EAT > French Saloon (16/20)

Tucked away above Kirk’s Wine Bar on Hardware Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, French Saloon offers a sophisticated dining experience that beautifully balances Parisian bistro charm with contemporary Australian flair. The restaurant’s discreet entrance and staircase lead to an elegant space that feels like a well-kept secret among Melbourne’s discerning diners. AMBIANCE > Upon entering French…

ByCrispyMarch 29, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > Anna Stuben, Ortisei Italy (18/20)

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Ortisei and within the stunning Hotel Grödnerhof, lies the Michelin-starred gem, Anna Stuben. The name "Anna Stuben" pays homage to Anna Demetz, one of the founders of the Hotel Grödnerhof, which began as a guesthouse in 1923 and 'stuben' is a south tyrolean word for parlour. Over the…

ByCrispyMarch 23, 20250Comments

EAT > ST ANTON AUSTRIA

EAT > Endlich, St Anton (18/20)

Heading to the far end of Dorfstraße, away from the bars and restaurants at the base of the lifts and past the always busy Murrmel Bar you will find Endlich Restaurant. The one thing you should do now is stop reading this make a reservation and then come back to read about why…

ByEd ItorJanuary 20, 20250Comments

STAY > ST ANTON

STAY > Arpuria Hotel, St. Anton am Arlberg (18/20)

Arpuria makes a key point of not being in the middle of St Anton. It is not above a disco or party bar. It is not even at the bottom of a ski run. Rather it is a couple of streets away from the crowds and slightly above the village. Hidden away…

ByEd ItorJanuary 20, 20250Comments

STAY > ITALY

STAY > Le Dune Piscinas, Sardinia (18/20)

If you have searched for holidays in Italy or best Mediterranean beaches there is no doubt your Instagram feed is absolutely full of images of Sardinia. Perfect blue water long sandy beaches and its Italy, hold on I am packing a bag. Now a new beautiful luxury hotel makes this journey to…

ByCrispyDecember 28, 20240Comments

EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > Cape Restaurant, Cape Schank (18/20)

This has to be my 4th visit to ‘Cape’ at the RACV Cape Schank Resort. The venue is a large hotel with an excellent golf club located at the far end of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula (about 1.5 hours from Melbourne by car). It might not be the most luxurious accomodation on the peninsula or…

ByCrispyDecember 1, 20240Comments

EAT > VINCENZA

EAT > Matteo Grandi in Basilica, Vicenza (18/20)

This sparely furnished restaurant, named after the chef whose stature matches his name, is situated at ground level in a classic building in the centre of Vicenza. It faces on to the famous Piazza dei Signori and from your table you have a view across the Piazza to the Renaissance-style Basilica by the famous Italian architect Andrea della Gondola (1508-1580) who soon…

BySimonNovember 13, 20240Comments

EAT > ZURICH

EAT > Baur’s, Zurich (18/20)

Baur’s is an up-market brasserie and part of the famous Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich but with its own equally grand entrance. Recently spruced up by the Gorgeous company from London whose credits include Harrods, The Langham, Peninsula Hotels and many more, it is the grandest brasserie we’ve visited. One star Michelin,…

BySimonNovember 11, 20240Comments

EAT > PARIS

EAT > Guy Savoy, Paris (18/20)

Do some research on best restaurants in Paris and there is a good chance Guy Savoy‘s remarkable restaurant will be among the top recommendations. On the top of “La Liste” (the top restaurants in the world) for the 7th year and with two Michelin stars, there is no question that this is haute…

ByEd ItorOctober 7, 20240Comments

EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > Il Bacaro, Melbourne (18/20)

I moved from Sydney to Melbourne in 1995 and immediately fell in love with the remarkable bars and restaurants that had a truly unique style about them. One of those restaurants was Il Bacaro which launched that same year on Little Collins Street (just off Russell St). As you enter the restaurant the…

ByEd ItorSeptember 14, 20240Comments

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