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 the wines just continue to…

ByEd ItorJune 21, 20240Comments

VISIT > Yarra Valley

VISIT > Giant Steps Vineyard

Giant Steps was founded by Phil Sexton in 1997 he had come across from Margaret River in Western Australia in search of somewhere to grow and make outstanding Burgundy varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He the first site near Gruyere planting the Sexton vineyard on the steep slopes of the Warramate Ranges. Being a…

ByEd ItorJune 21, 20240Comments

EAT > HOBART

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 start and the incline gradually increases all the way up. I note this because we chose to walk up, it is a Sunday morning and…

ByCrispyJune 16, 20240Comments

EAT > HOBART

EAT > Fico, Hobart (19/20)

Fico means fig in Italian, but in Italian slang it also mean cool and that is a very good definition for Fico it is definitely cool. To start it is not a typically Italian restaurant but the food is obviously heavily influenced with Italian techniques and flavours. The chef co-owners Federica…

ByCrispyJune 16, 20240Comments

EAT > HOBART

EAT > Frank, Hobart (14/20)

Frank is a smart restaurant with robust South American cuisine that is right on Franklin Pier looking out towards Sullivan’s Cove. It was described by a friend as, “you can’t miss it, its right underneath the Commonwealth Bank”. Arriving at the front door the restaurant is disected into two zones on the left…

ByCrispyJune 15, 20240Comments

DRINK > HOBART

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 also have a larger room,…

ByCrispyJune 14, 20240Comments

EAT > MELBOURNE

EAT > Pinotta, Fitzroy North (15/20)

Pinotta has been a busy bustling bistro wine bar on St Georges Road in Fitzroy North since 2011, led by the vibrant Heidi Modra who welcomes guests who come from the neighbourhood and across Melbourne. The big change in 2024 is the addition of Phillipa Sibley as executive chef. Sibley (you may well remember her…

ByCrispyJune 11, 20240Comments

DRINK > MELBOURNE

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 fine wine-ing. But…

ByEd ItorMay 28, 20240Comments

DRINK > MELBOURNE

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 your way past 'Breadtop', the…

ByEd ItorMay 7, 20240Comments

EAT > OSAKA

EAT > Mitsuyama, Osaka

A wander around the neighbourhood and looking into a doorway we discovered Mitsuyama, but they were booked out for dinner so we decided to commit and book for the following evening, a decision that turned out to be outstanding. It is a small restaurant, our party of five were the only diners this night but…

ByCrispyApril 4, 20240Comments

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