Gift giving, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch. Talk to loved up people (or those looking for love) and most will relate to one of these 5 ‘Love Languages’. But for many, there is another language that drips with romance - one that is, arguably, the most loving and universal of them all. I am, of course, talking about pasta. Whether it’s gnocchi with pine nuts and pesto, fettuccine in a creamy carbonara or Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, we all have our favourite go to plate that gives us comfort, security and a feeling of deep satisfaction. In recognition of this sensual icon, we have collated a few of the best pasta spots from around our neighbourhoods. Park Street Pasta & Wine This elegant, friendly neighbourhood pasta and wine bar is a local treasure. There is a mouthwatering selection of handmade pasta, from spaghettoni to ravioli, conchiglie to pappardelle, all oozing with Tuscan inspired flavours. Plus, a tidy wine least featuring Italian, international and local drops to match. The venue boasts an intimate bar and dining room, plus an exterior terrazzo area- perfect for those warm summer nights. OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday Lunch and Dinner WHERE: 268 Park Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 | Image credit: Pettinau Roberto Ciao Cielo Ciao Cielo is an Italian fine dining restaurant, with an exquisite selection of house-made pasta, authentic Italian food, and a little frivolity. Located in the old Port Melbourne Courthouse, by day it’s inspired by casual beachside eats in Portofino and by night it transforms under a sky of twinkling fairy lights, creating a casual, party atmosphere for fabulous nights out. OPENING HOURS: Monday 5 PM to Late | Wednesday to Sunday 12 pm to late. WHERE: 115 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207 | Image Credit: Ciao Cielo Gnoccheria by Take Me Home Want to create your own at home pasta romance? Take Me Home is a family run business serving a menu of artisan, handmade pastas, sauces, pizza bases and more, all made with love. You can pick up their full range plus handmade gnocchi and pasta made fresh daily from their Gnoccheria in Middle Park (And other locations). OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm | Saturday 10am to 4pm WHERE: 11 Armstrong Street Middle Park VIC 3206 | Image credit: Take Me Home Sorsi e Morsi Tucked just around the corner from Acland Street Village, this is local secret worth discovering. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosy, the service is great, and the food is authentic and delicious. With gnocchi that melts in your mouth, sauces rich in Italian flavours plus home-cooked favourites, you’ll be saying ‘Ciao!’ to your own slice of Italy like an old friend. OPENING HOURS: Monday to Tuesday 7 am to 3 pm | Wednesday to Sunday 7 am to late. WHERE: 31 Blessington Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 | Image credit: Sorsi et Morsi Zanini Pizzeria Stepping into Zanini is like stepping into a foodie tour of Italy, from the Alps to Sicily, passing through the Tuscan hillside and onto Rome. With two locations nestled in the heart of Elwood Village and St Kilda East, this is warm and rustic dining serving authentic plates of pasta, pizza and more with a healthy seasoning of comfort. OPENING HOURS: Pizzeria - Tuesday to Sunday, 5 pm to 9.30 pm WHERE: 106 Ormond Road, Elwood VIC 3184 | 262 Inkerman Street, St Kilda East VIC 3183 | Image credit: Zanini Pizzeria Ripponlea Food & Wine This Ripponlea staple offers comfort, style and a little bit of fancy without the fuss! The menu is bursting with fresh and rich flavours and, of course, some signature pasta dishes. Fresh seafood with white wine, mushrooms and toasted hazelnuts, confit tomato and vodka - matches made in pasta heaven all wait for you in this chic, friendly neighbourhood haunt. OPENING HOURS: Wednesday to Saturday 3 pm to late. WHERE: 15 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea, VIC 3185 | Image credit: Ripponlea Food & Wine There are, of course, so many more great pasta destinations in our neighbourhoods so get out there and show them some pasta love! Main image credit: Pettinau Roberto (Park Street Pasta & Wine)
It’s that time of year when we celebrate the mysterious, weird and often misunderstood stories and urban legends from around our City. With an excess of historical sites, there are many stories and places that spark the spooky imagination around our neighbourhoods. While some stories are tragic, others are simply strange. So, if you’re a lover of special spectres, visceral visions, bellowing buildings or howling houses, keep reading for some of our local stories and places to keep your spine nice and chilled. THE FRIENDLY GHOST OF POINT ORMOND Urban legend has it that at the exceptionally beautiful lookout at Point Ormond, lives (Or haunts) a ghost who helps to keep children safe. The tale told is that this friendly ghost (let’s call him Casper) once appeared to a sleeping mother, dressed in a ye olde style outfit. Casper woke the woman and told her to call her children back to her, who were playing by a bayside cliff. She took his notice and called to her children, just in time to see the cliff edge crumble away as they arrived safely back by her side. She turned to thank the child that had warned her, to find he had vanished. THE JOKER GHOST OF LUNA PARK One of our more popular poltergeists is the Joker Ghost of Luna Park, who has been known to appear n the Scenic Railway and the Ferris Wheel, to spook riders before disappearing into thin air. But who is this mysterious figure? There are a number of different theories. One is that he is a snake charmer who was bitten on the neck by one of his tiger snakes during a performance. Another is that it is the spirit of a man who, while riding the Scenic Railway, turned to speak to someone behind him and in doing so, leaned out of the cart and hit his head on an oncoming support pole. The list of possible identities is possibly the most frightening thing about this particular story but don’t be surprised if you see this trickster (and for goodness’ sake, keep your arms, legs and head inside the rides!) PREDICTING THE METROPOLIT AN GAS COMPANY EXPLOSION On 4 April, 1920, the Port Phillip location of the Metropolitan Gas Company exploded with a boom that was heard 60km away, reducing it to a pile of steel and rubble. Incredibly, there were no resulting injuries. What is a bit creepy, is the letter that the secretary of the company received on 31 March saying: ‘I am a student of occult science, and it has come to my knowledge that on or about April 25 there will be an attempt to blow up the company‘s gasometer at South (sic) Melbourne, perhaps more. Feeling the responsibility heavy upon me, I am writing to warn you, so that means may be taken to prevent, if possible, this awful thing. It is purely and simply through the Divine will this came to me. Other knowledge which came to me through the same channel has proved correct’. The cause of the fire was thought to be a pipe leak, with corrosion to metal structures also contributing - no evidence of human or occult interference was found. Image Credit: Gasworks Arts inc. Archives THE WOMAN OF THE GRAHAM HOTEL The two brothers who own The Graham Hotel in Port Melbourne have reported sightings of a mysterious woman, dressed in a bonnet and white night clothes. She appeared to walk through the restaurant to look out the window, then turned and walked back through the restaurant then slowly up the stairs. After rumours began to spread, a regular patron told the brothers that long ago a woman had been murdered upstairs. Image Credit: Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society. THE GHOST OF ALFRED FELTON Ok, so technically there are no reports of an Alfred Felton ghost sighting (yet). However, in the former dwelling and place of death of the well-known philanthropist, is the chic, cosy bar named the Ghost of Alfred Felton. Located in the historic Esplanade Hotel, the venue does have other ethereal residents, with a number of floating women sighted in the upper storey windows of rooms that were unoccupied and boarded up at the time. Spirits in this venue are not just behind the bar… (Sorry I had to). SECRETS OF THE PALAIS Theatres are magical places, full of tales told both on stage and by the many people that visit them. The iconic Palais theatre in St Kilda has its fair share of stories to make you shiver. Staff of this great beauty have reporting hearing doors opening when they have been alone in the building (an idea that sends a chill down my spine on its own). There have also been reports of shadows flitting across the upstairs mirrors and not long ago a hidden door was uncovered that used to be the old ladies cloakroom – But why was it covered up!? There have also been sightings of a woman standing in the upstairs seating, staring out towards the stage. A former usher from the 1960s recently visited the venue and turned to the venue manager to simply say “Have you seen her yet?”. HISTORICAL REFLECTION AT ST KILDA CEMETERY St Kilda Cemetery is a beautiful monument to many of Melbourne’s most known residents and much-loved family members with over 51,000 burials. The tranquil grounds are divided into sections by denomination, with areas for Church of England, Catholic, Independent, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Baptist, Other Denominations, and Hebrew. Walk through the historic tombstones and garden beds, discovering the resting places of names both known and unknown. There are tours available if you want to learn more about this historic site. All images, unless otherwise stated, courtesy of the Port Phillip City Collection.
The inner south bayside suburbs have always been home to artists, bohemians and colourful characters that make St Kilda, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and the surrounding neighbourhoods such eclectic and expressive areas of our beautiful City. In recent times, these neighbourhoods have grown and developed to become home to some of Melbourne’s best artists and performers, with arts spaces and venues dedicated to the cultivation of new art and opportunities as well as hosting some of the biggest names in comedy, music, dance and classical arts. Here are just some of the local theatres and companies for when you need a little inspiration in your life. THEATRE WORKS Theatre Works is the epicentre of independent theatre, providing a hotbed for artists of all experience, identity, background and aspiration to create and explore all forms of theatre. WHERE: 14 Acland Street, St Kilda, Victoria View the upcoming program here: Home | Theatre Works RED STITCH ACTORS’ THEATRE Red Stitch is Australia’s leading actors' ensemble, performing contemporary Australian plays and award-winning new works from around the world. WHERE: Rear 2 Chapel Street (behind All Saints Church) St Kilda East, Vic 3183, Australia Red Stitch Actors' Theatre GASWORKS ARTS PARK Gasworks Arts Park is a vibrant arts precinct producing a range of high-quality arts programs, workshops and activities for all ages. Situated in Albert Park, Melbourne, on the site of the former South Melbourne Gas Plant, Gasworks is just three kilometres from the CBD and the precinct houses four hectares of park, two theatres, three gallery spaces, a café, as well as function and workshop spaces. WHERE: 21 Graham Street, Albert Park VIC 3206 https://www.gasworks.org.au/ THE NATIONAL THEATRE MELBOURNE The National Theatre has been a vital part of Melbourne's creative landscape since 1920, playing host to hundreds of performances and community events every year. The beautiful and historic building is home to the National Theatre Drama and Ballet schools, training the next generations of Melbourne artists. WHERE: 20 Carlisle St (Cnr Barkly St) St Kilda VIC 3182 https://nationaltheatre.org.au/ TEMPERANCE HALL Temperance Hall is a stunning and vital arts hub, supporting experimental and risk-taking contemporary culture. You'll find a range of works from independent artists and small companies who push their practices and make bold new works, including Phillip Adams BalletLab. WHERE: 199 Napier St, South Melbourne VIC 3205 https://www.temperancehall.com.au/ PALAIS THEATRE The Palais is as iconic to St Kilda as the pier and Luna Park. This gorgeous theatre has been presenting the best in live entertainment since 1927. From musicals to bands, films to the very best of live performance, this venue and its audiences have seen it all. WHERE: Cnr Lower Esplanade and Cavell Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 https://palaistheatre.com.au/