Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.meatballandwinebar.com.au
;
135 Flinders Lane; meatballs $18; 8am-1am Mon-Fri, from 11am weekends;
City Circle, 70, 75)
Banking on Melbourne's current obsession with American cuisine, this
dark, smartly fitted Flinders Lane restaurant serves up the ol' American-Italian classic
meatball: from your traditional beef variety to less-conventional fish or even vegetarian
'meat' balls. Choose from a selection of sauces and sides, anything from homemade pasta
to creamy polenta. It has opened in
Richmond
(105 Swan St, Richmond;
70)
, too.
Mesa Verde
MEXICAN, BAR
$$
( 03-9654 4417;
www.mesaverde.net.au
;
Level 6, 252 Swanston St, Curtin House; tacos from $6; 5pm-late;
3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72)
The latest addition to the wonderful Curtin House complex, Mesa
Verde does great Mexican food to a backdrop of Sergio Leone screenings. As well as
street-food dishes, there's a selection of 200 tequilas and 40 mezcals, and an exotic selec-
tion of salts for margaritas (including black truffle). Come for Taco Tuesday specials.
Hopetoun Tea Rooms
( 03-9650 2777;
www.hopetountearooms.com.au
; 282 Collins St; dishes $13-21; 8am-5pm)
Since 1892,
patrons have been nibbling pinwheel sandwiches here, taking tea (with pinkies raised) and
delicately polishing off a lamington. Hopetoun's venerable status has queues almost
stretching out the entrance of Block Arcade. Salivate over the window display while you
wait.
TEAROOM
$$
Vue de Monde
MODERN AUSTRALIAN
$$$
( 03-9691 3888;
www.vuedemonde.com.au
;
Rialto, 525 Collins St; degustation $200-250; reservations from
noon-2pm Tue-Fri & Sun, 6-9.15pm Mon-Sat; 11, 31, 48, 109, 112, Southern Cross)
Sitting pretty in the
old 'observation deck' of the Rialto building, Melbourne's favoured spot for occasion din-
ing has views to match its name. Visionary chef Shannon Bennett has moved away from
its classic French style to a subtle Modern Australian theme that runs through everything
from the decor to the menu.
Stuffy tablecloths are gone and natural Australian elements are in - vases of banksia,
handmade kangaroo-hide tables and cutlery holders carved from Tasmanian stone. Book-
ing ahead is essential.
