Episode 14: Mother's Day
On Mother's Day, join Postcards mum Rebecca Judd as she and the rest of the team share some fantastic things to do with your mum all year round. Shane heads to Melbourne's best art gallery cafes, Brodie finds herself in Sassafras, Glen indulges with everything new at the relaunched Circa in St Kilda and Rebecca spends the day in Daylesford.
Art gallery cafes
Many of Melbourne's art galleries are also home to beautiful cafes. Heide Museum of Modern Art is in Bulleen, only 15 minutes from the city. Once the home of John and Sunday Reed, it has an amazing collection Australian art and glorious gardens, including a kitchen garden that supplies vegetables, herbs and fruit to Café Vue at Heide.
On Toorak Road in South Yarra, the Mossgreen gallery and cafe occupies a landmark building with three spacious gallery levels. Mossgreen Café's simple, stylish décor is reflected in its fresh and tasty food, including a delicious selection of baguettes and sandwiches.
There are many treasures at the National Gallery of Victoria, including The Tea Room. Enjoy scrumptious sandwiches and savouries, but leave room for a to-die-for dessert.
Café Vue At Heide
7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen
Ph 03 9852 2346
vuedemonde.com.au
Mossgreen Café
310 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Ph 03 9826 0822
mossgreen.com.au
The Tea Room at NGV International
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Ph 03 8620 2222
ngv.vic.gov.au
Sassafras
Day trippers always love the Dandenong Ranges and charming towns like Sassafras. Located on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, an hour out of Melbourne, Sassafras is as close to a quaint European village as you'll get in Victoria. Tea Leaves is a great place to start with its treasure trove of teapots in every size, shape, style and colour imaginable.
To indulge in a ritual of another kind, head to Soak where they take pampering seriously. The gorgeous shop is stocked with a huge range of body crèmes, fragrances, candles, soaps and other delights, which are all made locally.
For a quick bite to eat, head over to Café de Beaumarchais. With dark walls, curly chandeliers, comfy lounges and original artwork the mood is set for a long relaxing lunch. The sweets selection seems endless, but if you're after some savoury satisfaction, try a roast capsicum and goat's cheese flan or a freshly baked baguette with turkey and cranberry.
Tea Leaves
380 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 2222
tealeaves.com.au
Soak
Shop 4, 372 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 1300
shopsohum.com.au
Café De Beaumarchais
Shop 1, Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras
Ph 03 9755 1100
Prince of Wales and Circa
The Prince of Wales hotel is on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, a stone's throw from St Kilda beach. It's one of those places with so much to offer and has recently undergone a facelift. The food at Circa has received glowing reviews and was recently described by one of the toughest food critics in the country as being close to perfect. With breakfast, lunch or dinner on offer, you might want to think about staying for a while. The Prince has 40 individually designed luxurious rooms, and the premier suites have private balconies with views of St Kilda and the bay. There's also an unmissable bar and the Aurora day spa for a spot of pampering. And soon the Acland Street Cantina will take over old wine store and is described as a general store with a Mexican twist.
The Prince of Wales Hotel
2 Acland Street, St Kilda
Ph 03 9536 1111
theprince.com.au
Holly Lodge, eCasa, The Angus Dining Room
Holly Lodge in Daylesford is a 90-minute drive from the city. The cottage features four luxurious bedroom. Each is uniquely decorated, each has an ensuite and some have their own private sunroom or courtyard. There's also a comfortable lounge with leather furniture and an open fireplace, and a formal dining area to entertain in.
Of course, there's time for a spot of shopping in nearby Vincent Street, and it's hard to go past eCasa in an 1890's building, which was once a haberdashery store. These days there's not a zipper or button in sight, instead you'll find European home wares and vintage table items.
End the day with a delicious dinner at the restaurant at the Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat, which has been refurbished and newly named The Argus Dining Room. Acclaimed chef Ryan Sessions, formerly of Port Fairy's Merrijig Inn, runs the kitchen.
Holly Lodge
19 Grenville Street, Daylesford
Ph 03 5348 4422
dayget.com.au/Holly-Lodge
eCasa
89 Vincent Street, Daylesford
Ph 03 5348 1802
ecasadaylesford.com.au
The Argus Dining Room
Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat and Spa
124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs
Ph 03 5348 4199
theargusdiningroom.com.au
Mamor, Langham Spa, Siglo
A fantastic way to spoil your mum is with a decadent high tea at Mamor, and a visit to its artisan chocolate shop.
Or treat mum to the serene surrounds of the Chuan spa at The Langham hotel with its heated salt-water pool and Jacuzzi with floor-to-ceiling views of the city skyline.
And what better place for a drink than Siglo, a rooftop bar with stunning views perched above The European and the Melbourne Supper Club on Spring Street.
Postcards diary
Harvest Celebration
Enjoy the gastronomic delights around Beechworth when local wineries, restaurants and fruit and vegetable producers celebrate the harvest.
Where: Beechworth
When: 19 May
More: harvestcelebration.com.au
Mildura Cup Carnival
Or head to the Mildura Racecourse for a day of country racing and fashions.
Where: Mildura Racecourse
When: 19 May
More: mildura.countryracing.com.au
2012 Red Shield Appeal
Keep your eyes open for the volunteers helping to raise money for the Salvation Army or donate online.
Where: across Victoria
When: 20 May
More: salvos.org.au