Our Journalists

Kara MonssenFood and wine editor, digital producer

Kara Monssen is the Herald Sun’s food and wine editor and a digital news journalist. Kara reviews Victorian restaurants and wine and reports food news for the weekly Kitchen Confidential section. She is the Victorian editor of the annual delicious.100 restaurant guide. She also contributes lifestyle video content for the Herald Sun and delicious.

Kara Monssen

Latest

Victoria

MELBOURNE, MAY 30, 2023: Comedy trio Sooshi Mango are opening their first Italian restaurant in Lygon Street. L to R Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre in character. Picture: Mark Stewart

Sooshi Mango to provide Flemington feast

The food line-up for the Melbourne Cup Carnival has been revealed, offering “something for all tastes and budgets” – including Italian treats from a popular comedy trio.

Food

Eat Italiano by Pino is reinventing itself as a modern Italian restaurant and bar. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

‘Who goes out for dinner?’ Pizzeria reinvents itself off new trend

An Italian restaurant in Windsor has revamped its entire concept after realising diners weren’t going out for a three-course feed like they were pre-lockdown.

Food

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30 2024Cat members Elise Jansen, Michelle Myers, Damian Walshe-Howling, Aaron James Campbell, Brett Cousins, Claudia Greenstone and Darcie Kent from Gluttony: The Play.Playwright Nick Parr and chef Rob Kabboord (Quay, Sydney) have created an immersive food and wine experience play that is back for a second season this October. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Get dinner and a show at this new interactive food-themed play

An immersive eating, drinking and theatre experience — where the actors and guests are seated at the same dinner table — is returning this month in a grand city dining room.

Food

Grant Smillie is opening a new venue at Crown Melbourne.

Aussie DJ makes homecoming to open Cali-inspired eatery at Crown

He’s behind some of Los Angeles’ favourite night spots and now Melbourne DJ Grant Smillie is coming home to launch a California-inspired, day-to-night eatery at Crown Melbourne.

Food

Famed chef Michael Lambie has sold up all his Melbourne restaurants and relocated to the Gold Coast, securing the former Miss Me at NobbyÃs Beach and is opening Rubi Red Kitchen & Bar later this year. Picture Glenn Hampson

Lucy Liu chef opens first new restaurant in three years

He’s the chef behind a long-list of iconic Melbourne venues such as Stokehouse, Circa at the Prince, Taxi Dining Room and Lucy Liu. Now Michael Lambie is opening a new South East Asian city restaurant next month.

REVIEWFood

Reed House restaurant review.The Raw Tuna.Picture by Wayne Taylor 2nd October 2024

Is this one of the most exciting restaurant openings of the year?

It’s been open one month, but this charming new British-inspired restaurant is behind an impressive line-up of food, cocktails and good times — and it’s stolen the heart of our food critic.

Food

DE BORTOLI LIMONCELLO SPRITZ: $24 ZONZO ESTATE BELLINA: $25 INNOCENT BYSTANDER WATERMELON SPRITZ: ZONZO CICCHIO PISTACHIO SPRITZ: $28 CHANDON GARDEN SPRITZ: $33

Six spritzes to sip in the sunshine

The pre-mix spritz is fizzing in popularity this season. Here are six to slink in your glass while the weather’s warm.

Food

5 best things to eat in Melbourne this October

From bug salt chips and butter-soft calamari to the most elite pre-dinner snacks, here are five delicious things to eat this month.

ExclusiveFood

Vasilios (Bill) Batzogiannis and his wife Stomata are closing their shop International Cakes after 60 years. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Iconic Greek cafe closes after 62 years in CBD

One of the city’s longest-running Greek cafes is serving its last baklava after six-decades in the game, with the owner sharing his sad reason for the closure.

Food

Some of the dishes on display at Chiki Chan, a new modern Malaysian restaurant in Mordialloc. Picture: Ian Currie

Chiki Chan brings city flavours to Mordialloc

Eating at Mordialloc’s vibrant new modern Asian restaurant is more “fun” than “fine” dining — with the owners bringing a taste of city to the suburbs.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/kara-irving/page/5