What's new in Victoria in June

Omnia Bar & BistroOpening this week in South Yarra, Omnia Bistro & Bar combines the talents of award-winning chef Stephen Nairn and World Class Global Bartender of the year Orlando Marzo.  The restaurant will pop-up near to the site of the world-class luxury residential development called Capital Grand, and will effectively act as a training ground. The all-star Melbourne team will spend their days developing dishes for the restaurants that will take up residence in the development later in the year and early 2020. Meanwhile, at Omnia, the à la carte menu will offer European classics such as steak tartare, stuffed quail or ​Whole Flounder, brown butter, lemon & capers – using some of Australia’s best produce.  The drinks list comes with typical Marzo flair, with a wine list made up of artisan makers and a cocktail list of botanically-inspired flavours. The cosy dining room offers earthy, wooden tones, soft brown banquettes and a solid veined marble top. A private walkway leads guests to the light-filled Garden Bar at the rear of the bistro. 23-25 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, +61 (03) 8080 8080

GLACÉ by Christy Tania now open at Emporium MelbourneCelebrated pastry chef Christy Tania has today opened her second GLACÉ store at Emporium Melbourne. With an existing store in Windsor, the Emporium Melbourne store is the first city centre offering for GLACÉ. Visitors to the store can enjoy Christy’s delicious, hand-crafted range of ice creams, cakes and desserts. A variety of savoury options are also on offer, along with a selection of salads from Charlie Carrrington (Colours by Atlas). The café features a dessert bar and designated seating area for up to 40 people. Guests can enjoy sit down or take away desserts, pastries and ice creams. To celebrate her new store opening, Christy has launched a new menu item for GLACÉ called “Gateau de Voyage”. Available Lemon, Dark Chocolate and Matcha, these ‘travel cakes’ are purpose made to travel well and are packaged in colourful boxes which have been locally designed with a made in Melbourne tag – making them the ideal gift for friends or family living interstate or overseas. Level One, Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Regional

Paper Scissors Rock Brew CoHalls Gap, one of Australia’s premier rock climbing and nature-based locations has welcomed its first micro-brewery, Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. Located in the centre of town, the new venue features large glass walls for visitors to enjoy the picturesque view of the Grampians, as well as the new 37-meter long art installation. There will be an ever-changing range of Pale Ales and IPAs with guest brewers to keep things ultra fresh. With regular live music, and menu items such as pork and black pudding scotch quails eggs, beer mustard mayonnaise – the brewery is sure to be a very popular addition to the tiny town. The brewery is located next to the Halls Gap information centre at the Grampians Road and Heath Street intersection.

Gold Mines HotelAn historic Bendigo hotel with a history dating back to 1857 has been lovingly restored and invigorated with new owners and a new menu. The hotel represents the wealth of regional Victoria in the height of the goldrush and has a fond place in the hearts of locals. Finished in 1872, the national trust listed hotel sits on 1.5 acres of sprawling historic gardens designed in the mid 1800’s by David Chaplin Sterry. Taken over last year by the owners of Kyneton's Source Dining, this private retreat has only recently been open to the public to enjoy. The updated menu designed by Executive Chef Tim Foster, celebrates the best of contemporary Australian cuisine in this historic venue and reflects a similar quality of Australian produce wrapped up in favourite gastropub style dishes from ribs to burgers and steamed buns to a kangaroo salad. The Hotel has one of the top 10 beer gardens in Australia.  49-57 Marong Road, Golden Square VIC 3550, +61 3 5443 3004 

Tours

Foodie TrailsA new culinary and cultural experience in Melbourne is now available run by passionate local foodie Himanshi Munshaw Luhar. The tours started from a desire to introduce people to her own rich Indian culture, then extended to include the famous Italian precincts, the Greek dominated suburbs, the well-known areas of Chinatown, Vietnamese cuisine and the lesser known ethnic areas of Footscray and Dandenong. The tours are 4 hours in total and start at the Immigration Museum, with an overview of the waves of immigration that have shaped the city and state. From vegemite on toast to the meat pie, Australia’s own evolution of gastronomy is not ignored. Foodies can choose from Melbourne Foodie Culture, Indian, and African cultural food walks. The tours run three days a week at 10.30am and are priced at $125pp.Email: tours@foodietrails.com.au or call 1800 667 791, P O Box - 387 Bentleigh Vic 3165

Destinations

ELLALocated at the north west corner of Melbourne Central, ELLA is a new shopping, dining and entertainment precinct that brings together some of the city best qualities all under the roof of one of its favourite shopping destinations. The space will introduce revolving art installations, music events, and a curated selection of popular eateries including Colour Bowls, the latest offshoot of South Yarra's hatted restaurant, Atlas; Collingwood’s Son in Law - The Pad; and Pick a Stick Chinese Skewers by the team at Dainty Sichuan. The high-tech destination also introduces a bluetooth jukebox - where visitors can select their favourite tunes from their own mobile device, and a chatbot via Facebook Messenger and WeChat for easy ordering and payment. The 2,500 square-meter space will offer communal seating and a general liquor license, meaning diners can grab a drink from bottle shop Blackheart and Sparrows or high-end cocktail bar Byrdi, grab their favourite dish and sit where ever they like. Elizabeth St and Latrobe St, Melbourne