Our Journalists

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.

Kara Monssen

Latest

Food

Ophelia cafe opens in Westgarth. The cafe boasts an elevated breakfast menu., L-R, Dale Kemp, executive chef, codirectors bec Moore, Kieran spiteri, Ben argentino, emma kaye head chef. Picture Jason Edwards

Northern suburbs cafe pro debuts ‘grown-up’ brunch and wine hang

The northern suburbs cafe pro behind Terror Twilight, Convoy and Tinker is launching a “grown up” daytime eatery with brunch, wine and a killer vinyl catalogue.

REVIEWFood

Tombo Den restaurant review.Duck hamburg. Picture: Michael Pham.

Glam snack gets ‘upper middle bogan’ reboot at trendy izakaya

Tombo Den is everything you’d expect from a Chris Lucas restaurant, with some unexpected snack mash-ups that’ll have you rushing back for another bite.

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.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/kara-irving/page/6