THE WOODS OF WINDSOR
The wonderful people behind Yellow Bird Café are secretly (not so secret anymore guys!) constructing a new café/restaurant called The Woods Of Windsor. We love their café so we can’t wait to see them try some restauranting out!
HOOKED
Fish & Chips – don’t be fooled, you can eat it in Winter, too. Hooked have some of the best fish around and they used locally grown potatoes, fresh, cholesterol-free Australian cottonseed oil, and they have organic drinks too. They’re at 172 Chapel St, Windsor and 384 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. hooked.net.au.
SOUL SOUP CAFÉ
Hey guys, it’s cold. Want soup? Well, we’ve found some: at Soul Soup Café in the heart of Carlton you will find some of the best soup and coffee around. They’ve got good ethics too: they’re into their slow food and fair trade philosophies. 55 Cardigan St, Carlton. soulsoup.com.au – more on the soup next week!
DRY JULY
Dry July is approaching swiftly… with only 11 days to go musicians, entertainers and big personalities around the country are equipping their tastebuds in preparation for a month of virginal drinks side of stage and reminiscing of the (relative) sobriety of their teenage years. This year, Chris Joannou, Danny Clayton, Corbin Harris and Zan Rowe will all take the challenge to have a month off grog. dryjuly.com!
THE BUFFALO CLUB
What is this wonderful place, The Buffalo Club? My friends keep talking about it and I want to go there. Also, what does R.A.O.B. G.A.B. mean? Apparently it’s The Royal Antediluvian Order Of Buffaloes – The Grand Australian Banner. It’s a fraternity. Like in American universities. They have Ultimate Beer there. Shall we all go? It’s in the city at 22 Sutherland Street.
BAR AMERICANO OPEN
I had a grumpy cocktail waiter at Der Raum once and he put me off the entire establishment… luckily for me, the team have opened up a new bar, Bar Americano in the heart of Melbourne, where I can experience the same standard of drinks without my bad memories attached. It’s at 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne and they’re doing coffee too!
THE CRIMEAN
The Crimean war only lasted a little while but I hope this bar lasts forever. It’s a strongly Eastern European-vibed establishment with blinis, borscht, Ukrainian and Serbian spirits and even a drink called krstac from Montenegro. I love Borscht, Vodka & Tears down South and this looks to be its Northern counterpart. 351 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne.
ORIENTAL TEAHOUSE BRB
The Oriental Teahouse on Chapel Street is currently being renovated. It was pretty swanky before, so what could it possibly be next?! We’re excited for some little dumplings and delicious teas and an even fancier setting than before.
BABA
Baba is reinventing the (idea of the evening) meal by facilitating a weekly gathering of friends & strangers. Grab yourself a seat, pass the wine because this is neighbourhood shared dining at it’s very best. What you get: Baba Bellini Cocktail on arrival, Meza style share dining, wine and complimentary soft drinks for the table, plus chance to meet some new people. It costs $50pp (includes food/drink). It happens every Tuesday. Arrive at the bar for 6.30pm for welcome cocktail to meet your table members. Tables are seated in share style dining, serve yourself, or serve your neighbour for a 7pm start. Menu changes weekly so check our website for more details babarestaurant.com.au with the evening over by 9.30pm. You are welcome to stay on for a nightcap at the bar if you choose. Baba is at 80 Lygon St, Brunswick East. Book via babarestaurant.com.au or call the restaurant 9380 8534
CHIN CHIN OPEN FOR LUNCH
Chin Chin, Flinders Lane, the new delicious eating establishment from Chris Lucas, is open for lunch starting Monday June 27 from 11am, seven days a week. We hear their downstairs bar, Go Go, is well on its way as well…
