Safety Beach Dromana McCrae Martha Cove

SAFETY BEACH DROMANA

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Life is unhurried in this part of the world, where the yachts sail into the bay to play while leatherjackets and fiddler rays gather in the shadows of Dromana Pier. Generations of Europeans congregate here and have done for years, for this is family-friendly country where anglers carry their rods and sit and wait while the sun comes up over the water.

The Safety Beach, Dromana, McCrae and Martha Cove lifestyle is free and easy; just like being on holiday every day of the year with the added benefit of living where the beat hits the street. The everexpanding industrial zone, with distilleries and brew houses creating liquid gold, caters for sophisticated palates and adventurous foodies. Global eateries offer continental selections to behold, while cafes serve up the best of Mornington Peninsula coffee roasters’ offerings. Just up the road and a stone’s throw from the bay, the cellar doors are open and the wineries beckon you to pull up a seat and sample their selections of world-class vino.

From down on the coast where the boating enthusiasts and paddleboarders float, to the top of Arthurs Seat with its green-covered cloak spreading towards the salty thoroughfares below, this is where the generous and innovative people grow. As one of the earliest parts of the Peninsula to be settled, this is the place where pioneer and Indigenous history can be savoured as the McCrae lighthouse guides you home to the water that holds you close.

Visit and explore. The world of flavour and fun awaits.

McCRAE MARTHA COVE

Bass & Flinders Distillery (P.81) Jetty Road Brewery (P.78-79) Laneway Espresso Dromana (P.70-71) La Onda Latin Mex (P. 75) Martha’s Table (P.72-73) Odyssey Coffee Roasters (P.76) Peninsula Gourmet Emporium (P.74) Pier Street Kitchen (P.77) TWØBAYS Brewing Co (P.80) Two Buoys (P.81) Zero95 Pizza Bar (P.68-69)

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Zero95 Pizza Bar

Zero95 Pizza Bar in Dromana is the beach-loving sister of its flagship Doncaster East venue. It was in 2o16 that the latter venue was awarded the title of the World’s Best Pizza. The Zero95 crew live and breathe pizza and their passion is serving up the best. There’s no stopping Dromana’s eatery – it’s taken over the Peninsula one pizza at a time. Here you can take a moment to transport yourself to Naples in southern Italy as you ignite your tastebuds through the flavours of traditional napolitana pizza and pasta.

Head chef Daniel Mastramico specialises in home-style Italian cooking, and his forte is echoed in the menu through his modern take on traditional rustic dishes. Daniel’s travelled the world and has a career spanning more than 25 years. He’s in awe as he’s noticed that the Peninsula community is the ultimate dining crowd. The diners are relaxed yet eager to try something new. And that’s Zero95’s mission: to make Dromana full of food culture.

Co-owners Anthony Biviano and Jim Mavrogiannis, alongside manager Dominic Butera, provide an authentic slice of southern Italian cuisine. It’s accomplished by crafting a flawless union of tastes with traditional warm Italian food, from their pasta to their pizza, weekly specials and of course their full a la carte menu. San Marzano tomatoes flown in from Naples are the secret ingredient in the traditional Neapolitan sauce, and when it meets the 450C redgum wood-fired pizza, the hint of charcoal complements the rich tomato aromas. Each pizza has a unique combination of fresh and flavoursome ingredients, where the focus is on making sure the ingredients all get their chance to shine. You’re not just a diner at Zero95, you’re part of their extended family. And it’s this extended family that the brains behind the venue are so grateful for throughout the turbulent past year. The community’s support was paramount. That being said, you’re encouraged to enjoy the atmosphere at your own leisure with friends and family, so sit back, taste, relax and drink. With a Peninsula wine in hand, embrace the beautiful Italian style here by the picturesque foreshore. The ambience is homely to say the least, with rustic bricks adorning the walls, while black and white photographs of Italian families subtly decorate the space and bring the innovative concept back to its roots. Tucked away towards the back of the restaurant is a beer garden and a striking venue room.

After a day in the sun and sea, it makes sense to try flavours of the sea, such as grilled octopus, calamari, or linguine prawns. Sip on a prosecco or an espresso martini with the salty air wafting over you as you sample arancini balls, homemade gnocchi with buffalo mozzarella, or polenta sticks with gorgonzola sauce. Satisfy your sweet desires and indulge in a scoop or two of the Meno Zero gelato. It will melt your heart, and rightly so. It’s churned fresh on site daily, complete with vegan flavours and to-go cups that are ideal for a stroll along the pier after your visit to Dromana’s Italy. Open daily noon-late.

Laneway Espresso Dromana

It’s the famous and much-adored entrance that will draw you in as you meander down the light-filled laneway, compelled by the mural-adorned walls and rustic brick work. And it’s the exciting spread of modern and classic brunch ideas alongside the outof-this-world coffee by Odyssey Coffee Roasters that will convince you to stay – willingly, of course. The atmosphere of typical edgy Melbournestyle laneway cafés collides with glimpses of Port Phillip, crisp salty air and that genuine customer service that the Peninsula is known for at Laneway Espresso Dromana.

It boasts eclectic décor, mismatched vintage tables and vibrant chairs that form the perfect vibe for your coffee culture experience. Peruse at your leisure while waiting for your takeaway coffee, or pick a table in their fresh and visually captivating dishes. Anyone can see that Jim “Atmosphere is so important. The vibe has to be right. You’ve got to

among the antique collectables, retro art pieces, and artworks by changing specials inspired by international cuisine. That’s just how they

local artists to complement your breakfast date. Browse the antique treasures for sale or admire the personal items from owner Jim Mavrogiannis’s personal collection, such as the shelves filled with vintage radios and records. “The idea was to make this café your third home,” said Jim. “Your first home is your house, your second home is your workplace, and now you’ve got a third home here at Laneway Espresso Dromana. We’re not Jim’s fuelled by his love for coffee and seeing his customers immersed is passionate about the food his venue plates up, and it’s contagious, much like his laugh that echoes throughout the unique eatery. It’s all cool beans for the brunch fanatics, lunch-goers and caffeine addicts as they feel at home enough to kick back. With an atmosphere that oozes an easygoing vibe, it’s clear that customers don’t just come for the food, they come for the eccentric character of the venue – and it’s a beautiful thing. Yet, without a doubt, food is the talking point, with friendships ignited over mutual admiration of freshly made smashed avocado with cherry tomatoes and fetta with dukkah and a balsamic glaze, or the roast pumpkin served with Danish feta, onion jam and poached eggs topped with roasted nuts. Conversations at the sizeable vintage share tables flow with the music, so we trust Jim when he tells us that couples have met at his very own communal tables. enjoy where you are. It’s everything that I ever wanted; the design is how I envisioned it. I like the way it is and I’m happy that it works so well.”

Jim’s assorted collection of quirky pop culture posters, vintage teaspoons and vivid watering cans, complete with a kids’ corner, create the epitome of café culture. Here, they strive to stand out by offering a range of unique menu items, from the croissant burger to the everlike most cafes; our customers are part of our family.”

brunch.

Open every day.

Martha’s Table at Martha Cove

Waterside community swings into 2o21

There’s no denying 2020 was a difficult year. But now things are looking up at Marina Village Martha Cove, with growing demand for apartments and marina berths, and discerning diners flocking to Martha’s Table restaurant.

Locals and weekend visitors alike are enjoying the unique ambience of the Peninsula’s top waterfront hot spot. The buzz starts early, with Martha’s Café providing coffee and breakfast classics to go, or to enjoy on the spot. Martha’s Grocer & Cellar, open from 8am to 8pm, feels like a contemporary European food market. Nearby residents pop in for their daily staples, while visitors choose from a great selection of fine foods and Peninsula wines.

The waterside location makes Martha’s Bar a favourite for a sundowner, where panoramic views are the perfect complement to an antipasto menu and a signature cocktail. Boaties can even cruise in, phoning ahead to order takeaway, with meals or frosty beverages delivered to the boat as soon as they dock.

The main event, though, is the restaurant. Chef Tamas Pamer has crafted a Mediterranean-style menu that changes according to the season.

“Our food ethos is local, seasonal, ethical,” Pamer says. “People on the Peninsula have a passion for great food, so we work closely with local producers and showcase their produce in the restaurant. The same goes for our outstanding Peninsula wines.”

There’s more information about opening hours and a range of special events at Martha’s Table on the website (marthastable. com.au) and bookings can be made online.

Already, many who enjoy the ambience at Marina Village have made the precinct either a permanent home or a regular seaside getaway. Homes in the first residential complex, The Moorings, have been in demand from the moment of launch. Flooded with light, these apartments bring the natural environment indoors with open-plan living and walls of glass. There are just a few parkfront properties still available, all completed and ready to move in.

The second residential offering at Marina Village will be 29 offthe-plan waterfront apartments in The Wheelhouse. Designed by Karl Fender, of Fender Katsalidis, with interiors by Carr Design, these will include luxury two and three-bedroom apartments, plus three exceptional penthouses, two with three bedrooms and one with four bedrooms. Many of these apartments will enjoy superb waterfront views.

Inspections of completed apartments at The Moorings are available by appointment. To arrange an inspection or for information about The Wheelhouse, call Simon Roylance on 0412 522 629. There’s more information at themooringsmarthacove.com.au

Of course the marina that gives the village its name is a drawcard in itself. Operated by Australia’s largest marina group, d’Albora, it offers berths from 10m to 30m, suitable for both mono and multi-hull vessels. Permanent berths start at $155,000 for a 99year lease, with short-term berth rentals also available. Restaurant guests can also phone ahead to book a visitor berth, with the option to extend overnight. For marina bookings, contact John Jackman on 0418 599 977 or see marthacove.com.au

Peninsula Gourmet Emporium – home of Hamper Yourself

Peninsula Gourmet is the produce-driven gift-giving provider on the Mornington Peninsula. Specialising in hampers brimming with gourmet produce and wine from a region where abundant excellence comes first, Hamper Yourself provides a huge range of hamper alternatives for personal, corporate or business gifting.

The options are endless at Hamper Yourself, which is based in the home of all things gourmet – Peninsula Gourmet Emporium. Ready-made non-alcoholic or alcoholic hampers, gluten-free or vegan hampers, or hampers just for blokes abound. Cookbook or Christmas hampers, staff thank you hampers and pamper hampers make special occasion giving easy while letting your workers, real estate agent or loved one know how much they are appreciated. Whether you’re heading to the park or the beach for a picnic or determined to do things a little differently by spreading out a blanket inside near the fire when it’s cold, Hamper Yourself can help set the mood with a wonderful wine and cheese hamper. There are three to choose from and all come with a bottle of award-winning Crittenden Estate wine or champagne and a selection of delicious local produce, including Boatshed cheese, artisan crackers and nibbles. Treat someone you love or buy one for yourself – you don’t really need a reason to Hamper Yourself. Free delivery Peninsula-wide. You can stop by and buy produce individually as well.

Open seven days a week. Please check website for further details.

La Onda Latin Mex

The doors are wide open at La Onda Latin Mex, where family and friends connect over Latin American cuisine and vibrant conversation. Come inside to experience traditional methods of preparing and cooking food made with spirit and skill by chef Roxy Flores, whose dishes are served up with lashings of passion and homemade nuance.

La Onda Latin Mex brings all the flavours of Latin America to your tasting table while providing an atmosphere overflowing with sensory seduction. Smells waft through the stylish interior filled with inspiring creativity, while energetic flavours jump from the plate like a dance floor filled with salsa dancers. Order an elevation-destination margarita, a locally or South American crafted wine or beer and celebrate with the hand-picked tequilas and mezcal offerings.

It’s all about individuality and exceptional quality at La Onda Latin Mex. Chef Roxy, who was born and raised in El Salvador, comes with a personality as big as the flavour that springs from your plate. Her food focuses on your enjoyment and welcomes you just like a long lost relative. Experience the culture, settle in and savour it because as the saying goes, “mi casa tu casa” – “my home, your home”.

This little Dromana gem may be small but its heart is big. Dine in, takeaway and pre-order beach picnic packs.

Check website and social media for opening hours, specials, what’s on and to make a booking.

Odyssey Coffee Roasters

It’s always been Jim Mavrogiannis’s dream to create and roast his own coffee. As the owner of Laneway Espresso Dromana, he’s learnt how people prefer their coffee. Insert Odyssey Coffee Roasters, which has entered the Earth’s stratosphere thanks to Jim and Terry Tatsis – a partnership that was written in the stars. Together they’ve completed taste testings, design consultations, marketing plans and consumed countless cups of brew. It’s designed around their tastebuds with a unique blend that can be described as malt, milk chocolate and berry. It’s sweet and full-bodied. After just one sip of Blend #5, customers have exclaimed: “Where have you bean my whole life?”

Established in 2020, Odyssey Coffee Roasters has an entrancing galaxy branding style and borrows some distinctive vibes from David Bowie – yep, it’s the epitome of cool beans.

“Odyssey’s branding is David Bowie-inspired as I look up to him. He’s my idol,” said Jim. “In my opinion he’s one of the coolest people on the planet, so I wanted to represent him in my brand. On a personal level, coffee has got to be cool and good, so that’s why we created this standout branding and out-of-this-world flavour.”

Let’s initiate lift-off and begin your journey to discover a coffee that hugs and satisfies you. Stop by Laneway Espresso Dromana to have a taste experience or order your mighty beans online.

Pier Street Kitchen

Pier Street Kitchen delivers delicious home-cooked meals made from fresh and flavourful ingredients. Recognised as the spot to purchase a great range of creatively conceived in-house and take-home alternatives, this is the local hangout where “quick and easy” means “terrifically tasty” too. Stay in for a brilliant brekky or enjoy a long lunch with friends while sampling a serious dollop of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu magic. Or just grab an awesome coffee!

All Pier Street Kitchen dishes are produce-driven, which means you can taste the difference. Whether whizzing by to pick up your ready-to-eat dinner on the way home or choosing your ‘no cooking’ weekend escape dinners, Pier Street Kitchen has got you covered. The fridge is always stocked with a wide range of house-prepared heat-and-eat creations, while mouthwatering hamper alternatives meant for sharing means warm-weather picnics are taken care of too. All you have to do is lay out a blanket and open up one of the picnic baskets without a care in the world. With plenty of natural light streaming through the large glass windows and more space out front to eat and converse, Pier Street Kitchen is a great place to soak up Dromana’s seaside setting over a glass of wine matched with genuine clean cuisine. Think freerange eggs, meat and organic grains. Cheers to that. Open Monday to Friday 7am-4pm; Saturday and Sunday from 8am. Please check website or social media for further details.

Jetty Road Brewery

Take the weight off the week and your feet and silence the phone to home in on what matters most. Mates. Moments. The slowing of the clock. The sharing of good times.

Jetty Road Brewery is the place for taking a breath while enjoying a sip of a brilliant beer. There’s no need to hurry. There’s no need to worry when you’re here. Just sit back and drink in the moment while hanging out with people who welcome you just the way you are. Jetty Road Brewery celebrates living in the now because why think about anything else? Endless moments are made for sharing and drinking in, while Jetty Road’s award-winning beers are best served alongside the vast selection of high-quality produce sourced from the sea, harvest and butcher’s block just around the corner. The menu, just like the indoor and outdoor space at Jetty Road, is designed to be social. Remain and refrain from being busy while grazing and lazing. Make time for being timeless because moments like these don’t come along every day. As part of the Independent Brewers Association, Jetty Road’s line-up consists of a core range of five carefully crafted beers plus some sample specialty beers dreamt up by head brewer Blake. Whether you choose to stop by for a perfectly brewed bevvy, tasting paddle, magic meal or tour of the industrial brewhouse that crafts the largest selection of craft beer in the region, it’s all good because you’re in the coastal ‘hood where sea, sun and laughter reign. Throw back your head and smile and go wild while knowing there’s nowhere to be. Except here. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from December 21 until January 31. Regular opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday 4-9pm; Friday and Saturday noon-11pm; Sunday noon-9pm. Please check website for public holiday closures

Jetty Road Brewery I 12-14 Brasser Ave, Dromana P: 5987 2754 I www.jettyroad.com.au jettyroadbrewery

TWØBAYS Brewing Co

Committed to pushing the boundaries of Australian beer and taking everyone on the journey, this craft brewery doesn’t discriminate.

With a smorgasbord of core, specialty and seasonal choices on tap, ranging from mid-strength lentil-based beer to an 8 per cent double IPA, TWØBAYS offers the lot. Fresh redgum-fired gluten-free pizzas can be enjoyed with the beers and the bar fridge is forever full of tinnie takeaways. Always adventurous, the TWØBAYS range also includes SMASH (single malt and single hop) beers, fruit sour beers and dark beers, as well as an awardwining Pale, XPA and IPA. With space indoor and out for small and large groups – and local wine and cider also available – you’ll feel compelled to revel in Australia’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery and taproom for many a long afternoon. Founding TWØBAYS in 2018 after being diagnosed with coeliac disease, Richard Jeffares turned beer pioneer and created a brewery where the smell of freedom is palpable. Millet, buckwheat and rice offer gluten-free foundations for the “greatest craft beer journey this decade”. Settle in and explore a paddle while the senses take flight. What liberation!

All beer-lovers can unite at TWØBAYS, the most inclusive of breweries, which just happens to be on your doorstep in The Habitat Dromana Industrial Estate.

Taproom open Saturday-Sunday noon-5pm. Hours extended over summer. Please check website for further details.

Bass & Flinders Distillery

Proudly the first distillery on the Mornington Peninsula, Bass & Flinders was passionately brought to life in 2oo9 and quickly set about providing the benchmark for premium, handcrafted spirits through the distillation of fruits – predominantly grapes.

Inspired by European production methods and utilising a traditional alembic pot still, the specially selected Victorian grapes are double distilled in small batches to produce bright and fruity eau de vie or grape-based spirit. Unique and distinctive, this skilfully crafted base spirit is the essence behind the distillery’s range of award-winning gins, liqueurs and brandy.

Located in the beautiful seaside town of Dromana, this family-owned and run artisanal distillery offers tastings and tours as well as gin and brandy masterclasses. The gin masterclass takes your experience to the next level with the opportunity to create your very own bespoke gin while you discover the techniques and exotic botanicals used in gin production.

Bass & Flinders offers a range of seasonal cocktails, bar snacks and tastings of all its products, which can be enjoyed as you relax in the garden courtyard or the light-filled cellar door.

Check the website for all masterclass bookings and opening hours.

Bass & Flinders Distillery I 40 Collins Rd, Dromana I P: 5987 3893 www.bassandflindersdistillery.com BassAndFlindersDistillery bassandflinders

Two Buoys Restaurant, Wine and Cocktail Bar

An iconic seaside venue ideally located with great outdoor dining areas overlooking the Dromana foreshore and sweeping sunset views on to Port Phillip Bay, Two Buoys now has two sides: a tapas, wine and cocktail bar, and the newly renovated restaurant.

The cocktail, wine and tapas bar has a great vibe and is perfect for casual dining or drinks with friends. Head in for lunch or dinner seven days a week to select from the tapas-style menu and choose from one of the largest wine and cocktail lists on the Peninsula.

The recently renovated restaurant provides a smart, modern seaside setting with indoor and outdoor dining options, while the 600-bottle wine cellar carries a huge selection of local and international labels that can be perfectly matched with dishes from the modern a la carte menu. Share the fresh seafood platter for two while enjoying a glass of white and taking in the views. Bookings are essential.

Open seven days a week. Please check website for further details.

Two Buoys Restaurant, Wine and Cocktail Bar 209 Point Nepean Rd, Dromana I P: 5981 8488 www.twobuoys.com.au twobuoys two_buoys