Mr Huang Jin

With chefs from Din Tai Fung, the legendary Taipei-based global chain, it is not surprising that Mr Huang Jin has rapidly gained a cult following.

Araliya

After celebrating 30 years as Head Chef of Araliya Hawthorn, Sam Wedande has taken his chef hat to a new home in St Kilda.

Patch Café

Forged from co-founders Tom Davidson and Jacob Burke’s love of clean eating, Patch Café offers exciting brunch options and has earned its reputation as a weekend brunch mecca.

Carmine's Bistro

Blending the best of local produce with authentic Italian cooking, Carmine’s Bistro satisfies families and gourmet diners alike.

Snippet: Cafe Chicane

Located in the heart of Sydney's financial district, Cafe Chicane is a slick and relaxed space with a range of lunch options.

Little Spicy

Little Spicy serves up specialties from the far reaches of Western China, where the freezing climate encourages the copious use of chilli and peppers from the prickly ash tree.

Snippet: Tai Pan

Tai Pan Restaurant is my favourite place for Yum Cha. They dish up a brilliant array of Hong Kong Stlye Yum Cha items including all-time favourites like Har Gow and Sieu Mai. Satisfying locals in the Eastern suburbs for almost 20 years, I'm glad to say that the quality of their offerings is as high as ever. 

Chatty Vespa

Chatty Vespa may not be the next 400 Gradi/DOC/Ladro/ [insert-amazing-higher-brow-pizza-place here] but they are certainly causing a stir.

Scuro Ristorante | Dr. Oetker

The folks behind Dr Oetker Ristorante believe that you can have restaurant quality pizza at home. To prove it, they built a pop-up restaurant all for one table.

Culinary Cow

Culinary Cow is a food subscription service which provides exact amounts of fresh and sustainably sourced ingredients that are delivered straight to your door.  

St Domenico

St Domenico encapsulates the Italian style of dining, urging patrons to "Mangia! Mangia!" in an intimate gathering while cherishing a meal which honours classical Italian flavours and quality ingredients.

Jimmy Grants Richmond

Jimmy Grants, George Calombaris’s modern interpretation of an Athenian souvlaki bar opened it's Richmond installation over the weekend.

Madame Flavour French Adventure Teas

Transport yourself to Paris, Monte Carlo, or Provence and into the enchanting world of French culture with Madame Flavour’s relaxing and rejuvenating new range of French Adventures teas.

Snippet: Gazi

What can you say about Gazi that hasn't been said. There is a reason that long after it's opening, it is still difficult to secure a table at this very generously sized restaurant. 

Hash Specialty Coffee & Roasters

Hash is the perfect embodiment of a thriving Melbourne café. The new kid on the Hardware Street block, it has already earned its standing as a weekend brunch mecca, drawing in the crowds week in week out with its consistently excellent food, fantastic coffee and cheerful wait staff. 

Snippet: Entrecôte

Set within a wonderful heritage building, offers a solid French brasserie inspired dining experience of simple, good produce cooked well. Hopkins River beef is on display here and it is prepared lovingly and is wonderfully flavoursome.

Sunday Brunch @ Red Spice Road QV

Red Spice QV is re-defining Melbourne’s brunch experience for urban diners with a wide choice of innovative, delicious Asian inspired brunch dishes, generously proportioned, and served fast, with expertly prepared coffees, teas and refreshing brunch drinks.

Snippet post: Fancy Nance

Adriano Zumbo can seem to do no wrong at the moment with a constantly expanding empire. Fancy Nance high tea was an enjoyable but certainly not exceptional experience. 

Monthly Farmers Market Discovery Boxes

Byron Bay start-up My Farmers Market Table is bringing a taste of Australia to foodies around the country with a new gourmet subscription service set to make a splash.

Snippet: Grill Steak Seafood

Grill Steak Seafood sits across 3 venues in Hardware Lane. However, the massive presence is not an indication of the quality of food on offer. We were very unimpressed by the highly inconsistent cooking of the steaks and quality of the beef. 

L’ altro mondo

“L’altro mondo” is an Italian phrase that translates literally to “another world”. Our recent visit to l’altro mondo suggests that it is a highly appropriate name for the restaurant. It is a name that evokes memories of the warm familial atmosphere, of the excellence of its cuisine and together with a touch of magic, the ability to transport patrons to another culinary world.

Snippet: Eclipse

Eclipse is a staple of ours. While numerous hipster cafes have sprung up all around the "New York end" of Collins Street, Eclipse has remained constant.

45 Degrees Pizza

The newest addition to Bridge Road, 45 Degrees introduces premium quality pizza with an urban attitude inspired particularly by the suburbs of Melbourne, exploring the flavour profiles distinct to Melbourne in their toppings.

The Tooheys Cooking Handbook

Inspired by the Tooheys Brothers’ have-a-go spirit, the Tooheys Cooking Handbook isn’t about perfecting complicated meals. It’s about getting stuck in and giving cooking a go. Nothing pretentious, just good home cooking everyone can get involved in.

Steak Masterclass with Adam North + Pepperjack | 2015 Battle of the Steaks

Gastrology recently joined Adam North, Pepperjack and Battle of the Steaks for an intimate masterclass and dinner at Bells Hotel in South Melbourne.

Snippet: Henry and the Fox

We have been to Henry and the Fox numerous times for lunch but have recently started stopping in for coffees. The ambience is warm and inviting and the coffees are of a high standard. 

Oakridge Wines and Creative Universe proudly present “La Dolce Vita” & “An Enchanted Spring Evening” [Saturdays 29 August and 17 October 2015]

Oakridge Wines is presenting two magical nights of opera with one of Australia’s leading acts, Pot-Pourri. Head Chef Matt Stone will showcase a traditional Italian menu for La Dolce Vita and An Enchanted Spring Evening will celebrate the fresh flavours of spring found in the Yarra Valley regional food bowl, matched with Oakridge award winning wines including its Italian varietals.

Snippet: Gills Diner & Cafe

Gills Diner & Cafe was recommended to us for the quality of its coffee. So, we had no option but to head down Flinders Lane to see what the fuss was about. 

A Grand Literary Dinner

Gastrology recently joined The Grand Hotel Melbourne for their recent series of delicious literary evenings. 

Snippet: Servery and Spoon

Servery and Spoon is making its mark in the leafy suburb of Malvern East. Set in a converted family home, they serve a range of options to satisfy all tastes. 

All About Lobster in August @ Stamford Plaza

Executive Chef Ketan Seth is taking diners on a journey of mouth-watering lobster dishes through August at Harry's Restaurant in Stamford Plaza Melbourne hotel.

Snippet: Raw Trader

Raw Trader is a café specialising in, wait for it, organic, raw, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten free, dairy free and sugar free desserts and treats. Oh, and coffee. 

Salona

It is easy to understand why Salona has become a home away from home for many of their regular patrons.

Snippet: Ezard

Opting for the 3 course lunch special for $55, we dipped our toes in the cuisine served up by this fusion cookery institution. We were not disappointed by the vibrancy of flavours and skilful execution of the dishes on offer.

The Rusted Nail by Scott Yeoman launch @ Lady Grange

Words by Jessica Williams.

It has been a wild two years for once carpenter now chef Scott Yeoman. Gastrology was invited to celebrate the launch of the past Masterchef contestant’s latest catering venture – The Rusted Nail – at Lady Grange in St Kilda recently. A lesson in following your heart, Scott Yeoman has come a long way since his carpentry days in Adelaide.

Product review: MasFood Curry Laksa

We recently got our hands on the MasFood  Curry Laksa which is perfect for making a quick and easy curry laksa in minutes in the comfort of your own home.

The Grand 130 year birthday celebration

The Grand in Richmond is a culinary institution that needs little introduction and has long been a Gastrology favourite. Consistently plating up delicious, authentic Italian food with care and an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients, The Grand has earned many loyal regulars and a 2015 chefs hat from The Age Good Food Guide.  

Frico Cheese

Frico Dutch cheeses are known and loved throughout the world. Made with fresh milk from Friesian cows, the cheeses are naturally ripened and crafted by experienced cheese-makers to provide the pure goodness and authentic taste of nature at its best. 

A25 Pizzeria

A25’s mission is simple - to serve good-quality, uncomplicated Italian food at a good price. Far from being “just another pizza joint”, the menu boasts delicious Italian classics including delicious pastas, snacks and desserts.

Smiles Of Melbourne

Smiles Of Melbourne is Australia’s leading teeth whitening Dental Studio. Owned and operated by dentists, these guys are notable in the industry for Teeth Whitening.

The Meatball & Wine Bar Cookbook Launch

Words by Jessica Williams.

The Meatball and Wine Bar’s third chapter – affectionately known as Smith Balls, due to its location on Smith Street in Collingwood – celebrated its third birthday on Thursday night. 

Recipe: Roti Canai

A mamak stall favourite, Roti canai is a type of Indian-influenced flatbread found in Malaysia which goes down a treat own its own or with curries.

Woodland House

When you arrive at Woodland House, a mere first glance makes you understand why new owners Thomas Woods and Hayden McFarland have decided to continue their stint at the old Jacques Reymond location. 

A showcase of World Class talent at PDT pop up

WORLD CLASS DRINKING launched its highly anticipated pop-up of New York speakeasy Please Don’t Tell (PDT) in Melbourne on Thursday night. The cooler than cool collaboration sees the World Class team behind Melbourne’s Black Pearl bar play host to the dynamic duo behind the lauded New York bar.    

Snippet: Krimper

In true Melbourne style, Krimper is tucked away in a little alley way.

Burger-making class @ Huxtaburger

To celebrate the launch of Daniel Wilson’s brand-new cookbook, The Huxtaburger Book (The Art and Science of the Perfect Burger), Gastrology were invited to join Chef Daniel Wilson and the Huxtaburger team for a hands-on class creating the ultimate burger from recipes of our choice.

Snippet: Brown Bagels

Located just off Collins Street, Brown Bagels offers a delicious selection of bagels. 

The Roving Marrow @ The Astor

One of Melbourne’s buzziest food strips welcomes back a local icon as The Astor on Carlton’s Lygon Street reopens with an innovative new restaurant and bar concept. 

Snippet: Foxeys Hangout

Foxeys Hangout in Red Hill unashamedly serves simple dishes designed to pair with wines. 

Dassai Dinner @ Kumo Izakaya

Gastrology recently joined Australia's top Sake Master and Kumo Izakaya owner, Andre Bishop for an intimate dinner to enjoy the award winning cuisine from Kumo Izakaya and sake from Japan's most prestigious sake brewery - Dassai.

Exploring the Greek Cuisine with George Calombaris + David Tsirekas

The bustling Hellenic Republic forms part of The Press Club Group, a burgeoning conglomerate of restaurants. Apart from the association with celebrity chef George Calombaris, these restaurants, have at least one other feature in common – their almighty banquets which give diners the opportunity to indulge in mammoth quantities of delicious food. 

Snippet: Northern Git

Northern Git in Thornbury is now just over a year old and aims to provide a no nonsense dining experience showcasing seasonal and local ingredients. 

Recipe: Nasi Lemak

Malaysia's national dish, the Nasi Lemak is a flavoursome dish which celebrates the fiery flavours of South East Asian cuisine.

The Kilburn and Bluebonnet Barbecue Dinner

Images courtesy of Anthony.

Gastrology were delighted to join barbecue extraordinaires Bluebonnet Barbecue and whisky experts The Kilburn for a dinner that was a match made in heaven - Whisky and Barbecue.