Carmen Hartwich,who became Australia’s first master of bourbon last week.

Brisbane’s Carmen Hartwich named Australia’s first master of bourbon

She’s just the seventh person in the world to achieve the qualification – and the first female.

  • Matt Shea
Tim Scott and his brigade at Exhibition.

Exhibition is hosting one of Canberra’s best restaurants (for two nights only)

The two-hatted Pilot is popping up in the star Brisbane eatery for a nine-course degustation with paired drinks. But you’ll need to be quick to nab a booking.

  • Matt Shea
Ashley-Maree Kent outside Sbagliata,which will open in August.

Coming soon:A Portside restaurant from a hero of hand-shaped pasta

In a brightly detailed spot it will serve lovingly prepared tonnarelli,ravioli and tortellini (which can be purchased retail),along with wood-fired mains.

  • Matt Shea
Tocca restaurant in Werribee.

How a run-down strip became the most exciting culinary street in the west

In Melbourne’s west,diners are spending big at this once-unassuming strip that now bustles with amazing eateries. In this series,Dani Valent tells you exactly where to eat and drink on Watton Street.

  • Dani Valent
Victor Churchill in Armadale.

How a well-heeled street of rug and wedding dress shops became a premier dining strip

Visitors used to flock to Armadale for the boutique shopping. Now its eateries – from high-end to casual – attract Melburnians from all over the city. In this series,Dani Valent tells you exactly where to eat and drink on High Street.

  • Dani Valent
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Crosta D’Oro in Thornbury.

High Street is jam-packed with bars,cafes and restaurants – but this is its best section

The 18-kilometre stretch runs through five suburbs in Melbourne’s north,and one slice of the strip is enjoying its golden era. In this series,Dani Valent tells you exactly where to eat and drink in Thornbury.

  • Dani Valent
Tiamo restaurant in Carlton.

Five years ago,Lygon Street was dying. Now diners are queuing out the door

Melbourne’s most iconic dining strip was saved from a slow demise – but if you’re only visiting for Italian,you’re doing it wrong. In this series,Dani Valent tells you exactly where you should go to eat and drink.

  • Dani Valent
Emme opens for breakfast and lunch this Wednesday,with dinner service to follow two weeks later.

Iconic James Street spot reborn as beautiful all-day wood-fired eatery

An ex-Greca head chef is cooking Jordanian- and Moroccan-inspired food such as crab omelette with chilli,pipis with harissa butter,and wagyu with mustard.

  • Matt Shea
Gum Bistro opened earlier this month in West End.

A slick bistro (from young guns) opens in a cute West End shop

They’ve worked at Gerard’s,Essa,Pilloni and Bar Romantica. Now they’re on their own with eye-catching food and a killer globe-trotting wine list.

  • Matt Shea
Raja in Potts Point (left) and Izakaya Tempura Kuon join the growing list of Sydney restaurant closures.

‘The most challenging it has been in two decades’:Two high-profile restaurant closures hit Sydney

A hatted modern-Indian newcomer and a niche Japanese izakaya announce their final services.

  • Bianca Hrovat andScott Bolles