Calia has opened in Chadstone bringing a casual and accessible premium curated dining experience to Chadstone Shopping centre. The World Loves Melbourne was invited along to experience the menu, dining with Rita Erlich (Melbourne food identity and author), Morri Behrmann (Oliveria Wholesale and Oliveriamel) and his son Aidan. In summary I felt all the dishes were hits, no misses. In fact it was hard to define the best of the dishes as they all stood out, however the Wagyu Bowl, Smoked Salmon Sashimi and the Matcha Lava Cake were outstanding. Sumptuous but affordable (you don't have to pay big dollars to experience the tasting menu).
Where to go to get outstanding platters at a winery? Fortunately we've visited tons of wineries in Victoria and experienced some great platters. Here are some of our favourites.
Yu Kitchen has already made a huge impact as a Chinese restaurant that respects tradition, but brings a modern twist to dishes for a first class curated experience.
After a wonderful recent Yum Cha experience at Yu Kitchen on the day it opened in Chadstone Shopping Centre, The World Loves Melbourne was invited along to experience dinner at Yu Kitchen. It was a pleasure to dine with Morri Behrmann from Stonebarn Truffles with wife Raya from The Ruby Report, and Alex and Rita Erlich (Melbourne foodie identity and author).
Le Petit Chef the 3D Mapping dining sensation has come to Melbourne and it's fabulous. The people behind Restaurant Lume and Cardigan Place Cellars are hosting this global phenomenon, putting their own interpretation on the experience. The World Loves Melbourne was invited along to experience Le Petit Chef first hand.
Carlton Wine Room has received rave reviews and widespread acclaim since it re-launched. The revamped venue has nailed the brief on quintessential Melbourne with a classy fit out without being ostentatious, and a nod to the local in terms of design and foodie offerings, as part of the Carlton renaissance. The World Loves Melbourne was invited to experience lunch at Carlton Wine Room, and was highly impressed.
Yu Kitchen is a top notch restaurant in the Chadstone Luxury Precinct that takes fine dining at Chadstone to another level. The World Loves Melbourne was invited by Morri Behrmann of Stonebarn Truffles and General Manager, Oliveria to the Grand Launch. Yu Kitchen is a joint venture between The Oriental & Ruyi Group in Malaysia and Calia Collective of Australia. The entire menu is a curated collective of experiences. We also visited Calia which is directly below Yu Kitchen, both venues launching on the same day.
Green Man's Arms is a vegetarian revelation in Carlton and Melbourne's first vegetarian pub. The World Loves Melbourne was invited along with Adam Nichols from leading wine tour comapny Wine Compass to experience the menu and beverages. In recommending vegetarian places to eat in Melbourne Green Man's Arms would be the first on our lips.