Snack Bar: The 38 Best Hot Cross Buns, New Spots for $20 Lunches and More Local Food News This Week

What’s happening around town

• Lankan Tucker is hosting a dinner with former Masterchef contestant Sav Perera at its Carlton restaurant on Saturday March 21. Perera, currently a judge of Masterchef Sri Lanka, and the Lankan Tucker team will prepare a five-course dinner including prawn ceviche and “Sri Lankan banh mi” for $120 per person. 

• Breadcetera, the Malvern East shop from the Riserva team, is opening a second location, this time in Mount Eliza. The new venue is expected to open at the end of March.  

• Windsor wine bar Rose Island is celebrating three years in business with a kitchen takeover by chef Sam Hocking (ex-Marion, ex-Elwood Bathers) every Wednesday to Saturday until March 28 (with the exception of Saturday March 21). Drop in for snacks and small plates such as potato croquettes with truffle mayonnaise and tuna tartare. 

What we covered this week

• Shannon Martinez is expanding Smith & Daughters – starting with a new CBD deli.

• Nine new spots to grab lunch for less than $20.

• First look: Macgregor’s brings Smash Burgers to a former milk bar in Abbotsford.

• First look: Italian restaurant Made in Casa finds a new home in Toorak Village.

• The 38 best hot cross buns in Melbourne.

• Where Chefs Eat: an East Gippsland restaurant hit list from Sardine chef Mark Briggs.

• Seven new coffee shops and cafes for specialty drinks and house-made bakes.

• Celebrate the launch of Entrecote’s new book with a long lunch hosted by restaurateur Jason Jones.

You might have missed

• Win a Troye Sivan-designed Penfolds Bin 389 magnum.

• Recipe: Elizabeth Hewson’s roasted chook slathered in anchovy cream.