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EAT > Bar Topa, Sydney (14/20)
"Lets have a quiet night, just a glass of wine and some tapas". Famous last words as we ambled down to Bar Topa which sits in amongst the…
EAT > Le Foote, Sydney
Editors Note (25/8/24): We are saddened to hear the recent media reports and claims about Swillhouse venues. The accusations are extremely disturbing. As a result we…
EAT > Ogee, North Hobart (16/20)
It is quite a solid walk up to Ogee in North Hobart from Sullivan’s Cove and downtown Hobart. It will take you about 30 minutes depending where you…

EAT > The Moat, Melbourne (13/20)

"It is under the Library, off Little Lonsdale Street", I said but apparently Google had other ideas directing my lunch guest to wander around the State Library and the Wheeler Centre before he called and said "ok where are you?". Actually it is not that hard to find if you know where you are going, and that is on Little Lonsdale Street between Swanston and Russell. Under the Library and opposite the QV centre. The key to these directions is UNDER. That of course is where the name "The Moat" comes from as it is down some stairs, over the astroturf and into a slightly cavernous dark restaurant that smells wonderfully of garlic and cooking smells (some might find this a little over whelming but I really like seeing and smelling the open kitchen). FOOD > The menu is straight forward we were having lunch and there were plenty of great choices for a simple lunch with a glass of wine (or two). House made focaccia with olive oil and balsamic ($3 per person) was a great start as was the salsa di fagioli bianchi (white bean dip) served with pickles and sourdough ($17). This is a good time to mention that the owners Paul and Rosie are both of Italian Heritage which shines through in the food which is fresh tasty and unpretentious. Main course choices were between soup and pasta, we both chose the Tagliatelle with pork and fennel sausage,…
DRINK > Above Board, Melbourne
A serious cocktail bar. Only 16 seats and no standing permitted. That is the message for the now…
DRINK > Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar, Melbourne
Melbourne loves to hide its bars and restaurants away down laneways, underground and on top of building roof tops but…
CAFE > Turret, Tokyo
It doesn’t seem that long ago that finding a decent espresso in Tokyo was quite a difficult thing. There…

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Where to Our Reviews On Where To Stay When You Travel & What to Explore

DRINK > BARS

Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars, Smart Hotels & Quaint Pubs. The best drinking holes from around the planet.
DRINK > Lucinda Wine Bar, Hobart
If you are walking down Collins Street, Hobart you might easily miss Lucinda hidden away in a beautiful historic building but the signage is very subtle. Step inside and you will find a small room with a large central table and bench seats around the outside. They…
DRINK > V Wine Salon, Melbourne
V Wine Salon is located in the slightly unlikely West End of Melbourne's CBD. For those who are less familiar with region it is close to the Southern Cross Train Station which tends to make it an area less obvious as a destination for fine dining or…
DRINK > Above Board, Melbourne
A serious cocktail bar. Only 16 seats and no standing permitted. That is the message for the now widely acclaimed Above Board. Located off Smith Street Collingwood it is not easy to find but this is an area where cocktail bars are serious and Above Board take that…
DRINK > Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar, Melbourne
Melbourne loves to hide its bars and restaurants away down laneways, underground and on top of building roof tops but Pearl is not easy to find. The Midcity Centre arcade on Bourke Street is not a place you would normally associate with fine dining or fine drinking, but make…
DRINK > Wine Bar Fleur Parf, Kyoto
It is a quiet street in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto where we found Wine Bar Fleur Parf, it is hidden at the end of a long passage (lit by lamps on the ground), past a beautiful courtyard garden to the bar at the back. There you find a sanctuary…
DRINK > Bar INC, Shibuya
INC is only a few streets away from the chaos of downtown Shibuya but it is in a quiet district with only a few bars and restaurants in the otherwise residential neighbourhood. Bar INC is a brand new (opened in Feb 2024) stylish underground oasis mixing…

DRINK > WINEWine & Spirit Reviews

WINE > Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (95/100 points)

Giant Steps make some sensational wines, predominately Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (though there are also some excellent other varietals). The Sexton Vineyard vines were planted in 1997 based on clones from the iconic Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River by founder Phil Sexton. Over the last twenty seven years…

WINE > Wantirna Estate, Amelia 2016 94/100

Wantirna is a suburb at the edge of Melbourne's sprawling metropolis. As you drive out towards the Dandenong Ranges, one moment it is traffic lights and shopping strips, the next quiet country streets and the idyllic 10 acres that make up Wantirna Estate. Set amongst the golf courses and…

WINE > Domaine de Bargylus Vin Rouge, Grand Vin de Syrie 2014 (90/100)

It is not often someone says to you, I have a really interesting wine for you to try its excellent and it comes from Syria. Syria, like near Lebanon? War torn, beautiful, predominantly Islam country, I can't even imagine how they could make wine there. Ok wow, for…
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