Eat.Drink Mornington Peninsula 2023

mornington peninsula

2023

from earth to sea, abundance for all to share

ALL THINGS DELICIOUS ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Lancemore, Lindenderry Red Hill, photo by Naturalight Photography

EAT.DRINK . . .

enjoy

THE WINEY COW P: 71

A celebration of all things delicious Welcome to Eat.Drink 2023 – the fifth annual edition of our sensational, locally-produced book celebrating the culinary delights found on the Mornington Peninsula and Greater Frankston.

Once again Lisa, Archie, and the team from Mornington Peninsula Magazine take you on a tour of the region’s best eateries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries.

We chat to the passionate people behind these venues.

We also look at local innovators winning awards across the nation and the world.

This is an opportunity to explore the new players and revisit your favourites as we take you to more than 120 foodie hot spots on a journey of deliciousness. Follow us and tag us throughout the year on social media @eatdrinkmornpen as we update you on the latest from our 2023 Eat.Drink venues.

After the turmoil of the past few years it is worth reminding readers to respect and acknowledge those who choose to serve us while we chill out and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

From earth to sea, there is abundance for all to share. www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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TEN MINUTES BY TRACTOR P: 151

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It’s back to business, after ‘those’ years The Peninsula is once again the thriving food and wine community and culture that it always was. Perhaps even better and stronger. With those three disruptive and destructive years of COVID behind us, people are back enjoying life to the full. What these years showed us was the incredible tenacity of the people who work in hospitality, and the business owners.

They have an innate urge to look after others. To cook for, serve, and make other people happy. The way the owners and managers found ways and means to support their staff and keep them employed was remarkable.

By the same token, the way our community rose up and supported our businesses was outstanding.

The speed with which the people of the Peninsula came out to buy take-home meals and dine in pop-up outdoor spaces showed significant solidarity between host and guest. We realised that the places we love to eat in and drink at are essential to our enviable way of life. They are part of the very fabric of society.

We are lucky to have some of the best hospitality businesses in the nation. With the recent swathe of openings down the Heads end of the Peninsula, Sorrento was recently dubbed “the new dining capital” of regional Victoria by one influential food and wine publication. The opening of celebrity chef Scott Pickett’s Audrey’s restaurant in the multi-million-dollar refurbished The Continental Hotel was perhaps the jewel in the coastal town’s crown. We also have what is considered to be Australia’s best regional restaurant, Tedesca at Red Hill. Brigitte Hafner’s restrained cooking and farm-to-plate ethos has seen her compared to chefs such as Dan Barber from Blue Hills at Stone Barns in upstate New York. Add to these the basketful of award-winning winery restaurants and you realise that we live in a region densely populated with some of the finest dining rooms in the country.

While for many these are special occasion places to dine, the towns and villages of the Mornington Peninsula leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to everyday quality eating. From perhaps the best Sri Lankan food in the state being cooked in an industrial estate on the edge of Frankston to handmade pasta made by young ‘Aussie’ brothers in McCrae, everyday dining is pure pleasure on the Peninsula. Then there is the rise of regional food trucks such as the mussel van at Flinders Pier and the pho truck in Flinders’ Cook St. Some of the best Thai can be found in Hastings, and the state’s best chips are freshly fried on a potato farm in Boneo. Add to this our exceptional farmgates where you can buy apples fresh from the tree; our award-winning butchers and bakers; and the farmers who continue to grow great lamb, beef, chickens and eggs, and you can understand why we do food and drink so well down here on the Peninsula.

Now that we are running on all eight burners, with our cafes, restaurants, pubs, wineries, farmgates, distilleries and breweries open for business once again, it’s time to get out and eat and drink on the Mornington Peninsula.

RICHARD CORNISH

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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SECTIONS our team

sections Frankston and surrounds

18-38

PUBLISHER/DESIGNER Lisa Walton

Mount Eliza Mornington Mount Martha Moorooduc

42-77

Safety Beach Dromana McCrae Martha Cove

80-95

PHOTOGRAPHERS Amber, Naturalight Photography Steve Brown (landscapes)

Rosebud Capel Sound Tootgarook Rye

WRITERS Richard Cornish, Nikki Fisher, Sarah Halfpenny, Max Allen, Raquel Neofit CLIENT RELATIONS Molly Mitchell, Anna Georgiou, Chendelle Kolasa DISTRIBUTION Archie Mitchell WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA Sinead Fay, Amber Marie ALL ENQUIRIES 9708 8222

98-104

Blairgowrie Sorrento Portsea

106-111

St Andrews Beach to Flinders

124-125

Somers Balnarring Tyabb Bittern Hastings

128-141

Main Ridge Red Hill Merricks Shoreham Point Leo Arthurs Seat

150-163

map Mornington Peninsula Wine Map

114

directories Calendar of wine events 2023 from MP Wine

115

Markets

154-155

Directory

156-161

Annual Events

162

JOIN OUR TRIBE. FOLLOW & TAG eatdrinkmornpen

Published by Morn Pen Mag Pty Ltd ABN 55 621 041 512 14/1140 Nepean Highway, Mornington Victoria 3931 Phone 9708 8222 Out every November Deadline late September

acknowledgement The team at Morn Pen Map Pty Ltd acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people, Elders, past and present and emerging, the traditional custodians of these lands and waters where produce in this book is made and consumed.

HARRY’S MUSSELS P. 118

front cover

Photography: Amber, Naturalight Photography @itsnaturalight Food created by chef Diego Cossio of Lancemore at Lindenderry Red Hill Sashimi of Hiramasa king fish: pickled wombok, lemonade fruit purèe and fermented chilli.

Fish is dressed in white soy dressing, pickled wombok stem ribbons placed on top with dots of lemonade fruit purèe.

The dish is garnished with local flowers, some of them foraged by Diego and others grown by Alex from Norwood Farm. The dish is finished with a fermented chilli (yuzu TUERONG FARM kosho) snow.

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photography

It has been a delight to include Amber from Naturalight Photography as head photographer in this edition of Eat.Drink. Having established her studio in 1997, Amber is well known on the Peninsula for her natural and unique style of capture that really brings her subjects to life.

“I’ve lived on the Peninsula my whole life and it was exciting to discover places I hadn’t visited and meet people off the beaten track,” Amber says. “The beach and hinterland are picturesque, but it’s what goes on inside that had me excited. Seeing the wineries in action, meeting growers and the working animals of dairies and truffle fields was the absolute best. We are truly spoilt for choice on the Mornington Peninsula and it’s a blessing to call it home.” www.naturalightphotography.com.au eatdrinkmornpen

CONTENTS It’s back to business by Richard Cornish

4

Winemakers can’t get enough of a good thing by Max Allen

8

FROM VAT All hail the Chief’s Son by Richard Cornish

9

Meet the chefs by Amber Marie

14

THE SEASONS Peninsula surprises and delights all year round

16

Pop a pearl for a burst of flavour

39

FROM BEAN Not all coffee is created equal by Nikki Fisher

40

Victoria’s longest-running street market a magnet for shoppers

77

Kobi captures the true spirit of Italian hospitality by Richard Cornish

78

A family affair by Richard Cornish

96

FROM EARTH Market gardening thrives in Boneo’s ‘perfect’ soil by Richard Cornish

104

Audrey’s et al by Richard Cornish

112

Multiple producers pick up trophies at Peninsula Wine Show

116

FROM SALTWATER The enduring enchantment of Harry’s mussels by Richard Cornish

118

Flying Calamari Brothers taking seafood to new heights by Sarah Halfpenny

122

FROM GRAIN Our amazing bakers rise and shine by Sarah Halfpenny

134

Native edibles provide the spark for Peninsula business

136

Red Hill Show celebrates our Peninsula ‘food bowl’

152

FROM TREE She’ll be apples by Richard Cornish

153 LE FEU MORNINGTON P. 70

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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Winemakers just can’t get enough of a good thing Do you want the good news or the not-quiteso-good news?

The good news is that the winemakers of the Mornington Peninsula are raving about the quality of the 2022 vintage. Yields in the vineyards were low during the harvest and the bunches of grapes were small, so the flavours in the juice and the wine were intense and concentrated and vibrant.

“Quality-wise, it could even be better than 2021,” says winemaker Imogen Dillon as we taste through the 2022 chardonnays out of barrel at the Ten Minutes by Tractor winery. “The flavours developed in the grapes at lower baumé (a measure of sugar ripeness), which is always something winemakers like to see because it means the wines have good, fresh, natural acidity, too.”

flowering, which resulted in the small bunches. This was followed by a couple of weeks of bad weather that caused poor fruit set in those bunches. “But then we got really mild, amazing weather through February, March and April,” says Simon. “And it ended up being one of those amazing years when we got to pick the grapes at perfect ripeness. The downside to 2022 may have been the yield. The upside is that the quality is excellent.”

As I speak to the winemakers about last vintage, they’re heading into summer thinking about the next vintage, wondering if the continuing influence of La Nina will bring more unsettled weather.

For Rollo Crittenden, after three lower-than-average harvests there’s only one thing on his mind: “A nice big season would be good!”

MAX ALLEN Max Allen is an award-winning wine writer, columnist and author, and the MC of the 2023 Pinot Noir Celebration Australia, hosted by Mornington Peninsula Wine on February 10-11.

For more, go to www.pinotcelebration.com.au

To a wine geek, this sounds exciting. And it is. The problem is the same factors that resulted in high quality – low yields, small bunches – also meant there isn’t nearly as much of the 2022 vintage to go around as everyone would like.

Mornington Peninsula Wine, the regional vignerons’ association, reports that chardonnay and pinot noir yields were down by more than 40 per cent this year, and this follows short vintages in 2021 and 2020. “There’s simply not enough wine to sell,” says CEO Olivia Barrie. “2022 is the third vintage in a row where the volume has been well down on average, so cellar stocks are very low.”

When I speak to Rollo Crittenden of Crittenden Wines a few months after vintage, he’s putting his first 2022 white – a pinot gris – into bottle. “There’s a bit of a desperate need for wine to sell,” he says. “Everywhere’s firing down here – cellar door’s going really well, the wine club is strong, and our restaurant customers have bounced back. It’s not just us, it’s the whole Mornington Peninsula; cool-climate chardonnay and pinot are in short supply everywhere.”

The low vintage in 2022 is a result of dramatically unsettled weather in spring 2021. “At the end of October we had these huge storms on the Peninsula,” says Montalto winemaker Simon Black. “I almost couldn’t get to work because of fallen trees – and when I did get to the winery, the power was down.”

The storms wreaked havoc just as many of the vines were

Photo of Rahona Valley by Willow Creative

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FROM VAT

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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All hail the Chief’s Son Out the back of Somerville, down the back lane of an industrial estate, is a stairway leading to a hidden jewel box of a room. A beautifully lit room of dark royal blue walls and gleaming glass cabinets lined with shining bottles of single malt whisky sits above the machinations of a working distillery. This is the cellar door to a deceptively large, family-owned single malt whisky distiller called Chief’s Son.

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Husband and wife team Stuart and Naomi McIntosh are the distillers producing modern Australian whisky and achieving global acclaim in an industry founded in ancient traditions.

And theirs is not a traditional story. “We entered a competition run by Chivas Regal to visit Scotland,” says Naomi. “A few of us entered, including Stuart’s dad, who filled his 25 words or less with, ‘My grandparents passed the love of whisky through my parents to me, and I want to make sure my children pass it onto their children’.” Soon Stuart was on the plane with his father to Scotland to visit the historic Strathisla distillery at Keith in the Speyside region, along with a tour of many other distilleries, cooperages, malting houses, and so on. Naomi stayed behind with their small children. On the plane back to Australia, Stuart

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started running scenarios of distilling back home. Both he and Naomi were financial advisers, so they knew their way around a spreadsheet, plus Stuart had a military background and Naomi was a scientist – a variety of skills that align with the arcane art of turning grain into liquid gold.

They hunted around on the internet and found a 40-litre still in Portugal that they imported as a ‘garden ornament’. For several years they experimented with making different styles of whisky using different styles of malted barley and seeing what different types of oak did to the distilled grain. For years they experimented before they were convinced they had perfected their recipes. In 2016 they commissioned the 4000-litre copper still built by Burns Fabrication in Griffith. “Stuart designed the still to make sure it helped us make the whisky we wanted,” says Naomi. “It captures those rich oils that give our whisky its rich mouthfeel and flavours.

“We use a mix of old American and French oak barrels. Most of our sherry barrels are sourced from our local wineries, whilst the American oak barrels have been used by such distilleries as Savage & Cooke and Buffalo Trace.”

The barrels are tested and tasted throughout their ageing.

“Barrels are handmade from a natural product, and they vary from cask to cask,” says Naomi. “They all produce excellent whisky, and sometimes we strike gold. The whisky from those casks go into our 900 Standard Single Cask range.”

To understand the range, it is important to note the branding of the Chief’s Son whisky. In Gaelic, the McIntosh family name is Mhic An Tóisich, meaning ‘son of the chief’. This was awarded to the family 900 years ago for undying loyalty in battle to the Chiefs

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

of Alba, as Scotland was then known. The ‘standard’ was the flag they fought under, so 900 Standard refers to years of loyalty and the fighting flag of the McIntosh family. And they are beautiful whiskies. The 900 Standard Single Cask 121, for example, has fine cedar notes and rosewater aromas, with flavours of honey, malt and stone fruit on the palate and a rich smoothness on the mouth. The entry-level whisky is called The Tanist, meaning ‘second in command’, and is a wonderful blend of whiskies aged both in French and American oak. It is a smooth-drinking whisky with aromas of honey, vanilla, nutty sherry, toffee and oak, and is very, very approachable.

You can try the whisky at the cellar door. Visitors are poured flights of four whiskies – 7.5ml each glass. Staff at the counter talk whisky-lovers through each whisky, giving them guidance on what they are tasting and smelling and describing how each whisky is made. Visitors can then purchase the whiskies, each bottled in brilliant flint whisky bottles. The number of local and international awards these whiskies have won in the past years is vast, and one gets a sense of pride that a local family business can bring so many global accolades for their endeavours. Whisky tragics can book into Chief’s Son tours held by Stuart and Naomi.

This is a true behind-the-scenes look at how whisky is made, and participants get to fill their own 100ml bottle of whisky directly from the cask. “It is an honour to share our passion with people who appreciate great whisky,” says Naomi.

RICHARD CORNISH CHIEF’S SON DISTILLERY 25/50 Guelph St, Somerville www.chiefsson.com.au (also see page 64)

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FROM VINE

Forty years at Crittenden Estate Seeing the rows of established vines and impressive gardens at Crittenden Estate, and then tasting its award-winning wine in the recently renovated Wine Centre, there’s a feeling of effortlessness here that makes success look easy. But of course the Crittenden story starts like all good success stories: with a blank slate – or in this case an empty field – and a whole lot of commitment and hard work to bring a vision to life.

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If the cards had fallen differently, Crittenden Estate might have been a Tasmanian success story rather than a pioneer of the Mornington Peninsula wine region celebrating its 40th birthday.

In the early ‘80s, Garry Crittenden, who then owned a plant nursery, took his family for a holiday to Tasmania and fell in love with pinot noir. “Dad had plans on shipping us down to Tassie to grow pinot, but Mum resisted,” says daughter Zoe. “Our extended family was here. Then Dad met Red Hill winemaker Nat White (founder of Main Ridge Estate) and realised he could grow the wines he wanted right here on the Peninsula.”

In 1982 the Crittenden family planted 2ha of vines in Dromana, doubling the land under vine at that time on the Peninsula. When it came to growing grapes, Garry had his horticulture background to draw on, but winemaking he had to learn from scratch.

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“Looking at the region now, it’s easy to think there are a lot of winemakers to ask for assistance,” says son Rollo. “But when Dad started out, he was one of only a few.

Dad set about working out what worked for him and refined the process constantly with support from other early vignerons in the region.”

Garry and his wife Margaret raised Zoe and Rollo on the vineyard. The current Wine Centre was once the family home. Margaret was an integral part of establishing Crittenden Estate to what it is today before a disability in the last 10 years of her life meant she had to step back from daily involvement; she died in November 2020. “Mum was particularly passionate about food and her dream was always to serve food at the cellar door,” Zoe says. “Today that restaurant is the successful Stillwater at Crittenden, owned and operated

by Zac Poulier, but back then it was Mum’s. She ran it for 11 years and people flocked here for Mum’s food.

She would stay up late into the night making everything from scratch.”

In 2017 Zoe and Rollo took over the reins of the family business, Rollo in charge of winemaking and general management and Zoe taking care of marketing. “One thing I really love about what we do is how unified we are as a family business,” Rollo says.

“You hear a lot of horror stories, but I do feel it’s been a really nice transition from one generation to another.”

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Known for its quality cool-climate wines and Italian varietals, Crittenden Estate has consistently received awards and accolades in Australia and internationally.

Highlights include being awarded five red stars from respected wine critic James Halliday, being named Mornington Peninsula’s Best Large Cellar Door in both 2021 and 2022 at the Gourmet Traveller Cellar Door Awards, and being named the platinum winner of the 2020 BRIT/FIVS

International Sustainable Winegrowing competition.

When it comes to vineyard management, a lot’s changed at this Dromana site in 40 years. “There’s an understanding in the wine industry that the older the vine gets, the better the wine gets,” Rollo says.

“And that’s certainly the case, but it has to be from a good environment. The soil is everything, and that’s been a hard-earned lesson for us.”

That lesson came 17 years ago when some investigation made it clear that conventional farming practices had taken their toll on the soil and ultimately the vines. This was the beginning of Crittenden’s commitment to sustainability and soil regeneration, starting with minimising the use of synthetic chemicals. Solar power, inter-row cropping, green mulching, and an impressive 400 cubic metre compost pile are all part of the change in direction.

Of Crittenden Estate’s future, Rollo says: “I always want us to be small and nimble and I never want to lose that. It’s really the key to our success; to be personally engaged with all our team and customers. I think there’s a point that you can grow to where you’re less hands-on, and I don’t want to do that. I would rather increase the quality than the quantity, and I think that’s another form of growth that’s more suited to our family.”

NIKKI FISHER

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MEET

the chefs In this year’s Eat.Drink we thought you might like to meet some of the chefs behind the Mornington Peninsula’s great food venues.

Read on for a glimpse into their lives and discover what makes them tick.

Diego Cossio from Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill Did your childhood involve a lot of food or family cooking?

I was always interested in cooking – I like to eat, I guess. I started making popcorn on Fridays when I was six years old. And I would always look forward to baking with my dad. On weekends he would bake banana bread or carrot cake, and he loved making pizza. So as kids we loved building the pizzas, putting the toppings on. My grandma was a great cook too but she would cook very random things, like lungs, so we got some exposure to that kind of food too.

What do you enjoy most about working at Lancemore Lindenderry?

I love the area; it's got a sense of refinement. The team that I'm building is amazing. I'm very pleased with the team. We’ve got some great guys working for us – all of them are great, so I consider myself lucky. They were hard to come by, but the ones we've come across have turned out to be excellent people and great chefs.

I make a lot of pasta for my kids. They enjoy pasta. We make a lot of lentils and beans. That's something I grew up eating so I got them into that.

Do you use any local ingredients in your meals here, and what stands out to you as something from the region that's really amazing and unique?

From the Peninsula at the moment we're getting some beautiful edible flowers that are grown locally at Norwood Farm. I don't necessarily limit myself to the Peninsula; I get a lot of things from across Victoria, like the asparagus at the moment – it’s amazing.

What is your favourite meal to cook at Lancemore Lindenderry?

I quite enjoy the duck that we've got on the menu. I get ducks and baste them for about 10 days. That's the process – you wipe it, clean it, bone it, turn it around so it dries evenly. And then the end result is great.

When you're not working, what do you enjoy doing on the Peninsula?

I love foraging. I go to a blowhole at Flinders; I enjoy foraging there for sea herbs and things like that. And obviously going for long walks on the beach.

What do you cook for yourself when you're at home?

www.lancemore.com.au/lindenderry-red-hill

Dipen Patel from Moonah Links Having been a chef for 17 years, Dipen Patel has plenty of experience in some of the world’s top kitchens, including Melbourne’s Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Dipen has spent the past two years at Moonah Links as executive chef, where the a la carte menu is renowned for its relaxed, modern Australian options. His favourite aspect of the job is witnessing the delighted expression on people’s faces when they taste his food.

“I have many dishes that I like cooking, but my favourite is seafood,” he says. “There are a lot of varieties, and many species require different techniques, so you need to give maximum attention, love and care while cooking seafood.” www.moonahlinks.com.au

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Andrea Papapostolou from Vero Pasta + Wine As executive chef and owner of Vero Pasta + Wine, Andrea Papapostolou’s goal hasn’t changed since she first opened the doors to her popular Frankston restaurant.

“Vero was born out of my desire to recreate that warm Mediterranean tradition of bringing people together through food,” she says.

Having been a chef for 15 years, that purpose is still what drives her. Drawing people back has been easy – the intimate dining room with baroque décor is warm and welcoming, and the magic steps up a notch when she serves her authentic Italian cuisine, specialising in handmade pasta.

“I like the philosophy behind Italian cuisine, its commitment to simplicity, flavour and quality,” Andrea says. www.veropasta.com.au

Antoine Corre from Le Bouchon Chef de cuisine Antoine Corre has been working at renowned French restaurant Le Bouchon in Balnarring for more than four years now. He originally hails from Brittany in the northwestern corner of France – a historic region famous for its beautiful seafood products – so it should come as no surprise that Antoine’s speciality is cooking seafood.

With more than 20 years’ experience honed in Paris, Nice, London and in Melbourne at Bistro Guillaume, you’ll hear him voicing commands to his chefs or sometimes singing to them. The high quality of Antoine’s seafood dishes reflects his origins. www.lebouchon.com.au

Dave Cafarella from Cptn Jack’s Located at the beautiful Yaringa Boat Harbour, Cptn Jack’s is a chic and cosy restaurant with waterfront views. Head chef Dave Cafarella has been cooking for nearly 25 years, the last couple at Cptn Jack’s. He loves to use Flinders mussels whenever they are available, and is always excited about summer because it heralds the arrival of crayfish season. He also uses herbs and salad leaves grown next door.

“I would say my style is honest, and by that I mean the produce is the hero,” Dave says.

“My dishes are led by the ingredients; the technique always comes after to achieve the desired result.” www.cptnjacks.com.au

Martin Goffin from Red Gum BBQ In 2002, Martin Goffin had his first taste of Southern US barbecue while visiting Melissa (now his wife) at her home in Florida. In 2013 Red Gum BBQ was born out of this passion for Southern-style barbecue and a desire to share it far and wide.

“The Mornington Peninsula is our home,” Martin says. “We love being a part of this community, surrounded by the natural beauty of the region and world-class dining experiences, wineries and unique craft beverage offerings. Our guests can have a genuine Southern dining experience while enjoying other components from the region. In an effort to support our local region and minimise our environmental impact through food miles, we exclusively stock Mornington Peninsula wines, local distilleries and Victorian craft beer. We’re extremely lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of delicious local produce.” www.redgumbbq.com.au www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

Words and images by Amber, Naturalight Photography

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THE SEASONS

Peninsula surprises and delights all year round

Summer

When the roads get busy and the rides go up on the foreshore, you know summer has come again for another year. The hectic mess to get everything done by Christmas is calmed by the first after-work swims at the beach, the kids taken by friends and relatives to play on the sand for the day. The roadside signs for the cherries are taken in, and those for raspberries go out.

On some days it gets so hot that you’d swear the pine trees on the side of the road were weeping sap and the gum trees exhaling eucalyptus. When the northerly wind picks up, it’s time to head for the shelter of the back beaches or Western Port.

Down at Flinders, the mussels grow fat and heavy in the warm water and you buy them off the boat by the kilo. In the market gardens of Boneo, the first of the potatoes are dug from the sandy soil. These little round spuds are perfect for boiling for a salad alongside steak and sausages. This is a time of long, warm days under the hop vines in the breweries or sneaking into a cellar door to get a bottle of sparkling shiraz to go with the meat sizzling on the barbie.

CHOCOLAT OF MORNINGTON

Autumn

BLACKBIRD CAFE

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With the sting of those hot February days behind us, summer gives way to warm, soft hours of golden sunlight ending in mild nights. For six weeks in early autumn, the climate on the Peninsula is perhaps the best on the planet. This is the time when the fruit ripens and the orchardists bring in their apples and pears. The best are sold to greengrocers, the rest crushed for fresh juice or fermented into cider. The Peninsula is becoming known nationally as a cider powerhouse, with the annual awards at the Red Hill Show in March a highlight of the calendar.

This show also celebrates great cattle and sheep breeding, woodchopping, apple pie making, and a special award dedicated to premium snag making called The Golden Sausage. Autumn is also vintage time on the Peninsula. It is a busy time with trailers of grapes being towed between vineyard and winery and scores of people, heads down and secateurs in hand, carefully cutting off whole bunches to be fermented back in the winery. By the equinox, the weather starts to turn, and cool breezes give way to dark clouds and sheets of rain that fall on the still-warm earth.

Soon the mushrooms come. Slippery jacks, pine mushrooms, wood blewits and whole paddocks of common field mushrooms are a perfect match for the beautiful pinot noirs produced on the Peninsula. eatdrinkmornpen

Winter

Wild, wet and windy, winter on the Peninsula is the time to slip on the wellies or walking boots, put on a woolly jumper and embrace the weather. You really get a sense that we live on a piece of land jutting out into Bass Strait when you walk the southern coastline at this time of year. Great waves, welling up way beyond the horizon off the Tasmanian coast, roll towards the rocky cliffs and slam with booming power into the rocks, sending plumes of spray skyward. It’s a time of the year when grey looming clouds bring days of rain, filling the creeks and dams. Just when the cold and gloom feels like it has gone on days too long, the sun makes a welcome appearance between the clouds. A still, sunny winter’s day on the Peninsula is a time to enjoy the daffodils growing under the old trees in the paddocks in the hinterland. It’s a time to head to the pubs along the bay and sit down and watch the yachts on the water lean into the wind. Winter is when winemakers begin to release the first of the white wines made in the autumn, making a cellar door visit an exciting time. This is when many stoke the fire, put on a Sunday roast, and pull out some of those reds from the past few years. Winter is a time of deserted beaches, empty carparks, and a better chance to get a table at a winery restaurant. For many locals, winter is the best time of the year on the Peninsula.

ARILLA AT BONEO PARK

Spring

There is a sense of building excitement on the Peninsula as spring takes over from the cold days of winter. Out in the cherry orchards, the ground below the trees is a carpet of fine pink petals. As the days grow longer, the cherries fill out and change from green to deep red.

Come Melbourne Cup Day and the first of the cherries are ready to pick. Well before that the Spring Racing Carnival comes to Mornington for the RM Ansett Classic, a chance to dress up to be seen and watch others. In the vineyards the dormant vines come to life and the tiny buds swell, bulging pink and red before unfolding tender young leaves and cordons on which the next vintage of grapes grows. Every year spring brings old friends to Port Phillip as the snapper make their way through the Heads and up the bay to find sheltered water in which to breed. They are joined by the fishers who want to pull a few up to feed the family. Spring is also the start of the growing season. After the long dark days of winter, spring sees the first of the asparagus harvested, broad beans, peas and the first of the greens. Foragers are out and about picking the tender tips of warrigal greens and avoiding being stung by the delicious but tricky stinging nettles. With the change in the weather, the wattles in bloom and the water beginning to warm, spring on the Peninsula can be a glorious time of the year.

MR JACKSON www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

RICHARD CORNISH

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frankston

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Greater Frankston wears the tagline ‘Gateway to the Peninsula’, but this waterfront city is more than a gateway to merely pass through. In recent years Frankston has become a destination for food and wine-lovers, and with the added attraction of its vibrant arts and culture scene that hums with festivals, exhibitions, and year-round performances it has created a winning combination on Port Phillip.

Today, visitors can enjoy the full dining spectrum, from fish and chips on the beach to top-notch café eats for breakfast and lunch to pre-dinner cocktails at a bar buzzing with good times. Dinner might be a raucous affair at one of the polished pubs serving decent pub fare and award-winning Peninsula brews, or perhaps something to savour at a restaurant overlooking the water.

Frankston’s rich history as a gathering place begins with the traditional Bunurong owners, who lived in tune with each season’s edible offerings and fished Kananook and Sweetwater creeks for tens of thousands of years before European settlement.

After settlement, Frankston became a fishing village, supplying Melbourne with the catch of the day and attracting holidaymakers.

The range of cuisines on offer rivals any great city, from authentic Korean to classic Italian to modern Asian packed with punchy flavours. This is a coastal suburb with an international edge.

Frankston is the master of reinvention, and it just keeps evolving and getting better. Make time to stop here to eat, drink and see this former fishing village in a whole new light.

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AND SURROUNDS

18-EightyEight 28 Arancini 4 All 34 Atmosphere Indoor Outdoor 157,159 Beach Café Seaford 36 Bite Local 158 Ceylon Girl’s Café 27 Coffee for the People 35 Dainton Brewery & Taphouse 25 Eeny Meeny 37 Exclusive Appetite 156 Frankston Arts Centre 162 Frankston Brewhouse 33

Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant 26 Hotel Lona 30 Iron River Bar & Grill 22 Little Beauty Market 155 Little River Coffeehouse 24 One Pear Tree 38 Organic Bay Distillery 159 Peninsula Larder Flavour Pearls 39,157 Rebel Donuts 29 The Deck Est.2013 20 The Hop Shop 32 Vero Pasta + Wine 31

VERO PASTA www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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The Deck Est.2013 Since its inception in July 2013, The Deck has been synonymous with great times, great food and great music.

With a phenomenal renovation to their rooftop beer garden, even winter can’t stop you revelling in sensational Port Phillip views and their chef-inspired menu. Do not let the unassuming heritage façade fool you – thousands upon thousands have been totally blown away by its stylish interior and unique ambience just waiting to be discovered.

Front and centre at The Deck is the food. The modern Australian cuisine is squarely focused on providing high-quality pub-friendly dishes but delivered with next-level finesse. Chef’s flavour balance and attention to the little things is exemplary.

Experience classic pub favourites along with an ever-changing specials board filled with enticing dishes that reflect the best and freshest seasonal produce.

The Deck offers a wide range of dining and grazing options and specials, from a stellar two-hour bottomless brunch every Sunday that will leave you wanting for nothing, to $1.50 wings and $2 oysters on Friday afternoons. They also hand out free snags on a Sunday arvo.

The Deck offers a glorious wine list showcasing local vineyards such as Crittenden and T’Gallant Estate, an extensive range of domestic and craft beers, ciders, and one of the best cocktail menus in Melbourne.

Check out the ‘What’s On’ page on The Deck’s website to view all the various entertainment and activities. There’s something for everyone: Thursday nights with QuizMeisters’ Pub Trivia, featuring $19.90 steak and parmas; live music every Friday and Saturday night with Melbourne’s best-loved bands; laid-back acoustic guitar on Sunday afternoons with Michael Paynter and friends; and special events from national comedy legends and international guest DJs and musos.

The Deck also offers tailor-made function packages to suit any occasion, from small quiet affairs to huge milestone celebrations. So whether you are thinking

of a Christmas work party for 15 people or a 30th birthday party for 200 mates, there are spaces available to meet your needs. You can be assured of superior catering for all dietary requirements. The Deck’s function team will create an experience that will exceed your expectations.

Check website for trading hours

The Deck Est.2013 I 2-4 Davey St, Frankston I P: 9783 1003 I www.thedeckest2013.com.au I info@thedeckest2013.com.au

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Iron River Bar & Grill Rachel Bennett and Dwayne Heagney had an idea: “Let’s open an American-style steakhouse!” The two chefs have worked their magic as the owners of Iron River Bar & Grill.

Together with their tireless team they deliver on their promise of excellent steak, bold American flavours, and friendly service. This family-owned and operated business in the heart of Frankston has become a magnet for steak-lovers, burger connoisseurs, and fans of American-style barbecue.

The dining room is decked out in moody hues with chocolate brown booth seats, dark wood tables and black iron chairs. When the weather’s fine, grab a table out the front and watch the world go by. Inside, there’s plenty of space for groups to spread out, and a big screen to catch a game.

Settle in for a cocktail. There’s an extensive list to choose from ranging from the classic to the adventurous. Frozen margaritas are another favourite here. For kids, the impressive milkshakes, thickshakes and soda floats fit the American theme and bring smiles all round.

To eat, New York buffalo wings – deep-fried chicken wings coated in a spicy sauce – are a flavour sensation. Or perhaps go for Cubano rolls, the kind you’d find in Florida, home of the Cuban sandwich, toasted and filled with all your favourite American fixings. Beef ribs are slow-cooked for eight hours in a braise with herbs, spices and Coca-Cola.

Now for the steak. Great Southern Pinnacle, grass-fed for life, is the steak of choice here, from Wagyu to porterhouse to a whopping 500g ribeye if you’re very hungry. Melt in the mouth eye fillet is always a firm favourite.

It wouldn’t be an American-inspired restaurant without burgers on the menu. One hundred per cent grass-fed Great Southern Pinnacle brisket is grilled to perfection and served on potato buns with all manner of condiments and fillings from classic to fancy – truffle aioli anyone? If fried chicken is more your thing, you can’t go past the southern crispy chicken burger with all the trimmings.

Chicken parmas are another specialty here – not exactly American but who doesn’t love a good parma? Fried in panko crumbs with chips and salad on the side, there’s a delicious range of parma toppings to choose from. You can stick with the original parma recipe or try out a meatlovers’ version with Texas sauce, eight-hour braised pulled beef, bacon, pepperoni and cheese. Kids will love all the options on the menu just for them, from a classic cheeseburger to wings and ribs served with fries.

Whether you’re having a family dinner, celebrating a birthday or meeting for work, the team at Iron River will make you feel welcome and be attentive from start to finish. Iron River is allergy and accessibility-friendly.

See social media for details of weekly special offers such as parma night, pork rib night, or burgers and beer. If you’re planning a party, ask about venue hire.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 4pm-late; Saturday & Sunday noon-late

Iron River Bar & Grill I 435/437 Nepean Highway, Frankston I P: 8765 2498 I www.ironriver.com.au I

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Little River Coffeehouse Dwayne Heagney and Rachel Bennett created Little River Coffeehouse in January 2022 to be a haven for people to slow down, relax and unwind. The duo are hospitality veterans who also own Iron River Bar & Grill next door.

Located beneath Quest hotel, Little River is the place for honest café fare made with heart.

Breakfasts and lunches are a case of simple done well. Breakfast is thankfully served all day. From eggs benedict to pancakes with mini merengues or an all-out vegetarian delight featuring housemade falafels, hummus, mushrooms, spinach, grilled tomato, avocado and hashbrowns, this is breakfast done right. Lunch is a roll call of café classics – think caesar Little River Coffeehouse I 435 Nepean Highway, Frankston

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salad, fish’n’chips, a burger or perhaps pasta. If you’re on the go, grab a freshly made sandwich or toasted Turkish bread roll.

The tempting display of sweet treats will have you craving a sugar hit.

Word’s out about head chef Andrew Rafe’s decadent Nutella brownies.

Order a brownie and a coffee made with locally roasted beans from Revolution Coffee Roasters and you’ll be set for anything. A good selection of tea, chai and real fruit smoothies are on offer too.

The friendly team here keep the place humming, and the vibe is upbeat.

Sit inside or out the front and be part of Frankston’s bustle.

Catering for off-site small or large events is a Little River specialty, as are corporate bookings and celebrations in the café. From a micro wedding to a champagne high tea, it’s all possible.

Opening hours: Weekdays 7am-3pm, weekends 8am-2.30pm

I P: 0432 171 319

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Dainton Brewery & Taphouse Bringing home awards year after year, Dainton Brewery & Taphouse is not only a highly acclaimed brewery but a place locals flock to. Bursting on to the Carrum Downs scene in 2016, their focus was on making the venue an attractive space where customers would feel relaxed. They certainly delivered.

The expansive taproom oozes industrial chic with its high ceilings, rack of beer barrels and ample light, plus the bonus of a spacious undercover beer garden to bring your dog for a catch-up with friends.

Good-looking venue aside, it’s the beer that steals the show. Expect to find regularly released exciting and unusual variations alongside the classics – it’s what Dainton are known for. Everyone will find

a beer to love: hazy IPAs, stouts, porters, sours, lager or pale ales, plus low and non-alcoholic beers.

Grab a bite to eat from their extensive menu to accompany your knockout brew.

Burgers and beers are a match made in heaven, or choose from such options as tacos, wings, chips, or salads paired with wine or a cocktail.

Dainton’s big, bold and tasty beers with memorable branding have catapulted them to nationwide fame. Find them in stores across the country or grab some takeaway from the taphouse while you’re there enjoying the live music, big-name comedy or trivia nights.

Pushing boundaries with creativity and independent thought, it’s easy to see why it has become the beer of Frankston and the Peninsula.

Opening hours: Wednesday 4-9.30pm; Thursday-Saturday noon-10.30pm; Sunday noon-8.30pm; closed MondayTuesday

Dainton Brewery & Taphouse | 560 Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Carrum Downs | P: 9775 0334 www.dainton.beer

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Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant Frankston Escape the bustle of Frankston city and head to the banks of Kananook Creek, where you can step into an authentic Korean restaurant experience at Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant, the first of its kind to open on the Mornington Peninsula. Now in its sixth year, Geonbae is still going strong.

Geonbae means ‘cheers’ in Korean, an apt name that reflects the convivial way this Asian cuisine is meant to be enjoyed.

Groups of friends and families come together to fill the wooden booths and witness premium cuts of meat being cooked at their table over their own barbecue, an authentic feature of Korean dining.

The bold flavours of this cuisine will

awaken your tastebuds, and the vibrant colours of salted and fermented vegetable side dishes create a visual feast. If you’re new to Korean food, the knowledgeable and friendly staff will guide you through the varied menu.

There are banquet options or a la carte.

Perhaps the most well-known Korean dish is bulgogi, which translates as ‘fire meat’.

It’s a dish of marinated pork or beef strips that have been cut with precision by the master chefs.

To drink, why not raise your glass with soju, a rice wine that’s the drink of choice in Korea. You can order a soju paddle and try a few to work out your favourite. Or perhaps a fruit-flavoured soju cocktail is more your thing.

If you’re seeking a dining experience that’s out of the ordinary, gather your group and head to Geonbae.

Opening hours: daily from 11am-11pm, including public holidays; closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant Frankston I 4 Kananook Creek Blvd, Frankston I P: 7023 4144 I www.geonbae.com.au

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Ceylon Girl’s Café Nothing compares to food that’s been cooked using family recipes steeped in history and tradition. That’s what you’ll experience at Ceylon Girl’s Café. Owner Angela Lord learnt the craft of preparing authentic Burgher-style Ceylonese cuisine from her grandmother and mother.

Angela refers to herself as a ‘Ceylon girl’ – hence the café’s name – because she was born in Ceylon in 1972, the year the country changed its name to Sri Lanka. Angela is a Burgher; Burgher people are a small Eurasian ethnic group in Sri Lanka descended from Portuguese, Dutch, British and other Europeans who settled in Ceylon. The influences of the settlers are found in the country’s cuisine and in Angela’s appealing menu.

Angela began her business in a food truck called La Foodies with her husband Craig Evans but quickly outgrew that space after being named in the Herald Sun’s top 10 food truck list in 2020. La Foodies ranked No.5.

Ceylon Girl’s Café opened in December 2021 and has a loyal following who come for memorable curries but also house specialties including pan rolls. “We’re known for our pan rolls,” says Angela.

Pan rolls are filled crepes – chicken, beef or vegetables – rolled, crumbed and deep-fried, and served with a dipping sauce. Go and experience the delights of Ceylon cuisine for yourself. All curries are gluten and lactose-free.

Hours differ throughout the year, check with venue.

Ceylon Girl’s Café I 16 Skye Rd, Frankston I P: 8753 2900 I www.ceylongirlscafe.com.au

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18-EightyEight This newcomer to Seaford’s café scene is all about bringing the community together to stop and appreciate the sweeter moments in life.

18-EightyEight is serious about coffee. After all, it’s the liquid gold that gets us through the day. It’s made here with love using Naked Espresso coffee beans and your choice of milk: full cream, skinny, lactose-free, Bonsoy, almond, oat, or hemp milk. The walls are adorned with art for sale by local artists, and to add to the community support vibe, customers have embraced 18-EightyEight’s Pay It Forward Hanging Coffee campaign.

Now for the sweet part. Whether it’s a loaded milkshake, a beautifully presented slice of cake or an ice-cream sundae, there are plenty of treats. In case you haven’t a clue what a loaded milkshake is, prepare yourself for a sensory overload. It starts with a creamy delicious milkshake and then all manner of toppings are piled high, from biscuits to lollies to caramel popcorn.

If you’re in the mood for something savoury, 18-EightyEight’s jaffles are a hit, as are their soups. Gluten-free and vegan diners are catered for happily.

18-EightyEight is a true family-friendly café. With a dedicated kids’ corner featuring toys, puzzles, games and a monthly colouring competition, the little ones can enjoy the time while you enjoy your coffee. Don’t leave your doggy at home, as they’re welcome at the new outside dining area. Treat your fur friend to a puppycino and treats from The Paw Grocer.

18-EightyEight is “that place” that feels like home away from home.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5.30am-6.30pm; Friday & Saturday 5.30am-7.30pm; Sunday 5.30am-5.30pm 18-EightyEight I 5 Station St, Seaford I P: 8774 5374 I

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Rebel Donuts A ‘doughnut mecca’ overflowing with sweetness, Rebel Donuts prides itself on supporting the community, building relationships with local businesses, and of course making awesome doughnuts. Rebel Donuts takes gourmet doughnuts to the next level, bringing their secret recipe of fluffy goodness to those who dare to think outside the square.

Using local produce, Rebel Donuts offers a range of delicious doughnuts, including fresh strawberry-glazed, cheesecake-filled, Tongan vanilla-glazed, cookies and cream-filled, lolly-sprinkled, mint-crumbed and custard cream or chocolate-filled doughnuts.

And for those who remain faithful to the traditional doughnuts, their pure Ceylon cinnamon-dusted Cinna-roo or the jam-filled, sugardusted Dirty Jam will do the trick. The list of luscious deliciousness just goes on and on.

There is always something new and exciting on the agenda at Rebel Donuts, including school holiday doughnut-decorating activities for the kids, fundraising programs to support local community groups, customer loyalty programs and so much more.

If you're looking for something different to celebrate a special occasion, Rebel Donuts has you covered – from giant doughnut cakes to stacked doughnut cakes, themed doughnuts, wedding doughnuts and beautifully decorated Love doughnuts for that special someone. If you have something in mind, their creative team will make doughnut magic!

Rebel Donuts is a creative heart for all things ‘holey’. Treat yourself today and check out their fabulous range of doughnut delights at their new Langwarrin store at The Gateway Shopping Centre, 230 Cranbourne-Frankston Rd, inside Brancatisano Fresh Grocer, or visit them online.

Rebel Donuts takes the art of doughnut-making to the next level.

Drop by, indulge, and revel in the deliciousness. Visit their website for more information.

Opening hours: seven days

Rebel Donuts I The Gateway Shopping Centre, 230 Cranbourne-Frankston Rd, Langwarrin I www.rebeldonuts.com

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Hotel Lona There’s always a reason to come and a reason to stay at Hotel Lona.

Family-owned Lona Group – the folks behind Barca Food & Wine, Lona hospitality venues and Sedgley & Sons Winery – have brought their latest hospitality venue to the Peninsula.

Housed in one of Frankston’s oldest buildings, original features of the facade and interior were brought back to life during the building’s transformation into a 400-capacity, two-level venue with restaurant, bar and rooftop, and live music seven days a week.

In the public bar, bifold windows provide a relaxed indoor/outdoor dining experience as you watch sport and enjoy a casual drink and a bite to eat. A feature double fireplace connects the bar and dining area, offering brunch, lunch and dinner service, with options including share plates, pub favourites, wood-fired pizza, steak, pasta, vegan dishes, kids’ meals and dessert.

A standout design element is the beautifully restored brickwork, now adorned with funky neon art, and complemented by the eye-catching staircase lit in neon pink. Head up and find the sun-drenched rooftop, where a full dining menu is also available, or you can spend lazy afternoons listening to live music and enjoying their famous Lona Drunch packages (drinks and lunch). In addition, a private dining room is available to hire for all types of functions. As the sun sinks below the horizon, watch the space transform into a late-night restaurant vibe with DJs and dancing.

Known for its vibrant atmosphere year-round, Hotel Lona is a fail-safe option for a good time.

Opening hours: daily from noon until late.

Hotel Lona I 473 Nepean Highway, Frankston

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Vero Pasta + Wine For Italian food that gives Carlton neighbourhood envy, look no further than Frankston’s own Vero Pasta + Wine. It’s everything fine Italian dining can and should be: dishes that are elegant and not heavy, unpretentious but delicious, with a menu designed by chef and owner Andrea Papapostolou that adapts traditional flavours and recipes for modern palates.

The rustic charm of the restaurant at night – its painted blue brick walls covered in eclectic artworks, and the space furnished with wooden tables and chairs – is hard to beat. So are the quiet culinary triumphs Andrea offers in her trademark down-to-earth way as she moves between cooking in the open kitchen and checking on tables.

Experience it for yourself: handmade focaccia still warm from the oven; the mouthwatering simplicity of fresh homemade pasta produced daily on the premises; the traditional pizzas Andrea learnt to make in Italy; or the succulent and perfectly cooked swordfish that customers beg her to make a permanent menu item.

There are dishes to appeal to all ages and appetites, and the options change regularly due to Andrea’s love of seasonal ingredients, but the skilled cooking and attention to detail never waver. The drinks menu – with a focus on Mornington Peninsula Italian varietals and crafted cocktails – is on point. Challenge yourself not to overdo it with the addictive dessert offerings, where everything is as good as it sounds.

With a cosy, inviting atmosphere and food you’ll dream about, there’s nowhere better to become a regular.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-late; closed Monday Vero Pasta + Wine I 4/18-22 Beach St, Frankston I P: 8752 4209 www.veropasta.com.au veropastawine

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The Hop Shop The Hop Shop is Frankston’s independent home of craft beer. Owner Ed Cox is well schooled in all things hops and craft brewing, having been a brewer for five years before bringing his quiet dream to life. Since opening courageously at the height of the pandemic, Ed’s bottle shop and bar has become a hub of community.

With its light-filled covered beer garden and cosy bar area complete with fireplace, it’s a firm favourite in Frankston as the place to catch up, celebrate, or just ponder the merits of the latest craft brew pouring from one of the 16 taps. The beers change weekly so there’s always something new to try.

The vibe is friendly and relaxed. The tunes are full of soul with some funk or disco thrown in, and while the focus might be craft beer, being on the doorstep of serious wine country you’ll find local wines, gin and whisky too.

When you get peckish there’s delicious eats from Bang Bang. The crew who put hawker-style Asian street food on the map in Mordialloc are serving up their lip-smacking spicy chicken wings, beef bao, crispy Sichuan eggplant and the like at The Hop Shop Wednesday to Sunday.

The bottle shop stocks around 200 different beers and a variety of wines and spirits too. Whatever you buy at the bottle shop can be enjoyed in The Hop Shop’s beer garden or bar area. Stop in and say hi.

The beers are cold and the company is sociable.

Opening hours: see website The Hop Shop I 26 Playne St, Frankston

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Frankston Brewhouse If you take a detour into Frankston’s industrial estate, not far from the CBD, you’ll come across a lucky find – the Frankston Brewhouse.

Step inside to find a craft brewing operation and taphouse that not only looks good but produces the goods too. With polished concrete floors, wooden tables, large windows, a wall of bench seats, outdoor tables and friendly, knowledgeable staff, it’s an inviting and modern venue perfect for date nights, dinner with the family or catching up with mates.

The creation of four locals, the aim of the three-vessel brewhouse was to produce ‘socially approachable beers’ – the words adorn the wall in neon – or beers that anyone can enjoy.

Their first brew, the Harold Hop IPA, was an instant hit. The range now includes the Ambassador Pale Ale, Funkytown Sour, Sunnyside Session Ale, Arthurs Wheat, Long Island Lager, and Pope’s Eye Porter, whose names are a cheeky nod to the Mornington Peninsula.

The mouthwatering menu is designed to be shared, with such temptations as soft-shell crab tacos, beef sliders, sauteed mixed mushrooms and a chocolate porter brownie.

Special nights and events include Thursday $1 wings, Friday specials, Sunday afternoon live music, regular comedy nights, brew tours and private functions.

The easygoing vibe and lively atmosphere makes it hard to leave, so be prepared to linger.

Opening hours: Thursday 4-10pm; Friday 3-11pm; Saturday noon-11pm; Sunday noon-9pm

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Arancini 4 All At Arancini 4 All, the demand for their gluten-free arancini has soared since they started cooking at markets in 2018, and once you taste them you’ll know why.

Owners Crystal and Grant are partners and chefs who trained on the Mornington Peninsula.

They lead a fun team of three chefs and two kitchen hands who are all either friends or family members, and together they handroll between 8-10,000 arancini balls each week in a relaxed and joyous environment. The result is food that nourishes the body and warms the soul. It’s also full of delightful contrasts – crispy yet creamy, satisfying and surprisingly light.

Coated in a thin fried shell that lends a satisfying crunch to every bite, these delicious rice balls are the ultimate gluten-free comfort food. They come in an array of flavours including basil macadamia pesto, chicken kiev, roasted portobello mushroom with thyme and cream cheese, organic pickled heirloom beetroot and maple, beef bolognese and mozzarella, and confit duck and Cointreau.

Freshness and quality ingredients are a big factor in their success – they source fresh ingredients from Victorian farmers and organic wherever possible, with varieties to suit vegan, vegetarian, low to no FODMAP, nut-free and dairy-free dietary requirements. A great combination of rich, traditional flavours and methods is fused with healthier, New Age sensibilities.

Find them every weekend at various markets throughout Victoria, at local stockists, supplying the food service industry and home delivery.

See their website for stockists and farmers’ market locations.

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Coffee for the People If Coffee for the People ever closed, you’d hear cries of despair through the beachside suburbs around Seaford. Since opening the coffee shop in 2016 and their off-site roastery business in 2018, owners Skye and Joshua have been making mornings far more bearable for grateful locals.

Inside the cosy space, wooden communal tables and charming red chairs are immediately inviting, and the walls are hung with vibrant art from a different artist every month, helping foster the sense of community they set out to achieve.

As Skye explains: “We really wanted to create a cafe that felt like you were walking into someone's home, that you're welcome and belong. That's the essence of what we do, and it’s centred around really good coffee and a simple, tasty menu.”

In addition to excellent coffee – made using their own freshly roasted beans – you’ll find a free-form menu accommodating all dietary requirements, including nutritious salads, brunch plates, chilli scrambles, bagels, and baguettes, as well as milkshakes, hot beverages, raw treats, freshly baked muffins and slices.

You can also purchase a bag of premium coffee beans to take home – it’s a favourite of coffee purists, and is being enjoyed at venues across the state as their wholesale business grows.

With the motto of doing things simply but doing them well, Skye and Joshua have created a coffee-lovers’ haven that’s worth slowing down for.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-2pm; Saturday & Sunday 7.30am-2pm Coffee for the People I 37 Armstrongs Rd, Seaford I P: 0432 635 527 I www.cftproastingco.com.au/cafe

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Beach Café Seaford As the name suggests, this little treasure of a café is situated beachside. Tucked in the dunes overlooking Seaford Pier and Port Phillip, the waterside views are a definite drawcard. Seating on the spacious wooden deck makes the most of the sea breeze and sunshine on a nice day.

It’s the perfect destination whether you’re with

family or friends. There’s a kids’ menu, and a fantastic variety of dishes to choose from for breakfast or lunch. The tantalising dishes include vegan and gluten-free options. The vegetarian botanical bowl is filled with wholefood goodness: quinoa and vegies dressed up with avocado, toasted almond flakes, haloumi, tahini dip, pepitas, goji berries and dried mango. From egg brekkies to waffles, crepes or superfood bircher, there’s a dish to keep everyone happy.

At lunch, seafood fans will love the Fisherman’s Combo: crispy lemon pepper calamari, sweet chilli mussels, battered scallops, crumbed

whiting, battered crab stick, char-grilled tiger prawns, beer-battered fries and a creamy coleslaw salad. The Aegean marinated Greekstyle char-grilled lamb gyros with Greek salad, tzatziki, pita bread and beer-battered fries is another winner. Serves are generous and everything is presented with great attention and care.

Friendly service and great coffee decorated with coffee art complete the happy go lucky story here.

See website for opening times.

PHOTOS AND WORDS BY RICHARD CORNISH Beach Café Seaford 1/10N Nepean Hwy, Pier Foreshore Seaford P: 8774 0470 beachcafeseaford.com.au

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Eeny Meeny This creatively styled café has attracted a dedicated following in the Frankston community since opening 10 years ago. If you’re not a local, it’s the sort of place you’ll wish was in your neighbourhood.

Co-owner chef Robbie Wright started out in Stephanie Alexander’s kitchen many moons ago and continued learning from respected industry experts. In his own kitchen the focus is on quality local and seasonal ingredients, Asian and Middle Eastern flavours, and beautiful but unfussy presentation. It keeps Eeny Meeny devotees coming back for more.

A signature dish on the all-day menu is Persian eggs: locally farmed Yolkey Dokey eggs scrambled and folded with wilted spinach and Persian fetta sprinkled with housemade dukkah and served with toasted ciabatta.

The specials board changes every

two weeks and features dishes from around the world, such as nasi goreng or mushroom crepes. House-baked sweet treats are perfect with an excellent coffee.

The eclectic décor adds to the personality and appeal. Wander out the back to the secluded courtyard oasis. It’s undercover and has heating, a lush garden, and a pond with goldfish.

The team here work hard to reduce their environmental footprint by minimising food miles and sending coffee grounds to the local community garden for composting. You can pick up a bucket for your home garden.

Reusable containers and coffee cups are encouraged for takeaway food and drinks.

Stay up to date on Eeny Meeny’s socials to catch their occasional special events. And if you have your own business or personal event coming up, catering is available too.

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 8am3pm

Eeny Meeny I 96 Young St, Frankston I

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One Pear Tree If you’re looking for a café with style and substance, One Pear Tree has all that and more. Located in a beautifully renovated weatherboard house, you’ll feel immediately at home in this light-filled space. The black and white décor gives it a smart edge, and in addition to the café there’s original art, homewares, jewellery and giftware for sale, enhancing the character and charm.

Whether you’re here to grab takeaway or settle in for brekky or lunch, you’ll be welcomed by the friendly and attentive team. The queue at the courtyard coffee window moves smoothly and dogs are made welcome at the outdoor tables.

The menu changes seasonally, and the focus is on freshness and flavour. Breakfast is served all day and there are daily lunch specials.

From eggs to pancakes to burgers or hearty salads, it’s delicious, honest fare. If morning or afternoon tea is what you’re after, the wellstocked display of homemade cakes will delight. Their best-selling classic carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a firm favourite.

One Pear Tree is fully licensed, so meeting friends for drinks is an option too. There’s a lot to love.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am-3.30pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am-3.30pm. See website for more details.

One Pear Tree I 372 Nepean Highway, Frankston I P: 9781 0077 I www.onepeartree.com.au I

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Pop a pearl for a burst of flavour

Peninsula Larder’s Flavour Pearls are a luxury gourmet garnish for both food and drinks. These pearl-size bubbles of flavour combine the beauty of luxury caviar with an exciting and delicious liquid burst.

The pearls are handmade in Seaford using a mixture of science and cooking known as molecular gastronomy. Peninsula Larder sources pectin from fruit to create the bubbles that hold the liquid and give the famous ‘pop’ that the Flavour Pearls are known for. Just spoon a few on your favourite food or add them to cocktails or a glass of bubbles to enjoy their fruity flavours.

Peninsula Larder’s Flavour Pearls help make entertaining a little easier.

Food is more delicious, your dishes look professional, and they are just so easy to use. They’re also diet-friendly, vegan, and gluten and dairy-free, and they won’t melt or dissolve, so you can serve them with hot, cold or frozen food and drinks.

There is a huge range of flavours to choose from, and you’ll find some fabulous recipes on the Peninsula Larder website, together with signature gift boxes that you can fill with your flavour selections. They also make a great luxury gourmet gift idea for foodie family members and friends because they don’t require refrigeration until opened – and Peninsula Larder ships worldwide.

Medal winners at the 2017 and 2018 Australian Food Awards, Peninsula Larder’s Flavour Pearls are the perfect addition to your pantry. Peninsula Larder is open Monday-Friday from 9.30am-4.30pm.

PENINSULA LARDER 42 Cumberland Drive, Seaford P: 9773 6403 www.peninsulalarder.com.au

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FROM BEAN

Not all coffee is created equal

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One of the main reasons Sam Keck opened Commonfolk, his much-loved Mornington café and coffee roasting business, was because he felt the Mornington Peninsula had such a long history of great food and wine but didn’t approach coffee in the same way. “Coffee was almost an afterthought,” says Sam, who opened Commonfolk’s doors almost 10 years ago. With Commonfolk cafes now also in South Yarra, Beaumaris and Frankston, when it comes to coffee, Sam knows his stuff.

need to roast coffee from green coffee, but what most people don’t realise is there are so many steps before that to even get the coffee into an appropriate form to roast.”

When talking to Sam, it doesn’t take long to learn there’s more to creating the humble cup of coffee than most coffee devotees consider. “I think people don’t realise how many hands it takes to get coffee to the customer,” he says. “A lot of people know about the brewing process and the barista having to grind the beans, extract it and brew it. A few people probably understand you

“I want people to realise not all coffee is created equal. When someone suggests paying slightly more for your coffee might have a massive impact at a farming level, I don’t think it can be understated and why it’s important to understand where your coffee comes from, who is producing it and how is it paid for as opposed to ‘does the packaging look great?’ ”

Coffee is grown on evergreen shrubs at high altitudes in tropical climates in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Uganda and Ethiopia. Coffee ‘cherries’ grow along the branches of the shrub and once they are harvested – often by hand – they are washed, dried, milled, and hulled, then milled again before the beans can be shipped all over the world.

As consumers learn more about the ethics behind their daily coffee hit, Sam sees the market responding. “It’s good to see increasingly good communication from coffee roasters like us and other roasters on the Peninsula like Prodigal and Little Rebel.

Narratives around farming and ethical sourcing are becoming more prevalent.

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Sam and his team pride themselves on the relationships they’ve built with coffee farmers and ensuring that a fair price is paid for their harvest. “We typically try to work with the same partners every year. We buy all their coffee, from their entry-level specialty bulk lots all the way to super-rare coffees for customers who want to spend more on a one-off experience.”

Commonfolk’s initiative The Cup That Counts sees 20 cents from every cup of Commonfolk coffee made invested in the initiative that supports several coffee-related projects. One such project is Zukuka Bora, a social enterprise in Uganda that exists to empower farming communities and return a sustainable and regenerative enterprise to the Mt Elgon coffee region. The Cup That Counts has helped Zukuka Bora purchase demonstration farms, build processing centres, buy machinery, and provide training and employment to more than six coffee farming communities around Mt Elgon. To date, Commonfolk has donated $210,000 to the project.

Closer to home, The Cup That Counts

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supports Mornington’s Home Ground Café, a vocational training cafe creating opportunities for local unemployed youth.

Since starting in 2018 with four young people, Home Ground has now had more than 80 young people walk through its doors and benefit from its hospitality training program.

With the rising cost of living, how will people’s daily coffee ritual be affected?

“People can expect to see a price increase; that’s just the reality,” Sam says. “Not just because the price of coffee beans has gone up – that’s already happened. It’s

more the wages. There’s a shortage of skilled coffee workers because during the pandemic there was a two-year period where no one trained new staff because people weren’t hiring. They were just trying to keep the staff they had. And now the industry is trying to catch up, there’s a very small resource of staff and it’s pushing the price of baristas up.”

From the growers to the roasters to the baristas, there’s a big story behind your daily coffee. Drink responsibly.

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MORNINGTON

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

One of the charms of the Mornington Peninsula is that each township has its own unique character and appeal. In this neck of the woods you can experience the contrasts of Mount Eliza and Mount Martha’s upmarket villages, the rural plains of Moorooduc, and the shopping and dining destination that Mornington’s Main St has become.

For those who love to wine and dine, this area has it all. Starting with the unrivalled coffee culture and moving on to award-winning fine food merchants, farmgates, cellar doors, and distilleries, the list of food and wine purveyors to visit is seemingly endless.

The contrasts continue in Mornington, where you can dine with a waterfront view or head to the industrial area and soak up the vibe at Commonfolk, where

serious coffee drinkers and creative crews gather.

The range of cuisines on offer means your tastebuds will never be bored. There’s Italian, Japanese, Spanish, modern Australian and more. From a fabulous burger to a lazy long lunch or a big night out, there’s a welcoming venue for every occasion.

And if you love whipping up your own culinary masterpiece, or perhaps a gourmet picnic is on your wish list, then a trip to Tully’s Corner Produce Store is a must.

We’re so lucky to have such variety to eat and drink here on the Mornington Peninsula and to have hospitality professionals, growers and makers who put their heart and soul into what they do. They can’t wait to meet you.

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MOOROODUC

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Blackbird Café 69 Café Mercetta 65 Chief’s Son Distillery 64 Chocolat of Mornington 58 Coffee Traders 74 Commonfolk 40,72 Counting House Bar & Grill 61 Cptn Jack’s 63 Elevate Wine Tours 156 Gods Kitchen 56 Grey Ghost Brewery 158 Island Pasta Company 68 Le Feu Mornington 70 Main Street Market 154 Manhattan in Mornington 52 Mr Jackson 75

Mt Eliza Famers Market 155 Oasis Mornington 50 Paradise Bar & Bistro 73 Peninsula Beverage Co. Mornington 77 Pot au Pho 70 Pure Peninsula Honey 76 Somerville Egg Farm 59 Squires Loft Mornington 48 The Bay Hotel 67 The Good Food Bakery 66 The Winey Cow 71 Tio Tapas Y Vino 54 Tully’s Corner 44 Unrivalled Events 154 Via Battisti 60 Yo My Goodness 62

THE WINEY STORE COW TULLY’S CORNER PRODUCE www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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Tully’s Corner Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Tully’s. It might sound like an ambitious claim, but it’s one this delightful local favourite can definitely back.

As their loyal customers know, you’re probably not going to have a quick in-and-out shop when you visit Tully’s – it’s a superior experience that the grocery store chains can’t come close to replicating.

Nothing beats the charm of this iconic family-run business on a converted 16ha farm, with its traditional country look and an emphasis on sourcing and promoting local lines. They offer an eye-popping array of premium produce including fresh fruit and vegetables, deli items, meat and seafood, flowers, freshly made food and beverages, coffee, and even livestock feed and rural supplies. It's a one-stop shop that people of all ages love.

Creating a positive lasting impact in the community is what Tully’s is all about. When you're buying something from Tully’s, you’re supporting the Mornington Peninsula and Victorian community.

Across all areas of the business, they have a close relationship with growers and suppliers; they know everybody by name, and everybody knows them.

When it opened in the early 2000s, Tully’s was a humble store selling fruit and vegetables. It has now grown to become a staple on the Mornington Peninsula, stocking thousands of specialty lines and providing outstanding customer service.

Stop for a drink at Tonics @ Tully’s, an all-gluten-free health food juice bar at the main storefront. On the menu is a huge selection of cold-pressed juices, juice shots, and superfood smoothies, all freshly made on site with good-for-you ingredients direct from Tully’s. For a healthy energy boost, pick from wraps, fruit toast, rice paper rolls, soup, granola, muffins and slices, with plenty of vegan and high-protein options. You can't get any fresher than what’s on display.

The entrance is a sensory delight with a vibrant display of fragrant flowers. With an unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest seasonal stems from local farms and markets, there are options for every occasion and style. You can’t help but be cheered by the bright freesias, daffodils, sunflowers and blossoms, or the feature items like king white proteas and peonies. The talented team of florists are on hand seven days a week putting together the freshest and highest-quality flowers.

Tully’s fresh fruit and vegetables are renowned for being of superior quality, and obvious pride is taken in their flawless displays. Every morning dedicated staff hand-stack the shelves and ensure that only the most premium of produce is made available at all times.

Just past the ornate displays of fruit and vegetables, you’ll discover their huge dry goods grocery range, including awardwinning spreads, jams, biscuits, mueslis and spices – so many temptations in jars and boxes that you’ll want to grab a trolley and load up.

At Tully’s you will find the freshest meat, seafood and poultry.

Glenn, the head butcher, leads a cheerful crew making in-house burgers and sausages, using preservative-free Australian meat, with delectable flavours from produce sourced on site.

Tully’s Corner I 630 Moorooduc Highway, Mornington

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Tully’s Corner continued Other options include grass-fed lamb, beef, freerange pork, and ethically sourced seafood.

The deli boasts local kabana, ham, dips, cold cuts, olives and cheeses, in addition to specialty items from overseas. There’s also an extensive array of fruit platters, salads, soups, yoghurts, pizzas, and their famous guacamole, all made on site.

After you’ve finished your grocery shopping, a visit to Apple Espresso Café is a must.

Choose your seat inside or out and enjoy fresh homestyle cooking infused with care and passion. Indulge in homemade muffins, sweets, or a savoury meal with local wine and Fair Trade coffee.

Finally, before you leave, pop into Tully’s Stockfeed & Rural Supplies. You’ll find pretty much any product you need for any animal, whether it’s on a farm or a family pet. There are bales of hay grown locally, dog food manufactured just down the road, a locally made non-toxic herbicide, and even farm gates for sale. The friendly staff also offer a delivery service for Mornington Peninsula customers.

Right next door is Diaco’s Garden Nursery, stocking all your gardening essentials. Browse the many different types of plants, shrubs, trees and ornamentals, and pick up some compost, potting mix or fertiliser. There’s even firewood, gardening tools and pots – everything you need

Tully’s Corner I 630 Moorooduc Highway, Mornington

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in one place.

With decades of family heritage, Tully’s has evolved and grown in many different ways, but one thing that has remained at their core is their commitment to support local suppliers and serve the local community to the best of their abilities.

Open seven days: Tully’s Corner Produce Store, 7am-6pm; Tully’s Flowers, 7am-6pm (florist available 9am-5pm); Tonics @ Tully’s, 7.30am5pm; Apple Espresso Café, 7.30am-5pm; Tully’s Stockfeed & Rural Supplies, Monday-Friday 8am-6pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am-5pm; Diaco’s Garden Nursery, 9am-5pm

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Squires Loft Mornington From the moment you walk through the doors of this premium steakhouse, you’re whisked away from the bustle of Main St’s casual cafes and into a stylish oasis for a fine-dining experience like no other.

The aroma of beef cooking over the grill fills the dining room. There’s a pleasant mix of conversation, clinking of glass and clatter of plates and knives. This is Squires Loft Mornington, part of the collection of steak restaurants dotted around Melbourne and further afield. The Peninsula’s iteration of this meaty franchise, however, stands out from other venues.

Owners Siller and Deborah Bello reopened Squires Loft Mornington in February 2020. “We bought the restaurant because we loved the food and we loved coming here,” say the Peninsula pair. “We wanted to bring a premium dining experience to the heart of Mornington,” adds Siller. “We wanted to serve excellent but accessible food in a beautiful dining room. We wanted a place we would want to eat at.”

The décor and appointments are impressive. The long room is warm, softly lit, one wall lined with a padded banquette, the other side dotted with American-style circular booths. “We went to New York to check out places like Peter Luger Steak House to benchmark the steak experience,” says Siller.

Good glassware and Brazilian-made steak knives sit ready on the polished Tasmanian oak tables standing on warm terracotta tiles.

The comfortable padded Australian ash chairs are made by Siller’s furniture company and have a pleasing heft. The bar gantry is lined with premium spirits and the wine wall proudly stocked with wines from the Mornington Peninsula. With all the wood, leather look, brass and copper, the room has an overall welcoming, masculine feel.

The offer of top Mornington Peninsula wines is complemented by a range of Bordeaux, Burgundy, wines from Rhone, Sicily, Spain, and South America. The adoption of a Coravin system that injects inert gas into the wine bottle allows these fine wines to be poured by the

glass. It’s a chance for meat-lovers to enjoy a glass of exceptional wine without forking out for a bottle.

The money shot here is the meat. Squires Loft prides itself on the quality of its steak, much of which is sourced from a combination of Australian pasture-fed and grain-fed beef, predominantly from the lush green pastures of the Gippsland district in Victoria and northern NSW. Squires Loft beef is wet-aged for 28 days at strictly controlled temperatures to maximise tenderness and enhance flavour even further.

At Mornington, Siller and Deborah have added another level of super-premium steaks to the Chairman’s steak selection. This includes 200-days grain-fed Rangers Valley pure Black Angus, 700g ribeye, and 300-days grain-fed pure Black Angus porterhouse. There’s also 500-plus-days grain-fed 100 per cent Ranger Valley pure Wagyu 280g eye fillet, and 300g scotch fillet with marble scores of 5+ and 7+ respectively. These are cooked on a state-of-the-art custom-made gas grill that can reach 400C, searing steaks with perfect bar marks and a juicy, flavoursome interior. Add to this chicken, prawns, calamari, sausages and gourmet burgers and you’ll find a dish to keep every person at the table happy and satisfied.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5.30-10pm; Friday and Saturday 5.30-11pm; Sunday noon-3.30pm and 5.30-10pm; closed Monday

Squires Loft Mornington I 104 Main St, Mornington I P: 5976 8482 squiresloftmorningtonpeninsula squiresloftmornington

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Oasis Mornington Walking into Oasis grocery and bakery store in Mornington Central Shopping Centre is overwhelming in the best possible way. It’s a feast for the senses.

Where to start with so many wonderful ingredients and gourmet offerings?

The expansive store – almost 700 square metres – features a vibrant display of fresh produce, a bakery section well-stocked with Oasis’s famous sourdough, grocery aisles, meat and deli items, a wine store and a whole lot more.

Dedicated Oasis fans will know Emad and Marwa Makool opened the original Oasis store in Murrumbeena almost 25 years ago. The Makool family came to Australia from Lebanon in the 1970s and brought with them their cultural tradition of bringing people together through sharing good food made with heart. The Mornington store opened in mid-2022 and is their third; they opened their second store in Fairfield in 2018.

“One thing we want to be known for in Mornington is that people can come in and find something they’ve never seen before, whether that’s a range, a type of product, a flavour, or an ingredient,” says general manager Troy Kennedy. “As you walk up and down the aisles, you’ll see things hopefully you haven’t seen before.”

Whether you need everyday supplies such as bread, milk, eggs, coffee and so on, or you’re planning a special dinner party and need uncommon spices, fancy chocolates, delectable cheese, and a fabulous selection of Mornington Peninsula wine, Oasis has it. There’s even a wonderful range of Moroccan homewares to brighten up your table.

If cooking from scratch isn’t your thing or you’re short on time, Oasis has always had a focus on housemade products, such as dips, salads, and ready-to-eat meals that are perfect for picnics and beach days. The

Mornington store is well stocked with these ready-made items that sit alongside a range of more than 8000 other grocery items.

When it comes to sustainability, Oasis are committed to reducing the environmental impact of their business through initiatives such as Oasis|loop. This means packaging used at Oasis can be refilled, reused, or ultimately recycled. You’ll notice Oasis|loop stickers on such packaging as their extensive spice range. “Customers can bring back their empty spice containers and we recycle them; they’re used to make tar for roads. As much as possible, Oasis|loop is our way to reduce the number of materials going to landfill.”

Every detail has been considered in the store’s fit-out, from the shelving arrangements to the LED lighting, making it a pleasurable shopping experience. And unlike other specialty grocery stores where the prices can be inflated, the prices here are pleasingly competitive with major supermarkets. This means you can afford to shop in style every day.

Opening hours: Saturday to Wednesday 8am-7pm; Thursday & Friday 8am-8pm

Oasis Mornington I Mornington Central SC, Shop 30, 78 Barkly St, Mornington I P: 9026 1300 I www.oasisonline.com.au

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Manhattan in Mornington Hidden away from the rush of Main St, this Italian delight has been described as Mornington’s best kept secret.

From the outside, Manhattan in Mornington is an unassuming Italian restaurant. Once you step inside the doors, a whole world you weren’t expecting opens. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the high ceiling that features two domes with captivating Art Deco glass chandeliers.

The black and white décor and polished floorboards give the spacious dining room a smart, inviting look and feel. There’s an intimate mezzanine area where diners can view all the action of the restaurant below.

The driving force behind this charming venue is owner Rose Mimmo. Rose knows what matters in life: friends and family gathered around the table sharing great food and wine, making memories.

A genuine passion for hospitality shows here and has kept Manhattan’s loyal customers coming back time and again since opening 10 years ago. In the kitchen, Rose works with her son and brother cooking everything from scratch. Rose’s ‘daughter from another mother’, Hailey Garratt, has been a chef at Manhattan since day one. From brining olives to baking bread to making tira misu, the dedicated kitchen team cook with a whole lot of heart.

Handmade pasta is a highlight here. Fantasia gnocchi, seafood fettucine, and truffle pappardelle are all dishes that have won fans and reviews to match. Local mussels prepared with the chef’s special weekly sauce are a firm favourite too.

Beyond pasta there’s beautifully cooked risotto, slow-cooked meat, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes all bursting with Mediterranean flavours.

There’s something delicious for everyone and it’s all cooked with care. The team here is a mix of family and local staff. They have created a memorable place that would be right at home in Manhattan’s Little Italy, hence the name.

In the dining room, friendly and attentive waiters keep things humming along with personality and professionalism. Whether you’re aged five or 85, the front of house team here know how to make people feel welcome and looked after.

Manhattan has become a second home for those who know this is the place for traditional and modern Italian fare and generous hospitality. Whether it’s date night, a work celebration, family dinner or a catch-up with friends, Manhattan lends itself to a variety of occasions. There’s a kids’ and seniors’ menu that adds to the family-friendly feeling.

Group bookings are welcome for milestone birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. If you have an occasion in mind, get in touch to find out what’s possible to make your celebration special. The rear courtyard can be used as a private space. It’s ideal for stand-up functions for

Manhattan in Mornington 55 Barkly St, Mornington P: 5925 6199 www.manhattaninmornington.com.au

up to 100 people.

Carefully crafted cocktails are a feature and there’s a good selection of local and European wines, including an appealing range of Italian varietals as you’d expect. Beer and cider complete the drinks list.

“We’re a family-run business,” Rose says. “We treat our customers and staff as extended family and hope everyone feels the heart and soul of this place.”

Opening hours: see website.

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Tio Tapas Y Vino Few meals feel as joyful and designed for sharing as Spanish tapas. At Tio Tapas Y Vino, small plates that star flavour-packed ingredients – think chorizo, sardines, lamb cutlets, fried potatoes, and sizzling seafood – will transport you on a culinary journey from the comfort of your seat in Mornington to the coast of Spain.

The luxe and inviting dark-hued space features plenty of warm wooden furnishings, relaxed low lighting and a colourful, glowing wall of bottles behind the bar that imparts a cosy ambience and authentic Spanish vibes. Founded by local restaurateurs Ramy and Oscar, Tio Tapas preserves the classic taste of Spanish tapas, elevated with a delicious modern twist.

Since opening at the start of 2020 at the beach end of Main St, Tio Tapas has drawn its diners from all over the Mornington Peninsula. They use exceptional fresh produce from the area alongside a range of premium imported

ingredients – such as Iberian Jamon – for a distinctly Barcelonian experience.

In Spain, tapas is an experience for people to connect over deliciously flavourful bites. Share dishes allow you to taste a little of everything on the table, leaving your palate perfectly sated.

There’s a wide selection for any type of diner, whether it’s to please vegetarians, pescatarians, or meat-lovers. Their grilled Wagyu steak with cauliflower and blue cheese puree is a favourite among customers, as are such well-executed classics as pan-seared scallops with garlic, chilli and tomato, or chicken croquettes with romesco sauce. And don’t miss the signature paella del Tio. You can also choose from such interesting dishes as Spanish meatballs cooked in tomato gravy with paprika, Spanish-style pasties of beef, onion, sultanas and olives served with salsa, or mussels and pipis cooked in paprika vinaigrette.

In addition to small plates, the menu includes salads, charcuteria (pork products), a selection of cheeses and decadent desserts.

No tapas experience is complete without the perfect tipple. Their extensive beverage list helps make a long lunch, delicious dinner or light bite

Tio Tapas Y Vino I 16 Main St, Mornington I P: 5904 6937

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even better. Peruse their classic cocktails, local and imported beer, wines and a range of nonalcoholic drink options to complement the rich flavours of their delectable food.

Thanks to a range of different seating configurations and an outdoor area to soak up the rays on sunny days, the restaurant works well for intimate dates, family dinners or big group meals. There’s live acoustic music on weekends and even the occasional flamenco dancing performance to enhance the food and the fun. Their recently opened venue next door, Bar del Tio, is a fantastic spot for a memorable birthday, festive celebration, engagement or wedding reception.

Serving a mixture of traditional and inventive dishes, Tio Tapas uses this Spanish dining experience as a platform to allow their customers to share new and creative flavours in a fun, sociable and relaxed atmosphere.

Whether you need to meet a family member who’s in a rush or you want to share food and wine with friends over the span of three hours, Tio Tapas is the place to be.

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5-11pm; Friday & Saturday noon-1am; Sunday noon-11pm. tiotapasmornington

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Gods Kitchen Whether it’s a first date, a night out with friends or a spontaneous family outing, Gods Kitchen is a fabulously unique venue with something for everyone to enjoy.

Built in 1867 in Mornington, it was once a popular church with a long and fascinating history before it became the restaurant and bar that locals know and love. Dean McHugh opened its historic church doors back in 2009 with the aim of bringing people together to share good times, great food and enjoy original live music in a relaxed, casual and friendly environment. It’s since become known as the home of live music in Mornington – a title it’s likely to hold on to.

Sourcing and showcasing some of the best produce the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, it’s the ideal location to bring together family and friends thanks to its diverse range of dining options. Choose from a huge variety of share plates and tapas for those wanting a sample of different tastes with a glass of wine, or a full modern cuisine menu with steaks and seafood for those seeking to dine on something more substantial. There are also pub classics, gourmet pizzas, a kids’ menu, desserts, and options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

What also makes Gods Kitchen unique is the multiple spaces available for customers to enjoy. There’s the Main Hall, which was the original church; the Atrium that makes the perfect dining spot; the Courtyard for all the outdoor sun-lovers; and the Beer Garden that can also host and cater for private events.

When it comes to a tipple, Gods Kitchen has

carefully sourced an exceptional range of local spirits, wine, beer and cider, bringing the best tastes of the region to your table.

Their cocktails are exquisite, with the Espresso Martini celebrated as the best in town. Through flair, finesse and creativity, your tastebuds will be tantalised with modern classics, twists, and inspired originals developed with unique, contemporary ingredients. There’s always something new to try.

Gods Kitchen prides itself on bringing distinctive entertainment to the Mornington Peninsula, with leading independent artists and DJs playing an eclectic mix of music three to four nights a week. If you want to sit in a warmly lit room and exchange some light banter as you listen to live tunes, or gaze up at some trees and share a bottle of sparkling wine at an outdoor table while an acoustic set plays, this is the place to do it.

Gods Kitchen is passionate about supporting independent music and the next generation of up-and-coming talent on the Australian music scene, so you can expect to see a wide variety of music genres and performers when you visit.

It’s also a fun place for some quirky nights out – roll up for some karaoke, themed trivia nights, weekly special nights for steak, pasta or parmas, plus monthly Drag bingo that always draws a crowd and plenty of laughs.

With an amazing atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, and fantastic music, you're in for a great night out at Gods Kitchen.

Opening hours: Tuesday 5pm-late; Wednesday & Thursday 5-9pm; Friday 5pm-late; Saturday & Sunday noon-late; closed Monday

Gods Kitchen I 53 Barkly St, Mornington

P: 5976 8666

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Chocolat of Mornington One of the pleasures of visiting Chocolat of Mornington is simply gazing into their showcase cabinet, full to the brim with a mouthwatering array of freshly baked goods.

Shortbread tarts sit alongside light-as-air mousse slices, cream-filled eclairs, delectable cakes, and colourful macarons. The smells and sights are intoxicating – counters filled with fluffy doughnuts, flaky danishes, glossy florentines, loaves of sourdough, slabs of nougat, and irresistible pastries.

French-trained pastry pro Ross Saunders brings his decades of experience to the café, which he runs alongside wife Lisa, celebrating a love of French food and culture with a brand known for consistency, quality and authenticity.

All their offerings are made fresh daily, using local produce and ingredients wherever possible, and are sold across the Peninsula. Pair one of their sweet delights with a silky-smooth coffee at a table in the cosy café, in the sun-filled outdoor space, or to go.

Their seasonal savoury offerings include sausage rolls and pies hot out of the oven, and a range of filled baguettes. And don't miss their sought-after croissants! The light, crisp shell shatters on the first bite, revealing layers of buttery goodness that leave you wanting more.

Whether you’re dining in, entertaining at home, visiting friends, treating the kids or having lunch on the run, the fresh-baked sweet and savoury treats are as good as any you'll find in the City of Light.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5pm; closed Sunday and Monday Chocolat of Mornington I Shop 6, 59 Barkly St, Mornington I P: 5976 4902 I www.chocolatofmornington.com.au

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Somerville Egg Farm There’s nothing like a farmgate visit to make you feel like you’ve left the city behind. Put Somerville Egg Farm on your itinerary for beautiful farm-fresh eggs and a chance to see chickens roaming free in green pastures or scratching around in ploughed fields for bugs. You might even meet the farm’s resident maremma sheepdogs Princess Leia and Romy, guardians of the chickens. Goats, alpacas, and a family of emus are part of the menagerie.

The Napolitano family have been egg farmers here since 1979.

They know their stuff. Home cooks, chefs and retailers are all valued customers.

The chickens at Somerville Egg Farm are happy, healthy and well cared-for, so you can feel confident you’re buying premiumquality eggs. All eggs are hand-collected and packed daily for freshness. There’s a variety of sizes and price ranges to suit all needs and budgets, and duck and quail eggs are also available.

Eggs are one of the most versatile forms of protein. From a humble omelette to a grand celebration cake, they’re a vital ingredient. If you want top-notch eggs and an enjoyable farm experience, go meet your egg farmer at Somerville Egg Farm.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm; Saturday 8am12.30pm; closed Sundays and public holidays.

Somerville Egg Farm I Cnr Eramosa Road West & Binnak Way, Moorooduc I P: 5977 5405 www.somervilleeggfarm.com.au

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Via Battisti You can feel the love at Via Battisti as soon as you arrive. Everyone knows everyone’s name, and if you’re new in town you’ll soon be part of the family.

Owner Dan and her friendly team are passionate about what they do. They’ve been turning out expertly crafted Proud Mary coffee since opening in 2013. Chai is the real deal here too. Ground spiced chai or honey-infused leaf chai are both organic and equally delicious. Tea-lovers can choose from the many different T2 loose-leaf teas on offer.

Sustainability is important to Dan, so hot drinks are served in Huskee cups made from coffee bean husks. Via Battisti is the first cafe on the Peninsula to introduce the Huskee swap exchange system, which enables them to transition away from singleuse disposable cups.

Paninis and ciabattas made fresh daily with premium Mediterranean ingredients are a highlight. The seasonal menu features delicious housemade soups in the cooler months and salads during summer. Breakfast and all-day brunch are winners – we love the breakfast burrito with housemade salsa. Battisti is fully licensed so you can enjoy local wine or beer, or an excellent espresso martini.

Debbie, who has worked here since the beginning, makes a bread and butter pudding to die for.

Best-selling housemade muffins sit on the counter calling your name when you order coffee. Sweet temptations include pastries, doughnuts, cakes, and an impressive selection of vegan slices.

Have an event coming up? Via Battisti has you covered with catering for breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Opening hours: daily 7am-4pm.

Via Battisti

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www.viabattisti.com

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Counting House Bar & Grill Wander to the bay end of Mornington’s Main St and you’ll find a historic bank building built in 1912 that has been transformed into Counting House, a welcoming restaurant where the focus is on excellent steak and friendly hospitality.

The genuine sense of care is noticeable here. Owners Jana Lipold, Kevin Ko and Arbel El Sharafy have more than 25 years’ experience working in hospitality. They’re committed to ensuring food, wine and service are all on point, whether you’re in for a date night, group celebration, or a catch-up with friends.

Counting House turned three in 2022. The popular restaurant and bar have developed a solid reputation for carefully sourced, top-quality meat from Gippsland that’s grilled to perfection. “We like to pair our food with local wines and source local produce whenever possible,” Jana says. While steak is a highlight, there are always delicious seafood and vegetarian options too.

At the back of the old-world building is a bar area made cosy with an open fireplace on winter days. In the summer months the deck is the perfect spot from which to watch the sunset while enjoying a beer, local wine or a cocktail or two.

Keep an eye on social media for monthly specials, and events with live music and Happy Hour.

Opening hours: see website.

Counting House Bar & Grill I 787 Esplanade, Mornington I P: 5975 2055 I www.countinghousemornington.com.au

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Yo My Goodness The owners of Melbourne-born business Yo My Goodness found next-level success by adding premium burgers to the menu at their self-serve frozen yoghurt stores. And now with seven locations across Victoria, their Mornington store in Main St has become a jewel in the YOMG crown.

September 2022 saw the store close for a major renovation to accommodate its growing fan base.

YOMG has appeal across generations and occasions. Teens love it, grandparents bring their grandkids; casual date nights, friends, families and work groups are all part of the YOMG story.

YOMG frozen yoghurt – aka froyo – is handmade on site using fresh milk, yoghurt, and pure fruit purees. Self-serve your froyo and head to the toppings bar to make it your own creation. Vegan and gluten-free options mean everyone can enjoy the deliciousness. Hot dessert offerings are perfect on cooler days while chocolate from the fountain is a must whatever the weather.

Burgers here are next level because of their quality ingredients and creative flavour combos. Don’t worry, the classics are here too, such as the bestselling Yo My with Cheese. Locally baked buns and 100 per cent Australian Angus beef used to create flavoursome patties are the foundation. If you prefer your burger to be chicken, vegan or vegetarian, YOMG has you covered. All sauces and mayos are made to their chef’s recipes.

Tune into YOMG social channels to see #YOMGlimited, a limited menu of a special burger, shake and loaded fries released every second Thursday.

Good times at YOMG. Opening hours: daily from 11am.

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54 Main St, Mornington

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P: 5977 2588

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www.yomg.com.au

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Cptn Jack’s If discovering treasure appeals to you, head off the wellworn track and chart a course for Cptn Jack’s. Located at Yaringa Boat Harbour, this gorgeous waterfront venue is one the locals want to keep a secret.

Word is out about Cptn Jack’s thanks to managers Quentin and Caroline, a French couple who bring a swag of hospitality experience and passion to what they do so well. The two met eight years ago while traversing the globe in pursuit of their shared passion for fine food, excellent wine, and the delivery of exceptional hospitality. Be sure to ask Quentin about his secret wine list.

The kitchen is headed up by Dave Cafarella, also an industry veteran. Dave works his magic creating a fittingly seafood-focused menu filled with fresh Asian flavours.

The stylish interior design, with its sea glass-inspired palette of soft greens and blues and tasteful nautical touches, is the masterstroke of Lizzie Hart, co-owner of Cptn Jack’s with her husband Malcolm. The Harts purchased the marina and restaurant in 2018.

This summer sees exciting additions to Cptn Jack’s with a bespoke food caravan catering to Jack’s Green, a lawn area with picnic tables. And in the restaurant, seafood platters and crayfish can be pre-ordered to further elevate the experience.

Opening hours: Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm, 5pm-11pm; Sunday 11am-4pm

Cptn Jack’s I Yaringa Boat Harbour, 1 Lumeah Rd, Somerville I P: 5977 4939 I www.cptnjacks.com.au

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Chief’s Son Distillery Whisky appreciators are a fast-growing group, as Chief’s Son Distillery – a hidden gem in Somerville – can attest. Whether you like to sip your whisky neat on a crisp winter night or on the rocks with friends in summer, it’s a drink that evokes strong memories and deep connections, giving rise to their tagline ‘Spirit of connection’.

As Naomi says: “Whisky is a slow drink; you take your time to connect over it with those you care for. It’s a love that is passed from one generation to the next.”

Opening hours: tastings Monday to Friday 10am-4pm; Saturday 11am-4pm; check website for Sundays; tours Friday & Saturday 11am.

Chief’s Son was established in 2013 by husband and wife team Stuart and Naomi McIntosh, whose surname means ‘Son of the Chief’ in Gaelic. It’s Mornington Peninsula’s only single malt whisky distillery, with a sole focus on creating unashamedly big, bold and unique whiskies.

Launching their first product in 2019, they’ve already taken several golds and silvers at the World Whiskies Awards. They use four different base spirits with a malt specifically made for them by their original ‘maltster’; it’s a recipe no other distillery will ever have.

Visit the distillery door and have a guided tasting of their core range or specialty whiskies – also available online or at bottle shops – or take an immersive tour with the unique experience of being a ‘barrel thief’ – ‘steal’ directly from the barrel, taste it at different stages of production, learn the history of whisky, and head home with your own 100ml bottle of liquid sunshine.

Chief’s Son Distillery I 25/50 Guelph St, Somerville I T: 9013 0859

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Café Mercetta Mercetta, as it’s affectionately known, is one of the originals in this beachside shopping village to offer fabulous café fare, excellent coffee, and heartfelt hospitality. The family-owned and operated venue keeps humming 15 years on.

While Mercetta prides itself on coffee that’s worth coming back for daily, it has also become a destination for Instagrammable hot chocolate. Real chocolate shavings, a chocolate powder shaker, marshmallows, Persian fairy floss, and heated milk of your choice arrive on a board ready for you to create your own hot chocolate heaven.

Food-wise, everything is made from scratch with a whole lotta love. Local and seasonal ingredients are favoured, and dietary requirements are taken seriously with a dedicated fryer for gluten-free food.

It’s easy to see the team, who are like family, enjoy what they do – and they are good at it too. You’ll be welcomed and offered a seat out the front, inside, or in the back courtyard that’s a whole other world complete with festoon lights and wicker hanging chairs.

By day the courtyard is the place for brunch and lunch. It’s dog-friendly too – there’s even a dog menu. And by night it becomes a fantastic event space; weddings, engagements, birthdays and office parties all come to life under the courtyard canopy.

Café Mercetta I 115 Main St, Mornington

Breakfast is served all day. The breakfast stack with handmade chorizo, spinach, eggs, avocado on potato rosti with capsicum salsa is a highlight. Lunch might be herb-crumbed flathead and chips, a fresh flavour-filled salad, or a Reuben sandwich. Order a cocktail or cold-pressed juice and you’re all set.

Opening hours: check website.

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The Good Food Bakery The Good Food Bakery is a destination locals and travellers alike seek out for the best gluten-free cakes, bread and pastries. With accreditation from Coeliac Australia, this specialty bakery has become a trusted destination for those seeking high-quality and tasty cakes, biscuits, pies, tarts, and sausage rolls.

The bakery seamlessly changed hands in July 2022, and while you will see new and old faces in store, their dedication to all things gluten-free remains at the heart of The Good Food Bakery.

The team have spent years perfecting their gluten-free recipes to create a range that is not only delicious, the texture is fantastic and every item they bake and create tastes fabulous too. They are dedicated to creating food that satisfies the appetites of coeliacs and non-coeliacs alike, and they love testing new recipes and products. New to the menu are their lamb and rosemary pies and pumpkin, spinach and feta pies – a definite must-try for your next lunch visit.

Drop in for a casual lunch inside or grab a spot at a picnic table outside for a relaxed dining experience. You’ll find an extensive range of focaccias, lasagne, frittatas, pies and pastries. Then finish off lunch with sweet treats like a fluffy doughnut, fruit-filled danishes and strudels, slices, scones, tarts and biscuits.

If you’re after gluten-free sweets for your next event, you’ll find whole cakes including their best-selling vegan chocolate cake, sponge cake, baked cheesecakes, apples pies and flourless tea cakes. If you’re venturing their way, make sure you buy your gluten-free loaf of bread early – they often sell out of these light fluffy loaves. And be sure to pick up some bread rolls and savoury scrolls while you’re there.

You will also find a fully stocked pantry brimming with quality glutenfree products from such suppliers as Ardor, Beerenberg, Well & Good, and Schar.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm; Saturday 8am-4pm; Sunday 8am-3pm The Good Food Bakery I Shop 4, 209 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington I P: 9592 9322 I thegoodfoodbakery thegfbakery

www.thegoodfoodbakery.com.au

The Bay Hotel The iconic Bay Hotel in Mornington’s Main St is standing proud after a makeover celebrating its heritage building features and adding a sprinkle of Irish pub charm. New owner Liam Ganley has a flair for restoring heritage pubs, The Bay Hotel being the latest addition to the Ganley Group venues.

Set in the former Commercial Bank building – established in 1889 – this unique piece of history now houses a thriving watering hole, dining area with table service, a band room for live gigs, and eight big screens to catch all the sports action of the day. There’s something for everyone.

The historic architecture and award-winning design by Studio Y is in itself worth visiting for. Exposed brick, wooden floors and chequered tiles set the look and feel. The former bank vault has cleverly been turned into a private dining room with its own TV to catch the footy, and a hatch opens to the bar for speedy drink service. Two original fireplaces remain on the ground floor and are well stoked during the winter months.

Slide into a leather booth in the dining area and settle in for a leisurely lunch or dinner. On the menu you’ll find pub classics including chicken parma, steak frites, burgers, and fish and chips, as well as modern offerings such as kingfish sashimi or duck liver parfait. On Sundays there’s a roast special, and the extensive bar snack menu means you can have a quick bite with a locally brewed beer any time.

Gather some friends and head to The Bay Hotel. There’s a lot to love.

The Bay Hotel I 62 Main St, Mornington I P: 9534 0194 I www.thebayhotelmornington.com.au

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Island Pasta Company The establishment of Mornington-based Island Pasta Company is a business story with a truly Italian flavour.

In 2014, Italian chef Luca and German-born Tina arrived in Australia. After noticing a gap in the market for high-quality locally made pasta, Luca followed his dream and in 2021 they launched Island Pasta Company.

Each day they transform simple ingredients into beautiful pasta shapes and sauces inspired by the traditions of Italy but using the finest local

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ingredients. They cook in small batches to ensure premium quality, and maintain a low temperature during drying to preserve the nutritional benefits of the flour.

Their dry pastas are vegan, with beetroot fusilli and spinach conchiglie two of the mouthwatering options, or try their unique fresh egg pasta made with local free-range eggs, semolina and Tipo 00 flour. Their selection of homemade sauces includes green pea, and cacio e pepe.

With a fast-growing list of stockists as well as selling to restaurants and at markets, it’s safe to say Luca and Tina will be kept busy for a long time to come.

See their website for stockists and farmers’ market locations.

www.islandpasta.com.au

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Blackbird Café Tucked at the end of Empire Street Mall is a family-run café that’s worth seeking out. For more than 12 years, regulars and out-oftowners have come here for the excellent coffee and top-notch café fare made with love.

Owner Su prides herself on cooking everything – from sauces to dressings to cakes – from scratch. “I’m passionate about good food and coffee, and caring for people,” she says. “People come here to chat; we want everyone to feel welcome.”

Blackbird Café is located within two shops side by side. The original café had become so popular they needed more space so took over next door. Bare wood tables and a mix of wooden chairs give it simple style, while abstract paintings by local artists add character to the space. Out front are plenty of seats for diners to enjoy the sunshine when it’s out, and there are outdoor heaters for cooler days.

Breakfast is served all day. Will it be pancakes, french toast or Blackbird’s big breakfast that sets you up for the day? At lunchtime, soups are very popular, as is their steak sandwich, slow-roasted lamb salad or old-school fishcakes. There’s an emphasis on providing variety so there’s something for all tastes. A good kids’ menu keeps little people happy. Blackbird is licensed if you fancy a tipple with lunch.

Genuine hospitality from people who love what they do completes the story here.

Opening hours: 6am-4pm daily; closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day Blackbird Café

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P: 5976 8632

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Le Feu Mornington With a resume ranging from Vietnam, across Asia to Australia – including working under FrenchVietnamese Michelin chef David Thai and at Shannon Bennett’s Vietnamese bistro Jardin Tan – Mornington is lucky that chef Kevin Nguyen opened his restaurant here. Le Feu Mornington was a finalist in the 2022 Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence.

Kevin was born in the Vietnamese coastal city of Nha Trang, and for as long as he can remember, food and restaurants were his life. Growing up in his family restaurant where his father was head chef, Kevin has breathed the restaurant atmosphere since he was seven.

Vietnam is known for its inexpensive but incredibly tasty food. But the simplicity of its cuisine is a complex culmination of a 10,000-year-old culture with food influenced over thousands of years by the Chinese and the French. Le Feu is fully licensed but you are also able to BYO. Kevin is proud to celebrate the French influence at his Le Feu Cuisine restaurants, where he applies French-style slow cooking methods to his Vietnamese cuisine. Most of his dishes take more than 10 hours to prepare and cook.

Popular appetisers include betel leaf wrap Wagyu beef with almond sauce, or sugarcane prawn with nuoc cham. Main course Sher Wagyu beef curry is a hit too. Seafood dishes are plentiful here. Le Feu is family-friendly with its kids’ menu.

Le Feu Cuisine is the only Vietnamese restaurant that is accredited by Coeliac Australia. The menu is fully gluten-free with almost half being vegan and is also completely peanut-free. It even has a separate FODMAP menu.

Looking to grab and go? Pot au Pho is Kevin’s ‘other’ Mornington restaurant at 2/209 Mornington-Tyabb Rd. Here you will find Vietnamese street food such as pho, banh mi, and rice paper rolls.

Opening hours: Le Feu daily for lunch and dinner; Pot au Pho daily from 10am-8pm for lunch and dinner.

Le Feu Mornington I 10 Blake Street, Mornington

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www.lefeu.com.au

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The Winey Cow This Main St favourite has built a solid reputation as the place for brunch. Owners Jill and Cam Henderson are champions of brunch, believing it’s a meal to be enjoyed any time of day. Judging by how busy they are, they’re not alone in their thinking.

There’s a big focus on creating a great environment for both customers and staff.

Many of the team have worked here for years and clearly love what they do. The Winey Cow team want you to have a memorable experience and go the extra mile.

Their efforts were recognised in 2022 when they won the award for Best Breakfast Restaurant for VIC & TAS at the Australia Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.

On sunny days, a table out the front is the place to enjoy the Main St vibe. Inside, natural light fills the restaurant. The black and white décor complements art from local artists and creates a fresh and inviting feel.

The extensive brunch menu runs all day. Granola and fruit toast keep traditionalists happy, but the showstoppers range from chicken and waffles to a brisket burger to Asian-inspired dishes packed with punchy flavours. Their best-selling Brunch Stack – streaky bacon, avocado purée, halloumi, potato rosti, poached eggs, hollandaise – has been on the menu since day one. Boozy Brunch is also popular, a special that includes one main meal and endless mimosas for an hour.

The Winey Cow can also be enjoyed in your home or office offering catering for up to 50 guests, making your next celebration or event one to remember.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7.30am-3pm; Saturday & Sunday 7.30am-4pm The Winey Cow I 39a Main St, Mornington I P: 5976 4018 I www.thewineycow.com.au

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Commonfolk Coffee for the people is at the heart of what happens at Commonfolk. And the daily brew all starts with ethically sourced, high-quality beans roasted to perfection.

It’s been almost 10 years since this coffee roaster and café with a conscience elevated the coffee-drinking landscape in Mornington’s industrial area. Housed in a renovated warehouse, the vast welcoming space fills with a mixed crowd of artists, tradies, families, hipsters, tourists, and locals alike.

Co-owner Sam Keck’s vision was for exceptional coffee to be accessible for everyone. “Coffee is a great equaliser,” Sam says.

“People from all walks of life all over the world drink coffee. We always want to be inclusive.”

The ‘folkers’ – as the Commonfolk family of customers are known – come for the consistently excellent coffee, but also for delicious brekky, brunch, and lunch eats made from seasonal Peninsula-grown produce.

The Cup That Counts is a Commonfolk initiative that means you can enjoy your cuppa knowing that 20 cents from every coffee goes towards making the world a fairer place. This initiative has raised more than $280,000 since it began in 2013. Proceeds support coffee farmers in Uganda and Nicaragua, and Home Ground, a social enterprise in Mornington training up the next generation of hospitality superstars.

If Mornington isn’t your home base, don’t worry – you can now find Commonfolk cafes in Frankston, Beaumaris, and South Yarra.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am-3pm Commonfolk I 16 Progress St, Mornington I P: 5902 2786 I www.commonfolkcoffee.com.au

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Paradise Bar & Bistro Located on Mornington’s bright and buzzing Esplanade, there’s a lovely feel to Paradise Bar & Bistro. With a laid-back but stylish setting, it’s the newest go-to for traditional Indian cuisine, with views from the alfresco dining area across the park and beach.

Inside, the restaurant is bright and modern, with a neon-lit bar, gold feature lighting, comfortable bench seats, and tables for couples or group dining.

The extensive and creative menu allows guests to experience freshly cooked Indian food with homemade sauces, all made to order with care by the busy team of chefs. Choose from an array of curries with vegetables, beef, lamb, chicken, fish, prawns or even goat; there are also rice dishes, vegetarian meals including aloo gobi or eggplant masala, and appetisers such as samosa or a mixed tandoori platter.

The generous meal sizes are ideal for sharing with friends. Pair a biryani with one of their stuffed naan breads or try a mango lassi or specialty cocktail. There’s a kids’ menu and plenty of dessert options too, including chocolate naan.

Drop in for lunch Thursday to Sunday, or dine in seven nights a week for a delicious meal in a relaxed environment. You can also host a private event or simply order takeaway. Adding to the fun and friendly vibe are the Bollywood theme nights, with Bollywood dancers, live music, free henna tattoos, and a lavish dinner of unlimited food.

Combining traditional Indian flavours with contemporary flair, it’s the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings.

Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday 4-10pm; Thursday-Sunday noon-10pm

Paradise Bar & Bistro I 4/786 Esplanade, Mornington I P: 5975 2676 or 0412 433 082 I www.paradisebarbistro.com.au paradisebarbistro paradisebarandbistro

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Images James Pyne Photography

Coffee Traders Coffee Traders has been an institution on the Mornington coffee scene for well over a decade. New owners Kadi and Matt took over in September 2021 and are staying true to the established Coffee Traders vibe, which is all about life-changingly good coffee and community.

Kadi and Matt own the Melbourne Travel Project business next door, so it made sense to the couple to take over the reins at Coffee Traders.

After all, who doesn’t love coffee and travel?

Proudly one of the few cafes on the Mornington Peninsula serving Five Senses coffee, all baristas here are trained at the Five Senses Academy so you can count on a reliably good cup of coffee every time you visit.

And for those who want to become a barista at home, enrol in a course here that gives you the lowdown on how to make excellent coffee using your home machine. Five Senses beans are sold here too.

Don’t worry if coffee isn’t your thing, you’re still welcome. There’s Calmer Sutra chai tea, Mork specialty hot chocolate that’s gluten-free and vegan, and a selection of classy cold drinks.

When you’re feeling peckish, there are sweet and savoury snacks you won’t be able to resist. We’re talking about Portuguese tarts, locally made muffins, cakes and slices. Ficelle filled with pesto, sun-dried tomato and bocconcini, or an old-school jaffle will keep you going.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am-3pm.

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Mr Jackson Situated in the heart of Main St and only a couple of minutes’ walk to the beach, Mr Jackson is a meeting place for those who like relaxing near the bay with delicious café fare, and of course great coffee.

Brewing and pouring only the best, Toby’s Estate’s rich and creamy coffee has become a firm favourite that keeps customers coming back for more. Alternatively, if you’re not a coffee-lover, there are fresh juices, smoothies, milkshakes and local alcoholic beverages that pair well with any brunch or lunch dish.

Mr Jackson serves an all-day brunch menu that includes sweet, savoury, and dietary requirement options on request. There’s always something for everyone. Smashed avo is a given, oven-baked pancakes are next level, and there might be corn fritters or bang bang chicken salad. Look out for the weekly toastie specials.

Inside, the space is stylishly understated with bare wood furnishings and an intimate setting. Outside you can take a seat under the big plane tree and soak up the Main St atmosphere, and your four-legged friends are welcome too. Or order your coffee to go and savour it by the beach.

Whether you’re a Mornington local or a traveller passing by, the friendly team here welcome you to relax, enjoy, and immerse yourself in everything Mornington has to offer.

Opening hours: 7am-3pm seven days.

Mr Jackson I 1/45 Main St, Mornington I P: 5909 8815

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Pure Peninsula Honey One of the joys of the Mornington Peninsula is shopping at farmgates and meeting passionate producers such as John and Felicity Winkels.

John has been a beekeeper for more than 25 years. What started out as a hobby with two beehives has grown into a full-time business producing more than 20 varieties of cold-extracted honey and numerous honey-related products.

Visit the bee-themed gift shop to pick up some beautiful quality Peninsula honey. With more than 20 varieties available, good luck deciding!

The variety depends on the type of plant the bees collect the nectar from. Perhaps try banksia, clover, or eucalyptus, or give creamed honey or 100 per cent Australian manuka a go.

From honey beauty products to honey icecream to kits to make your own beeswax candles and wraps, just about anything honeyrelated you can think of you’ll find here.

During school holidays, kids can learn all about the secret life of bees at a farm talk hosted

by Felicity. Book in for a fun and informative session and discover how vital bees are in our natural world, or try your hand at making a crafty natural beeswax candle.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sundays 10am-5pm; closed Christmas Day Pure Peninsula Honey I 871 Derril Rd, Moorooduc I P: 5978 8413

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Victoria’s longest-running street market a magnet for shoppers Head to Mornington any Wednesday and you’ll find the town bustling with the chatter of stallholders and locals enjoying a day out at the weekly Wednesday market. Started in 1979, the Main Street Market has stood the test of time and is now Victoria’s longest-running weekly street market.

Even on its 42nd birthday the market continues to delight locals and visitors alike with the “home-baked, handmade and home-grown” goodies on offer at more than 60 stalls throughout Mornington’s Main St. “We want to encourage our local community to shop for their fresh produce every Wednesday at the market, much like in the European villages,” said Bec Davis, the market manager with the Mornington Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s even more important these days to support our local farmers and local artisans with their handmade crafts stalls, cutting down our mileage in search of fresh produce. We

support groups from the Wallara Kids, who work at Sages Cottage selling fresh produce, flowers, local honey and their skincare range, to the Mornington Men’s Shed selling natural eucalyptus products to their handmade timber works. It is a true community market.”

From 9am every Wednesday, the market runs rain, hail or shine. You will find a variety of stalls ranging from fresh produce to handmade jewellery, fashion, craft, baked goods and home décor. The market encourages shoppers to come to their local village weekly for farm-fresh produce, baked bread, jams, and of course homemade hot food to enjoy from gozleme to dim sims. Each market stall is independently owned and operated and offers an eclectic mix of unique goods. You can find fashion and accessories for adults, handmade outfits for the little ones, crafted toys, and of course lots of fresh produce. From eggs, bread and vegies to fruit, cakes and more, the Main Street Market is the place for your weekly shop.

The Main Street Market runs from 9am-3pm every Wednesday. For more information, visit www.mainstreetmornington.com.au

Peninsula Beverage Co. Husband and wife team Georgia and Nick took a leap of faith from their corporate careers to open Peninsula Beverage Co. based on their love of hospitality and Mornington Peninsula wine. “We call it the cellar door of the Mornington Peninsula – all your favourite local wine, beer and spirits in one place,” says Georgia.

Their boutique bottle shop and bar in Mornington celebrated its third birthday in August 2022. A loyal following saw them through COVID and in late 2022 they opened a second store in Red Hill.

At the Mornington store, customers can order from an ever-changing list of wine by the glass or buy a bottle and pay corkage to drink their purchase in store. There’s a good range of nonalcoholic beverages on offer too. The Red Hill store is a bottle shop only stocking Peninsula-

focused products and a unique range of Australian and international wine.

Stay up to date with events happening in store by signing up to their newsletter. In-store masterclasses and tastings are a great way to learn about the makers and stories behind what you’re drinking.

If you’re feeling peckish, order a delicious cheese platter. And if you’re planning a party, ask about a curated drinks package. Cheers!

Peninsula Beverage Co. Mornington I 42 Main St, Mornington I P: 5977 0515 I www.peninsulabeverageco.com.au I PBCoMornington Peninsula Beverage Co. Red Hill I 1/1012 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill I P: 5989 2046 PBCoRedHill (formerly @RHWineCollective)

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Kobi captures the true spirit of Italian hospitality Kobi Watson was once the youngest restaurateur in the nation. When he was just 17 he opened the door to his own Italian restaurant in McCrae. Scratching his head for a name, he reached for the moniker his dad has for him. “Dad calls me Kobi Jack,” the young chef says. “That’s my first two names: Kobi Jack Watson.” Kobi left school at the end of Year 10 when he was 16. In his last three weeks of high school he was already the owner of the restaurant business on Point Nepean Rd. As a minor he had to run the business through a family trust so he could do the basics of running a restaurant – such as ordering alcohol. “I have always had a passion for food and worked hard at The Epicurean in Red Hill.” Kobi had saved enough to buy the business and do the fit-out and had turned 17 when he opened in 2017. “I had spent my last cent and I needed to borrow $20 from my grandmother so I could fill the salt shakers on the table.” ( 78

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Kobi already knew he wanted to cook Italian food. While at school he made a film about his grandfather, who had served at Gallipoli. The film impressed an international organisation commemorating the World War I centenary and flew young Kobi and his mum to London, where Kobi toured addressing English schools. At the end of the trip, mother and son spent more than a fortnight eating their way through Italy. “I realised back then that Italian cuisine is truly regional, changing from town to town.” A trip the next winter saw him work in a laboratorio, a pasta studio run by 70-year-old nonnas. “They only had a dough mixer installed a month before I arrived. They were getting too old to make the dough. But they made everything else by hand: tortellini, tortellone and tagliatelle.”

dash of cream.” The dish that gives him the most pleasure to make is the tagliatelle. “It reminds me of the nonnas every day when I make the pasta,” Kobi says with a grin. He baps the freshly cooked pasta with a ragu made with slow-braised beef shoulder cooked with sofrito, red wine and bay leaves.

During COVID he and his younger brother launched a new business called the Mornington Peninsula Pasta Company, delivering fresh pasta and sauces to homes

on the Peninsula and to other restaurants.

“But the biggest thrill for me is being open and having a full house once again. I just love cooking for people and looking after them.”

RICHARD CORNISH KOBI JACK’S 677 Point Nepean Rd, McCrae P: 5986 2100 www.kobijacks.com morningtonpeninsulapastacompany.com.au

Despite not having a drop of Italian blood in his veins, Kobi has somehow been able to capture the true spirit of Italian hospitality. The restaurant is staffed by family and friends.

Everything is as local and seasonal as possible. “People keep asking me to put on the casarecce al zucchini. But zucchini are not ready down here until summer – and then they are perfect.

I grate them and lightly cook them with basil, garlic, chilli, stock and a www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

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STEVE BROWN

Nestled at the foot of Arthurs Seat are the familyfriendly townships of Dromana and McCrae, and a bit further along the bay are Safety Beach and Martha Cove. This little pocket of the Peninsula is a slice of heaven known for its café culture, boating, fishing, and relaxed bay swimming.

The land hugs Port Phillip so the drive from town to town is always scenic. The weather is in charge of the view – will it be choppy sea with salty spray or entrancing calm water? The easy access to nature and all its moods is part of the allure.

Dromana’s industrial area has become an Eat.Drink destination in itself, with more and more purveyors of good food and drinks setting up shop here. Locally

made cheeses, rum, gin, ciders and beer are just some of the delights to be found.

Greek, Mexican, Italian and modern Australian are just some of the cuisines to enjoy in this cluster of welcoming coastal towns. Not very far inland from here are wineries and cellar doors waiting to impress you with their thoughtfully made vino.

History buffs will want to stop in at McCrae Homestead, and while you’re in the neighbourhood be sure to take in the splendour of the recently restored McCrae Lighthouse.

We hope you can stay a while to eat, drink and savour all this area has to offer.

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Bass & Flinders Distillery 92 BoatShed Cheese 87 Crittenden Estate 90 Hickinbotham of Dromana 89 Jetty Road Brewery 88 Kobi Jack’s 78 Laneway Espresso Dromana 82

Martha’s Table 84 Peninsula Gourmet Co. 86 Torello Farm 93 Two Buoys Restaurant, Wine and Cocktail Bar 91 TWØBAYS Brewing Co 94 Wine Lovers Warehouse 92

JETTY ROAD BREWERY

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Laneway Espresso Dromana Laneway Espresso is the quirky darling of Dromana’s café scene. Spend a little time here and it’s easy to see why. There’s a whole lot of heart that goes into making this place hum the way it does.

Its Its Melbourne-esque Melbourne-esque laneway laneway entrance entrance –– complete complete with with aa street street art art mural mural –– has has been been aa talking talking point point since since the the café café opened opened its its doors doors seven seven years years ago. ago.

On On sunny sunny days, days, aa table table in in the the laneway laneway isis the the place place to to be. be. The The atmosphere atmosphere isis social social and and friendly. friendly. There’s There’s always always time time to to chat. chat. Whatever Whatever the the weather weather you’ll you’ll find find plenty plenty of of room room inside inside and and plenty plenty of of personality personality too. too.

Laneway Laneway isn’t isn’t another another minimalist minimalist café. café. No. No. Think Think retro, retro, vintage, vintage, eclectic eclectic and and you’re you’re on on the the right right track. track. Tables Tables and and chairs chairs are are mix mix and and match match from from eras eras gone gone by, by, and and there there are are curios curios and and collectables collectables dotted dotted here here and and there there that that give give the the spacious spacious room room its its character character and and charm. charm. Some Some of of the the collectables collectables are are even even for for sale, sale, so so ifif something something catches catches your your eye eye you you might might be be able able to to make make itit yours. yours. Laneway Laneway has has its its own own merch merch too: too: top-quality top-quality T-shirts T-shirts and and hoodies hoodies bearing bearing the the Laneway Laneway name name in in cool cool colours colours and and designs designs to to make make you you part part of of the the Laneway Laneway family. family.

The The coffee coffee machine machine here here gets gets aa serious serious workout workout daily. daily. Expert Expert baristas baristas pump pump out out consistently consistently excellent excellent coffee coffee made made from from beans beans by

by Odyssey Odyssey Coffee Coffee Roasters.

Roasters. Pick Pick up up aa bag bag of of blend blend #5 #5 so so you you can can enjoy enjoy the the flavour flavour at at home. home.

Food-wise, Food-wise, brunch brunch isis where where it’s it’s at. at. From From brioche brioche french french toast toast to to corn corn fritters fritters to to waffles waffles and and every every egg egg dish dish and and side side imaginable, imaginable, there’s there’s something something to to wow wow the the most most discerning discerning brunch brunch diner. diner. Signature Signature dishes dishes –– the the club club sandwich sandwich and and the the croissant croissant burger burger –– are are in in aa league league of of their their own. own.

Owner Owner Jim Jim Mavrogiannis Mavrogiannis isis aa family family man, man, so so itit makes makes sense sense that that Laneway Laneway isis family-friendly. family-friendly. Kids Kids are are looked looked after after with with their their own own menu menu and and play play area, area, and and Jim’s Jim’s dad dad Bill Bill isis responsible responsible for for the the famous famous cheesecake cheesecake that’s that’s impossible impossible to to resist. resist. Just Just don’t don’t ask ask Bill Bill for for the the recipe; recipe; it’s it’s aa closely closely guarded guarded secret. secret.

Like Like all all good good cafes cafes that that stand stand the the test test of of time, time, Laneway Laneway continues continues to to evolve. evolve. IfIf great great coffee, coffee, top-notch top-notch food food and and aa friendly friendly crew crew who who treat treat you you like like family family isn’t isn’t enough enough to to make make you you aa regular, regular, how how about about coffee coffee with with aa bird’s-eye bird’s-eye view view of of the the bay? bay? Laneway Laneway has has renovated renovated upstairs upstairs and and it’s it’s sure sure to to become become your your home home away away from from home. home. The The upstairs upstairs space space isis divided divided into into cosy cosy nooks, nooks, each each with with its its own own seating seating arrangement. arrangement. Nestle Nestle into into aa comfy comfy couch couch or, or, ifif there’s there’s aa group group of of you, you, gather gather around around the the old-school old-school family family dining dining table. table. Light Light streams streams in in through through windows windows that that span span from from one one side side of of the the room room to to the the other other and and overlook overlook the the bay. bay. It’s It’s the the perfect perfect place place to to celebrate, celebrate, book book aa private private function, function, or or bring bring your your laptop laptop and and get get some some work work done done .. .. .. ifif you you can can stop stop staring staring out out the the window. window.

Just Just when when you you thought thought Laneway Laneway couldn’t couldn’t get get any any better, better, itit has. has.

Opening Opening hours: hours: Monday-Friday Monday-Friday 6.15am-3.30pm; 6.15am-3.30pm; Saturday Saturday and and Sunday Sunday 6.45am-4pm, 6.45am-4pm, public public holidays holidays 7am-3.30pm.

7am-3.30pm.

Laneway Laneway Espresso Espresso Dromana Dromana II 167 167 Point Point Nepean Nepean Rd, Rd, Dromana Dromana II P: P: 5981 5981 4624 4624 II

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Martha’s Table Martha’s Table is the centrepiece of the rapidly growing Martha Cove precinct, the hidden gem of the Mornington Peninsula. Inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle and situated right on the marina, Martha’s Table is the place to be all year round.

Centred around a bar and restaurant spectacularly designed by Melissa Collison, there is more to Martha’s than meets the eye.

Take a wander around this gorgeous venue and you will discover multiple spaces to fulfil your every need.

To start, there is The Grocer. It offers breakfast seven days a week, and we suggest you get in early to secure yourself a spot overlooking the boats bobbing away in their berths. If takeaway is more your style, there is also an extensive offering of classic Australian and Italian sandwiches, breakfast and lunch products, and sweets, as well as some of the friendliest staff and best coffee on the Peninsula.

Meander a little further and you will find a diverse grocery catering to all your entertaining needs. From locally made dips and crackers to

the finest international cheeses, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your appetite. Need something a little more substantial? There is also an extensive range of pastas and sauces, as well as fresh produce, for those last-minute lunches or dinners at home.

Just beyond The Grocer you will find The Cellar.

For that special bottle to go, The Cellar has a diverse collection of the best wines from the Peninsula and around the world.

The real draw at Martha’s Table, though, is the bar and restaurant. There is no better place on the Peninsula to while away a day sipping boutique wines and cocktails, mingling with the locals of this resort-style marina community.

You can ‘choose your own adventure’ with the offering here – spend an afternoon grazing on snacks and small plates, or indulge in a multicourse meal from the team of talented chefs.

The kitchen centres around a wood-fired grill, so we highly recommend anything from the grill section of the menu. All pastas are made inhouse for a real nod to the kitchens of southern Italy. Top all of this off with breathtaking sunsets, upbeat tunes and friendly and accommodating staff and there’s really no place quite like Martha’s Table.

Now the latest residential offering, The Wheelhouse – comprising 29 luxury waterfront

apartments – is under construction. Inspired by its waterfront location and designed by Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis, it incorporates nautical motifs in a refined and timeless design.

Interiors by Carr Design have been carefully curated to enhance the seaside ambience.

Don’t miss out on the final opportunity to call these absolute waterfront residences home. For more information, visit thewheelhousemarthacove.com.au or call Ian Ross on 0404 868 470.

There are changes afoot in Martha Cove’s Marine Enterprise Precinct as well, with a further 200-space dry stack storage facility plus 1800 square metres of Marine Enterprise commercial areas coming in December 2022, as is a new hardstand storage area. The new facilities join a range of on-site marine services including a full-service boatyard, dockmaster assistance and 24/7 fuel. Call 1800 DALBORA for berth availability and assistance or visit our website dalbora.com.au With so many new lifestyle opportunities up for grabs, destination dining right on the Marina, and future hospitality and retail developments in the works, the teams behind Martha’s Table and Martha Cove are only just getting started.

Opening hours: see website.

Martha’s Table 5 Waterfront Place, Safety Beach P: 9617 5377 wwww.marthastable.com.au www.thewheelhousemarthacove.com.au

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Peninsula Gourmet Co. You could spend days touring the Mornington Peninsula seeking out wonderful food and wine made by local artisans. Or you could visit Peninsula Gourmet Co., a one-stop shop with an impressive range of quality Peninsula-made food and wine carefully selected by owners Tristan and Sarah Wyse.

The Wyses fell in love with the Peninsula. They decided to move here and Tristan quit his corporate career to support local specialty makers and producers through Peninsula Gourmet Co. In store you can peruse displays featuring condiments, award-winning olive oils and olives, handmade pasta and sauces, chocolates, teas, wine, and artisan cheeses. It’s a food and wine-lover’s paradise.

Whether you visit in person or order online, you’ll find an extensive range of thoughtfully curated hampers. Corporate hampers are a specialty to wow your clients. There are gift hampers for all of life’s big moments and just to show you care.

There’s an emphasis on supporting Mornington Peninsula suppliers who are creating their products in a socially and environmentally friendly way.

And the hamper packaging is proudly sustainable.

Tristan’s vision is to continue building a business that’s socially aware, supports the local economy and gives people around Australia the chance to sample the gourmet delights of the Mornington Peninsula.

Peninsula Gourmet Co. I 240 Boundary Rd, Dromana I P: 5981 9123 I www.peninsulagourmetco.com.au

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BoatShed Cheese Turning milk into cheese is an impressive culinary art. There are several elements to master to create memorable cheese. Sarah, Shaun and Becky, the owners of BoatShed Cheese in Dromana’s industrial estate, are the culinary artists responsible for turning out some of the Peninsula’s finest cheese.

Specialising in goat, cow and buffalo milk cheeses, BoatShed is known for flavoursome cheeses handmade with care. From crumbly cheddar to creamy brie to semi-hard goats milk cheese soaked in local pinot noir, the choices here are always enticing.

Since opening in 2011, BoatShed Cheese has evolved to become both an artisan cheesery and, through its new sister brand Mornington Peninsula Cheese Merchants, a cheesemonger sourcing premium quality Australian milk, cream, yoghurt, butter, and even locally made ice-cream. Their store has become a dairy lover’s destination.

Allow yourself plenty of time to savour and learn about cheese while you visit the tasting room and store. Peruse the vast selection of dairy goodness being showcased. You can order a cheese platter or charcuterie board and take a seat at the sailing boat that now serves as an upcycled table.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for BoatShed Cheese at stockists and markets on the Peninsula and throughout Melbourne.

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm; Monday closed.

BoatShed Cheese I 3/10 Thomson Tce, Dromana I P: 0476 180 382 I www.boatshedcheese.com

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Jetty Road Brewery Jetty Road Brewery makes award-winning craft beers, but there’s a lot more to this neighbourhood favourite than easy-drinking pale ale and adventurously flavoured IPA. A visit to Jetty Road immerses you in old-school Peninsula vibes where life is laid-back, people are friendly, and there’s always time for banter.

Started by locals and run by locals, community and connection is what Jetty Road is all about. From the musicians who play here regularly to the farm-fresh produce that defines the menu, it’s all homegrown on the Peninsula.

Head brewer Sean Varley keeps punters returning for carefully crafted pale ale, IPA, XPA, draught and monthly limited releases. The knowledgeable bar staff are happy to talk you through the tap list.

Food-wise, freshness and flavour is the focus. The menu is designed with sharing in mind, although you might want the famous JR beef brisket sandwich all to yourself. Kids have their own menu, colouring-in pages, and in the rear garden a cubby house and giant Jenga to play with.

There are two beer gardens to relax in on sunny days, and dogs are welcome. Inside, the fit-out is industrial but somehow intimate and welcoming all at once. The mezzanine overlooking the bar and dining area is the place for birthdays, celebrations, and corporate get-togethers.

See the website and socials for live music and event updates.

Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday noon-9pm, Friday and Saturday noon-11pm, Sunday noon-9pm; from December 21-January 31 open daily for lunch and dinner.

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

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Hickinbotham of Dromana For more than three decades, Andrew Hickinbotham and his partner Terryn have welcomed locals and tourists alike to their family-owned and operated winery, cellar door and restaurant.

Hickinbotham of Dromana is the place to enjoy excellent wine, live music on weekends, and a long lunch at Mintaro restaurant, where the menu is designed to share. The unique venue is made from recycled materials, giving it loads of character and rustic charm. The family’s dogs Mo and Winter are the welcoming committee.

Andrew is a third-generation winemaker who uses organic growing principles and has an inherent respect for the land. While Hickinbotham of Dromana is known for award-winning cool-climate varietals, part of the joy of winemaking is experimenting.

For example, in mid-2022 the Hickinbothams

had a batch of tempranillo that hadn’t been bottled, and a friend mentioned they had a still and wanted to try their hand at making gin. Hickinbotham Tempranillo gin was born.

The gin is distilled on site and the tempranillo is barrel-aged, which imparts a smooth sweetness and rounds the botanical flavours of juniper, licorice, citrus, coriander and oris root.

In 2006, Hix Microbrewery was established, adding craft beer to the Hickinbotham success story. Andrew and Terryn’s son Jake is head brewer, and his award-winning beers include a pilsener, pale ale, brown ale, and Irish stout available year-round.

Adventurous types will love the seasonal experimental beers, and if you like an old-school ale, Jake’s 2022 new release the Belgian blonde is the ticket.

Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11am5pm; see website for summer hours.

Occasional Friday night musical events; Saturday and Sunday lunch features live music.

Hickinbotham of Dromana I 194 Nepean Highway, Dromana I P: 5981 0355 www.hickinbotham.biz

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Crittenden Estate The Crittenden family have been growing grapes and making wine on the Mornington Peninsula for decades, with 2022 marking 40 years since Garry Crittenden first planted vines at his Dromana property. It’s still fully owned and operated by the family, with Garry’s son Rollo now at the helm and making the wines, and his sister Zoe taking care of the company’s marketing.

Farming the property’s 4.5ha vineyard using sustainable practices is a priority for the siblings, and their endeavours have seen them recognised as global leaders in this field. Their property and wines consistently receive global accolades which, according to Rollo and Zoe, can be attributed to their biological and farming practices.

You’ll feel welcome at The Crittenden Wine Centre whatever your level of wine knowledge, and you’ll be treated to a memorable cellar door experience. Cue another award: Mornington Peninsula’s Best Large Cellar Door in both 2021 and 2022 – Gourmet Traveller Cellar Door Awards. Seated tastings make for a relaxed, engaging experience. Crittenden’s acclaimed French, Italian and Spanish varietals are all available to try, with an expert team creating a guided wine tasting to suit each and every visitor.

Respected wine critic James Halliday describes Crittenden Estate as “an outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality”, and he consistently rates them as a five red star winery.

There’s a lot to raise a glass to here!

Opening hours: seven days 10.30am-4.30pm Crittenden Estate I 25 Harrisons Rd, Dromana I P: 5987 3800 I www.crittendenwines.com.au

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Two Buoys Restaurant, Wine and Cocktail Bar

Great food, good times, unbeatable cocktails.

Located on the beachfront at Dromana, Two Buoys has long been known for its great bayside location, easy-dining tapas, and an amazing wine list that supports local and international wineries. Add unbeatable cocktails and local live music acts and you’re in for a good time.

With more than 300 wine labels in the cellar, there’s nothing better than sitting on the front deck watching the sunset. Inside, the venue features two smartly presented areas. On one side of the main room is the wine cellar and restaurant. On the other side of the room is a cocktail bar where you can enjoy premium spirits, craft beer, fantastic local wines, and carefully crafted cocktails.

The menu at Two Buoys offers smaller and larger plates perfect for sharing. The focus is on quality produce and fresh seafood along with our iconic dishes like our seafood platter and Tomahawk steak. See the website and pre-order these dishes.

From the moment you arrive until the night is over, the aim here is for everyone to experience great hospitality and good times.

Bookings are essential and can be made online or over the phone. Mornington Peninsula residents can join the Two Buoys birthday club for free and receive a $25 birthday gift voucher.

Opening hours: seven days for lunch and dinner; live acoustic music Friday-Sunday.

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

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Bass & Flinders Distillery

As you’ll learn at Bass & Flinders Distillery, not all spirits are created equal. Head distiller Holly Klintworth creates high-quality artisanal gins, brandies and liqueurs that showcase regional character. And it all begins with handcrafted grape-based eau de vie spirit made at the distillery using traditional French methods. Holly turns Victorian shiraz grapes into gin, and Victorian chardonnay grapes into brandy.

Proudly the first distillery on the Mornington Peninsula, this family-owned and operated vine-to-bottle distillery was established in 2009 by Holly’s father, Wayne. Expect exciting innovations and uniquely Australian flavours here, such as Angry Ant gin made with hand-picked botanicals including mulla mulla, native lemongrass, native sandalwood nuts, and the starring botanical, Australian ant pheromones.

To continue evolving their product and meet demand for their award-winning tipples, the end of 2022 saw Bass & Flinders upgrade from

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

their original 300-litre pot still to an impressive 1700-litre still imported from Cognac, France.

Enjoy a tasting at the inviting distillery door, but if you really want to immerse yourself, book in for a gin masterclass. Held on the mezzanine overlooking the distillery, you’ll learn about techniques and exotic botanicals used in gin production. The class is fun and informative, and you’ll leave with a bottle of gin made to your very own recipe.

Opening hours: check the website for masterclass bookings and cellar door opening hours.

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Wine Lovers Warehouse Joseph’s dog Pearl with an assortment of Joseph’s carefully selected wines

New Hastings store

As the name suggests, Wine Lovers Warehouse is well stocked with an impressive selection of wine to appeal to all palates from novice to sophisticated. The focus here is on offering something for all wine drinkers, whether you prefer sparkling wine, red, white, or rosé, all at very competitive prices. Think $5 to $15 a bottle for Mornington Peninsula wines and regional heroes from around Australia and the world.

Mornington Peninsula resident and wine expert Joseph Sofia is the owner of this family business that’s been operating for 18 years. Joseph has built relationships with wineries locally, nationally and internationally to bring customers the best deals in wine. “We don’t sell cheap wine; we sell good wine cheap,” he said. Joseph opened his first store in Dromana eight years ago and was excited to open the flagship store – all 550 square metres – in Hastings late in 2022.

Go with plenty of time so you can peruse the range and chat with the team about what’s on offer. Wine tastings are all part of the shopping experience here too. Whether you’re buying wine to go with a casual midweek meal or need something special for one of life’s milestone celebrations, you’ll find it here.

Opening hours: see www.winelover.com.au

Wine Lovers Warehouse I Unit 5/3 Trewhitt Court, Dromana I P: 9596 4278 I 2080 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings I

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Torello Farm Shopping for farm-fresh seasonal produce and an array of other real food delights at Torello Farm is a joy of Peninsula living.

Take an empty basket, leave your shopping list at home and let the season’s harvest decide what you’re cooking.

Inside the converted packing shed you’ll find a vibrant rainbow display of what’s in season. It’s so beautifully presented you’ll want one of everything. The variety is impressive, and the best part is it’s all grown by local farmers, including the Five Tales team farming on site, which means food miles are low, it’s bursting with nutrition, and you’re supporting family businesses.

If you’re not used to seeing only what’s in season and don’t know a feijoa from a persimmon, or if you’ve never cooked with freshly foraged pine mushrooms, talk to the friendly staff and they’ll fill you in on all the

interesting produce. Everyday staples such as apples, potatoes, pumpkins and onions need no explanation other than they taste better because locally grown equals fresher and tastier.

There’s also ethically produced meat that’s bred on the owners’ farm in Tuerong.

Slow-growing heritage breeds, Dorset Down sheep and Belted Galloway cattle produce meat with magnificent flavour for you to enjoy.

And if you can’t be bothered cooking, Torello’s take-home meals made in their farmhouse kitchen are a must, along with their pickles and preserves. Beef lasagne, massaman curry, beetroot relish, carrot top pesto, vegan dumplings and sausage rolls are highlights.

See Torello Farm’s website for details of their on-farm workshops covering such topics as growing great tomatoes or building a watersaving wicking bed.

Opening hours: daily 8am-6pm.

Torello Farm I 410 White Hill Rd, Dromana I P: 5981 0335

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TWØBAYS Brewing Co Spend an afternoon at the TWØBAYS Brewing Co taproom – Tripadvisor 2022 Travellers’ choice ‘hidden gem’ award-winner – and you’ll discover a whole new world of craft beer flavours created from millet, buckwheat, and rice malts. These ancient grains are the foundation on which multiple award-winning beers have been brewed, attracting beer-lovers and beer novices alike to explore one of the Peninsula’s – if not Australia’s – most innovative craft breweries.

While this is the nation’s first dedicated gluten-free taproom and brewery, most customers don’t even have a gluten allergy. They come for the exciting range of hazy beers, fruit sour beers and dark beers and they stay for the open, friendly and inclusive environment. There’s also TWØBAYS’ award-winning core range Session Ale, Lager, Pale Ale, XPA and IPA; and GFB, a classic easy-drinking, gluten-free, Aussie-style draught for those who prefer their beer straightforward.

Located in the Dromana Habitat, the industrial estate vibe adds to the experience.

There’s plenty of space inside and out. You can go with a group of friends, have a family get-together, and you can even take your dog and sit outside. In winter, a spot by the fireplace is the place to be.

With 11 beer taps, local cider and wine, and excellent wood-fired gluten-free pizzas that include vegan options too, the offer here is delicious and inclusive whatever your dietary requirement.

Opening hours: taproom Saturday noon-6pm; Sunday noon-5pm. Hours extended over summer; check website for details.

TWØBAYS Brewing Co I Unit 1, 2 Trewhitt Court, Dromana I P: 5910 0880 I www.twobays.beer

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A family affair Hickinbotham of Dromana feels like home.

From the crackling fire in winter to the long al fresco lunches in summer, there is an oldschool hospitality that the Hickinbotham family offer at their Dromana winery. Andrew and Terryn Hickinbotham were part of the first wave of the Peninsula wine renaissance, planting their vines on the sandy loam slopes looking out over Port Phillip and Mount Martha in 1988. They planted out classic coolclimate varieties around a stand of ancient manna gums. They built their winery and cellar door from recycled materials, including an old school hall they moved from bayside Melbourne to the site. With old bricks, ancient timbers, Victorian-era antiques, and found object light fittings, Hickinbotham feels like it has been there for centuries.

Hickinbotham is an estate winery with almost all the wines made on site from grapes from the vineyard by winemaker James Janda. He believes that wines are made in the vineyard, that careful vine management and allowing the grapes to achieve their potential on the vine allows the winemaker to simply nurture the grapes through winemaking. The wines he makes are classic cool-climate varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon joined by Spanish and Italian varieties such www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

as tempranillo and lagrein. The bench white is the chardonnay, made unashamedly in the old-school Australian style with malolactic fermentation for the smooth ‘butteryness’ and French oak for a touch of that rich ‘oakiness’. The pinot noir is all about red berries and soft mouthfeel. Again, a classic Peninsula coolclimate wine.

The winemaking was joined by the Hix Microbrewery in 2006.

What started out as an attempt to give the winery team a steady supply of knock-off drinks turned into another business within Hickinbotham. Andrew and Terryn’s son Jake is a big fan of German beers and brews his small batches in recycled equipment. The mash tun is an old milk vat. It is heated using a small boiler from an old dry-cleaning plant. The beers mature in vats from an old microbrewery in the city. Jake bottles his beer in traditional German 500ml bottles. His Pilsner, for example, is made with German pilsner malt and hops and has lovely bready, baked cracker aromas, clean bitterness and fine fizz.

The Hickinbotham family make drinks to be enjoyed with food and they do this with great hospitality in their Mintaro Restaurant. It is named after the exquisite black slate fireplace rescued from a demolished Brighton mansion and made from slate from Mintaro near the Clare Valley in South Australia. The menu is packed with crowd-pleasing dishes such as corn fritters, linguine carbonara made with house-smoked pork, slow-cooked lamb, and seafood dishes from golden fish and chips to yellowfin tuna tataki. Finish with a lemon meringue pie or seasonal fruit crumble. Combined with live music on weekends, dining at Hickinbotham is to experience family-friendly fare at its best.

RICHARD CORNISH HICKINBOTHAM OF DROMANA 194 Nepean Highway, Dromana hickinbotham.biz

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CAPEL SOUND

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There’s nothing pretentious about this string of eclectic seaside towns – and that’s exactly what’s great about them. Rosebud, Capel Sound, Tootgarook and Rye are good at keeping things real. This is where you’ll find families enjoying the foreshore playgrounds or cycling on the bike track through the tea-trees before stopping for ice-cream or fish and chips.

Summer days are spent playing beach cricket, and summer nights are for squealing with delight on rides at the foreshore carnival. And it wouldn’t be a visit without a holiday snap in front of the brightly painted beach boxes.

Coffee is taken seriously in these parts – as it is everywhere on the Peninsula – and delicious café breakfasts are a given. When lunchtime rolls around, you might find yourself getting to know the locals at the pub, or perhaps venturing inland to a nearby winery. There are some hidden food and wine gems tucked in backstreets that are worth seeking out.

Everyone’s friendly; ask around for local favourites.

When the sun goes down, head to a live music venue where Mornington Peninsula wines, beers and spirits will be stealing the show. The relaxed pace and vibe of this area is what downtime is all about. Spend some time here and you’ll remember life’s simple pleasures.

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Arilla at Boneo Park 101 Best Bites 161 Escape Brewing 103 Hawkes Farm 102 Mubble Rye 108 Penni Ave Distillery 100 The Bagelry Co. 104

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Penni Ave Distillery Tucked away in Rye’s industrial area, Penni Ave Distillery is known in these parts as the go-to for excellent coffee in the AM and stellar cocktails in the PM. Whatever the hour, the good vibes run high and you’ll be warmly welcomed into the creatively decked-out warehouse space.

For a business that began from a hobby and opened its doors in the thick of a pandemic, its loyal following is testament to the quality of what’s offered here.

It’s one of the very few dedicated vodka distilleries in Victoria, where the team work their magic in a copper still named Walter, transforming fermented wheat and barley into wonderfully smooth vodka. There’s a big commitment to sustainability, from the solar power to the handforaged botanicals that bring innovative, distinctly Australian flavours to the vodka.

The range includes 16 Beach, an ode to Rye made with sea celery and saltbush. Then there’s award-winning Wattle Seed & Burnt Honey, and Lemon Myrtle. Pepper Berry is Penni Ave’s answer to gin. Made with hand-foraged Tasmanian pepper berry rather than juniper berry, it’s flavoured with rosemary and lemon. Add soda and your drink is served.

Kakadu Mule is Penni Ave’s signature cocktail, flavoured with ginger and finger lime. The impressive cocktail list changes with the seasons.

If vodka and cocktails aren’t your thing, try a local beer or vino.

Food trucks rotate from month to month in the driveway, from pizza to Asian hawker-style to Mexican. The live music Sunday Session happens on the first Sunday of the month.

Opening hours: café Monday-Friday 6.30-11.30am; bar Thursday and Friday 5-9.30pm, Saturday 7am-9.30pm, Sunday 7am-6pm.

See website for extended summer hours.

Penni Ave Distillery I 2/43 Peninsula Ave, Rye I www.penniave.com.au

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Arilla at Boneo Park If you’re looking to dine at a restaurant in a unique and memorable location, look no further than Arilla.

You’ll find this stylish venue at Boneo Park equestrian centre; it lends itself to casual catch-ups with family and friends or special celebrations with a group.

Take a seat in Arilla’s modern and inviting dining room, where there’s a fireplace for winter days. When the sun shines, the spacious outdoor deck is the place to be. On event days you can enjoy the view of all the equestrian action in the arena. The beautiful wetland lake also offers a peaceful outlook.

The food here is all about flavour and making the most of fresh local and homegrown produce. Head chef Adam Beckett brings a wealth of experience to the helm, having worked in Michelin Star restaurants in the UK and 3 Chef Hat restaurants in Australia. Excellent ingredients and skilful, thoughtful cooking make for a memorable meal. Vegetarian and vegan diners are treated to their own menu.

At the New York loft-style bar you can order a cocktail to savour in the comfortable lounge area. Whether you’re here for a long lunch or romantic dinner, you’ll be well looked after at Arilla, which means ‘the dancing ground’.

Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm; Friday & Saturday 11.30am-8pm

Arilla at Boneo Park I 312 Boneo Rd, Boneo I P: 5986 3006 I www.boneopark.com.au/restaurant

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Hawkes Farm A visit to Hawkes Farm will inspire you to cook up a feast and remind you of how special it is to know exactly where your food comes from.

The Hawkes family have owned and operated their 56ha farm in Boneo for more than 40 years. They’re proud to provide visitors to their farmgate with top-quality seasonal produce, including onions, carrots, strawberries, radishes, corn and parsley.

It’s their delicious potatoes that everyone talks about. On the weekend, Hawkes’ famous potatoes are hand-cut and thrice cooked in their food truck. If you need a good reason to go food shopping, this is it.

In addition to Hawkes’ produce, there’s a wide range of quality produce and gourmet products from other Peninsula growers and producers that add to the temptations.

When you finish shopping, you can grab a coffee made using ethically sourced beans from local roasters Little Rebel. Bring the kids too; of course they’ll love the hot chips but there’s also a child-friendly vegie patch to relax by and a fun sandpit.

Hawkes Farm also offers educational group tours, so get in touch for more details. And if you prefer to shop online, there’s a click and collect service available.

Opening hours: seven days from 8am-5pm; closed Christmas Day

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Escape Brewing Escape Brewing is the new awardwinning addition to the southern Mornington Peninsula’s growing independent craft beer scene.

The family-owned business has been heartily welcomed by locals and visitors since opening in February 2022.

‘Escape’ not only references the fact that Melburnians like to escape to the Peninsula for Escape Brewing

holidays, but also that owners Russ and Nicole ‘escaped’ their corporate careers to turn Russ’s home brew hobby into a thriving business.

“There’s no end to creativity in brewing,” Russ says. “Two breweries next to each other can use the same ingredients and make completely different beer. That’s the exciting part and being able to share with others.”

All beers are proudly made on site. With eight beers on tap and in cans plus local wines and cider, there’s something for everyone. Add to that a kitchen turning out delicious beer-friendly meals and you’re in for a good time.

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When the weather’s fine, grab a table outside, where dogs on leads are welcome. There are also games to keep the kids and adults entertained, and a kids’ menu making it familyfriendly.

Keep an eye on socials/website for fun events such as brewery tours, comedy nights, bingo, trivia and more, and if you’re planning an event for work or family, you’re welcome here.

Opening hours: Friday-Sunday noon-8pm. See website for seasonal hours

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The Bagelry Co. There’s a reason why The Bagelry Co. in Rosebud is always busy – once you’ve tried their chewy-on-the-inside boiled bagels, baked fresh on the premises each day, you’ll become a happy regular.

Keep things simple with the classic Traditional filled with cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado, rocket, red onion, capers and dill – it reigns supreme. We also love the egg and bacon brekky bagel, or choose from one of many creative combos like BBQ Cajun with marinated chicken,

semi-dried tomato, mixed leaf lettuce, grilled halloumi, red onion and aioli on an ‘everything’ bagel.

There are more than a dozen different varieties of bagels, including onion, cheese, multigrain, herb, light and dark rye, chocolate chip, blueberry, cinnamon and raisin plus poppyseed, sesame and plain. Choose your bagels individually from the shelf or in prebagged packs of five.

Cream cheese enthusiasts will be surprised and delighted by their new range of schmears, perfect for spreading on to warm toasted bagels.

Flavours include dill lemon, jalapeno, smoky bacon, pickled onion and more.

If you’re looking to expand beyond bagels, they also serve artisan French pastries and Allpress coffee. Sit down for a relaxing full meal or grab your delicious stash on the go.

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 7.30am-3pm (hours subject to change seasonally)

The Bagelry Co. I 1245 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud I

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FROM EARTH

Market gardening thrives in Boneo’s ‘perfect’ soil What started as an honesty box and a few sacks of potatoes piled in the corner of the packing shed has turned into a thriving Peninsula farmgate. The Hawkes family has been farming the rich sandy loam at Boneo since 1972. “The soil here is perfect for growing vegetables,” says Georgie Hawkes. She is the wife of Richard Hawkes and works with her husband and his father growing vegetables they sell through their farmgate to chefs and shops around the Mornington Peninsula and further afield. They specialise in growing carrots and potatoes because the fine soft soil is the perfect medium where root vegetables can grow to their ideal shape and size.

The potatoes the Hawkes grow are exceptionally good. They are even better when deep-fried into freshly cooked hot chips. The team takes freshly harvested Sebago potatoes, carefully wash them, hand chip them, and then double fry them in cottonseed oil. When customers come to Hawkes’ weekend chip kitchen, the chips are then fried for a third time. Because the potatoes are so fresh, they have not developed sugar, which means they cook to an incredible crisp golden brown without burning while keeping a soft and fluffy interior. Finished with pink Himalayan salt, they are superb. Their supreme taste is matched by the depth of flavour of their Albion strawberries. Bred for flavour and not for gigantic size, these super intense strawberries are a summertime treat and a destination in themselves.

RICHARD CORNISH HAWKES FARM 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo hawkesfarm.com.au

“But we also grow other herbs and vegetables such as parsley, spring onions, corn, kale, and radish,” says Georgie. “We grow carrots and beetroot throughout winter as well.” The Hawkes are old-fashioned market gardeners and use cover crops such as mustard and barley, which they plough back into the earth to feed the tiny insects and other bugs, which in turn help fertilise the soil naturally.

Market gardening has been part of the Boneo landscape since the 1850s when the Boninyang property (owned by the Meyricks family, after which the village of Merricks was named) was subdivided into farmlets. Scores of market gardens still mark the landscape at Boneo, some of which supply the Hawkes farmgate.

“We are supplied by another grower, Jim Cochrane Farms, for our celery and broccoli,” says Georgie. “We also are stocked with shallots from our neighbours, the Arnott family, just down the road towards Rosebud, and apples from the Staples just up the hill in Main Ridge.”

The Hawkes are proud to supply locals with fresh, local, and seasonal produce. “Our food is fresher, lasts longer, and tastes better,” says Georgie. “The veg could be in the ground one minute, then washed and on the shelves in an hour.” She points to the fact that food grown for the supermarket system needs to be trucked to a distribution centre, which can take several days if it is grown in a warmer climate, and then shipped again to a supermarket. “Our veg are zero food miles, and our potatoes are incredibly cheap for the quality you get.”

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SORRENTO

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

The pointy end of the Peninsula is a wonderful world of its own. Wealth is on display in clifftop mansions, prestigious yachts bobbing in the bay, and helicopter being the transport of choice for some. This sits alongside life’s simple pleasures: swimming in the rockpools at the back beach, fishing off Portsea Pier, or wandering the main street with an ice-cream cone from Mubble. One way or another, everyone is made welcome.

Since the early 1900s, Sorrento has been a magnet for holidaymakers seeking the charm of this coastal

village. Wander the foreshore lined with Norfolk pines before climbing the hill to explore the township steeped in history with its iconic limestone buildings.

Then settle in for lunch, dinner or drinks, perhaps at Hotel Sorrento high on the hill or at one of the many cafes or restaurants that bring the convivial feel to the main street.

A little further south you’ll arrive in Portsea, and whether you’re hungry for French food or not, Le Capucin will draw you in – and you’ll be so glad it did.

Follow up your French feast and coffee hit by taking

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in the pristine air and environment at Point Nepean National Park, which is just a stone’s throw away.

The finer things in life can all be found here, but

the pull of Mother Nature is undeniable. With the power and energy of the ocean on one side of the Peninsula’s tip and the calmer water of the bay on the other, there is much to discover and delight in here.

Audrey’s at The Continental Hotel 112 Hotel Sorrento 109 Le Capucin 110 Mubble 108 Portsea Hotel 111

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Mubble Ice-cream is one of life’s simple pleasures that never goes out of style.

Whether you’re five or 95, a cone or cup of handcrafted ice-cream or sorbet from Mubble is guaranteed to bring joy to your day.

This family-owned and operated business is known for excellent quality and its impressive range of more than 150 flavours. The rotating range of flavours on display reflect the seasons. Traditionalists will be happy with vanilla bean, chocolate or strawberry, but if you like your flavour to be a little bit fancy, try Raffaello, Dulce de leche or Golden Gaytime.

For those who need their scoop to be dairy-free, vegan or gluten-free, there are plenty of options to keep you smiling. And more good news: take-home packs are available too.

Not in the mood for ice-cream? Try freshly cooked hot jam doughnuts or churros finished in cinnamon sugar and served with your choice of Nutella or caramel sauce.

Mubble is also the place in Sorrento and Rye for well-made smoothies and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. If you prefer a caffeine hit, expertly made coffee has been added to the drinks list.

If you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, milestone birthday or something similar, Mubble has a custom-made mobile ice-cream cart to add some sweet fun to your occasion.

Summer opening hours: daily from 10am-11pm.

Off-season: Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm; FridaySaturday 10am-9pm. Visit website for more details.

Mubble 69 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento & 2393 Point Nepean Rd, Rye P: 5984 4944 www.mubble.com.au

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Hotel Sorrento Dating from 1872, Hotel Sorrento is an iconic establishment that has welcomed locals and visitors for well over a century. As a family-owned and operated business for more than 40 years, Hotel Sorrento prides itself on serving honest, seasonal fare with an extensive range of local and international wines and beer to match.

With recently refurbished heritage rooms and suites, Hotel Sorrento’s premium accommodation is the ideal spot to base yourself while exploring the many attractions on the Mornington Peninsula. In walking distance to Sorrento shopping village, the bay, and ocean beaches, the location is hard to beat.

The newly designed restaurant and open kitchen has been reimagined and opened in late 2022. With a focus on serving the Peninsula’s exceptional produce, Hotel Sorrento combines new and innovative dishes along with your favourite classics.

November 2022 saw the fun and fabulous Cantonese restaurant Shihuishi open. Within the limestone walls of the original ballroom where past and present collide, expect a sophisticated menu with a cheeky cocktail list. Here you’ll encounter the playful, familiar, yet faraway flavours of Cantonese cuisine.

With many more exciting developments under way, Hotel Sorrento cannot wait to show locals and visitors their new spaces as they emerge in 2023.

Join their socials so you are always updated of their latest offering.

Opening hours: check website for details.

Hotel Sorrento I 5-15 Hotham Rd, Sorrento I P: 5984 8000 I www.hotelsorrento.com.au

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Le Capucin Follow your nose to the pointy end of the Mornington Peninsula and you’ll be well rewarded when you arrive at Le Capucin. The friendly crew greet you with “Bonjour” and the heavenly smell of French café fare envelopes you.

Husband and wife team Loïc and Kirsty have created something special at this beachside café. A stone’s throw from Portsea Pier, their excellent coffee is a drawcard for early-morning swimmers and walkers. Le Capucin has proudly embraced the Green Caffeen swap and go coffee cup program to support the precious environment, and Keep Cups have been sold here since day one.

The main attraction is authentic French cooking from Loïc and the team, with some dishes to enjoy in-house or some as take-home meals. A longawaited trip in 2022 back to the southwest of France where he was born and grew up has fuelled Loïc’s passion to cook his family recipes at Le Capucin. See Instagram for new specials and Meals For You At Home.

Free-range rotisserie chicken with Piment d’Espelette baste is a house specialty, as are tourte maison (handmade pies). The dishes reflect the seasons, with housemade soups in winter and colourful, flavour-packed salads in summer. Tasty baguettes are made fresh daily.

Group bookings are available by request. There’s a lot to celebrate here.

Opening hours: 8am-3pm daily; 7am-4pm during summer Le Capucin I 3770 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea I

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Portsea Hotel Summer afternoons spent in Portsea Hotel’s expansive beer garden is where holiday memories are made.

January is live music month with music every day. The Portsea Summer Series sees some big names play. Icecold drinks, seafood platters and fresh salads complete the summer scene.

When the weather cools, the beers are still cold but the fireplaces are lit and hearty slow-cooked meals and seafood broils feature on the menu.

Live & Loud AFL in the RIP bar is a winter tradition.

Fatto Da Mamma, which translates as ‘made by Mum’, is where the woodfired pizza and salumi happens. From classic margherita to sophisticated fungi with Fior di latte, Swiss brown, oyster mushrooms, red onion, olives, and grana padano, the exceptional pizzas are the talk of the town. A separate kitchen is dedicated to creating top-notch pub classics – think steak, burgers, fish and chips, and parmas, of course – and seasonal specials that celebrate Mornington Peninsula produce.

Whether you’re catching up with family or friends, hosting a wedding, or holding a corporate event, there’s a space to suit your occasion. Take in the view from the Bertrand Bar overlooking the bay, or for an intimate lunch or dinner there’s a private dining room for up to 14. Why not book a room in the stylish accommodation upstairs and stay a while?

With its views of Port Phillip and historical significance – it was established in 1876 – Portsea Hotel truly is an icon of the southern end of the Peninsula.

Opening hours: days vary during peak and offpeak seasons; check website for details.

Portsea Hotel I 3746 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea I P: 5984 2213

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Audrey’s et al Audrey’s epitomises refined dining. The smooth lines of an Art Deco interior are matched by the round forms of the plush banquettes that reflect the marine colours of Port Phillip on the other side of the windows.

Elevated in the mansion-like limestone edifice that is the historic The Continental Hotel in Sorrento, Audrey’s is the pinnacle of the multivenue 1875 pleasure palace. Every detail in the light-filled dining room tells a story. A massive Pacific clam shell filled with bottles of champagne is sitting on the bar. In one simple gesture, it says: “This is a space dedicated to the enjoyment of the good things in life – like champagne and seafood.”

Chef Scott Pickett named the dining room after his maternal grandmother, Audrey Masterson. A full-length, life-size painted portrait of a young woman stands in one corner of the room.

“This depicts my grandmother,” says Scott. The normally gritty chef shows his soft side when he talks fondly about his grandmother. “She helped bring my brother and me up when we were small,” he continues. “On her birthday, she would order half a crayfish, a small luxury in her frugal life.”

The frugality of Audrey Masterson’s life is contrasted by the pure luxury of the restaurant named in her honour. Dining here starts with the set menu. A seven-course menu might be composed of 14 different dishes, starting with freshly baked sourdough and incredibly moreish and deeply flavoured butter. This could be followed with finely sliced morsels of Shark Bay scallops prepared www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

in a fresh citrus ceviche piqued by the fine high note of Kampot pepper. There could be a mouthful-size tartlet filled with rich Port Lincoln sardines and a delightfully sized crumpet topped with a rich, thick dollop of whipped cod roe. Then there is the umami bomb and textural delight, a dish of pieces of pearl meat, fennel, sea urchin, and an old-school French sauce soubise made with cream and onions. The focus on seafood continues with local squid and broadbill with spring vegetables of early zucchini and sugar peas. The savoury courses climax with a supplementary course of Great Ocean Duck with celeriac, a great excuse to move across to Mornington Peninsula pinot noir. Three desserts follow, including a rich dish of meringue and dairy with flavours of mandarin, fennel and white chocolate. The meal could conclude with intense cherry and smoked chocolate truffle.

If elevated dining is not in your remit but you still want to check out the multi-million-dollar refit and refurb of this almost 150-year-old institution, Scott Pickett is also looking after the other 12 food and beverage operations at The Continental. The bar and beer garden are at street level, perfect for an aprèsfishing pint and a parma. “I wanted a place I could enjoy with my mates after a day on the boat,” says Scott with a laugh. Then there is The Atrium, a swish indoor-outdoor eatery with cane chairs on Italian marble flooring, a place that has proved popular with multi-generational families for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Then there is the poolside deck, which has full service, and the rooftop offers sit-down breakfast. Night owls will love The Barlow, which is a drinking den of green and red velvet, music purring through the sound system or from a live act on stage, with a large selection of cocktails and drinks developed by the wunderkind of the Speakeasy Group, owners of Eau de Vie and Nick and Nora’s in the city. With the Intercontinental Hotel next door, The Continental Sorrento has become a destination in itself.

RICHARD CORNISH The Continental Sorrento 1 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento www.thecontinentalsorrento.com.au

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Left, back row: Barry and Sofi Kosic and Laurence Tedesco (Elgee Park), Peter Dillon (Handpicked Wines), Dan Prior (Montalto), Luke Lomax (Yabby Lake), Jamie McCall (Paringa Estate); front: Simon Black (Montalto), Matt Campbell (Crittenden Estate).

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: chief judge Simon Steele and MPWine’s chair of shows Lindsay McCall; Crittenden Estate’s Kerry Ruddock, Sarah Shutt, Vanessa Crouse, Ben Lee, Matthew Campbell (holding trophy), Caroline Lee and Zoe Crittenden; Steve Bolton (Classic Oak), Dan Prior (Montalto), Simon Black (Montalto) and Johan Ahlberg (MCC Labels); Rohan Smith (Handpicked Wines) and Cameron Wilson (Montalto).

MULTIPLE PRODUCERS PICK UP TROPHIES AT PENINSULA WINE SHOW The 2022 Mornington Peninsula Wine Show might have returned to a more normal format after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, but it delivered exceptional results with an impressive share of awards going to multiple producers across the Peninsula.

The biggest surprise was the Best White Varietal or Blend trophy going to a 2022 riesling produced by Elgee Park in Dromana, and it was refreshing to see Paringa Estate’s 2021 The Paringa Chardonnay pick up a trophy for Best Chardonnay rather than Best Pinot Noir, which is more commonplace.

Chief judge Simon Steele said awards going to multiple producers was a great thing and suggested that different sites and sub-regions could shine with specific varieties or styles. “We had a great spread of results rather than a few wineries doing a clean sweep, which can often happen at regional shows,” Mr Steele said. “It means the Mornington Peninsula Wine Show is inclusive and relevant for all producers, which is what a regional show should be about.”

Mr Steele said although we often think about the Peninsula as the perfect home for pinot noir and chardonnay wines, we should also recognise certain vineyards in the region are world-class sites for cool-climate shiraz and other varieties too.

“Mornington Peninsula sparkling and cooler vintage pinot gris and even riesling can be beautifully floral and expressive wines, which have been sourced from specific sites, carefully selected and crafted by talented producers.”

Elgee Park won Best Sparkling Wine as well as the Best White Varietal or Blend, and for the second year in a row Crittenden Estate won Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris. Yabby Lake also won Best Red Varietal or Blend for the second year in a row with the Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Shiraz.

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The Chardonnay Provenance Award and Pinot Noir Provenance Award are two of the most prestigious trophies of the show due to the prominence of chardonnay and pinot noir as the signature varieties of the region. This year both trophies were awarded to Montalto for its 2015, 2017 and 2021 Montalto Chardonnay wines and 2012, 2017 and 2021 Montalto Pinot Noir wines.

“The Wines of Provenance classes showcased thought and detail in vineyard and winemaking techniques that were so impressive over time,” Mr Steele said. “(It’s) a credit to the hardworking teams at Montalto.”

Handpicked Wines continued its pinot noir winning streak after picking up the Best of Region Trophy at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge in October. It won the Mornington Peninsula Best Pinot Noir Trophy for the 2021 Capella Vineyard Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir.

The wine show lunch and trophy presentation at Merricks General Store was attended by more than 120 Peninsula wine producers. Mr Steele led a judging panel that also included Sarah Fagan, Steven Paul, Xavier Vigier and Matt Lugg.

The 2022 Mornington Peninsula Wine Show trophy winners were: Best Sparkling Wine: 2018 Elgee Park Cuvee Brut Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: 2022 Crittenden Peninsula Pinot Gris Best White Varietal or Blend: 2022 Elgee Park Riesling Best Chardonnay: 2021 Paringa Estate ‘The Paringa’ Chardonnay Best Red Varietal or Blend: 2021 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Shiraz Best Pinot Noir: 2021 Handpicked Wines Capella Vineyard Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir Chardonnay Provenance Award: Montalto – 2015, 2017, 2021 Pinot Noir Provenance Award: Montalto – 2012, 2017, 2021 The full list of results is available online at www. morningtonpeninsulawine.com.au eatdrinkmornpen

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FROM SALTWATER

The enduring enchantment of Harry’s mussels

Out near the end of Flinders Pier is a steelgrey punt with a sign out the front that reads “Harry's Mussels”. ‘Harry’ is Michael Harris, a mussel farmer who, for several decades, has been growing some of the best mussels in the country. Fat, rich, and full of flavour, they cost a little more than the average mussel but they have become very sought-after by some of the top chefs on the Mornington Peninsula and in Melbourne.

David Moyle recently had them starring on the menu of his popup restaurant The Lighthouse at Melbourne's Rising festival. "I rate them as good as any I ever ate," says David. "Harry knows how to finish the mussels to perfection. He is no bulldust. He won't sell them if he is not happy with them." For the record, David steamed the mussels and then fried them in a curry leaf flavour potato starch batter served with a simple but punchy garlic aioli.

Harry grows his mussels on long nylon ropes that hang vertically in the water column. "I choose a spot in the bay that is protected from the big swell but still is refreshed with cold, clean water from Bass Strait," he says. If you walk the beach between Flinders and Shoreham, you can see the floats from which the ropes are suspended. Harry used to rely on mussel spat – tiny juvenile mussels – finding their way on to the ropes. "They are native to the bays. They are the same as the ones that grow on the rocks and pylons of the piers, except mine are bigger and tastier."

These days Harry gets the spat from a commercial hatchery.

The little mussels attach themselves to the rope with fine but incredibly strong threads or filaments. "Mussels are filter feeders. They open their shell, draw in water, and filter out the phytoplankton they digest." The mussels grow on the ropes for about a year. During that time, Harry tends to his mussels, thinning them out to ensure enough room for them to grow big and fat. He also cleans the lines of seaweed and repairs any damage caused by storms. Harry is always watching the skies. www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

A big downpour on land will cause run-off. While nutrients from the land will feed the phytoplankton, it can cause the count of bacteria to creep up. "Health and safety are essential to our business." Harry stops harvesting if there has been rain and won't start again until given the all-clear from authorities.

Harvesting is a simple affair. The ropes are raised, and the mussels are stripped off the lines. They are sorted, cleaned, and stored in bins waiting for delivery to restaurants or being bought directly from the pier. Harry serves his mussels ready to eat in a little caravan you'll find parked at Flinders Beach over summer and weekends. It's called Conchilia or La Conch and serves mussels on Baker Boys crusty bread or mussels in laksa or napoli sauce. Harry says mussels come in two colours: the orange ones are ladies, and the white ones are gentlemen. There is no difference in flavour.

RICHARD CORNISH

Harry's Mussel Tips Discard any mussels with broken shells. If mussels are gaping, they have been out of the water too long (not my mussels; they are super-fresh). Give them a tap, and if they close, they're OK. If they don't, they are likely dead. I put these in the compost.

Remove the beard by grabbing the filament fibres between thumb and forefinger and pull them towards the pointy end of the shell and discard them. Mussels are excellent with Mornington Peninsula pinot gris.

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ST ANDREWS BEACH

to flinders PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

From St Andrews Beach to Cape Schanck and on to Flinders, Bass Strait’s powerful ocean energy can be felt sweeping across this enchanting stretch of the Mornington Peninsula. The area is rich in both natural wonders and welcoming hospitality. It is this richness that makes it so magnetic.

With so much to discover, it’s easy to understand why visitors return again and again. You’ll need more than a weekend to explore the sand dunes, walking tracks, forests and clifftops that define much of the landscape here. As well as taking in the abundant birdlife, look out for kangaroos crossing as you drive from place to place.

Away from the natural world, in Flinders village there’s a wonderful mix of art, history and boutique shopping to enjoy. Slow down and wander from shop to shop soaking up that out-of-town feeling. The other drawcard here is, of course, exceptional food offerings. From gourmet ingredients to use in your own culinary creations to the full dining experience at a notable restaurant, Flinders is an alluring Eat.Drink destination.

Take a walk to Flinders’ historic pier, and look out for the resident mussel fisher bringing in his haul. In 2022 the community successfully campaigned to save the pier from being demolished. The weedy seadragons that make their home beneath the pier are happy too.

Flinders General Store

Flinders General Store reminds us that the simple things in life are what matter. For more than 150 years this charming store has been a hub of the community, providing everything from pantry basics, fresh produce and quality meat to gourmet indulgences. The sense of history and nostalgia here, coupled with modern convenience and friendly service, is something to savour.

There’s always time to chat at the coffee bar. If you need something delicious to take to the beach or a snack on your way to golf, housemade muffins, baguettes and sandwiches are prepared daily. Ivan’s gourmet pies are a winner, and for gluten-free folk there’s a dedicated cabinet stocked with treats just for you.

Stop in on Saturday afternoons for local wine tastings, then peruse the bottle shop that features an impressive selection of Peninsula and international wines.

Easy to use online ordering and delivery is available in the local area Monday to Friday, with click and collect on weekends. Walk through the store to the post office where you’ll find beautiful giftware ready to mail. Flinders General Store has it all.

Opening hours: 7am-7pm daily Flinders General Store I 48-50 Cook St, Flinders I P: 5989 0207 www.flindersgeneralstore.com.au I flindersgeneralstore

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Pebbles Restaurant at Moonah Links Peppers Moonah Links Resort might be known for its awardwinning championship golf courses but whether you’re playing golf or not you’ll be made welcome. This is a foodies’ paradise where everyone is embraced. Come in for a divine breakfast, cocktails, or a memorable three-course meal.

Book into the luxury accommodation for a relaxing getaway. The architecturally designed rooms are surrounded by native gardens, and all have a balcony or terrace overlooking the lush green golf courses.

Over at the clubhouse, experience warm hospitality and excellent food and wine.

Spike Bar is the place for coffee, drinks, and casual dining. Pull up a plush leather seat and take in views of the fairway while enjoy a cocktail made using locally distilled spirits. The extensive drinks list caters for all tastes, including a good selection of

non-alcoholic drinks.

Pebbles restaurant is where the culinary magic happens. Newly appointed head chef Dipen Patel brings an international flair to his fine-dining menu. Dipen’s impressive resume shows he has worked under the guidance of greats such as Michelin-star chef Adam Newell at Zibibbo in Wellington. A career highlight was cooking at Dinner by Heston in Melbourne.

The talented chef relishes offering diners the best seasonal produce, meat and seafood prepared with great thought and care. You might find dishes flavoured with traditional Indian spices that reflect Dipen’s heritage, or fresh herbs and garnishes such as saltbush or nasturtium from Moonah Links’ kitchen garden. There are always daily specials, and dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Forget any limited notion you have of ‘golf club dining’. Dipen is taking Pebbles restaurant to new heights.

Opening hours: Pebbles restaurant, breakfast 7am-10am, dinner 6-9pm; Spike Bar 7am-9pm daily. Check website for summer opening hours and event details.

Moonah Links I 55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal I P: 5988 2000

I www.moonahlinks.com.au

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FLYING CALAMARI BROTHERS

taking seafood to new heights

You don’t have to eat at a bricks-and-mortar restaurant to taste some of Australia’s best seafood. After enduring a compulsory hiatus due to lockdowns over the past couple of years, the food van scene is starting to take off again. Many vendors – including The Flying Calamari Brothers – are back, with tasty menus to rival the country's best-loved establishments.

The Flying Calamari Brothers took to the Mornington Peninsula roads way back in 2001, when the mobile food van scene was still in its infancy. More than two decades later and the business, owned by friends Richard Burston and Ben Peterson, is still serving its much-loved calamari to crowds of hungry Victorians, often freshly cooking hundreds of portions at each event. With its distinctive illustration of two cheerful orange squid in superhero outfits – a cheeky seafood-themed nod to Astro Boy, drawn by a friend – The Flying Calamari Brothers van is hard to miss and always a crowd-pleaser.

The Flying Calamari Brothers are the creators of the original Calamari Cone, and you’ll find them dishing up their famous paper funnels filled with golden, super-tender calamari rings to diners at markets, festivals, events and seaside resorts.

The menu and locations change with the seasons, but customers can expect hearty servings of the comfort food – so you don’t have to worry about sharing a few pieces with someone who says they’re not hungry until they see the towering, fragrant cone in your hand and their appetite suddenly appears.

The duo keep things simple in their compact van by not veering too far from their signature dish – fresh, piping hot calamari rings, made from local squid where possible – with the addition of some complementary sides such as thick-cut chips and accompaniments of sweet chilli mayo, tartare and wedges of fresh lemon.

Ben, a chef, met Richard when they were both in their 20s and working in hospitality at Tucks Ridge. After pondering a food

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business of their own, they settled on calamari, which as Richard explains satisfied the criteria they set at the beginning for “a simple business offering one dish, fixed costs, and premium quality”.

Working from their commercial kitchen on a picturesque farm in Shoreham, the two-man team do all the prep work, with administrative support from Richard’s partner Bree. With the foundational belief that they build their reputation on quality, their hand-sliced, hand-battered, crunchy calamari was a hit from the outset.

Also on the menu from time to time, at places such as the Shoreham Market, are such culinary treats as vegetarian spring rolls with an Asian slaw, battered fish and chips, and garlic and chilli fried calamari, which is a favourite among locals.

While the pandemic saw them scale back their operations, they are now ramping up again and keeping things closer to the Peninsula than ever before, their weekends spent at markets and school fetes and the occasional larger multi-day festivals such as the Queenscliff and Meredith music festivals.

Having spent more than 20 years perfecting calamari, their talents don't stop there. If you have a significant birthday, wedding or special event to celebrate, they’ll bring their van to you, serving a wide variety of dishes and fresh salads from their custom mobile kitchen.

In addition to the seafood offerings, their catering menu includes such items as popcorn chicken, grilled chicken satay skewers topped with a homemade Balinese-style sauce an Indonesian friend taught them to make and served with jasmine rice, plus various salad sides and different styles of hot chips. It’s easy to see why The Flying Calamari Brothers have gained a cult following with food their customers can’t get enough of.

Find them on weekends at various markets and festivals throughout Victoria or ask about their catering services. See their website for location details.

BY SARAH HALFPENNY THE FLYING CALAMARI BROTHERS P: 0409 427 862 www.flyingcalamaribrothers.com.au

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BALNARRING

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STEVE BROWN

Head over to the Western Port side of the Peninsula where the pace is slower and the crowds are thinner.

You can bask in the wide open spaces ranging from she-oak forests to pristine beaches. Take a deep breath; it’s time to relax and savour the moment.

The offerings here are eclectic. That’s what makes the area so interesting. Each little hamlet has its own magic to enjoy. Excellent food and wine options abound, from award-winning produce to the vibrant café scene and swoon-worthy restaurants. You’ll experience hospitality with a whole lot of heart.

In between sampling the finest fare on offer, you can Emu Plains Market 155 Etch Sparkling 136 Flying Calamari Brothers 122 Fontalina 128 Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant Hastings 129 Le Bouchon 125 Mitch & Co 131

while away some holiday hours in Tyabb perusing antiques, or in Hastings set off on the boardwalk to take in views of the southern-most mangroves in the world. Whatever the weather, Somers is all about beach walks. Fill your lungs with that energising ocean air before heading to the bustling general store.

Balnarring village is the central hub for specialty gift shopping and dining. Which cuisine will win your booking: French, Italian or Japanese? From here you can easily do a tour of nearby top-rating wineries and find your new favourite drop, or revisit old favourites.

Welcome to Western Port. There’s a lot to love.

Orita’s 2 132 Pelikan Société 126 Phase Two 132 Quealy Winemakers 133 Toscano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar 130 Wine Lovers Warehouse 92

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LE BOUCHON

Le Bouchon

Le Bouchon is classic French bistro, from the duck confit to the four types of French vermouth lining the gantry.

The fit-out is warm and elegant, slightly sophisticated but very warm. “I wanted a space where everyone was welcome,” says owner Stephane Saleres.

Comfortable banquettes line the walls and bottles of Forget-Brimont sit on ice in wine buckets on the marble bar. Fine stemware is

set at bare dark tables accompanied by dark bentwood chairs sitting on white and black hexagonal tiles.

The name Stephane chose refers to les bouchons of Burgundy – casual bistros serving classic French dishes with local wines. ‘Bouchon’ also is French for a wine cork.

Chef de cuisine Antoine Corre hails from Brittany. With more than 20 years’ experience honed in Paris, Nice, London and in Melbourne at Bistro Guillaume, you’ll hear him voicing

Le Bouchon I 10 Russell St, Balnarring I P: 5983 2012

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www.lebouchon.com.au I

commands to his chefs or sometimes singing to them. The quality of Antoine’s seafood dishes reflects his Brittany roots.

Le Bouchon has become a local icon, attracting those who appreciate the authentic dishes such as the luscious terrine de campagne, or the French onion soup complete with a gratineed gruyere crouton on top.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel. What we do here is very authentic and very approachable.”

No need to travel to France – head to Balnarring.

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Pelikan Société This little pocket of Hastings down by the jetty bustles with activity, and Pelikan Société has become a favoured meeting place for locals and visitors. The welcoming café is in the prime position to enjoy the natural wonders of the area.

A range of people gather here to enjoy the great coffee and wonderful café food. With Pelican Park swimming pool directly next door and the Hastings Foreshore Walk on the doorstep, Pelikan Société is popular with the active set who stop in for coffee or to fuel up on a hearty breakfast.

The nearby business community is equally at home here during the week, and on weekends it’s all about relaxing and catching up with family and friends.

On the spacious front deck you have the best seats in the house to take in the 180-degree view of Western Port. There’s easy access if you have a pram or wheelchair via a ramp to the side, and a sunshade that stretches the full length of the deck means you’re comfortable from the sun’s rays.

The friendly team make sure everyone is well looked after, whether you’re here for a quick coffee, a long lunch or an important celebration. You can make a booking online to ensure you don’t miss out on a table. Groups are welcome, and Pelikan is certainly family-friendly – there’s a kids’ menu, a public playground is just a short walk away, and even your dog can join you out the front.

The food is fresh and flavoursome, a case of simple favourites done well. Breakfast is served all day so you can enjoy eggs benedict or chilli scramble whatever time you roll out of bed. At lunchtime, classic fish and chips or a well-made burger and fries are crowd-pleasers. There might be a meal-size salad, seafood dishes or pasta depending on the season.

Beautifully presented and generous in size, you’ll be well fed. Ask about weekly chef’s specials. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners are happily accommodated.

To drink, there’s beer, wine and expertly made cocktails for the grown-ups.

Pelikan Société I 2 Marine Pde, Hastings I P: 5909 8132 pelikansocietehastings pelikansociete

And for the young and young at heart, milkshakes in every flavour bring smiles all round.

If you’re planning an event from a milestone birthday to a wedding or special anniversary, there’s room for up to 160 guests. Imagine your perfect evening, starting with drinks and canapes on the deck. The team will work with you to personalise your event. With mangroves to the left, the Hastings Yacht Club to the right and views stretching to the horizon, the stunning location and capable team lend Pelikan to being the perfect venue for a celebration to remember.

Whether you’re nearby or need to take a drive to get there, a trip to Pelikan Société will make your soul happy. Escape the cares of life and socialise here. You’ll be glad you did.

Opening hours: daily 7am-3pm

I www.pelikansociete.com.au I info@pelikansociete.com.au

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Fontalina Fontalina is the kind of welcoming Italian restaurant everyone wishes they had at the end of their street.

It’s not fussy or fancy; the philosophy here is ‘simple done well’.

Owners Dirk and Emily draw on their time living and working around the Bay of Naples to bring an authentic taste of Italy to Balnarring. Excellent wood-fired pizzas keep the locals coming back. Handmade dough is the foundation, topped with the finest produce from the Mornington Peninsula and Italy then cooked in Stefano Ferrara pizza ovens. The ovens are considered the best of the best, made by oven-builders in Naples who have been practising their craft for more than three generations.

Take a seat on the covered deck – made pretty with festoon lights – and study the menu. Deciding which pizza to order is the hard part. There are

classics such as the Margherita, topped with tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil, to more sophisticated flavours such as the Zucca, topped with smoked scamorza, ricotta, roasted pumpkin, walnuts, rocket and aged balsamic.

There’s more to Fontalina than pizza, though. Start with antipasti, bresaola or creamy burrata, then try housemade gnocchi, a delicious seafood main or a seasonal special. Ice-cold Peroni on tap and a good selection of local and Italian vino complement the menu. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners are well catered for.

Whether it’s a date night, a special birthday with friends or a midweek meal with the family, there’s a table for you at Fontalina.

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 5pm-late for dinner; Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon-3pm for lunch; January open seven days.

Fontalina I Shop 8, Tulum Village, Russell St, Balnarring I P: 5983 1830 I www.fontalina.com

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Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant Hastings The Geonbae team were the first to bring Korean food to the Mornington Peninsula at their sister restaurant in Frankston. Three years ago they opened Geonbae in Hastings, bringing a cultural experience to remember to the Western Port dining scene.

Why not kick things off with a soju cocktail, a rice wine that’s the drink of choice in Korea. You can order a soju paddle to find your favourite or try a fruit-based soju cocktail. A good range of Korean beers and Australian wines are also available to complement your meal.

Lunch or dinner at this authentic Korean restaurant is a feast for the senses. From the moment you arrive you’ll be captivated by the aromas emanating from the sizzling barbecues that are built into each table, a traditional feature of Korean dining.

Prime cuts of beef, pork, or chicken are hand-cut with precision then cooked to perfection right in front of you.

Served with small side dishes called banchan, the bold flavours and vibrant colours of salted and fermented vegetables make for a taste sensation.

Korean food is designed to be shared, so go with friends, order an array of dishes, and enjoy. Friendly staff who know their stuff are on hand to guide you in your choices.

When the weather’s fine, sit outside under a gazebo and watch the world go by. And when you’re feeling full after all that feasting, take the walking track along Hastings’ shoreline that’s just a stone’s throw from Geonbae’s front door.

Opening hours: 11am-11pm daily, including public holidays; closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Check website for further details.

Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant Hastings I 27 Marine Pde, Hastings I P: 5916 1688 I www.geonbae.com.au

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Toscano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar Ciao! If you love Italian cuisine, Toscano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar awaits your visit. You’ll find this welcoming restaurant and wine bar just 1km from Hastings’ town centre, situated within Sanctuary Inn On Westernport.

With an open fire indoors, spacious dining room, stylish bay windows that provide natural light, and an attractive alfresco area with heaters and umbrellas overlooking the pool, there’s no other atmosphere like it in the Hastings area.

Toscano Italian Kitchen caters for all functions, conferences and weddings on site, making it a location to meet all your dining, accommodation, conference and celebration needs.

Small or large group bookings can be made in the restaurant to enjoy the a la carte menu. The private function centre is perfect for larger groups where two and threecourse set menus or cocktail-style menus are available.

Enjoy a wonderful dining experience catching up with family, friends or colleagues.

Professional, attentive service means you can sit back and relax.

The extensive restaurant menu reflects the seasons, offering a delicious range to suit a variety of dietary needs from beef, chicken, pork or fish dishes to vegetarian and glutenfree options.

A decadent dessert menu includes local homemade gelato ice-cream. Made on site by experienced chefs, their gelato is sure to leave you feeling “felicita” (happiness).

Whether you’re in the wine bar or the dining room, the drinks list features local and European wines, a good selection of beer and spirits, and seasonal cocktails guaranteed to make you “sorridere” (smile).

Opening hours: lunch Thursday-Sunday from noon; dinner daily from 5.30pm Toscano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar 126 Marine Pde, Hastings P: 5979 3333 www.sanctuaryinnonwesternport.com.au

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Mitch & Co Whether it’s a tradie dropping in at 5am for a kick-starter coffee, friends catching up over a relaxing lunch, a worker grabbing lunch to go, or a mum having an early afternoon treat with the kids, Mitch & Co radiates welcoming vibes.

This stylish Tyabb café looks like it’s been plucked from the inner city, with its clean, minimalist fit-out and eye-catching colourful mural. It’s the sort of place you could sit comfortably all day, boasting a menu from which you want one of everything.

Owner Nicole Mitchell and her community-minded team pride themselves on using local produce and suppliers for the food and beverages they make in house from scratch. They provide plenty of options to suit gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian customers, with an under-12s menu to keep the littlies happy.

Drawcards for the many loyal customers include rich, syrupy coffee and Instagramworthy french toast, with mouthwatering varieties dreamed up regularly, including lemon meringue, choc orange, banana fritter, and apple crumble.

While their main menu remains similar year-round – think towering plates of scrambled chilli eggs or glistening stacks of zucchini and corn fritters – the team’s love of variety and seasonality means their specials menu changes frequently, and the cabinet is always stacked with freshly made wraps, focaccia, cakes, slices and muffins.

A word of warning to those who fall in love with this light-filled space: it fills up fast on weekends!

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 5am-3pm; Saturday 5am-4.30pm; closed Sunday

Mitch & Co I 1552 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb I P: 5977 3201 I mitch-co-cafe-tyabb.business.site

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Orita’s 2 If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience with a difference, look no further than the lobster omakase at Orita’s 2. Settle into the serene Orita’s 2 environment for the seven-course omakase, including a lobster platter to share. ‘Omakase’ translates to “I’ll leave it up to you”.

Put yourself in the hands of chef Master Orita. He is unique in his philosophy and approach to food. Master defines himself as a spiritual chef and a naturalist, choosing to work solo in the kitchen so each meal he prepares has his full attention. He even talks to the fresh produce before cooking.

Master hand-selects produce daily from his garden or local growers to create his pre-order omakase menu.

Some of his garden specialties include yuzu, ume, sakura flower, persimmon, cumquat and fresh sansho herb. The food transformation then takes place on the plate.

The intimate restaurant seats 14 diners only so bookings are a must. Dining here is like having your own private chef. Because the experience is so special and personalised, Orita’s 2 is perfect for celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries.

Opening hours: daily except Tuesday and Wednesday. Check website for details.

Orita’s 2 I Shop 17 Balnarring Village, 3050 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring P: 5931 3232 I www.oritas2.com.au I oritas2

Phase Two Since opening four years ago, Phase Two has become a firm favourite in Balnarring Village and is loved by locals and weekend visitors alike.

Owners Vanessa and Brendan are in ‘phase two’ of their careers. They switched their corporate jobs to follow their passion for small business and created a coffee-fuelled haven

with a fabulous all-day menu. Each dish sings with flavour and colour. It’s hard to go past the signature Phase Two Board – their version of a big brekky. It’s a smorgasbord of all the delicious items on hand. Vegan and gluten-free diners are well looked after too.

Coffee is by local roasters Commonfolk and the baristas are all expertly trained. If you’re not a coffee drinker, there are options aplenty:

smoothies, kombucha, chai, and milkshakes.

If the sun is shining and you’re lucky enough to score a table out the front, you won’t want your coffee to end. From the stunning food presentation to the warm and welcoming service, there’s a lot of pride that goes into what happens here. It’s little wonder Phase Two is a hub of the community. It’s open seven days.

Phase Two I Shop 11 Balnarring Village, Balnarring I P: 5931 3141 I www.phasetwo.com.au I hello@phasetwo.com.au

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Quealy Winemakers Quealy cellar door offers a warm welcome for all wine-lovers. Located within the winery, it’s a relaxed place to learn about wine on the Peninsula and feel the genuine and contagious passion for winemaking that underpins all that’s created here.

Celebrated Australian winemakers Kathleen Quealy and husband Kevin McCarthy have dedicated themselves to producing exceptional pinot noir and pinot gris as well as interesting varietals not found elsewhere on the Peninsula, such as their Splendido, a super-dry, naturally bottle-fermented sparkling wine; or their Redmondo, rosé-style, bone-dry with zero sulphur additions handmade at the winery. Italian varietals and skin contact/amber wines can be enjoyed here too.

They’re proud to say that organic and biodynamic vineyard management sees no chemical pesticides or artificial fertilisers used on their property. The Quealy winery vineyard is certified organic. Kathleen and Kevin’s son Tom McCarthy is head winemaker. Tom brings new ideas and energy to a talented team.

Take the opportunity to linger over a glass of wine in the shade of the veranda or under the winery roof – even in the barrel hall if it isn’t too full of barrels. Cheese plates of Gippsland cheese can be ordered online ready for your arrival.

Opening hours: cellar door daily 9am-5pm; closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

Quealy Winemakers I 62 Bittern-Dromana Rd, Balnarring I P: 5983 2483 I www.quealy.com.au

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FROM GRAIN

Our amazing bakers rise and shine Over the past few years it’s felt as though every second person has been making a sourdough starter or baking their own bread. What most of us discovered is that leaving it to the professionals is a better way to go, especially in a place like the Mornington Peninsula, where extraordinary bakeries abound.

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The best bakeries on the Peninsula produce an assortment of great bread, pastries and cakes, often using their own flour.

The people behind these businesses not only have talent and passion, but the knowledge that not all flours and baked goods are created equal.

Jason Cotter from Tuerong Farm is one such person. At Tuerong Farm they grow, mill and bake heritage, ancient and modern grains, with other Peninsula bakeries also using their renowned flour. “The business grew naturally from an interest in growing

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wheat and having a local grain economy,” Jason says. “We have our own bakery now on our farm and we realised there was a huge interest in people understanding where their food comes from, and it being locally produced.”

Specialty flours have become in demand as consumers choose foods that align with their values, which may include environmental concerns, health issues, supporting local growers or simply a preference for a certain taste. “We specialise in noncommodity wheat so we've got a huge collection of wheat from around Australia and all over the world – not only new specialist types that are flavour and nutrition-based, but also older types that offer different protein profiles. We like to focus on nutritional value, ease of digestion, and most of all flavour. And we carry that through from the way we grow, what we grow, and how it is milled through to how we bake as well, so that the identity of each individual variety of grain is preserved from field to fork, so to speak. Each loaf isn't just some blend of commodity wheats; it’s actually a particular variety that has a different taste profile, digestive profile, colour etc. We're interested in that nuance outside the commodity system.”

Miller’s Bread Kitchen in Dromana and Miller’s Bread Cantina in Mornington are the mega-popular bakeries brought to life by the fascinating combination of twin sisters, a baker and a chef. The enthusiasm in co-owner Rebecca Graley’s voice is evident as she talks about their venture.

Tucked away on Oakwood Farm you’ll find Hannah Ward, aka Mother Mary Bakes – the name was inspired by her grandmother, Mary – who runs a one-woman micro-bakery.

Using the highest quality local and organic grains and ingredients wherever possible, this bakery boasts some of the best sourdough breads, handmade pastries and homemade cakes in the area.

Hannah clearly loves baking, and it shows in the quality of her products. They’re keenly sought by lovers of both savories and sweets, with such delights as decadent grainy loaves, pumpkin, feta and thyme flatbread, golden-brown oat biscuits, rye and raspberry brownies, and her signature item: irresistible cakes topped with the best-looking flowers from her garden that are perfect for special occasions.

You will find amazing bakeries dotted throughout the region, so seek them out and support them.

While life was on pandemic hold, we took great comfort in the simple pleasures – a rectangle of focaccia topped with olives and cheese, a crusty baguette, a doughnut oozing red jam, a loaf of sourdough made with specialty flours, or a feather-light croissant – and it’s all thanks to the Mornington Peninsula bakers who worked on, come grain or shine.

SARAH HALFPENNY

“My twin sister Vanessa and I had a lifelong dream of opening a café,” Rebecca says, “and when Vanessa married her husband Tyler, a baker by trade, we fell into this passion of opening Miller's. Our other business partner, Tommy, is one of our best friends. We all moved to Melbourne and lived overseas as well.

Our favourite country is Italy; a lot of our inspiration is taken from our adventures overseas. It’s modern food but with really traditional flavours entrenched.”

They have a passion for the seasonal produce that’s used on their mouthwatering creations, including danishes and topped focaccias. “We source a lot of our produce locally,” Rebecca says. “We use flour from Tuerong Farm and we've got beautiful relationships with Torello Farm and Hawkes Farm, and we went to Simone Watts’s farm Barragunda in Cape Schanck recently and harvested lots of saltbush.”

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Native edibles provide the spark for Peninsula business

Jason and Andy Quin are the husband and wife team behind ETCH Sparkling, a range of sophisticated alcohol-free beverages. With a goal to provide delicious options and encourage social inclusion for all, this Mornington Peninsula business has a powerful message behind its brand.

After more than two decades working in the wine industry in production, sales and management across Australasia, the Pacific and Europe, Jason made the decision to stop drinking, as he noticed a growing reliance on wine to cope with the daily stresses of life. Jason knew he had to make a life change, so the pair set about applying their industry knowledge and skills to create this sophisticated option and bring ETCH Sparkling to life.

ETCH utilises Australian native fruits and herbs that are sustainably farmed from the regions across Australia where they grow naturally.

It was on a healing meditation walk with Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung-Bundjalung man Lionel Lauch, of Living Culture, that sparked Jason and Andy’s interest in native Australian edibles. On this walk in Greens Bush near Main Ridge, Lionel shared stories about the many edibles that First Nations peoples have used as food and medicine for millennia, and this opened the pair’s eyes to the incredible world of native Australian ingredients, many they would have previously walked past unaware of their powerful nutritional and medicinal qualities.

ETCH Sparkling beverages have become a firm favourite for a growing number of Australians choosing to drink less, or looking for a grown-up alternative to alcohol. Their all-natural range of sugarfree flavours are delicate and aromatic, making them perfect to be paired with good food, and they are stylishly presented so that consumers don’t feel like the odd one out at social events that are often dominated by alcohol rituals.

From the tables of restaurants and cafes across the Peninsula to stockists across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, this quality non-alcoholic drink is gaining popularity. In Australia and globally a growing movement of consumers are seeking responsible drinking options, to have a great social experience and www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

being able to wake up and make the most of their day.

“Taking a break or changing habits in your relationship with alcohol is more appealing if you’re given delicious options,” Jason says.

“When we made the change in our drinking habits, we noticed the available products on the market were limited; just because people want to drink less – or not at all – they still want to feel included and have delicious grown-up options.”

ETCH stands for ‘Every Time Choose Health’, and this ethos carries through the entire business model and encompasses all areas of health: mental and spiritual health (listening to and connecting with your intuition and checking in on your relationship with alcohol); physical health (looking after your health by consuming less sugar); and even down to sourcing their ingredients (looking at the health of our environment by using ingredients that have grown sustainably in the Australian climate where water management and native pollination occur, and the soil isn’t manipulated).

“We source fruits and herbs where they naturally thrive, and our flavour profiles take people on a journey. It is our hope that by showcasing Australian native ingredients in our drinks, we help to expand the exposure of traditional Australian native ingredients and help connect people with 'the oldest foods on Earth'.”

You will find this passionate couple – assisted by their friendly teenage children and Jason’s dad, who they describe as their No.1 apprentice – on the weekends at farmers’ markets and events chatting with their customers and sharing their passion and their drinks.

The range currently consists of five native Australian flavours: ZST – finger lime, lemon myrtle and rosemary; PLM – Davidson plum, riberry and strawberry gum; RNG – orange and quandong; MTN – raspberry and mountain pepperberry; and, APL – bush apple and Kakadu plum.

You can purchase ETCH online with free delivery on the Mornington Peninsula or check out local stockists on their website.

ETCH SPARKLING W: www.etchsparkling.com.au FB: etchsparkling INSTA: etchsparkling

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It’s time to immerse yourself in the magic of the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland.

Lose yourself in Red Hill’s pine forest along the rail trail walk that follows the old railway line between Merricks and Red Hill. Once upon a time the harvest from nearby apple orchards was transported by rail to Hastings ready to go to Melbourne’s markets.

Farm-fresh produce is still an attraction in this area.

Look out for farmgates to visit and honesty boxes next to piles of freshly plucked fruit or veg as you drive from town to town.

The air up here is crisp and refreshing whatever the season.

This is wine country, so prepare for endless vineyard views and cellar door tastings with exceptional coolclimate wines to be enjoyed. The region is proud to be home to some of Australia’s most dedicated and talented vignerons. Cider-lovers and beer drinkers are well catered for too in these parts, with locally made craft drinks on offer.

And of course there’s fabulous food to go with all those glorious drinks. From hatted restaurants to bustling cafes and bakeries, you’ll find just the right venue to suit your desire.

Follow the breeze to Western Port at Shoreham or Point Leo and you’ll see, from the hinterland to the sea, that this area really has the best of both worlds.

PHOTO: RICK LISTON AT RARE HARE FOOD & WINE STORE

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Arthurs Seat Eagle Café 140 Cellar and Pantry 147 Eddies Cider 149 Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill 144 Main Ridge Dairy/Billies 150 Mock Red Hill 153 Montalto 142 Peninsula Beverage Co. Red Hill 149 Rare Hare Food & Wine Store 143 Red Gum BBQ 145 Red Hill Show 152 Red Hill Truffles 148 Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm 146 Ten Minutes by Tractor 151

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Arthurs Seat Eagle Café You’ll feel on top of the world at Arthurs Seat Eagle Café, with almost every table offering spectacular views of the Mornington Peninsula. Sit back and relax in the expansive all-weather outdoor deck or enjoy the spacious feeling of floor-to-ceiling windows inside the modern café.

But the best thing about this light and airy café is getting there via the state-of-the-art Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola ride. The café is at the summit of Arthurs Seat State Park. Your starting point is the Eagle’s base station in Dromana, where you’ll board these all-weather gondola pods that soar above the treetops in an immersive 15-minute journey to the top of Arthurs Seat. The gondolas travel at 5.4km/h, allowing guests to absorb the view and seek out places of interest in the surrounding area with a stunning view of the Peninsula’s foreshores, bays and parklands.

Once you disembark, a taste of the Peninsula awaits you. Lunch at the café might include gourmet sandwiches, wraps or salads, or a locally made pie. For morning or afternoon tea, there’s no shortage of sweet treats. The café is licensed so you can enjoy the view and a local vino from Crittenden Estate, Foxeys Hangout,

Mock Red Hill cider, or MP Brewery beer.

Bespoke picnic packages are available to preorder online if a picnic is more your style.

Collect your picnic basket on arrival and seek a spot at the summit to relax and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and delicious Peninsula food and beverages.

If lunch with a sky-high view is up your alley, you don’t need to disembark. On your return gondola flight you can book in-gondola dining and enjoy sweet or savoury selections of beautifully packaged gourmet food. There’s also a kiosk conveniently located at the base station serving cold drinks, snacks, confectionery and ice-creams.

There are feature events throughout the year, including school holidays, fun activities for families and friends, and major events such as Easter, Christmas and Diwali. Seasonal festival celebrations, including summer and winter festivals, are drawcards for young and old. You’ll find dates and events at www.aseagle.com.au Once you’ve had your fill of gourmet food and drinks, take a walk around the summit and explore the grounds and gardens, soaking up the spectacular scenery before reboarding your gondola and enjoying the descending flight back to the base of the mountain.

And for those of you with a romantic heart, an incredible range of premium proposal packages

has been released. All you need to do is remember the ring.

Whether you get there by bike, car or gondola, the spectacular view and café experience are well worth the climb.

Opening hours: 10am-5pm daily; closed Christmas Day. See website for sunset events and extended hours during summer.

Arthurs Seat Eagle Café I 795 Arthurs Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat I P: 5987 0600 I www.aseagle.com.au

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Montalto Montalto is a breathtaking place to celebrate life and truly enjoy a moment out of the ordinary.

Lunch in The Restaurant or The Piazza is one of the many reasons to visit this award-winning winery. The Restaurant’s ever-changing set menu showcases the bounty from Montalto’s impressive four acres (1.6ha) of gardens and orchards, along with locally sourced seasonal ingredients from across the Peninsula. The menu is designed to share, with abundant

collections of dishes arriving at the table in a series of courses.

The Piazza is a more relaxed space with weatherproof outdoor dining overlooking the estate’s kitchen gardens, vines and sculptures. From something to snack on – think charcuterie and local cheeses – through to their renowned pizzas, substantial mains, and delicious desserts, The Piazza menu has something for everyone.

A wine tasting in Montalto’s Cellar Door is all about hospitality and sharing a passion for wine. The award-winning winemaking team, led by Simon Black, create wines of exemplary quality and character. Choose from a range of seated tastings and wine experiences all hosted by experienced, friendly staff.

Since 2002, visitors to Montalto have been able to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the estate at secluded picnic sites. Book a private picnic for a truly memorable moment in time.

When all the eating and drinking is done, take a wander along Montalto’s 1km sculpture trail. Wind through the vines, along wooden boardwalks and through wetlands to take in the magnificent estate views and admire the permanent collection of more than 30 sculptures.

Every Saturday from December 3 until February 25 – including New Year’s Eve but excluding Christmas Eve – Montalto will host Summer Twilight Sessions in The Piazza and The Cellar Door. The kitchen closes at 7.30pm, with last drinks at 8pm. Twilight picnics will also be available from 4.30pm.

Opening hours: 11am-5pm daily; closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Montalto I 33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South I P: 5989 8412 I www.montalto.com.au

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Rare Hare Food & Wine Store A food and wine affair with a devilmay-care air, Rare Hare is a special sort of place, defined by aspect, soil, and toil. Here, wines whisper a vinous vernacular, telling tales of seasons past and the winemaking cast. In this world, no vineyard, vintage or wine is the same and every moment of enjoyment differs too – shaped by the bottle, milieu, food or mood.

We invite you to savour the fruits of our labour, within view of the vines on which they were born.

This is a place to ensconce in, not just see – where crafted curiosities from surrounding farms are best consumed excessively and between robust repartee.

With room for 90 tails, Rare Hare boasts indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the vine-laced hills and across to Jackalope Hotel’s striking silhouette.

A handcrafted wood-fired oven takes pride of place in the dining space. Our executive chef crafts seasonal dishes highlighting the finest produce with a good sense of curiosity and brings a tempting balance of heat, acidity, depth of flavour and texture to each plate.

Opening hours: lunch noon-5pm seven days; dinner 6-9pm Friday & Saturday (bookings recommended; limited walk-ins available).

Cellar door: noon-5pm seven days for tastings Rare Hare Food & Wine Store I 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North I P: 5931 2500 I www.rarehare.com.au

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Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill The dining room at Lancemore Lindenderry is Red Hill’s hidden gem, but it won’t stay that way. Word is getting out since it was awarded one Chef Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide 2022 Restaurant Awards.

With hospitality veterans in restaurant manager Julian Morgan and executive chef Diego Cossio at the helm, you’re in good hands. Diego brings more than 16 years’ experience to the role, having worked locally and internationally at esteemed restaurants including Gimlet at Cavendish House, Tetsuya’s in Sydney, and Michelin-star restaurants in London and Singapore.

Of his menu at Lindenderry, Diego says: “It’s seasonal and local, and I like to source lesser-known ingredients to integrate an element of surprise in every dish.”

The chef’s set menus are ever changing and could include Aylesbury duck, Cape Grim Black Angus, or seafood such as kingfish or crab. The thoughtfully curated wine list offers something delicious to delight all palates and includes Lindenderry’s own award-winning wines, other Peninsula favourites, and an appealing international selection. There are rare vintages to splash out on as well as excellent options that won’t break the bank.

In the elegant dining room with endless views of the mature gardens and grapevines, you’ll be treated to service that’s all about creating a memorable experience without being fussy or over the top. From the pacing of the courses to talking through the wine selection, Julian and his team are skilled and respectful in providing genuine hospitality.

Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill also offers boutique hotel accommodation, and a cellar door that's open on weekends.

Opening hours: restaurant Friday-Sunday noon-3pm; Wednesday-Saturday 6-11pm; cellar door Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm.

Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill I 142 Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill I P: 5989 2933 www.lancemore.com.au/lindenderry-red-hill

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Red Gum BBQ For an unmatched southern American dining experience, head to the hinterland and follow your nose to Red Gum BBQ. The smoky smell of barbecue greets you in the carpark. Inside the converted truck mechanic warehouse, the dining space is full of rustic character and charm. Long wooden tables set with napkins and housemade condiments beckon families and friends to gather and feast. There’s a play area for kids, and a private dining room for special celebrations.

Martin is the pitmaster and co-owns the business with his wife Melissa. The pit room is an open space featuring three custommade offset steel pits where the barbecue magic happens. Ethically sourced meats are traditionally smoked for 12-16 hours using native Australian hardwoods. The flavour and tenderness of pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken breast are supreme. Aspiring pitmasters can book into a masterclass.

Melissa hails from America’s South; the menu pays homage to her family’s recipes. Tasty side dishes include creamy mac’n’cheese, zesty slaw, the ultimate brisket chilli cheese fries, or sweet cornbread with honey butter to name a few. And as all true Southerners will tell you, “There’s always room for pie” – perhaps lemon or coconut pie, or Southern-style cheesecake or banana pudding.

From the bar there’s Victorian craft beers on tap, exclusively Mornington Peninsula wines, locally distilled spirits, and cracking cocktails. The team here are well versed in warm and friendly hospitality. Settle in for a finger-licking good time. And be sure to leave with a housemade rub or sauce to enjoy Red Hill BBQ at home.

Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11am-9pm; see website for seasonal changes to opening hours and details for takeaway, catering and functions.

Red Gum BBQ I 87 Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill I P: 5989 3156 I www.redgumbbq.com.au

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Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm – formerly known as Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm – is back in the hands of the original owners, the Gallace family.

Strawberry farmer Matt Gallace’s grandparents bought the farm in 1964, and after many successful strawberry growing seasons the family sold it in 2016. At the end of 2022 the Gallaces had the chance to buy it back and jumped at it.

The Gallaces have been breeding new varieties of strawberries for more than 20 years. Their efforts to develop the perfect strawberry continue. The colour, the flavour, the firmness, the yield are key elements. “My father’s been growing strawberries for almost his whole life,” Matt says. “What he doesn’t know about growing strawberries isn’t worth knowing.”

A visit to Rocky Creek is a great day out for the whole family. One of the main attractions here is the ‘u-pick’ season that runs from November to April. Come and pick your own plump, delicious strawberries. If you want someone else to do the picking, there are plenty of punnets for sale at the farmgate.

The other highlight here is morning or afternoon tea at the café. As you’d expect, strawberries are the star of the menu. Every item contains strawberries. From strawberry milkshakes and smoothies to scones with strawberry jam and cream, you’ll be in a world of strawberry heaven.

Strawberries dipped in Belgian couverture chocolate are a sensation, as is the signature Strawberry Temptation dessert: farm-fresh strawberries, strawberry icecream and cream. “We’re bringing back all the old favourites,” Matt says.

Opening hours: 10am-5pm daily.

Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm I 244 Shands Rd, Main Ridge I www.rockycreek.com.au I

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Cellar and Pantry Not every neighbourhood is as lucky as Red Hill to have a food and wine emporium like Cellar and Pantry. You only need to spend five minutes here to see it’s a hub of community as well as being the place to buy everything from pantry staples to fancy dinner party items.

For almost 20 years, owners Dee and Joe and their team, who are like family, have made customers feel truly welcome. They show up each day with passion for what they do. Expect personalised service and a happy vibe.

Local producers are the showcase focus. Take your time perusing the impressive curation of more than 800 thoughtfully sourced Mornington Peninsula products. Visit the deli for all your charcuterie and specialty cheese needs. There’s super-fresh fruit and vegies, quality meat, artisan bread and a grocery section. In the cellar you’ll find an excellent range of Mornington Peninsula wines, beers, spirits and ciders.

If you don’t feel like shopping in person, you can click and collect, or order via yourgrocer.com.au to have your food and wine delivered to your home or accommodation. Gift hampers and picnic baskets are a specialty available via the Cellar and Pantry website.

The Deck café is another drawcard. The coffee is made with love and there’s always a delicious selection of filled Turkish breads and baguettes, pies, cakes, and seasonal vegetable salads.

Sustainability is a priority here too; from solar power to composting to chemicalfree cleaning, grey water management, low food miles and reusable packaging, every action supports Mother Earth.

Opening hours: 8am-7pm daily; summer 8am-7.30pm daily

Cellar and Pantry I 141 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill I P: 5989 2411 I www.cellarandpantry.com.au

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Red Hill Truffles The luxury of black winter truffles and misty morning hunts at Red Hill Truffles on the Mornington Peninsula is an unrivalled experience, unless you prefer warmer months and truffles with a lighter flavour.

From December 2022, Red Hill Truffles will host their first hot weather hunts and truffle tastings introducing the dark-skinned summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) with its pale flesh and creamy, nutty, sweet flavour.

Autumn marks the spectacular change in seasons and announces the imminent arrival of the coveted winter truffle (Perigord, French black or Tuber melanosporum). Hunting for these black diamonds starts in June with open fires and warming soups to accompany an entertaining and informative overview of the truffle world.

As winter draws to a close, spring truffles Red Hill Truffles I 235 Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill I P: 0417 190 193

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(Borchii) are next on the menu. The knobbly fair-skinned truffles with flesh ranging in colour from buff to brown have an aroma with traces of garlic and shallots.

See talented English springer spaniels detect the underground treasures, enabling intrepid guests to try their hand at unearthing a truffle. All hunts include tastings, recipe ideas and picture opportunities with the dogs, who do not shy away from the limelight.

The truffiere is a showcase for the trufflenurturing oak, hazelnut and pine trees throughout each season and a perfect opportunity to experience a picturesque property that is the Peninsula’s first and only truffle farm offering truffle hunting.

Red Hill Truffle’s farmgate is open during truffle seasons for fresh truffles and our locally made truffle products.

Gift vouchers are available for hunts, events, and truffle products. Home delivery via yourgrocer.com.au

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Peninsula Beverage Co. Husband and wife team Georgia and Nick took a leap of faith from their corporate careers to open Peninsula Beverage Co. based on their love of hospitality and Mornington Peninsula wine. “We call it the cellar door of the Mornington Peninsula – all your favourite local wine, beer and spirits in one place,” says Georgia.

Their boutique bottle shop and bar in Mornington celebrated its third birthday in August 2022. A loyal following saw them through COVID and in late 2022 they opened a second store in Red Hill.

At the Mornington store, customers can order from an ever-changing list of wine by the glass or buy a bottle and pay corkage to drink their purchase in store. There’s a good range of nonalcoholic beverages on offer too. The Red Hill store is a bottle shop only stocking Peninsula-

focused products and a unique range of Australian and international wine.

Stay up to date with events happening in store by signing up to their newsletter. In-store masterclasses and tastings are a great way to learn about the makers and stories behind what you’re drinking.

If you’re feeling peckish, order a delicious cheese platter. And if you’re planning a party, ask about a curated drinks package. Cheers!

Peninsula Beverage Co. Mornington I 42 Main St, Mornington I P: 5977 0515 I www.peninsulabeverageco.com.au I PBCoMornington Peninsula Beverage Co. Red Hill I 1/1012 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill I P: 5989 2046 PBCoRedHill (formerly @RHWineCollective)

Eddies Cider The local food and drink scene has a new star: craft cider.

The fermented, alcoholic beverage has become something of an ‘it’ drink in recent years. Eddies Cider is constantly proving itself noteworthy in the Australian cider industry.

Eddies’ multi-award-winning cider is the result of growing, harvesting, pressing and fermenting fresh, juicy, certified organic fruit from their sixth-generation farm at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula.

The best cider is made by respecting the organic fruit-growing process. That’s why you won’t find any chemical preservatives, artificial colours, flavours, additives, concentrates or added sugar in the Eddies Cider range.

It's not just about apples anymore — Eddies Cider has also created an amazing smooth pear cider that is unlike any you have ever tasted before.

The Eddies Cider range is perfect all year round. Try it on ice for a refreshing summer drink or spice things up by creating a mulled cider to sip on throughout the winter months. Their non-alcoholic sparkling organic apple juice can be enjoyed by the whole family.

You can find Eddies Cider on tap at local bars and restaurants, the local market or nearby stockists. Find the location nearest you by visiting their website and checking out their socials.

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Main Ridge Dairy/Billies The Mornington Peninsula has long been a part of family life for the new owners of Main Ridge Dairy, and taking this one step further by creating a family legacy is part of the future.

They have also surrounded the business with like-minded and passionate people who are prepared for the hard work that comes with achieving outstanding outcomes and quality produce, but are keen to have some fun along the way and enjoy the journey.

Their aim is simple: to be part of the community and contribute to the thriving food scene. Their most important work is with the animals, the land on which they raise them, and sustainability.

Every animal has a name and a place in the Main Ridge Dairy family, and all are impeccably cared for. Ecologically sound farming practices are also employed, and up to a quarter of the farm is native bushland that will be left untouched, allowing native flora and fauna to flourish.

Talented cheesemakers create a range of luxurious products from the fresh goat’s milk: chevre, marinated and plain feta, halloumi, ash or white mould camemberts, matured hard cheeses, and a soft, spreadable cheese called cashmere, which can be the secret ingredient in sweet or savoury dishes, used in baking or on a grazing platter.

Drop into Billies, their French-themed cheese room, for a cheese toastie or a decadent cheese board, served as it would be in Europe, and find Main Ridge Dairy’s premium products in local stockists and restaurants.

Opening hours: subject to change; please check website and social media for updates.

Main Ridge Dairy 289-295 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge P: 5989 6622/0472 553 370 www.mainridgedairy.com.au

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Ten Minutes

by Tractor From the architecturally designed restaurant and cellar door with captivating bushland views to the award-winning wines and world-class dishes by celebrated head chef Hayden Ellis, Ten Minutes

by Tractor has written the recipe for fine-dining success.

And it isn’t short of an accolade or two: 2021 saw Ten Minutes take out Australia’s Wine List of the Year, with judge Jeni Port describing the list as “a love letter to wine if ever there was one”.

Where looks are concerned, the restaurant has the X factor. Elegant and sophisticated, the furnishings are soft and the views endless.

Settle in for a five or seven-course tasting menu that might include Fraser Island spanner crab, Wimmera duck or Manjimup marron.

The menu celebrates the finest seasonal produce – Peninsula-grown if possible – some foraged ingredients or from the kitchen garden.

Pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan menus are available. There is a chef’s table for six where you can watch all the action while you dine, and a private dining room for up to 14.

The cellar door is open every day for tastings of their 10X range and estate wines, and a private tasting room seats up to 12 guests. A premium wine-tasting experience also includes their single-vineyard wines. On weekends the outdoor terrace is a lovely spot for a glass of wine and perhaps a cheese plate.

Opening hours: cellar door 11am-5pm daily; see website for restaurant opening hours and reservations Ten Minutes by Tractor I 1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge I P: 5989 6455 I www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au

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Red Hill Show celebrates our Peninsula ‘food bowl’

The efforts of a handful of Red Hill residents to find a place to showcase their produce culminated in the first Red Hill Show in 1922. It has been part of the community ever since, attracting thousands of exhibitors and crowds of young and old every Labour Day Saturday, and organisers are expecting a similar response to the 2023 show on March 11.

“Apple orchards and livestock are what the Peninsula pioneers planted in the early days, and it is this heritage we want to celebrate,” says the show’s executive officer, Bec Davis. “What better way to do this than with the Golden Sausage Award, encouraging producers and butchers to enter from across the state.”

Thanks to a prize incentive of $500 sponsored by sausage guru Peter Bouchier towards the best sausage in show, the competition has attracted some exciting entries. With three classes including beef, pork, and a flavoured sausage, there can only be one overall best in show. In 2022, the Golden Sausage Award was won by Balnarring Meats Family Butchers from a tough competition of more than 40 sausages from across the

Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne. Enter your sausage by March 8; live judging takes place on the Mornington Peninsula Paddock stage on show day, with MC/judge Richard Cornish and guest judge Paul Mercurio.

The MP Paddock will be filled once again with quality Peninsula produce, from olives and apples to ciders and bread. Cherry season has finished by March but apple harvest is in full swing, which is why there’s an apple pie competition with a $500 prize donated by local families. Come to the show, meet the producers and enjoy the bountiful harvest in season. Engage with local cider makers at the cider marquee. After the successful cider masterclass at the last show, Peninsula cider producers will be on board once again with workshops, tastings and discussions about all things cider. Do you know the difference between ciders made from concentrate versus the humble apple? Lisa from Seven Oaks will bring down her 51 cider apple varietals to compare.

A highlight of the 2022 show was the new Horticultural Hangout stage sponsored by 3MP, with talks about all things growing, gardening and flowers, and including environmental exhibits.

Highlights at this show will include the pumpkin weighing competition, the men’s flower beard competition, and talks by the Willum Warrain Indigenous group about native bush tucker.

Julie from Montalto Kitchen Garden will be back on stage with a Q&A about getting the best out of your home vegie patches.

Add to this the livestock and horticultural exhibits, the cooking competition, art and photography, and you have a wonderful day out for the whole family.

Book your tickets online at www.redhillshow.com.au RED HILL SHOW Red Hill Recreation Reserve, Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill P: 5989 2357 www.redhillshow.com.au FB: RedHillShowAu INSTA: redhillshow

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She’ll be apples The Mock family have always been innovators.

Back in the 1960s, orchardists Wally and Wilma Mock left their East Burwood orchard as suburbia consumed their fertile apple farm.

Their forebears had been growing apples since 1895. The couple bought a small orchard at Red Hill – just 8ha – and continued to grow apples and raise a family. Then the two met a man called Alex Podolinsky, a proud Russian with knowledge of the regenerative but esoteric farming method called biodynamics.

apples should taste like. The Mock girls' dad Neville opened the farmgate – one of the first on the Peninsula – in 1995. In 2003 the Mocks started experimenting with cider. Their first venture in apple alcohol was a Basque-style cider. Lean, still, and slightly acidic. Perfect with grilled lamb as they enjoy it in the hills above San Sebastian. But it did not please the Australian crowds.

They changed their recipes to a more modern Australian style.

Their Classic Cider is a strong, full-flavoured cider to please aficionados, while the Sweet Cider is a knockout with the younger crowd. The ciders are on-pour and ready for tasting at the farmgate. The Mocks also produce apple and pear juice and an exceptionally good apple cider vinegar, made in a large oak vat using natural yeasts and vinegar mother to produce beautiful, complex cooking and finishing vinegar.

Unsure of the practices that eschew chemicals for natural pest control and fertiliser, Wally wandered over to a neighbouring orchard. "There, on the fence line, was an old apple tree that never got sprayed, never got fertilised, but was way healthier and had better, tastier apples than all the other trees in the orchard," recounts his granddaughter Sheryn Mock. "That was 1974, and we were one of the first biodynamic apple growers in the state.” Nearly 50 years on, Sheryn and her sisters Mardi-Claire and Demeter continue the family tradition of growing delicious apples, pears, cherries and a few avocados in the deep fertile soil. Without chemicals. Without artificial fertiliser.

The Mock Red Hill farmgate also offers farm tours and glorious orchard picnics with fold-out chairs, umbrella and picnic basket packed with delicious food. With notice, the Mocks can also organise live musicians and flowers – just in case you were planning a special occasion. The kitchen offers a compact but tasty range of dishes, from yoghurt dip and pita bread to duck rillettes with sour cherry and baguette, mozzarella and tomato, brie, blue cheese, and hot apple pie and ice-cream. "We are a family business," says Sheryn. "We want people to come and try and buy our produce and learn a little about what we do here on the farm. We are a real working farm supporting not only our family but our staff as well. The Mock family has been feeding people for a long time, and hopefully for a long time to come."

They sell their produce from their farmgate in the converted cool store built in the 1940s. Boxes of apples line the shelves.

The apples are not glossy red and jewel-perfect. Instead, they are deeply aromatic and intensely flavoured. These are what

MOCK RED HILL 1103 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill mockredhill.com.au

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MARKETS EVERY WEDNESDAY Main St, Mornington: 9am-3pm between Cromwell and Albert streets.

EVERY THURSDAY High St, Hastings: 9am-1pm; over 40 stalls; everything homemade, home grown & craft.

Plaza Palooza: 9am-4pm, Langwarrin Plaza, Langwarrin

EVERY SUNDAY Bittern Community: Bittern station, Frankston-Flinders Rd, Bittern.

Over 70 stalls selling new and used goods, crafts, plants, fruit and vegetables.

Frankston: 8am-1pm, Sherlock & Hay carpark, Young St, Frankston.

FIRST SATURDAY OF MONTH Red Hill Community Market: Runs September to May; 8am-1pm, 184 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill, www.craftmarkets.com.au/red-hill Rye Foreshore Rotary Market: Runs all year, opposite Rye Post Office at the end of Lyons St, 2257-2319 Point Nepean Rd, Rye, 7am-1pm. Lovely local market that benefits a great cause.

FIRST SUNDAY OF MONTH Moorooduc Station Market: Runs October to April, 460 Moorooduc Highway, Moorooduc; 60 stalls, boutique handmade makers and street food market at historic Moorooduc station; www.unrivalledevents.com. au/moorooduc-station-market Food Yard Sunday Foodies Market: Showcasing the amazing diversity of local and gourmet food and drink producers. Featuring 40 quality stalls, including fresh produce, pantry items, and beverage stalls plus kids’ lawn games & more. 63A Yuilles Rd, Mornington, 9am-1pm, www. unrivalledevents.com.au/food-yard-foodies-market

SECOND FRIDAY OF MONTH Soul Night Market: Second Friday of the month from December to March, Dromana Estate, 555 Old Moorooduc Rd, Tuerong; boutique street food and drink trucks, 60 handmade makers and live soul music; 5-9pm, www.unrivalledevents.com.au/soul-night-market-dromanaestate

SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH Crib Point Community Market: Park Rd, Crib Point; 9am-1pm; market@ cpch.org.au Portsea Quarantine Station Point Nepean National Park 9am-2pm (seasonal and occasionally at twilight), www.craftmarkets.com.au/ portsea Rosebud Community School: Rosebud Primary School, cnr Point Nepean & Jetty roads.

Somerville Community Market: excluding January, 9am-1pm; crafts, bric-a-brac, cakes, plants and vegies; 2a Eramosa Rd West, Somerville.

SECOND SUNDAY OF MONTH Mornington Racecourse Craft: Runs November until June 2023, Racecourse Rd 9am-2pm. Over 300 stalls with animal farm and face painting for the kids (occasionally at twilight), www.craftmarkets.com. au/mornington

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eatdrinkmornpen

MARKETS THIRD SATURDAY OF MONTH Boneo Community: Cnr Boneo & Limestone Roads Emu Plains Market: 9am-2pm, Emu Plains Reserve, Balnarring Racecourse, Coolart Rd, (Seasonal and occasionally twilight) www. emuplainsmarket.com.au Pearcedale Farmers Market: 8am-1pm, Pearcedale Community Centre, Baxter-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale

THIRD SUNDAY OF MONTH Seaford Farmers’: 8am-1pm, Broughton St Reserve, Station St, Seaford Shoreham Market: third Sunday of the month, hand grown, made and gathered and music, corner of Byrnes and Cliff Rd, 9am-1pm, www. shorehammarket.com Sunset Twilight Market Series: Runs from October to April 2023, Frankston Waterfront, Pier Promenade, Frankston, 3-8pm, excluding February and sometimes twilight, www.tpp.events

FOURTH SATURDAY OF MONTH Little Beauty Market: 5pm-10pm, Beauty Park, Frankston (Seasonal; sometimes day, sometimes twilight) www.littlebeautymarket.com.au Tootgarook Primary School: 7.30am-12.30pm

FOURTH SUNDAY OF MONTH Mt Eliza Farmers’: Mt Eliza Village Green, 9am-1pm, excluding December

MORE Some markets are seasonal so we encourage you to check our monthly Mornington Peninsula Magazine for latest details.

Food Yard Night Market: Featuring up to 12 different street food and drink trucks from around the world, free entry with onsite parking, 63A Yuilles Rd, Mornington, 5-8pm, dates vary, www.unrivalledevents/foodyard Mt Martha South Beach Market: Boutique beachside market with more than 60 of Melbourne’s most creative markers, food and drink, art, beauty, fashion, homeware, pet products and much more, free entry, Mount Martha House Lawn, 466 Esplanade, Mount Martha, 9am-2pm, dates vary, www.unrivalledevents.com.au/south-beach-market

Support local, support handmade, support innovation, support love, support small business... support your local market!

EMU PLAINS MARKET, BALNARRING LITTLE BEAUTY MARKET, FRANKSTON CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITES FOR MORE DETAILS

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

155 )

DIRECTORY Name

Page

Suburb

Phone

18-EightyEight

28

5 Station St

Address

Seaford

P: 8774 5374

Arancini 4 All

34

www.arancini4all.com.au

Frankston

P: 0450 199 837

Arilla at Boneo Park

101

312 Boneo Rd

Boneo

P: 5986 3006

Arthurs Seat Eagle Café

140

795 Arthurs Seat Rd

Arthurs Seat

P: 5987 0600

Atmosphere Indoor Outdoor

157,159 www.atmospherenow.com

Carrum Downs

P: 0418 170 400

Audrey’s at The Continental Hotel

112

1/21 Ocean Beach Rd

Sorrento

P: 5935 1200

Bass & Flinders Distillery

92

40 Collins Rd

Dromana

P: 5987 3893

Beach Café Seaford

36

1/10N Nepean Hwy, Pier Foreshore

Seaford

P: 8774 0470

Best Bites

161

Mornington Peninsula Shire Office

Rosebud

P: 5950 1466

Bite Local

158

www.bitelocal.com.au

Frankston South

P: 0413 335 382

Blackbird Café

69

2D Empire Street Mall

Mornington

P: 5976 8632

BoatShed Cheese

87

3/10 Thomson Tce

Dromana

P: 0476 180 382

Café Mercetta

65

115 Main St

Mornington

P: 5975 1714

Cellar and Pantry

147

141 Shoreham Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2411

Ceylon Girl’s Café

27

16 Skye Rd

Frankston

P: 8753 2900

Chief’s Son Distillery

64

25/50 Guelph St

Somerville

P: 9013 0859

Chocolat of Mornington

58

Shop 6, 59 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 5976 4902

Coffee for the People

35

37 Armstrongs Rd

Seaford

P: 0432 635 527

Coffee Traders

74

3 Blake St

Mornington

P: 5977 1177

Commonfolk

40,72

16 Progress St

Mornington

P: 5902 2786

Counting House Bar & Grill

61

787 Esplanade

Mornington

P: 5975 2055

Cptn Jack’s

63

Yaringa Boat Harbour, 1 Lumeah Rd

Somerville

P: 5977 4939

Crittenden Estate

90

25 Harrisons Rd

Dromana

P: 5987 3800

Dainton Brewery & Taphouse

25

560 Frankston-Dandenong Rd

Carrum Downs

P: 9775 0334

Eddies Cider

149

www.eddiescider.com.au

Red Hill South

Eeny Meeny

37

96 Young St

Frankston

P: 8774 4236

Elevate Wine Tours

156

www.elevatewinetours.com.au

Somerville

P: 0402 005 002

Emu Plains Market

155

www.emuplainsmarket.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

Escape Brewing

103

2/12 Suffolk St

Capel Sound

Etch Sparkling

136

www.etchsparkling.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

Exclusive Appetite

156

www.exclusiveappetite.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

P: 5903 3598

Flinders General Store

120

48-50 Cook St

Flinders

Flying Calamari Brothers

122

www.flyingcalamaribrothers.com.au

Mornington Peninsula P: 0409 427 862

- Chef Designed Meals - Great taste - Nutritious - Cost effective - Convenient - Made meals with no cooking required - Delivered to your door - No lock in contracts -

P: 5989 0207

READY MADE MEALS 3 sizes Regular, Large and Family

5% of all profits are donated to Beyond Blue and Cancer Council Victoria

www.exclusiveappetite.com.au ( 156

eatdrinkmornpen

Name

Page

Address

Suburb

Phone

Fontalina

128

Shop 8, Tulum Village, Russell St

Balnarring

P: 5983 1830

Frankston Arts Centre

162

Corner Davey & Young Sts

Frankston

P: 9784 1965

Frankston Brewhouse

33

10 New St

Frankston

P: 9001 0010

Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant

26

4 Kananook Creek Blvd

Frankston

P: 7023 4144

Geonbae Korean BBQ Restaurant

129

27 Marine Pde

Hastings

P: 5916 1688

Gods Kitchen

56

53 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 5976 8666

Grey Ghost Brewery

158

www.greyghostbrewery.com

Mount Eliza

P: 0407 328 891

Harry’s Mussels

118

www.flindersmussels.com.au

Flinders Pier

Hawkes Farm

102

661 Boneo Rd

Boneo

P: 5988 6785

Hickinbotham of Dromana

89

194 Nepean Highway

Dromana

P: 5981 0355

Hotel Lona

30

473 Nepean Highway

Frankston

www.hotellona.com.au

Hotel Sorrento

109

5-15 Hotham Rd

Sorrento

P: 5984 8000

Iron River Bar & Grill

22

435/437 Nepean Highway

Frankston

P: 8765 2498

Island Pasta Company

68

www.islandpasta.com.au

Mornington

P: 0435 269 175

Jetty Road Brewery

88

12-14 Brasser Ave

Dromana

P: 5987 2754

Kobi Jack’s

78

677 Point Nepean Rd

McCrae

P: 5986 2100

Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill

144

142 Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2933

Laneway Espresso Dromana

82

167 Point Nepean Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 4624

Le Bouchon

125

10 Russell St

Balnarring

P: 5983 2012

Le Capucin

110

3770 Point Nepean Rd

Portsea

P: 5984 3243

Le Feu Mornington

70

10 Blake Street

Mornington

P: 0481 994 997

Little Beauty Market

155

www.littlebeautymarket.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

Little River Coffeehouse

24

435 Nepean Highway

Frankston

P: 0432 171 319

Main Ridge Dairy/Billies

150

289-295 Main Creek Rd

Main Ridge

P: 5989 6622 0472 553 370

Main Street Market

154

www.mainstreetmornington.com.au

Mornington

P: 5975 4522

Manhattan in Mornington

52

55 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 5925 6199

Martha’s Table

84

5 Waterfront Place

Safety Beach

P: 9617 5377

Mitch & Co

131

1552 Frankston-Flinders Rd

Tyabb

P: 5977 3201

Mock Red Hill

153

1103 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Red Hill

www.mockredhill.com.au

Montalto

142

33 Shoreham Rd

Red Hill South

P: 5989 8412

Mr Jackson

75

1/45 Main St

Mornington

P: 5909 8815

Mt Eliza Famers Market

155

www.mtelizafarmersmarket.com.au

Mount Eliza

Mubble

108

69 Ocean Beach Rd

Sorrento

P: 5984 4944

Proudly Australian made, Flavour Pearls are a luxury gourmet garnish created to bring a burst of intense flavour, fun and beauty to your gourmet creations.

Hand-made, small batch products available in an extensive range of flavours; Flavour Pearls are gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

Flavour Pearls will enrich your meals, drinks and celebrations.

‘Quality is our principal’ Our products include: Ironbark - Redgum - Charcoal - Kindling - 100% Natural Firelighters - Argentinian cooking grills - Fire Pits atmospherenow.com www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

|

P. 0418170400

For recipes and how to purchase visit: peninsulalarder.com.au

157 )

DIRECTORY

Name

Page

Address

Suburb

Phone

Mubble Rye

108

2393 Point Nepean Rd

Rye

P: 5984 4944

Oasis Mornington

50

Shop 30, Mornington Central 78 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 9026 1300

One Pear Tree

38

372 Nepean Highway

Frankston

P: 9781 0077

Organic Bay Distillery

159

www.organicbaydistillery.com.au

Frankston

Orita’s 2

132

Shop 17, 3050 Frankston-Flinders Rd

Balnarring

P: 5931 3232

Paradise Bar & Bistro

73

4/786 Esplanade

Mornington

P: 5975 2676 0412 433 082

Pebbles Restaurant at Moonah Links

121

55 Peter Thomson Drive

Fingal

P: 5988 2000

Pelikan Société

126

2 Marine Pde

Hastings

P: 5909 8132

Peninsula Beverage Co. Mornington

77

42 Main St

Mornington

P: 5977 0515

Peninsula Beverage Co. Red Hill

149

1/1012 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2046

Peninsula Gourmet Co.

86

240 Boundary Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 9123

Peninsula Larder Flavour Pearls

39,157

42 Cumberland Drive

Seaford

P: 9773 6403

Penni Ave Distillery

100

2/43 Peninsula Ave

Rye

www.penniave.com.au

Phase Two

132

Shop 11 Balnarring Village

Balnarring

P: 5931 3141

Portsea Hotel

111

3746 Point Nepean Rd

Portsea

P: 5984 2213

Pot au Pho

70

2/209 Mornington-Tyabb Rd

Mornington

Pure Peninsula Honey

76

871 Derril Rd

Moorooduc

P: 5978 8413

Quealy Winemakers

133

62 Bittern-Dromana Rd

Balnarring

P: 5983 2483

Rare Hare Food & Wine Store

143

166 Balnarring Rd

Merricks North

P: 5931 2500

Rebel Donuts

29

Gateway SC, 230 Cranbourne-Frankston Rd Langwarrin

www.rebeldonuts.com

Red Gum BBQ

145

87 Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 3156

Red Hill Show

152

Red Hill Recreation Res, Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2357

Red Hill Truffles

148

235 Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 0417 190 193

Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm

146

244 Shands Rd

Main Ridge

www.rockycreek.com.au

Somerville Egg Farm

59

Cnr Eramosa Road West & Binnak Way

Moorooduc

P: 5977 5405

Squires Loft Mornington

48

104 Main St

Mornington

P: 5976 8482

Ten Minutes by Tractor

151

1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Main Ridge

P: 5989 6455

The Bagelry Co.

104

1245 Point Nepean Rd

Rosebud

The Bay Hotel

67

62 Main St

Mornington

P: 9534 0194

The Deck Est.2013

20

2-4 Davey St

Frankston

P: 9783 1003

The Good Food Bakery

66

Shop 4, 209 Mornington-Tyabb Rd

Mornington

P: 9592 9322

The Hop Shop

32

26 Playne St

Frankston

P: 0405 137 969

The Winey Cow

71

39a Main St

Mornington

P: 5976 4018

Our little brewery is ready to share our great beers with not just our friends, but with everyone

sales@greyghostbrewery.com Phone: 0407 328 891 @GreyGhostBrewery @GreyGhostBrewery www. greyghostbrewery.com ( 158

Download the Bite Local App and order food knowing you are supporting your local restaurants with low fees and better service.

Aussie owned. Local drivers. Your community www.bitelocal.com.aug ww

eatdrinkmornpen

Name

Page

Address

Suburb

Phone

Tio Tapas Y Vino

54

16 Main St

Mornington

P: 5904 6937

Torello Farm

93

410 White Hill Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 0335

Toscano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar

130

126 Marine Pde

Hastings

P: 5979 3333

Tully’s Corner

44

630 Moorooduc Highway

Mornington

P: 5978 8715

Two Buoys Restaurant, Wine, Cocktail Bar 91

209 Point Nepean Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 8488

TWØBAYS Brewing Co

94

Unit 1, 2 Trewhitt Court

Dromana

P: 5910 0880

Unrivalled Events

154

www.unrivalledevents.com.au

Mount Martha

Vero Pasta + Wine

31

4/18-22 Beach St

Frankston

P: 8752 4209

Via Battisti

60

26 Lochiel Ave

Mount Martha

P: 5974 4999

Wine Lovers Warehouse

92

Unit 5/3 Trewhitt Court

Dromana

P: 9596 4278

Wine Lovers Warehouse

92

2080 Frankston-Flinders Rd

Hastings

P: 9596 4278

Yo My Goodness

62

54 Main St

Mornington

P: 5977 2588

other Arancini 4 All

34

www.arancini4all.com.au

Frankston

P: 0450 199 837

Arthurs Seat Eagle Café

140

795 Arthurs Seat Rd

Arthurs Seat

P: 5987 0600

Atmosphere Indoor Outdoor

157,159 www.atmospherenow.com

Carrum Downs

P: 0418 170 400

Best Bites

161

Mornington Peninsula Shire Office

Rosebud

P: 5950 1466

Bite Local

158

www.bitelocal.com.au

Frankston South

P: 0413 335 382

Elevate Wine Tours

156

www.elevatewinetours.com.au

Somerville

P: 0402 005 002

Etch Sparkling

136

www.etchsparkling.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

Exclusive Appetite

156

www.exclusiveappetite.com.au

Mornington Peninsula

Flying Calamari Brothers

122

www.flyingcalamaribrothers.com.au

Mornington Peninsula P: 0409 427 862

Frankston Arts Centre

162

Corner Davey & Young Sts

Frankston

P: 9784 1965

Red Hill Show

152

Red Hill Recreation Res, Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2357

AUSTRALIAN CERTIFIED ORGANIC GIN HANDCRAFTED IN BONBEACH, VICTORIA FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR ONLINE STORE, STOCKISTS, EVENTS, AND MORE INFORMATION. WWW.ORGANICBAYDISTILLERY.COM.AU *Please drink responsibily.

www.eatdrinkmp.com.au

Refurbished barrels to a whole new level Toasted or charred to your requirements Distilleries & Wineries info@oakbarrelsaustralia.com.au

159 )

DIRECTORY

Name

Page

Address

Suburb

Phone

produce & farmgates BoatShed Cheese

87

3/10 Thomson Tce

Dromana

P: 0476 180 382

Cellar and Pantry

147

141 Shoreham Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2411

Chocolat of Mornington

58

Shop 6, 59 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 5976 4902

Flinders General Store

120

48-50 Cook St

Flinders

P: 5989 0207

Harry’s Mussels

118

www.flindersmussels.com.au

Flinders Pier

Hawkes Farm

102

661 Boneo Rd

Boneo

P: 5988 6785

Island Pasta Company

68

www.islandpasta.com.au

Mornington

P: 0435 269 175

Main Ridge Dairy/Billies

150

289-295 Main Creek Rd

Main Ridge

P: 5989 6622 0472 553 370

Mock Red Hill

153

1103 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Red Hill

www.mockredhill.com.au

Oasis Mornington

50

Shop 30, Mornington Central 78 Barkly St

Mornington

P: 9026 1300

Peninsula Gourmet Co.

86

240 Boundary Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 9123

Peninsula Larder Flavour Pearls

39,157

42 Cumberland Drive

Seaford

P: 9773 6403

Pure Peninsula Honey

76

871 Derril Rd

Moorooduc

P: 5978 8413

Red Hill Truffles

148

235 Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill

P: 0417 190 193

Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm

146

244 Shands Rd

Main Ridge

www.rockycreek.com.au

Somerville Egg Farm

59

Cnr Eramosa Road West & Binnak Way

Moorooduc

P: 5977 5405

The Bagelry Co.

104

1245 Point Nepean Rd

Rosebud

The Good Food Bakery

66

Shop 4, 209 Mornington-Tyabb Rd

Mornington

P: 9592 9322

Torello Farm

93

410 White Hill Rd

Dromana

P: 5981 0335

Tully’s Corner

44

630 Moorooduc Highway

Mornington

P: 5978 8715

wine spirits cider & beer Bass & Flinders Distillery

92

40 Collins Rd

Dromana

P: 5987 3893

Chief’s Son Distillery

64

25/50 Guelph St

Somerville

P: 9013 0859

Crittenden Estate

90

25 Harrisons Rd

Dromana

P: 5987 3800

Dainton Brewery & Taphouse

25

560 Frankston-Dandenong Rd

Carrum Downs

P: 9775 0334

Eddies Cider

149

www.eddiescider.com.au

Red Hill South

Escape Brewing

103

2/12 Suffolk St

Capel Sound

P: 5903 3598

Frankston Brewhouse

33

10 New St

Frankston

P: 9001 0010

Grey Ghost Brewery

158

www.greyghostbrewery.com

Mount Eliza

P: 0407 328 891

Hickinbotham of Dromana

89

194 Nepean Highway

Dromana

P: 5981 0355

Jetty Road Brewery

88

12-14 Brasser Ave

Dromana

P: 5987 2754

Mock Red Hill

153

1103 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Red Hill

www.mockredhill.com.au

Montalto

142

33 Shoreham Rd

Red Hill South

P: 5989 8412

Organic Bay Distillery

159

www.organicbaydistillery.com.au

Frankston

Peninsula Beverage Co. Mornington

77

42 Main St

Mornington

P: 5977 0515

Peninsula Beverage Co. Red Hill

149

1/1012 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Red Hill

P: 5989 2046

Penni Ave Distillery

100

2/43 Peninsula Ave

Rye

www.penniave.com.au

Quealy Winemakers

133

62 Bittern-Dromana Rd

Balnarring

P: 5983 2483

Rare Hare Food & Wine Store

143

166 Balnarring Rd

Merricks North

P: 5931 2500

Ten Minutes by Tractor

151

1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd

Main Ridge

P: 5989 6455

The Hop Shop

32

26 Playne St

Frankston

P: 0405 137 969

TWØBAYS Brewing Co

94

Unit 1, 2 Trewhitt Court

Dromana

P: 5910 0880

Wine Lovers Warehouse

92

Unit 5/3 Trewhitt Court

Dromana

P: 9596 4278

Wine Lovers Warehouse

92

2080 Frankston-Flinders Rd

Hastings

P: 9596 4278

( 160

eatdrinkmornpen

Your Best Bites Food Guide has been served

The 2022 Best Bites Food Guide listing dozens of local food businesses serving safe, healthy and sustainable food is now available!

The guide lists local food businesses scoring more than 95 per cent in their food safety assessment and delivering across one or more of the Best Bites areas of excellence.

Scan this QR code to visit our directory!

Pick up your Best Bites Food Guide by visiting the Shire’s Customer Service Centres and Libraries, Visitor Information Centres and local food businesses, and discover the most outstanding food businesses on the Mornington Peninsula.

Discover our Best Bites food businesses in our online directory: mpbusiness.com.au/bestbites

161 )

ANNUAL EVENTS

JANUARY 2023 1-19th

Peninsula Summer Music Festival; www.peninsulafestival.com.au

FEBRUARY

TBC Ventana Festival, a celebration of the Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese cultures

APRIL

16th

MAY

Party In The Park

TBC

Mushroom and Truffle hunts

TBC

International Cool Climate Wine Show; www.internationalcoolclimatewineshow.com

3-5th

Peninsula Film Festival; www.peninsulafilmfestival.com.au

10-11th

Pinot Celebration Australia; www.morningtonpeninsulawine.com.au

9-12th

Mornington Winter Music Festival; www.morningtonmusicfestival.com.au

18-19th

Frankston Waterfront Festival; www.frankston.vic.gov.au

TBC

Winter Wine Weekend; www.morningtonpeninsulawine.com.au

Blues at the Briars, bluesatthebriars.com

MARCH

JUNE

AUGUST TBC

4th

Stellar Short Film Festival; www.stellarshortfilmfestival.com.au

TBC

Peninsula Piers and Pinots; www.morningtonpeninsulawine.com.au

11th

Red Hill Show; www.redhillshow.com.au

13th

Somerville Family Fun; www.somervillefamilyday.com.au

TBC

Peninsula Picnic; www.peninsulapicnic.com.au

Frankston and South Eastern Wine Show; www.fawg.org.au

OCTOBER TBC

Main Street Mornington Festival; www.mainstreetfestival.com.au

NOVEMBER TBC

Peninsula Vinehop

At the time of going to print some of these events were yet to be confirmed but likely to go ahead.

Check www.mpmag.com.au/whats-on for up to date details of events on the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston throughout the year.

JOIN OUR TRIBE eatdrinkmornpen

6th EDITION OUT NOVEMBER 2023 Phone 9708 8222 for further details.

( 162

eatdrinkmornpen

Pebbles Restaurant at Moonah Links, photo by Naturalight Photography

the foodies’ guide to the peninsula Find all things delicious, restaurants, wineries and cafés with wine touring map and enticing recipes. Showcasing over 120 local businesses including breweries, cideries, distilleries, produce and farmgates.

Pelikan Societe, photo Naturalight Photography

Eat.Drink reveals why this area is a mecca for foodies, our pristine environment, the market gardeners, fishermen, farmers, chefs, brewers and all the wonderful places to eat and drink.

Volume 5, 2023 RRP inc gst AUS $14.99

ISSN 2652-3086