Restaurant News

2008 Best on the Best: Andrew McConnell, chef, Three, One, Two, Melbourne

I shop at Queen Victoria Market. Bill’s Farm (stall 17-18), as well as the Polish Deli (stall 5-6) and the Chicken Pantry (stall 85-86) are my favourites. Scullerymade (1400 High St, Malvern,  Vic, 03 9509 4003) is the best place to buy kitchenware. My fave café is Carlton Espresso (326 Lygon St, Carlton, Vic, 03 9347 8482) and my fave winery is Curly Flat Vineyard (263 Collivers Rd, Lancefield, Vic, 03 5429 1956). My favourite cheese of the moment is Holy Goat (03 5474 8289) certified organic goat’s milk cheese from Sutton Grange, which is just east of Castlemaine, and my favourite Australian food product is the oysters from Steve Feletti’s Moonlight Flat.
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Bottle shop
Rathdowne Cellars (348 Rathdowne St, North Carlton, Vic, 03 9349 3366) is my local bottlo, great range with friendly, unpretentious advice.
Drinking hole Any bar that can make a Martini properly; in Melbourne there are plenty.
RestaurantAbla’s (109 Elgin St, Carlton, Vic, 03 9347 0006). Food cooked with this much care is what every chef craves on a night off: big flavours finessed by years of repetition; quite possibly the most consistent restaurant in Melbourne. The relaxed approach and friendly service are a bonus. 
Three, One, Two, 312 Drummond St, Carlton, Vic, (03) 9347 3312, www.threeonetwo.com.au.