With the cost of living, it’s nice when dining-out staples such as pasta and cocktails come in under $20. But at Fitzroy North restaurant Good Times affordable bowls of pasta and carafes of wine have been $9 since it opened in 2019 have brought a similar menu and wallet-friendly ethos to a new Brunswick East sibling ‘We need to put up our prices because we’re not getting any money’,” Davis tells Broadsheet “But then people aren’t able to keep spending They’ll have one glass of wine for $16 and that’s it for the day.” travel spots and more – curated by those who know She prefers a business model that relies on volume and is backed by regulars who dine multiple times a week or stay for an extra drink because doing so doesn’t kill their budgets “We’ve got the amount of people to help sustain it,” she says ‘This is the only time I can go out and have some fun’.” Good Times regulars will recognise the pasta line-up with six options spanning meat and vegan bolognaise and there are always vegan and dairy-free options But while Good Times embraces hearty portions designed to fill up on Davis identified a gap in the market for snack-sized bowls ideal for pre-gaming with drinks So alongside standard bowls priced from $12–$18 you can order petite portions of certain pastas for as little as $6 that you can mix and match into your own snack plate Or order the snack plate for $24 alongside salads like a $12 vinegary number with trout Most glasses of wine are priced in the low double digits “We made deals with some good local winemakers,” Davis says and notes securing well-priced stock and passing the savings back to customers is key The wine list is all-Australian and leans heavily on Victorian producers the team has close relationships with “There are a lot of winemakers here who have too much wine to the point where it gets turned to vinegar and has to be scrapped,” she says ‘Why are we importing stuff when we’ve got really good wine here?’” and I’m just trying to bring it back,” she says tinned fruit and ginger ale or red wine with peaches – both from just $6 a glass Housed in a former Mexican restaurant on Lygon Street the space is a kitschy interpretation of Rome with dark timber repurposed from the previous fit-out Davis says the build generated only four buckets of waste – everything else was recycled or repurposed with the help of friends and former Good Times employees while a red room at the back is fitted with vintage church pews complete with a Roman-inspired water feature instagram.com/timesnewromanbar Bakeries and Restaurants That Opened or Closed in April 32 of the Hottest Dishes and Drinks in Melbourne Right Now Menu Reveal: Five Things To Order at Junda Khoo’s Ho Liao First Look: Filipino Pop-Up Palay Moves to Fitzroy for Good SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime Share1 / 2Wild Life Bakery sausage roll.Shelley Horan2 / 2Wild Life hot cross buns.Tom CutbushPrevious SlideNext SlideBakery$$$$ In a neighbourhood that’s become spoilt for carbohydrate choices the queues that still weave out of this bakery are an excellent sign Sourdough bread has a serious crust and forgiving chew porridge - come out on select days of the week But every day is a great day for pastry fans Savoury bites include kimchi and cheddar croissants erupting with crunchy rivers of cheese Kids devour the coils of gently spiced morning buns danishes topped with the season’s finest fruit and petite sweets including pastel de nata fill the cabinet Coffee is made with Market Lane beans, and there’s also a full menu of sandwiches and toasties, plus rotating topped focaccia. Nab a seat if you can or head to the nearby park - and don’t forget to pick up Assembly tea, house-made ferments or some good cultured butter from the retail section before you go. SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items • Meet the candidates• Where to vote on Saturday• Ballot to barbecue: democracy sausage guide SHOULD Samantha Ratnam fall short in her quest to seize the federal seat of Wills from Labor this Saturday Ratnam has been campaigning non-stop since September last year and her Greens operation in Wills is reputed to be one of the largest – if not the largest – the party has ever mounted in a federal electorate But Labor MP Peter Khalil has also met thousands of voters over the past few months and is not giving up his seat without a fight And while his local operation may not be as big as Ratnam’s it has made up for with the spending power of the Treasury Khalil has also called in big name supporters including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who made a brief visit to Pascoe Vale South early last month to promote improvements to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from whom a letter has been mailed to Wills voters this week Khalil is defending a nominal margin of 4.6% and the result of one of the most-anticipated races in the country is expected to be tight A Greens win would make history; Wills has been a safe Labor seat ever since it was established in 1949 apart from about three years when independent Phil Cleary won the seat at a by-election in 1992 Khalil was first elected in 2016 and has increased his margin at two subsequent elections, but a redistribution has almost cut it in half He is also facing a backlash against the two main parties and a localised campaign over the war in Gaza By the time voting closed on Thursday night 29,362 pre-poll votes had been cast in Wills representing about 23.5% of enrolled voters 16,948 have been at the Brunswick Masonic Centre in Davies Street Despite the resources the Greens have thrown at the electorate Khalil remains “quietly confident” he can win again But he is only half-joking when he says he still has PTSD from the 2019 election when Labor looked set to win only for Scott Morrison to score a surprise victory every vote matters,” Khalil said earlier this week at the end of another long day speaking to voters at the Brunswick pre-poll centre “And every Labor seat counts to form government and every Labor seat lost means [Peter] Dutton gets closer to forming government So I say to people if you want an Albanese government a Samantha Ratnam victory would be the culmination of a two-decades long mission to win the seat and the next step in a political career that began on Moreland Council in 2012 followed by leading the Greens in the Victorian Parliament Ratnam insists that electing a Greens MP in Wills is greater insurance against a potential Coalition government “This is the nerve-wracking part of the campaign as you get closer to election day,” Ratnam said during a break from greeting early morning commuters in Brunswick East last month giving people a real choice about who they can vote for if less than one in 10 people change their vote the Greens can win for the first time “I think people are really feeling like change is possible.” apart from his face on a few posters at the pre-poll centre Liberal candidate Jeff Kidney has not been sighted in the electorate since the campaign began But most other minor party candidates have been a regular presence at the Brunswick pre-poll Continued below ▼ I’m running in the federal election because the political system and the major parties have failed to serve the interests of working people Imagine a society where the wealth that is created could be used to provide everyone with a high quality of life we have a society where one-third of large corporations don’t pay a single dollar of tax and fossil fuel companies get $14.5 billion in handouts are paying for the services and infrastructure that Australian society needs Many thousands of people can’t afford to rent or buy a home Governments have left it to developers and the market to provide housing governments addressed the housing crisis by building a massive amount of public housing And we need to freeze rents to stop people being thrown onto the street would fund a massive program of public housing program We need 100% renewable energy within five to 10 years through public investment We need to reverse the privatisation of essential services like childcare the Liberal and Labor parties’ support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza reveal their double standards How can we trust politicians who refuse to condemn a genocide Governments that continue to send weapons to Israel while it is committing genocide won’t stand up for the community against the billionaires who are ripping us off We need a real alternative that puts people and planet before profits Vote 1 Sue Bolton (Socialist Alliance) in Wills my priority is serving and delivering for our community Labor is working to make things easier for everyone It’s why we delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer It’s why Labor has committed to make the biggest ever investment in Medicare so that everyone has access to a free GP again and will cap the cost of PBS medicines at no more than $25 It’s why we’re investing nearly $1 billion in women’s health we will open a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Coburg I grew up in public housing – I know the importance of a safe home It’s why I have advocated for more places to buy and affordable properties to rent in our community first home buyers will only need a 5% deposit to get into a home The Liberals drove the cost of university degrees up I have always believed in the power of education and will wipe a further 20% off HECS debts if re-elected We enshrined net zero into law and increased renewables to 46% of the grid is at risk under a Dutton-led right wing government The party that wins the greatest number of seats will be best placed to form Government we risk Anthony Albanese falling behind Peter Dutton in the national race I will keep working for Wills to build Australia’s future I am proud to stand as the Legalise Cannabis Australia candidate for Wills in the upcoming Federal Election I have lived in the electorate with my family for over 25 years I have been actively involved in school and community groups building strong local connections and a deep understanding of the issues that matter to residents Recently retired after a 40-year career spanning publishing I have worked with numerous cultural and community organisations My experience has given me first-hand insight into policy and the challenges faced by local communities exploring local markets and experiencing live music I am also a passionate electric bike rider embracing the fun and fitness it brings to my daily life I believe that outdated laws and political privilege have led to ineffective approaches to key social issues I know the war on cannabis has failed and I am committed to fighting for sensible community-driven policies that deliver real solutions I will be an approachable and transparent representative committed to fairness and meaningful change Wills will have a strong advocate for health Fusion has big ideas to tackle the problems in our society at the root cause • Reducing tax incentives so houses are treated as homes instead of investments • Moving to Georgist land tax so government funding is aligned with projects like high-speed rail so our grid can store weeks’ worth of intermittent renewable power and we can close coal and gas generators so we can do away with the energy-intensive cruel practices of growing animals on deforested land • Giving a universal basic income to all adults so they have enough money to live and to pursue their dreams and a dignified safety net to change jobs or living arrangements to unlock research funding for the core workings of our physiology • Releasing government software open-source so processes are transparent and anyone can contribute to our societal operations so criminals must prove they didn’t retaliate against whistleblowers These sorts of fundamental changes will only ever happen with new minor parties who have nothing to lose and who still have the hope that there’s a whole lot more that’s possible for Australia I have dedicated my life to fighting for our community I have represented you on council and in state parliament and now I ask for your support to be your strong voice for Wills mortgages or food and you think the Labor government is failing to act Right now one-in-10 big corporations pay $0 tax We should tax them to get dental into Medicare given billions in handouts to the wealthy property investors that stop renters buying their first home approved new coal and gas projects and they are backing the invasion of Gaza We should be represented by someone who shares our values not a politician who relies on corporate donations and won’t act on the things that matter Vote 1 Greens to keep Dutton out and get Labor to act I’m fighting to take on the big corporations stop their price gouging and tax them to fund the things everyone needs I’m fighting to stop new coal and gas and end the invasion of Gaza If the experts are right and there is a minority government Last time there was a minority government we got dental into Medicare for kids and world-leading climate laws the first step is voting for someone who will fight for you and the things you believe in rents and mortgages all having risen dramatically under the Albanese Labor government Albo is still blaming the LNP for our situation however after he wasted $522 million on the Voice Referendum which only divided us he has repeatedly shown himself incapable of not overspending our money By doubling our debt from $600 billion (May 2022) to $1.2 TRILLION (2025-26) (Unless you’re on the Net ZERO Gravy Train!!) LNP and especially Greens only have policies that will reduce our freedoms and cost us more in taxes to supposedly give us some relief – Tired old policies NEVER forget that Greens MP Samantha Ratnam voted for tyrannical Dan Andrews to extend his egregious Emergency Powers in 2020 and 2021 which were supposedly based on ‘scientific’ and ‘medical evidence’ however these were “made up” by Brett Sutton and the ‘evidence’ has never been released to the people those powers were used to abuse! Australia is currently falling from a plane We need a new direction that takes us out of Net ZERO madness and onto a path of recovery and prosperity Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has the policies and enthusiastic candidates that will always put Australians and our future FIRST Vote for positive change – Vote for an Australia in which our grandchildren can thrive Find our policies to put more money back in Australians’ pockets at www.onenation.org.au/issues You need to vote 1 – Bruce Stevens PHON in Wills May 3 Candidates are shown in the order they will appear on the ballot paper Khalil is proud to stand on his record as a local MP and he believes this will stand him in good stead with voters Labor has announced more than $28 million in local funding commitments for the electorate and that figure does not include a Medicare urgent care clinic in Coburg which is likely to cost more than $10 million and the work that I do with the community to get outcomes for the community and they see that I’ve delivered outcomes in the first term particularly now that we’ve been government,” Khalil said “The minor parties will make all these promises I deliver it … what we we say we’re going to do “And that’s the difference being in the Labor Party you can actually deliver through the budgetary process.” But Ratnam says voters are looking for a change in Wills Her campaign is the largest fielded in Victorian Greens’ history with more than 700 active volunteers who have knocked on more than 70,000 doors and made 20,000 phone calls to voters They have also distributed 1100 placards for front fences and letterboxed the entire electorate “It’s really pronounced this election how many people don’t want to vote for the major parties anymore,” she said “They really feel like they’ve been let down and neglected and they really like what the Greens are proposing the more people are open to that message of hope and change.” Continued below ▼ Funding commitments made by Labor since the start of the election: Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Coburg = unquantified Upgrading of Fawkner Netball Courts = $4.5 million New facilities for Bachar Houli Foundation and Islamic College of Sport in Coburg = $15 million Merri Creek vegetation and other improvements = $1.9 million Sport and recreation facilities at the Fitzroy North Linear Parklands = $3.7 million Gillon Oval grandstand and lighting = $3.3 million Improved accessibility at Pontiaki Estia in Brunswick = $49,500 Commitments will be delivered if Albanese government is re-elected Funding promises made by the Greens since the start of the election: Increased public school funding and upgrades = $45 million Merri and Moonee Ponds creeks improvements = $10 million Greens to lobby a future government for promises to be converted into concrete funding “Almost every day now I’m talking to people who are saying they’re changing their vote because of Gaza,” Ratnam said “They feel like Labor has not been strong enough They [Labor] took months to even call for a ceasefire they are not proposing sanctions on Israel “They feel really let down by Labor’s lack of leadership and they want people to have moral courage and it is influencing so many people’s votes.” Khalil’s approach has been to patiently explain the Australian government’s position and the things it has done since Israel’s military offensive began in late-2023 including its support for a ceasefire in the United Nations and the refugee program that has allowed escapees from Gaza to settle in Australia But he bristles at what he describes as misinformation that has been spread He sees this as a symptom of what has become a “nasty” political environment “I think there’s been a lot more populism “Some of the pamphlets that have been distributed have distorted images or doctored images of me ripping up a page that says ‘Free Palestine’ … That’s a bit nasty I think most people that I speak to understand that and they see through some of this misinformation and are really interested in to hear what I’ve worked on people can make a judgement about Australia’s foreign policy And I’m open to having that conversation with people and they’re good and mature conversations.” Khalil is still favourite to retain the seat Sportsbet has him at $1.60 and Ratnam at $2.15 while TAB has them at $1.50 and $2.40 respectively but this election is too close to call and it’s possible we may not even know the result until early next week St Margaret Mary’s Parish Hall68 Donald St Brunswick North Primary School144 Pearson St Temple Park Senior Citizens Centre24 Gray St Merri-bek Primary School157-163 Moreland Rd Brunswick East Primary School195A Stewart St Brunswick South West Primary School5A South Daly St Brunswick South Primary School56 Brunswick Rd Brunswick North West Primary School3 Culloden St Check out our democracy sausage guide → We are an independent hyperlocal news organisation owned and run by the people in your community we can continue to produce unique and valuable local journalism for Brunswick and the inner north of Melbourne About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Advertising Brunswick Voice acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways in the area now known as Brunswick and pays respect to their Elders past and present and to all First Nations people and communities Brunswick Voice embraces their traditional and contemporary cultural and creative expression and significant contribution to life in the area Get our latest articles and current events around Brunswick straight to your inbox SUBSCRIBE → Tea brand T2’s first store in Fitzroy was established by the co-founders Jan O’Connor and Maryanne Shearer (left) while Brunswick East’s The Beast is home to the Melbourne Chilli Eating Championship which Greg Barlow competed in 2023 (right) A Brunswick East building leased by well-known live music venue The Beast has sold for $3.75m less than a month after hitting the market A Melbourne-based investor snapped up The Beast in just 21 days far ahead of its scheduled December 5 auction RELATED: Salta offloads Burnley site for $20.5m amid $330m+ Melbourne divestment spree Steeped in history: Landmark circa-1863 Preston church set to sell Portelli Block dilemma: Take the homes or the cash? Commercial real estate agent Fitzroys’ Chris Kombi Mr Niyaz said the new owner viewed the address which had been expected to fetch $3.4m-plus as both an ideal passive investment and a landbanking opportunity sitting in Brunswick’s retail village – that little area is humming in the evenings – and the tenant were the main attractions,” Mr Niyaz said The Beast has a 10-year lease with options on the double-storey building where it has already been based for 12 years Mr Kombi said ongoing residential growth in Brunswick East has boosted trade and led to minimal commercial vacancies in the area and also served to create competition in the auction campaign “The surging location has in recent years seen a number of residential towers completed in and the precinct is set to benefit from yet further planned high-density residential development in the area,” Mr Kombi said Iron Gut Oceana Champion Greg Barlow at the Melbourne Chilli Eating Championship 2023 which was held at The Beast in Brunswick East The shopfronts at 340 and 342 Brunswick St In nearby Fitzroy, popular tea brand T2’s first-ever retail outlet has also sold In 1996, the iconic brand’s co-founders Jan O’Connor and Maryanne Shearer established their first store at 340 Brunswick St. which is now owned by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and has expanded to more than 70 stores worldwide The two-storey site fetched $1.72m after selling to an investor And another separate investor purchased the shopfront next door at 342 Brunswick St, home to bar and restaurant next door Blackout Lounge Ben Liu and Shane Mills had the listing for the two addresses which had been owned by four families since 1976 Mr Niyaz said both buyers “were attracted to the strong cashflow from quality tenants great rental uplift and value-add prospects in the coming years” “There’s consistently strong competition between tenants for space along the prime trading section Brunswick St,” he said “We saw a number of investors in these campaigns looking to get a foothold in the high- Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Victorian government set to put Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain up for grabs Justin Leppitsch: Former AFL premiership star reveals big job to restore Port Welshpool pub High profile location to drive interest in Belmont property realcommercial.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. RELATED: Salta offloads Burnley site for $20.5m amid $330m+ Melbourne divestment spree Steeped in history: Landmark circa-1863 Preston church set to sell Portelli Block dilemma: Take the homes or the cash? In nearby Fitzroy, popular tea brand T2’s first-ever retail outlet has also sold In 1996, the iconic brand’s co-founders Jan O’Connor and Maryanne Shearer established their first store at 340 Brunswick St. And another separate investor purchased the shopfront next door at 342 Brunswick St, home to bar and restaurant next door Blackout Lounge Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Victorian government set to put Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain up for grabs Justin Leppitsch: Former AFL premiership star reveals big job to restore Port Welshpool pub High profile location to drive interest in Belmont property Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Melbourne straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Melbourne without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Melbourne If only all of our apartment complexes were this cool – and convenient East Brunswick Village has transformed into an idyllically situated apartment building (just 6 kilometres from the CBD) into the inner-city retail and foodie hub of our dreams East Brunswick Village is a space designed to be an "urban village" with open spaces and amenities for the whole community And it's central to everything you could want — a market-style supermarket Also inside East Brunswick Village are captivating public art installations and gardens. Hip Lebanese wine bar? Of course that's here – welcome to Rocket Society, run by the same folks who operate nearby Middle Eastern trailblazer restaurant Rumi. Want to catch a flick? Check out Fomo Cinemas a one-of-a-kind movie theatre offering a dine-in experience for all your in-film snacking needs If the aforementioned offerings aren't enough consider yourself sold with one of the best butchers in Melbourne you can browse only the finest quality meat all grown on farms close to home and delivered with a level of service that'll forever have you avoiding the major supermarket butcher delis we're going to get our next Chrissie ham here Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitter instagram pinterest About us Contact us has been home to Eddie Perfect’s family for a decade The Brunswick East home where Eddie Perfect conceived the songs of Beetlejuice the Musical has hit the market The stage star is also famed for musicals including Shane Warne The Musical having appeared in TV shows including Kath and Kim Spicks and Specks as well as in comedy gigs RELATED: Former Labor leader Bill Shorten’s next move ‘Lambo guy’ Adrian Portelli decides to forgo Stathmore mansion plan and sell land One million Victorian households found to be in mortgage or rent stress in August Beetlejuice The Musical has been on Broadway in the United States and comes to Melbourne next year with the Tim Burton classic film from 1988 having just been renewed with a sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice For the past 10 years he and wife Lucy Cochran have lived at 39 Barkly St, Brunswick East raising their children and embracing the location between Lygon St eateries Fitzroy North’s Edinburgh Gardens and the Merri Creek Nelson Alexander’s Tom Breen is handling the sale of their home and said after a week of inspections buyers were already commenting on the benefits of a neighbourhood that was “close to the action The home has had a style-centric renovation They have also commented on the home’s “really nice renovation” the home’s renewal includes a showstopping kitchen and living area with premium appliances and bold blue feature walls as well as stacking doors that open to the back garden A second ground-floor living space is warmed by a fireplace with the rest of the level hosting two bedrooms and a bathroom The upper level is devoted to a single bedroom with an ensuite and a fantastic location on the border of Carlton North,” Mr Breen said The home’s lavish new kitchen opens out to the back deck A second living space has an open fireplace as a visual highlight But it’s the studio out the back that could have the next owners embracing their inner creative having been used by Perfect as a space to work on ideas and projects during his time at the property The agent said he wasn’t 100 per cent how much of the Beetlejuice musical had been penned at the property but believed the studio out the back had been involved While the family was moving south of the Yarra Mr Breen said the family had “loved” their time in Brunswick East The theatre family’s busy lifestyle had also proven the home’s benefits as a lock-up-and-leave address The upstairs bedroom comes with its own balcony Ground level rooms still feature character details including picture rails and decorative cornices So far the property has attracted “really good numbers” in an early positive sign for the property’s September 21 auction most of the prospective buyers have been young families or young professionals Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: City of Melbourne-owned carpark rolls onto the market, could sell for $155m The Block 2024 episodes 14 and 15 recap: Block builder fired after pay fiasco Inside SA’s spooky $96k rundown manor third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. This place opened recently and has the whole city talking This venue has earned Iconic status on the Hot List for consistently delivering standout food and dining experiences that define Melbourne’s culinary scene Expect outstanding hospitality when you visit this place Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus The definitive guide to Melbourne’s most essential food and drink experiences – updated every week much like the local tavernas in Athens where mothers and grandmothers often helm the kitchens slow-cooked lamb shoulder and 500-gram T-bones Mop up creamy fava dip or smokey melitzanosalata (eggplant puree) with house-baked olive oil bread The bougatsa (Greek custard pie) is made in the Cretan style with mizithra while the ekmek sundae features house-made mastic ice-cream This place was added to the Hot List recently and has the whole city talking From an enthusiastic welcome to help navigating the menu expect outstanding hospitality when you visit this place Phone: (03) 9036 4949 Website: ourtaverna.com We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet home of hospitality and live music venue The Beast – and where the annual Melbourne Chilli Eating Championship is held A Brunswick East building home to iconic hospitality and live music venue The Beast is amping up for a $3.4m+ sale Located at 78-80 Lygon St, the bar burgers and bands’ business was established more than a decade ago by Melbourne hospitality whiz Maz Salt who is also behind the CBD’s Ferdydurke and Section 8 The Beast has hosted more than 1000 free shows; including Mexican wrestlers drag troupes and even Australia’s largest chilli eating championship RELATED: Park Hyatt Melbourne to hit the block as Chinese check out Moorabbin: Ex-cigarette factory redevelopment finds leasing success with mini golf, brewery REIT returns dip in October amid comeback Commercial real estate agency Fitzroys’ Chris Kombi and Ervin Niyaz have the listing comprising two double-storey shops on a single title it has been there for more than 10 years,” Mr Kombi said “I think everyone around the inner northwest knows the venue but it has broader appeal and attracts people from all over.” Mr Kombi said the owners were currently completing a major renovation which would see bars installed on both levels and the band room relocated upstairs is located in the world’s sixth-coolest neighbourhood Ryan feels the heat at the annual Melbourne Chilli Eating Championships 2024 Street art features on the venue’s walls and ceiling has decided to sell as they are “rejigging their property portfolio,” Mr Kombi added The Beast has a 10-year lease of the address is one of Melbourne’s famous buzzing inner-north night-life and The Beast has been a mainstay contributor to the area’s vibrancy for Time Out named the area as the world’s sixth-coolest neighbourhood “The Beast is probably in prime trading position in that street it’s where a lot of people gather,” Mr Kombi said He said that in addition to being a savvy investment 78-80 Lygon St’s land value would likely rise into the future while the combined building area is 620sq m The Beast’s menu includes meals named Clint Beastwood According to Fitzroys’ recent Walk the Strip report Lygon St in Brunswick East has a 3.7 per cent vacancy rate which has boosted the immediate catchment and trade,” Mr Niyaz said “The precinct is set to benefit from yet further planned high-density residential development in the area.” Tram routes 1 and 6 stop directly outside The Beast Salt and his wife Catherine Duggan sold their Black Rock house designed by famous Australian architect Robyn Boyd MORE: Stockland, Thai-based partnership approved to buy up 12 Lendlease housing estates Myer family mansion: ‘Trump bump’ could push Toorak estate ‘Cranlana’ to $100m+ mark ‘Extremist’ UFO cult’s $9m sell-off Located at 78-80 Lygon St, the bar RELATED: Park Hyatt Melbourne to hit the block as Chinese check out Moorabbin: Ex-cigarette factory redevelopment finds leasing success with mini golf, brewery REIT returns dip in October amid comeback MORE: Stockland, Thai-based partnership approved to buy up 12 Lendlease housing estates Myer family mansion: ‘Trump bump’ could push Toorak estate ‘Cranlana’ to $100m+ mark ‘Extremist’ UFO cult’s $9m sell-off which popped up in the old Epocha space in Carlton last year reviving one of Melbourne’s legendary Greek dining sites ShareAs featured in the February 2025 hit list. See all stories.For restaurateur and front-of-house dynamo Angie Giannakodakis the opening of Taverna as a permanent restaurant marks a return to her roots in more ways than one The home-style Greek concept she created with Guy Holder in late 2024 as a pop-up is a deeply personal tribute to her parents and her Greek heritage, following the 12-year run of her acclaimed European restaurant Epocha in Carlton But going permanent with Taverna also finds her back on familiar ground – in the same Brunswick East site where she helped establish George Calombaris’ original Hellenic Republic many years ago co-owner Angie Giannakodakis and co-owner Guy Holder.Supplied“It was quite emotional stepping into that space I’m pinching myself a little bit every day,” says Giannakodakis The corner site on Lygon Street (most recently home to the restaurant off-shoot of barbecue store Que Club) is once again an oasis of crisp whites and Aegean blues earthenware pots and rattan light fixtures and the concept of “philoxenia” (literally “friend to a stranger”) that’s synonymous with Greek hospitality and part of Giannakodakis’ legacy of service I realised how much her food represented love and survival Taverna is … my way of honouring her and my dad.” Taverna’s menu is all about meze and large dishes to share.SuppliedFittingly you can expect some of her mother’s recipes keftethes (pan-fried meatballs) and “Katina’s moussaka” when eggplant is in season Other signatures include arni kleftiko (lamb shoulder wrapped in parchment and slow-cooked over coals) and pastitsada a dish of beef ragu tangled with macaronia pasta which hails from the island of Kerkyra (Corfu) Vegetarian plates include revithokeftethes (crunchy chickpea fritters) and super silky fava (yellow split pea dip) with a well of Cretan olive oil “I don’t think there’s ever going to be enough Greek restaurants to counteract the movement that happened with Italian and Chinese and even French restaurants,” she says. “You put 10 good Greek restaurants in Melbourne, I don’t think that’s enough any way. “But I do believe the simplicity and loveliness of our cuisine is what’s necessary in this time … people are seeking things that taste good, are nutritious and fill you in a way others can’t. “What’s happening now in the scene – the work that’s being done is a small portion of what’s to come.” Melbourne’s Greek wave builds with this sunny new taverna (plus three more to try)Dessert might be as simple as freshly cut watermelon or as playful as a sundae of seasonal sorbet kataifi pastry and ice-cream made from mastic the pine-flavoured gum that comes from the mastic tree You’ll have to wait to pair these dishes with some raki or Giannakodakis’ blue-tinged Aegean Negroni – the liquor licence isn’t approved yet 434 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, ourtaverna .com This Colombian cafe in a carwash is a total vibe, especially in the summertimeCostenisimo’s loaded fries, hot dogs and burgers are worth crossing town for. A cult Japanese noodle shop arrives in Melbourne with summer-ready bowlsEverything you need to know about aburasoba, the “dry ramen” that ditches the soup but still packs loads of flavour into every squiggly bite of noodles. Melbourne’s Greek wave builds with this sunny new taverna (plus three more to try)At Astoria Bar Ke Grill, owner Nik Pouloupatis is drawing on his mum’s home cooking for a menu of Greece’s greatest hits – plus ouzo mojitos and mastiha sours. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox East Brunswick Village is continuously upping its game — getting in a slew of top traders and now putting on a huge Christmas night market the whole development will be taken over by more than 70 shopping stalls and one-off festive dishes made by the local restaurants and bars FoMo Cinema is also joining in on the fun by hosting free animated short films (mostly for the kids) while the Salvation Army is running a raffle and Choice Pharmacy is offering free gift wrapping for anyone who buys a present from the makers market EBV is setting itself up as a brilliant hub for drinking and dining entertainment and community gatherings — be sure to check it out for yourself Brunswick Voice Offender set fire to his arm in early morning ram raid and arson attack AN arson attack on a Brunswick East building in the early hours of Tuesday morning has been linked to an ongoing war between rival criminal gangs for control of Melbourne’s tobacco market A bike store at the corner of Lygon Street and Glenlyon Road was damaged when a car was deliberately rammed into a garage door at about 2.55am But it is believed the real target for the attack was not the Cargocycles bike store but a recently-opened gymnasium above it that is linked to a prominent gangland figure It is believed offenders used a stolen black BMW X5 to ram the door Police have been told one of the male offenders also set fire to his arm in the process The group was last seen running towards Nicholson Street No one else was physically injured in the fire but the building and stock inside the bike store sustained significant damage is used by notorious ex-bikie and professional boxer Suleiman “Sam” Abdulrahim known in the boxing ring as “The Punisher” Abdulrahim is linked to one side of the gang war between the Haddara and Hamad crime organisations for control of Melbourne’s lucrative tobacco market Tuesday’s attack is almost a year to the day since another gym linked to Abdulrahim in Holmes Street was torched and is the latest in a string of arson incidents in Brunswick this year In February, a reception centre above the Brunswick Market in Sydney Road was significantly damaged after it was firebombed That incident has also been investigated by Taskforce Lunar In May, a barber shop near Jewell Station was attacked; and then in August, a Scout hall in Brunswick East was gutted internally by arsonists Investigators believe the BMW used in Tuesday’s attack was stolen from a Heatherton address on October 3 Anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Homicide Squad detectives on Tuesday charged a woman following the death of a man in Brunswick East earlier this year A 43-year-old Niddrie woman was arrested on Tuesday morning and has subsequently been charged with manslaughter She was to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later on Tuesday The charge follows the death of a 51-year-old Brunswick East man on January 23 this year Emergency services were called to an Edward Street property about 3.30am where a man was found dead following what is believed to have been an adverse reaction to a drug of dependence Police believe the man and woman were known to each other We are an independent hyperlocal news organisation owned and run by the people in your community. With your support we can continue to produce unique and valuable local journalism for Brunswick and the inner north of Melbourne. Become a supporter Much loved Melbourne bakery To Be Frank is coming to East Brunswick Village in early 2025. Co-owners and partners Lauren Parsons and Franco Villalva opened the first outpost in Collingwood in 2019, and have since added an Elsternwick location to the stable this iteration of To Be Frank is expected to play on facturas an Argentinian pastry from Villalva’s childhood Corso Designs has been tapped to design the space To Be Frank Brunswick East will open in early 2025 Website: tobefrankbakery.com.au The Hot List is our guide to Melbourne’s most essential food and drink experiences, updated weekly. Learn more it’s undoubtedly one of Australia’s most important and influential migrant cuisines Melbourne itself is famously home to the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Greece and Cyprus – not that you’d know it from our restaurants. While institutions like Stalactites, Jim’s Greek Tavern and the plethora in Oakleigh continue to draw lines Greek restaurants just aren’t as ubiquitous as Chinese and Italian restaurants who shares the head chef role here with Michael Carins But it’s exceptional hospitality that’s landed Taverna on the Hot List so quickly – this despite the liquor licence still pending ferrying plates to the table with a smile and sometimes a proud statement about what each dish means to the Greek community broadsheet.com.au/hotlist/melbourne Tiny Bar is exactly what it says on the label The bar in Brunswick East manages to squeeze in a kitchen inventive small plates and original signature cocktails will surprise while Fontana’s family has opened several Italian restaurants in Hobart which instilled in her from a young age a love for food the couple worked together on both the venue’s menu and fit-out The inviting space features exposed red brick walls and wooden tables the pair stripped and stained themselves The open kitchen and bar make it feel like you’re at a dinner party at a friend’s apartment They’ve taken the same easy relaxed approach with the food Dishes are based on ingredients found at local markets and even include fresh tomatoes grown in the couple’s garden “It’s pretty much anything that we like cooking on a Sunday at home when we have friends around,” says Shearer “And some fan favourites that I’ve been doing over the years.” a standout is the abalone – slow-cooked and served in its shell green laver (a type of seaweed) and butter There are also raw scallops with tomato; smoked quail egg with caviar; charcuterie with house-baked bread; and a tarte tatin made using homegrown tomatoes there are poached apricots with fig leaf granita features a small but growing number of whites alongside some original creations inspired by Fontana’s family Putting a spin on the classic scotch and cola the signature Pippo combines whisky with her dad’s drink of choice: Italian chinotto (a soft drink made from chinotto oranges) which looks and tastes like alcoholic Passiona Tiny Bar is open for just a few hours Thursday to Saturday There are plans to expand slightly with some outdoor tables given how popular the bar has already become among locals and the hospo community @tinybar_melbourne but there’s nothing quite like catching a flick under the stars Fomo Cinemas is setting up outdoor screenings in the centre of East Brunswick Village’s Bluestone Way Nights will kick off at 7pm with a range of one-off menus and dishes at all food venues within the East Brunswick Village Get HSP croquettes from The Rocket Society Fomo’s antipasto box and muffulettas from Hagen’s filled with poached turkey There’ll be chairs set up to use on a first-in basis but you can also BYO chairs and rugs to make sure you don’t miss out on a seat @eastbrunswickvillage Thunder Road Brewing closed its doors this February after 13 years on Barkly Street with its proudly displayed fermentation tanks and renovated Airstream trailer featuring a commercial kitchen owners Hamish Coates and Mel Holland established the brewery on a working dairy farm owned by Coates’s family in Jindong The farm is still going strong and turned 100 this year The brand has a taproom in Perth with another in WA set to open this summer but the new Brunswick East outpost – its first interstate venue – opened on Friday September 13 “We are suckers for taking on old buildings for our taphouses and we instantly fell in love with this cottage,” Holland tells Broadsheet referring to the 1850s heritage-listed bluestone cottage that’s part of the site “The initial goal here was to reconnect this cottage space with the courtyard beer garden to show her off in all her glory and celebrate the history of the Brunswick area.” The tables are still surrounded by stainless steel brewing equipment on all four sides so you feel like you’re sitting right in the middle of the action with lower beer taps giving bartenders more face time with customers in keeping with Rocky Ridge’s emphasis on hospitality There’s a changing line-up of 32 beers on tap, as well as an extensive range of bottled options. They’re served alongside tacos from Melbourne greats CDMX The brewery plans to release up to eight new beers every month venue manager James Lorimer says stand outs are Rocky Ridge’s whackier limited releases a neon green sour with edible glitter in it “We’re always experimenting with processes and [finding out] how to get as much flavour out of the ingredients which is made up of a number of people from Thunder Road the new crew is playing around with smoked beer Rocky Ridge also brews a number of pastry-inspired sours and stouts including a banoffee pie stout made in collaboration with Perth bakery Butter Crumbs that has notes of chocolate There's also a sour that riffs on a fruit salad with kiwi Alongside all the new drinks, Rocky Ridge will continue to make classic Thunder Road brews, too. For those less interested in beer, the brewery also stocks bottled cocktails from Idle Hands Drinks Non-alcoholic options include a pacific ale and a citrusy sparkling hop water Despite its recent struggles Lorimer is optimistic about the future of the craft beer industry We just gotta stick tight and get through it.” @rockyridgebrunswick Where Chefs Eat: Brigitte Hafner Shares Her Go-To Spot for “Off the Chart” Curries and Condiments First Look: A Former Medical Scientist Opens Subculture Brewing in Brunswick that his Brunswick East home has gone on the market while he is reworking the satirical musical he wrote in 2015 about the dramas of buying and renovating this very same house “It was based on a true story but ramped up to nightmare proportions,” says the award-winning comedian on a break from workshopping Vivid White with the Bangalow Theatre Company in Byron Bay Obsession with home ownership and the pitfalls of renovation are every bit as relevant now as when his dark comedy named after the contemporary Dulux paint shade was first staged by the Melbourne Theatre Company and wife Lucy Cochran had bumped into close friends at the property’s open for inspection when it was a tired Californian bungalow-Edwardian cross painted khaki and carrying a weary two-storey extension “What happens if we both want to buy it?” he wondered creating endless fodder for Perfect’s own brand of absurdist humour Buying in Melbourne’s inner north was an easy decision fed up with commuting from Healesville for 5.30am starts when Perfect was filming the TV series Offspring they moved into a rental 150 metres down the road from their current home “The inner north always felt familiar to me unpretentious and a neighbourly place,” he says “I knew the area and the street so well it removed the anxiety [of buying].” Perfect describes himself as a passenger in the renovation journey, giving credit to Cochran and Splinter Society, a Fitzroy architecture and interior design firm that had just revamped the advertising office where she worked. Their project restored two front bedrooms and the living room to their original c1920s beauty, refurbished both bathrooms, moved the laundry, reconfigured the kitchen and family room, and spruced up everything in between to create a warm-hearted, easy-living home. The Block judge Darren Palmer’s Bondi Beach home for sale Inside chef Shane Delia’s much-loved family home in Moonee Ponds RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under judge Rhys Nicholson lists their Coburg townhouse It injected as much character in the new as the old, thanks partly to colour. Dulux’s Vivid White aside, it has royal blue in gorgeous leadlight designs, including a porthole window above the staircase landing; crimson hearth tiles in the living room fireplace, where marshmallow-toasting is a ritual; a proud peacock-blue on the family-room panelling; a fairy-floss pink side gate; and trims, edges and frames that mix black, bronze and timber. Daughters Kitty and Charlotte, now 15 and 12, were only young when they lived in situ during the works. The family used the quaint front verandah with double art-deco doors as their kitchen and dining space. “You’re 100 per cent guaranteed to get into a conversation [with passers-by],” Perfect says. “It’s a lovely community; a mix of the old guard of Italian and Greek families, families at the primary school, but it’s still pretty hip.” Cochran, meanwhile, loves the easy access to playgrounds, parkland and Merri Creek; all the villages of Nicholson, Rathdowne, Lygon streets, and St Georges Road down to Edinburgh Gardens; eateries and cafes; trams to the city; and the Capital City bike path. Flexibility, the name of the game for a family home on a modest 322 square metres, proved its worth during the pandemic lockdowns. Upstairs, a pocket space off the balconied main bedroom has been a study, a walk-in wardrobe and a nursery. A piano-sized nook in the dining area let Eddie tinker away with one eye on the stove. The kitchen’s centrepiece is a vast indoor-outdoor granite bench, bisected by a gas-strut awning window, that can handle any demands for cheffing, entertaining and even dancing, according to Perfect. Behind the kitchen sink, an internal window lets the cook see through to children or guests in the living room, and it draws in northerly light from the rear. Togetherness is all very well but for separation or isolation, the piece de resistance is the garden studio. Ten bluestone pavers past the rear deck, Perfect’s “creative space” is a light-filled pod with glass sliders meeting at one corner and an ivy privacy curtain. “The studio and I have a great relationship,” Perfect says. He has spent “a lot of time just staring out the window”, enjoying the bird-attracting, productive little garden planted with olive, Meyer lemon and Damson plum trees, but he has also worked. “I wrote a lot of stuff there: Vivid White, also Beetlejuice the Musical. I could go in any time of night for calls and Zoom, with my booming voice.” Thanks to the creative space and time spent in New York, we will see Perfect’s Tony Award-nominated Beetlejuice the Musical, based on Tim Burton’s macabre film, opening at the Regent Theatre next May. The cast will be announced at Halloween. The Perfect family is happy to be moving to the Yarra’s Studley Park area to give the girls and “lockdown dog” Bronte, an Australian shepherd, more space and to further indulge their passion for local birdlife. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The building was damaged internally but is likely to be salvageable A BRUNSWICK Scout group is reeling after its hall suffered extensive internal damage from what is being treated as a deliberate arson attack early on Friday morning The home of the 9th Br unswick Scouts in Donald Street has been closed indefinitely forcing Scouts Rovers and Joeys to scramble for alternative venues for their weekly meetings It is the second fire on the site after the current hall was built to replace an original wooden hall that was destroyed by a fire in the 1980s Group leader John Paterson said the building was severely burnt inside but appeared to have escaped significant structural damage Already he has received offers of help from other neighbouring Scout groups to lend their halls for the dozens of children teenagers and young adults who attend 9th Brunswick so they can continue their weekly activities The fire broke out soon after 4am on Friday and was quickly contained to the main part of the hall and flags and other artefacts from the group’s 90-year history The internal ceiling and walls will require replacement office and storage room appeared to have avoided serious damage apart from smoke heat and water but this will need to be properly assessed by insurers Equipment belonging to the Bunk Puppets troupe was being stored elsewhere at the time of the blaze “We’ve probably lost some of our history but we’ve still got the building and it’s now a matter of working out how long it will take before we can use it again,” Paterson said He said grainy security camera footage from a business across the road showed two people breaking into the building at about 4am and leaving it soon afterwards It was suspected they had taken gas barbecue cylinders from the storage area to ignite the blaze Investigators from the arson squad and detectives attended the fire scene on Friday Nothing appeared to have been stolen from the hall “They were there to torch the place down and watch it go up in flames,” he said “They’ve just piled everything up and set it on fire “We can’t tell if anything has been nicked and unless you want camping gear The group is one of the oldest in Victoria and is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year Paterson said Scouts had been designing a logo for the anniversary based on the club’s nickname of the Brunswick Bunyips but he would suggest they changed that to a phoenix the mythical bird that emerged from the ashes of a fire Joeys and Rovers from continuing activities after other local Scout groups had offered use of their buildings The group was also exploring whether it could use the North Brunswick Football Club rooms and the Basilicata Bocce Club hall at Allard Park Victoria Police said the exact circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be established and investigations remain ongoing 14 people were evacuated from a burning apartment building in Brunswick West Fire crews used a ladder to rescue the residents of a two-storey apartment complex in Murray Street about 11.30am on Monday The fire began in an apartment on the second level of the 12 dwelling building Fire crews first rescued a 75-year-old man who was trapped on a second floor balcony The fire was deemed under control in 20 minutes It's hot, it's sizzling, and it's happening in East Brunswick Village. That's right, it's a Great Aussie BBQ – and it'll be bringing a whole lot more than the humble sausage to the table this Sunday But if for you a barbecue isn't a barbecue without sausage, you won't be disappointed. Hagen's will be sizzling up organic pork sausages lathered in its house tomato sauce and topped with organic grilled onions from Day's Walk Farm — and it'll be encased inside Dench white bread smeared with Schultz organic butter The butcher will also be serving up its next-level pork rissoles which are given a lift with butternut pumpkin If that's not enough to knock your grill-loving socks off, you can also treat your good self to an afternoon wine tasting at Blackhearts and Sparrows (that showcases local winemakers as well as no-alc pours) before hitting the chocolate-themed makers market where you'll be able to sample the handmade goods of 30 local artisans It's happening between 11am and 4pm this Sunday — and right by the 96 tram stop SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items shoppers can sit down for snacks such as baked brie.Scott McNaughton2 / 5Inside Grana on Lygon Street.Scott McNaughton3 / 5Grana’s salumi platter.Scott McNaughton4 / 5Perch at the central tiled counter or peruse the wine selection.Scott McNaughton5 / 5Cheesemaker Lucy Whitlow.Scott McNaughtonPrevious SlideNext SlideEuropean$$$$ Why wait until you get home to tear into those pretty pink rounds of culatello (cured ham)? Or open that bottle of swaggering Jura savagnin? Perch at the central tiled counter of this deli-wine bar from the Tipo 00 crew and do a little quality control There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Additional troubleshooting resources drink and do with our insider guide to this inner-north suburb Brunswick’s reputation is as a hipster hotspot but there’s a lot more to this vibrant area than just smashed avos and fancy lattes the area has historically been home to Greek which is evident in Brunswick’s food scene and community spaces artistic and lively – the place to be if you want great craft beer delicious coffee and to see why Melbourne is known for its exceptional art and music scene. and those politics feel evident in many of the venues you’ll visit bookshops and family-owned restaurants all sandwiched between lively pubs and music venues Plus, the neighbouring Brunswick East (aka the world's sixth coolest neighbourhood in 2023) is packed to the brim with cosy wine bars for hot dates as well as some of Melbourne’s most celebrated restaurants coffee nerds and a huge population of LGBTQIA+ folks living in share houses around the suburb Greek and Italian communities that have lived in the area for decades. A melting pot of communities that all bring something different to Brunswick it’s an eclectic and buzzing place where there is really never a dull moment. Anstey and Moreland stations running just next to Sydney Road This makes it easy to hop off depending on which section of the area you’re visiting Sydney Road also has the 19 tram which will take you through to Coburg and a host of bus routes. If you’re driving side streets off Sydney Road might be your best bet with countless bike paths and set bike lanes on many of its roads. Get yourself a cheese pie (or ten) and a falafel wrap from A1 Bakery take a seat outside and soak up the Sydney Road atmosphere browse the selection of delicious Middle Eastern groceries and stock up on tasty pita bread. Photograph: Parker BlainCasa Chino (Shop 1/212-214 Albion St) is a fiery new chifa bar and restaurant just a stone's throw from Anstey train station. If you’re unfamiliar with Chino Latino or 'chifa' cuisine drawing inspiration from the large Chinese diaspora who live in Peru and around Latin America. Most dishes will look pretty familiar to anyone with a grasp of Cantonese food – siu mai and dumplings fried rice – but there are Latin American influences sprinkled throughout. Shinwa Izakaya (139 Sydney Rd) is a Japanese food lover’s dream with an extensive list of delicious sake and a classic izakaya menu You’ll get a mind-blowing feast no matter what you order but the nasu dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant) is a must-try. You can’t visit Brunswick without stopping by A1 Bakery (643-645 Sydney Rd) a northside institution with a well-deserved reputation A1 has been slinging authentic Lebanese breads you can afford to try a bit of everything on the extensive menu – just don’t miss out on a cheese bagel and a zaatar. For a cheap and yummy meal out, Green Field (376-378 Sydney Rd) is a local favourite the menu is jam-packed with Vietnamese favourites at great prices The lunch specials are perfect for an unpretentious and affordable bite plus almost every dish has a vegetarian option. Photograph: Supplied / Bar SpontanaEscape to Bar Spontana (4 Saxon St) for funky ferment-driven flavours and a robust cocktail program from some of Australia’s most daring bartenders At this Thai-inspired wine bar you’re guaranteed no shortage of delicious and spontaneous surprises Brunswick's heritage-listed Hotel Railway (289-293 Albert St) may have a sordid history but a massive facelift has breathed new life into the space the three-storey building can now count itself among the biggest hospitality venues in the north and has the capacity to host nearly 1,000 patrons. Howler (7-11 Dawson St) is Brunswick's warehouse-turned-art-and-live-entertainment space that has every soul northside in a fizz with its timber-lined theatre and gallery for cinema screenings Despite being located in the heart of Sydney Road, the Brunswick Green (313-315 Sydney Rd) feels like a tucked-away little paradise The eccentric and kitsch decor makes it feel very Brunswick while its impressive drinks list has something for everyone It’s a northside staple for a reason – particularly due to its sprawling beer garden. Photograph: Supplied / Code BlackBoasting one of the best breakfast menus in the north, A Minor Place (103 Albion) is a local favourite for good reason It’s often pretty busy on the weekends Take your laptop or book and settle in for specialty coffee and delicious food Code Black (15-17 Weston St) is a must-visit for any coffee nerd. It's a Melbourne coffee institution supplying countless high-quality cafés so checking out the HQ and roastery is a dream check out the state-of-the-art roastery and even join in on a cupping session. Photograph: Ashleigh HastingsBrunswick’s strong arts and culture scene mean that there’s always something exciting to get up to. You could visit Blak Dot Gallery (33 Saxon St) a contemporary Indigenous-run gallery to see some brilliant artworks from First Nations folks. That Paper Joint (544 Sydney Rd) is a purpose-built and sustainable studio dedicated to paper collage Owners Maximillian Malone and Zoe Crook run workshops to get people cutting and pasting together their own masterpieces You can sharpen your culinary skills and prepare a delicious feast at Brunswick Kitchen (1/288 Albert St) This intimate cooking school specialises in small-group classes covering everything from Vietnamese to Japanese Plan ahead and have a look at the classes that the Laneway Learning team are hosting out of their Brunswick venue Take an affordable class and learn about anything from homemade gnocchi to salsa dancing to flower arrangement. Photograph: SuppliedThe Mediterranean Wholesaler (482 Sydney Rd) states on its website that it’s not just a supermarket it’s “an experience”. It's totally right – take a trip down the countless aisles of groceries (with more than 250 types of pasta) wines and European sweets to stock up on goodies you won’t find anywhere else Starting in 1961 as a small family-owned delicatessen it’s now Australia’s largest continental grocer Make sure you stop by the deli and pick up some mouth-watering cheeses. Sell your preloved clothes or pick up secondhand designer threads at Goodbyes Brunswick (127-129 Sydney Rd) You’ll find unique pieces from local and big-name designers and be able to purchase them for a fraction of their original cost Go hunting and find yourself a gem. Word nerds will fall in love with Brunswick Bound (361 Sydney Road) an independent book shop in the heart of Sydney Rd. There are endless titles for you to peruse Have a chat to one of the friendly staff and they’ll be able to recommend a brilliant book to sink your teeth into. Brunswick Music Festival This annual music festival celebrates artists across a huge variety of genres, taking place in amazing music venues throughout Brunswick. Every year it kicks off with the famous Sydney Road Street Party – a mammoth free one-day event with outdoor stages Melbourne is a city that appreciates a good film (it is the home of MIFF, after all), so it feels approriate that we've recently gained a brand new boutique cinema. And it's all thanks to two big names who list Carlton institution Cinema Nova on their resumes and their dedication to opening an exciting food-focused cinema Barry Peak and Natalie Miller AO (both key Cinema Nova players) opened FoMo Cinemas in the recently constructed East Brunswick Village. The ‘new generation’ movie theatre brings an exciting (and delicious!) style of in-cinema dining to Melbourne with the spotlight on the food just as much as the films a chef-designed specialty menu and a schmick online ordering system combine to provide patrons with an on-demand food and drink service available throughout any film FoMo Cinemas provides this elevated experience with standard movie ticket prices FoMo Cinemas screens a mix of big blockbusters alongside retro classics and specialty programming giving more airtime to mainstream movies than Cinema Nova The new independent cinema takes its inspiration from Brooklyn’s Nitehawk Cinema, a picture house famous for its menus inspired by the film that’s showing and Alamo Drafthouse The theatre’s distinctive name stands for ‘food and movies’ although we’re sure you’ll be feeling plenty of that if you don’t secure a table. For more information, head to the website A Melbourne family have been left devastated after their small bike business in Brunswick East went up in flames twice in one day A family in Melbourne is reeling after their small bicycle business in Brunswick East burst into flames twice in a single day Cargocycles was targeted by unknown offenders in the early hours of Tuesday morning An allegedly stolen BMW rammed into the front garage door of the store about 2.55am with the vehicle's occupant's then entering the shop and setting it alight Emergency services raced to the scene and quickly gained control of the blaze. Police have been told one of the male offenders also set his arm on fire prompting him to flee the scene on foot. The store was filled with high-end electric bikes leaving unfortunate customers who had purchased vehicles in a difficult situation as the owners grapple with such a significant loss The bikes, powered by lithium batteries created an additional challenge for firefighters battling the blaze Firefighters had built a large pile of electric bikes out the front of the premises As the crews sifted through the bikes to ensure all the flames were out a second fire exploded when a lithium battery burst. Cargocycles is closed until further notice with the owners sharing their heartbreak over the events that unfolded at their family store “We were devastated to be targeted by ram raiders and firebombed last night," the business posted to Facebook. arson chemists and insurance are investigating so we will keep you posted on socials “We are a small family-run business and are passionate about cycling and will reopen as soon as we can Thanks for your support during this difficult time.” The entire store was destroyed by the flames it is understood the gymnasium on the second level of the building was the intended target of the arson attack The investigation remains ongoing and police believe the BMW was stolen from a Heatherton address on October 3. Two inner-city Melbourne homes entwined by a rich tapestry of family friendship and lifelong memories spanning decades are set to go under the hammer on the same day later this month The two homes - 4 Sumner Street, Brunswick East and 630 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North – are being sold by two families The Mercuri and Vescio families met after emigrating from Calabria when they settled into their new lives in Carlton North the families were neighbours for more than 10 years and a lifelong friendship continued when the Vescio family moved about 800 metres away to 4 Sumner Street sales agent Claire Spring from Nicholson Real Estate - Brunswick East said “They just enjoyed each other's company - the husband of the second lady’s family he is actually godfather to one of the youngest of the first lady’s family,” she said “They have had a lot to do with each other over the years.” Comprising three bedrooms and one bathroom 4 Sumner Street is a classic weatherboard property with a brick veneer featuring a distinctive Art Deco style with glass panes to doors and wooden architraves The Vesico family’s love of cooking and gatherings saw an extra stove and oven added to the garage and the garden includes an array of fruit trees The Brunswick East home has Art Deco features said sharing the auction day with the Mercuri family sort of just fell into place and the home was a slice of history within a nice pocket of East Brunswick He remembers helping his father Ross at the age of eight with the home extension by assisting in pouring the concrete and said his mother Lena remained living in the home until she passed away this year at age 83 one bathroom residence set on a 390sqm landholding that was the family home of Gabriel Mercuri his three siblings and late parents Gennarina and Michelangelo Mr Mercuri’s parents purchased the property some 65 to 70 years ago and placing it on the market had been bittersweet It was a bit of a tough call but what do you do?” he said The circa 1910 Federation home exudes period charm The federation style home in Carlton North Mr Mercuri said the home was extended in the 1970s-80s and his parents kept it in “good nick” we always used to use the garage and then from there mum used to get up early in the morning and make all these things everyone was in bed (and she was) in the garage The Carlton North home features stained glass windows Mr Mercuri has many memories of his mum and Mrs Vescio attending church together and pasta sauce making days in summer and salami making days as families in winter Both homes presented a great buying opportunity for families “Aside form the fact that they are completely different price points they’ve both got amazing opportunities to be able to develop,” she said The Carlton North house's kitchen: Picture: realestate.com.au/buy “The one in Sumner Street is able to be restored into an Art deco place and then extended where the renovation was done “Both of them have got amazing renovation (potential) but also they're both really functional and fine to live in at the moment and comfortable because they were both lived in a current state by their owners’ right up until their passing.” The home in Carlton North has a second kitchen in the garage Both properties are set to be auctioned on Saturday Brunswick East going under the hammer at 11am with a price guide of $1.45 million to $1.595 million will take place at 2pm and has a reserve price set at $2,820,000 Australian craft breweries are doing it tough these days fighting against huge companies for tap space in bars and pubs But it is heartwarming to see a small family-owned Western Australian brewery like Rocky Ridge Brewing go from strength to strength opening a huge new taphouse right in the heart of Brunswick East in September 2024 The 130-seat venue was previously home to Thunder Road Brewing which sadly closed down in February of the same year The main tables are still surrounded by towering steel brewing containers and the airstream food truck still sits out front including a totally remodelled front bar that holds 32 regularly rotating taps and plenty of canned beers as well as CDMX's residency in the airstream (at least for the first six months) Rocky Ridge is known for creating a huge range of beers from easy-drinking lagers and IPAs to your more unusual stouts and sours They're all on show at the new Brunswick East taphouse alongside some old and new Thunder Road Brewing creations — as the team plans to keep the old brand alive in Perth also feature for those wanting a rest from the hopsy bevs The final layout of the shared zones designed to traffic-calm key road crossings on the busy John Street bike route in Brunswick East has been released the City of Merri-bek has settled on designs for Victoria and Albert Streets on each side of Fleming Park Bold treatments of the shared zones by artist Giovanna DaSilva are a feature of the designs The city says the zones are designed to make these areas more accessible correcting some of the issues that were affecting travellers “This will be achieved by keeping the footpath flat and creating wide ramps into the road space where the ramps were previously cutting into an already narrow footpath," a council statement reads "These choices will make it easier for people to cross the road when walking or riding a bike or other wheeled mobility option and improve the ease of simply walking along the footpath.” Vehicles and people on bikes must give way to pedestrians in a shared zone Both streets will remain two-way streets with full access for all vehicles will need to observe the 20km/h speed limit There appears to be a surfeit of bollards across the direction of bike movement in the concept designs something that will need close scrutiny before final drawings are issued The public tender for construction is expected in November this year Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point we launched our Affiliate Membership program specially designed for cycling groups and clubs Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry CRIME in Brunswick West has risen to a decade-long high following a spike in property related incidents including thefts and burglaries The increase in Brunswick West was the main reason why overall crime in the three postcodes that make up the Brunswick area – 3055 3056 and 3057 – grew over the 12 months ending on June 30 Overall, incidents of crime recorded by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency rose by 3.9% in the three suburbs continuing an upward trend since the end of the Covid pandemic although crime has not reached pre-pandemic levels yet apart from Brunswick West Crime fell during the two years of the pandemic partly due to the lockdown restrictions on movement and curfews this was the highest crime rate in the three Brunswick suburbs combined since 2016 although the increase was well below that for Victoria Crime was almost stagnant in Brunswick (postcode 3056) with 2283 reported incidents it is higher than the statewide average of 5.9 Vandalism and graffiti in the suburb fell by about 14% and the number of bicycles stolen rose by 7% Thefts from (+22%) and of (+36.8%) motor vehicles were both up Total crime incidents reported for year ending June 30; sorted by postcode crime increased by 16.4% to 945 incidents reported to police last year That is well above the pre-pandemic peak of 855 in 2018 Crime rose in most categories in the suburb including an 80% increase in motor vehicle thefts 46.4% increase in house burglaries and 45.3% increase in thefts from cars Brunswick East (postcode 3057) has both the lowest total number of crimes of the three suburbs (801 last year) and lowest crime rate per 100 people (5.2) while vandalism and graffiti were up by 34.5% Bicycle thefts rose by 13.2% but thefts from cars fell by 12% including breaches of family violence orders with the largest decline in Brunswick East Brunswick was the suburb with the highest number of crimes of in the City of Merri-bek followed by Coburg (2004) and Glenroy (1454) crime rose by 9.2% to 10,683 incidents with stealing from a motor vehicle the most common crime SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items Andreas Papadakis asserts his carb-king status at Figlia, the pizza-forward sibling to city pasta bar Tipo 00. All sourdough tang and satisfying chew, his Napoli-style pies are so light they could levitate to tables if the waiters ever dropped the ball. Toppings bring unexpected delights, such as pepperberry sharpening a classic salami and fior di latte. Airy-pocketed focaccia is a showstopper in its own right, the perfect sopper for clams in lemon-spiked chicken broth. Bouncy quail skewers get a lick of sweet-sour balsamic glaze, and fat pucks of gnocchi in tomato-tarragon sauce deserve their place as the menu’s sole pasta. The dark-hued dining room appeals equally to multi-generational pizza parties and solo diners perched at the central bar – a prime spot to talk low-intervention Italian vino with the clued-in staff. The secret to making the perfect margherita pizza (leopard spots ’n all)Continue this series GaeaIntimate, precise fine diner with a wild side. Gray & GraySugar, spice and lo-fi wines. EttaA destination for so many reasons. SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items Now he’s teamed up with chef Ken Ibuki and Flower Drum bartender Joey Tai for Roku Omakase. It’s a roughly 20-course, six-seat dinner every Monday at Ibuki’s Brunswick East Izakaya Kura for $175 per person “The idea is to bring two omakase into one. We’ve got Ken doing sushi and I do yakitori. It’s fun to see both sides in one night,” says Duan, who also works as the sommelier at fine diner Gaea “We really want to showcase a bit of unusual Ibuki, a former Kisume omakase chef After an oyster to start and eight to 10 sushi pieces made using ingredients including scallop He mostly makes “things on sticks”. The menu changes monthly (unless either chef has something they want to add to the menu sooner), but dishes have included golden-eye snapper with garlic soy and lime, chicken wings with hot sauce, and shiitake rice. There’s also chawanmushi (savoury Japanese egg custard) between the sushi and yakitori sections of the menu says some of the less conventional dishes he’s made include duck breast smoked with eucalyptus leaves raw on the inside” chicken meatball filled with fish tartare wrapped in shiso leaf to prevent it from cooking with the chicken I want you to be able to taste it rather than just have an ingredient for the name.” Diners are served an ochazuke (tea poured over a bowl of rice and toppings); yaki dango (grilled sticky rice dessert on sticks); and a changing dessert to round out the evening Currently that’s a savoury-leaning burnt honey cake with a kabosu (a Japanese citrus) kurozato (Japanese brown sugar) glaze and a charred mandarin parfait dusted with seaweed powder And a Smoked Apple Old Fashioned made with Toki Japanese whisky The Koru team has also designed two food and drinks pairing options: a standard one for $85 per person and a premium pairing for $175 per person And if you don’t want to strap in for 20-plus courses or can’t get one of the six Roku seats on Monday nights Kura also serves Tai’s cocktails and some snacks by Duan and Ibuki that can be ordered a la carte @kuramelbourne First Look: Find Cheesy Quesabirria Tacos and Baja Fish Bowls at Sam’s Cali Cantina in South Yarra Where Chefs Eat: Mongolian Chinese Chef Charles Duan’s New Favourite Suburban Yum Cha Spot Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique January 2025 update: The below review was originally written in December 2023. Please note that beloved chef Rosheen Kaul (whom this review references) departed the restaurant in April 2024 with new head chef Lorcan Kan now steering the ship We have since re-visited the restaurant and believe the quality of its offering continues to warrant a five-star rating Etta has been hot on everyone’s lips since it entered the Brunswick East dining scene –particularly since head chef Rosheen Kaul joined the kitchen in 2020 countless awards and glowing reviews often breed scepticism but a recent Tuesday evening dinner proved the praise is just as warranted as ever We were seated in a cosy corner nook decked out with decorative pillows ideal for soaking up the scene (to the left a solo diner in for an early drink and snacks followed by a couple on date night – both common finds at this venue). it's frequently mistaken as a wine bar. Perhaps because it has a list to stand up among the best of Melbourne's wine bars region and style with a largely Victorian focus But it pays to look past the vino as the sake offering is equally thoughtful (albeit less extensive) with a few hard-to-find drops from around Japan. Fitting in with a trend many restaurants and bars seem to be following as of late the food menu is snack-heavy and designed to share We start strong with a crab masala-stuffed zucchini flower – its thin nearly translucent batter and bold spice putting cheese-filled numbers to shame It's large enough to split between two while the quail egg is a one-bite wonder feferoni and a generous drizzle of Sichuan chilli oil Momentum is maintained as larger dishes begin to grace the table has been reimaged for the current menu with smoky grilled octopus and crumbled pieces of otak-otak a spiced woodfired fish cake that’s almost like goats cheese in texture and just as savoury served under a pile of charred spring greens and wild garlic looks deceptively simple but shows the outstanding potential of beancurd when well prepared And the shiitake-filled wombok cabbage rolls with tempura enoki achieves the elusive goal of meatless main that doesn't skimp on substance The savoury dishes were faultless so we decide to try dessert – a pandan and amaretto frangipane tart with palm sugar ice cream that reads extremely well but unfortunately falls flat It’s not bad by any stretch but lacks dimension A bit of citrus zest or even a touch of burnt sugar would go a long way but the pairing of sweet nutty Kameman Shuzo Genmaishu sake means the meal ends on a high note it’s tough to be truly exceptional but Etta straddles the line A continuous reinvention of their classics seems key to the venue’s success – and if it continues on this trajectory one can only assume great things are to come it’s clear its stripes are well-deserved the number of people using Lygon Street in Brunswick East has grown enormously It is particularly busy in the evenings due to the many bars and restaurants Previously the main evening activity was south of Glenlyon Road The increased number of multi-storey apartment blocks means that there are a lot more people living on or near Lygon Street The people who use Lygon Street are mostly locals Walk on Merri-bek commissioned surveys of people in the street during the Stop Bunnings Glenlyon campaign and found that the majority of people walked there Lygon Street is perhaps Merri-bek’s worst location for pedestrian injuries from road crashes We think the poor street lighting may be contributing to this Lygon Street is also bad for cyclists and motorcyclists being injured We have spoken with traders — for example near Ann Street —who have identified crash hotspots near their premises Lygon Street needs more attention from our local and state governments Safety initiatives along Lygon Street haven’t kept up with growth in the number of people using the strip Lygon Street intersections need to be made safer for people crossing The 40 kph speed limit could also apply at night-time Tram routes 1 and 6 also need accessible tram stops for disability and pram access – indeed for anyone with a heavy shopping trolley Most walking infrastructure that has been installed on Lygon Street is in the section south of Glenlyon Road with its growing number of retail businesses and residents also needs its fair share of infrastructure Making the northern section more attractive will also help it to thrive as the southern section does now We are sure that other locals will have their own ideas about what Council and State Government can to do make Lygon Street SPARKLE: Safe To gather and share ideas from local residents and traders, Walk on Merri-bek and Brunswick Residents Network are planning a community forum at 6.30pm on Thursday All are welcome to attend at the Craftsman Corner Bar and Kitchen with the option of staying on for informal discussion downstairs with drinks and food available for purchase We have invited councillors and the state MP to hear our concerns So please do come to the community forum and share your thoughts. If you can’t make it, you can email ideas to Brunswick Residents Network at brunswickresidentsnetwork@gmail.com Andrea Bunting is a Brunswick resident and convenor of Walk On Merri-bek In April, we published a piece titled “Boom to Bust: Why Are So Many Australian Craft Breweries Struggling?” when more than a dozen breweries announced they had entered voluntary administration “It’s with a heavy heart I’m announcing Alchemy Brewing will close at the end of the month I am incredibly proud of the venue I built but we’ve had a rough ride and it’s time to call it quits,” the post reads The team will bid farewell to the business with a party from midday on Saturday June 29 at the brewpub on Lygon Street Alchemy opened at the end of December in 2019 and Muter brewed all the beer in a 500-litre set-up tucked out the back Melbourne’s craft brewing industry is still undergoing significant changes Closures: Twelve Melbourne Venues That Recently Called It Quits Melbourne’s Best New Restaurants of 2024 (So Far) First Look: Abbotsford’s New Bistro Molli Has House-Made Pasta and Fermented Cocktails in Punchbowls Three To Try: Casual Offshoots of Upmarket Melbourne Restaurants SaveLog in, register or subscribe to save recipes for later.You have reached your maximum number of saved items Remove items from your saved list to add more. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. ShareSiconi Gelato offers puppy ice-cream at its shops.SuppliedContemporary$$$$ Siconi truly does have something for everyone – including your four-legged friend. Pooch scoops are made without any dairy, and are one of nearly 50 choices of gelato in the cabinets. Bubblegum and Kinder keep kids happy, while adults flock to creme brulee, pistachio, and mango sorbet. Owner Johan Sidoti was born in Venezuela but has Italian heritage, and travelled to Italy to learn the craft. Also in Hadfield. Must-try scoop: Pistachio is the bestseller, and is finished with a sprinkle of whole nuts. 11 new and underrated ice-cream spots for this sizzling hot dayRestaurant reviews ShareLicense this articleMore: this historic strip boasts some of Melbourne's best restaurants Lygon Street has been known and loved as Melbourne's Little Italy precinct Locals and tourists alike flock to the leafy strip – abuzz on weekends with the roaring of fancy cars and roaming of uni students teens and families – for proper espresso and a true taste of Italian-style al fresco action. Lygon Street is still the place to be. We've listed Lygon Street's best restaurants in Google Maps-checked order so you'll know where to find them There are two ways to tackle Kazuki’s, starting at the option of five courses for $180 per person and heading northwards to the menu of seven courses for $220. Kazuki’s tasting menus have been thoughtfully designed so you can experience the kitchen’s complete offering in a curated way, alongside optional wine and saké pairing series, respectively titled “Classic” ($150 per person) or “Fancy” ($250). Ever since it started operating out of Rathdowne Street, Khabbay has gained a devoted following for its large range of marinated meats cooked over hot charcoal – from its fish and chicken seekh kebab to its six different varieties of chicken boti kebab, soaked in a mixture of yogurt, aromatics and spices before they’re skewered and grilled to perfection. Its move to larger premises on Lygon Street has only made it even more central for lovers of Pakistani-Indian cuisine. Photograph: Supplied / Donnini'sIt's a bit uncomfy to admit but everyone knows it: there's a lot of not very great "Italian" food on Lygon Street but almost every Melburnian you meet can recount an awful pizza or pasta they've had at one of Lygon Street's infamous tourist trap restaurants. Family-owned Donnini's is not one of them Renowned for its handmade pasta amongst those in the know the restaurant keeps it simple with an elegant fit-out knowledgable service and a crowdpleasing roll-call of authentic Italian dishes Could this restaurant have the best carbonara on Lygon Street the chef here makes it the authentic way with Donnini's cured black pig guanciale Don't miss a long lunch at this underrated gem Make a booking and enjoy inventive dishes like salted fish fried rice, ox tongue crepes, charcoal-roasted char siu and some of the most delicious double-fried chicken bites in Melbourne. A Lygon Street institution if there ever was one, Tiamo still attracts the same queues it did when it first opened some 50 years ago as Tamani (it rebranded as Tiamo in 1977). After Tiamo 1 started outgrowing its space, Tiamo 2 opened in 1996 as an extension of the original restaurant – these days, you’d be wise to make a booking for either one if you have any hope of getting in. Specialising in old-school Italian favourites like minestrone, veal palermitana, margherita and maccheroni della zia – served up on wooden tables surrounded by faded posters of Italy, checkerboard flooring and interiors that haven’t changed much in its decades of ownership by the same family. Tiamo is where you’d take a friend from out-of-town – it’s cosy, it’s homely and it’s a slice of Melbourne. Photograph: Supplied / Brunetti ClassicoWe don't care what anyone else says: Brunetti Classico that famous family-friendly pasticceria in Lygon Court is a freakin' Melbourne institution the "I-only-like-hole-in-the-wall-hipster-digs" crowd will tell you it's just a chain but this place is a survivor for a reason. A quadruple threat with a café, piazza, restaurant and gelateria onsite, you can while away the hours here with some surprisingly good pasta, coffee, pizza, pastries and even one of the best and most authentic Italian hot chocolates in town. A bonus: indie darling Cinema Nova is housed in the same building. So why not catch a flick and make a day of it? Etta has been hot on everyone’s lips since it entered the Brunswick East dining scene – particularly since head chef Rosheen Kaul joined the kitchen in 2020. In the culinary world, countless awards and glowing reviews often breed scepticism but a recent Tuesday evening dinner proved the praise is just as warranted as ever. Photograph: Supplied / HalikarnasIf you're a Turkish food lover, check out Halikarnas! Head chef Sibel Koyu is a master of traditional Turkish village-style cuisine, and her rustic dishes are prepared with love, finesse and a touch of aesthetic elegance. Here, your tastebuds can take a trip across Turkey's various regional specialties, from succulent shish kebabs to comforting aromatic stews. The flavours are inspired by the communal nature of mealtimes in Turkish culture, so it's worth bringing family or a group or friends along. The atmosphere is always welcoming and on Sundays, you can even stop by for brekky or lunch and a cup of freshly brewed Turkish tea. Photograph: Supplied / YakamozDid you really think we'd talk about a great Turkish restaurant on Lygon Street and not mention Yakamoz? Now, that'd just be sacrilegious in our books. While relatively new on the scene, Yakamoz has already become a red-hot hit, thanks to its fun, contemporary take on Mediterannean cuisine. Tuck into tasty wood-fired pides, cold and hot meze and large carnivorous offerings like the half-charcoal chook with currant and pine nut pilaf or the wood-roasted whole snapper. Crack open a bottle of good wine and your night's set. Photograph: Supplied | The B.EastThe lively, slightly grungy, always fun B.East is a Brunswick East banger – hence the name – with burgers that gained cult followings long before vegetarian and vegan burgers became mainstream. There’s fun to be had with burger names on the B.East menu – Ron Swanston invokes the Parks & Rec character’s predilection for meat with its Wagyu beef patty, while the Clint Beastwood supplements its Southern-fried (real) chicken fillet with honey mustard barbecue sauce and jack cheddar. More than a meeting place for food, B.East is also a live music venue with free entry for all. winning the title of the best pizza in the world went a far way to making it one of Melbourne's most beloved Italian joints. but Di Francesco has maintained his devotion and dedication to creating truly traditional Neopolitan pizza 400 Gradi was the first Australian pizza restaurant to be certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the True Neapolitan Pizza Association) and Johnny is also the principal of Australasia for the association. Photograph: Graham DenholmBluebonnet Barbecue has had a nomadic journey around Melbourne. It first opened in Collingwood in 2014, lost that venue to a fire, moved to temporary residences in Carlton’s Curtin finally found a permanent home at the North Fitzroy Star and then when that didn’t work out it set up shop on Lygon Street and hasn’t looked back Smoked meats are texturally perfect at Bluebonnet Enjoy the likes of barley-fed beef brisket smoked lamb ribs and crisp pork belly alongside the best sides in town ranging from smoked mash potato blanketed in brisket gravy to good old-fashioned mac and cheese It works best when you’ve got a big group to divide and conquer the menu RecommendedPhotograph: SuppliedAt this old-school restaurant that’s well and truly a Lygon Street stalwart and the menu showcases the best of Sicilian cuisine It’s best to visit alongside hungry dining companions to make the most of the menu and litres of house wine You’ll want to book nice and early – there’s not a day Bar Idda isn’t packed Don’t leave without trying the mulinciani – melt-in-your-mouth layers of baked eggplant layered with passata but a main we can never go past is the pisci m’panattu – pan-fried barramundi fillets with almond flakes and the most herbaceous but Kumo Izakaya is a must-visit spot for fans of fine sake and sochu. Housed in a cavernous space that is industrial yet cosy with large window frontage out onto the street Kumo’s izakaya menu is made for sharing and tends toward fresh Just the thing to soak up all that sake If you’re familiar with Mr Miyagi’s infamous salmon nori taco Kumo Izakaya has its own rendition in the form of a spicy tuna taco with the luxurious addition of avruga caviar Kumo Izakaya does the classics – Japanese fried chicken aburi salmon and agedashi tofu – with aplomb but be sure to try its inventive dishes that blend Japanese cuisine with European influences: cod roe pasta octopus pepperoncini and deep-fried spaghetti sticks with a nori seasoning One thing that’s impossible to ignore at Eat Pierogi Make Love is the unbelievably positive energy that seems to flow like an endless feedback loop between patrons and staff. Sure, there’s a solid injection of rosy vibes from rivers of liquor, but there’s more to it than that. Here’s a team who love the food they create and are passionate about serving it, and it makes a huge difference. Is there anywhere else in Melbourne like it? Absolutely not. Photograph: Carmen ZammitThis Brunswick favourite churns out homestyle Middle Eastern food with provenance stretching from Iran and Iraq to Morocco and Tunisia. Mankoushe first opened as a bakery, milling Victorian wheat on site to turn out spinach and feta pastries, cult-status halloumi pies and vegetarian ‘pizzas’, before it took over the space next door and started offering sit-down meals over lunch and dinner. Standout dishes are any of their woodfired pides – the batingen (roasted eggplant) and 3 abjen (Mankoushe’s answer to the Italian three-cheese pizza with halloumi, kasseri and Turkish feta) are our favourites – as well as the fava dip, the pearl couscous tossed around in an oily vinaigrette and chickpeas, and braised mussels in arak. Photograph: Kristoffer PaulsenOne of the newer kids on the Lygon Street block sits on is the highly vaunted Figlia, brought to you by the same people behind Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria. While pasta is the name of the game at its forebears Taking its cues from the famed Brooklyn pizzeria Roberta’s Figlia (pronounced with a silent ‘g’) expands beyond margherita and funghi pizzas to include the lingua where ox tongue finds itself on a base alongside roasted garlic and crostaceo, where true to its shellfish-inspired name Moreton Bay bug is allowed to shine surrounded by the complements of marjoram and heirloom tomato you can walk in and expect to find a seat at Figlia – but this may not last for long The latter is an all-day coffee shop that transforms into a lively cocktail bar in the evenings and it’s home to arguably the city’s most famous signature coffee order right now: the Mont Blanc The food game's nothing to sniff at either; think 24-hour ox cheek rolls crispy chicken sandos and fried pickles. If it’s been a while since you last headed upstairs to Lygon Street’s Johnny’s Green Room, you’re in for a surprise. The trendy rooftop bar reopened last summer with a fresh Tuscan terrace-inspired look, menu and vibrant year-round music program in collaboration with Hope St Radio and some of Melbourne’s most sought after DJs. There's now a semi-retractable roof that keeps the bar weather-friendly all twelve months of the year so it's the perfect spot to enjoy a Negroni or two and a meal you've got pizza made from 48-hour slow fermented dough and authentic toppings, plus Italian-style share plates and cicchetti from the mastermind of Melbourne chef Karen Martini 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhotograph: Graham DenholmThere’s a lot to like about Heartattack & Vine Even if you’ve never set foot inside you can appreciate a venue named after a Tom Waits album And it feels like this is the place that Lygon Street needed It's inspired by Italy, whose immigrants gave Melbourne hospitality its heart But unlike the old-school Italian cafes that define this strip of Carlton Heartattack looks forward to a bright future of casual eating and drinking The tiny shotgun venue manages to feel bright and open with antique glass lights hanging from old metal window frames lending warmth and depth to the room During the day it operates as a café sandwiches and interesting options like a Spanish iced chocolate with hints of chili and orange for a spicy jaffa effect the crew relaxes and gets chatty about the trickle of food that soon turns into a torrent hitting the bar top variety and quality here are hard to overstate and put most other attempts at aperitivo to shame Get your growling belly to Heartattack and find out Chicken liver parfait with the consistency of clotted cream comes on brioche toast with a slice of sage roasted pineapple taking the traditional jammy accompaniments and shoving them off on a slow boat to the tropics A slice of tuna sashimi on seaweed rice crackers with avocado lingers with ocean funk after the freshness fades and cold steamed artichoke comes with a mustard sauce so that you can dip the vegetable The hardest part is going to be trying to stop ordering as the bar top overflows with little plates that whisper “eat me.” Fiano is bright and floral while a Pecorino has an earthy finish that makes it much more interesting than the average aromatic by the glass "Tall & Refreshing" denotes cheaper low alcohol options that still have the creativity and complexity of full-strength cocktails – the highball revolution is here to stay lemon leaf syrup and rosemary is a bit on the sweet side but a cracker combo of flavours on par with the city’s best cocktail bars It also matches perfectly to a skewer of anchovies with lemon stuffed olive and fresh basil There are rotating specials like a fizz with gin and a brilliant bitter twist on the Manhattan with Bourbon dry sherry and Cynar (an artichoke-based digestive) Although these guys could tighten up on technique and sequence of service what they’re doing is creative and delicious and a great expression of the clean and easy Italian cocktail tradition. = The Green Man’s Arms is an Israeli-influenced and 100 per cent vegan and vegetarian pub on the corner of Lygon and Elgin streets. Led by actors-slash-publicans Alison Whyte and Fred Whitlock (who used to run Abbotsford's Terminus Hotel) the Green Man’s Arms came about after the couple decided to take their hospo careers in a meat-free direction Food at the Arms comes courtesy of Israeli head chef David Raziel who uses serves up an ethical and seasonal selection of dishes The Green Man’s Arms owns all its taps and pours local craft brews like Hawkers Pilsner Stomping Ground Saison and Holgate Mt Macedon Pale Ale all the pub’s wines are also vegan and primarily local But if you want to drink something that simply screams 'Melbourne vegan' sample the pub’s Kombucha spritz 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhotograph: Patricia SofraWith a more trend-driven new-school approach to wine than some of Lygon Street's predecessors this groovy drinking lounge is inspired by the listening bars of Tokyo and London It might not be a traditionalist's cup of tea (or should we say glass of pet nat.) But whether you're hip and down with the minimal intervention scene or a purist lover of old-world wines it's worth popping this one on your hit list There's a good mix of local and international – and always interesting – drops plus a hybrid European and Peruvian food menu from chef Dave Falvey that alone is worth a look in Audiophiles also have a reason to visit in the form of a custom-made sound system from Hobart legends Pitt and Giblin plus regular DJ performances and a music collection of over 3,500 records. Exposed brick walls adorned with French-style art deco posters and a candle-lit shrine that looks like something out of The Craft form the cosy backdrop to your visit the space retains a pleasant warmth in cooler weather and the din of nearby people is absorbed by perfect acoustics – this is a place you can bring your parents. Maggie’s has a laidback enough quality that it beckons you in for dessert and a drink as much as it’s ideal for an hours-long meal with a strong Polynesian influence coming through in dishes like the Māori fried bread the Cook Island ceviche and the hangi potato smashies – owing to New Zealand-born chef Scott Blomfield so order wisely or conserve some much-needed stomach space ‘peckish’ and ‘famished’ it’s a menu designed for sharing. The food is noteworthy at wine bar Old Palm especially under the guidance of co-owner and chef Almay Jordaan who is taking the opportunity to inject flavours from her South African heritage into a daily changing seasonal menu and by cooking over a grill not too dissimilar to a braii In the running for Bar Snack of the Year is the fried shallot splayed out but connected at the root, battered and fried before receiving a dab of cashew sour cream and a touch of diced which eats like a very grown-up Bloomin’ Onion. A close runner-up is the oily pillowy soft woodfired flatbread served with a dollop of labne sprinkled with sumac Old Palm Liquor is probably as Brunswick as you can get with its daggy-but-beautiful fitout natural wine list and menu imparted with flavours we rarely see but it’s a winning formula that has it packed out every night it’s open. Book to avoid disappointment Bahama Gold started out as a liquor delivery service in the dark days of lockdown but has since transformed into a public bar and wine shop for the discerning explorer The first thing you’ll notice upon walking into the cosy 12-seater is its warm golden lighting and generous outlook out onto the quietly hip Brunswick East end of Lygon Street There seems to be no divide between inside the bar and outside, and passers-by spill in curiously you’ll cast an eye over what is a very impressive sound system perched above the drinks fridge Here it’s all about funky bottles and a bar-curated vinyl collection that will have you opening your Shazam app all night long But don’t assume you won’t be fed well. Though food isn’t necessarily the focus Malaysian-born head chef Jane Low puts on a rotating menu of small plates that mark Bahama Gold as an interesting dining destination in its own right Blending the old with the new in a discreet or barely noticeable style is a common feature of renovated houses. However, this Brunswick East home has no qualms in showing off exactly where its new chapter begins and the old ends. In fact, it’s a prominent feature. At the intersection of the old front and new rear sections, the house appears to be torn away with visible remnants of exposed masonry and concrete. The concrete comes courtesy of an old verandah roof, which was demolished to make way for a new kitchen, living and dining rooms. Chris Stanley and Asha Nicholas, architects at Melbourne-based studio Splinter Society, say the design goal was to celebrate, not hide, the new iteration to the house. “We’d rather show it off, and it adds a bit of texture and reveals the history of the home in a nice way,” Stanley says. “Both Asha and I find it harder to build a brand-new house for clients because you’ve got to create that whole story convincingly from scratch. Inside a whimsical Surry Hills apartment that once housed a secret gambling den How a 10-day DIY makeover transformed this historic Toorak apartment 'An absolute vibe': The 1970s bar sealed the deal for these first-home buyers “Whereas when you’ve got some hooks, if you like, and some different materials, textures and stories within the home, you can reveal those and then respond to those.” The original house was built in the 1940s and, as was common with the arrival of Italian and Greek migrants to the area, was updated to reflect European trends. A concrete verandah and a pink terrazzo bathroom were added, and it was the pink terrazzo bathroom that kicked off the current spotlight on the connection of old and new. Stanley and Nicolas decided to remove the roof of the bathroom and integrate it into a courtyard, while retaining the terrazzo floor. “We didn’t really want to totally discard it,” Stanley says. “It was this amazing pink terrazzo, which had all been poured on site. “So it sort of became a bit of a relic, if you like, for the garden to then take over and occupy. And in a way that became the strategy with everything we did for the old house.” A pavilion was added to the back of the house, allowing the semi-retired owners to envelop it in climbing plants. Coming from a house in The Patch, in the Dandenongs, they were keen to recreate the lush garden they enjoyed there. It’s now two years since the renovations were completed and the cottage-style garden is thriving. Aptly called Gardener’s House, the addition of a courtyard has created different microclimates, which has been a boon for the owner’s collection of exotic orchids. The large amount of glazing throughout the house reels in more natural light than was let into the old version. This has allowed both the new and old details of the house to shine, Stanley says. “The old was so heavy and dark with old steel, brick and bluestone details, but it kind of felt like we should amplify the old and then the new is so beautifully contrasted,” he says. “It feels like you’ve got two houses or two different experiences of the house.” FRUSTRATION with handbags that didn’t meet her needs led Sharon Cookson to design her own “I’ve always loved handbags,” the avid handbag collector from Brunswick East explains “But I was tired of bags that were either too heavy When her favourite Louis Vuitton bag wore out she sought a durable and lightweight replacement and discovered a gap in the market “I needed something that could carry a lot but wasn’t heavy like leather bags,” she says “And it had to be practical for everyday use with pockets for organisation but not too many compartments.” This frustration ultimately led Cookson, along with her husband Bob Beveridge, to start Baxterson Melbourne creating bags that perfectly matched her vision Cookson — whose background is in advertising and marketing communications — spent two years diligently researching Faced with settling for something less or creating her own Cookson went through five different prototypes to finalise a design that met her standards and able to stand up on its own,” she explains she decided to use vegan leather at the base for stability and recycled nylon for durability and two pop-out interior pockets that discreetly disappear when not in use There are other internal compartments to keep a phone and glasses readily accessible while a hidden external pocket offers a secure haven for a passport or security pass “We wanted a bag that’s light and strong and could seamlessly transition from the office to the farmers market to a dinner party it’s designed to quickly locate your sunglasses and it doesn’t sacrifice style or sustainability.” high-quality materials presented its own set of challenges she eventually found a company that could provide recycled materials at a reasonable cost The final product incorporates vegan leather as well as recycled nylon made from nine water bottles Cookson’s dedication to sustainability is evident in every aspect of her first bag to come onto the market and I don’t need animals to be killed for my entertainment.” By choosing vegan leather and recycled nylon she aimed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of quality Despite the many challenges she initially faced Cookson worked hard to ensure that each bag met her rigorous standards for sustainability and quality Sharon Cookson spent two years researching and exploring luxury and premium brands before designing The Brunswick bag Cookson and Beveridge decided to name the bag after the suburb they have called home for most of the past decade.“We love this area and it just felt right that it was born out here so that’s what it should be named after.” Cookson describes the black hardware as having a ‘cool vibe’ that fees very fitting for the neighbourhood “The Brunswick Bag just is Brunswick to me,” she says “I can’t explain that The Brunswick bag has gained a loyal following sharing stories of being stopped by strangers asking about it One customer’s review stated that her kids have “called it my ‘fashionable Mary Poppins bag’ as there seems to be an endless amount of stuff I can fit in it!” there is pressure to get your cost of goods down “And I’m not prepared to reduce the quality to allow that.” This decision allows her to maintain control over the product and ensure each bag meets her standards Cookson and Beveridge personally check each bag before it is sent out to a customer She hopes to create a nationally successful business and expand the product line to include smaller crossbody bags and more colours Cookson has already begun designing her next creation a smaller cross body bag “that’s fully recycled “I just haven’t done anything with it yet.” She also envisions opening a store in Brunswick where she can showcase her products and create a community space .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Reed Becker | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comEva Munoz hit an RBI groundout for East Brunswick in the bottom of the seventh inning in walk-off fashion in its 5-4 win over Spotswood at the Carteret Conquers Cancer Tournament in Carteret East Brunswick trailed 4-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning before scoring two runs to win the game Christina Lee led East Brunswick by going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored Munoz and D’Liah Kercado each contributed with an RBI Anabella Stagliano pitched a complete game while striking out 10 walking just one and allowing four runs on eight hits Gabrielle Hill led Spotswood by going 3-for-4 with a home run East Brunswick (14-1) will travel to face Woodbridge on Monday while Spotswood (7-9) will host East Brunswick again on Tuesday Reed Becker can be reached at rbecker@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Chef Lorcán Kan took over the kitchen at Etta restaurateur Hannah Green’s Brunswick East hotspot his highly anticipated debut menu has hit the pass The unique menu draws on Kan’s experience from his Things Palace pop-up supper clubs where the chef explores food cooked in Chinese diaspora restaurants around the world which is most clearly on display in the hot smoked duck leg with red coconut curry and rambutan Kan tells Broadsheet it was inspired by a place outside of Kuala Lumpur where duck is smoked over coconut husks “But we’re using a lot of different things There’s a large Indian and northern Chinese-influenced lamb dish so [drawing from] the Guangdong region … also the salt and pepper potatoes is more like Liverpool We called Kan to talk about three menu highlights including the chilli oil parfait that Green says landed him the job he describes each dish and the thinking behind it I really like doing pickle plates but nobody really orders them this is like having it on a skewer and with an egg They’re amazing; this beautiful wintery daikon that’s super peppery And then you have all these different numbing chillies It just opens up the palate with the first bite “I used to do Yorkshire tea eggs using Yorkshire tea There’s nothing I enjoy like that cracking of the eggs and marbling effect on the eggs and my dad used to sell [them when he was] a kid at school in Malaysia And then the canteen actually told my dad he couldn’t sell them at school I never got to try any of them that my grandma made but it’s really nice to make them for my family history “This is the one that I was unsure whether people would enjoy it I think it’s a bit surprising for people because it's very simple We’re using Victorian chestnuts because they’re in season at the moment – just roasting those and putting them inside the zongzi and shiitake mushrooms and then wrapped in bamboo leaf “We were trying to [hang them] but then all the strings got tied up together like a giant rat ball.” “We’re getting some really amazing melons from Daintree in Queensland which is this beautifully fragrant melon that we’re serving on top It’s all about ice-cream and fresh fruit to finish it off “We’re using Sichuan peppercorns and Korean chilli flakes that have been processed without seeds and there’s a small amount of fresh chilli in there just to get that vibrant heat – not too much “It’s got an amazing gingerbread flavour in it but it’s just that lingering chilli heat.” But Greens’ rising star Angelica Panopoulos is in danger of losing her seat DEPUTY Mayor Lambros Tapinos is clinging to a slender lead in Brunswick West ward after early counting in the Merri-bek Council elections was leading the Greens’ Ella Svensson by 154 votes following the counting of 58.9% of primary votes cast the Greens’ Jay Iwasaki is leading by 785 votes ahead of Victorian Socialists’ Louisa Bassini Incumbent Mayor Adam Pulford has been re-elected in the Brunswick East ward of Warrk-Warrk with 56.29% of primary votes And Greens’ candidate Liz Irvin has a comfortable lead of 246 votes in Randazzo ward ahead of independent Voula Allimonos But a major upset is possible in Harmony Park ward where Greens’ rising star Angelica Panopoulos is trailing Labor’s Helen Politis by just 34 primary votes after the counting of 63.8% of votes cast Oscar Yildiz and Helen Davidson appear set to be returned in Bababi Djinanang (Fawkner) Pascoe Vale South and Djirri-Djirri (Oak Park) wards respectively Voting closed last Friday and some late postal votes are still to be counted in all wards Tapinos currently has 35.71% of primary votes to Svensson’s 33.21% Independent Kathleen De Courcy-Browne is coming third with 18.86% Tapinos and De Courcy-Browne agreed to swap preferences with each other during the election campaign and that could be enough to see the Labor candidate returned for a fifth term The preferences of fourth placed Anneke Demanuele of the Victorian Socialists Tapinos said he was “quietly optimistic” he would win the ward “I said from day one the Greens were the favourites in Brunswick and certainly the favourites in Brunswick West so to be ahead of them on primaries is a fantastic result for me personally and a good result for Labor,” he said “But it’s still too close to call at this stage.” Jay Iwasaki is in the box seat for Bulleke-bek ward which takes in Brunswick between Sydney Road and Pearson Street He has 35.52% of primaries to Louisa Bassini’s 21.95% Bassini’s strong showing has pushed Labor’s Helen Breier back to third place on 21.71% While Breier is likely to benefit from preferences from independent Mel Yuan which would push the Labor candidate up to second Bassini’s preferences will mostly flow to Iwasaki Counting on Thursday showed Liz Irvin ahead with 32.66% of primary votes in Randazzo ward is second with 28.62% after a surprisingly strong performance with Labor’s Thomas Nash a distant third with 18.51% Irvin should prevail on preferences from the Socialist Alliance and Victorian Socialists candidates 55.96% of votes had been counted in Randazzo The high profile of incumbent Mayor Adam Pulford of the Greens has ensured his re-election with 56.29% of first preferences Pulford’s final tally is likely to be even higher after preferences from the third candidate In Harmony Park — which takes in central Coburg — Labor candidate Helen Politis has received 26.01% of primary votes to Panopoulos’ 25.54% Independent Jason Clarke is coming third with 18.43% Preference flows could be enough to see Panopopulos who was Mayor in 2022-23 and Greens’ candidate for Pascoe Vale at the 2022 state election knocked out of the council after just one term Preferences will also be crucial in the neighbouring ward of Pentridge where there is a tight two-way race between independent Natalie Abboud and Labor’s Suzan Saka a former Greens Mayor who is now seeking to return to the council as an independent Greens candidate Kenna Morrison is third on 15.26% while another former Mayor attempting a comeback how preferences are allocated is anybody’s guess at this stage Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton is almost certain to be re-elected for another term after securing almost half of primary votes in Bababi Djinanang ward following the counting of 66.2% of votes cast giving her a seemingly insurmountable lead of 1473 votes over Labor’s Hassan Gul Former Mayor and long-term councillor Oscar Yildiz has been returned in the new Pascoe Vale South ward with 63.27% of primary votes had a commanding 492 vote lead over after the counting of 66.6% of primary votes over another independent with Labor’s Praveen Kumar a distant third Davidson has 37.63% of primaries to Pitt’s 30.83% Labor could have a third councillor with Chris Miles holding a sizeable lead in Box Forest (Glenroy) ward after the counting of 62.6% of primary votes giving him a lead of 1082 over the Greens’ Metin Golbasi on 24.19% Golbasi is likely to benefit from preferences from Victorian Socialists’ Lewis Moore while independent Boris Duzova is fourth on 17.98% The result for Westbreen ward in Pascoe Vale could go down to the wire with Labor’s Katerine Theodosis currently leading by 182 votes from independent Renee Egglestone after counting of 64.2% of votes Theodosis is on 25.75% and Egglestone on 23.22% Incumbent councillor Helen Pavlidis-Mihalakos is on 20.4% Theodosis will need to pick up a swathe of preferences from the other three candidates as Egglestone and Pavlidis-Mihalakos will swap preferences as both are members of the team loosely aligned with Oscar Yildiz Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Detectives are investigating a fiery ram-raid into a Brunswick East building that houses a gym connected to former Mongols bikie and professional boxer Suleiman “Sam” Abdulrahim A man was spotted fleeing the scene with his arm on fire after an unknown group used a stolen black BMW X5 to ram the garage door of a business on Lygon Street two or three times at about 3am on Tuesday Cargocycles on the corner of Glenlyon Road was rammed causing a fire inside the business and extensive damage to the shop police believe the gym above the cycling store was the intended target of the attack Power Gymnasium moved in above the bike store several months ago after it was targeted by arsonists at its former Brunswick location in October last year believed to be former director Steven Eglezos He was seen yelling at the owner of the building told The Age that he had a “great relationship with his tenants” and everyone was understandably emotional An early morning ram-raid on a Lygon Street building led to a fire inside a bike shop.Credit: Justin McManus Abdulrahim, who was shot multiple times in the chest while leaving a funeral in Fawkner in Melbourne’s north in 2022 had previously posted numerous videos to social media of himself training at the gym who fights under the ring name “The Punisher” He is said to have a $1 million bounty on his head, making him the most hunted in Melbourne’s underworld the shop also supplies specialty bikes for people with disabilities Pointing to one of the decimated bikes lying in a pile destroyed by the raid the owner said: “That’s a customer’s specialty bike The owners said Power Gymnasium had moved in upstairs in about April Glenlyon Road is closed at the corner of Lygon Street and drivers have been told to avoid the area Victoria Police detectives from Taskforce Lunar which targets organised crime groups in the illicit tobacco trade Police said in a statement they believed the BMW was stolen from a Heatherton address on October 3 It is unclear if anything was stolen from the store “The offenders left the stolen vehicle behind and were last seen running towards Nicholson Street,” police said Anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter Detectives are investigating a fiery ram-raid into a Brunswick East building that houses a gym connected to former Mongols bikie and professional boxer Suleiman \\u201CSam\\u201D Abdulrahim Power Gymnasium moved in above the bike store several months ago after it was at its former Brunswick location in October last year told The Age that he had a \\u201Cgreat relationship with his tenants\\u201D and everyone was understandably emotional who was while leaving a funeral in Fawkner in Melbourne\\u2019s north in 2022 who fights under the ring name \\u201CThe Punisher\\u201D He is said to have a $1 million bounty on his head the owner said: \\u201CThat\\u2019s a customer\\u2019s specialty bike \\u201CThe offenders left the stolen vehicle behind and were last seen running towards Nicholson Street,\\u201D police said Anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories CDMX was an instant hit when the team opened its first site in Melbourne Central back in 2022 For the uninitiated: grilled corn tortillas are filled with birria-braised beef brisket and served with a side of birria consomme — a little pot of beef broth that you dip your taco into between bites But this Melbourne Mexican restaurant is no one-hit wonder It serves up a heap of great tacos in the original CBD site plus a much bigger menu of Mexican eats at the newer Brunswick East outpost CDMX Brunswick East has been designed to feel like a Mexico City taqueria white and blue tiled walls and a big blue neon sign that lights up the front of the restaurant Kick things off with a round of miso-citrus marinated tuna tostadas served with crispy leeks and chipotle mayo Then comes the hard part: choosing what tacos to order A birria taco for each person is essential But you should also sample the marinated grilled shrimp tacos that come with grilled cheese a house-roasted tomato-arbol salsa and pico de gallo It's a spicy flavour bomb that's best paired with a frozen marg or ice-cold beer The taco selection also includes well-executed classics like battered barramundi There are a few hot sauces on each table for those wanting more heat Everything we tried was seasoned to perfection A couple quesadillas and a basket of churros round out the CDMX food options — if you've got room for more tiled bar is also whipping up a heap of classic cocktails And should be on the hit list of any taco stan Andrew Buxton backed apartment developer Valli has swooped on an inner-city Melbourne site ahead of the launch of an expressions of interest campaign beside the historic Royal Derby Hotel (Google Street View image the 1391 square metre Commercial 1 zoned parcel is speculated to be costing around $10 million A tower of over 10 levels could be considered The parcels are a few hundred metres from a Collingwood site Valli is seeking to replace with a 12 storey complex with 31 dwellings over offices and retail The group also owns East Melbourne’s historic Dyason terrace Andrew and his brother Michael established commercial real estate investor and developer MAB in 1995 (story continues below) Valli secured 430-444 Brunswick St during a pre-marketing stage; an expressions of interest campaign was set to start this quarter Teska Carson’s Luke Bisset represented the vendors which paid $535,000 in 1985 near Alexandra Parade and the Fitzroy North border Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? 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