Perhaps Melbournes most famous cafe is Pellegrini's in Bourke Street where it has been serving old school Italian food and espresso since 1954. When you enter the long room and sit at the bar or facing the mirrored wall you might think that the decor has not changed much since it opened.…
The Le Méridien hotel sits at the top of the city in what was once a theatre, cinema, live music venue and a legendary nightclub. The former Metro sat empty for years waiting for a major redevelopment and that came in a totally different direction with the French hotel brand opening a smart…
We don't usually write about bakeries or cafe's but it is time to change that because SHIBUichi has to be the best bakery we have visited in Japan and once discovered we have been back again and again.
If you are looking for quality baked goods early in the morning (any time before 11am) you…
Did someone say Soba? Ryan is not quite your standard Tokyo noodle stop. It is a stylish room with tables as well as bar seating, seating is comfortable and you can easily settle in for something of a session here. And let us be clear this is not a ¥900 noodle…
It was back in January 2023 and we were returning from Japan and we bumped into the incredibly talented Nicky Reimer chef of Bellota Restaurant on our flight home, sharing stories of food and travel, I asked her what was the best food experience you had in Japan she did not hesitate and said immediately…
The town of Zao Onsen has been an important destination for over 1900 years and the ski resort has been active for over 100 years. So there is plenty of history associated with the town and it is one of the most famous 'onsen' towns in Japan.
The steps past Miyamaso Takamiya
The first thing…
I am not going to pretend to be any kind of expert on the wine of Bordeaux and there are many vastly more experience wine writers who have reviewed this wine in the past and given their reviews.
But in December of 2023 at a wonderful degustation/omakase dinner at the quite incredible 'Sushi-M' this was…
Our last evening staying at the incredible ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort we were offered drinks at the generous 'aperitivo hour' a time for snacks and drinks while enjoying the music from resident piano man 'Salvatore' (who comes from Calabria). Feeling like we had already consumed a little too much of the house…
After a rough 3 years the Courthouse Hotel in North Melbourne is back open under new ownership from the team behind Naughtons in Parkville. Seeking to bring the local gastropub back to its heyday with a new menu, wine list and range of beers. The room has a warm refreshed style that is just the…
The Central Club Hotel sits on Victoria Street in North Melbourne, it is right on the city fringe close to Elizabeth Street, across the road from the Queen Victoria Markets and a stones throw to Carlton.
The convenience of the location makes this a popular venue but it is the combination a smart refreshed fit-out,…
