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The curtain is about to close on the 2024 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year and one of Melbourne’s biggest sporting events. But hey, it is expected to come out strong. On a two-hour drive from Phillip Island to Moonlit Sanctuary, with your phone battery dead, you can’t help but switch between airplane mode and some data to see updates from the first semi-final between Novak Djokovic. and Jannik Sinner. Djokovic takes a bathroom break as we stop briefly on Phillip Island Road with the Western Port as a backdrop for sightseeing, photography and video. In the next control, Sinner makes one preparation, and then two to have the Djoker on the mat. And about an hour later, the news broke. The 22-year-old did the unthinkable: he ended Djokovic’s 33-match winning streak at the AO. The newsrooms are in full frenzy; Sports journalists can’t keep calm. And yet, for yours truly, it was only the second most important event of the day. Why do you ask? Because when he’s in Australia, let alone the state of Victoria, all work and no food turns Billy into a silly boy.
For someone who spent 27 years of his life in the NCR and wandered places gorging on desserts, what do you think would be better than a cheesecake? A tiramisu from The Big Chill? A banoffee pie from Tonino’s? Or a Fifth Avenue apple crumble? The answer lies at Doot Doot Doot, a fine dining restaurant serving a four-course meal in Jackalope on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula… called Banana Cremeux. The food is as succulent as the name, even more so when you have the tedious task of choosing between beef, fish and chicken to accompany it. But the moment you devour a spoonful, dipped in vanilla and cutting the cake with flavors of almond and pandan inside, it dethrones a personal favorite.
What’s better than a marinated non-veg burger patty? And we’re talking better than Chili’s, where Southern Smokehouse is a blockbuster… or the monster Juicy Lucy at Café Delhi Heights, which just in October celebrated the monumental achievement of selling 6 lakh of those. It’s a burger that Jason Segel’s character, Marshall Eriksen from how I Met Your Mother describes ‘The bun so freckled with sesame and the burger so exquisite, swirling in the mouth, breaking and combining again in a flight of sweets and flavors so delicious. It is God speaking to us through food.’ The Angus burger at Hubert Estate in the Yarra Valley is its equivalent. A second new favorite in 24 hours.
Now, let’s savor the best for last: a hearty, sumptuous breakfast, my favorite meal of the day. Usually, when you are at home, the preferred options are Di Ghent in Gurugram, IHOP in Cyber Hub or Smoke House Deli. But Friday morning marked the first notable meal of the day when we ventured to Mon Dieu, a charming cafe located on Phillip Island, famous for its serene atmosphere that in itself lifts the spirits. The owner, Gav Panesar, is of Indian origin but exudes an Australian vibe. He greets us warmly, introduces himself, gives us information about the food and goes about his business without a problem. You just know that at that moment everything will be good.
Energy levels soared even higher as the food menu was perused, and let me tell you, it painted a lovely picture. Having not tried the perfect breakfast so far, the initial temptation was to opt for a safe option like the egg and bacon roll or the benedict. However, resisting the urge, an order was placed for ‘Oh My Omelette’ and it turned out to be a fantastic decision. Accompanied by a refreshing glass of orange juice, it was a perfect start to the day. The weather alternated between rain and sunshine, followed by another round of downpours, and then once again the sun came out. In the midst of all this, the beautifully presented plates on our table emptied, leaving the four of us only able to express our satisfaction with a collective ‘Mmmmm…’. Another culinary triumph.
Over the past four days, Victoria has provided ample reasons for this writer to develop a deep affection for the state, none more compelling than the diverse range of flavors it presents. While Melbourne is famous for its sports, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and its iconic trams, the prominence of coffee in the city cannot be overlooked. A fellow tourist accurately captures the essence in an Instagram post: “When you’re on Degraves Street, LATTE HARD.” Unfortunately, the writer does not like much tea or coffee, and he is guilty as charged. However, it is expected that the narrative could take a turn on the last day.
The city is witnessing an unprecedented influx of tourists and the roads are crowded. However, the city’s splendid layout makes it an ideal walker’s paradise. A keen walker, Christine from ‘Foodie Trails’ guided us through a three-hour walking tour of Melbourne, complete with delicious stops at a Vietnamese restaurant and ChinaTown. In particular, the ‘Crocodile Ribs’, widely sold at Mabu Mabu, are hailed as a major Australian delicacy.
While covering the regions may seem exhausting, traveling their distances is not. Even if fatigue sets in, a quick stop at Rusty Waters does wonders. A sip of Crown Lager, accompanied by salt calamari, chicken parmigiana and beer-battered fish and chips will get you back on track quickly. Be careful not to delay dinner, as the city quiets down at 9pm in this quiet place with a population of around 13,000, just 2.5 per cent of Melbourne residents. However, for those who need a last minute option, a Subway or Kebab food truck is ready to come to the rescue.