The World Loves Melbourne Blog

Pinocchio's Pizza Restaurant is a fabulous Italian restaurant in trendy South Yarra that has recently undergone a transformation of note. After 40 years of successful trading the restaurant has lost its 70s mission brown and straw roofing for a modern fit out with stunning Pinocchio themed art work on the walls, modern lighting and panelling, and one of the coolest vibes in the precinct.

The illustrations of Pinocchio from the 1883 classic tale are compelling - and tell a story of one of the owners, John Gdanski, who treasured a vintage copy of the book as a boy. It's the charming vintage illustrations that are reproduced on the walls - rather than the Disney looking Pinocchio some of us are familiar with.

The menu at Pinocchio's has also been revamped. New chefs and an imaginative menu have made Pinocchio's more than pasta and pizza. In saying this, both the pasta and pizza are great. Pinocchio's provides an authentic Italian dining experience including ingredients sourced from Italy.

Top Melbourne and Australian chef Shane Delia is featuring in a groundbreaking upcoming SBS series Spice Journey which celebrates the cuisine of the Middle East. This is a series not to miss, beginning May 2 at 7.30pm. The World Loves Melbourne was privileged to attend the media launch at Gold Class Village Cinemas to preview the series and experience dishes from one of the episodes from Shane Delia. Not a bad gig!

Shane Delia’s Spice Journey takes us on a culinary pilgrimage to explore his heritage and discover food traditions that go back thousands of years. From the old Phoenician outpost of Malta, where the aromatics and spices of the Middle East mingle with the European traditions of the Mediterranean, Shane heads across the sea to Lebanon, the original Land of Milk and Honey and birthplace of contemporary Middle Eastern mezze.

I managed to snap a photo of Shane (below) on the big screen in between culinary indulgences. As we watched the episode we were able to experience dishes from places like Tripoli and even sample popcorn with Middle Eastern spices...

Footscray Milking Station is an engaging cafe located in the burbs in Footscray. Once upon a time it used to be a milking station. Unlike many other cafes it is actually right in a neighbourhood not a cafe or shopping strip. It's as local as local gets. Come here of a weekday morning and you'll be lining up for coffee - usually it's a packed house. Grab a table and be prepared for friendly service and tasty treats. I'm amazed at how well the staff do under pressure, with (nearby) Council crew enjoying a coffee or breakfast before their working day starts.

Footscray Milking Station serves up first class Padre coffee in retro cups. Enjoy the timber floor, exposed brick, tasty treats in cabinets and boards with specials. Check out the old milk bottles used for water (quaint).

Industry Beans has been making a big impression since it opened recently as a quintessential Melbourne cafe with nondescript entrance (off Rose St Fitzroy), chic fit out and top grade coffee and cuisine. Set back from the street you enter a semi industrial world of creative space and transformation. High ceilings and interesting paneling combine with funky lighting and attractive tiling along the counter. This ex-warehouse now has the feel of a large studio.

Having visited once I returned 3 times in a week to sample more of the menu and the coffee. Couldn't get enough. I found Industry Beans a great cafe to relax, imbibe, and check my emails and tweets. Brothers Trevor and Steve Simmons have done wonders with this space.

Le Chien is a funky almost grungy cafe in Seddon that pleases with its sharp service and brilliant cuisine and coffee. Set back from the main strip, Le Chien is an interesting place to meet friends and is more alternative than commercial. A highlight is the sophisticated art on the wall and the tribute to Iggy Pop. The small portrait of Iggy Pop comes with the caption "I wanna be your dog." Of course Le Chien is French for "dog" - my French is brilliant I know. But I immediately recognised the reference to the song "I'm bored" by Iggy Pop, a song we used to play in my time with band The TV Dinners. Iggy pouts and exclaims he is "living like a dog...." I won't quote the rest of the song...

Le Chien serves up some of the best coffee in the precinct. Sit and imbibe the kind of 60s cool here with dark tables, retro benches and the artwork. A large board details the daily specials.

Melbourne based Skin and Threads will be opening the doors to the labelʼs third store on Friday the 19th April, making it the ideal shopping destination at Chadstone for luxury basics, footwear, denim and knitwear. The architects DM Studio have managed to create an “intimate boutique” within the Chadstone shopping centre; a place where customers immediately feel “at home and at ease”.

“We wanted to retain the lifestyle, Scandinavian feel of our current stores including a spacious fitting room area so that women have a chance to take some time out from the very busy and fast-paced shopping centre environment” Penelope Cohen, Skin and Threads director and designer. In order to celebrate the opening of the new store Skin and Threads have teamed up with Sensory Lab and will be offering freshly roasted coffee over the opening weekend from the 19th -20th April. Sensory Lab reflects and complements the idea that Skin and Threads is a premium Australian lifestyle brand, providing pieces that are the building blocks for a luxurious and casually elegant lifestyle. Sensory Lab coffee is known as some of the best in the country, and essentially reflects the quintessential Melbourne lifestyle.

The collaboration with Sensory Lab will allow the Skin and Threads customer to enjoy a cup of Melbourneʼs best coffee, while taking their time to touch, feel and try the new luxurious AW13 collection, allowing them to explore the new collection in the brand new architecturally designed store in a relaxed and beautiful environment.

A feature of Melbourne is its gem cafes in the burbs. Miss Marmalade is such a delightful cafe that appeals on so many levels. It brings the joy of a cafe that prides itself on great service, excellent cuisine and awesome coffee. It also prides itself on connection with the community and a quirky charming fit out that is a nod to all things local.

Wanting to enjoy a lengthy breakfast at Miss Marmalade I was stunted by crazy traffic on the Eastern. I might have travelled to Canberra in the same time. The serenity and bloom of flowers at Miss Marmalade quickly made me forget the hectic nature of Melbourne traffic.

The floral fashion trend is alive and well in Melbourne fashion stores as we head towards winter. Outfits that highlight with florals are being combined with toned down colours to accentuate. The effect of soft pastels as well as dark gardens are equally as popular in store collections. Even two floral prints together can work. Melbourne is loving this floral fashion trend.

The aroma of a Spanish paella is so alluring. The recently revamped Pop Restaurant in Hardware Lane is a serious destination for paella lovers. On Tuesday nights Pop Restaurant is serving up paella from a massive pan imported from Spain. Head Chef Manuel Villegas is the king of paella and can be seen preparing and serving the paella to customers. It's always exciting to see a Chef spending time out of the kitchen interacting with customers.

We checked out the paella as guests of Pop Restaurant. Over the years I've been a big fan of the paella enjoying it all over the world. I love paella not just for the culinary bliss, but for the whole communal aspect of it. I understand the paella is a tradition in the countryside and streets of Spain where it's often out in the open for all to see. Paella is at the heart of community.

Circa The Prince, the darling of the Melbourne restaurant scene, has launched a superb Yakitori Bar as a pop up from April 6 to May 6, with the influence and design of Paul Wilson, chef extraordinaire.

For mine it was the bao selection that proved the highlight. With seemingly hundreds of guests at the launch I proved myself adept at securing several Tea smoked duck and quince with bush plum sauce bao.

FOG is an impressive fine dining restaurant in Prahran with modern upmarket decor and sexy cuisine with American influences. After an epic night at their monthly regional dinner celebrating the tastes of New England I left FOG ebullient and on a high.

My ebullience was partly due to the dreamy decor and the dreamy music being played. This place elicited the Great American Dream, even though we were in Prahran.

Seddon Deadly Sins is a funky cafe in Seddon with a clever name and a culinary excellence. Seddon has become a cafe haven these days and Seddon Deadly Sins is one of the finest.  The decor and menu isn't predictable (presented inside a little Golden Book). Locals love this place for its style and for its dining spaces (including the outdoor courtyard).

Seddon Deadly Sins has a cool ambience with great use of timber and glistening varnish on the tables. Interesting figures and quirky pieces adorn. I enjoyed the distressed wall, Phantom comics wallpaper, red lamps and cabinets with tasty treats. The mood is alternative and this includes the music selection.

U-Village is a modern Asian fusion restaurant that impresses with its class decor and top notch cuisine. The modern fittings, soft wood and potted greenery make it as fresh as the food served. U-Village began in 2003 with a restaurant in Malaysia, now bringing the best of Asian fusion to St Kilda. 

U-Village has created a brilliant dining atmosphere that it describes as "smart and relaxed". With quality decor, funky lighting and a rice theme that extends to painting on the walls and laser embedded into the wall seat, the ambience is gorgeous, light filled and upmarket. Offering lunch specials, banquets, and impressive dinner options, U-Village is a standout restaurant that caters for all.

Soft grey walls and bright poppys, a wonderful ambience to our eating experience.

Pop Restaurant in Hardware Lane has undergone a rennaisance with addition of Executive Head Chef Manuel Villegas, a new team and an impressive new menu featuring Spanish and Italian cuisine.

With years of history including an art gallery, Pop Restaurant offers a stunning ambience in Hardware Lane. Come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner and Pop Restaurant (and Hardware Lane) pulsates with atmosphere. Musicians performing at night add to the ambience in the Lane.

Manager Greg Mahoney has been a restaurateur for many years and is passionate about providing a great experience for diners. With the advent of Manuel Villegas, one of Australia's best chefs, and a menu which highlights Mediterranean cusine rather than just Italian, we were keen to sample and experience the changes at Pop Restaurant.

We arrived on day one of the new Pop menu. Normally we allow restaurants to settle in where there's major changes, but the team at Pop were at the top of their game.

Once A Tailor is about the simplicity of Sicilian food in upmarket Hawthorn. The World Loves Melbourne was invited by John Bertuna and Tony Verga as part of a bloggers event for a sampling of the menu. The stunning ambience was married to simple fresh cuisine that focuses on breakfast and lunch. We dined in the outdoor part of the restaurant, open and charming - a superb setting for events and functions. 

Once A Tailor is Sicilian inspired but don't think it's pasta driven. There's a great range of cuisine to please most palates and tastes. All Italian inspired restaurants need to do bread well. Once A Tailor serves up quality bread, and this Olive foccacia served with oil, is a delightful example of the Italian tradition.

Etto is a highly impressive Italian street food restaurant in South Melbourne. This is about the simplicity of Italian street food at reasonable prices (only around $10-13). The food is healthy with no deep frying or use of oils. The pasta is fresh and home made, using imported Italian equipment. The fit out is modern oozing with Italian style. You can mix and match pasta dishes with a selection of fabulous sauces. Customisation is a strength of Etto and you get the feeling this place is all about satisfying the customer. The menu brims with favourites of Spaghetti, Tagliatelle, Pappardelle, Rigatoni, Gnocchi, Fusilli and Ravioli. 

We sampled many of the dishes of Etto (as their guest) sitting outside on a warm Melbourne day, and were impressed with the quality of the home made pasta and the wonderful balance of the sauces. The pasta is fresh and pleasing and the sauces are light and don't overpower. This is great Italian street food. The Spicy Italian Sausage (above) features free range pork sausage and basil pesto. There was a delightful kick in the sausage and the sauce was superb. One of my favourite dishes.

Olympic Doughnuts is a doughnut haven and Footscray institution housed in a humble caravan. These are "old school" hot doughnuts that have transcended into the 21st Century as an honest tasty if not politically incorrect product. Loads of dough and sugar and packed with rich jam. These are the sort of doughnuts you see less often these days in preference for sleek light and sophisticated cold doughnuts. I enjoy both.

Olympic Doughnuts takes up its prime position at Footscray Railway Station. How handy it is for students and train travellers. I would find it hard to walk past this caravan if I were catching the train (and annoy passengers with the aroma of piping hot donuts). The value is fantastic - only 80 cents for a doughnut - 1970s prices... There's a cute sign in the shop - 5 doughnuts equals $4 and so on. It's not until it gets to 10 doughnuts that you can get a small discount.

The olympic logo is interesting - hopefully vetted by the Olympic Committee. Doughnut eating could be part of the Olympic Games methinks...

Station Hotel in Footscray is dude food heaven and a serious steak destination. This is one of the great hotels of Melbourne bringing the ambience of yesteryear with a modern twist. The outside appearance of the Station Hotel is preserved and is classic. Then you enter a charming establishment with two distinctive dining areas - the formal dining and the casual bar area. To be honest I'm impressed with the casual area - the only difference is the decor is a bit more low key and the music slightly louder. The menu is the same for both areas. I chose to dine in the casual area (with the office worker punters) - which featured impressive timber panelling and vintage timber floor.

Station Hotel is famous for their premium steaks and hand cut chips - serious meat territory for all steak lovers in Melbourne. Or should I say it's a Black Angus haven - the predominant premium meat here. Tempting to grab some 100 day grain or grass fed Black Angus...

But as I was working nearby (actually across the road) I was able to glean some local knowledge. I'm told by locals the lunch specials are also famous. So I ventured to Station Hotel to enjoy the lunch special of Steak sandwich and Soup of the day. Wow. This is great value. The soup was a creamy mushroom - superb texture and richness. It was served also with several slices of fresh bread and a small plate of butter.