Normally seen servicing markets and festivals, Pierogi Pierogi occasionally participates in pop-ups in bars and pubs. The colder weather has marked the slowing of the market and festival season, so Pierogi Pierogi now has more time for kitchen takeovers, including this one-day pop-up at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood. No marks for guessing what they specialise in. People visit them for their pierogi! But apart from these Polish dumplings, Pierogi Pierogi were also offering soups, sides such as Polish pickled cucumbers and hand made sausages, and also brought along...

Not too long ago Gorski and Jones and Smith St Alimentari, both owned by Meaghan Gorski and Paul and Linda Jones, were combined to form a single space. It caters for both take away and seated dining, as well as retaining its specialty grocery store function - ready-made meals, takeaway roasts, cakes, sweets, salads, paninis, fresh bread, cheese, jam, sauces and other Italian products are available for sale. The warm weather today meant the courtyard tables at the back were very popular, with fans hanging above keeping the...

Invited for a cocktail crafting workshop hosted by Grey Goose, I found myself at Saint Crispin with great anticipation of what was about to unfold. These Taste By Appointment workshops have been held all over the world, but this is the first time Grey Goose has run them in Australia. Staff at the Thomas Olive bar made up some Le Fizz, which also happened to be the cocktail paired with the amuse bouche. Containing original-flavour vodka, St. Germain liqueur, lime juice and soda water, it's designed as an apertif and...

We arrived at around 10:30am on a weekday, and despite the cloudy and slightly drizzly weather, it was quite busy. I ordered the Dukkah eggs - mushrooms, spinach, feta with poached eggs and dukkah on multigrain sourdough bread ($15.5). Tasty mushroom plus runny eggs and good bread made this dish quite enjoyable. The pulled pork sandwich (BBQ braised berkshire pork shoulder with red cabbage slaw on brioche, $14) was also nice, though A2 thought the pulled lamb sandwich from their previous menu may have been better. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4910,4909"] Bluebird Espresso 134 Johnston St Collingwood, VIC,...

I thought Bayte warranted a second visit, so I came with A2 at 12pm so we had the option of both breakfast and lunch items. My Samak Nayeh (raw yellowfin tuna kibbeh, $16) was refreshingly citrusy and accompanied with thin, crispy flatbread and labne. Within the kibbeh was burghal, onions, mint and spices. A2's Lahem Meshwi (spiced lamb backstrap and onion, $8.50) was tender and tasty. It came with a dollop of labne, some olive oil and a sprinkle of spice. What was more impressive was the Soubih el Sit (filo...

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