Dining out
Simon Thomsen
Dining out in Melbourne is a way of life. In Sydney it's a fashion statement. Of course the rival cities still have their "mine's-bigger-than-yours" moments, fretting about who has the most three-hat restaurants. Sydney is better at fine dining - and knows how to charge for it - but that's like worrying about an airline's first-class seats when you're never going to fly at the pointy end. Melbourne meals seem much more relaxed and, in general, affordable.
Melbourne waiters are your best mate instead of better than you and the wine lists are more about drinking than showing off. Three, One, Two is Good Weekend contributor Andrew McConnell's home base. His food is extraordinarily pretty, with a sound understanding of texture and contrast, Stokehouse is blessedly punter-friendly under former Sydney wunderkind Anthony Mussara. Downstairs is more cafe casual, so ask for upstairs where Mussara really struts his stuff in bold, refined and beautifully balanced dishes that draw inspiration from Italy and the southern side of the Mediterranean.
Flower Drum's fixed-price ($55) four-course set menu belies accusations that this is expensive Chinese. Saturday nights at Verge , a savvy inner-city fine diner, is a five-course ($80) kaiseki-style demo of chef Dallas Cuddy's Nobu-inspired Japanese infatuation.
Bars, pubs and clubs
You will never have trouble finding a hip and stylish drinking destination in Melbourne. The city has many hidden jewels down its laneways and alleys. The Deanery, St Jeromes, Madame Brussels and The Toff In Town are just some of the choices. For a little taste of New York there's Comme, and to stare at the stars and city lights take a trip to Transit Lounge. Old faithfuls like the Esplanade in St Kilda and the Corner Hotel in Richmond continue to pump out the live music.
Shopping
Melbourne's the place to be for shopping. World renowned designers contribute to the local and international fashion scene and make the city a hard place to resist if you want to spice up your wardrobe. Boutiques and hot fashion stores can be found in the city's centre and alleys, and feature shopping strips such as Chapel Street in South Yarra, Greville Street in Prahran and St Kilda. Budget conscious shoppers have an increasing choice of outlets and shopping strips such as Bridge Road in Richmond and DFO outlets in Cheltenham, Essendon and Melbourne CBD.
The city and suburbs
Melbourne's CBD is the hub of entertainment options whether it be for restaurants, bars or shopping, with everything within walking distance. Some of the city's finest restaurants such as Rockpool and Bottega are in the city, and funky bars are dotted throughout.
If you would like to venture out further, Melbourne's inner suburbs are full of life. St Kilda, on Melbourne's foreshore, is an intriguing mix of culture, cool and class, with fine and reputable eateries such as the Stokehouse and edgy bars to choose from. Richmond is Melbourne's home of football with the MCG walking distance from bars and pubs such as The Corner hotel which now boasts some of the best urban views with its new rooftop bar. Shoppers can let loose along Bridge Road which is jam packed with outlets, cafes, bars and restaurants.
Melbourne's newest waterfront development, Docklands, boasts a dynamic combination of residential, restaurants, commercial and leisure activities. Visitors and residents are treated to harbour and city views and a choice of 28 restaurants, bars and cafes. The area is being developed and is located to the west of the city.
