Welcome to the March edition of the Campion and Curtis newsletter, coming to you from the host city of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Yes Melbourne is gearing up for
the arrival of thousands of athletes, officials and visitors from March 15th to 26th. In keeping with this big event we've decided to focus our attention
on what food lovers should see, do and eat if they coming to town. So sit back and relax as we give you our personal foodies guide to the Commonwealth Games.
Visit the Campion and Curtis website
Top Melbourne Food Stores
Melbourne is a city where virtually every suburb has some great food shopping opportunities. There are also food centers where specific cultural foods are on offer.
Travel along Victoria Street Richmond for great Vietnamese ingredients and cafes, walk through Chinatown in the CBD for great dining and shopping opportunities,
go to Sydney Road Brunswick for Middle Eastern food stores and bakeries and to Lygon Street Carlton for an array of Italian restaurants and stores. These are areas and
shopping strips where it's best to just wander and explore as you wish, tasting lots
of interesting foods and soaking up the atmosphere. Melbourne also has many top food stores which are not on these established food streets and should be
experienced while you are in town. The following is just a few of our favourites from the many hundreds of great places around town.
Phillippa's - 1030 High Street Armadale 9576 2020 Melway 59 A7
Monday to Thursday: 8.00am - 6.00pm, Friday 7.30am - 6.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 7.30am - 5.30pm
608 Hampton Street, Brighton, Monday to Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm, Saturday 8.00am - 4.00pm and Sunday 8.00am - 3.00pm.
Phillippa’s is well known for its wonderful breads, available here and through food shops across Victoria. It has cornered the market with its campagnard, pane
toscano (a soft, saltless bread), corn bread, walnut bread and the cheese-loving rosemary and vinefruit loaf. Visiting the High Street shop provides access to all these as well as the array of other
Phillippa’s products: amazing seasonal jams and preserves, biscuits, coconut marshmallows, decadent chocolate truffles and bags of
completely more-ish spiced nuts. Phillippa’s sells filled sandwiches and rolls each day and a top range of farmhouse cheese. Definitely one of Melbourne’s
foodie stars! The opening of the second store in Brighton now makes visiting even easier, so get on down to bayside and check it out.
Brunetti - 194–204 Faraday Street Carlton 9347 2801 Melway 2B G7
Sun – Fri 7 am–11 pm; Sat 7 am – midnight
*Also at: City Square, 214 Flinders Lane City 9663 6085 Melway 1B N8
Brunetti seems to get better and better with the years, and recent
renovations have extended the amount of space available for customers
to enjoy this Italian food experience. Excellent Vittoria coffee is an
essential first stop here, leaving you free to browse the enormous
selection of cakes and biscuits. The baby custard-filled crostoli is our
absolute favourite. If you don’t have time to eat in, everything can be
heated ‘to-go’. On the savoury side, we’re big fans of the toasted panini
and focaccia as well as the pizza slices. If there’s any space left consider a
cup of the famous Brunetti gelati – you won’t be disappointed.
Sugardough - 163 Lygon Street East Brunswick 9380 4060 Melway 29 K9
Tues–Sat 7.30 am–4 pm
Sugardough is a fantastic addition to the Melbourne baking scene. Owners Orlando and Tula have taken a long-running local bakery and totally transformed it into
something modern and new. Their inspiration comes from French and Italian baking and they use only organic flour and free-range eggs. The baking process begins at
2 am each morning, so you can be assured of freshness. Breads on offer include sourdough baguettes, ciabatta, toscana loaves and panini rolls. Italian-style doughnuts
are available with a variety of fillings, as well as croissants baked with almond or apricot centers.
Gertrude Street Enoteca
229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 3065 (03) 9415 8262
Brigitte Hafner (chef and food writer for The Age Epicure), her partner and wine importer James Broadway along with Rosa Mitchell operate the very beautiful Gertrude Street Enoteca.
As the name suggests this is the type of place to drop into for excellent coffee, perhaps a toasted panini at lunch and an antipasto place in the evening, with a glass of
wine virtually anytime. They also offer a well chosen selection of wines, plus a smattering of food books and food-lovers ingredients.
The Essential Ingredient - Elizabeth Street South Yarra 9827 9047 Melway 2L H9
Mon–Fri 9 am–5.30 pm; Sat 8 am–5 pm; Sun 10 am–4 pm
The Essential Ingredient is the type of shop where foodies pop in to pick up one or two things and end up leaving two hours later with new
‘essential’ ingredients, cookbooks and utensils. This is because Essential offers home cooks the opportunity to shop like chefs do, with an
emporium of top-quality chocolate, bush foods, Middle Eastern and Asian foods, olive oils, spices, cookware, tableware, books and much, much
more. The choice is amazing, with the best local and European brands. Staff are always on hand to offer advice, so you’re assured of a pleasant
shopping experience.
Simon Johnson, Purveyor of Quality Foods - 471 Toorak Road Toorak 9826 2588 Melway 2M F6
Mon–Fri 9 am–7 pm; Sat 9 am–5 pm; Sun 10 am–4 pm
Also at:12–14 St David Street Fitzroy 9486 9456 Melway 2C B8
The best of the best is what you’ll find in Simon Johnson outlets, with
their huge range of local and imported food products. You can source
goods from the likes of locals such as Neil Perry, Christine Manfield and
Charmaine Solomon. You can also find the best olive oil, be it Australian,
Italian, French or Spanish. Valrhona chocolate is another feature of the
shop, along with balsamic vinegars, panforte, panettone, pasta, nougat,
olives, fruitcake, fairy floss and biscuits. Cheese is a specialty – there’s
always something special to try. Top-quality homewares and food books
complete this amazing range.
Koko Black
167 Lygon Street Carlton 9349 2775 Melway 2B F8
Sun–Thurs 11 am–11 pm; Fri–Sat 10 am–midnight
*Also at: Shop 4, Royal Arcade City 9639 8911 Melway 1B L6
Koko Black have extended their reach from the original store in Royal Arcade to this glamorous shop in Carlton. This larger space adorned with beautiful photos of
chocolate-making in days past still has the classic Koko Black style. A mix of lavish cherub chandeliers and beautifully displayed chocolates all help to create an
opulent chocolate salon. The classic truffles, each one hand rolled in cocoa, are not to be missed. Nor are the spice-filled truffles. A viewing area at the
rear of the store allows visitors to see the chocolatiers in action.
Books for Cooks - 233-235 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Tel 03 8415 1415
If you happen to be in Gertrude Street do not pass up an opportunity to visit Books for Cooks. We love the fact you're welcome to sit in a comfy chair here and
browse to your hearts content, also the level of knowledge of Tim, Amanda and the staff here is outstanding. Of course you'll leave with more books
than planned, but hey, isn't that what great foodie book shops are for?
www.booksforcooks
Baker D. Chirico - Shop 3–4, 149 Fitzroy Street St Kilda 9534 3777 Melway 2P B4
Tues–Sun 7 am–5 pm
If you are interested in great sourdough bread, then a visit to Daniel Chirico’s bakery is a must. His all-natural sourdough loaves have a marvelous chewy
crust and full flavour. So good in fact it’s hard to choose between the olive casalinga bianco, baguettes, wholewheat with seeds or the schwarzbrot. If
you’re a doughnut fan then the bomboloni (doughnuts) with jam or custard fillings are stupendous. Also good are the chocolate hazelnut nougat, the
chocolate panettone around Christmastime and the light, flaky almond croissants. So many good things, so little time.
Eating out
There are thousands of options for dining well in and around Melbourne, with a great array of cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
The following are a few of our favourite places in and around the city. If you plan on going to any of them booking a table is going to be essential, so get onto
it soon.
Arintji - Federation Square City 9663 9900 Melway 1B P11
This is Jacques Reymond’s more casual eatery, with Daniel Wilson at the helm. Wilson steers the food towards small plates, ideal for sharing and exploring the menu in
depth. Dishes such as Spanish croquettes, Asian style pork over coleslaw and chilli-salt calamari go down a treat before the larger main courses on offer.
Becco - 11–25 Crossley Street City 9663 3000 Melway 1B T5
Becco remains one of the city’s best restaurants. Italian in essence, it can be relied on for exceptional service, food and wine. Stars
include Fiorina’s stuffed olives and the house drink, Becco Macchiato, as well as duck with muscatels and grappa.
Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel - Crown Entertainment Complex Southbank 9292 5777 Melway 1A H12
The long-awaited return of our favourite French man, who charmed us at both Langton’s and Paul Bocuse, is a welcome addition to the dining scene.
Expect to see lamb rump roasted in cocotte with braised fennel and orange, or more traditional French fare such as beef tartare and creme caramel on the menu.
Chocolate Buddha - Federation Square City 9654 5688 Melway 1B P11
Specialising in ramen (noodle soups) and donburi (a rice dish with a side of miso). The meat is organic where possible and the service is fast and efficient.
Before too long you’ll be tucking in to authentic Japanese food and watching life go by on the main stage in Fed Square.
ezard @ Adelphi - 187 Flinders Lane City 9639 6811 Melway 1B P9
Any excuse to eat at ezard is accepted with anticipation. Where else do you get to eat such an exciting and intriguing blend of mod Oz food?
Expect to see all your favourites on the menu plus a new masterpiece from time to time.
Gas Eatery & Supplies - 253 Coventry Street South Melbourne 9690 0217 Melway 2K C1
Daily 8 am–6 pm
If you're looking for a great breakfast spot then think Gas Eatery & Supplies in South Melbourne. Think of the most delectable French toast you can imagine,
make it with brioche, dust it with cinnamon sugar and you’re just about there. Or perhaps a big bowl of delicious yoghurt with stewed rhubarb. If you're visiting towards lunch then the selection changes
to there's a daily selection of dishes which take a strong influence from Spain and the Middle East, so lots of mezze and tapas to tempt as well as dips, cakes and
other sweet treats. Gas is a real star performer.
Grossi Florentino - 80 Bourke Street City 9662 1811 Melway 1B T5
Whether it’s a drink at the cellar bar, one of the best lunch deals in the Grill, or the experience of Guy Grossi’s Italian food in the mural room,
don’t miss Grossi Florentino. Guy creates Italian masterpieces using the very best regional Australian food.
Mecca Bah - 55A NewQuay Promenade Docklands 9642 1300 Melway 2E E4
A more casual version of Mecca, this is ME food for the masses.T he pizzas are legendary; the boat-shaped doughs with roast pumpkin, chilli,
pomegranate jam and feta win over most people. Throw in kofte, boureks, kataifi and felafel with a twist and the deal’s done.
MoMo - Basement, 115 Collins Street City 9650 0660 Melway 1B R8
Just off George Parade you’ll find the sultan of modern Middle Eastern cooking wooing his customers. Greg Malouf turns out magical creations flavoured with sumac,
pomegranate syrup and coriander. Malouf’s cooking talents are legendary and MoMo is well worth a visit by all foodies.
MoVida - 1 Hosier Lane City 9663 3038 Melway 1B Q9
There’s none hotter than this current darling of the Melbourne foodie scene. Roll up for empanadilla (pies), piemiento de piquillo (stuffed smoked peppers) and
croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes). There are two sittings a night; get in early or be prepared to wait with a glass of dry sherry at the bar.
Pure South - River Level, Southgate Southbank 9699 4600 Melway 2F F7
Pure South is a terrific addition to Melbourne’s dining scene with a menu that picks out the very best produce and wine from the Bass Strait islands
and Tasmania. The cooking here is truly skilled with a focus on amazing steaks and the freshest seafood, matched with a mighty wine list showcasing the best of the
southern isles.
Shark Fin Inn50–52 Little Bourke Street City 9662 2681 Melway 1B C4
Shark Fin Inn has delighted legions of customers since it opened its doors in 1980. Many come for the yum cha, many come for late-night suppers,
but all enjoy this authentic Chinese food. Though there are several restaurants in the group, the original remains the best.
Taxi Dining Room - Federation Square City 9654 8808 Melway 1B N11
Chef Michael Lambie made the switch from Circa to Taxi effortlessly; along the way his cooking got even better. Here a mix of his inspired mod Oz food
is countered with excellent Japanese dishes. The dining room is modern and welcoming and the views extraordinary. One for true foodies to enjoy.
Tutto Bene - Mid level, Southgate Southbank 9696 3334 Melway 2F F7
Simon Humble has made Southgate his culinary home for many years now. With his new eatery, Tutto Bene, he brings to the fore a lifetime’s work on creating the perfect
risotto with a menu dedicated to this Italian classic. The real crowd pleaser is the roast duck risotto with porcini broth. The gelato bar at the front of the
restaurant is also a must-try.
Vue de Monde - Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins Street City 9691 3888 Melway 1A G6
Chef Shannon Bennett has made the move from Carlton to the city and gained a beautiful space in which to present his critically acclaimed food.
Diners can enjoy his modern French-inspired dishes in a variety of ways, from the set-price lunch to the degustation menus. A must for all
Melbourne food and wine lovers.
Foodie books you'll need
Melbourne is well served with its food guides, some of which are written by yours truly. They're perfect is you're trying to get the lowdown on the latest and
greatest foodie hotspots in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The Food & Wine Lover's Guide to Melbourne & Surrounds
Melbourne • Geelong • Bellarine • Yarra Valley • Mornington Peninsula • Phillip Island • Dandenong Ranges • Ballarat • Daylesford • Macedon Ranges • Nagambie
By Michael Harden, Michele Curtis, Allan Campion and Claude Forell with photography by Simon Griffiths, Adrian Lander and Mark Roper
This new touring guide celebrates the fantastic food and wine of Victoria has been published to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. More than a guide book,
much more than a recipe book, it is the essential touring companion for people who like to get out on the road, discover new places, and enjoy themselves.
Within its 300+ pages can be found stories about the restaurant owners, chefs, vintners, bakers and cheese-makers who make regional Victoria the amazing food place
it is today. There's also information on growers and farmers, places to stay, farmers' markets, wineries and much more. All the destinations are within 90 minutes of
Melbourne so make for a great day trip or overnight stay. The guide has an introduction by Melbourne's own Stephanie Alexander. RRP $39.95
The Foodies' Guide to Melbourne 2006
The Foodies' Guide is our annual look at the best food shopping experiences available in Melbourne and across regional Victoria. From Middle Eastern pastries in
Brunswick to gelati in St Kilda, apricots or apples straight from the farm gate, The Foodies' Guide to Melbourne leads the direction of some of
Victoria's best food. Find out about the top metropolitan and regional farmers' markets (the Collingwood Children's Farm market is hard to beat),
what to look out for when you're on the Bellarine Peninsula (Australia's best mussels), and the gems that can be found tucked away suburbs of Melbourne
(the Indian shops Dandenong, for instance). While you're at it get the lowdown on the best restaurants and cafes, breads and bakeries, butchers, delis,
cooking schools and more. Each edition of the Foodies' Guide includes our pick of the most amazing food experiences known as the Foodies Guide Awards.
The 2006 edition also contains our new Foodies' Big Day Out - out pick of the top places to visit if you only had one day in this culinary capital.
Published by Hardie Grant Books - RRP $26.95 paperback.
The Age Good Food Guide 2006
Without a doubt this is the essential guide to dining in and around Melbourne. Packed with restaurant reviews and all the details you'll need to try and
work your way through as many of Melbourne's best dining spots as you can in just under two weeks. RRP $24.00.
The Age has also just released the latest edition of it's highly successful Cheap Eats 2006 which offers great ideas on over 500 places to dine for under $25.00. RRP $22.95
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
During the month of March (1-31 March), one hundred of Victoria's best restaurants will offer a specially designed menu celebrating Victoria's superb local produce
paired with the finest Victorian wines available by the glass. Just ask for the Tasting Victoria Menu at places like Langton's, Flower Drum and the recently opened
Longrain. Plus Livebait at Docklands, Upper House at Federation Square, Interlude, La Luna, Matteo's, Bacash and The Botanical. Regional areas are getting in on the act
too with a Tasting Victoria Menu at Lindenderry at Red Hill, A La Grecque (Aireys Inlet), Campaspe Country House (Woodend) the Royal Mail Hotel (Dunkeld) and many more
besides. A full list of participating restaurants and wineries, including sample menus, is available online at
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival website. Bookings are advised if there's somewhere you're really keen on visiting.
The Culinary Pro Am of the Commonwealth will also be hosted by the festival and runs from Monday 20 March - Saturday 25 March. Melbourne's top chefs will
represent their Commonwealth country and lead teams on stage in a battle of the pans. See Teage Ezard (Australia) battle it out against George Calombaris
(Cyprus) Ian Curley (England) up against Allan Koh (Malaysia), Marc Brown (Jamiaca) versus Jacques Reymond (Fiji) and Peter Gordon (New Zealand) up against
Raymond Capaldi (Scotland. This event will be held at the Melbourne Museum, Rathdowne Street, Carlton. All details are at
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival website.
Foodie's tours during the Commonwealth Games
People who wish to join us for a Foodies Tour can book into one of our regular CAE Saturday morning tours. Join us as we search out the very best food stores tasting and learning as we go.
The tour also explores some of the history of Melbourne from a food aspect as we explore the laneways and arcades of Melbourne. These tours cost $99.00 per person.
The tour on Saturday 18th March 2006 is now sold out.
Melbourne Farmers' Markets and produce markets
Melbourne is well known for its array of opportunities to purchase the best seasonal fresh ingredients. Suburban markets have been an integral part of the landscape
from the earliest days and this great traditions continues today. Add to this the amazing Farmers' Markets and you have a unique selection of places to shop for
beautiful foods.
The first weekend of the games (Saturday 18th) will see the newly established Gasworks Farmers' Market at Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.
(cnr Pickles St) Melway ref 2J H7.
Victorian Producers' Market On Saturday 18 March from 9am - 4pm the plaza of the Melbourne Museum will be transformed into a bustling regional
producers' market celebrating the best of Victoria's seasonal bounty from across the state. There will be everything from new season fruits and vegetables to farmhouse
cheeses, nuts, artisan breads, honey, meats and delicious olive oils direct from the farmers and producers. There will also be a Regional Champions' stage where
chefs from across Victoria will meet to share their expertise with you. You can even keep up with all the Commonwealth Games action on a huge TV screen beaming all
the live action direct to the plaza. Admission is free. The Melbourne Museum Plaza is at the Melbourne Museum, Nicholson St Carlton.
Camberwell Produce and Fresh Food Market -
521 Riversdale Road Camberwell 9539 1361 Melway 59 J1
Tues and Thurs-Fri 7 am-7 pm; Sat 7 am-5 pm
There's an array of excellent fresh fruit and vegetables to choose from in the central stalls, and in the surrounds is a very good selection of to-go lunch places offering everything from sushi to sandwiches.
Top market spots
Camberwell Market Cellars - Shop 21, 9813 3525 Plenty of fine wines to complement your home cooking.
Kingfisher Seafoods - Shop 11 Impressive selection of fresh fish and sushi.
Nick and Sue's Gourmet Deli - Shop 17-19 Excellent antipasto selection, meats and bread.
Footscray Market- Cnr Hopkins and Leeds streets Footscray 9687 1205 Melway 42 D4
Tues-Wed 7 am-4 pm; Thurs 7 am-6 pm; Fri 7 am-8 pm; Sat 7 am-4 pm
The local Footscray community showcases Melbourne at its most multicultural, with many different ethnic groups including Ethiopian, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and
Chinese. Fish is a real attraction at this market, with fishmongers offering an enormous range of fish and shellfish.
Top market spots
Footscray Ocean - Stall 117 Amazing-looking mud crabs are the drawcard.
John and Kevin's fresh fish - Stall 119 Always with a top selection of the freshest seafood.
Nada's Takeaway - Stall 250 Wedges of Turkish spinach-and-cheese borek to keep the shopping trip fuelled up.
Quality Poultry Supplies - Stall 107-116 Duck, chicken (including corn-fed), rabbit and eggs.
Rina's Coffee - Stall 110 Coffex coffee, dried fruits, nuts and pulses, and biscuits.
T.H. Butcher - Stall 130 Pork in a wide variety of cuts, from nose to tail.
YK Fresh Fish - Stall 128 Whole fish, whelks, lobster and prawns.
Prahran Market- 163-185 Commercial Road South Yarra 8290 8220 Melway 2L H9
Tues dawn-5 pm; Thurs-Fri dawn-6 pm; Sat dawn-5 pm; Sun 10 am-3 pm
Prahran Market remains an essential part of this area's cultural and culinary life. There have been new organic stalls in many parts of the market, and a few old-timers
have moved to new spots. Delis such as Delicatess have upped the ante with a smart new look, product range and service. Wine is now available to shoppers and the
fresh seafood continues to impress.
Top market spots
Claringbold's Seafoods - Stall 510, Always top-quality fish, shellfish and sushi.
Cleo's Deli - Stall 816, Excellent meats, dips, pasta and range of bread.
Curry Creations - Stall 712, Indian curry pastes and sauces.
Damian Pike - Stall 116, Specialist mushrooms, baby vegetables and imported truffles.
Delicatess - Stall 706, Great cheeses, olives, sweet treats, butter and legumes.
Hagen's Organics - Stall 509, Organic selection of beef, lamb and pork.
John Cester Poultry & Game - Stall 506, Quail, duck and free-range chicken portions.
M. J. Mow - Stall 108, Dobson's potatoes, sweet onions and shallots.
Ripe Organic Grocer - Stall 7-8, Organic fruit and vegetables, dairy, grocery and bread.
Queen Victoria Market - Cnr Elizabeth and Victoria streets City 9320 5822 Melway 2B B11
Tues and Thurs 6 am-2 pm; Fri 6 am-6 pm; Sat 6 am-3 pm;
Sun 9 am-4 pm
The Queen Victoria Market has stood the test of time. Over the years government departments and property developers have eyed the location with glee, but the
market and its supporters remains solid. There is a great spirit of tradition here, with many families having run the same business for generations, although change
and innovation also occur.
Top market spots
Bill's Farm - Stall 17-18, Farmhouse cheese, sopressa, olive oil and antipasti.
The Chicken Pantry - Stall 85-86, Chicken, quail, kangaroo and eggs.
Curds & Whey - Stall 12-13, Bulk cheese and butter, raspberry jam and organic milk.
The French Shop - Stall 1-2, Farmhouse cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and terrines.
Hagen's Organics - Stall 16, Organic selection of beef, lamb and pork.
Mai family - Stall 17-20 Herbs, Asian greens, tropical fruits and fresh water chestnuts.
M & G Caiafa - Stall 66-70, Breads from Franks, Irrewarra Bakery and Phillippa's.
Nut Trek - Stall 55-56 Dried fruits, nuts, honey and organic foods.
The Polish Deli - Stall 5-6, Continental smallgoods, bacon and sausages.
Stall 83 - Stall 83, Stocking fruit and vegetables not always seen elsewhere, Cameron Russell is the man.
Tofu Trek - Stall 10-11 California rolls, nori, wasabi and noodles.
South Melbourne Market- Cnr Coventry and Cecil streets South Melbourne 9209 6295 Melway 2K B1-2
Wed 8 am-2 pm; Fri 8 am-6 pm; Sat-Sun 8 am-4 pm
South Melbourne Market has been operating on this site since 1867,
which is quite a history. Today it's still a hub of activity and offers the local community access to excellent delicatessens, butchers, fresh fruit and vegetable
stalls and much more. Here the general market stalls are surrounded by food stalls, making a shopping trip easy, as you don't have to walk for miles to do the weekly shop or get back to the car. Long may it reign!
Top market spots
Fritz Gelato - Shop 2, Beautiful gelato and frozen treats. The low GI chocolate is surprisingly good.
Pickadeli - Stall 4-5, Deli items including pasta, ham, cheese and dips.
The Potato Man - Stall 50 Every variety of potato known to man.
Rita's Nuts and Coffee - Stall 18, Coffee, dried fruit, nuts and biscuits.
South Melbourne Market Organics - Stall 51-52 A terrific range of fresh food alongside organic dairy, groceries and breads.
Store 6 - Stall 6 Pies, curries, lasagne, risotto, salad, soup and cakes.
W. B. Smith - Stall 114-115 Kitchen equipment of every shape and size.
