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 EAT > ORTISEI

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 > ALLEGHE

DRINK > Enoteca, Alleghe Italy (17/20)

Alleghe has majestic mountains, a beautiful lake and excellent skiing at the Civetta Ski Resort (part of the Dolomiti Superski ticket). The town itself is quite small, there are a couple of supermarkets, has a number hotels, some tourist and ski shops that are unlikely to excite you and of course a few restaurants (mostly…

ByCrispyFebruary 23, 20250Comments

SKI > ST ANTON STAY > DOLOMITES STAY > ITALY

STAY > Snowlake Apartments, Alleghe Italy (15/20)

When you tell people you are going to ski in Alleghe, the likely first comments are “where?” And the next comment if they do recognise the name is oh, yes AL - LEG - HEY. It seems a place where pronunciation of the name is a little complex, it is a small town about 30 kilometres…

ByAl ManakFebruary 8, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Zirm, Ortisei Italy (16/20)

Zirm sits up quite high above the busy streets of Ortisei, its only a ten minute walk (up a steep hill) but the view when you get there is quite lovely and is back across the river towards Mount Sëuc. If you are a wine lover this is definitely a key destination for you, the…

ByEd ItorJanuary 29, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Hell, (Zicoria Brasserie) Ortisei Italy (17/20)

Zicoria Brasserie is one of the restaurants in Hotel Hell, yes that actually is the name. One of the waiters explained that the hotel was his grandfathers business and it was named after him. In fact he was grandson Hell (yep it was also his surname). We wandered along slightly early and…

ByEd ItorJanuary 28, 20250Comments

EAT > ORTISEI

EAT > Ristorante Sotriffer & Wine Bar, Ortisei Italy (16/20)

The moment you walk into Sotriffer you take a moment to capture the essence of the room, the history of the long marble bar with it wine bottles in the front window and a cheese selection on display. It feels the essence of being a fine enotecca without actually being a wine store,…

ByEd ItorJanuary 28, 20250Comments

Best Choice for Creatives