Last week a package arrived in the mail. Now, since I usually get stuff sent to my office and this package arrived at home, I was curious. Who had my address? What had I bought? (I do this a lot, buying stuff online and forgetting about it!) Opening the package, I was surprised and delighted to see the Hardie Grant Eating and Drinking Guide to Melbourne.
You might wonder why I was so thrilled to receive this book? Well, it’s because I helped write it. For real. My name is inside the cover and everything. Ok, so it’s a few pages in. And there are a dozen other names. But it doesn’t matter. My name is there. In black and white.
But I’m guessing you want to know about the book. It’s pretty awesome (and I’m not just saying that because I contributed.) It is. 700 bars, restaurants and cheap and cheerful spots to eat at in Melbourne. 700!! And they are broken down into areas and type. With an index. And maps!!
I wrote some of the ones around South Melbourne, Albert Park and Toorak but the book covers everything – SOBO and NOBO (Melbourne goes all NY on us!) which is South of Bourke St and North of Bourke St, Inner North, South, East and West, AND Outer North, South, East and West. Phew!
It will take you 12 months to get through all 700 places in the book, and you will need to go out a minimum of twice a week to get through them all before next year’s edition comes out. I suggest you get started tomorrow.
You can pick up the book from all good book stores (I have ALWAYS wanted to say that!) from September 1, or I have a few up my sleeve to give away. I’ll even sign them for you. (Seriously) (No, really, I won’t. Promise).
All you have to do is comment here (with your email address!) and tell me your favourite spot to eat or drink around Melbourne and why. I promise to try them all. I’ll pick the winners out of a hat on September 2. Good Luck!
The Hardie Grant Eating and Drinking Guide to Melbourne RRP $29.95
(None of the proceeds go to me – or the other contributors – we are 100% independent!)
PS Sydney has a shiny new guide too – look for it in Sydney.
PPS The Eating and Drinking Guide to Melbourne (and Sydney) has a facebook page! Share your spoils and tell others what you thought!
PPPS There is an iPhone App too!!
Wow – that is brilliant!!! Congrats Sarah!!!!
I like to eat at Marmasita – but I suppose you know that as you introduced me to that wonderful place of Mexican brilliance!
I like to drink at Silk Road – it is seriously cool and there is always something or someone fun to look at!
OOHHHH I want one not so much for the bars but def for the eating. Im so proud of you ses always everywhere honestly~!
Happy Kappa! Japanese on Swan St Richmond.
Cheap, fast, good.
YES! I totally don’t have a favourite place to eat in Melbourne, because my wife and I are not MOVING THERE until NEXT WEEK. This book would be PERFECT for us.
I like a casual Sunday lunch at Cumulus. Fantastic food and service but there’s something effortless about it that makes it comfortable and relaxed.
I love, love, love Ocha (Japanese) – 3 Church St, Hawthorn – enjoy! :0
Hey Sarah!
I want!!! I like eating at Little India in South Yarra. I heart Indian food and it is the best I’ve had. I like drinking at Manchuria bar because the cocktails are amazing and the ambience is awesome.
blue train cafe at southgate, great food, great meeting place, and good prices. what more could one want?
Pretty awesome to have your name in the book 🙂
My favourite little place to eat is Sugar Cane on Park Street in South Melbourne. One of the most delicious and fragrant Thai restaurants I have been to (other than in Thailand) and the Emerald Green Curry is a MUST for all!
So many favourites, so little time.
Tom Toon, Thai, in Richmond
Any of the African cafes in Footscray/Seddon
Monsieur Truffe, both of them
Wee Jeanie and Cornerstore in Yarraville.
x
Congratulations on your part in the book! Gosh, it’s hard to pick one favourite place. I’ll say Anada in Fitzroy, because I adore their tasty tapas and raciones.
Thanks to all who entered!! The winners are: Jade Louise, dibadork, leaf (the indolent cook), Kait O’Callahan and Mark Hooper. Please email your address to sarahsstyleemporium@gmail.com and I will send out your books! Congratulations!