Hospitality

News flash: Shane Delia is ditching the Melbourne black (okay, not entirely). In an exciting announcement for the longtime KDPO friend and collaborator – and for Brisbane – the Victorian superchef has just opened his first restaurant in the Queensland capital.

Roman-style pizza is one of the reasons KDPO gets up in the morning, so it was a no-brainer that we leapt at the chance to join forces with South Melbourne’s fabulous new Pizzateca Lupa to sing its praises to the world.

We didn’t think South Yarra’s Como House & Garden could be any more of a drawcard for people who love Old World style and yesteryear grace, but Como Lane has proven us wrong.

Williamstown is unimaginable without the Morning Star Hotel. Trading in the bayside `burb since 1896, the local icon recently enjoyed a fabulous glow-up courtesy of publicans Stephen Mitchell (The Bridge Hotel), Matt Vero (Marquis of Lorne, Mount Erica, Orrong Hotel) and Williamstown local Aaron Onofretchook.

Cremorne’s tallest building, the striking new Cubitt Place development, has the attention-grabbing venue to suit its grand designs.

But fun fact: it’s really two venues. Pronounced “Am-uh-tree-chay”, the ground floor café and rooftop bar are the latest passion project from hospitality heavyweight Dave Parker (San Telmo Group) and his partners at Williamstown favourite Sebastian, Kelly and Alex Brawn.

After helping restaurateur Chris Lucas launch an outpost of his fan-favourite restaurant Chin Chin in Geelong earlier this year, KDPO was all-in when he opened Tombo Den in September.

We loved working on the launch of Ruben’s Deli on Armadale’s buzzing High Street in 2023, so when owner and Melbourne hospitality legend Amanda Ruben asked for our help again we jumped at the opportunity.

We were delighted to jump onboard the Lucas Restaurants train again in October when Chris Lucas opened Carlotta, his much-anticipated debut on Canberra’s restaurant scene.

The gorgeous corner spot that houses bayside’s newest wine bar, Wally’s Albert Park, had us at hello. The Studio Ami-designed space is the very picture of European elegance with its brass tabletops, miniature lamps and velvet banquettes. Just add a marble-topped bar and waiter’s station, all reflected in an antique mirrored ceiling, and you can file it under “effortlessly chic”.

KDPO are long-time fans of Starward Whisky so we were enthusiastically on board for a campaign to help publicise the brilliant revamp of the 120-seat venue which has added a new bar and kitchen and a new name, Starward Whisky & Bar.

KDPO and Johnny’s Green Room are old friends. We launched the iconic Carlton rooftop venue on the corner of Lygon and Faraday Streets in 2018, and last December we celebrated its stunning Tuscan-inspired makeover.

There simply cannot be too many easy-going venues that seamlessly combine drinks, food, music and art, which is why we’re ringing the bell for new Windsor bar Young Hearts.

The bagel revolution reached Armadale with the arrival of Hank’s Bagelry in April. The elevated New York-style bagels on offer from the shop by the Beatty Group, the masterminds behind Copycat Bar & Restaurant and Mammoth Café, have become an immediate hit and established it as a must-visit destination for aficionados while making plenty of new converts to the bagel cause.