New Melbourne hot spots
Secret Society - 23 Bourke St, Melbourne. Ph: (03) 9639 2544
Ascend the stairs, above the bustle of the dining room at Society, to one of Melbourne's most stylishly adorned secret rooms. Retreat to Secret Society for a quiet drink, or book it for your next special, private function. Enjoy a cocktail overlooking the plane trees of Melbourne's Bourke Street in one of the city's newest establishments. (There is also provision for smokers in the New York style smoking loft.) Next to Secret Society is High Society, a glamorous cocktail bar that has to be seen to be believed.
The Aviary - Victoria St, Abbotsford. Ph: (03) 9428 7727.
In the past a visit to Victoria Street, Richmond meant one thing – a good, cheap Vietnamese feed. Now with the addition of the funky new Aviary bar there is a reason to stop for a drink too. Owned by the same people from Hoohaa Bar in Windsor, another popular inner-city haunt, this large bar will soon feature an upstairs section and rear beer garden. It also boasts a restaurant-worthy menu with a particularly enticing desert menu featuring chocolate ravioli and mojito mousse.
Seamstress - 113 Lonsdale Street (corner of Cohen Place). Ph: 03 9663 6363, www.seamstress.com.au
Eagerly-awaited Seamstress restaurant and bar opens this month in a heritage-listed four-storey building in Lonsdale Street that once housed an undergarment manufacturer, guilders, and also a sweatshop in the 1930s.
The brainchild of Jason Chan of Batch and Anthony Herzog of Pearl, this contemporary Asian-inspired locale will comprise four levels: a welcoming basement bar, ground level kitchen and courtyard area, a stunning first floor dining room and impressive top floor cocktail bar.
Glitzern– 1A Crossley Street, Melbourne. Ph: 03 9663 7921
In keeping with a growing trend of retail spaces and cafes opening in tiny spaces, Glitzern is a new boutique located in an emerging design precinct, Crossley Street. It has cleverly utilised a once-derelict storage cupboard to now house beautiful and unique fashion accessories and exquisite objects from all over the world.
Owners Moira Rogers and Caroline Price were tired of the 'same old' jewellery and accessory offerings and decided to open this inimitable store by selling innovative imported pieces from the United States and Europe as well as local designers.
Seagrass - Mr6, Mid Level, Southgate Precinct, Southbank. Ph: 03 9696 7655, www.seagrassrestaurant.com.au
Phillip Kennedy's latest Southgate restaurant, Seagrass, has recently opened upstairs in a picturesque riverside location, offering exceptional seafood in a contemporary setting.
Head chef Jason Dixon, who was previously head chef at Circa at The Prince, has created a mouth-watering seafood menu that points towards Dixon's signature fresh, clean dishes that encourage quality produce to shine.
The restaurant sources the best seafood from some of Australia's premium producers, and boasts spectacular views of the city, Yarra River and boardwalk.
La Di Da - 577 Little Bourke St, Ph: 03 9670 7680, www.ladididapeople.com
Step back in time at La Di Da – a cool, civilised disco-pub that’s a futuristic fusion of olde worlde glamour with 70s disco. Set within a Chinese interior, La Di Da has an open-all-hours attitude. Sip a cocktail on a Chesterfield lounge, or bop away in the disco dining room which features disco lighting and chequered floors.
A range of tasty tapas is on offer to keep the hunger pangs at bay, served by waiters wearing braces and bowler’s hats! La Di Da is open for lunch from Monday to Wednesday and for late-night festivities from Thursday to Saturday.
Hooked – Healthy Seafood to Go - 172 Chapel Street, Windsor, Ph: (03) 9529 1075, www.hooked.net.au
After 15 years on the DJ decks, Brit export, Ray Good, has taken the option of a 'sea-change' literally. At recently opened Hooked – Healthy Seafood to Go, Ray is serving up the healthiest option for a fresh fish feast, making waves with his first location on Chapel Street, Windsor.
Not your traditional greasy fish 'n' chips gig, the Hooked 'hook' is simple: make it delicious, fresh and healthy. The menu includes changing specials such as seafood linguine, Stingray laksa, whole fish with sticky rice and bok choy and gluten -free offerings.
Twilight Craft Markets - 26 October, 9 November and 23 November 2007; Time: 4pm – 8pm; Waterfront City Piazza
Back due to popular demand, the Waterfront City Twilight Market offers a wide selection of stalls offering Australian designed and made products. Set along the waterfront promenade and piazza, you can find fresh produce, unique gift ideas, great accessories and enjoy live entertainment.
Make Christmas shopping more exciting, or just celebrate the festive spirit by enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Visitors can wonder the markets or experience fine dining and spectacular views of Melbourne’s beautiful city skyline at sunset.
For further information about the markets, contact Sarah Brown on (03) 9421 1566 or email sarah@undertowmedia.com