Michael Harden

Audrey Shaw of Carnation Canteen has taken over the storied Geralds Bar space on Rathdowne Street.

The Melbourne-born chef grew up in a Lebanese-Australian household with kibbeh in his lunchbox and Vegemite in the cupboard. Many restaurants, cookbooks and awards later, Malouf’s impact on the culinary landscape is profound. Food writer Michael Harden pays tribute to a titan who paved the way for Middle Eastern food in Australia.

Legendary New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells had a grim assessment of the industry after reviewing them for over a decade. Does one of Australia’s top critics agree?

When prolific Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas took an entourage to Paris to research his next big-budget restaurant, Bâtard, he didn’t mess around.

Why can’t you get that corner spot with a view this Saturday night? The post-lockdown restaurant world has a host of new challenges to getting a table at our most sought-after diners.

The veteran restaurateur, who passed away this week at the age of 68, offered a masterclass in hospitality, from Chinois in South Yarra to running St Kilda Beach icon Donovans with his wife, Gail, for 26 years. He will be missed.

It’s the end of an era for the Italian-Australian stalwart, which was once a favourite of Chopper Read and Alphonse Gangitano. Is it time to move on, or is Melbourne losing something irreplaceable?

Melbourne dining has transformed profoundly over the past decade. Food that was once out of reach to all but a select few has flooded the middle of the market, and it’s available at whatever time of day you need. Restaurants have become more welcoming, egalitarian and fun. Much of this, we can trace back to one trailblazer: Andrew McConnell of Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Supernormal, the Builders Arms and Marion.

From the outside, Melbourne’s bar culture is one to be revered, but upon closer inspection, we’re on a pretty tight leash. Michael Harden takes a look at the effects of our current bar licensing laws and discovers they are essentially shooting our city’s nightlife in the foot.