You can't help but smile right? Just Falafs! Jokes aside, this little joint in Fitzroy North serves up damn fine Israeli eats. Inspired by falafel bars in New York, the mother and son duo saw that the area is crying out for good takeaway and casual eateries. Turning Middle Eastern staples into pretty plates. Go for the Haloumi served with crispy falafel, cauliflower, pickled cabbage and tahini. If the suns out, grab a Picnic Pack for two and head over the road to Edinburgh Gardens to feast in the fresh air.
WIDE OPEN ROAD | Brunswick, Victoria
Killer coffee, industrial charm, terrazzo tiles and punchy food. What's not to love about Wide Open Road.
STAGGER LEE'S | Fitzroy, Victoria
Proud Mary fans... you'll love Nolan Hirte and Chris Hamburger's little bro Stagger Lee's. Located on the main drag in Fitzory, it's stripped back and a little rock n roll. You can expect great coffee and satisfying comfort food that hits all the right places.
🍩🍩 | SHORTSTOP COFFEE & DONUTS (Melbourne, VIC)
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts has become an institution. Drawing inspiration from a year-long donut hunt in the US and Canada, owners Anthony Ivey and Sinye Oo brought fresh ideas back to Melbourne. Donuts are created fresh on site throughout the day, using high-quality, natural ingredients dabbling in interesting flavours. You'll find all sorts... stuffed, cake and the legendary crullers. Get amongst it.
EAT 🍗🍗 | BELLES HOT CHICKEN | Fitzroy, Melbourne
Belles Hot Chicken is a celebration of Chef Morgan McGlone's two great loves; natural wine and Nashville Hot Chicken. The drinks list is slick, think skin contact wines, beers and Southern-style cocktails. The chicken gives a nod to proper US Kentucky style and it's real good. Select your cut (dark meat, wing or tenders) and then your spice (mild to really fking hot), three sauce and sides and tuck in. Heaven!
EAT | SUPERNORMAL (Melbourne, VIC)
If you asked where could you go back time and time again. I'd answer with 'Supernormal'. Here's my playlist of smash hits that I've enjoyed over the last two years heading back and forth to Melbourne.
EAT | TWO:BOB (Fitzroy, VIC)
High ceilings and white walls with a pared back Scandi-style feel to it. Two:Bob is housed in a former bank building -- now the name makes sense, right?
Friendly staff and seriously good coffee, they're using Brunswick roastery Code Black's 3056 blend. A great spot for all-day breakfast with heroes like the Brekkie Bowl or hearty serve of bacon n eggs, plus the lot.
EAT 🍔 | ROCKWELL & SONS (Collingwood, VIC)
That sweet spot between fine dining and pub grub is where Rockwell & Sons thrives. Owned by Manu Potoi (ex Attica and Stokehouse) and Casey Wall (ex Cutler & Co. and The Spotted Pig, NYC), the pair can do no wrong rollin' out appetite pleasers with gusto. The burgers and sambos are legit. A highlight for any Melbourne food adventure.
#MFWF | THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina and Saigon Sally. Three hotspots in Windsor and our three fuelling stations for The Golden Triangle #MFWF.
We kicked off our roving lunch with Vietnamese canapes at Hanoi Hannah making new friends over cocktails. Then ventured down Chapel Street with our gorgeously rambunctious hosts to Tokyo Tina for hawker-style mains and wine
The final dash down Duke Street for dessert at Saigon Sally, certainly the highlight. I'd heard rave reviews of pastry chef (and Thermomix fan) Felix Goodwin's gluten free desserts! Thermomix tells me the gluten-free doughnuts are the bomb. Next time!
We ended on the playful 'Tira-mi-Sally'. Layers of condensed milk, coffee parfait and peanut brittle, between two triangles of macaron 'bread'. This dazzling riff on the Aussie Vegemite and cheese sanger, marked the finale of my eating adventure as Thermomix's Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Insider! Over and out (and FULL) ! x
#MFWF | THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
After 17 years EZARD is entering a new phase with Head Chef Jarrod Di Blasi at the helm.
Through the Looking Glass shared a hint of Ezard’s bright future with five courses beautifully paired with matching wine, sake and even beer! Before the magic happened, I snuck into the kitchen to chat with Jarrod and take a pic of him with his trusty Thermomix.
We can expect even more great things from Good Food Guide's 2017 Young Chef of the Year. For more on Ezard, check out Thermo-celeb Dani Valent’s recent review on Good Food.
#MFWF | A TASTE OF THE OCEAN
It's not often you hear you'll be enjoying tail to fin. This rollicking seafood feast was hosted by seafood guru and author John Susman. Bringing together chefs Josh Niland (Saint Peter, Sydney), Brent Savage (Cirrus, Sydney) and Ben Williamson (Gerard’s Bistro, Brisbane) for a communal long table feast celebrating hand dived, sustainable and wild caught seafood.
Eating up a storm for Thermomix as the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Insider.
#MFWF | CARNAVAL - PASTUSO
Chef Alejandro Saravia’s love affair with Thermomix began 10 years ago in Paris. When opening Pastuso in Melbourne, a Thermomix was number one on the kitchen equipment list. Today his trusty Thermomix allows him to create anything from a Peruvian take on pannacotta called Algarrobina to the sauce for Escabachel, an acidic fish marinade.
Pastuso is a modern Peruvian grill, cevicheria and pisco bar located in ACDC Lane. You can follow Chef and his love for local Gippsland produce and Peruvian culture and cuisine on @chefalejandrosaravia.
During Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Pastuso was transformed for 'Carnaval'. A celebration of Peruvian cuisine, inspired by the art and culture of the coast, the Andean highlands and the Amazon. Peru's past was channelled through cuisine, traditional dancers and contemporary art. Festival food adventures off to a cracking start!
Eating up a storm for Thermomix as the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Insider.
#MFWF | HOAXED - THE PRESS CLUB
A samosa in a Greek restaurant? April fools!
You’ve been hoaxed by The Press Club! On Saturday night for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival The Press Club was transformed. A touch of Bollywood, saris and Indian inspired cuisine merged with George Calombaris' acclaimed Greek fare. From mango lassi or curry infused whiskey cocktails to samosas and paneer disguised as haloumi, it was a feast for the senses.
Eating up a storm for Thermomix as the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Insider.
#MFWF | THE HOUSE OF FOOD & WINE
At the heart of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is The House of Food & Wine. During the ten days 1000 £ Bend has been transformed into the festival hub. Warehouse style lavish parties take hold of the main event space and laneway whilst the pop up bar and eatery sits proudly at the Little Lonsdale entrance. Local legend Morgan McGlone, the Kiwi chef behind Belles Hot Chicken in Sydney and Melbourne, has crafted a menu inspired by #MFWF MasterClasses of old. Don't miss out on these cleverly created dishes.
#MFWF | MELBOURNE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
An abundance of exceptional food adventures across ten days with World's 50 Best smack bang in the middle of it all. Melbourne Food & Wine Festival takes over Melbourne from 31 March to 9 April. The world's greatest chefs, restauranteurs from near and far, food journalists from all corners and food lovers will gather, eat and drink their way through the #MFWF program.
I'm thrilled to working with Thermomix as the #MFWF insider! I'll be getting behind the scenes, attending masterclasses, chatting to chefs and getting the scoop on what's hot, trending and why the pros can't live without their Thermomix. Oh and did I mention I'll be eating up a storm?! Can't wait to share it with you via Insta-stories on both @lauramaymoseley and @thermomixaus.
Thermomix offers a helping hand in commercial kitchens across Australia - it's the sous chef that never answers back! Follow hashtag #ThermoKitchenStars for a celebration of kitchens and chefs who love Thermomix.
EAT | BARRY (Northcote, VIC)
You'll find the bright and airy Barry on the Northcote high street. The heartbeat of the cafe is a little duller since changing hands recently but still a good spot for easy brunch.
🍦🍦 | PIDA PIPO (Melbourne, Australia)
Lygon Street in Carlton has long been known as Little Italy. A damn good spot to open a damn good gelato joint. Pidapipo is my go to for gelato when in Melbourne.
EAT | TINKER (Northcote, VIC)
EAT | ATTICA (Ripponlea, VIC)
EAT | INDUSTRY BEANS (Fitzroy, Melbourne)
From simple bacon and eggs to the cured salmon or kale and kimchi bowl, you can't go wrong with Industry Beans. Each season, Chef Jess Allen takes the latest produce for a spin to uncover a new menu and the Summer iteration did not disappoint.