Episode 19: Cook's choice
There is something special about watching a chef cook a magnificent meal. It's then even better to eat it. But chefs like to eat out as well, so the Postcards team thought the start of winter was the perfect opportunity to meet some of Victoria's famous chefs, including Ian Curley, Toby Puttock, Alla Wolf-Tasker and Shane Delia.
St Katherine's
Shane Delia is one of Melbourne's most innovative chefs. Since opening his much awarded restaurant Maha in 2008, Shane has been exciting Melbourne diners with his Mediterranean approach to Middle Eastern cuisine. In his spare time he heads to Brunswick and A-1, a fantastic no-fuss eatery and grocer that does scrumptious pizzas, pitas and pies, but Shane reckons you can't go past their baklava. Another favourite is PM 24, Philippe Mouchel at 24 Russell Street, a new modern French bistro and rotisserie.
If you are a serious foodie then you already know about St Katherine's, George Calombaris and Shane Delia's new restaurant, which is a culmination of their individual family histories, cultures and cuisines. St Katherine's embraces a contemporary sharing style menu, melding Modern Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern cultures and food, and has a custom-made Turkish grill and a wood fired oven.
A1 Bakery
643 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Ph 03 9386 0440
PM 24
24 Russell Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9207 7424
www.pm24.com.au
St Katherine's
26 Cotham Road, Kew
Ph 03 9207 7477
www.stkatherines.com.au
Ian Curley, The European
Opposite the Victorian grandeur of Parliament, The European mines the traditions of rural France, Italy and Spain and chef Ian Curley serves honest food made from the best produce to his loyal customers.
One of Ian's favourite food hangouts is The Commercial Bakery just off Little Collins Street in the city. It used to be a truck garage, but now its long narrow space has polished cement floors, an impressive manual Italian coffee machine and a menu of gourmet sandwiches, filled baguettes and freshly baked breads. And the space is shared with the restaurant Gill's Diner.
When Ian wants a place to celebrate in style, he books at St Kilda institution Cafe Di Stasio. Open since 1988, the smallish dining room has an almost clubby feel, and maitre d' Mallory Wall gives a warm welcome to the many regulars.
The European
161 Spring Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9654 0811
www.theeuropean.com.au
The Commercial Bakery
Rear 360 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9670 7214
Cafe Di Stasio
31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Ph 03 9525 3999
www.distasio.com.au
Alla Wolf-Tasker, Lake House
Over the last 30 years chef Alla Wolf-Tasker and her celebrated artist husband Allan have turned the outstanding Lake House property into a world-class holiday destination. As the founder and chair of Daylesford Macedon Produce, Alla loves to share food and welcome people to her table.
She buys some of her cured meats from Istra Smallgoods, near Daylesford in Musk. Here, curing meats like prosciutto, pancetta and salami is an art mastered over hundreds of years. You can also get bacon, free range hams, kasler, chorizo and gluten free sausages.
Another of Alla's favourites is Passing Clouds Winery a place well known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Graeme's Blend Shiraz Cabernet. Graeme Leith a local legend and now has his son Cameron on board as a winemaker.
Lake House
4 King Street, Daylesford
Ph 03 5348 3329
www.lakehouse.com.au
Istra
36 Wheelers Hill, Musk
Ph 03 5348 3382
www.dmproduce.com.au
Passing Clouds Winery
30 Roddas Lane, Musk
Ph 03 5348 5550
www.passingclouds.com.au
Tobie Puttock, The Kitchen Cat
Away from his renowned new restaurant, one of Tobie Puttock's favourite places is La Latteria in Elgin Street, Carlton, where you can buy and sample a huge selection of Victorian cheess, as well as fresh milk, cream and yoghurt.
Next place on Tobie's Cook's Choice Tour is Ladro in Greville Street, Prahran, where they serve the best artisan pizzas around.
Then it was on to Tobie's new restaurant, The Kitchen Cat, at the same Collins Street address that used to be Tobie and Jamie Oliver's famous Fifteen Melbourne eatery. With a new look and concept, the restaurant is designed for communal eating with its unfussy Italian cuisine and view of the open space kitchen. There's also a private dining room for special occasions.
La Latteria
104 Elgin Street, Carlton
Ph 03 9347 9009
lalatteria.com.au
Ladro Pizzeria
162 Greville Street, Prahran
Ph 03 9510 2233
ladro.com.au
The Kitchen Cat
115Ÿ117 Collins Street, Melbourne
Ph 03 9639 1553
thekitchencat.com.au
Postcards diary
Vienna: Art & Design
The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces program at the NGV showcase over 250 extraordinary works from revolutionary artists.
Where: The National Gallery of Victoria
When: 18 June – 9 October 2011
More: www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Cafe Terroni and Dinner Rush
Book for a great night out in Yarraville, seeing Dinner Rush at the Sun cinema, then enjoying a five-course meal at Cafe Terroni.
Where: Cafe Terroni
When: 26 June 2011
More: cafeterroni.com.au
Love Never Dies
Andrew Lloyd Webbers new musical and the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera is in Melbourne.
Where: Regent Theatre
When: July 2011
More: loveneverdies.com.au