Breakfast
Combata coolspringmorning
withthewarmembraceofa
Euro-stylebreakfastatNed’s
Bake, wherefreshlybaked
pastries,tartsandbunsfill
a glass-toppedcounter,and
artisanloaveslinethewall.If
you’relookingforsomething
moresubstantial,don’tgo
pastthedouble-bakedgoat’s
cheesesouffléorporchetta,
gruyèreandpickledchilli
toastie.nedsbake.com.auLunch
Anelegantneighbourhood
bistroandbar,Omniadelivers
a seasonalmenuina soothing
spacewithsoaringceilings
andjungle-inspiredgreenery.
Settleinfora longlunch
featuringcrispoceantrout
cigars,cherrywoodandhoney
roastedduck,andliquid-centre
cheesecakewithblackberry
sorbet.Thenretreattothe
baroutthebackforbespoke
cocktails.omniabistro.com.auDinner
AtMatilda, executivechefScottPickett
favoursanopenflame,hotcoalsandlocal,
seasonalproducetocreatea relaxedfine-dining
restaurantthatis bothbeautifulanddelicious.
ThesignatureFraserIslandspannercrabwith
fingerlimeis particularlyspecial,servedon
a bedofseashells,readytotopchargrilled
flatbread.Locatedonthegroundfloorof
UnitedPlaces,savourtheexperiencein the
softlylit diningroomandlingerlateintothe
nightbeforeheadingstraightupstairstobed,
ororderin-roomdiningtobe set up by your
butler.matilda159.com●EXPERIENCE
Witha picnicbasketandrugattheready,makeyourwaytothebustling
PrahranMarket(Australia’soldestcontinuouslyrunningfoodmarket)
andcuratea personalisedspreadtobeenjoyedal fresco.StopbyMaker
& Mongerforcheese,graba baguettefromQ LeBaker,picksomefresh
fruit,thenfinda serenepicnicspotattheRoyalBotanicGardens.If you’re
feeling energetic, hit the 3.8km Tan Track for a scenic loop of the gardens.EAT
Theproximityofthesestellarbarstoeachotherwarrants
a venture.NeighbouringUnitedPlacesisBotanicalHotel,
aka“SouthYarra’sLocal”,whereyoucancatchthelast
raysofdaylightasyousipfromitsaward-winningwine
list.HeaddownParkStreet,takea leftontoToorakRoad
andyou’llfindSouthPressWineHouse. Candlelittables,
a floor-to-ceilingwinewallandbountifulcheeseboards
willkeepyougoing.Checkbothwaysbeforecrossing
toTettodiCarolina; anintimatespaceofferingEuropean-
leaningrefreshments.Andwhenit’stimefora nightcap,
makeyourwaytoShadowboxer– a 19th-centuryterrace
BAR HOPbar featuring an exclusively Australian wine list.Clockwisefrom
left:a Grant
Featherston
Scapearmchair
inthepenthouse;
in-roomdining;
theTanTrack;
anda picnic
intheRoyal
BotanicGardens.
Opposite:the
livingareain
thegarden
penthouse.Checking in
WORDS
GRACE
MACKENZIE
&
KARLIE
VERKERK.
PHOTOGRAPHY EMILY WEAVING.GOURMET TRAVELLER 121