Snack Bar: Mamasita’s Romantic New Wine Bar, Three New Bakeries and More Local Food News This Week

What’s happening around town

• St Kilda Latin American restaurant Rufio is putting on a Brazilian set menu for one night only this Friday May 1. The four-course meal is $80 per person and includes pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), picanha (rump cap) and feijoada (a stew of black beans, pork and beef).

• Having just celebrated its 10th birthday, Canberra’s acclaimed Bar Rochford is making a one-night-only appearance in Melbourne. The bar, known for its drinks list and produce-driven small plates as well as its record collection and impeccable vibes, pops up at the new Geralds space on Tuesday May 5. Owner Nick Smith and venue manager Ryan Smith will take over the bar and the decks, while head chef Alisdair Brooke-Taylor pumps out a $95 set menu. Reservations are open now.

• Known for its $285 omakase, Warabi, the intimate Japanese restaurant at Melbourne’s W Hotel, is introducing a new à la carte offering. Starting Friday May 1 Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm, you’ll be able to order from a menu including swordfish katsu, charcoal-grilled Wagyu and a selection of sushi and sashimi.

• Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May, Yarraville shop Gigi’s Gelato will serve cups filled with chocolate-drizzled custard-filled profiteroles with whipped cream on the side for $15. 

What we covered this week

• First look: Mamasita gives South Yarra a romantic new wine bar.

• St Kilda icon The Prince enters a new era with Grant Smillie.

• 18 Melbourne bars, bakeries and restaurants that opened in April.

• Five minutes with Jason Jones: Entrecote’s owner on a decade of restaurant romanticism and elite steak frites.

• Brunswick live music venue Stay Gold, and neighbouring pizza parlour Ollie’s, to close.

• Where Chefs Eat: Esca Khoo says this is “the best chicken rice in Australia”.

• Gordon Street Bakery says bonjour to Ascot Vale.

• Tochi Deli rises again, with the same affordable sushi menu.

• The sangas are different at Barbados Slim.

• Sourdough master Quentin Berthonneau starts a baking school in Preston.

• Bobby Stop Stealing Our Camping Chairs has one goal: do the opposite of every Melbourne cafe.

• At Simply Mike’s in Brunswick, a French pastry chef makes 500 cinnamon scrolls a day.

• The Mont Blanc from The Flour in West Melbourne is back.

You might have missed

• Gallery: Madeleine de Proust pop-up afternoon tea at Yugen Tea Bar with Broadsheet Access.

• The best food and drink gifts for Mother’s Day – from teapots to gin jams.