Snack Bar: Hugh Allen’s Yiaga Opens, New Katsu Restaurants and More Local Food News This Week

What’s happening around town

• Andrew McConnell’s CBD cocktail den Apollo Inn has launched a three-drink nightcap menu. Every night from 9pm, drop in for a shaken Braulio amaro, Midnight Over Madeira (Henriques Madeira Boal, Flor de Caña rum, Amaro Averna and cream) and a Caffè Frappé (vodka, fino sherry, dulce de leche cold brew, cream and cherry). Plus, chocolate profiteroles with vanilla ice-cream.

• Thai cafe Udom House and Japanese favourite 279 have teamed up on a tom yum take on ochazuke (a Japanese dish that sees a broth – traditionally made with tea – poured over a bowl of rice and toppings). It’s available at 279 until Sunday November 2.

• St Kilda’s Chronicles Bar will take over Hawthorn’s Bar Selecta this Sunday October 19 from 5pm to 9pm. Then, on Sunday October 26 from 5pm to 9pm, the Bar Selecta team will pop up at Chronicles. Kenny Chui Matsuyama will be at both takeovers serving yakitoti off the grill.

• To celebrate 11 years, on Tuesday October 21, Tipo 00 will bring back dishes from its past menus including marron spaghetti. The first 20 tables to order the spaghetti will be given a free signed copy of chef Andreas Papadakis’s Tipo 00 The Pasta Cookbook.

The Hot List

• Some of Melbourne’s hottest new openings have just joined the list.

What we covered this week

• Hugh Allen’s Yiaga is an heirloom for future Melburnians.

• Kikanbo, R Harn and more La Trobe Street venues close indefinitely.

• Dessert Masters winner John Demetrios’s Butter Days Bakery sold out on its first day in just 45 minutes.

• Three To Try: craving katsu? These new spots are dedicated to the dish.

• Where Chefs Eat: the over-the-top hotpot Nornie Bero loves.

• Kate Reid re-launches Lune Lab.

• Try four regional Thai cuisines at Boon Choou from three Chat Thai alumni.

• Good news – Good Days is coming to Collingwood.

• With Tobie Puttock on board, Streat expands its food waste fight.

• Order Up, a new exhibition at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum, celebrates the connection between food, hospitality and migration.

You might’ve missed

• First Cook: if you can’t buy happiness, try baking Helen Goh’s very good apple pie.