I have to say, some of the recent Top 100s I’ve been to have left me somewhat – not cold, but lukewarm. The current trend appears to be ‘simple food done well’ – a whole grilled fish with a few salad leaves, a simple pasta dish, a good quality steak – and served in stylish, ‘trendy’ surrounds. All Read more
Estelle by Scott Pickett (ESP) has shot straight up into my Top 5. ESP is not to be mistaken for ‘Estelle’ bistro, Pickett’s first restaurant (former Top 100) which is right next door. It’s easy to make the mistake. The couple who eventually sat next to us did that very thing and after being told on arrival they weren’t actually booked into ESP they made the decision to wait and were finally able to take their seats for the seven Read more
Let’s face it – Andrew McConnell is my food hero, so I was more than happy to head off to one of his new places that made the Top 100 list this year. In fact it’s situated right next door to another of his Top 100 ventures, Cutler & Co. in Fitzroy, formerly number one on the list. This particular Read more
And here’s my first Top 100 review from the newly released Gourmet Traveller 2017 list. Tipo 00. People usually look at me blankly when I mention the name, but Tipo means ‘type’ and Tipo 00 is a type of soft, fine Italian flour used to make pasta. Quite a fitting name for a self-proclaimed pasta bar. I’d read about this place and had heard really good things from my Melbourne Read more
I had girlfriends visiting from Melbourne and when I asked “Is there anywhere you’d particularly like to dine?” the answer was an immediate “Hentley Farm”. Why? Because chef Lachlan Colwill had recently made an appearance on Masterchef – it was a classic case of chef-crush! I hadn’t Read more
“Sokyo. Where the buzz of Tokyo meets a Sydney beat”. That’s what the website says, and I have to say, that’s a pretty accurate summary. Sokyo at The Star is buzzy and vibrant with cool music, complete with DJ. The fit out is modern and it’s where the beautiful people hang out. I’d only just dined at Read more
It really is a treat going to Flower Drum. It’s like entering a whole new world, away from the hustle and bustle and interesting odours of Melbourne’s Chinatown – a world where the food and service standards are ridiculously high. This is true fine dining Chinese where the service is so attentive but Read more
