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Melbourne CBD

Pentolina

The worst thing about being away from Melbourne during Covid – aside from not seeing my friends and family and y’know, the death and disease – was the fear that all the amazing restaurants I’ve yet to try will have shut down during my involuntary exile. And whilst many restaurants certainly bit the dust, Pentolina was not one of them, and now dining is (more or less) back, it seems just as popular as ever. Pentolina embodies everything I love about dining in Melbourne – its unexpected retro glamour tucked away next to a parking garage, the effortless old-world European comfort it exudes, and of course, the warm welcome and hospitality from each and every one of the staff.

05/05/2021

European, Italian, Melbourne CBD, Mr. Moneybags ($50 Plus)

Tres a Cinco

Remember what I said about being devastated over missing out on many a Melbourne restaurant whilst I was stuck in Sydney due to Covid? Well one of the restaurants that I was most upset about not getting to eat at was Bar Tini, the brainchild of Frank Camorra, aka the father of Spanish food (and tapas in general) in Melbourne. Unfortunately, before I had a chance to get myself to Bar Tini, it had shut down, and that boat has sailed forevermore. But it’s not all bad news; for once it’s not Covid that took down Bar Tini, at least not directly in any case. Being both an amazing chef and a shrewd businessman, Camorra realised that as popular as…

10/02/2021

Bar, Melbourne CBD, Mexican, Mr. Moneybags ($50 Plus), Street Food, Tapas, Wine Bar

Holy Crumpets

After a stunning, but incredibly rich dinner at Cheek the night before – followed by a proposal from my now fiancé! – I was in the mood for something a bit more simple and wholesome for breakfast. I had read about Holy Crumpets a little while back, and being a big fan of places that focus on getting just one thing perfect, I was more than happy to forego hotcakes at Higher Ground to give these crumpets a try. Tucked under an awning just around the corner from Melbourne Central, you’re guaranteed to miss this little hole-in-the-wall if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Seating consists of just a couple of benches, and if you’re not paying attention, it’s…

06/11/2019

Bakery, Breakfast, Brunch, Cafe, Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Melbourne CBD

Cheek

My dinner at Cheek was a very, very special one. Not only was it easily the most enjoyable meal I’ve had all year, it was also followed up by one of the most wonderful and exciting things that has ever happened in my entire life. But hold up, let’s start from the beginning (or y’know, just scroll to the bottom of this post if you really want to know right this instant – I’m not the boss of you).

16/10/2019

Asian, BBQ, Best Of Melbourne, European, Impress Your Date ($35-$50), Melbourne CBD, Steakhouse

Pidapipo CBD

I had promised my sister a pasta-and-gelato date for the next time I came back down to Melbourne, and despite minor shenanigans in the form of a last-minute search for a restaurant that was actually open, the first part of the operation was carried off without a hitch. After wandering around for a couple hours, digesting the ridiculous amounts of carbs we ingested, we hit up Pidapipo for our gelato fix. I had first come across Pidapipo a couple years ago, when they only had their flagship Carlton store. The deliciousness of their gelato, the hazelnut flavour especially, absolutely blew my mind. Unfortunately Carlton is just out of the way enough for me to not be able to frequent it…

22/05/2019

Cheapie Lunch (Under $20), Dessert, European, Italian, Melbourne CBD, Victoria

Lupino

I had been promising my sister a pasta and gelato date for the next time I’m in Melbourne for months, only to realise a few days before coming back that the only day we can go out is on a Sunday… the day which Grossi Cellar Bar, my sister’s favourite place for pasta, happens to be closed. After a bit of frantic searching on my part, I found Lupino – a well-established and well-reviewed Italian restaurant that I’ve oddly never come across in all my years exploring Melbourne.

15/05/2019

European, Impress Your Date ($35-$50), Italian, Melbourne CBD, Victoria

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