Is high tea now passé? It seems every man and his pampered lapdog is offering tiered treats and other afternoon delights these days. So it’s about time someone sparked the idea of High Coffee; enter Market Lane Bar in collaboration with Espresso di Manfredi. It seems so obvious in such a bean-centric town such […]
Diary: Cocktails for Dessert?
Quite often I’ll order a cocktail instead of dessert to assuage my guilt. The seductresses at New Gold Mountain have ruined this restraint by offering double the gluttony; cocktails AND dessert. Tonight is a little more special as the bar celebrates World Cocktail Week (it’s like Xmas around here) with – […]
Diary: Champagne x Perfume
Weapons of mass seduction. That’s what Samantha Taylor and Kyla Kirkpatrick peddle; each lady boasting unparalleled expertise in all things scented and sparkling respectively. They are teaming up for the first time to become a tour de force of luxury; holding Champagne and perfume masterclasses starting on the afternoon of […]
Tom Collins with a Japanese Twist
Tom Collins with a Japanese Twist at Sake On a night like this you’d be happy to escape the heat by taking a trip back to 1870’s New York (Tom Collins era) by way of Toyko this revamped classic cocktail. A few of these alongside a plate of Sake’s jalapeño-spiked kingfish […]
Acland St Cantina
Ola! The Acland St Cantina has officially launched itself into the St Kilda scene with a lick of lime and seasalt (and delicious cheesy empanadas). Upon entering a bright diner-style front room greets you in popping hues of red, white and neon. Wondering what’s down the stairs? It’s the old […]
Cocktail (Ring) Hour: Metal Couture
This medieval-looking cocktail ring is handmade by the genius William Llewellyn Griffiths for his Metal Couture jewellery label. It’s a solid 18ct yellow gold and blackened sterling silver setting with black diamonds and that feature green tourmaline stone. Got $5,500 plus change? Then I’d recommend you wear this while drinking […]
Now Open: Pawn & Co.
When first introducing their new bar, I wonder how many times the crew of Pawn & Co. have been forced to spell out the name to avoid raised brows. P-A-W-N. There are however a few similarities between this bar and the adult industry with the homonymous name; Pawn & Co. hints […]
1806 Cocktail Competition
There’s quite a few cocktail competitions held around town – and the globe – for professional bartenders. Not so many for we at-home mixologists. 1806 recognised this and handed over the shakers to drinkers as part of their 5th birthday celebrations recently. Five concoctions submitted by regulars we put to […]
The Tasting Table
Having never visited Melbourne before, I’m guessing it took a good dose (ie. a big wineglass full) of Dutch courage for UK sommelier Jack Mullard to move to Melbourne on little more than a whim. After living the high life working for London’s Corney and Barrow (who advised and supplied the likes […]
Diary: Brown Brothers Hidden Vineyard
The Secret Garden was one of my favourite childhood storybooks. Now Brown Brothers have brought a more grown up version to life with their pop-up Hidden Vineyard. I entered the space – at the utterly transformed Establishment Studios – to whispers from fellow guests of “it’s magical” and “genius”. Essentially […]