Melbourne Patron

I realise it's a little generic to title this post so vaguely, but my visit to Ballarat a few weekends ago has been my only experience of the place. It's just a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne and it had been a toss-up whether to go there, or to Bendigo. (They're very near each other and both start with 'B'... it seemed like much of a muchness to the uninitiated.) It was a good decision. I was surprised at how genteel - and hilly - Ballarat is. There is some gorgeous historic architecture, which makes sense, when you consider the town's role in Australia's Gold Rush, and, with its wide streets and the central Lake Wendouree, it's quite pretty. Here are a few snaps from the weekend. I loved how some buildings were clearly built in the Art Deco period. There were several rotundas down the main street. There were also lots of statues... of whom, I couldn't necessarily say. But this dude is pretty self-explanatory: Gorgeous old ...

(As seen in GRAM magazine) Brand new to Melbourne's Southgate is German-style beer hall and restaurant, Hophaus (Mid Level, Southgate Restaurant & Shopping Precinct, Southbank). Launched by Red Rock Leisure  (the same group that runs Bearbrass , Ludlow Bar and Dining Room and P.J. O'Brien's , all of which are also along Southbank) along with  DEXUS Property Group , Hophaus already has pretty good odds of succeeding. In its favour are its central location, direct views of the Yarra , European beer offerings, and authentic Bavarian food that I haven't tasted since I did a student exchange to Germany in 1999 (yes, I'm old!). My work boys and I popped along there for lunch last week; in fact, the official opening was due to take place that night. Workmen were hurrying about, completing the finishing touches - such as putting frosted light globes into sockets overhead - and fresh-faced staff stood at the ready, with an air of expectation and happy pride a...

Due to a childhood filled with forced visits to antique shops, I now have a solid fondness for Art Deco and Nouveau architecture, furniture, jewellery and design. What, at the time, was a begrudging exercise for me, has actually cultivated an appreciation that I now enjoy. I guess I should thank my parents at some point... Cinema foyer. Note the parquetry flooring, fanned ceiling lights, and door craftsmanship. So, naturally, whenever I come across a cinema with Deco stylings, I become inordinately excited. Although Palace Westgarth isn't as decadent or magic-filled as some Deco cinemas I've seen (looking at you, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne and Village Rivoli Camberwell ), it still has plenty of charm and enough features for me to want to take photos. Hence this blog post! What is now Palace Westgarth originally opened as the Westgarth Theatre in 1920. Increased immigration levels and proximity to the city led to burgeoning growth in the area, and a small strip of bohe...

My housemate and I have an ongoing list of places we want to try. One she has been mentioning for a while, Backstreet Eating (152 Kerr Street, Fitzroy), seemed appropriate for a weekend brunch we'd locked in. On the corner of Napier and Kerr, Backstreet Eating is just one block from Brunswick Street and aptly describes itself as "a modern neighbourhood bistro". Open seven days a week for three meals a day, this place seems to offer it all, and there is not much on the menu that doesn't appeal. We seriously considered a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or Bellini with brunch, but my housemate has just started Febfast, and I'm enough of a lush as it is. Items from the lunch (house-made gnocchi with goat ragu, anyone?) and cheese sections also greatly appealed, but we eventually settled on salmon gravlax for me, and avocado on toast for her, both with scrambled eggs. The food was delivered relatively quickly considering the place was full, and was faultlessly present...