Snack Bar: Japanese Hotpot, Mecca’s Secret Cocktail Bar and More Local Food News This Week

What’s happening around town

• July is giving away Gelato Messina scoops this Saturday September 13 from 11am to 2pm at the Aussie luggage brand’s QV and Chadstone stores. There’ll be strawberry sorbet, lemon sorbet, pistachio praline gelato and mint chocolate gelato to celebrate July’s new Endless Summer collection.

• Chris Lucas’s Society is making Martinis using Margot Robbie’s gin brand Papa Salt and Melbourne-founded olive oile brand Golden Groves. The cocktails are only available from Wednesday October 1 to Friday October 31.

• Ruben’s Deli is now making mango matcha, made with mango puree. To celebrate the new drink, this Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14 the team is selling mango doughnuts. Get a mango iced matcha and a doughnut for $14.

• Piccolina is releasing three new gelato cakes for spring that riff on classic Aussie desserts. From Monday September 15, stop by any of the brand’s stores and pick up a cake inspired by a lemon meringue tart, one that riffs on tiramisu and another based on a Weis raspberry and coconut bar.

• West Melbourne cafe Roslyn Thai is now serving dinner from Thursday to Saturday. Enjoy Thai barbeque and tom yum in the covered courtyard and round out your meal with some of Melbourne’s best mango sticky rice.

• Hofbrauhaus, the German restaurant on Market Lane, is celebrating Oktoberfest again this year. Six weeks of celebrations will kick off this Saturday September 13 from 5pm with a party featuring live music from 6.30pm, stein-holding competitions and yodelling.

The Hot List

• Chef Dan Hunter offers half-priced dinners at Brae – if you’re willing to learn.

What we covered this week

• First look: a pop-up power couple goes permanent with Saadi – in Sunda’s old space.

• Joe Jones, formerly of Romeo Lane, has been running a secret cocktail bar – at Mecca.

• Where Chefs Eat: this cinnamon bun is Lune Founder Kate Reid’s “favourite baked good in the city”.

• Coming soon: Blackhearts and Sparrows wants you to stay for a glass or two at its new store.

• First look: the Alta Trattoria team opened Sicilian restaurant Catina Moro – just five days after closing.

• A chef with three-Michelin-star cred turns his attention to Japanese hotpot at Oden.

• Former Bar Liberty head chef Zackary Furst continues to redefine Polish Australian food with new concept Bez.

• Bibi Ji is hosting a one-off fundraiser dinner for flood relief in Punjab this Sunday September 14.

• Eleven top chefs – including Hugh Allen and Nat Thaipun – share their favourite bakeries (and what to order).

• Don’s new head chef brings his Michelin-star experience to the Prahran wine bar.

• A Tokyo-born celebration of Japanese rice balls is coming to Melbourne for four days this month.

• Neil Perry, Jacqui Challinor, Andy Allen and more join Ozharvest’s biggest fundraiser ever.

You might’ve missed

• How Design Office created some of Melbourne’s most enduring venue interiors.

• Food writer Becca Wang on how to nail a special-occasion supper party at home.