12 top Victorian chefs and foodies share their favourite places to eat and drink
They’ve carved out careers making Melbourne one of the world’s best foodie havens — so where do top chefs and culinary experts go to sample Victoria’s first-rate food and drinks in their downtime?
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They are the chefs, bar owners and food and wine experts at the forefront of Victoria’s bustling culinary scene.
So where do our top foodies go for a good feed, a brilliant drop and a great time?
As part of the Herald Sun Weekend liftout’s Hot 100 special, which celebrates the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival from March 19-29, we asked 12 people in the know to share their go-to venues.
ANDREW McCONNELL, TRADER HOUSE RESTAURANTS
MAHA EAST
Aside from Shane Delia’s delicious food, I love the intimacy of this Windsor dining room and the spontaneity of the menu.
TEDESCA OSTERIA
One of the most comforting dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The Red Hill dining room is stunning and I’m jealous of Brigitte Hafner’s wood-fired kitchen. I love her utterly delicious food.
T UERONG FARM FLOUR
The first thing I noticed about the Tuerong Farm stoneground flour is the aroma. Such love and care has been put into producingit, which is so evident by its texture and flavour.
2018 MOONLIT FOREST ‘CARTER’
This is my go-to chilled red right now, a serious wine in a friendly format. It’s dangerously drinkable with a great balanceof plushness and acidity.
oneblock.com.au
McConnell welcomes Sydney fish king Josh Niland, from Saint Peter, into his Cumulus Inc kitchen for a sold-out MFWF lunch on March 22.
WHERE IS MELBOURNE’S BEST PIZZA SHOP? NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE
BEN SHEWRY, ATTICA
GRAU PROJEKT
An art gallery might seem an unlikely place to go for a drink, but Matt Bax has combined an incredible gallery space in Clifton Hill and a roster of great artists with bartenders serving cocktails out of a vending machine. It’s the only place you’llget Matt’s legendary Hot Cold Pina Colada.
BAKER BLEU
Mike and Mia Russell recently moved to a larger space in Caulfield North, meaning more bread for everyone. Mike makes thebest bread I’ve had in Melbourne.
THE LEAF STORE
My little local supermarket in Elwood offers organic produce, meat and dairy products, along with a curated range of other foods.
MAKER & MONGER
Anthony Femia and his team are totally in love with cheese — and it shows. They source the greatest range from around theworld and ripen them on-site until they are ready for eating, packing it carefully in paper for you to take home. They also do mind-blowing toasted cheese sandwiches.
CORNER INLET
This is one of the most sustainable commercial fisheries in Australia and we’re lucky to have Corner Inlet and its future-first community of fishers. The fishermen act as the ultimate environmentalists, going to great lengths to replant seagrass (a marine nursery) and to make sure that bycatch is carefully hand sorted and returned to the sea alive. Check out Corner Inlet fishon the Goodfish sustainable seafood guide and ask for it from your fishmonger.
Join Ben Shewry on March 29 for Attica Presents, a day of discussions about the future of food and community with speakers including Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe and artist Reko Rennie. At QVM, free entry.
ANTHEA LOUCAS BOSHA, FOOD + WINE VICTORIA CEO
CHICKEN LAKSA AT LAKSA KING
The signature dish at this Flemington institution is as good as one might expect. The execution is bang-on — fragrant coconutbroth and generous chunks of chicken topped with tofu and soft eggplant — and priced under $12, is one of the best value-for-moneyofferings in Melbourne.
CACIO E PEPE SCRAMBLED EGGS AT CELLAR BAR
Melbourne has hit peak cacio e pepe and the Grossi Cellar Bar’s scrambled eggs explain why the salty, cheesy, peppery flavourcombo has resonated so widely with diners.
DUCK A L’ORANGE AT PETITE TRACTEUR
Confit duck leg, orange sauce — it’s a classic for a reason. The Petite Tractueur team dish up this French showstopper withabsolute aplomb.
MARKET DOUGHNUTS
Spending time at the Queen Vic Market in preparation for next month’s MFWF has me reacquainted with the hot, sugary perfectionof the market’s famed jam-filled doughnuts. Circa 1950 and still going strong.
LA GRICIA SBAGLIATO
While the canape platter has arguably become the hallmark of Di Stasio Citta, my go-to order is the La Gricia sbagliato — ultra al dente spaghettoni, chunks of guanciale and saucy tomatoes.
WHIPPED MORTADELLA
You read right. This sweet creamy, porky paste is served on croutons and topped with chopped fefferoni peppers at Cumulus Inc. Brilliant.
CATERINA BORSATO, CATERINA’S
CREMA FRITTA AT SUPERMAXI
Rita Micali and her minimalist restaurant in Fitzroy North is still my favourite. She has a great knowledge of all thingsItalia, with sublime sauces, terrific pizza and the best crema fritta (fried custard) in town.
THAT’S AMORE CANNOLERIA
That’s Amore’s Giorgio Linguanti and staff, at what is now a permanent store at the South Melbourne market, fill my cannoli shells with fresh ricotta on demand.
HOGGET KITCHEN
When I’m in Gippsland and want to impress my mother, this is where we go to enjoy fabulous regional food thanks to Trevor Perkins’ great knowledge of local produce.
TOMO’S JAPANESE
Tomo’s in Inverloch is our only go-to restaurant when we are on holidays down the coast. We especially love his sushi.
PIEDIMONTE’S
A one-stop Italian supermarket in Fitzroy North. I often run to to get my ciabatta romagnola, sliced by Carmela to toast thickness,and smear it with squacquerone cheese and Puopolo capocollo (salami).
Caterina’s is one of 10 top Italian restaurants cooking up a feast for Melbourne’s biggest pasta party, The Big Spaghetti, on March 28. At QVM, free entry.
DAVE PARKER, SEBASTIAN
JAMES
Simple but delicious Japanese lunch and dinner spot in South Melbourne with great wine and lovely staff.
IMA PROJECT
In true Japanese style, everything is done to almost perfection at this simple cafe in Carlton.
MUSHROOM FORESTRY
A couple on the Mornington Peninsula growing shiitake, oysters and lion’s mane mushrooms. I think these more unique Japanese mushies will be getting more and more popular. They’re delicious.
LIGHT SPRITZES
Vermouth or yuzushu (available at good Japanese places) on ice with soda – it’s tasty, low in alcohol, well priced and refreshing.
TAQUITO BAR
New Mexican place in Carlton offers quality meats, tacos and mescal. Good, simple Mexican fun.
Some of the west’s best restaurants are joining forces for a pintxos party at Sebastian on Williamstown beach on March 21. For more events in the western suburbs, visit MFWF.com.au
DAVE VERHEUL, LESA/EMBLA
SUGARBAG HONEY DESSERT AT ATTICA
Ben Shewry’s dish of confit finger lime, sugarbag honey and fresh cream was hands down the best dessert I ate last year.
BYRDI
A new CBD bar from Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura, the couple behind Singapore’s much-lauded Operation Dagger.
O.MY
The Bertoncello brothers have moved their Beaconsfield restaurant two doors down the street into a space more suited to their evolution, with a relaxed bar attached, too.
FIOR DI LATTE GELATO AT PIDAPIPO
Their fior di latte is the best gelato going around.
ELEPHANT CORRIDOR
Authentic Sri Lankan in the heart of Glen Waverley.
Verheul will host fellow Kiwi superstar chef Ed Verner at Lesa for a sold-out dinner at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Verner will also feature in the free Shed X talks and demonstrations at Queen Victoria Market across both weekends of the festival.
JESSI SINGH, DAUGHTER IN LAW/MRS SINGH
MKS PRESTON
Great place to go for all not only your Indian and Siri Lankan groceries but also to eat Melbourne’s best Sri Lankan food.My favourite are the hoppers, beetroot curry and chicken rolls. Cheaper and better than chips.
LAGOON DINING
Beautiful east Asian restaurant at the Cinema Nova end of Lygon St. Flavours are here so good. My go-to dish is the rolled rice noodles with XO sauce, Chinese cured pork belly and toasted sesame.
BINCHO BOSS
My favourite Japanese in the CBD. Tokyo-style dining with traditional charcoal grill. Very casual with great quality sashimi,sushi and grilled vegetables. Great Japanese cocktails and sake.
OLD PALM LIQUOR
My new favourite natural wine bar with great wood-fired menu. I love the flatbread with garlic labne, the pork chop and radishsalad. The chef’s tasting menu is way to go at this Brunswick East hot spot.
SARAVANAA BHAVAN
This hidden gem on King St in the city is my favourite Indian breakfast place. Home of dosas (savoury rice pancakes), Indian-styleporridge, steam rice dumplings, and fried breads with chana masala. This is only authentic South Indian restaurant of Melbourne.Best cheap eat of Melbourne for sure.
J.P TWOMEY, CARLTON WINE ROOM
THE WOOLI GENERAL
Over Christmas we spent a few days in Cape Woolamai and enjoyed some of the best fish and chips here. When the crumbed calamarirings are available, be sure to order them.
FAYE
I recently enjoyed a wonderful meal at this new Brunswick East wine bar. The chicken hearts with cherries cooked over wood were a standout.
RAMARRO FARM
This small market garden in the Dandenong Ranges has a great range of leaves and veg, and we are excited to be using theirtomatoes on our menu. They also do a farm gate for the public every Saturday from 8am.
CIRCA 900 PIZZERIA
Great local pizzeria in Pascoe Vale South serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas. Their margherita sets the bar high.
HARPER & BLOHM
This specialty cheese shop on Sydney Rd in Brunswick is perfect for all things cheese. Owner Olivia Sutton has a great selectionof local and international cheese for home, as well as a range of grilled cheese sandwiches.
Twomey will welcome Sydney chef Mat Lindsay from Ester into the Carlton Wine Room kitchen for a sold-out dinner. Lindsay will also be part of the Shed X program at QVM both weekends of the festival.
MATT McCONNELL, BAR LOURINHA
OCEAN MADE SEAFOOD
Having formed a long partnership with Ocean Made at Bar Lourinha, now everyone can get their amazingly fresh seafood froma retail outlet on a Collingwood backstreet.
ROMEO LANE
Carefully considered and attention to detail is what makes a top cocktail bar. Romeo Lane does this with style and precision.
LEONARDO’S PIZZA PALACE
Leonardo’s in Carlton has a great retro feel and there’s always plenty to choose from on the menu — not just pizzas.
KOMEYUI
My love of eating at bars extends to this gem of a sushi counter in Port Melbourne.
Sydney’s O Tama Carey from Lankan Filling Station will collaborate with McConnell at a sold-out Bar Lourinha dinner at MFWF, as well as taking the Shed X stage at Queen Vic Market.
PAT NOURSE, FOOD + WINE VICTORIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BREAKFAST AT BRAE
OK, sure, it’s just served in the suites attached to the restaurant, but Dan Hunter and team pull together a damned impressivespread.
VEGEMITE SCROLL AT LUNE
Two Australian greats in one yeasty, flaky bite. Take that, hangover.
FRENCH SALOON’S CHIPS
Hand-cut, fried just right. For my money, these are the best chips in the state.
HECTOR’S CHICKEN SANDWICH
Or, as I call it, a hectic chicken sandwich. The chook is crumbed and fried, the butter has tarragon in it, there’s secretmayo and iceberg, all wrapped in a steamed white bun.
PEACEMEALS MELBOURNE
Bringing together new Melburnians with the more established residents of the city over a shared feast — Nepalese one month, Afghan the next. Great food and even better conversations ensue.
XUAN BANH CUON
Just doing food from the Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong might sound a little niche, but the strategy has served this Sunshine stayer well for years now. The namesake steamed rice-noodle rolls are outstanding. Find it at 232 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine.
STEPHANIE ALEXANDER, COOK, FOOD WRITER AND EDUCATOR
BEATRIX BAKES
Natalie Paull’s North Melbourne store sells slices from whole home-baked cakes as well as treasures such as lemon crisp biscuits,walnut-stuffed scrolls, vanilla slices and cheesecakes to dream about.
A LA GRECQUE
For the past 15 years at Aireys Inlet I arrange to meet my fellow holiday-makers for lunch at A la Grecque. The essentials of great hospitality and beautifully conceived Greek food with a modern twist are always evident.
MARION
This Fitzroy wine bar is a favourite. One can order a series of small plates that just go on arriving, and each one is delicious — whether you fancy raw fish, or steamed pipis, or a confit duck leg, or heirloom tomatoes with lovely oil, or a simple ricotta-filledtortellini.
DU FERMIER
This restaurant is owned and operated by Annie Smithers, who is totally committed to growing much of the food she serves.Expect fine cooking and attention to detail and a menu that reflects the best of what the season can produce.
Alexander will unite with fellow Melbourne hospitality legends Philippe Mouchel and Jacques Reymond for this year’s World’s Longest Lunch.
PHILIPPE MOUCHEL, PHILIPPE
BRIOCHE BY PHILIP
We use their bread in the restaurant, and I often use it at home. Their pastries are good as well.
TARAGO OLIVES
This boutique farm in West Gippsland produces olives and produce of a very high standard.
MEATSMITH
A great butcher in several locations with an excellent range of smallgoods and pantry items too.
DOMINIQUE PORTET WINERY
This Coldstream winery is stunning and with a new restaurant, it’s worth a visit.
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