Something new

Station Street Trading Co.| 166 Station Street, Port Melbourne| (03) 9646 6663|Mon-Sun 7.30am–4pm | fb.com/StationStreetTradingCo
The crew who started Coin Laundry opened Station Street Trading Co. in Port Melbourne this week, opposite – you guessed it – the station. The charming corner café is churning out Allpress coffee as well as hearty dishes from a seasonal menu. We could hardly get our gob around their juicy burger and would have polished off the decadent baked goods in the display cabinet if we hadn’t been so full. As for brekkie, there’s avocado and feta to please the masses as well as zucchini fritters for those craving something different. Sit in the window and watch Port Melbourne go by, or slouch on the banquette seating with comfy cushions beneath shelves of pot plants and cacti.

Oldie but a goldie

Gigibaba| 102 Smith St, Collingwood | (03) 9486 0345 | Tue-Sat 6pm-late
Look no further for the ultimate date place: this is it. Gigibaba is an old Turkish favourite with a wire jungle of light bulbs and a contemporary Middle Eastern interior. Start with the likes of hummus, broad bean salad and halloumi with dates, before sharing signature dishes such as the sea salt and wild oregano lamb cutlets or BBQ whole baby snapper. Save room for the baklava at the end though, and make sure you get there early to avoid disappointment with their no-bookings policy.

 

Do & See 

Lorne Film Festival Weekend | October 12th-14th | Lorne Theatre – 78 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne | movingclickers.com.au
If, like us, you heart a bit of movie watching then you should know that Moving Clickers are holding their 46th Film Festival at Lorne this weekend. It’s a social affair held in the beautiful, heritage-listed art deco Lorne Theatre. Starting today, they’ll be screening seven full length 35mm feature moves from USA, Spain, USA, Australia and Israel over the three days. They’re also having a pizza dinner tonight, cocktails on Saturday night and a good old fashioned barbecue to finish on Sunday.

Out of town

Warburton Pantry ‘Chocolat’ Dinner | Shop 3383b Warburton hwy, Warburton| Sat Oct 12, 11am-7pm | (03) 5966 9688 or info@warburtonpantry.com.au | warburtonpantry.com.au
On the second Saturday of every month, the Warburton Pantry holds exclusive dinners. But their dinner this weekend may just be the best yet, with a menu inspired by ‘Chocolat’ the movie. While Johnny Depp politely refused an invite, we have heard rumours that a dish of duck leg with chocolate, pomegranate and red wine will be making a guest appearance, as will a dark chocolate salted caramel tart. Bookings essential.

Featured Table

The Wylde | 30% off your entire bill at this one hat restaurant | Book now

Laid back and very Gertrude Street cool. The Wilde has a pub feel in a bar/restaurant shell. As welcoming as your own living room it’s the type of neighborhood restaurant you’ll be spending lots of time at.

The menu is seasonal. Very winter warming at the moment with decadent pork belly with the some of the best roast carrots you’ll find and perfect mash; there’s also a nightly special which may read something like 8 hr Roast Otway Pork w Brussel Sprouts & Chestnuts.

Go for the meal and stay for some drinks. Equal part place to relax over a couple of drinks as it is to fill the stomach with hearty but certainly top notch pub classics and sometimes pub creative.