Loam, Drysdale

They list the seasonal ingredients, you may thumb your nose at what your dislikes… and WHAM, BAM, POW! SURPRISE!!! Simply amazing.

4.5 / 5 yums! 
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Where? 650 Andersons Road, Drysdale, VIC

Fitzrovia, St Kilda

I kind of like the name.

3 / 5 yums! 
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Where? 155 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, VIC

Estelle Bar & Kitchen, Northcote

Take me on a trip, I’d like to go someday. I will be your Australian boi. Bringing that regional finesse to the city’s north.

4 / 5 yums! 
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Where? 243 High Street, Northcote, VIC

Moon Under Water, Fitzroy

Taking summer back: rose jelly, poached meringue, sheep's milk yoghurt and rhubarb.

Stokehouse, St Kilda

There have been moments in history where the stars have aligned rather well. Hawthorn winning the 2008 Grand Final. The Old Spice Guy. Wills meeting Kate. Or is that the other way around?

Some might say that a bit of work went into making those things right. For this beach house on roids, that would be true.



Consider this. Beach. Balcony. Balmy night. Top that off with a contemporary, seasonal menu that could only be bettered if they were served to guests lying on deck chairs being fanned by scantily clad males and females with oversized ferns.



Lasagne of blue swimmer crab, flaked almonds, pear, whitebait, chervil, crab veloute.



Atlantic scallops, verjus gazpacho, compressed apple and cucumber salsa, walnuts, serrano ham.



Beef tartare, Shimeji mushrooms, Horseradish cream, tarragon emulsion.



John Dory fillet, sautéed cuttlefish, white asparagus and samphire salad, garlic gnocchi, artichoke aioli.



The sides.



The Bombe – frozen white chocolate parfait with strawberry sorbet.



Crème Brulee, pistachio praline parfait, poached apricots.



Hazelnut chocolate mousse and nougat crunch.

That is a night out at the Stokehouse. Stars aligned we’re all stoked.


4.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda, VIC
What? $100+

Palace Hotel, South Melbourne

Like this doublecooked writer, Luke Mangan has returned to his hometown. But unlike this doublecooked writer, Luke Mangan can boast successful businesses in both Sydney and Melbourne. And he can cook. Very well.

It’s a very chilled out place this Palace Hotel. It could be your recently promoted mate’s new decked out pad.

Exuding all the class from the Sydney Glass restaurant, with plates that are unisexually appealing to a standard for the yuppy South Melbourne area without the distraction of being too pretty to eat. Goes down well for the tastebuds, and it hits the right notes on the wallet.











Hearty “gastropub”/bistro food, where the sharing meats shine.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 505 City Rd, South Melbourne, VIC
What? Entrees $15-20, Mains $25-35

Mrs Parmas, Melbourne

Pub. Beer. Parmas. Flattened chicken or veal in original or other creative choices such as Mexican, Hawaiian and more. As the super parmas boys might say, good plate to meat to plate ratio, and nicely browned cheese.



That is all.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 25 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Parmas around $20-25

Grand Hotel, Yarra Glen

This heritage looking structure houses pub classics enjoyed either inside the bistro or on the decking outside perfect for a few sparklies or ciders on a balmy day.



Steak and fries cooked to order.



Chicken parma: the fillet is generous.



Bad angle of the lasagne that looks like it has seen better days.



Beef burger: the beetroot makes it Aussie.

No fuss, no nonsense stuff that’s cooked by people who give a damn.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 19 Bell St, Yarra Glen, VIC
What? Mains $20-30

Cherry Tree Hotel, Richmond

The Cherry Tree is a local pub that’s a bit like your lounge room. Except for the fact that there’s all these strangers raiding your booze locker. It’s an uncomplicated place, the long, soft leather couches that are made for a good lie down and you know it’s low key here. With no brainer food that your house husband can churn out, the decisions are easy.



Fettuccine, cherry tomatoes, cheese.



Pizzas are of the thin crust type.



Bangers and mash, onion gravy.



Schnitzel and chips could have done with a sauce.

A quality local to have.

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 53 Balmain St, Richmond, VIC
What? Plates $15-23