Melbourne Dining

A trip to Melbourne last week saw in many meals at a number of fine establishments.

Matt McConnel's Bar Lourinha was chaotic cool. I love this style of dining.

These cute shoe last created a coat rack on the wall in the very new very cool Cumulus Inc cafe/restaurant in Flinders Lane. Run by Matt's brother Andrew McConnell. If you go you must try the lemon curd filled Madeleine's that are made to order and served warm.

Rockpool Bar and Grill had a fabulous fitout, which I would assume they should given the rumour I heard that the fitout cost 6.5 million. The Wood Fired Pigeon with Parsnips Pears and Raddichio was a standout.

Guiseppe Arnaldo and Sons I was incredibly excited to go to, and our lunch was incredibly fabulous. The service somehow casual yet impeccable and the food was mouthwatering. Never have I enjoyed myself from the beginning to the end of a meal. The fitout - spectacular. I was so impressed with how the walls, half height walls etc have all been designed so that not a single tile that form the huge mosaic spanning floors walls and ceilings had to be cut.

Maha, the Press Club's new sister restaurant was rich and delectable, and we chose, like I think every other person there the Soufra, a multi course set menu with highlights of rich sticky lamb shoulder, home made Baclava and these sweet and sticky little doghnuts filled with turkish delight. What I really loved though was all their little touches such as the hollowed out old book for a bill holder, the little spice test tube you get to take home with you of their own special blend, and the rose oil they sprinkle on your hands post meal, that made this restaurant so cool.