Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - April 24, 2024

Food & Family

Ellie Bouhadana’s debut cookbook draws on family traditions (and her muchhyped focaccia)

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Broadsheet is Australia’s leading independent publisher. Online and in print, we aim to keep you in the loop with the best Melbourne has to offer and enrich your life in the city. We won’t waste your time with anything you don’t need to know about – just the essentials in home & lifestyle, art & design, fashion & style, food & drink, entertainment and travel. Broadsheet also has a presence in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Broadsheet  Founder and publisher: Nick Shelton   General manager: Sian Whitaker  Publications director: Nick Connellan   National editor: Michael Harry   Melbourne food & drink editor: Audrey Payne   Studio and strategy director: Roya Lines   Media partnerships manager: Jessica Kirsopp

Broadsheet  Editor: Jo Walker   Assistant editor: Gitika Garg   Design lead: Ben Siero   Designer: Ella Witchell   Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh, Annie Toller   Writers: Lucy Bell Bird, Lily Davidson, Alice Freer, Sanam Goodman, Ruby Harris, Alice Jeffery, Grace MacKenzie, Quincy Malesovas, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Jenny Valentish, Irene Zhang   Photographers:

Claire Adey, Graham Alderton, Katy Bedford, Lucia Bell-Epstein, Parker Blain, Chris Budgeon, Pablo Diaz, Laura May Grogan, Amy Hemmings, Casey Horsfield, Kaede

James Takamoto, Arianna Leggiero, Samantha Schultz, Anson Smart, Harvard Wang

Cover credits: Ellie Bouhadana, her sister Tahni Bouhadana and their safta, Rachel Mandelbaum, shot by Lucia Bell-Epstein

Broadsheet Media acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to lands, waters and communities.

In this week’s cover feature we meet Ellie Bouhadana, a Melbourne chef whose food reflects her Jewish diaspora roots, her love for Italian comfort food, and her dedication to showing guests a good time. While we suspect her work as head chef at Hope St Radio is a little more hectic, Bouhadana’s approach to dinner parties is gloriously laidback. Let your guests join in the prep work, she advises. And always have a cocktail on hand.

Jo Walker Broadsheet Editor

Melbourne: Level 1, 231 Smith Street Fitzroy 3065, VIC Instagram: @broadsheet_melb Facebook.com/broadsheet.melbourne

Sydney: 258A Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010, NSW

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“There’s a feeling of fullness and warmth that you can only have after a good meal shared with good people.”

Feature: Hope St Radio’s Ellie Bouhadana

Feature: Ellie Bouhadana

Nouns

Guy Bentley of Stan’s Deli got into Nouns DAO – an NFT project that grants owners of its digital assets the power to vote on projects funded by the community – during Covid lockdowns.

In the NFT world, nouns are characters of 32 x 32 pixels generated daily that anyone can buy. Bentley’s involvement in the community began as a hobby and turned into a physical store after he proposed a Melbourne sandwich shop called Nouns Deli and it won a majority vote.

Taking over the former Stan’s Deli shopfront, Nouns pairs a bright pixel art style with a diner-esque fit-out of black and white chequerboard floors and barstool seating.

Head in for the Southern fried chicken burger with cheese, tarragon butter, lettuce, cucumber, pickles and jalapeno mayo. There’s also a Cuban-style grilled pork and smoked ham sandwich; a Chicago-style roast deli beef and provolone hoagie; and a breakfast pork and fennel sausage sanga. — QM

THREE OF A KIND

Kakigori

Korea has bingsu, Italy has granita and in the Philippines it’s halo-halo. Japan’s answer to shaved-ice desserts is kakigori: fluffy, snow-like ice sweetened with flavoured syrups. Traditional toppings include red-bean paste, fresh fruit, ice-cream and condensed milk. Get Tokyo dessert shop Sebastian’s crème brûlée kakigori at its first Melbourne outpost. Kumo serves two flavours: peach and strawberry brûlée. And Fuwa’s speciality has a cheesecake twist. — IZ

Kumo Desserts, Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Fuwa Kakigori, Guildford Lane, Melbourne

Sebastian Kakigori, Queen Street, Melbourne

Fuwa photo: Irene Zhang

Sebastian photo: Harvard Wang

Photo: Pablo Diaz

READ ME IN THE DIARY ADD TO CART

McMullin x Assembly Label Rice Paper Table Lamp

Sydney minimalist favourites Assembly Label and McMullin & Co have teamed up to apply their signature pared-back ethos to a limited-edition Japandi-inspired rice-paper lamp. Measuring 35 centimetres at its widest point and 15 centimetres high, it’s made from Japanese paper and a steel frame. Add it to a bedside table, a bookshelf or any other nook that will benefit from ambient lighting. Its softly diffused glow is the perfect solution for “big light” haters. Pre-order on both brands’ websites or buy in-store at the retailers from early May. — AJ

$249 / mcmullinandco.com / assemblylabel.com

Little People, Big Dreams: Kylie Minogue

If you’ve been to a bookstore in the past decade, you’ll be familiar with Little People, Big Dreams. The brightly hued books chronicle key figures in fashion, sport, science and entertainment. And now our very own Kylie has a dedicated edition. It traces Minogue’s story from her childhood in Melbourne to her stint on Ramsay Street to her days as a Locomotion-doing pop princess. The perfect gift for Kylie fanatics big or small, it’ll have the kids singing Padam Padam in no time. — LBB

$19 99 / murdochbooks.com

Wall to Wall Festival

Walk through large-scale murals by top local and international street artists when the touring Wall to Wall Festival returns to Victoria for the first time since 2019. The immersive outdoor gallery will showcase works by Smug, Adnate, Celeste Mountjoy (aka Filthy Ratbag), George Rose, French artist Zoer and more. On Saturday, the festival is teaming up with Mordialloc food-truck park Urban Ground to throw a family-friendly block party with DJs, market stalls, workshops and studio tours. Free entry. — LD

Apr 26–28 / Mordi Village Arts and Cultural Precinct, Lamana Road, Mordialloc / @walltowallfestival

HOME MAKER

Issac Chatterton

Brisbane-based furniture maker Isaac Chatterton apprenticed under Joshua Vogel, co-founder of high-end American furniture label BDDW. After two years getting paid to learn the art of furniture-making in New York, he brought his learnings back to Brisbane and started his eponymous label. Chatterton’s specialty is handcrafting delightfully chunky chairs from solid American oak. Influenced by Vogel, his creations are more artworks than traditional furniture range. “With my pieces, I just want us all to be kids again and be playful and look at beautiful stuff,” he says. — SG

isaacchatterton.com

Photo: Katy Bedford

SNACK BAR STREET STYLE FOR STARTERS

Thelatestin Melbourne foodnews

By Audrey Payne Whitehorse Road, Deepdene

French bistro Normandy Wine & Grill in Windsor is serving up half-priced steak frites every Tuesday. There are five different cuts of meat to choose between, from minute steak to eye fillet. Plus, all steaks come with fries and a choice of either bearnaise or bordelaise sauce. 162-164 High Street, Windsor / normandywinegrill.com

Glenferrie Gourmet Meats has become one of the hottest food spots in Hawthorn after a Tiktok about its giant chicken nuggets went viral. Enthusiasts praise the nuggets’ golden crunchiness and price point, while butchers have increased production in response, now prepping an estimated 450 kilos a week. 720 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn / @ggm.eat

Sydney chef Mitch Orr – best known for his work at Ace Hotel Sydney’s rooftop restaurant Kiln – plans to reopen the Prince Dining Room by the end of the month. One of Melbourne’s most storied venues, the St Kilda restaurant has previously been home to top-notch chefs including Andrew McConnell, David Moyle and Matt Wilkinson. 2 Acland Street, St Kilda / theprince.com.au

Zero-waste chef Jo Barrett’s Little Picket will close after service on Saturday April 27. The community-minded restaurant at the Lawn Bowls Club in Lorne focuses on seasonal cooking and local produce. 35 Mountjoy Parade Lorne / littlepicket.com.au

Liquid Death, the Martha Stewartendorsed sparkling water brand dubbed “gen Z’s La Croix” by US publication Bon Appétit is now available in Australia. Check the website for local stockists. liquiddeath.com

Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/ snack-bar

Name: Stephanie Leung Age: 39 Occupation: Marketing Tell us about your outfit today. I’ve gone for that autumn look with a lot of knits, so it’s warmer, earthy colour tones. My boots are Roger Vivier, the clothes are from a small boutique shop on Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. I’ve got a sporty watch, Prada bag and hair done by Signature Studio. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I like feminine style but casual and comfortable as well for every day. I’m always on the run so comfort is a big factor when I’m picking my outfits. Accessorising is very important

Deepdene is one of Melbourne’s smallest and most exclusive pockets of suburbia. Just more than 2000 people live in this little ’hood surrounded by the prime inner-east suburbs of Kew, Camberwell, Balwyn and Hawthorn.

Source: Data based on sales within the last 12 months A HIDDEN GEM

4 bed house, $3.081m

Photo: Claire Adey

Photo: Graham Alderton

Photo: Arianna Leggiero

Photo: Kaede James Takamoto

THE INTERVIEW Hannah McElhinney Teaches Rainbow History

Words by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen

Photo by Casey Horsfield

With her project Rainbow History Class, Hannah McElhinney has worn many hats: social media producer, writer, author, performer – and now, podcast host.

Since 2021, the Melbourne-based creative has been educating hundreds of thousands of followers about lesser-known parts of queer history. Alongside co-creator Rudy Jean Rigg, McElhinney has canvassed a broad and colourful range of topics: from ancient Greek armies comprising only pairs of male lovers, to secret queer languages, to why lesbians and carabiners go hand in hand.

“I was not taught any queer history at school, and I started looking into it for personal interest,” McElhinney tells Broadsheet. “I found out that there was so much cool stuff that the community had created – everything from language, art, fashion, culture, activism … If I’d had access to learning about them, maybe I might have come out sooner, and that experience might have been more joyful.”

McElhinney and Rigg started posting on Tiktok around the time the app exploded in the lockdown years. Their one-minute explainer videos quickly attracted a following across the globe. Then came a book, released in 2023, and live appearances, including a TEDx talk and a show at Sydney World Pride.

Rainbow History Class, the podcast, released its first episode in February. Making a podcast was always part of the plan, McElhinney says, but the timing hadn’t been right – until now. “The growing conservative swing means that the landscape has changed for LGBTQI+ people as a collective, and we wanted to evolve with that … doing longer-form things and going a bit deeper.”

So far, the show has covered topics such as cryptids, Taylor Swift, and the early 2000s Russian girl band tATu. It’s about linking the headlines of today to their historical roots – and sometimes getting a little petty satisfaction. “JK Rowling told somebody who said that trans people were persecuted during the Holocaust to check their sources,

so we did an episode on that because she was asking for it. We were able to be like, ‘Cool. Here is the entire history of that, JK Rowling,’” McElhinney deadpans.

Researching for Rainbow History Class, she has often had to find her own way – queer people have largely been left out of the history books, been written about by non-queer historians, or had their identities erased – even within the community. “In the current climate of Instagram, where we’re ‘yassifying’ people in the past, we can lose a lot of nuance on who they were.”

McElhinney points to Marsha P Johnson as an example. “She’s been posthumously made the face of the whole queer rights movement, and she was an important part of it … But what really gets left out of her story is the fact that she was also disabled, because that’s just not what people focus on.”

By including such details, Rainbow History Class aims to present a more accurate and intersectional version of events. Moving away from a colonial lens is also important – McElhinney consults with people from all around the world, from academics to fans of the project, to gather different perspectives. There are also what she calls “informants” –people who live in countries where being out isn’t safe, but who will tip her off on interesting stories or facts.

The future seems bright for Rainbow History Class in all its forms. Growing the podcast is the focus for now, but McElhinney hopes to travel the world to meet more listeners and hear their stories. “We’d love to go to the US, because a lot of our audience are in the more conservative states,” she says. “The internet is a way to access this queer history, but we’d love to take it over there.”

Download and listen to Rainbow History Class on your favourite podcast platform. New episodes drop weekly.

Five Chic Bedheads Made for Stylish Snoozing

By Alice Freer

LIVING BY DESIGN MALAND RATTAN BEDHEAD –FROM $549 The Maland Rattan bedhead is a part of Living By Design’s mid-20th century Safari-inspired collection. Featuring a simple yet sophisticated ’70s-inspired rattan backrest, it’s complemented by a teak frame that can be finished in black, white or natural. Available in king and queen sizes. livingdesign.net.au

MCM HOUSE ELIO BEDHEAD – FROM $980 Sydney furniture brand MCM House’s Elio bedhead combines pillowy softness with a sturdy hardwood frame. Made of polyester and viscose, it features a removable velcro cover, making it easier to clean. Designed to fit a standard queen or king-size mattress, this piece will bring resort vibes to your bedroom. mcmhouse.com

Put your wellbeing first

Whether you’re looking to stay active, challenge your mind or connect with like-minded neighbours, there are all kinds of ways to thrive.

Indulge in luxury living and prioritise your wellbeing to elevate your retirement lifestyle.

New wellness centre coming soon.

Menzies Malvern | 1306 High Street, Malvern

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MCMULLIN & CO LINEA BEDHEAD – FROM $1399

Furniture label McMullin & Co’s Linea design features a hand-crafted steel frame inspired by traditional metal bedheads. Abstract and organic shapes offer a contemporary twist. Available in king and queen sizes, its soft, stylish curves balance exuberance with elegance. mcmullinandco.com

HEATHERLY DESIGN AMANTI BEDHEAD – FROM $2100 Inspired by a hug, the Amanti silhouette – by bedding experts Heatherly Design – features a curved wingback with sculptural lines that fold into the bed base and mattress. Customise your design with various colours and fabrics to choose from including bouclé, linen and velvet. heatherlydesign.com.au

SAARDE SANCTUARY LINEN BEDHEAD – FROM $1350

Sydney-based label Saarde’s Sanctuary bedhead comes with a removable linen slipcover. Pick between charcoal, guava, ivory, nutmeg, oatmeal and olive colourways. Purchase slipcovers individually if you wish to change colours with the seasons – a great way to refresh your bedroom time and time again. saarde.com

Get a sneak peek of the lifestyle you could enjoy at our free Open Home event. Explore our community, inspect our display villas, discover our social activities, chat with our �������������������������������������������������������������

Artist’s Impression

HOME OF THE WEEK

A stunner with hidden charms

Words by Joanne Brookfield

From children entering the magical world of Narnia via a wardrobe to Indiana Jones and his father finding themselves bound to chairs on the hearth of a revolving fireplace, to Harry Potter and students at Hogwarts finding the entry to a dorm behind an oil painting, secret rooms have long held the imagination of authors and screenwriters.

The idea was also employed when Geraldine Maher conceived the renovation and extension of this c1912 Edwardian house in 2012. Referring to the project on Maher Design’s website as Secret Cellar House, the interior designer converted a previously disused cavity below the stairs into a concealed wine “cellar” and tasting room.

What appears to be a panelled white wall in the open-plan living and dining room is, in fact, a 3.6-metre wide door, which, when slid open, reveals exposed brick walls, rich timber cabinetry and gold English Tap Company tapware on the sink.

There are ample storage racks for bottles, angled shelves to display the prized drops, a wine fridge and space for stemware to really impress dinner-party guests.

The rest of Maher’s work – which, in a significant internal transformation, involved retaining the original footprint while opening up the rear of the house to additional light and the established garden – is a blend of luxury, functionality and style.

Located in the prized Grace Park Estate, with a double garage accessed from Eric Street, this generous, double-level family home, just like the secret room within, isn’t visible at first glance from the street. It’s concealed by a high fence and a magnificent 100-year-old English elm.

Inside, the accommodation is split over both levels. On the ground floor, two bedrooms share a large en suite, while there’s also a laundry, powder room, library and formal living room, in addition to the large open-plan kitchen, dining and family zone.

The kitchen features Carrara marble benches, a Wolf oven, two dishwashers and a walk-in pantry, and has bifold windows that transform the kitchen bench into part of the outdoor entertaining area.

Here, a bluestone paved terrace sits under a pergola and has space for seating along the

breakfast bar, 12-seat dining table and additional casual seating.

It all comes with a view of the north-facing heated pool, which is flanked by lush green walls, adding to the aesthetic appeal.

Upstairs are another two spacious bedrooms plus a room that could be a fifth bedroom or home office. The property also features an expansive retreat area, bathroom, powder room and storeroom.

As a bonus, there is also a separate studio with its own bathroom, ideal for use as a gym.

Hawthorn

3 Linda Crescent $8.2 million-$9 million

5 3 2

Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, May 7

Agent: Marshall White, Chris Barrett 0412 927 409

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Hawthorn

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“One of the original Grace Park Estate homes that has been transformed into a stunning family home. Houses of this calibre, in this location with the favoured northern orientation on 1150 square metres of land, are highly sought after and rarely found.”

NEED TO KNOW

The property last changed hands more than two decades ago for $1.725 million in 2003. Today, the median price for a five-bedroom home in Hawthorn is $5.503 million.

RECENT SALES

$5.78 million

63 Linda Crescent, June 2022

$5.355 million

55 Linda Crescent, June 2021

$6.4 million

43 Linda Crescent, September 2018

Chris Barrett Marshall White

EMPOWERED WOMEN

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF INSPIRING LONG-LASTING LEGACIES.

JOIN US AS WE HONOR OUR HERITAGE,

CELEBRATE OUR PRESENT AND CONTINUE TO SHAPE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

DISCOVER MORE AT TOORAKCOLLEGE.VIC.EDU.AU/150

FEATURE

TAKE A SEAT AT ELLIE’S TABLE

Words by Alice Jefery · Photos by Lucia Bell-Epstein

Ellie Bouhadana’s debut cookbook documents the chef’s Mediterranean approach to cooking, exploring her Jewish heritage and sharing a love for hosting. And yes, it includes her famous focaccia.

Ellie Bouhadana is a generous host. But not because she wants to show off. The self-taught chef is simply inspired by the intimacy that sharing a meal creates. “I like to get people involved. I think it creates a real warmth that sets up the meal.”

Her love for gathering around a table with good food and great people stems from Friday-night Shabbat dinners growing up. “It’d be something I’d look forward to at the end of school on a Friday, getting home and my mum and grandmother cooking. My aunties would come over and help and we’d be in charge of setting the table,” Bouhadana tells Broadsheet. “As I got older and had my own space, I still wanted to curate that energy.”

You might know Bouhadana from her current tenure as head chef at Hope St Radio in Collingwood Yards. Her pillowy piles of focaccia and handmade pasta have become synonymous with the restaurant’s relaxed Mediterranean vibes.

But Bouhadana first rose to (Instagram) fame documenting luscious spreads on her account @ellies.table, offering Doorstep Deliveries during Melbourne’s lockdowns and hosting pop-up dinners on the street outside her house.

Bouhadana’s soon-to-be released cookbook Ellie’s Table: Food From Memory and Food From Home is filled with dinner party-ready recipes. The book is broken down by plate type: cold, snacking, big, vegetable, pasta and sweet. There’s a whole chapter on bread and butter, including four pages on glossy mountains of whipped butter and field notes on perfecting her famous focaccia.

An outro on fridge and pantry staples – what Bouhadana refers to as the heartbeat of the kitchen – as well as how-tos for homemade labneh, pickles and stocks, reflects her belief that flavour is everywhere, you just have to know how to use it.

Bouhadana’s key to being the host with the most is actually to do less. “You don’t need to have a million dishes to make a meal exciting. I like to focus on a ‘main event’, something that feels really abundant.” A roast chicken slathered in anchovy butter or a whole sea bream with crispy skin are two of her favourite centrepieces. “A good drink needs

to be part of the meal too,” she enthuses. A Martini is her cocktail of choice.

The book outlines “cute ways to start a meal”. Small snacky plates that are produce-driven and don’t take much to come together are key – a plate of crisp crudité (whatever is in season) with a zingy dressing or salty fish, tinned or otherwise. The most aesthetic version of “girl dinner”, if you please.

With a mixed Jewish background (Ashkenazi on one side and North African on the other), food has always been a fixture in Bouhadana’s life. Lessons and recipes from her safta (grandmother), mum and aunty are peppered throughout the book. But writing things down doesn’t necessarily come naturally.

“I keep a lot in my head and my heart. So it was very much learning to write everything down and take spoons and measure things out properly and weigh things out. That’s not how I cook. I cook a lot more based on intuition and the taste of things for my own palate,” she says.

This sixth sense is part of Bouhadana’s magic. Her food is approachable and homely but never boring. “I never trained as a chef at school, but through working in restaurants. That’s how I learned the pace of the kitchen.” And she doesn’t want food to be intimidating. “I want people to feel it themselves. I hope I can make people more excited to cook, knowing that they can play with it a bit.”

A trip to Rome was a key part of the book coming together: spending time in local markets, chatting with vendors about produce, gathering stories and soaking in the energy of the city.

“When I look for a cookbook I love to feel like I’m being taken to that place. But I didn’t want things to be too curated. I wanted to create things in the moment and for people to feel like they were there [in Rome]. It felt like the right place to explore carbohydrates and fresh produce.”

The parts of the book that weren’t shot in Rome by photographer and friend Lucia Bell-Epstein came together at home in Melbourne in Bouhadana’s kitchen, with her friends and family. The result is somewhere between an intimate visual diary and an editorial fashion shoot – a happy medium that suits the chef’s personal aesthetic.

You might have spotted Bouhadana in a crisp white button-up from local brand E Nolan in the kitchen at Hope St Radio. “I like to feel nice in the kitchen, that’s why I wear a version of chef’s whites,” she says. At home, this uniform is often translated into sleepwear-as-daywear from Finnish brand Tekla. “I like to match comfy shirts and shorts with a pair of high boots to dress them up. But I also love a good pair of jeans.”

Bouhadana prefers quiet when she cooks at home. “I’m around so much noise in the restaurant that sometimes it’s nice to have a moment of silence when I’m just chopping and prepping,” she says. Once guests arrive, she’ll switch on a playlist curated by her and her sister, Tahni. But otherwise it’s just the sound of excited conversation that fills the space.

One thing Bouhadana hopes people make from the book is a recipe titled, “My aunty’s couscous with vegetables, chickpeas and vegetable broth”.

“I think it could almost be skipped over by certain eyes. I would love people to read through the recipe and understand that my family would make couscous by hand. My grandmother would do it once a week – she’d get semolina grain and roll between her palms and steam it herself.”

The dish is all about vegetables being caramelised in their own juices and served with a hearty broth. “It’s a really nice way to eat a vegetarian meal with a lot of depth.” It should be prepared slowly and eaten slower, she advises.

There’s almost always a story to match the recipes in Bouhadana’s life. She believes that you should always bring yourself to what you’re cooking. And things don’t have to be perfect. “My family has always moved together through food. There’s a feeling of fullness and warmth that you can only have after a good meal shared with good people.”

Ellie’s Table by Ellie Bouhadana is published by Hardie Grant Books. Available in stores nationally from May 1. Join Broadsheet Access and Ellie Bouhadana for an exclusive event coming up soon. For more details, including how to become a member, head to broadsheet.com.au/join

ELLIE BOUHADANA’S DINNER PARTY CHEAT SHEET:

1. PREP IS THE FIRST STEP

“Write out a menu that makes sense to the night and stay in that lane. I like to keep things simple and make one dish that feels exciting and dramatic.”

2. GET GUESTS INVOLVED

“I’m always still cooking a little bit when people come over. I think it helps people feel relaxed and like part of the meal. Sometimes they might help too or just pour themselves a glass of wine and watch.”

3. TAKE A DEEP BREATH

“Try not to get too stressed. If you’re stressed, people will feel it and it can ruin the meal.”

4. PRODUCE MATTERS

“I like to get challah bread and baked goods from Zelda Bakery. Prahran Market is a good one-stop shop for produce – there’s a really great fishmonger. And if you’re looking for chicken stock powder or matzo meal, Kraus Foods is a good kosher shop.”

5. DELEGATE DESSERT

“If I don’t have time to make dessert but I want something exciting for the table I get a chocolate kooglhoupf from Monarch Cakes in St Kilda.”

6. SET THE MOOD

“Romantic lighting and good conversation are so important to a great night.”

LIKE A LOCAL

Elsternwick

By Ruby Harris

Big on heritage and creativity, Elsternwick is home to film festivals, cultural institutions and – as the suburb where it all started for Ceramiques studios – the joy of hands-on making. Plus there are plenty of cafes, bakeries and shops to keep locals and visitors fed and entertained.

The beating heart of Elsternwick is Glenhuntly Road. The strip between Nepean Highway and Kooyong Road has it all, with surrounding side streets housing hidden gems and Victorian-era terraces.

Start on Riddell Parade at To Be Frank, the southside outpost of the beloved Collingwood bakery. Sweet pastries and substantial options abound, as does coffee. Grab a seat outside or take it to-go while you explore the suburb on foot.

If you’re hosting guests, stop by Aviv Cakes and Bagels. The newly relocated bakery is home to one of the city’s best babkas, as well as top quality bagels and more. You’re also not too far away from Glen Eira Road’s Little Sister Elsternwick –an ideal spot for Middle Eastern-style loaves and pita pockets.

But back on Glenhuntly Road, it’s time to make a stop at Classic Cinemas. Located just off the main drag on Gordon Street, the independent cinema is also Victoria’s longestoperating one, playing host to independent Australian and foreign films as well as new blockbusters. It’s also home to different film festivals throughout the year, including the much-loved Jewish International Film Festival. Keep an eye on the Classic website for details on upcoming events.

Just down the road is the newly re-opened Holocaust Museum. Originally founded by Holocaust survivors in 1984, the museum is home to both temporary and permanent exhibitions with the aim of educating visitors about Jewish life in Poland before, during and after WWII. It’s a cultural institution in the area, and well worth making a visit.

When it comes to dinner time, there are plenty of options. Hanoi Hannah, Paradai Thai and 48H all have Elsternwick outposts. Or try Copycat – a darkly lit, moody bar offering cocktails and elevated share plates. Its location next to the cinema makes it an ideal spot for a post-movie debrief.

Once a hidden gem, Elsternwick has transformed into a vibrant, culturally diverse neighbourhood. With bustling shops, cafes, and restaurants, it’s become a sought-after destination –welcoming families, pets and all with open arms.

Average Age 38

Median Weekly income $2,209

Clockwise from top: To Be Frank, photo Amy Hemmings. Hanoi Hannah plate and Hanoi Hannah interior, photos Samantha Schultz. Little Sister focaccia rolls, photo Laura May Grogan

WHAT THE AGENT SAYS

“Elsternwick residents appreciate a vibrant tapestry of cultures, elite schools, great parklands, a bustling and charming village atmosphere, and diverse heritage streetscapes.”

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES

Median price houses $1.11m

Median weekly rent $540

Distance from CBD 9km

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Elsternwick

Clockwise from top: Classic Cinemas, photo Amy Hemmings. Copycat, photo courtesy venue / Parker Blain, Glenhuntly Road and Aviv Cakes and Bagels, photos Amy Hemmings

Bill Stavrakis Biggin Scott

Date Night With the Breakout Stars of Heartbreak High

Words by Jenny Valentish · Photos by Chris Budgeon · Hair and make-up by Dana Leviston

As a microcosm of sex and dating in 2024, Heartbreak High is teeming with life. Nobody stays closeted or curious for long on this campus, and being sexually extra is celebrated.

In 2022, season one of the Netflix ’90s reboot became a global hit. Since then, battle lines have been drawn at the fictional Hartley High between the woke, the sex-positive and the incels. How can hotness possibly penetrate this pile-on?

Here’s how. Since the dawn of time, pop songs have declared variations of “If something feels so right, how can it be wrong?” and it’s that illicit thrill that sees hitherto hostile characters Spencer “Spider” White and Missy Beckett circling each other with sudden interest.

“The forbidden love aspect of it makes it more heightened,” reckons Sherry-Lee Watson, following a few hectic hours of throwing popcorn at Broadsheet’s photographer with co-star Bryn Chapman Parish.

As Missy, she’s the queer queen of the scathing putdown. In season one, she was in a relationship with Sasha, but in season two she and Spider flirt with power dynamics.

Spider has transcended his mayonnaise-douchebag status of season one. Now he’s leading the school’s men’s rights group – guided by the unsteady hand of physical ed teacher Voss (played with relish by Angus Sampson). Voss thinks young males are experiencing a crisis of confidence and wants to awaken Hartley High to the perils of the Woke Agenda.

But is Spider really just an incel in Fred Perry? A deeper understanding of the disaffected male psyche was required, so Chapman Parish spent time in the darker corners of Reddit in preparation, also reading Clementine Ford’s Boys Will Be Boys and watching his mate Aleks Hammo’s Youtube video interviewing Jordan Peterson fans.

“This is a scary time for young men who are already vulnerable to be led astray by Andrew Tate figures. It’s very easy to be radicalised quickly,” Chapman Parish says, in sympathy with his character’s struggles.

It says something about flirtation in 2024 that Spider and Missy’s love language is trolling, but there are also unexpected layers to their deepening relationship. The production had two intimacy coordinators, but the actors, having attended drama school in the wake of #MeToo, were already literate in the language of consent. As a First Nations woman, Watson was determined to set a precedent with the sex scenes.

“The writers really took my suggestions on hand in terms

of how we would film a lot of the intimate scenes,” she says, “because this is really the first time [many] people are seeing a young Aboriginal girl have sex consensually and pleasurably onscreen, so I wanted to make sure that was done respectfully.”

In season one, the students were subjected to “sexual literacy tutorials” that continue in season two. Teacher JoJo Obah (played by Chika Ikogwe), ever big on sex positivity, advises the year 11s to just keep their faces out of any nude pics. Get arty, basically.

“It’s crazy how that’s changed even over the last four or five years,” says Watson. “When I was in high school, it was still quite a big thing that you don’t send nudes to people. I graduated in 2016, so – what – seven or eight years later, everyone’s like, ‘Oh yeah, I send nudes – I keep them in my iCloud folder. Just don’t keep your face in it.’”

In real life, the actors maintain a dignified digital presence. Chapman Parish says he can barely handle social media, so has never had a Tinder date. “It’s just another highlight reel,” he bemoans. “It’s not like the dynamics are starting in a great place.”

Even so, he can relate to a lot of the goings-on at Hartley High. Unlike Watson, who went to a boarding school where dating was kept under wraps, Chapman Parish went to a performing arts co-ed.

“It was pretty loose,” he says, “and I know for a fact that the graveyard party in the first season is based on parties that we would have at a graveyard close to our school. But also, it was a pretty amazing school because I was introduced to the concept of non-binary and trans people in year eight or nine. People were sexually fluid throughout the cohort, and it was very accepted.”

While that personal freedom and safety certainly isn’t true of most high schools, shows like Heartbreak High are at least flying the flag. All of the flags.

Having been slightly weirded out that he won an AACTA Audience Choice Award for his problematic character, Chapman Parish is pleased that in season two Spider has a reckoning of sorts.

“As an actor, sometimes I can feel guilty about a profession where some would say you’re not contributing to society, but hopefully this is impacting the next generation about the proper ways to go about relationships and sexual situations,” he says. “I think these conversations around consent that teens are watching now are really socially beneficial.”

Sun Ranch Is a Slice of Cali-Cool Just Outside Byron Bay

By Grace MacKenzie

As you turn onto the dirt drive, a “Sun Ranch” sign emerges on tall timber posts. At check in, a complimentary salt-rimmed Margarita is bestowed upon you, with an invitation to linger in The Lair – where a sunken velvet lounge circles a sculpted fireplace – or continue to your abode.

Welcome to Sun Ranch, the “hotel of good times” on 55 hilly acres in Bangalow, the lush hinterland locale 15 minutes out of Byron Bay. With an eclectic clutch of rooms, a shimmering 25-metre basalt pool, horse riding, yoga, and hot muffins every morning, it’s one of the coolest stays in the country.

The luxe lodging has a range of reference points – including 1970s California, a ranch in Montana, a motel in Ojai and a high-end brutalist hotel

in Oaxaca – and arrives courtesy of long-time friends: hotelier Julia Ashwood (of The Vista) and former creative director and founder of One Teaspoon Jamie Blakey.

Five spacious adults-only guest rooms adjoin the main lodge – the Rambler Long House – four of which back onto a private pool. The Pool Club slices into the slope above, while a lawn, a grassy badminton court and an elevated outdoor dining space roll into each other. Six two-bedroom barns crest the nearby hill. One-off vintage pieces fill the spaces, each hand-chosen by Blakey and Ashwood from sourcing trips through California, Mexico and beyond.

“A really good hotel is more than a hotel,” Ashwood tells Broadsheet. “It’s a destination that allows

you to leave your baggage at the door and fill your soul with the good stuff.”

That good stuff includes the 7am “Good Morning, Hot Muffin!” doorstep service and a bountiful breakfast. Then it’s sauntering to yoga, followed by The Pool Club, where straw-fringed umbrellas offer shade across brushed concrete steps. Or congregating in The Field House, the al fresco communal dining area with an open Argentinian firepit and a kitchen garden.

You can hightail it to the floating cedar-lined sauna, a woodfired beauty with room for 10 and a stellar view – or you can take a trot. Zephyr Horses are stabled on-site, and trail rides can be booked ahead of time – just like in-room massages, cacao ceremonies, sound healings and star-chart readings.

Photo courtesy of Sun Ranch/Anson Smart

LUXURY

Words by Maria Harris & Shae Wiedermann

Brighton East

4 Mayrose Crescent

$2.85 million-$3.135 million

5 3 3

Contact agent

Agent: Hush, James Paynter 0418 390 133

“Deluxe yet homely” describes the feel of this rendered-brick dwelling. A marble fireplace in the dining room, a two-person spa bath and a double shower in the main bedroom’s en suite, and crystal chandeliers comprise the luxury elements. Three of the bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, while two offer the flexibility of a becoming a study or additional living area. The backyard is an entertainer’s paradise: pool, sauna, deck (with dressing room and outdoor shower) and bar.

Toorak

64 Heyington Place

$4.7 million-$5.1 million

6 4 3

Expressions of interest: Close noon, May 7

Agent: Abercrombys, Tim Derham 0438 332 844

Toorak homes have a reputation for being grand and luxurious, and this house lives up to that. Six bedrooms – three downstairs and three up – all have adequate wardrobe space and two have en suites with spa baths. A glorious kitchen connects to a meals area, which then joins onto a bar and formal dining space, so entertaining is made easy. What sets this abode apart is its location – it’s close to Toorak Village and has views of the Yarra River.

Elwood

58 Ruskin Street

$3 million-$3.3 million

4 2 2

Auction: 11am, April 27

Agent: Chisholm & Gamon, Sam Gamon 0425 702 574

A classy renovation has transformed this semi-detached Edwardian house into a luxurious double-storey haven made for year-round entertaining. The interiors are underpinned by timber and polished concrete floors, with an exposed brick wall contrasting with the other finishes. The gourmet Mieleequipped kitchen and island bench overlook the dining zone, while four bedrooms include the main with en suite downstairs and two more bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.

Brighton

111 Were Street

$4.8 million-$5.25 million

4 3 5

Private sale

Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982

Three floors combine to make this the ideal house in a prime location near Brighton Beach and its station. The abode by Megowan Architectural is newly built and has modern features, including a lift, a garage turntable and an integrated barbecue next to the pool. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe (with a glass ceiling) and an en suite with a skylit twin shower and a bath. A butler’s pantry, tiled gym/theatre room, study and downstairs guest bedroom add to the appeal.

OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Words by Kay Keighery, Maria Harris & Richard Cornish

LAST WEEKEND

Clearance Rate of 63%*

Source: Domain Group

WHAT OUR EXPERT SAYS

Dr

Nicola Powell

Chief of research & economics

“Melbourne house and unit rents reached new records after a reacceleration of rental growth in Q1 2024. While rental conditions tend to show seasonal strength, the supplydemand imbalance is still placing pressure on rents.”

Source: Domain Rent Report, March quarter 2024

Hawthorn East

1/68 Campbell Road

$1.65 million-$1.8 million

3

Auction: 11.30 am, April 27

Richmond

37 Lyndhurst Street

$1.75 million-$1.9 million

2 2 1

Auction: 10am, April 27

Agent: Jellis Craig, Elliot Gill 0411 863 603

Authentic warehouse vibes ensure this pad is special. Sprung from malthouse beginnings, the tri-level abode boasts a garage (with laundry), a roomy open-plan living area and two bedrooms, including a dreamy main with luxe en suite. The ivy-draped facade establishes an admirable street presence. Exposed brick walls, peaked ceilings and a skylit study cement the internal charms, while proximity to trams, shops and restaurants complements the cool lifestyle on offer.

St Kilda West

186 Canterbury Road

$2.1 million-$2.3 million

4 1

Auction: 10.30am, April 27

Elsternwick

2 Gough Street

$2.8 million-$3.08 million

4 2 2

Auction: Noon, May 4

$3.06 million

Balwyn

18 Cremorne Street

Sold by Jellis Craig* HIGHEST

*As reported on April 13, 2024

Agent: Marshall White, Chris Barrett 0412 927 409

This 1970s home, moments from Camberwell Junction, trams and a host of amenities, is an absolute treat. Designed to maximise natural light, its signature features include limewashed timber ceilings, exposed beams, bagged brick walls and a north-facing courtyard garden. A lift and stairs connect the ground floor, with its kitchen, meals, living and family rooms, to the first-floor bedrooms.

Agent: Marshall White, Ben Manolitsas 0400 201 626

This charming double-fronted Edwardian home looks out over the green expanse of Albert Park. It blends historic features, like leadlight windows and Baltic pine flooring, with a sleek, modern kitchen that links to a warm, bright living area. Through French doors is a spacious red-brick-paved courtyard with access to the rear lane. It is directly across the road from the number 96 tram.

Agent: BigginScott, Bill Stavrakis 0418 327 622

Set in a quiet, sought-after pocket of Elsternwick, this two-storey property has two bedrooms on each floor, the main with a spacious en suite. The lounge and dining room are framed by bay windows and warmed by an open fire, while the kitchen is recently renovated. Outside is a garden courtyard with a water feature, and a separate billiard room and bar with an al fresco dining area.

Hampton East

1/19 Roydon Street

$1.1 million-$1.15 million

3 1 2

Auction: 10.30am, April 27

Agent: Buxton, Leigh Fletcher 0419 367 228

With decks to the front and rear, al fresco time gets high priority here. The singlelevel home has three bedrooms (with builtin wardrobes), a bathroom (with a shower over a bath), a lounge (with fireplace) and a kitchen-dining-family area. A walled space in the garage serves as a home office.

Carnegie 23 Belsize Avenue

$1.2 million-$1.3 million

3 1

Auction: 11.30 am, April 27

Agent: Gary Peer, Marc Wynn 0416 052 265

This home celebrates its period origins with lofty ceilings, leadlight windows and open fireplaces while also delivering a very comfortable contemporary environment. The living area opens to the deck and garden, which includes a cute cubby house. From here, you can walk to Koornang Road shops and cafes.

Port Melbourne

3/141 Albert Street

$1.375 million-$1.45 million

3

Auction: 12.30pm, April 27

Agent: Marshall White, Justin Holod 0411 669 161

A roof terrace with city views provides a panoramic plus for this orderly townhouse. There’s a study nook in the lounge area, while the kitchen and dining area opens broadly to a decked courtyard with timber seating and a barbecue. Stroll out to parkland, the light rail and the beach.

Impressively situated on a highly-prized 711m2 allotment (approx.), this weatherboard charmer presents outstanding possibilities in a standout, blue-chip Balwyn pocket!

Wrapped in leafy garden surroundings, a picture-perfect façade reveals a character-filled interior that combines three bedrooms and three living areas with exciting prospects.

Central to esteemed secondary and primary schools, and the offerings of Greythorn and Belmore Village’s, it’s just minutes from Koonung Creek bike trail and pubic transport.

Eltham | Greensborough | Diamond Creek | Doreen morrisonkleeman.com.au

A

Auction Saturday 27th April at 12:00pm

ESR ESR: $1,600,000 - $1,760,000

Inspect Saturday 11:30am - 12pm

Contact Alvy Buffon 0412 674 461

Office 03 9431 2444

Web www.morrisonkleeman.com.au

Hover your camera over the code to view live listings on domain.com.au

195 Walsh Street, South Yarra

Wayne Gillespie Excellence with Pool and Separate Apartment a b c d e

16 Devorgilla Avenue, Toorak Executors’ Auction Saturday 4th May at 11:00am a b c

Elite Luxury with Tennis Court and Pool

11 Cloverdale Avenue, Toorak

4 4 6 1690 approx.

Express�ons of Interest

Close 14 May 3.00pm

Magn�f�cently pos�t�oned w�th�n 1690sqm approx. w�th tenn�s court, pool and 2nd frontage on Verdant Ave, th�s beaut�ful 4-bedroom/4-ensu�te res�dence has been sumptuously refurb�shed throughout w�th soph�st�cated des�gner f�n�shes to del�ver an unprecedented level of opulence.

Open for Inspect�on

Wednesday 12.00pm-12.30pm

Saturday 2.00pm-2.30pm

N�cole French 0417 571 505

Marcus Ch�m�nello 0411 411 271

Mandy Zhu 0411 893 168

Your Private Garden Sanctuary

G04, 2 Bruce St, TOORAK VIC 3142

Introducing G04/2 Bruce Street, Toorak – an exclusive 3BR garden apartment designed by renowned architect Jolson and landscape designer Paul Bangay. Experience unparalleled luxury, blending spatial mastery with timeless decor. Private basement garage, a dedicated concierge service all in an unrepeatable Toorak location. The meticulously designed courtyard offers privacy, exclusive to this residence. Welcome to a lifestyle of distinction at Como Toorak, where luxury knows no bounds.