Arts Centre Melbourne’s new Winter season offers an electrifying range of experiences to charge the senses in the middle of the year.  From 26 July to 18 August, art, science and technology are celebrated in a spectacular fashion with several Art Centre Melbourne Australian exclusives.

Inspired by the popularity of the Hamer Hall Opening Season in winter 2012, for three weeks this year the warming footlights of Arts Centre Melbourne will beckon, enticing audiences with everything from sublime opera and illuminating dance to unseen labyrinths and a battery of other stimulating things to see and do.

Virginia Plain hosted the first ever Mega Dega with a sellout crowd enjoying a pairing and matching of craft beers with innovative dishes from top Melbourne chefs as part of Good Beer Week. Melbourne is a city of culinary sophistication with a burgeoning craft beer scene.  The rise of Good Beer Week is nothing short of a phenomenon - in a few short years the event has become one of the best beer festivals in the world. In fact a top USA identity commented it was his favourite festival in the world due to the quality and variety of the events including boat cruise, live brews, dinners in breweries, and the Mega Dega. The World Loves Melbourne  enjoyed the degustation as a guest of Good Beer Week.

Virginia Plain was the perfect venue according to Jame Smith the organiser of Good Beer Week, with its location in Flinders Lane, spaciousness, ambience and large kitchen. The larger than life Matt Beyer from Virginia Plain is also a beer guy and has a penchant from big innovative events so here was a perfect match. To enhance the experience each beer and food pairing was followed by the chef and brewer giving diners an insightful synopsis. Rock star brewers and rock star chefs. 

The Mega Dega began in lively style with fun innovative Cavalier Cocktails (margaritas) along with first class Canapes from Virginia Plain. Cavalier is a local brewer who produce an easy drinking craft beer which also raises funds for Motor Neuron Disease. 

Sarti Restaurant in the Melbourne CBD is an inspiring hatted Italian restaurant offering a world of cool and sophisticated cuisine. Sarti brings together a compelling fusion of traditional and contemporary. The World Loves Melbourne attended the unveiling of the Sarti winter menu and Sarti.it and we left on a Sarti Italian high. Sarti has been a Melbourne favourite and an Italian restaurant that rises above the pack. Each dish from Head Chef Paulo was presented with imagination, flair and technique in spades.

Sarti offers a sophisticated ambience with modern artistic pieces such as the one above, with great use of timber, artwork on walls, classic dim lighting, sweeping bar with attractive tiles and funky music. The theme of red that underscores the logo is reflected in the restaurant fit out. Service is professional and engaging but not overpowering.

The  Melbourne International Jazz Festival from May 31 to June 8 is oozing jazz cool with Creative Director Michael Tortoni putting together a line up of 100 events featuring international jazz legends as well as local talent. Melbourne will be pulsating to late night jazz parties, jams, concerts, film screenings, masterclasses, daily free concerts and more. Free spirited improvisation and avant garde fashion is the order of the day.

The Festival brings a sense of occasion and spontaneity to the city. The music is amazing but its about the overall experience. The ambience of a late night jam. Masterful concerts. Fashion.

Jazz had a major impact on fashion in the 1920s and 1930s with its glamorous style. Gatsby inspired everything is now trending with the advent of the film and there's a resurgence of 1920's fashion globally. So we think it's a good excuse to break out in your 1920's flapper hairstyle at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Here are some of our Melbourne breakfast favourites - 

 Top Paddock 

Top Paddock is already one of Melbourne's standout cafes with its spacious modern fit out and extensive imaginative menu. Meeting here in a trendy part of Richmond with my salubrious brother (Melbourne businessman and food critic extraordinaire) we commented that "these people know what they're doing". And they surely do being of the stable of Three Bags Full, APTE and Two Birds One Stone - some of the best cafes in Melbourne. Chatting with one of the owners Nathan Toleman at the restaurant, the team have pulled their experience from the other cafes and have even progressed the cafe concept. 

What I love is that the team have not reproduced their earlier successes but sought to give Top Paddock its own identity. In the early days of Three Bags Full it seemed there were similarities with the menu of stalwart APTE. Which is fine. But here at Top Paddock the menu options are distinctive and even exploring new ground. Kudos.

Baby Pizza is a chic pizza joint in Church St Richmond that excites with its quality cuisine and Italian influences. If you like your pizza and want a decent vibe, then Baby Pizza delivers. But if you also love an Italian cafe then these guys are also a superb cafe. Open from 7am is a serious commitment. And a La Marzocco to boot.

Chris Lucas and the team behind highly successful Chin Chin are in action, and these guys know what they're doing. I arrived here spontaneously after driving past and deciding to duck in. I was warmly greeted at the door and made to feel welcome - then offered a stool at the bar. My first impression was Baby Pizza is chic but also homely. Racy and rustic. Across the bar I could see the chefs in action. Culinary theatre. The restaurant was packed and the noise levels rising with lively conversation.

Baby Pizza has a simple menu with an effort to create an authentic Italian experience. An impressive Melbourne trend is to attract chefs and staff from Italy. Baby Pizza has brought in fine Italian chefs to add to the authenticity.

Acland St Cantina is a place of the fiesta where you can relax and enjoy upmarket surroundings and impressive cuisine. There's a seriousness about authenticity and bringing a fullness to the Mexican expression. The World Loves Melbourne has visited twice and has left full of joy (yes, this is exactly how I felt). Melbourne is a serious destination for quality Mexican food. Having missed the launch party due to prior commitments I was glad to visit when the Cantina was in its full stride. 

Acland St Cantina is a well thought out establishment with the front casual diner section almost as enjoyable as the (more formal but still relaxed) back section. Here you can chill out (from 7am) with an abridged menu with tacos and dips, tacos (even a breakfast taco), hot dogs, quesadillas and other tasty treats. The lunch menu is fast and fresh. We spent a couple of hours here imbibing the ambience and dining casually. What I loved was the ability to take home a bevy of quality Mexican groceries for home consumption. With guests arriving at home I loaded up on several dips and various types of corn chips - so fresh and tasty, even a bit of a kick.

Punk accessories are all the rage from the runway to fashion stores all around the world. At the recent 2013 Met Gala the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City got its punk on. The World Loves Melbourne has punk roots (ex band TV Dinners) and is sensing a punk renaissance. Here in Melbourne we checked out Dangerfield, a Melbourne brand, with its cool punk clutch bags, collars and other accessories. Dangerfield stores are throughout Melbourne and nationwide, including major shopping centres such as Westfield Doncaster, Melbourne Central and Chadstone. Dangerfield started in 1988 in a small store in trendy Greville street, Prahran... Based on a nobody else can, do it yourself attitude.

Check out this chunky collar above... Dangerfield posted a Facebook message recently saying they were staying back in the office until 9pm just to answer any customer questions and give styling advice. Too cool.

Maybe its a sign of Melbourne's culinary sophistication that the city holds an ice cream masterclass. This is no ordinary ice cream joint. For the ice cream lover its the indulgence zenith and for the neutrals you're likely to turn. Heladas Jauja is a serious premium Argentinian ice cream shop that has captured the imagination of Lygon St Carlton and beyond. Heladas Jauja impress with quality ingredients and innovative flavours that change seasonally.

Having been to Argentina, I understand the colour and passion and romance that inspires. Lucy and Pepe and Po-Lin have taken their craft learned in South America to Melbourne. The World Loves Melbourne team of Leeanne and Stacey attended the two hour masterclass only to be schooled by artisans and satiated by premium ice cream from the finest ingredients. The passion of the owners and staff was impressive as they explained the processes of great ice cream making. They store the icecream at exact temperatures to get the textures and flavours right. The processes are exacting with no shortcuts or compromise. No artificial flavouring. No colouring. No premixing.

Here’s a fashion market in Melbourne with a twist.  Embracing Melbourne’s love affair for rummaging through garage sales and suburban markets, the upcoming Walk-in Wardrobe in Prahran takes the experience indoors and adds a charitable aspect.  

All the stallholders at the annual pop up market are donating a chunk of their proceeds to charity.  In this instance, it’s Kiss Goodbye to MS, supporting research and programs for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. 

Now in its fourth year the market, which is held in a hair salon on Greville Street Prahran, has built a devoted following.  Fresh Melbourne-based designers will be showcasing their talent and beautiful wares. With their large social media followings they are sure to spark excitement and attract the crowds. 

Hammer & Tong is one of the new exciting cafe restaurants in Melbourne and has captivated most with chic ambience and an impressive menu. The team is top notch and boasts ex Vue De Monde and Jacques Reymond staff that basically know what they're doing to create a superb dining experience. Set slightly back from Brunswick Street you enter via a graffiti world of Westgarth Street. The entry is understated but once inside it's immediately apparent this place hums. Especially when Johnny Cash is playing over the speakers singing "One Love"... 

A partnership between head chef Simon Ward and manager Dennis Ferreira, Hammer & Tong celebrates casual dining and simple, fresh ingredients. An open bar and kitchen is the heart of the light filled space. Hammer & Tong have reworked the stylish interiors created for former premises The Brix with their own take on vintage-industrial chic.

Hammer & Tong serves up great coffee, which is a welcome start. As I savoured my coffee I admired the vintage pieces around the room including the large old scales and vintage cake display, and reflected on the lyrics of Cash singing "One Love."

Global outdoor wear sensation Icebreaker has launched its first Australian store in Chadstone The Fashion Capital. While the brand has been available at retail stockists this is the first major store in Australia. The World Loves Melbourne attended the launch with Australian fashion community and the CEO of Icebreaker, who inspired us with the Icebreaker story. Icebreaker Merino clothing for the outdoors, technical sports and lifestyle includes underwear, mid layer garments, outerwear, socks and accessories for men, women and children. Icebreaker is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and is sold in more than 3000 stores in 44 countries. 

Icebreaker excites The World Loves Melbourne because it combines functionality and quality (Merino wool products) with fashion. These clothes are actually a clothing system - you start with the base layer and add layers to suit. And the garments are totally fashionable - they cross over from outdoor wear to daily wear. Icebreaker started as a clothing company for outdoor living but has evolved since and is taking the world by storm. People are enjoying the fact that Merino wool is sustainable! And Icebreaker Merino insulates in cold weather, breathes in hot weather, feels soft and non-itchy against the skin, and naturally resists odour. (This writer wears Merino suits and loves the feel compared to other suits).

Rare Earth Hair is a fashionable salon in Prahran that approaches hairdressing with fresh, trained eyes and a listening ear. The World Loves Melbourne was invited by Donna and Soren to experience Rare Earth Hair - in fact David our Editor sports the balding look, so it was Samantha who put up her hand for the treatment. Having worked with a leading French stylist and in leading salons in Sydney and London, Donna the owner brings passion and style to Rare Earth Hair. The rest of the team are also high powered with international experience. Soren, who works for a "Big Four Firm" in the city is on hand on Saturdays and is involved in the running of the salon.

Rare Earth Hair seeks to create individual styles and colours designed to suit your face shape, hair texture and lifestyle. We are impressed with the critical elements of Rare Earth Hair salon - great cuts, engaging staff who consult but also listen, environmentally friendly and quality products, chic relaxing ambience, and the little personal touches such as a beverage bar and massage.

The team at Rare Earth Hair have created a salon space that, when you walk in, sets you immediately at ease (designed to create a relaxing tranquil environment) with comfortable cutting and colour bar chairs, soft lighting, calm music and your choice of beverages from the beverage menu. Pretty cool. Using naturally derived Aveda products, you know you’re doing your hair and mind a world of good (we are a fan of Aveda).

Melbourne is brimming with dining options as one of the world's great culinary cities. But once in a while a change is not such a bad thing. Especially when there's the option to pop down to Tasmania and visit one of the world's great galleries and its French inspired restaurant The Source. MONA, the brainchild of David Walsh, is a sensation and now Tasmania's biggest tourist attraction. A gallery like no other which features themes of sex and death. MONA being the anacronym for The Museum of Old and New Art. It has stirred controversy since its opening in 2011 and some of its exhibits are shocking and provocative.

The World Loves Melbourne was excited to visit The Source restaurant at MONA. This is one of Australia's most spectacular restaurants overlooking the pristine Derwent River.

GG is an elegant restaurant in East Melbourne that appeals with excellent honest cuisine, engaging service and a cool ambience. Lenny Kravitz tiles from New York grace the bar for goodness sake. The owners and staff at GG (name is a reference to a family member of the owner as well as a reference to the MCG nearby) are vastly experienced and bring a customer pleasing and top notch dining experience. Premium dining experiences in East Melbourne are in demand as the East Melbourne "set" includes wealthy apartment dwellers, top surgeons and doctors and other medical staff. Many well heeled business types reside in the area - it demands a certain level of culinary excellence and GG delivers. The World Loves Melbourne attended a media launch of GG.

Brand Smart is re-launching as a fresh premium retail concept in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and The World Loves Melbourne attended the media preview. A favourite over the years Brand Smart has added more strong premium brands and now has 65 traders in fashion, beauty and lifestyle - not to mention big names in dining.

On May 2 Brand Smart will launch a 4 day celebration of attractive store offers. For example Esprit will be offering 75% off in store, JAG 50% off store wide, David Lawrence take a further 30% off already reduced prices, Sass & Bide will be offering 10% off stock store wide and also offer free Kiehl's hand cream with purchase.

BangPop is a brilliant Thai restaurant in South Wharf that recreates the energy and excitement of Bangkok’s hawker stands. A common thread in Melbourne has been the need for authentic Thai. Some establishments serve limp version of Thai dishes that fail to endear. This innovative offering from the brilliant mind of Paul Mathis delivers an authentic taste of Thailand. Like other Mathis inspired restaurants this place is fun.

From the spice-driven menu to the frenetic buzz of the colourful dining room, guests are invited to enjoy a truly immersive experience without having to even think about getting on a plane. I was able to lunch at BangPop 3 days in a row and while I intend to return again soon, here is my review...

Ebi Fine Food is a gem of the West, serving up Japanese delights and arguably Melbourne's best fish and chips. This is what I love about Melbourne - shining jewel restaurants in unassuming locations. The locals are well aware of Ebi and this restaurant boasts a legion of local regulars.  

Ebi Fine Food is a little quirky. Is it purely a Japanese restaurant? Or mainly fish and chips? Methinks a fusion triumph where edges are blurred to bring creativity and optimum flavours. What is certain is that Ebi Fine Food carries a culinary pride. It goes the extra mile for its customers and maintains a passion for fine food. The chef welcomed me to a stool at the bar/open kitchen and we enjoyed a chat about Japan, Footscray and the cooking processes of Ebi. Behind the chef were a myriad of daily specials. And the aromas from the kitchen were compelling. The Sushi plates at Ebi Fine Food (above) are an example of attention to detail and use of quality ingredients.