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MELBOURNE GOLD / RESTAURANTS |
CHIN CHIN - a 7 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$ / Features: Good Date Place / Notable Gluten Free Options / Sharing Menu / Thai
Modeled on the bustling workingman’s dining halls of Bangkok, Chin Chin is a fun and modern take on casual, street-inspired Asian food, with an emphasis on shared plates and flexible, come-any-time dining. In keeping with Melbourne’s penchant for informal yet stylish dining, restaurateur Chris Lucas (Pearl, ex-Botanical) was keen to steer away from any notions of formality and uptight dining conventions. This means you won’t see uniforms on the staff, you won’t need to book, and better still, you can happily rock up at late and eat like a king. The flexible, pan-Asian menu makes it easy to get adventurous with lots of little dishes: dumplings, son-in-law eggs, Thai-style crunchy school prawns or suckling pig pancake rolls. There are plenty of Asian-inspired soups and larger format dishes to choose from, as well as the Feed Me, a multi-course chef’s selection. The all-Australian wine list is another unconventional feature, supporting strictly local, artisan talent and making a point of naming the makers, not just the labels. Cocktails too are a focus, with plenty of creatively Asian takes on the classics. Of course once you've finished eating (or if you are having trouble getting a table) you can scoot downstairs to Go Go.
125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne / 8663 2000
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$ / Features: Good Date Place / Notable Gluten Free Options / Sharing Menu / Thai
Modeled on the bustling workingman’s dining halls of Bangkok, Chin Chin is a fun and modern take on casual, street-inspired Asian food, with an emphasis on shared plates and flexible, come-any-time dining. In keeping with Melbourne’s penchant for informal yet stylish dining, restaurateur Chris Lucas (Pearl, ex-Botanical) was keen to steer away from any notions of formality and uptight dining conventions. This means you won’t see uniforms on the staff, you won’t need to book, and better still, you can happily rock up at late and eat like a king. The flexible, pan-Asian menu makes it easy to get adventurous with lots of little dishes: dumplings, son-in-law eggs, Thai-style crunchy school prawns or suckling pig pancake rolls. There are plenty of Asian-inspired soups and larger format dishes to choose from, as well as the Feed Me, a multi-course chef’s selection. The all-Australian wine list is another unconventional feature, supporting strictly local, artisan talent and making a point of naming the makers, not just the labels. Cocktails too are a focus, with plenty of creatively Asian takes on the classics. Of course once you've finished eating (or if you are having trouble getting a table) you can scoot downstairs to Go Go.
125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne / 8663 2000
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
CODA - a 6 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / Notable Chef / Notable Gluten Free Options / Notable Wine List / Sharing Menu / French / Thai
Since opening in 2009 amidst a flurry of media hype and expectation, Coda proved something of an instant success, quickly cementing itself as an exciting and innovative addition to the city’s crowded market of upscale eateries. Housed off Oliver Lane, the space was given a minimalist makeover by Melbourne-based studio Projects of Imagination, and is replete with wire mesh screens, aluminum framed windows and exposed light bulbs. The space is ingeniously split almost equally between the sit-down restaurant and the no-reservations bar area. Chef Adam D’Sylva's (ex-Pearl and Longrain) menu includes a diverse range of French-Vietnamese and modern-Australian influences but ultimately it is the bold and confident execution of every dish that manages to make such an eclectic menu work. The kitchen is backed by an experienced and enthusiastic team of floor staff, guided by owners Kate Calder (ex-Taxi) and Mykal Bartholomew (ex-MoVida). Award-winning Sommelier Travis Howe has compiled a good-value selection of mostly Old World wines, offered by the glass or half bottle to accommodate the varied flavour palate on offer. The clever use of space and the menu of mostly small sharing dishes gives Coda an energy as people pop in for a glass of wine and a couple of scallops, with the comfort of knowing that they can book a table for a Friday night should the want to. Coda is one of Melbourne's best.
Basement 141 Flinders Lane (corner Oliver Lane) Melbourne / 9650 3155
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / Notable Chef / Notable Gluten Free Options / Notable Wine List / Sharing Menu / French / Thai
Since opening in 2009 amidst a flurry of media hype and expectation, Coda proved something of an instant success, quickly cementing itself as an exciting and innovative addition to the city’s crowded market of upscale eateries. Housed off Oliver Lane, the space was given a minimalist makeover by Melbourne-based studio Projects of Imagination, and is replete with wire mesh screens, aluminum framed windows and exposed light bulbs. The space is ingeniously split almost equally between the sit-down restaurant and the no-reservations bar area. Chef Adam D’Sylva's (ex-Pearl and Longrain) menu includes a diverse range of French-Vietnamese and modern-Australian influences but ultimately it is the bold and confident execution of every dish that manages to make such an eclectic menu work. The kitchen is backed by an experienced and enthusiastic team of floor staff, guided by owners Kate Calder (ex-Taxi) and Mykal Bartholomew (ex-MoVida). Award-winning Sommelier Travis Howe has compiled a good-value selection of mostly Old World wines, offered by the glass or half bottle to accommodate the varied flavour palate on offer. The clever use of space and the menu of mostly small sharing dishes gives Coda an energy as people pop in for a glass of wine and a couple of scallops, with the comfort of knowing that they can book a table for a Friday night should the want to. Coda is one of Melbourne's best.
Basement 141 Flinders Lane (corner Oliver Lane) Melbourne / 9650 3155
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
CUMULUS INC - a 10 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$ / Features: Breakfast / Brunch / Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / No Reservations / Notable Chef / Notable Gluten Free Options / Sharing Menu / Top Pick / Bar Food
Chef Andrew McConnell and architect Pascale Gomes-McNabb's unique combination of excellent food and interior design took this city by storm (Moon Under Water, Cutler & Co., Supernormal, etc.). Cumulus Inc. is a case in point; described as an 'eating house and bar' rather than a restaurant, this is a welcoming and relaxing place to enjoy McConnell’s widely acclaimed food.Cumulus is set up for your every whim – breakfast, lunch or dinner? No problem. Just want to read the paper with a coffee? Fine. A few drinks at the bar? Glass of wine? Upstairs at Cumulus Up. Go for it. Start with the Full English (including farmhouse slab-bacon) and your day is off to a no-fail start. We call it "giving yourself a fighting chance". Or if you are in later take advantage of the staff's exceptional knowledge of the ever changing menu and let them suggest the perfect selection of oysters, charcuterie, salads and comestibles, fish, meat, cheese and deserts.The space is clean and bright, with the kitchen on display behind a white marble bar and high industrial windows collecting light from Finders Lane. And from visual entertainment to the variety of charcuterie on offer, it’s places like this of which Melbourne has to be proud.
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne / 9650 1445
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$ / Features: Breakfast / Brunch / Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / No Reservations / Notable Chef / Notable Gluten Free Options / Sharing Menu / Top Pick / Bar Food
Chef Andrew McConnell and architect Pascale Gomes-McNabb's unique combination of excellent food and interior design took this city by storm (Moon Under Water, Cutler & Co., Supernormal, etc.). Cumulus Inc. is a case in point; described as an 'eating house and bar' rather than a restaurant, this is a welcoming and relaxing place to enjoy McConnell’s widely acclaimed food.Cumulus is set up for your every whim – breakfast, lunch or dinner? No problem. Just want to read the paper with a coffee? Fine. A few drinks at the bar? Glass of wine? Upstairs at Cumulus Up. Go for it. Start with the Full English (including farmhouse slab-bacon) and your day is off to a no-fail start. We call it "giving yourself a fighting chance". Or if you are in later take advantage of the staff's exceptional knowledge of the ever changing menu and let them suggest the perfect selection of oysters, charcuterie, salads and comestibles, fish, meat, cheese and deserts.The space is clean and bright, with the kitchen on display behind a white marble bar and high industrial windows collecting light from Finders Lane. And from visual entertainment to the variety of charcuterie on offer, it’s places like this of which Melbourne has to be proud.
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne / 9650 1445
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
FLOWER DRUM - a 10 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$$ / Features: Notable Wine List / Romantic / Special Occasion / Chinese
Enter through the red door in Market Lane and take a short ride in the elevator to the first floor and you will find one of the true icons of Melbourne dining – The Flower Drum. The internationally acclaimed restaurant has been a beacon of Chinatown for some 30 years, owing much of its success to its signature dish, Peking duck. The succulent roast duck is prepared daily and wrapped in a thin handmade pancake at your table, by your immaculately dressed waiter. Coupled with smaller plates such as sung choi bao, steamed dim sum and lamb spring rolls, or more sophisticated and adventurous dishes like the baked jade tiger abalone, mud crab and drunken squab, this dining experience seems straight out of Canton. Although a visit to this high-end restaurant is sure to give your wallet a work out, it tops the list when it comes to dining in true oriental style. Its low-lit, seductive ambience and consistently impeccable food and service standards are worth the visit.
17 Market Lane, Melbourne / 9662 3655
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$$ / Features: Notable Wine List / Romantic / Special Occasion / Chinese
Enter through the red door in Market Lane and take a short ride in the elevator to the first floor and you will find one of the true icons of Melbourne dining – The Flower Drum. The internationally acclaimed restaurant has been a beacon of Chinatown for some 30 years, owing much of its success to its signature dish, Peking duck. The succulent roast duck is prepared daily and wrapped in a thin handmade pancake at your table, by your immaculately dressed waiter. Coupled with smaller plates such as sung choi bao, steamed dim sum and lamb spring rolls, or more sophisticated and adventurous dishes like the baked jade tiger abalone, mud crab and drunken squab, this dining experience seems straight out of Canton. Although a visit to this high-end restaurant is sure to give your wallet a work out, it tops the list when it comes to dining in true oriental style. Its low-lit, seductive ambience and consistently impeccable food and service standards are worth the visit.
17 Market Lane, Melbourne / 9662 3655
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
GROSSI FLORENTINO - a 12 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$$$ / Features: Notable Wine List / Romantic / Special Occasion / Italian
There aren’t so many restaurants left in Melbourne where they’ll open the door for you, hang your jacket, pull out your chair and fold your napkin across your lap. But this chivalrous manner carries a lot of weight at Florentino.Originally opened in 1928, the restaurant has since (in early 2013) had a more contemporary makeover by architects Mills Gorman, who also designed the interiors at chef and owner Guy Grossi’s other Bourke Street eatery, Ombra salumi bar. This classic Italian dining institution takes pride of place on the top level, upstairs from Florentino Grill and Cellar Bar down on the street. The grand dining room cites the Renaissance era, with dark wood tables, tall leather upholstered chairs, black marble and large murals plastered across the walls (chosen by original owner Rinaldo Massoni). The food is where they really turn it on. The kitchen uses top-quality ingredients in traditionally decadent dishes of venison carpaccio, lardo ravioli and honeycomb tripe, suckling pig, roast partridge and hand-cut fettuccini with rock lobster. This is dining at the top level and service is precise, but discreet. If you’re there to really lash out, which of course you are, choose the Gran Tour menu, a lavish series of dishes matched with wines from Australia, Italy and France. It’s the kind of meal you want to pore over for hours, but if you’re scarce for time around midday, there’s the Veloce quick lunch menu for suited city diners. Though we really recommend the former, save it for a special occasion.
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne / 9662 1811
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$$$ / Features: Notable Wine List / Romantic / Special Occasion / Italian
There aren’t so many restaurants left in Melbourne where they’ll open the door for you, hang your jacket, pull out your chair and fold your napkin across your lap. But this chivalrous manner carries a lot of weight at Florentino.Originally opened in 1928, the restaurant has since (in early 2013) had a more contemporary makeover by architects Mills Gorman, who also designed the interiors at chef and owner Guy Grossi’s other Bourke Street eatery, Ombra salumi bar. This classic Italian dining institution takes pride of place on the top level, upstairs from Florentino Grill and Cellar Bar down on the street. The grand dining room cites the Renaissance era, with dark wood tables, tall leather upholstered chairs, black marble and large murals plastered across the walls (chosen by original owner Rinaldo Massoni). The food is where they really turn it on. The kitchen uses top-quality ingredients in traditionally decadent dishes of venison carpaccio, lardo ravioli and honeycomb tripe, suckling pig, roast partridge and hand-cut fettuccini with rock lobster. This is dining at the top level and service is precise, but discreet. If you’re there to really lash out, which of course you are, choose the Gran Tour menu, a lavish series of dishes matched with wines from Australia, Italy and France. It’s the kind of meal you want to pore over for hours, but if you’re scarce for time around midday, there’s the Veloce quick lunch menu for suited city diners. Though we really recommend the former, save it for a special occasion.
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne / 9662 1811
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
MAMASITA - a 10 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / Late Night Dining / No Reservations / Notable Gluten Free Options / Notable Vegetarian Options / Sharing Menu / Mexican
Todo el dia, toda la noche – Mamasita is Melbourne's first proper taqueria. Mamasita, meaning 'hot babe' in Spanish, is at once a taco and tequila bar, as well as a late night diner. The food at Mamasita is fresh and delicious. It's not fancy (Mexican food rarely is) but matches seasonal produce with complementary flavours, and is a refreshing mouthful, whether it be the eight-hour cooked red chicken mole, or the fresh and colourful cactus salad. There is an extensive and well-considered tequila list. There are also Mexican beers, micheladas, margaritas and a wine list with both local and foreign contingents. All help to wash down corn chips and guacamole at the bar. Situated at the top end of Collins Street in a spot that was previously The Recorded Music Salon, Mamasita is open for lunch and dinner, right through to late-night snacks Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday lunch and evenings. So their promise of all day, all night is certainly true.
Level 1/ 11 Collins, Melbourne / 9650 3821
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Good Date Place / Late Night Dining / No Reservations / Notable Gluten Free Options / Notable Vegetarian Options / Sharing Menu / Mexican
Todo el dia, toda la noche – Mamasita is Melbourne's first proper taqueria. Mamasita, meaning 'hot babe' in Spanish, is at once a taco and tequila bar, as well as a late night diner. The food at Mamasita is fresh and delicious. It's not fancy (Mexican food rarely is) but matches seasonal produce with complementary flavours, and is a refreshing mouthful, whether it be the eight-hour cooked red chicken mole, or the fresh and colourful cactus salad. There is an extensive and well-considered tequila list. There are also Mexican beers, micheladas, margaritas and a wine list with both local and foreign contingents. All help to wash down corn chips and guacamole at the bar. Situated at the top end of Collins Street in a spot that was previously The Recorded Music Salon, Mamasita is open for lunch and dinner, right through to late-night snacks Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday lunch and evenings. So their promise of all day, all night is certainly true.
Level 1/ 11 Collins, Melbourne / 9650 3821
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
ROSETTA - a 8 min walk from the apartment (Google maps)
Price: $$$$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Notable Chef / Notable Wine List / Outdoor Eating / Private Room / Italian
Rosetta is chef Neil Perry’s third restaurant in the Crown Casino complex, joining Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple. Despite his substantial stable of restaurants, Rosetta is Perry’s first foray into Italian cuisine. From rich, buttery pastas and braises from the prosperous north, to clean, fresh seafood-driven dishes from the south, Rosetta’s menu nods to the diversity of cuisine found throughout Italy’s various regions. Iain Halliday is behind the restaurant’s design, which was inspired by Harry’s Bar in Venice. The interior is opulent, rich with marble, velvet banquettes and mahogany parquetry walls. The venue offers a dining room, a bar looking into the busy kitchen and a private dining space. But as it’s spring, we think the place to dine is the covered terrace. This is alfresco dining at its best.
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank / 8648 1999
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
Price: $$$$ / Features: Dine at the Bar / Notable Chef / Notable Wine List / Outdoor Eating / Private Room / Italian
Rosetta is chef Neil Perry’s third restaurant in the Crown Casino complex, joining Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple. Despite his substantial stable of restaurants, Rosetta is Perry’s first foray into Italian cuisine. From rich, buttery pastas and braises from the prosperous north, to clean, fresh seafood-driven dishes from the south, Rosetta’s menu nods to the diversity of cuisine found throughout Italy’s various regions. Iain Halliday is behind the restaurant’s design, which was inspired by Harry’s Bar in Venice. The interior is opulent, rich with marble, velvet banquettes and mahogany parquetry walls. The venue offers a dining room, a bar looking into the busy kitchen and a private dining space. But as it’s spring, we think the place to dine is the covered terrace. This is alfresco dining at its best.
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank / 8648 1999
Description: ℅ Broadsheet www.broadsheet.com.au
