Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HuTong Dumpling Bar
CHINESE
$$
(
www.hutong.com.au
;
14-16 Market Lane; mains $15-22; 11.30am-3pm & 5.30-10.30pm; 86, 96)
HuTong's windows face out on the famed Flower Drum, and its reputation for divine
xiao
long bao
(soupy dumplings) means getting a lunchtime seat anywhere in this three-level
building isn't easy. Downstairs, watch chefs make the delicate dumplings, then hope they
don't watch you make a mess eating them. There's also a branch in
Prahran
(
www.hutong.com.au
;
162 Commercial Rd;
72, 78, 79)
.
Pellegrini's Espresso Bar
( 03-9662 1885; 66 Bourke St; mains $16-18; 8am-11.30pm Mon-Sat, noon-8pm Sun; Parliament)
The
iconic Italian equivalent of a classic '50s diner, Pellegrini's has remained genuinely un-
changed for decades. Pick and mix from the variety of homemade pastas and sauces; from
the table out the back you can watch it all being thrown together from enormous, ever-
simmering pots. In summer, finish with a glass of watermelon granita.
ITALIAN, CAFE
$$
Supper Inn
( 03-9663 4759; 15 Celestial Ave; mains $15-30; 5.30pm-2.15am; 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 22, 64, 67, 72)
No
one minds queuing on the stairs to wait for a high-turnover table in the unglamorous and
dated upstairs dining room - the reward is the top-quality Cantonese food. Open until
2am, Supper Inn is a classic late-night eat.
CHINESE
$$
Grossi Florentino Grill
ITALIAN
$$
( 03-9662 1811;
www.grossiflorentino.com
;
80 Bourke St; mains $18-55; lunch & dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat;
86, 96)
Taken over by famed Melbourne chef Guy Grossi, Florentino's has long attracted
rich faces taking lunchtime breaks with its authentic regional Italian menu with metropol-
itan flair and great produce. Next door is the more affordable
Cellar Bar
, a great place to
have a quick bowl of pasta and a glass of pinot grigio, as well as breakfast. Service is
snappy and professional.
If you're into grand statements (with mains hitting the $55 mark), upstairs is an opulent
fine-dining stalwart.
