The best places to eat and drink around Melbourne this Australia Day weekend
It’s the long weekend, and while the backyard barbies will be fired up across the state, if you want to leave it to the experts here are Dan Stock’s top spots for a True Blue feed.
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It’s the long weekend, and while the backyard barbies will be fired up across the state, if you want to leave it to the experts here are some top spots for a True Blue feed.
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TOP CHEFS EMBRACING OUR NATIVE INGREDIENTS
FOR NATIVE FARE WITH FLAIR
What a joy it is to find such a celebration of Australia by the banks of the Yarra.
For almost five years at Kelvin and Michelle Shaw — he in the kitchen, Michelle out front — have been bringing more than a touch of the hip to the hippy hamlet of Warrandyte.
At Altair, their handsomely stylish restaurant, you’ll find cooking world-wise and a menu bang on trend.
Kelvin’s early exploration of native ingredients in the kitchen has evolved into a considered curation of Australian dishes at once from and of the land. You’ll find emu pastrami with quandong, corned lamb served with Kakadu plum kasundi, and salt baked kohlrabi with muntries — just three dishes on a menu that’s worth investing in the eight-course journey but is also offered in choose-your-own adventure form.
With a strong focus on the Yarra Valley, the expansive wine list is priced for enjoyment, while sharp service never loses its air of country charm. Altair advances Australian fare in a most considered, respectful and — importantly — delicious way. What a joy indeed.
Altair 152 Yarra St, Warrandyte. altairrestaurant.com.au
FOR A FIVE-STAR FLAMING FEED
Scott Pickett’s playing with fire. Taking over the ground and basement levels of the United Places luxury boutique hotel, Matilda is the chef’s flame-smoke-and-coal-powered take on contemporary Australian dining.
That fire-fuelled open kitchen provides as dramatic an entrance as the dining room further back is masculinely opulent and comfortable — the tables are especially artful, the plump-cushioned banquette especially dreamy — and dark and moody at night.
Highlights on the menu on which everything has been tickled with smoke and touched by flame are many.
Whole tiger flathead is deftly cooked over coals, its bright sauce of smoked mussels adding rich depth, while namechecked steaks including a wattleseed-crusted wagyu bavette are treated with equal skill and respect. The signature dish of spanner crab mixed with mayo and finger lime and served in its shell to spread on charry flatbread a bit of DIY dinner fun, but the toffee-sticky pink lady apple tarte tatin to finish has just as many fans.
The wine list features a lovely selection of interest across all budgets, service is keen, the enjoyably accessible offering appealing to a broad cross section of town.
A wonderland of flickering flames, Matilda is hot stuff.
Matilda 159, 159 Domain Rd, South Yarra matilda159.com
FOR SPRITZ AND SNACKS
Head to the river under Federation Square on Saturday afternoon and you’ll find a spritz and snack party awaits at Pilgrim Bar.
Featuring a spritz on arrival and Aussie-themed snacks — peppered wallaby tartare, Pacdon park pulled pork, native mint and honey lamb ribs, — and smooth tunes from the decks, this looks like the best way to spend both an afternoon and $25.
Pilgrim Bar, Federation Wharf vaults, Federation Square. pilgrimbar.com.au
FOR A SUNDAY SESSION
Did someone say free barbecue?
Japanese eatery and bar, Tokosan is celebrating the Australia Day long weekend with a Sunday yakitori barbecue and DJ beats.
Kicking off from midday, Tokosan will serve a selection of the chef specials including the crowd favourites grilled yakitori skewers with a teriyaki and sichimi sauce and grilled pork skewers with a chilli miso — free with the purchase of a drink.
There will also be live DJs — with karaoke from 6pm.
A barbie with beats is hard to beat — especially when there’s no need to rush home for the start of the work week.
Tokosan, 142 Greville St, Prahran. tokosan-melbourne.com
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