23 Jan

It seems to be increasingly common to find food industry veterans teaming up to form new establishments. Short Straw is another of these, being hatched from the minds of Hugh Hindle, Steve Rowley and Matt Vero, whose combined resume features places like Homeslice Pizza, Coin Laundry, Tall Timber, Touchwood, Marquis of Lorne and Rustica Canteen. Finding the cafe itself can be a little bit confusing. Despite what a cursory glance of the official address might imply, the entrance is actually on Mary St (hence, the 'b' part of its...

14:10 / Cafe / Food / Hawthorn / Short Straw
18 Jan

Brenton Lang (Rustica Sourdough), Tristan White (ex-Head Chef of Ladro and Touchwood), and Matt Vero (Coin Laundry, Tall Timber, Touchwood, The Marquis of Lorne Hotel) have combined forces to set up Rustica Canteen. It takes on an industrial theme, going for a darker colour scheme with plenty of timber. Its drawcards are the delectable pastries a-la Rustica Sourdough on display at the counter, fresh bread available for purchase, and of course being a 'canteen', the food. Sandwiches will change every now and then, and will be filled with plenty...

12:49 / Bread / Cafe / Food / Melbourne CBD / Rustica Canteen / Sandwiches/Wraps
16 Jan

Thai food seems to have earned a special place in the hearts of Melbournians of late. Since 2013, The Piano has been serving contemporary Thai cuisine with a touch of finesse, brought to us by ex-Longrain chefs Tommy and Arte. Taking its place near the entrance is the eponymous German vintage piano, left behind by previous tenants, The Qualia Lounge. Not just a random fancy, the piano also pays homage to the site adjacent to the restaurant, which was operated as a piano maker in the 1800s. Like the piano,...

21:22 / Food / Restaurants / Richmond / Thai / The Piano Restaurant & Bar
09 Jan

Bibelot: a small object of curiosity, beauty or desire. There are plenty of beautiful small objects here, though they’re not ones you’d admire with your eyes only. Bibelot is s an offshoot of Chez Dre, a café whose desserts were so popular that the owners decided it was time to expand. A dessert boutique, Bibelot includes a patisserie, gelateria, coffee bar and chocolate shop. Today’s a time of celebration, and instead of marking the occasion with a birthday cake, we order a Gourmandise Board to indulge in at home....

14:43 / Bibelot / Dessert/Sweets / Food / South Melbourne
08 Jan

Owner Martin Pirc and head chef Daniel Schelbert from Punch Lane have ventured eastward to Richmond to set up their bistro and wine bar. It's a laid-back space where you can savour Australian and European wines and nibble on snacks, or have a proper meal. Named after Saint Urban, the Bishop of Langres in France during the 4th century, and a patron saint of wine makers, you know their wine is something they take very seriously. Ingeniously designed wrought iron arch windows, worn woods, handmade blue tiles and rustic,...

13:46 / Food / Modern Australian / Restaurants / Richmond / Saint Urban
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