by kegman. Picture: Supplied

Keg-wielding vandal strikes again

A man wearing a red hoodie has terrorised four Melbourne venues with a beer keg, just days after similar CBD attacks left businesses reeling.

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Chardonnay in a white wine glass

Surprising reason people are paying top dollar for chardonnay

At a time when drinking alcohol is on the decline, wine lovers are spending big on one style.

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Restaurant break in graphic 4x3 size

‘Wild West’: CBD restaurant broken into 39 times this year

Leading Melbourne restaurateur Jessi Singh says Melbourne’s CBD has become the “wild west” — and small businesses has been abandoned by the government and council — after his Daughter in Law eatery was broken into for the 39th time this year.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/kara-irving