Cumulus Inc
It is said that there is a point in anyone's success when your formula is known (1). Seinfeld in season 7, The Simpsons since Homer stole Bart's limelight (2) or Alex Perry having his sunglasses surgically implanted on his head (3).
Chef Andrew McConnell is certainly en route to such success, based on a foundation of undeniably fabulous food served in designed spaces courtesy of wife Pascale Gomes-McNabb (who was clearly christened with profession in mind).
'C' Grade (Time to Jam)
'C' Grade will be an alphanumeric equivalent for Third Class. But it will be so much more than that. First of all, it's in a basement, so that's less effort right there. Brought to you by the guys who helped to bring us Justice last year, alongside M. Honky Tonks Delaney, ‘C' Grade is going to be wild in the kind of way that a bar with a drink called ‘The Hose' is wild.
MIFF - festival lounges
The Festival Lounges at MIFF are not just comfortable waterholes for movie-talk. They're like life-saving cordial stations for marathon runners - because when a MIFF fiend has exited from their fifth-going-on-sixth movie for the day, a visit to the bar can pull them back from the brink of lunacy. The nervous twitching can sometimes only be eased by social interaction over a quick tipple, so when you visit either of these two venues, tip the bartender for keeping the men in white coats away.
Easy Cafe
The best thing about bubble cup tea is getting the black balls that are inside the tea and shooting them out with a massive plastic straw. Under Melbourne's comic book haven you'll find a techno-colored bubble tea wonderland that Alice herself doesn't even know exists.
The snacks aren't as good as the décor, but still when you have egg dipped in soy sauce you have to think to yourself, "Where the fuck am I?" There's stuff like bubble tea, ice tea, and hot ice blends, don't ask me how that works.
The Bratwurst Shop
The most exciting part of the Vic Market is easily the deli section. Before starting your weekly shop you have the opportunity to make a nuisance out of yourself, mooching around, trying as many cheeses, olives, cold meats, pickled goodies, and wines as you can without spending a penny. It's great.
Now, a word of warning; don't get too carried away.
Cake Deco
For a greater slice of the population, wild dreams involve cake: deliberately getting grenache on the blade so you can plant one on the nearest love interest, or witnessing a bikini clad harlot burst out of the top of a sponge. Whatever your fantasy, cake comes in ample forms to suit the most impossible dream.
Sugardough Panificio and Patisserie
Sugardough looks and smells just like grandma's kitchen. Pretty Portmeirion and fine china tea cups hang on the walls along side ornate plates, adding a touch of home charm to this sweet-scented bakery café. Here is a place unafraid of teasing your greedy eyes and evidently proud of its produce.
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