Little Collins St Kitchen & La Belle Miette High Tea: A Parisian Affair

The only thing more delightful than a gorgeous high tea is a high tea with a French twist. And now the new boutique Sheraton Hotel at the Paris end of Collins is offering just that. Having joined forces with Melbourne's iconic and ever popular French patisserie, La Belle Miette, the Little Collins Street Kitchen within the Sheraton Hotel is serving up a French infused high tea set to appeal to the most discerning high tea patron. 

Passionate Executive Chef, Kruno Velican, has masterminded a high tea that calls for more than cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. The only remotely standard fare you'll find are scones which certainly are not the key feature of this creative spread. Instead, be wooed by flirtatious buckwheat Éclairs with Foie Gras and fig jam, or succulent chicken breast atop circular walnut & raisin bread, and - of course - opulent macaroons from La Belle Miette. Sweet tooths will swoon at the carefully crafted sweet treats that keep you entertained and surprised til the end. For any glutards, the kitchen can supply gluten free bread for the savoury bites and advise what you can have on the sweets, although this naturally includes the macaroons. 

Little Collins Street Kitchen presents a homely dining experience based around a kitchen table dining concept. Those familiar with the work of design fit out gurus at Hecker Guthrie will know what to expect. The space, and indeed the entire hotel, are miles apart from the standard soulless accommodation and onsite restaurant combo. More boutique than big brand, the rooms at Sheraton Hotel Melbourne are new, fresh, beautiful and homely. 

Whether you're staying as a guest or seeking high tea with a difference in Melbourne, a Parisian Affair with La Belle Miette at the Little Collins Street Kitchen should be firmly planted on the agenda - particularly for what we think is a highly reasonable price. 

Available every day with bookings and 24 hours' notice essential. Parisian high tea perfection takes preparation. 

A Parisian Affair with La Belle Miette
Little Collins Street Kitchen, Paris end of Melbourne
$45 per person with tea and espresso
$55 per person with a glass of sparkling 
To book call +61 3 9290 1056 or email lcsk.melbourne@sheraton.com 

by Sarah Harrison 

'mangiare e felicita' at La Svolta (eating is happiness!)

Fact: you don’t need to leave Melbourne to get your very own slice of Italy. 

Recently, we enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of the team at La Svolta, dining al fresco in their new courtyard while sampling incredibly tasty Italian treats. 

Recipes and techniques at La Svolta have been passed down from Mammas and Nonnas, Pappas and Nonnos, for generations. Enjoying a delicious spritz with plenty of zing, we feasted on starters of beef tartare with rocket and balsamic reduction, and tuna tartare with red onion, sundried tomatoes and capers. All fresh, light and flavoursome, and very soon gone from sight. 

Baby snapper skewers, arancini balls, seared tuna, hearty salads and prosciutto with deep fried pizza dough (drool) tantalised the taste buds – but it was La Svolta’s pizza that stole the show. Its classic margherita strikes the perfect balance between tomato and cheese atop a light base far from your average fare. Dessert was a generous serve of heavenly Nutella pizza before rolling home. 

For an apertivo evening in the courtyard, filled with delizioso pizza and drinks, head to La Svolta and enjoy a little piece of Italy in Melbourne. Our top tip: wear elasticised pants. 

WHO: La Svolta 
WHERE: 3-5 Cecil Place, Prahran
BOOK: www.lasvolta.com.au
WHY: For your very own slice of Italy 

by Phoebe Vertigan 

Summer fun at The Grand Trailer Park Taverna

Summer is all about fun in the sun, chilling in the backyard, going on road trips and living life as it should be lived.

As reality has it, not all of us are able to take the entire summer off to hang at the beach (life can be so cruel). Thankfully for us city slickers we can find a summer escape at The Grand Trailer Park Taverna.

Located towards the top end of Bourke Street, this new venue brings the outdoors in, with caravans and picnic tables that could momentarily make you forget that you’re still in the heart of the city. With scrumptious burgers, fries and the sweet taste of spiked milkshakes, this creative space truly feels like summer. 

The Grand Trailer Park Taverna offers a great place for time out from the city and is set to be a hot spot for after work drinks and long, weekend catch ups. Because life is always more fun with a bourbon salted caramel milkshake. 

For more information, find The Grand Trailer Park Taverna on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

WHAT:    The Grand Trailer Park Taverna
WHEN:    Tuesday to Saturday, from 11.30AM til late
WHERE:    Cnr Exhibition and Bourke St
WHY:        Americana-style burgers and shakes with an Australian rustic vibe

by Caroline Chagas

Christmas in Melbourne, à la Française

It's no secret that Little Miss Melbourne has a penchant for all things French, and we’d like to share some exciting news from the Alliance Française de Melbourne!

On December 6 and 7 (that’s this coming weekend), Alliance Française de Melbourne will host a Christmas market at their St Kilda location - a beautiful historic mansion with easy access by public transport.

Quintessentially French, you’ll find a selection of French products, food, wine and music. Other activities include French language classes, face painting, balloon twisting, film screening, children games, photo booth, cooking and cocktail demonstrations.

It’s a great activity for the entire family and best of all, admission is free!

For more information, check the Alliance Française website and follow them on Twitter for on-the-minute updates!

WHAT:  Alliance Française de Melbourne Christmas Market
WHERE:  Eildon Mansion on 51 Grey St (St Kilda)
WHEN:  December 6-7 from 10AM until 5PM
WHY:  Because Paris is always a good idea! 

by Caroline Chagas 

Välkommen till Melbourne: funkis Swedish forms

It's an exciting time for Melbourne CBD, with the revitalisation of retail and the consumer at the forefront of its activities. Located at the newly refurbished The Strand Melbourne, funkis is our newest resident, evidently attracted by the Melburnian penchant for good style.  by Caroline Chagas 

Scandinavian design is known for its minimalist approach to shapes and lines, with a heightened sense of sustainability. Beauty radiated through light colours, ample use of wood, minimalism and functionality are typical traits of this Northern European style. 

Enter funkis Swedish forms - a Sydney-born design company offering the best of Swedish and Scandinavian fashion, jewellery, homewares, furniture and accessories. Its trademark clogs and sandals are handmade in Sweden from natural vegetable dyed 
leather and sustainable timber, while many other products are made here in Australia.  

Established in 1996, funkis quickly became a favourite destination in its original spot in Bondi Beach and expanded to two new stores in recent years, including our very own Melbourne. Delivering a seamless customer experience, with friendly and knowledgeable staff and an eclectic range, the funkis store is a must visit to those seeking timeless fashion and homewares. 

You'll find a funky (sorry, it had to be said!) collection of reading glasses, scented candles, body products including soaps and shampoos, bags, brushware for the body and kitchen and jewellery. With a strong corporate social responsibility, everything at funkis is sustainable and ethically made. 

With Christmas fast approaching, funkis has also designed a quintessentially Scandinavian collection of cookie cutters, ornaments and other little bits and bobs for the house. 

To see more of funkis, check them out on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest and like their page on Facebook. 
 

WHAT: funkis Swedish forms 
WHERE: The Strand Melbourne (Shop 12, 250 Elizabeth St - Melbourne CBD) 
WHEN: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM; Thur-Friday 10AM-8PM; Sun 11AM-5PM 
WHY: A touch of Scandinavia to one’s life

Stepping up for the sisterhood

Here at Little Miss Melbourne, there's nothing we love more than slipping on a fabulous pair of heels. What’s better than our favourite pair of statement shoes? Wearing them in support of an important cause.

Last year, over 48,000 Australian children were abused or neglected. Young girls are particularly vulnerable, and are two to three times more likely to be abused than boys.

Step up for SISTERHOOD week is doing something about this. From the 17th to the 21st of November, men and women across Australia are encouraged to swap their 'everyday' shoes for a statement pair of shoes in exchange for a donation.  

All funds raised support Life Changing ExperiencesFoundation’s year-long SISTER2sister program that mentors girls aged between 12 and 18 who are ‘at risk’ - those suffering as a direct result of trauma, bereavement, poverty, sexual, mental and physical abuse, neglect, homelessness, sickness or disability and destitution - by matching them with a Big Sister role model to help them forge a better path in life.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LCEF, Jessica Brown says, “There are thousands of young girls in Australia that need someone to stand up for them. Step up for SISTERHOOD Week is about using the power of community to finally break the cycle of trauma, offering hope and support to the girls in this country who have fallen through the cracks or been left behind.”

Workplaces are invited to register online at www.stepupforsisterhood.org.au. 

Help spread the word on social media too – follow @stepupforsister on Twitter and @steupforsisterhood on insta and share your fabulous shoes in support of an extremely important cause.

by Phoebe Vertigan 

Fashion meets good will: Very Special Kids fashion sale

You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from knowing you’ve made a positive impact in someone’s life? It's a similar feeling to when you find a new designer item on sale... and here's the chance to combine the two. 

Some of our favourite fashion brands have kindly donated clothing, jewellery and accessories for the Very Special Kids Fashion Sale on Saturday (22-November) at Malvern Town Hall. 
For a gold coin donation, shoppers will find items for sale at up to 90% OFF with all funds going to Very Special Kids. That's what we call conscious shopping! 

Very Special Kids supports more than 800 Victorian families that are caring for children with life threatening conditions. Fashion Sale Ambassador, blogger and stylist Jess Dempsey (www.whatwouldkarldo.com), will also be on hand to offer fashion tips. 

Save the date, tell your friends, family and colleagues and make a fun day out!

For more information visit www.vsk.org.au 

What: Very Special Kids Fashion Sale 
When: Saturday 22 November, 9am to 3pm
Where: Malvern Town Hall, Corner of Glenferrie Road and High Street, Malvern 

by Caroline Chagas

DARE TO KNOW: Kafka's Monkey

Kafka’s Monkey, appearing this month at the Q44 Theatre Company, is based on Kafka’s darkly comic story, A Report to An Academy. It tells the story of an ape, Red Peter, who lectures the “esteemed members of the Academy” on his transformation into a cultured European man. 

When Red Peter is shot and captured on the Gold Coast of Africa, he’s confined in a cage in the bowels of a ship where he learns the niceties of human behavior; spitting, drinking rum and, finally, speech. In a fight for survival, it's here that he discovers a "fine clear line of thought" – and that is, in order to get himself a way out, he has to stop being an ape.

The audience within Q44 Theatre Company is invited to sit on the set of Kafka’s Monkey on cafe-style tables and chairs, enabling audience engagement while complementing the background of the story. For those keen on getting up close and personal with the performance, we suggest sitting right at the front or the very back. Bonus tip: if you seat on table #8, you may also get involved in a small way. 

Kafka’s Monkey runs just over 50 minutes and is suited to those interested in contemporary history and literature, as the story draws parallels to society as we know it - you may feel the urge to have a philosophical conversation afterwards. 

Table service is available (drinks only), but be sure to arrive early as there is no service during the performance. Q44 is also a cash-only venue.  

Directed by Gabriella Rose-Carter and starring Boris Granolic as Red Peter, Kafka’s Monkey is showing at the Q44 Theatre Company until the 30th of November.

You can read more about the production and grab tickets online here. 

by Caroline Chagas

It's time! The Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards

They say a good bartender is 30% science, 10% charm and 60% blood, sweat and tears. These magicians can turn a simple spirit into a work of art in a manner of seconds - and their stage is at the bar. Now that stage is set for the annual Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards, in celebration and recognition of Melbourne’s drinking scene and the masters within. 

Held at Fancy Hanks BBQ Joint on Monday 17 November, there’s  promise of goodies from the likes of White Rabbit beers, Bilpin cider, Pepperjack wines and smoky bites from Fancy Hanks as we wait in anticipation to see who will snag an award. 

The awesome news is that if you’re a bar lover and want to party with the people who know how to party, a limited number of tickets to the awards are available for $55 (plus booking fee).

Jungle Boy’s Serena O’Callaghan, up for Best Bartender and Best New Bar, feels lucky to be a part of the scene. "We have such a wonderful hospitality community in Melbourne - one that supports and nurtures its members which is conducive to lifting the game.” 

Here are all the nominees for the Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards: 

BEST BAR TEAM
Gin Palace
Black Pearl
EDV
Lily Blacks
Double Happiness

BEST PARTY BAR
Rooftop
Madame Brussels
Lily Blacks
The Beaufort Bar
Mr Wow’s Emporium

BEST BAR FOOD
Kirk’s Wine Bar
Hannah’s Bar
Bar Di Stasio
Thomas Olive
Neighbourhood Wine

HOT TALENT
Will Sleeman, Black Pearl
Oska Jarvis-White, EDV
Jenna Hemsworth, Bad Frankie
Rick Marson, Le Bon Ton
Marla Singer, Loop Roof

BEST WINE BAR
Bellota
Gerald’s
Harry and Frankie
Gertrude Street Enoteca
Persillade

BEST NEW BAR
Bad Frankie
Le Bon Ton
Joe Taylor
Jungle Boy
Joanie’s Baretto

BEST COCKTAIL BAR
The Everleigh
Black Pearl
Joe Taylor
The Rum Diary
Bar Americano

BEST BARTENDER
Andy Griffiths, The Rum Diary
Alastair Walker + Heather
Garland, The Everleigh
Hayden Lambert, Bar Americano
Serena O’Callaghan, Jungle Boy
Nathan Beasley, Black Pearl

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Bar Americano
Bar Ampere
Black Pearl
Bomba Rooftop
EDV
The Everleigh
Goldilocks
Le Bon Ton
Madame Brussels
New Gold Mountain

BAR OF THE YEAR
Announced on the night

LEGEND AWARD
Announced on the night

Join in or stay tuned to hear who will take home an award from the Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards! 

Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards
Monday 17 November, 6.30-10.30pm
Fancy Hanks BBQ Joint, 456 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tickets $55 (plus booking fee)
https://www.ticketpro.com.au/Time_Out/Time_Out_Melbourne_Bar_Awards 

by Colette Whitton

Man Tong does Good Food

Good Food Month in Melbourne is well and truly in full swing with tummy's filling up fast (and refilling again) in venues all over the city. 

This year, Man Tong Kitchen is one of these venues, with two Good Food Month offerings for purveyors of authentic chinese food.

For lunch lovers, there's the Man Tong Kitchen Let's Do Lunch. For two or more peeps and $38 each, enjoy a banquet lunch of hot and sour soup with shredded duck, Man Tong’s signature entrees (xiaolong bao, chilli wonton and peking duck), crisp mango prawns, deep-fried fragrant duck stuffed with taro, and milk custard for dessert.

For an evening affair and something more substantial, Man Tong is also offering the Secret Taste of China at $88 a person. We counted up to about 10 dishes in this delicious, waistline expanding banquet. We wont give *all* the good bits away (it's a secret, after all) but you'll salivate over the likes of dongpo pork (Hangzhou-style braised pork belly), Wagyu beef and enoki mushroom rolls with black pepper sauce (incredible - one of our top picks), sweet and sour sauce coral trout fillets (this was a bit too fishy for our liking), fried spicy lobster tail, and fried rice with scallops and black truffle (another fantastic dish). Naturally, as Hu Tong's sister restaurant, you can expect some pretty damn fine xiaolong bao and wontons, too. So much good food. 

For bookings, you can just call 03 9686 9888 or email info@mantongkitchen.com.au. But get in quick because it's only around until the 27th November - and we all know how much time is flying at this stage of the year. 

Man Tong Good Food Month
Level 1, Crown Melbourne

Let's Do Lunch - $38pp 
Nov 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28; 11:30am - 03:00pm

Secret Taste of China - $88pp 
Nov 3-6, 11-13, 17-20, 24-27; 05:30pm - 10:00pm

We dined courtesy Man Tong Kitchen so we could share the experience with you. This is an unsponsored post. 

Charity Launch Event: OIC - The Cambodia Project

Your heartbeat starts to race and suddenly the walls start closing in around you. Everything begins to spin. Photos once treasured, contacts that have taken years to compile, all slowly slip from your grasp. You’re frightened and alone with no way to connect with the outside world. Yep - you just dropped your brand new iPhone 6.

Ok, so this might be a first world problem, but the ability to communicate is something that should never be taken for granted. Unfortunately, in Cambodia more than 600,000 people have a communication or swallowing disorder, making it difficult for them to eat breakfast or even talk to their loved ones.

Cue the amazing people at OIC, a non-profit organisation helping these people so they can lead happy and full lives through speech therapy and the training of local speech therapists. (OIC stands for that moment when you suddenly understand something you hadn’t before, “Oh, I see!”... Clever isn’t it!). They call this The Cambodia Project. 

Support and celebrate the launch of The Cambodia Project

OIC will be hosting the launch of The Cambodia Project this week to help raise money and awareness in support of their life changing work for the people of Cambodia. Brendan Rigby of Whydev will be emceeing the evening with OIC Managing Director Weh Yeoh speaking on why he felt compelled to help some of the poorest people in Southeast Asia. Guests can expect to be spoilt by the soulful tunes of DJ Gideon Haine, delicious treats from Mr Wow’s Emporium and an array of special door prizes, all included in the ticket price of a meer $10!

Everything kicks of at 7.30pm with tickets available now online. If you’re unable to attend you can donate or organise a fundraiser of your own through their website.

Communication is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. Help this inspiring charity give people back their voice and their futures - join them at the OIC: The Cambodia Project launch party. 

OIC: The Cambodia Project launch party 
Wednesday Nov 12
6.30pm to 11pm
Mr Wow's Emporium, 97 Smith Street, Fitzroy

by Colette Whitton

Love, Rosie preview - free tickets for charity

This Wednesday night an advanced screening of the new rom com movie, Love, Rosie, will be airing at The Jam Factory in South Yarra. And the good news is that tickets are *free* AND you'll be helping charity. 

How, you might ask? 

The event helps raise awareness of the First Seeds Fund - a charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse in our own backyard, by supporting women and children through community, education programs and employment. The more people that know about it, the more impact they can have. 

To nab your tickets, simply register here and if you're keen to give back and up your kudos you can also make a donation to the First Seeds Fund. 

Share the good word, feel the love and enjoy the movie! 

ABOUT THE MOVIE
Based on the hugely successful romantic novel from Cecilia Ahern, author of ‘P. S. I Love You', ‘Love, Rosie' follows the lives of two inseparable childhood friends, Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin). The friends take a leap of faith when they decide to leave their little town in the UK and go to America together to attend University. But, fate has other plans for Rosie. After a crazy night out celebrating, Rosie soon discovers she can’t leave the UK. She encourages Alex to go without her, hopeful that she’ll catch up with him, eventually. Over the next twelve years, their lives change dramatically but an undeniable connection remains. Rosie and Sam, forever in each other minds, always wonder 'what if’. Were they meant to be more than just good friends? 

LOVE, ROSIE is a modern comedy-of-errors tale posing a simple question about relationships: Do we really only get one shot at love? 

Movie commences at 6.30pm on Wednesday 5th November at the Jam Factory. 

This event and post is proudly sponsored by Little Miss Melbourne. 

Good Food Month wins the Crown

Good food - for a whole month. Bliss! Good Food Month, launching this Saturday November 1, is such a fabulous time of year in Melbourne. Night Noodle Markets, pop up venues, Let's Do Lunch, masterclasses, tastings, private dinners - so much food, so little time.  

To contribute to the month long celebrations, Crown is hosting a delectable series across its repertoire of exciting venues including No. 8 by John Lawson, Nobu, Silks, The Waiting Room and Club 28 Skybar and Lounge. 

This is just a snap shot of what's on offer: 

PROGRESSIVE CULINARY TOUR
18, 19, 20 & 25, 26, 27 November, 7-10.30pm

Indecisive and concerned about culinary FOMO? Entirely understandable. Crown's progressive culinary tour will give you a slice of the Good Food Month action from several venues in one night - yippee! Start with cocktails and canapés at Atrium Bar, then individual courses at No. 8 by John Lawson, Koko and Nobu, finished with a nightcap at The Waiting Room. The lamb shoulder and Grade 9 wagyu grill is utterly incredible. Go hungry. $250 per person.

NOBU: FEAST OF FUSION
Saturday Nov 15, 12-2.30pm

Embrace the fusion of Japanese and South American flavours at this exclusive, once only buffet-style lunch showcasing Nobu's signature dishes. $190 per person with a glass of Yalumba sparkling on arrival, or $220 per person with Moet & Chandon NV. 

FOUR-WAY WAGYU
17 to 30 November, 12 midday - 2:30pm & 6 - 10pm

Meat lovers rejoice with wagyu done four ways from Silks, Koko's, Mr. Hive Kitchen and Bar and The Merrywell. Award winning Mayura Station wagyu will be carefully prepared to make the most of its marbling in this mouth watering event. From $25 per person. 

There's also other events such as the Sky High Supper, Mixed Grill, Mad Hatter's Tea Party (complete with Wonderland characters) and more.

For bookings and to check out the full offering of events, clickity click here. 

ED: This is an unsponsored post - many thanks to Crown and Hatch Comms for kindly hosting LMM at a preview of the Progressive Culinary Tour, so she could share it with you.   

Event: FRIENDS Trivia Night - Thursday 30 October

FRIENDS help each other. That's why the Fashionably fabulous Sarah Kempson of Sarah Style, has paired up with Smaggle's Carly Jacobs to bring us the FRIENDS trivia night.

Besides the fact it's going to be a good laugh at a good spot (Honey Bar in South Melbourne - hello pizza and wine!), it's also for a good cause - all proceeds of the $10 tickets will go to the Waratah Special School Bus Fund.

With these two involved, you can expect a highly organised but mad event - they put the fun in fundraising. There'll some pretty ace raffled off prizes and winnings for the ones with the highest FRIENDS knowledge. Come alone or bring 7 friends - tables of 8 max. 

Where: Honey Bar, South Melbourne 

When: 7pm to 11pm, Thursday October 30, 2014

Tickets: $10 - buy online  

Event: Hats and High Tea at Hotel Lindrum, Sunday 26 Oct

This weekend, Hotel Lindrum are partnering up with The Dressing Table to help teach the guys and the girls the do's and the do not's of millinery for the races - all over a glass of bubbles and scones. For this hats and high tea event, you can expect: 

• A welcome glass of champagne
• An assortment of ribbon sandwiches
• Petite pastries, macarons and afternoon cakes
• 2-hour workshop all about millinery, how it is made and how to wear it with confidence and style taken by Christine Lauder
• A personal hat analysis
• Take home gift bag  

How very civilised. This event is designed to help you complete any outfit for any occasion, from a memorable day at the races sipping champagne, to a beautiful summer’s day relaxing by the sea. It's also designed to be fancy and fun. 

Tickets are $80 each or $600 for a table of eight. Bookings are essential with limited places and can be made online here. Fabulous. 

Sunday 26th of October
1pm to 4pm
Hotel Lindrum, Melbourne CBD 
$80 per person (includes gift bag to take home)
Table of 8 for $600

Tix time: BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP

Colin Firth is back again, this time alongside Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong, in suspense thriller BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP. It's not the first time we've seen Nicole in the thriller genre (or naked) but hopefully it will have a touch more of the thrill element to this one.

Rotten Tomatoes rates it as a "stylish, fast-paced, and well-acted diversion" albeit with what sounds like a fair dose of cliche thriller moments. Be your own judge and snap up one of seven double passes to BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, courtesy of Studio Canal and Little Miss Melbourne.

To be in the running to win:

- Regram this image on Instagram
- Tag @littlemissmelbourne
- hashtag #beforeigotosleep and #littlemissmelbourne

That's it! Competition closes Monday 13th October. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via Instagram. Tix are valid from Thursday October 16 til the season ends. 

Tadka BOOM!

There are three things I distinctly love about this lunchtime Indian-street-food destination nestled in the CBD's Goldsbrough Lane: 

1. The food. 

2. The people. 

3. The name. 

A modern take on traditional Indian, what's not to love about a samosa salad, chicken chapli sliders that pack a punch, or roti wraps filled with ingredients like chicken tikka, marinated lamb with masala, or grilled ginger-chilli prawns? A powerhouse of flavours and food which leaves you feeling light rather than sluggish and in need of a 2pm powernap under your desk.  

Passionate about their business, the team behind Tadka Boom! is just as inspiring as the food. Leaving the corporate world behind, Lalitha Rajan (aka Mama Rajan) founded Tadka Boom! in response to her love for cooking and sharing fresh, healthy food, based on family recipes from hometown Delhi. Son, Ashwin Rajan, joins her to make this one powerful team driven to shake up the perceptions of Indian food and deliver a new age healthy approach to the butter chicken curry - which you wont find at Tadka Boom!. 

Say goodbye to the boring sanga and no to overpriced sashimi - check out the Indian-Australian fusion that is Tadka Boom! - because the food, the people and the name are all pretty awesome. Trust me - order the sliders. 

Check out their healthy Indian menu and visit them in Goldsbrough Lane just off Bourke. 

Tadka Boom! 
22 Goldsbrough Lane
Melbourne
http://www.tadkaboom.com.au/ 

Drink: spring cocktails at Brooks

French 75: Beefeater Gin, lemon, sugar & Champagne. Shake & serve. 

OR head to Brooks and let the pros do it for you. 

Below Collins Street and just off Flinders Lane, Brooks is for more than schmancy dining and the tasty eats of talented Nic Poelaert - it's also for spring cocktail drinking.  

Head heritage basement way to enjoy the recently launched spring cocktail menu including the likes of Amaretto Sour, the classic French 75, or a Sloe Coach for an extra slice of spice.

Spring marks cocktail season and cocktails mark good times at the marbled bar of Brooks. Open Tuesday to Saturday for your drinking pleasure. (Also, just quietly, it's worth keeping your eye out for their upcoming 'Sparkling Season' from mid October - local and French bubbles with Nic's matched menu for $90pp - you don't even need to book). 

Brooks of Melbourne 
Basement Level 
115-117 Collins Street
 

polēpolē - the new watering hole in town

who: polēpolē

what
The CBD's new 'watering hole' and kitchen serving up share plates along the likes of ribs, pork cigars (amazing), eggplant chips, sweets, and more - all designed to eat with your hands. Liquid inspiration via signature cocktails, an accommodating wine list, plus rare and imported African beers and ciders.

where
Above Little Collins Street between Elizabeth and Swanston. A grounding, earthy space with lots of timber and concrete features and rustic lighting. Perfect to chillax in.

when
Open 7 days a week from 4pm - yippee! 

how much
polēpolē cocktails go for around $18, a friendly selection of wines are from $38-$68 a bottle ($120 for Veuve), and eats are priced from $8-15 for small plates and $13-18 for the four different types of ribs.

why you should go
polēpolē is Swahili for 'take it easy' - which is easy to do here. Kick back with a drink and some tasty morsels and go with the flow. Good for groups in booths, perching on pods, intimate chats for two, a few at a tall table, or quite simply drinks at the bar. The husband and wife team behind polēpolē, Jeanelle and Dean Mariani, are absolutely lovely too which always influences the personality of a venue. Adam Mariani - Dean's brother and previous co-owner of The Petty Officer - is managing the bar so you're set to be in good hands all round.

polēpolē
upstairs of 267 Little Collins St 
(yup, it's at the old Tony Starr's Kitten Club) 
7 days a week 
www.polepolebar.com.au

Wish and win mini speakers from Alphatise

Like most of us, I like my fair share of shopping. And now

Alphatise

is here to help make shopping fair. Alphatise is a new e-commerce app turning the tables in the retail world and letting us shopaholics have a say in what we pay.

With this nifty app, you can ‘wish’ on items you like the look of and decide how much you’d pay for a product. If and when a store can match the price, they get in touch and offer you the product. Bonus! You then either accept or ignore the offer with the option to pay through Alphatise or redeem it instore.

The other good thing is that while it's an app, you can also use it through the web browser on your computer (so you can Alphatise when it looks like you're working...mwahaha).

There are over 40,000 stores and 10 million products on offer and you can also ‘wish’ for a store to join Alphatise if it’s not already listed.

It’s a great way of registering your interest in a product at a price you’re willing to pay. You know what they say - you don’t get if you don’t ask!

Find out more about it all here.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

My favourite time! Besides wine o'clock.

As an avid supporter of retail (my poor credit card) and to share the app launch with you guys, I’ve teamed up with Alphatise to offer a nice little freebie.

What’s on offer?

Win one of 10 mini Alphatise speakers (right) that can plug straight into your smartphone, audio device or computer, valued at $50 each. 

How do I enter?

1. Download the app or access the site here

2. Make a 'wish'

3. Screenshot your wish and share it on Instagram or Twitter with hashtags #littlemissmelbourne #alphatiseaustralia and tag @alphatiseaustralia

The competition closes on the 12th of September, with winners announced on the 15th of September.

Let's go shopping!

LMM: This post was proudly sponsored by Alphatise to help them share the good word about their new online shopping app and help you be in running to win a pair of nifty little speakers.