Bite-size Stories

Cashmere coats and Armani suits abound. Office people uphold their importance with expensive good looks on the classy side of Collins Street. They rush around the Mamasita sign, treating their afternoon meeting agenda like a life-time commitment. Me too, very important. My meeting agenda included a salt-ringed glass of margarita and char-grilled corn cobs in melted cheese, paprika and mayo. Keen Melbourne crowds queue just to get that. The word on the street is that Mamasita is an adventure. No, I do not like to queue, but I am always up for an adventure. I trick the crowds, and get in just before lunch time. Braised goat tostada, a few margaritas and an icecream covered in popcorn. We do not need an agenda to have a killer of a meeting Mamasita and I.

I f you ever need to make someone you care about feel special, take them to the Meatball and Wine Bar. Order a round of sliders, share a few plates of meatballs, let them choose the dessert, and raise a glass or two of wine. What’s in these balls? I think the main ingredients are happiness, a dash of love, a spoonful of humour, and a good measure of passion for food. Meatballs have always been comfort food for me. Here, they come dressed up a little — in a place that’s both cosy and stylish, with just a hint of New York edge and a touch of Melbourne class. It’s not just dinner, it’s a reminder: good food shared with good company is always the recipe for feeling special.