Episode 28: General Show

Malmsbury
During the gold rush period of the 1800s Malmsbury was a thriving little town that was home to nearly 2000 people, 17 hotels, 4 churches, 3 mills, 2 banks, 2 schools, 2 breweries, a hospital, a town hall, and they even had their own racetrack. These days there is not a lot happening, but you can still find gold if you know where to look. One of the main reasons this town is still on the map is the local bakery. If you have a craving for the classics, the Malmsbury bakery has authentic pies, cakes and breads that are almost more famous than the little town. Another great spot to grab a feed and maybe even something to take home is just up the street at Merchants of Malmsbury. Made in Malmsbury is a popular spot for jewellery lovers, and they also have a wide selection of arts and crafts, as does local gallery Tin Shed Arts.

Malmsbury Bakery and Stables Pizzeria
73- 77 Mollison St, Malmsbury
Ph: 03 5423 2369

Merchants of Malmsbury
67 Mollison St, Malmsbury
Ph: 03 5423 2229

Tin Shed Arts
75 Mollison St, Malmsbury
Ph: 03 5423 2144

Made in Malmsbury
69 Mollison St, Malmsbury
Ph: 03 5423 2551

Tea Rooms of Yarck
Two hours drive north east of Melbourne youll find Yarck. Just a small dot on the Maroonda Highway thats getting a real name for itself thanks to a little restaurant thats full of surprises. Tea Rooms of Yarck is a curious place and even more curious is their food. The menu is Italian with Sardinian flavours and it changes every day. Originally from Sardinia in Italy, Pietro Porcu is a chef, restaurateur and now a farmer. He found this farm in Yarck five years ago and Tea Rooms of Yarck is his way of bringing the paddock to the plate. Pietro also runs the successful South Yarra restaurant Da Noi. Tea Rooms of Yarck is open for dinner on Friday nights, and for lunch and dinner on weekends.

Tea Rooms of Yarck
6585 Maroondah Highway, Yarck
Ph: 03 5773 4233

Linden Gardens Estate and Dandenong
Set on three acres the historic Linden Gardens Estate dates back to 1910 and sits on the top of Mt Dandenong. Hidden amongst the magical gardens are three very private, completely different suites. Its like a 5 star hotel but with the privacy and uniqueness of a secluded retreat. Just a stones throw away youll find the unique village of Sassafras. Quirky Best Bits is one of the local gems and as the name suggests it brings the best bits from the city and overseas to the hills. No visit to the Dandenongs is complete without popping into Miss Marples its an institution. Based on the Agatha Christie Novel the décor of the place plays homage to literatures super sleuth. Devonshire tea is poured by the gallon and served up with good old English country comfort food, like pasties, ploughmans lunch and cottage pie.

Linden gardens
1383 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Mt Dandenong
Ph: 03 9751 1103
www.lindengardens.com.au

Quirky Best Bits
359 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras
Phone: 03 9755 3224

Miss Marples
382 Mt. Dandenong-Tourist Rd, Sassafras
Ph: 03 9755 1610
www.missmarples.com.au

Yum Cha
For many Melbournians, Sunday morning means yum cha, but on any day of the week youll see people voting with their feet and lining up outside Shark Fin House in Chinatown. Here it is all about the hustle and bustle of authentic Hong Kong style yum cha featuring everyones favourites, and even though theres room for 350 people across 3 levels, its so popular that you still have to book on weekends. Red Emperor is a Southbank stalwart and dishes up some of Melbournes finest dumplings with some cutting edge contents. Their speciality is prawn and goji berry dumplings. And if youd like a touch of style with your soy sauce, head to Oriental Tea House in Chapel street South Yarra. Here, old Shanghai meets modern Melbourne.

The designer dumplings come on trays, not trolleys, and are ordered from a menu that might include guava flower dumplings, Peking duck dumplings or little morsels of salmon and avocado tempura.

Shark Finn House
131 Little Bourke St City
Ph: 03 9663 1555
www.sharkfin.com.au

Red Emperor
Upper Level Southgate, Southbank
Ph: 03 9699 4170
www.redemperor.com.au

Oriental Tea House
455 Chapel St South Yarra
Ph: 9826 0168
www.orientalteahouse.com.au

Kyneton & Annie Smithers Bistro
Every so often you discover a hidden gem to stay in and thats just what weve found recently in Piper St, Kyneton. Our gorgeous find is squeezed between the Lifes Sweet cup cake shop and the Macedon Ranges Interiors store. At Apartment 61a youll find a comfortable and very elegant space to stay in over two floors. Decorated in French country style, there are two bedrooms, a sitting room, modern kitchen and courtyard. A delicious breakfast also comes with your stay. Only a few doors up youll find culinary delights at Annie Smithers Bistro which offers a classic and familiar French style menu. Annie set up her eatery and produce store in Kyneton three and a half years ago and is the recipient of One Chefs Hat from The Age Good Food Guide two years running. Her cuisine relies on simplicity, seasonality and regionality.

Apartment 61a
61a Piper St, Kyneton
Ph: 03 5422 1211

Annie Smithers Bistrot
72 Piper St, Kyneton
Ph: 03 5422 2039
www.anniesmithers.com.au

What's On

An Enchanted Evening - National Breast Cancer Foundation
Tickets are now on sale for the National Breast cancer Foundation Enchanted Evening Ball, being held at the Park Hyatt it promises to be a night to remember.
Where: Hyatt on the Park
When: 12 September
More: Tickets are $250 www.nbcf.org.au

Melbourne at Home
And if your looking for home and lifestyle inspiration then head to Melbourne at Home, on at Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre from August 27 31.
Where: Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
When: 27 - 31 August
More: Visit www.melbourneathome.com.au