This is the 'Go To' place for Western suburbs people, after dinner, the movies, or for a night out…read more Secretly tucked upstairs, many people would not know it was there. It originally started many years ago as a cigar and wine bar, but the non-smoking rules came in to challenge their popularity, but this quality has survived the change and prospered. They have a seriously good wine list, all carefully selected, a small but tasty food menu including tapas and pizza and live music on Saturday nights. The cocktails are top quality and all bar staff, as expected, really know their stuff. The ambiance is warm and inviting with a fireplace and Chesterfield lounges mixed in with some eclectic tables, chairs and stools. This place is simultaneously great for groups, small parties or even a date night. Go before 9pm on a Saturday night if you wish to secure a table as it gets really busy, or just prop yourself up at the bar and mozy on down to the dance floor and bust a few moves..

Now this is the culturally Melbourne site I've been waiting to see! Acqua is a perfect mix of…read morehipster, classy, and casual. My cousin who lives in Melbourne, who was hosting me at the time, took me to this place as he said it was one of his favorite places just to listen to music and hang out. The lounge/bar has a very intimate feel to it, as it's quite dark inside. At the time we went, there was live music, and I am always open to hearing new genres. The place is a large lounge with ample seating for dining, hanging out, and of course just having some good drinks. Maybe this was just me but the drinks did seem to be on the steep side for a place not even in the CBD but more on the edge of it. I'm not sure if it's because I was still adjusting to the price shift or if this place was really pricey.

Ventured to Yarraville on a Sunday arvo to catch an alternate screening at the Sun Theatre, looked…read morefor a quiet place to have a bite to eat and a drink before hand. Now this is actually a hard thing to in Yarraville on a Sunday as it is a hive of activity and nothing is quiet! Had read a few reviews on Barkley Johnson Deli, so that was the choice. BJ is a tiny shop, with an intimate court yard at the rear, which is where we sat. There is a huge array of wines and a beautiful selection of antipasti. As there were four of us, we opted for a bottle of red wine from the specials board and the Antipasto platter to share. The waitresses were very helpful and quick to attend. The wine was delish and the platter abundant with a variety of olives, cured meats, marinated mushrooms, eggplant, capsicum, pesto, dip and bread. Was a lovely quiet place to sit and relax with good wine and great company.

I like to come here for a glass of pinot and peruse their glossy, new issues of The New Yorker…read moreafter a hard day's work. They also whip up a mean cup of joe; very strong, dark, and to the point. A variety of European style snacks are on offer, including a stunning plate of cured meats and Italian style sammies. This tiny place gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights so get there early or come by on a more sedate weeknight. A civilized and sophisticated little spot.

Visiting pubs is cool, but visiting themed bars is even better. I ended up here one day when I was…read morenot working and had just been to the cinema in Brighton, so I was making my way home and decided to visit some places that I hadn't normally visited - and this was one of those places. The name really does suit the place, or more so the place really does fit the name. There are a few rooms about with some lovely, and quite comfortable, chairs. In fact, it is the rooms that really give this place it's charm, including the outdoor area out the back. Okay, it was pretty quiet when I visited, but that also adds to the charm.

I don't know why I allow this quaint little bar slip out of my mind so often when I think of places…read moreto go out for a nice quiet drink with a couple of people or hold a small function. Antique Bar has a beautiful sophistication in the air and fine cocktails, wine and beer in the glasses. The décor will take you back to an age where everyone wore a suite just to go to the corner store. I think I have just talked myself into where I will be going tonight for a couple of quiet drinks.

Picture this, Newport 2012... the best beer hall within city limits?!? Yeah, I was sceptical at…read morefirst, being invited by a friend to sample this untested find. However I was wrong in my miscast aspersions. Sorry friend. This place is a secret that needs to be let out! The Junction Hotel Newport has been reimaged in a major way. The venue now sports a micro beer hall and a separate wine room, both featuring gourmet grazing plates that will leave your taste buds satisfied and wallet full :-). As for the beer hall, there is a lot to distinguish this place from other venues that wear the "indie" beer badge of honour. I like the beer tasting paddle for example. Choose any four beers to sample and have them placed on a wooden paddle for your drinking convenience. $12 is all this will set you back. There is much boutique beer choice here too, from Beechworth to the Mornington Peninsula and far abroad. After food? Well, it is delish Trish! While the mains look great, I tried ordering my way through the smaller dishes, tapas style. Every morsel made for great conversation and admiration. Try the hand cut chips served out of a paper bag, or the grilled Kransky with pickled red cabagge, Polish style. Ribs, deep fried chickpeas etc, etc. Serving sizes are ample. The crowd (until word gets out ;-) ) is the local friendly crew. But be warned, every table was full. Worth a visit and, if your not local, a premeditated excursion! I will be back, the adjacent wine room is next on the list.

The west has a new home of great beer, wine & service. Great beers ( tap = 2 Birds, Bridge Rd,…read moreBoatrocker. Bottle= Trumer Pils, Mt Goat rare breed) The wine bar has a fantastic selection of interesting glasses/bottles. With outstanding service throughout.

This new hidden cocktail bar is already one of my favourites. Entering through a side door down a…read morelaneway, and climbing the stairs, opening the door as if to a house and being greeted so politely. The choice of the cocktail bad, whiskey and cigar room or the rooftop, delights me and caters or all your needs. The cocktails are strong, creative and use spirits and aperitifs in the most unique ways to deliver the most perfect cocktail. There are so many liqueurs, sprints and aperitifs that you wouldn't have even heard of. All the food sounds Devine, and the chocolate truffles are a slice of heaven. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Whilst appearing to be a small premium wine bottle shop, Seddon Wine Store is best experienced as a…read morecasual 'wine by the glass' meeting point. The venue, with seating at high tables of 4, is quiet and intimate which is refreshing after noisy restaurants and bars - conversation flows easily whilst your eyes wander over the wall of fine wine imagining all the possibilities. The knowledgeable advice is also a highlight as staff here really do know their product whether it's Presecco or Piedmont they're quick to offer valuable advice to help you with your selection. A delicious selection of cold tasting plates are also on offer. Cheeses, olives, pates, cold meats and white anchovies are presented skillfully to complement the wine. Give it a try!

It probably says something about the area, but the strip that Seddon Wine Store is located on…read morecontains 4 bottle shops. The others are those chain store everything-but-nothing kind of places with cask wine, a lot of beer and premade shooters. Seddon Wine Store is to alcohol what a gallery is to art. Basically, it's small but thoughtful. They cover a range of price points, but they don't have mainstream over-advertised hangovers in a bottle. The owner, Simon, is often in the store and knows his stuff. He's always available for a chat and to dish some advice but isn't a vino snob. Most pleasantly of all, Seddon Wine Store now has an itty bitty wine bar located inside. Just a few tables, but goodness knows they have a great wine list to choose from, and some fabulous little things to munch on (think wagyu salami and nuts and whatnot). The biggest problem I can think of in fact, is that Seddon Wine Store is located directly between my house and the newsagent.

This is another one of those really cool cafes that I sort of stumbled across as I was wandering…read morearound the place one day. It is sort of one of those places that has taken up residence in an old warehouse, and these places can actually be pretty cool. Well, that is the case with this place, and they also service a pretty decent cup of coffee as well. However, despite it being on a side street, and the middle of the week, this place certainly does attract the crowds.

Really nice brunch place south side in the Gardenvale area. We had an awesome lunch here of bloody…read moreMary's, eggs, smashed avocado, calamari and a breakfast bun. All was really good, service was great, and the space is really nice too. I'd definitely return if looking to meet someone south side for a nice casual breakfast/brunch/lunch.

I'm never going to be happy with $20+ for breakfast. Having said that the food was tasty…read more It was pretty quiet in the restaurant compared to other cafes nearby but it meant fast, attentive service. It's more of a dinner dining experience so the atmosphere for brunch is pretty formal. Having said that it's a nice set up and the all day brekkie menu has a good selection of different types of stuff from pancakes to quinoa to eggs benny and full English. I had wild mushroom ragout with duck egg and my companion had avo with bacon and goats cheese. Both were tasty and nicely presented. It filled the hole. Coffee was good enough to satisfy a snobby Italian Fortunately it's not noisy from the hissing coffee machine and that alone would be worth one extra star at least! Amongst a sea of brunch places it's reasonably priced. No kids so that was a huge bonus! I'd recommend giving The Vault a crack but it's unlikely to become your go to Sunday brunch spot.

We had the cheese board and cocktails. It was super busy and the hostess seemed slightly flustered…read morebut it was a good experience.

Hidden gem - a little off the beaten track but well worth the effort…read more Great selection of wines with full bar available should you need it. Lots of excellent small plates.

Oui Oui! Kirk's is a lovely escape in the centre of Melbourne. If you're longing for your next…read moreEuropean holiday, then a visit here for glasses of wine and shared plates of cheese, charcuterie and other wine-friendly foods, will help tie you over until you purchase that plane fare. Forget the fact that the menus are written in English and the waiters have that Aussie twang, if you squint hard enough you could be on a Parisian street corner watching the world go by as you drink glasses of Chablis. A lovely spot for a date or a catch up with a friend, but probably not the place for a large gathering as seating is minimal. Service is efficient and non-obtrusive. They're happy to load up your table with eats and then drift past when your glass is looking low. There's always some daily specials that are a little more substantial if you want to stick around for dinner, but my pick is to come here for a few nibbles and a glass or two before moving on to another venue.

When we booked, we choose to be seated along the bar table where we could watch Stefan work his…read moremagic pumping out the Charuterie and Cheese, Entrees, Mains and dessert by himself in such a small space. Food was delicious and so satisfying and meals were perfectly timed between each serve. Dat and I shared each meal with each other so we ordered most dishes and can't wait to go again to try what we couldn't fit it. * Entree* Perfectly cooked scallops. Escargot with a mushroom sauce and bread to soak up the sauce. *Mains* Salmon in a puff pastry filled with rice and egg and a lemony white sauce. Special of the Day was Steak with Duck fat potatoes, salad and Pate *Dessert* Vanilla Creme Brûlée Poached Pear with a house made chocolate sauce topped with Vanilla ice cream and Almonds for a nutty Crunch I've never had steak and pate together so this blew my mind, I will never make it without it again. We made a booking online and dinner was prepaid at time of booking. Make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Thanks for being a lovely host Stefan, can't wait to visit you again

We had just finished trawling the bars and restaurants of Footscray when we spontaneously popped in…read morehere for a desert. It was fantastic. As they take reservations we will book for a return visit very soon!