Short Bites: Melbourne’s latest food news
The revamped Werribee pub winning fans out west and the Heston chef taking charge at an old Moonee Ponds sports bar — check out Melbourne’s latest food news with Dan Stock here.
Food
Don't miss out on the headlines from Food. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The team behind some of Melbourne’s best pubs – think Prahran’s Mt Erica and the Marquis of Lorne in Fitzroy – are now working their magic out west.
They’ve given new life to Werribee’s The Bridge where their winning formula of cold beer and hot counter meals with a twist (rockling burger; pub steak with sauce Diane) is already winning westies over since opening last week.
Over in the east, Westfield Doncaster has opened its $30 million outdoor dining precinct. Located above the retail stores and with expansive city views, a dozen venues have welcomed diners, including Betty’s Burgers, Sushi Jiro, the pretty in pink Pretzel and Dohtonbori, Japan’s number 1 okonomiyaki restaurant.
Further east still, Healesville’s Innocent Bystander has opened a new wine garden on the banks of Grace Burn creek – the perfect spot to try their new Real Cider made in collaboration with Hargreaves Hill down the road.
In St Kilda, the Prince Hotel has converted the top floor of its multi-level car park into a rooftop beer garden for summer, while the Lyall Hotel in South Yarra has opened its usually guest-only bar to the public, with The Lobby shaking and stirring Thursdays to Sundays through summer.
SOMETHING MIGHTY IN MOONEE PONDS
Take one old sports pub, add a Studio Y makeover, an ex-Dinner by Heston chef, a front-of-house pro and some of the country’s best craft beers and spirits and what do you get?
A stylish new home for artisan eating and drinking in the heart of Moonee Ponds.
Taking over what was The Sporting Globe hotel on Mt Alexander Rd, The Mighty is a new venue that showcases the independent beer and spirit brands under the Mighty Craft umbrella, including Jetty Road Brewery from the Mornington Peninsula, Torquay Beverage Company and Richmond distillery Brogan’s Way.
Across three levels, there’s a modern public bar, cocktail bar and terrace where 14 beers, ciders and seltzers (fizzy flavoured boozy water) are on tap, with harder stuff from Kangaroo Island Spirits and Brogan’s Way served in garnished tonic, spritz and sample flight forms.
Chef Adrian Corigliano – who spent five years working in Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and Dinner kitchens – has created a modern gastropub menu that draws on his high-end experience and translates it for a casual bistro context.
Pork crackling with five-spice aioli and veg crackers with mountain pepper make fine friends with a cold beer, while plates such as the buttermilk chicken schnitzel and minute steak with red wine jus, take care of bigger hungers with style.
Looking after drinkers and diners alike is Dennis Ferreira who is likewise turning more than 25 years’ experience in our finest dining rooms (Attica, Vue de monde among them) into creating a space where the exploration and discovery of craft drinking is encouraged.
Mighty Craft is an ASX-listed craft beverage accelerator that supports independent craft distillery and brewery businesses to grow profitably. This is the second Mighty Craft venue, with the first opening in NSW’s Hunter Valley last month. Up to 12 Mighty venues are scheduled to open around the country over the next two years.
CEO Mark Haysman says the company chose Moonee Ponds for its first Melbourne venue due to its growing community of young professionals who are keen to experiment and discover new drinks.
The Mighty is at 690 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds.
Open Wed-Sun from 11am themightymoonee.com.au
AUSTRALIA’S No.1 WINE BAR
The trio behind the Carlton Wine Room – Andrew Joy, Travis Howe and John Paul Twomey – were last night celebrating being named the best wine venue in the country in the annual Wineslinger Awards.
Voted on by more than 100 sommeliers, winemakers and other industry professionals around the country, as part of the Young Guns of Wine the awards “encourage creativity and excellence in the industry”.
Geelong’s Union Street was named the People’s Choice winner, while Adelaide’s Leigh St Wine Room took out best new haunt.
CITY WILL BOUNCE BACK: TOP CHEF
Shane Delia says the city is ready and raring to welcome people back.
The Maha chef/owner says there’s a cautious sense of optimism with city operators reopening.
“There’s a buzz among the restaurants, because everyone’s keen to open their doors and serve people in whatever capacity we can,” he says.
While his subterranean CBD restaurant remains closed until restrictions are eased further, he’s embracing the city’s new alfresco dining focus, taking over Bond St with a Middle Eastern marquee pop-up, Layla.
By night, Layla will serve cocktails and Middle Eastern mezze through to full soufra (banquet) menus, and on weekends, will also serve “yum cha-style” brunch by day complete with freshly squeezed juice and an extensive champagne menu.
While the experienced operator says he remains concerned for businesses post March when Jobkeeper is scheduled to end, “I’m not negative, either”.
“Melburnians genuinely want to be supportive of each other, and our amazing state. That positivity will show through and we’ll push on.”
TASTE CONFIDENTIAL NOW APPEARING EVERY TUESDAY IN THE HERALD SUN