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Myth Cafe, West Melbourne

Paul
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Myth Cafe, West Melbourne

MELBOURNE | Down a residential side street in West Melbourne, at the base of an unassuming block of apartments you’ll find Myth Cafe. It’s a small cafe that opened in late 2021, specialising in Malaysian hawker-style breakfast and lunch dishes. I recently popped in to visit for What’s On Melbourne.

Myth Cafe (short for My Taste of Home) is a culmination of two lockdown side hustles. Malaysian-born Lincoln Lee decided to start making a delivering yong tau foo, while at the same time his colleague, Laysee Koh, was cooking up Northern Malaysian khao jam. In November 2021 they teamed up with friend Michael Loh to open a bricks and mortar cafe.

On the menu, you’ll find the two signature dishes that started it all, served a variety of ways, along with other Malaysian hawker-style dishes. Yong tau foo, tofu and vegetables stuffed with fish and pork paste is a must try. There are several options available, fried or soup tofu and wontons, and veg like chilli, okra, and mushroom.

You can get the yong tau foo as a set with your choice of soup or sauce, or as part of a set with another dish like chee cheung fun (steamed rice noodle rolls) or “old school curry noodles”.

The other signature, khao jam, is a generous serve of fragrant, green-tinged rice cooked with more then 10 type of herbs. It’s served with fish flakes, grated coconut, raw veg, fish crackers, salted egg, sambal, and optional fried chicken. Mix it all together and you’ve got something special.

Beyond the specialities, there’s things like kaya toast, nasi kak wok, yee mee, and curry puffs. To drink, it’s espresso-based coffee drinks, and Malaysian drinks like Kopi O, hand-pulled Teh Tarik, and Cham C.

Myth Cafe

48 Rosslyn Street
West Melbourne
Victoria 3003
Australia

Telephone: 0460 659 400
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon, Wed – Fri: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Sat – Sun: 8:00am to 3:00am

Belgrade Food Guide: Where To Eat

Paul
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Belgrade Food Guide: Where To Eat

BELGRADE | Serbian cuisine has long history. It’s developed over centuries, influenced by the Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, and neighbouring Balkan nations. Meat nd dairy feature heavily in Serbian cuisine, owing to its long pastoral history. Traditional dishes tend to be rich, developing in, and suited to, the country’s mountainous landscape and climate.

Typical delicacies include things like sarma (beef/pork mince cabbage rolls), pljeskavica (minced beef/pork patty), ćevapi (grilled skinless meat sausage), burek (layered pastry pie filled with various ingredients) and ajvar (roasted red pepper relish). Keep an eye out for my upcoming article on what to eat in Belgrade, which will focus on specific dishes.

In this Belgrade Food Guide, updated as at July 2024, I’ll tell you the places to visit if you want to experience the best food and drink in Belgrade. From casual snack spots to fine dining restaurants, there’s something for everyone in this city.

I’ve placed the tips in alphabetical order, and they’re all worth checking out. Are any of your favourites listed below? Are there any places that you think should be on my Belgrade food guide?

Belgrade Cocktail Club

One of the best places in Belgrade to grab a cocktail is Belgrade Cocktail Club. It’s a tiny, quirky space, located on the other side of an unassuming door in the heart of the city.

Owner and head bartender Kimi is a great host. You can order one of the cocktails from the ever changing menu, a classic cocktail, or simply have a chat with Kimi who will create something for you on the spot based on what you’ve told him. You’ll not only get a brilliant drink here, but a little story on the spirits and history of the cocktails you’re enjoying.

Brodic

Brodic is a riverside cafe and bar that’s been going strong for over 20 years. Housed on and in a small old boat, Brodic is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink on the water. If you’re peckish, they offer a selection of tasty pizzas, plus a few snacks.

Čaki

Čaki is a small take-away shop that specialises in charcoal grilled meats. Pljeskavica, ćevapcici, and skewers. I recommend following the lead of most customers and getting yourself a pljeskavica in a thick pita sliced in half, with assorted filings. Asking for “the usual”, gets you raw onions, kajmak, and lettuce, along with a roasted red pepper.

Ćevap kod Dekija

Ćevapi, the famed grilled skinless sausage of the Balkans, are a typical street food throughout the Balkans. Regional variations are abundant, mainly amounting to differences in meat content and spices. In Serbia, ćevapi really became popular around the 1860. Most versions contain beef mince, but Serbian ćevapi (or ćevapčići as they’re often called here) can contain beef, lamb, pork, or any combination of the three.

You’ll find some of the best ćevapi in Belgrade at Ćevap kod Dekija. The most popular option is the classic. A serve of 5 or 10 of their smoky grilled ćevapi inside house made lepinja (flatbread) with diced onion. Be sure to grab a serve of their spicy ajvar to go with each bite.

Restoran Čačanin

No Belgrade food guide is complete without a place to find traditional Serbian food, and Restoran Čačanin is one of my favourites. It’s the kind of place that you find casual catch-ups and multi generation family get togethers happening. It’s been around forever, focusing on traditional Serbian dishes done right, with a focus on regional Čačak-style cooking.

Ingredients are quality, and servings are large. You’ll find all of the classics here. Starters like kajmak, cheese, pickled veg, and smallgoods, an array of salads, and larger plates.

It’s located on the outskirts of the city, a short bus ride or taxi from the centre, and well worth the journey.

D59B

There are several spots where you can get a great cup of coffee in Belgrade that are a cut above the rest. D59B is a small, independent coffee shop selling a full array of espresso and filter based coffees. Beans ethically sourced from some of the world’s top coffee farms and roasted on site.

Enjoying your coffee in the little alfresco area at the front of the spot is a great way to pass some time, and observe daily life in Belgrade play out.

Dogma Brewery

Housed in an old Belgrade sugar factory, Dogma Brewery is a great place to visit if you’re into craft beer. They have an extensive selection of beers on tap and in bottles, from sessionable pale ales, refreshing sours, hoppy double IPAs, and barrel aged stouts.

If the weather is good, grab a seat in the large outdoor area where you can also find street art created by local artists. To eat, its a selection of American influenced things like burgers and wings, including a few with a some Serbian influences.

Restoran Enso

If it’s fine dining that you’re after, Restoran Enso is a great place to visit. The food here is contemporary and exciting, blending French technique and culinary traditions with seasonal Serbian produce and flavours.

Head chef Nedeljko Jerković doesn’t restrict himself either. You’ll find flourishes from across the globe at Enso, providing a different take on what Serbian food can be about.

Franš

Franš was opened in 1982 by restaurateur Nikola Dimitrijević, his father Naum, and brother Dimitrije. They opened the restaurant in an unusual spot, an unused but large space beneath a highway, nestled amongst rail and tram tracks.

Today, Franš is still family-run, and still one of the most atmospheric dining spots in Belgrade. The menu is extensive, with an assortment of local dishes, and dishes inspired by global dining trends. At its core though, and the reason you should come here a a visitor, are it’s top quality versions of classic and popular Serbian dishes.

Mains include things like top quality meats grilled over charcoal, perfectly crumbed veal and pork escalope, and Serbian classics like pljeskavica, ćevapčići, and mućkalica. Veal head with tripe is a tender, flavoursome delight that you must order.

To drink, it’s an extensive selection of international wines, including many top quality regional drops.

Homa

Fine dining restaurant Homa is one of Belgrade’s most creative restaurants. Head chef Filip Ćirić and the team are constantly pushing the boundaries of dining in Belgrade, showcasing local produce in unique and wonderful ways. Think burek with black truffles, celery cream, roasted hazelnuts, and scrambled eggs; and Parmesan-flavoured ice cream with a salad of compressed strawberries, peppercorn, pickled cucumber and lemon dressing.

Iva New Balkan Cuisine

Iva New Balkan Cuisine was opened in 2016 by chef Vanja Puskar to showcase regional Balkan cuisine and local ingredients in a contemporary way.

The restaurant is open from breakfast through dinner, and showcases top quality ingredients sourced from the region’s small, independent suppliers. Expect things like a vegetarian take on the meat patty classic, pljeskavica; oozy melted farm cheese with garlic on bread; and a hearty, umami rich ox tail and vegetable pie.

To drink, it’s a selection of carefully sourced wines from some of the region’s most exciting independent producers, local craft beer, and spirits.

Also worth a visit if it’s more conveniently located for you is Tisa New Balkan Cuisine. It’s a similar offering to Isa, but set over three levels in a larger, more refined space.

JaM

One unfortunately unmistakable aspect of dining in Serbia is that smoking is still permitted indoors at most restaurants. JaM is one of the few that is non-smoking indoors, which for many people moves it high up the list of restaurants to visit.

It’s a fine dining restaurant, where chef Milan Jovanovic and his team prepare a variety of Mediterranean and European dishes. Milan draws influence from his time working in top kitchens across Europe, to create a variety of tasty dishes.

Laboratorija Kafe

Laboratorija Kafe cafe feels like an experimental lab, in the neighbourhood of Novi Belgrade. It’s a great place to enjoy not just great coffee, but alternative lattes, creative coffee-based drinks, and smoothies.

Organski Podrum

If want to discover the best and most interesting Serbian wines around, Organski Podrum is a must. The focus is on organic and minimal interventions wines, sourced from small, independent producers.

There are over 100 labels on offer, spanning all kinds of varietals. Wines are predominantly local, but there’s also interesting wines from nearby regions, and further abroad.

Pekara Kališ

Pekara Kališ is an unassuming local’s bakery (pekara means bakery in Serbian) known for its quality baked goods. Visit for their popular burek, along with other sweet and savoury treats. There’s no space to eat inside, but there’s a little park with a few park benches that you can sit on and enjoy your food, across the road.

Pekara Trpković

Pekara Trpković is a family run bakery that’s been baking some of Belgrade’s best burek since 1908. They have three locations today, all of which are have lines of locals eager for the good stuff every day.

The original and most central location is in Belgrade’s Slavija neighbourhood. There’s a lot to like here, but the burek is a must try. Wonderful taste and texture, a generous filling to pastry ratio, and the use of cooking different fats depending on the filling set it apart.

The classic minced meat filling is a must-order, as is the white cheese version.

Restoran Proleće

If Restoran Čačanin is too far out of the centre of town for you, another great option for traditional Serbian food is Restoran Proleće. Located in the centre of Belgrade, Proleće has been feeding hungry locals the classics since 1950. They have a great selection of traditional Serbian dishes, made using family recipes and the best quality local produce.

Salon 1905

If you want to enjoy a meal in one of Belgrade’s grandest dining spaces, check out fine dining restaurant Salon 1905. The restaurant is housed inside the city’s beautiful Geozavod building, a Baroque and Art Nouveau heritage listed building dating back to 1905.

On the menu, you’ll find traditional Serbian dishes and ingredients reinterpreted through a modern lens by head chef Miša Aljehin.

Single Origin

Another of Belgrade’s best spots for coffee is Single Origin. It’s an airy, modern space offering classic espresso drinks and an assortment of filter options. There’s also tea, freshly squeezed juices, a small alcohol selection, and snacks.

Tamper Speciality Coffee & Brunch

If you’ve been eating a lot of traditional Serbian food and are looking to start your day with a great coffee and something lighter, Tamper is a great option. They have an assortment of espresso and filter drinks, a selection of single origin beans. To eat, its light options like granola and smoothie bowls, and avocado on toast.

Have you been to Belgrade before? What are your favourite things to eat there, and your favourite place to eat them? What would you add to this Belgrade Food Guide?

Long Banh Mi, Brunswick East

Paul
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Long Banh Mi, Brunswick East

MELBOURNE | Long Bánh Mì, opened yesterday on Lygon Street in Brunswick East. As a local, I’ve been awaiting their opening since I first saw their signage go up about a month ago. There’s been a gap in the market for a good bánh mì spot down this end of Lygon Street for a while, and if the constant stream of customers at Long Bánh Mì this weekend is anything to go by, they’re onto a winner.

Long Bánh Mì doesn’t have a presence on social media, and their website is clearly a work in progress. It’s run by, from what I could gather from a ‘congratulations’ card attached to a bouquet of flowers I spotted, a trio called Anh, Phong, and Thủy.

When I visited, the place was heaving. A steady stream of customers placing orders, with loud calls and conversations in Vietnamese coming from behind the counter and the kitchen. The roast pork, sold out, followed by the chicken. I don’t think the owners anticipated such a hectic opening weekend. Despite it all, they were getting food out efficiently, and with a smile.

On the menu, it’s a selection eight bánh mì, five pho options, rice paper rolls, and your selection of protein over rice of vermicelli. I went for the bánh mì thịt nguội (cold meat loaf), and bánh mì nem nướng (grilled pork sausage). Both were tasty, with top notch bread made on site daily and a good ratio of fillings to bread. I also tried the combination pho (four different kinds of beef), and some Vietnamese coffee. Again, tasty stuff, particularly the pho broth and quality of beef.

I’m not going to do that thing that ‘influencers’ do where they tell you that everything is OMG ‘must try’ and the ‘best in town’. Does Long Bánh Mì fall into my ‘S Tier’ of Melbourne bánh mì spots? Not as things stand. Should you travel from across town to try it? Not really. Does this matter? Not at all.

Not everything needs to be ‘the best’. Long Bánh Mì does exactly what I, as a local want. Friendly owners selling good bánh mì and a few other Vietnamese dishes. I’ll be a regular here when the craving for a bánh mì hits. If you’re a local, or find yourself in the area, give it a go.

Long Bánh Mì

112 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9499 2050
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 10:00am to 9:00pm

Melbourne Theatre Company Presents A Streetcar Named Desire

Paul
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Melbourne Theatre Company Presents A Streetcar Named Desire

MELBOURNE | Melbourne Theatre Company (“MTC”) is brining the classic 1947 Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire, to Melbourne for a limited season. I attended the preview night and was enthralled by the performance of the cast. Despite being set in New Orleans in the 1940s, the performance, characters, and story have much to say about the conversations being had in modern society.

A Streetcar Named Desire sees Southern belle Blanche DuBois, played by Nikki Shiels, grapple with her shattered dreams and inner demons as she seeks refuge in the cramped apartment of her sister Stella (Michelle Lim Davidson), and her volatile brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski (Mark Leonard Winter). Tensions escalate and dark secrets fan the flames of an already incendiary marriage. The delicate balance of power within the household teeters on the brink of collapse, exposing the vulnerability of the human condition.

Directed by MTC artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks, the play is an exploration of aggression, desire and deception that will have you captivated from start to finish.

You can book tickets here.

When: 15 July 2024 – 17 August 2024
Where: The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne. 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3003
Cost: $71.00 – $133.00

St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy

Paul
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St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy

MELBOURNE | Remember that pub, The Pumphouse Hotel, on Nicholson Street? Well these days its called St Andrews Hotel, which is actually what it was originally called when it opened in 1854. The current building, a historic Greek Revival style two storey clinker brick and render hotel, dates back to 1926. I hadn’t been inside since the Pumphouse days, and was recently invited in to check out the revived space.

These days the pub is run by Jasmin Vujic and her partner Rob. They took over the reigns from Jasmin’s parents Tony and Anna two years ago. Tony and Anna bought the pub in 1996, six years after Tony fell in love with the place, working there as a glassie, then bartender.

The pub was renovated in 2017, to freshen things up a bit, and restore some of the previously hidden and lost heritage elements of the space. It’s a welcoming venue, centred around the large U-shaped main bar wood and marble bar, with tiled floors and an overall classic but fresh look. To the side, is a cosy dining room with wooden floors, timber furniture, and plush banquettes. There’s a second, private dining space, and a large conservatory upstairs for events.

Observing Jasmin and the staff moving about the venue and serving customers, and having a chat to Jasmin, you get a sense of passion that you can only find in independent venues. Jasmin’s grown up in this pub, loves the venue and her patrons, and is driven by a desire to succeed, and make Tony and Anna proud.

On the menu, you’ll find pub classics like steaks, chicken parma, and fish and chips, along with seasonally focused gastropub fare. Head chef Alex Gaitanos leans on quality local produce, creating dishes sprinkled with influences from his British and Greek heritage. Crumbed and fried Stella Alpina cheese is served with a fig and tomato relish and is a great way to start things. Also great from the starters is the kingfish ceviche with avocado mousse, coconut, puffed quinoa, and finger lime.

For mains, I really enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth tender beef short ribs, served with charred baby onion atop a bed of garlic and herb skordalia (Greek mashed potato). I also liked the parsley and lemon seafood linguini. It’s served with a generous portion of pipis, mussels, calamari, and prawns. For dessert, the sticky date pudding hard to go past during these colder winter days.

On the drinks menu, there’s selection of house and classic cocktails, along with a decent selection of spirits, a global wine list (with many options available by the glass), and approachable beers. I recommend the ‘The Regular’. It’s a cocktail of Talisker Single Malt, Hennessy Cognac, sugar syrup, absinthe mist, Peychaud’s bitters, and Angostura bitters. It’s named for the late Malcom Baird, a regular of the pub for over 30 years.

I’m a sucker for a welcoming, family-run pub, and St Andrews Hotel gets all of the important things right. Whether it’s just a drink or two, a classic pub meal, or something a bit fancier, Jasmin, Rob, and the team have got you covered.

St Andrews Hotel

124 Nicholson Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9417 2817
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun, Tue – Thu: 12:00pm to 9:30pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 10:00pm

Al Kababjii, Coburg

Paul
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Al Kababjii, Coburg

MELBOURNE | It must have been about this time last year that I first noticed Al Kababjii. I was driving along Sydney Road in Coburg one night, and saw a two food trucks set up next to a drive through coffee spot, with a few tables and chairs set up. The place was packed, and I was intrigued. I looked up the spot, and added Al Kababjii to my list. Every time I subsequently drove past, it was busy and calling my name.

There’s not much info out there about what Al Kababjii offers. Their Facebook page talks of ‘Shawarma, Kabab, and Brazilian BBQ’. The Instagram page, which hasn’t been updated in over seven years, solely mentions ‘Brazilian BBQ’. It was opened by Ahmed Haouchar, owner of nearby Lebanese bakery and grocery store, Al Alamy, who runs it with his family. On the online food ordering platforms, it’s listed as a ‘Lebanese Restaurant’.

When I visited, it was the coldest night in years in Melbourne, so the place didn’t look as busy as usual, although a steady stream of customers ordering takeaway and waiting in their cars were keeping things ticking along. The unmistakable smell of meat cooking over charcoal had me licking my lips as I walked to the front of the food truck.

On the menu, it’s lamb and chicken shawarma and skewers, halal snack packs, kofta wraps, and falafel.

I kept things simple. A mixed grill skewer pack (kofta, lamb, and chicken), served with Lebanese bread, salad, hummus, and toum; a kofta wrap; and a HSP with garlic and chilli sauce. Everything’s cooked to order, and if you want extra sauces, there’s a full array at the window.

Quality, tender meats, big charcoal flavour, and strong hits of lemon and garlic. The wrap, grilled on the outside, is spot on, and the HSP has just the right balance of ingredients as to not make you feel like you’ve committed too much of a sin by eating it. Wash it down with a bottle of salty, tangy, ayran, and you’re sorted.

Al Kababjii

598-608 Sydney Road
Coburg
Victoria 3058
Australia

Telephone: 0410 029 650
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 5:30pm to 2:30am

The Historic Archaeological Site of Aigai (Vergina)

Paul
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The Historic Archaeological Site of Aigai (Vergina)

VERGINA | Located about an hour’s drive east of Thessaloniki, is the town of Vergina. It’s the site of what was once called Aegai (Aegae), the original capital of ancient Macedonia. It’s home two of Greece’s most significant classical buildings – the Tomb of Phillip II, and the Palace of Aegai. A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Archaeological Site of Aigai, is a fascinating, awe inspiring experience.

The exact location of Aegai was thought to have been lost to history, and it wasn’t until the mid 1800s that archaeologists began to suspect that it might be in or around Vergina. Excavations in the late 1800s brought up nothing of note, and the idea was abandoned by most. It wasn’t until 1977, when Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos started excavating the Great Tumulus at Aegai, that the earlier archaeologists were proved to be corrent.

While excavating the Great Tumulus, Manolis found that two of the tombs contained within remained undisturbed since antiquity. Inside the tombs was a wealth of treasures and historically important artefacts. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that one of the tombs was that of Philip II, former king and uniter of ancient Greece, and father of Alexander the Great.

Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai

Open to the public, the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai contains not just the tomb of Phillip II, but artefacts from the many other tombs and structures uncovered in the area. There’s things like Phillip II’s armour, his golden larnax, the gold funeral wreath of Queen Meda, and hundreds of pieces of jewellery, armour, tools, utensils, statues, and more. The restored condition of some of these artefacts is particularly impressive.

Palace of Aigai

A 20 minute walk, or 7 minute drive from the museum, is the Palace of Aigai. Reopened in January 2024, after 16 years of restoration work, it was and still is, the largest classical Greek building in the world. Dating back to 4th century BCE, the palace covered an area of 15,000 square metres in its prime. It’s where Alexander the Great was proclaimed king in 336 BC.

The ruins today occupy around 1,400 square meters. Walking through it, you can’t help but to imagine the majesty of this place when it was new. You can see several restored mosaics, marble flooring and grand columns. I recommend walking there from the museum as you get to see some beautiful natural vistas, and a few other sites along the way like the Ancient Theatre of Aigai.

Polycentric Museum of Aigai – Main Building

While in Vergina, you should also check out the Polycentric Museum of Aigai – Main Building. It’s a half hour walk or 3 minute drive from the Museum of the Royal Tomb, and is a continuation of that museum. It’s a new building, with an impressive collection of artefacts displayed across multiple indoor and outdoor spaces.

Across six distinct permanent exhibitions, visitors are taken through different facets of classical Greek society and history. The exhibitions are very well curated, providing not just information, but a cohesive context behind the artefacts.

Flying Qantas Economy Class From Singapore To Melbourne

Paul
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Flying Qantas Economy Class From Singapore To Melbourne

TRAVEL | Qantas operates two flights a day between Singapore and Melbourne. The Airbus A330-200 (“A330”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy and Business Class (the A330 doesn’t have a Premium Economy cabin). The average flight time on this route is 7 hours and 20 minutes.

Check In

Check in very straight forward. You can check in online, or using Qantas’ app. You can enter in all relevant passport and visa information before your flight, and receive an online boarding pass. If you’re using the app, there’s up-to-date notifications about gate changes, flight delays, and the like, and you can use the boarding pass on the app at the gate.

If you have luggage to check in, there are several bag drop off counters with a few Qantas staff walking around the area to assist if needed. There’s also the option of traditional staffed check in counters if you wish.

Loyalty

Qantas’ loyalty program is simply named Qantas Frequent Flyer, which is free to join. Qantas are also part of the OneWorld alliance, which offers the option of points transfers and certain reciprocal privileges.

Qantas have two lounges at Changi International Airport – Singapore Business Lounge, and the Singapore First Lounge. Both are open for eligible Qantas and OneWorld alliance members.

Luggage

Checked luggage is included with all Qantas Economy tickets when flying international. You can check-in one bag up to 32kg, and a carry-on bag (115cm) up to 7kg. You can also carry on a small item that can fit under your seat.

Service

I couldn’t fault the service on the flight from Singapore to Melbourne. Staff were cheerful, professional, and always happy to help if I needed anything.

Cabin

The Qantas Economy cabin on the A330 that flies from Sydney to Honolulu features 271 seats, in a 2-4-2 layout. Colour wise it’s black, white and red – in line with Qantas’ branding. The cabin is very clean.

Seat

The cushioned fabric seat has dimensions of about 79cm x 43cm. Like any economy seat, it doesn’t recline that far back. It does, however, have built-in lumbar support, an adjustable head rest, and softer cushioning than a lot of the competition. Netted footrests provide a sense of more legroom than might usually be the case.

Each seat has a USB port, video input, and AC power outlet. Enough power is provided through the ports to power most devices, including a laptop.

On the back of the seat there’s dual mesh pockets for magazines and other belongings. Inside it, you’ll find the latest copy of “Qantas Magazine”, which is full of interesting articles and destination guides.

Entertainment

The back of each Qantas Economy seat has no screen, but rather a space where you can either affix your own device, or the provided iPad, which you can use to access Qantas’ Panasonic eX3 inflight entertainment system. On it you’ll find around 1,500 entertainment options on demand, including around 100 movies, 500 TV programs, 800 music options, and 18 radio channels. Content rotates regularly to ensure that the content remains fresh and current.

Provided headphones are cushioned over-the-eat style headphones with decent sound quality, and basic passive noise reduction. For me it’s my trusty SONY WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones with an adaptor for the headphone socket.

Food

Meals are included with all Qantas Economy tickets. Both flights leave in the evening, so it’s dinner that’s served.

Menus rotate regularly on Qantas flights, with three main options available, showcasing seasonal Australian produce. Things like Pasta with Pork and Tomato Ragu, Korean Chilli and Garlic Chicken with Kimchi, and Black Pepper Beef with Oyster Mushrooms. I opted for pasta, and was impressed. Some might want there to be a bit more pork, but it’s filling, tasty, and well balanced. You also get a bread roll, and an almond cake.

To drink, it’s a selection of Australian wine, beer, and spirits. There’s also water, juice, soft drink, coffee and tea.

In the morning, there’s unfortunately no full breakfast. You get a pastry, think chicken and leek roll, sausage roll, and your choice of coffee, tea, or juice.

If you’re ever hungry outside of meal time you can just ask one of the flight attendants and they’ll bring you a snack or a drink. Think water, cheese, and crackers.

Amenities

On the seat when you first board is a blanket and a pillow. An amenities kit, featuring a dental kit, eye mask, and earplugs, is available on request.

Verdict

I enjoyed my flight from Singapore to Melbourne on Qantas. I appreciate the decent food, ability to affix my own tablet to the back of the seat for entertainment, and the larger than usual mesh compartment to stash my stuff. Service is friendly, making for an overall pleasant flight.

Springrock, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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Springrock, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Springrock is the newest venue from the team behind American BBQ spot Fancy Hanks, and rooftop bar, Good Heavens. It’s located between, and connected to those venues, in the space that’s lay dormant since Grand Trailer Park Taverna closed. I was invited to the media launch event last night to check it out.

Named for co-owner Mike Patrick’s grandfather’s Gippsland property, Springrock draws influence from classic Victorian country pubs. There’s dark timber furnishing and plenty of booths, 1970s inspired green and gold carpet, and a judicious use of tiles on the central, U-shaped bar. Large windows wrap around the space, providing a great view and lots of natural sunlight.

Head chef Jarrod Di Blasi, who’s come over from the sadly closed, Izakaya Den, is in charge of the kitchen. He’s created a succinct menu of contemporary takes on country pub classics. There’s bar snacks and counter meals, a few desserts, and a weekly rotating Sunday roast.

I sampled most of the bar menu at the event, and enjoyed what I had. Highlights include the pull-apart smoky garlic bread, master stock braised lamb shoulder nuggets with jalapeno mint jelly, wagyu salami with honey mushrooms and rye crisp, and the ‘crispy AF’ chicken wings with Fancy Hank’s chilli mayo.

For mains, there’s a few burgers, a chicken parma, striploin steak, and a couple of other dishes. Based on the bar snacks, I’m keen to pop in sometime and check out this part of the menu. So too the dessert menu, which features one of my favourite desserts that you don’t often see in Australia. The decidedly not Aussie country pub, S’more.

The drinks list, 20 pages strong features house cocktails, local and European wines, with many options available by the glass, and Aussie craft beers on tap and in cans. There’s a focus on approachable styles like lagers, Pale Ales, and XPAs.

Springrock

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The Brutalist Architecture Of Belgrade

Paul
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The Brutalist Architecture Of Belgrade

BELGRADE | Brutalist architecture is defined by angular, block-like forms, exposed materials like concrete, and structural elements over decorative design. Derided by many over the years as ugly, and unworthy of preserving, brutalism is today being looked at through a different lens.

Inspired by the Modernist architect Le Corbusier, brutalism was an optimistic egalitarian style, a symbol of progress in the decades following World War II. Brutalism arose in the UK, but was particularly embraced in war-torn Eastern Europe, and the USSR. Belgrade the capital of the former Yugoslavia, was strategically positioned positioned between the communist east and democratic west. It was seen as a way to forge the city’s identity as a socialist paradise.

I’ve always had an interest in brutalist architecture, and was excited to visit Belgrade to see some of its prime examples. Novi Belgrade (New Belgrade) is where you’ll find much of the Belgrade’s brutalist architecture. Construction began in 1948 in what was a large deserted area adjacent to Belgrade’s Old Town. Today, Novi Belgrade is one of the best examples in the world of an in-tact, planned brutalist neighbourhood.

Novi Belgrade is filled with residential Blockovi (Blocks), with a variety of muti-purpose use spaces at ground level. They’re monolithic and repetitive, but also feature distinct shapes and features. Despite their non-human scale, these Blockovi are hotbeds of community activity, featuring schools, retail, cafes, parks, and more. To this day, the buildings serve their original purpose.

You can easily spend a full day exploring Novi Belgrade. Despite the fact that many of its buildings are in need of repair, it’s a thriving part of Belgrade. Young people, priced out of the city’s more desirable neighbourhoods, are drawn to Novi Belgrade for its cheap rent. Some of the city’s most exciting food and drink spots, galleries, and retail concepts, can be found inside Novi Belgrade’s brutalist buildings.

It’s difficult not to be fascinated by even the most utilitarian, nondescript buildings you walk by and pass through in Novi Belgrade. I highly recommend simply wandering around, and observing life play out. A few buildings of note include the Palace of Serbia (1947-59), Hotel Jugoslavija (1965) which was once the grandest and largest hotel in the region, Eastern Gate / Rudo Buildings (1977), and Museum of Contemporary Art (1985).

The rest of Belgrade is also filled with brutalist gems. Walk around and you can’t miss them. Buildings to keep an eye out for include the Karaburma Residential Housing Tower (1963) which is nicknamed the Toblerone Tower due to its shape, the Sava Centar (1975-77), and the Western City Gate / Genex Tower (1977). You can’t miss the latter, towering in the distance as you drive into the city from Nikola Tesla Airport.

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