Stuck for easy dinner ideas? Have a less-than-well-stocked pantry and can’t be bothered messing around in the kitchen? Or maybe you just want to splash out for no reason?
Melbourne’s restaurants have got you covered. While we wait with bated breath and crossed fingers for dine-in service to make a comeback, there are tons of options from the city’s best to enjoy at home.
Here are our top takeaway picks for this week.
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SIGN UPPizza Shop
In the backstreets of Clifton Hill, Pizza Shop is the stellar sibling of Spensley’s, a neighbourhood eatery and bar that punches well above its weight. While the latter has only opened for sporadic pop-ups during lockdown, the former is churning out pizzas with chewy, perfectly blistered crusts every single day. And they’re worth seeking out. The Hawaiian-ish Boonie (with added ham hock and barbeque sauce) and the spicy-salami-topped Dawn (with three types of chilli) are standouts. There’s also a cheeseburger-inspired special – get the best of both worlds.
Pick-up at 47 Spensley Street, Clifton Hill daily.
Meatsmith
Andrew McConnell and Troy Wheeler’s fancy butcher shop, Meatsmith, is welcoming October (seriously, how is it October?) with a German-inspired snack pack in honour of Oktoberfest. It’s also to celebrate the release of two new on-theme Hawkers beers: a Bavarian lager and a Bohemian pilsener. The set includes a four-pack of each brew, plus smoky Meatsmith knackwurst, Martin’s potato hotdog rolls, mustard and sauerkraut. To start? Rye crackers and a jar of spicy Liptauer (a cheese spread). Meatsmith is billing it as a “salubrious sausage party” and to that we say: prost!
Order online for delivery until Saturday.
The Everleigh x Pidapipo
For one day only, two of Melbourne’s biggest hospo names – in booze and gelato, respectively – are bringing together what they do best. The cocktail experts from the Everleigh and the gelato maestros from Pidapipo have collaborated on a trio of boozy, creamy shakes that will be available at the Eveleigh Corner Bar on Saturday. The Ramos will feature flavours of gin, citrus and vanilla; the Dominica will centre around dark rum and coffee; and the Bee’s Kiss will also hero dark rum, but sweetened up with honey.
Pick-up at 50-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm.
Manze x Hope St Radio
Manze is a new Mauritian-inspired wine bar – perhaps Melbourne’s first – that’s soon to open in North Melbourne. While the extended lockdown has thrown a spanner in the works, you can get a taste of what’s to come this weekend; it’s popping up at Collingwood Yards’ Hope St Radio with a one-off Mauritian barbeque feast. Charcoal chook will be the star of the show; packs will include half a Bannockburn free-range bird alongside cumin-and-turmeric-masala sauce, fried-onion rice and a refreshing cucumber-and-green-chilli salad. Drinks will be available to buy on the day.
Pre-order online for pick-up at 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm.
manze.bigcartel.com
hopestradio.community
Mister Bianco
Remember scribbling down your lunch order on a brown paper bag at school? Every weekend until restaurants reopen for dine-in service, this Sicilian spot is dialling up that schoolyard nostalgia with its pop-up Italian tuckshop. You can pre-order by writing your name, order, phone number and preferred day and time on a paper bag (or piece of paper) and sliding it into the Mister Bianco letterbox. Or just stop by on the weekend. There’ll be a menu in the window: expect ciabattas with your choice of classic fillings (mortadella, prosciutto, mozzarella, pickles and more), plus scaccia (stuffed Sicilian flatbread), cavatelli cooked in a huge pan and freshly filled cannoli.
Pick-up at 285 High Street, Kew every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am until sold out.
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