Relish with Kate Stevenson

On the final episode of Relish for 2025, not endings, but some openings!Restaurateur Michael Badr shares the inspiration Bar Sophia in Glen Iris, inspired by the new wave wine Bars of Athens.Also, three-hatted chef Cam Tay Yap wowed locals with a pop up in a car park last summer, so what can we expect from Pebble Dining 2.0 in west Melbourne (hint, this time round there will be walls and a kitchen at least!)And in Eat, Drink, Do Melbourne - summer inspiration from the brand new and uber-stylish Crane Terrace at 1Hotel Melbourne; the reimagined Cleo Hyde Melbourne Place; Carlton's newest pizzeria Garfield will be with us before long; a martini affair you are NOT going to want to miss at The Douglas Club; and a few Christmas foodie treats to indulge in this festive seasonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Relish podcast - we've just seen two of the biggest Melbourne openings for 2025, so Kate was very keen to get the lowdown on each.First up, after 8 years the renovation of the landmark Waterside Hotel has been unveiled, and exec chef Sarah Chan is behind the menu from pub classics in the public bar to vibrant south-east Asian fare in signature restaurant PAST/PORT, she'll explain what to expect.Also, founder & CEO of MAMA's Dining Group Thai Ho explains how he turned the iconic former Madame Brussels site into a Japanese listening bar, restaurant, rooftop and omakase.And in Eat Drink Do Melbourne, try Lebo-terranean at brand new Bar Bouni; 98 Lygon St Bar and Bistro launches a new courtyard AND aperitivo hour; the Standard X hotel opens its rooftop, "On Top", to the public; New York's renowned Death & Co bar opens a Melbourne outpost; and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival program is out for 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Relish podcast, Melbourne loves it when a local legend announces a new endeavour, so what does Alejandro Saravia have in store for us at Farmer's Daughters Wine House?Also, with Nikka Perfect Serve, that famous Japanese distiller sets out to find the world's best bartender, Kate finds out what it takes from Australian winner Takashi Matsumoto.And, in Eat Drink Do Melbourne - TWO fabulous pub renovations in the Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff & Kensington's famous Doutta Gala; Crown Melbourne looks the place to be for this upcoming indulgent social season as they launch Champagne & Caviar experiences across their most iconic venues; brilliant CBD bar Apollo Inn has launched a fab Nightcap menu to see your city evenings out in style; and Alice Zaslavsky teams up with Ertswilder to produce some seriously "tasty" accessories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aret Arzadian and his partners have opened an elevated Italian restaurant and cracking rooftop in the heart of Glen Waverley, on the Relish podcast he tells Kate about the inspiration for "Gambino".Also, down in Ballarat, Itinerant Spirits head distiller James Fairlie is celebrating World Vodka day with not one, but THREE new releases from Vansetter Vodka, so what can we expect?And, in Eat, Drink, Do Melbourne - Mexi by Riverland gives us the chance to fiesta by the Yarra, Fleet rooftop proves a great CBD al fresco option through Spring and Summer, the Sandhill Road Group prepare to unveil a mammoth renovation at the Waterside Hotel, Seddon and Union Wine stores add a banging gin martini to their batched cocktail collection, and how you can Eat Drink Play Gippsland with a brand new one day festival this October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael and Zara Madrusan are know globally for their world-beating bars and cocktails, on this episode of Relish, Kate asks how they came up with the 2800 cocktail recipes their new book - The Madrusan Cocktail Companion.Also, Alex Xinis has won accolades for Yarraville Greek gem Tzaki, so what can we expect from Kokoras - his modern, Greek take on great old school charcoal chook shops?And in Eat, Drink Do Melbourne - Brisbane's Blackbird is seriously bringing the goods to its new Flinders Lane home, Johnny's green Room is hosting some of this city's best chefs for "Sunday Service", Officina Gastronomica Italiana is transporting you direct to Piemonte with their new "Taste and Pour" menu; Mill Place Merchants is taking us back through time for Negroni Week; and get ready as Thats Amore launches Australia's first Australian Burrata Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.