Good Providore near Hilton South Wharf

[simongr]

Hi all

I am down in MEL this week and my family are actually joining me for a couple of days. This is a mini break for us (finally). We aren't keen to engage an unknown baby sitter so we might just have a nice quiet night in the suite at Hilton South Wharf.

Given I have devoured the room service menu my wife suggested a nice evening of wine, pate, cheese and fresh bread (my kind of dinner) after canapes in the Exec lounge.

I actually don't know MEL that well (despite 20+ trips there per year) so have no idea where I could source decent food close to the hotel. I will be working in [insert suburb] Friday morning so could get some stuff from there (there are a few shops there - I know I can get wine at least ) and Saturday morning we are occupied with the Wiggles and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra...

Is there anything around there?

As I said we wont be going out for dinner (if we could have sourced a table at Vue Du Monde we might have gotten over the babysitter thing) so something in the room will be fine. We are also both exhausted at the moment so a quite night in will be nice.

Cheers

S

 

[KitKat]

My guess is
David Jones food hall (Bourke St Mall) - good selection in the basement
There is a small IGA supermarket in the Freshwater Place precinct (bottle shop, deli section, bread) - area behind the Meat and Wine Co in Southbank
There is a Laurent Patisserie on Little Collin Street, close to DJs

Have a lovely time in MEL

 

[Peabody]

I like Brewsters on Liardet St, about 2km from HSW.
EDIT: Liardet St is just off Bay St in Port Melbourne.

 

[simongr]

Cheers guys - will have to work out if I can carry boygr to David Jones - didnt even think of that.

2KM from HSW might be a stretch for the boy but will check out the map - might be an option on the way back from MSO.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Cheers guys - will have to work out if I can carry boygr to David Jones - didnt even think of that.

2KM from HSW might be a stretch for the boy but will check out the map - might be an option on the way back from MSO.

It's easy to get to DJ's on the tram from St Kilda road and boygr would probably love the tram trip

 

[blackcat20]

I was going to suggest the Queen Vic Market, but that's a bit further again. Good tram access though.

 

[markis10]

I was going to suggest the Queen Vic Market, but that's a bit further again. Good tram access though.

Good call, worth the effort!

 

[TonyHancock]

I'd go for the David Jones Food Hall, even though I should really try the Queen Vic Market!

 

[munitalP]

Good call, worth the effort!

It is, however, we chose sometime ago to leave the tourists to shop their hearts out there, and adopted the South Melbourne Market as our choice of purveyors of fine produce. simongr will not be disappointed at SMM - take the 96 tram from the end of the Exhibition centre - the tram / light rail stops at the market.

South Melbourne Market

 

[blackcat20]

I'd go for the David Jones Food Hall, even though I should really try the Queen Vic Market!

You really should. There is a stall inside the deli hall which does the best boreks, only $2.50. The crowd at lunchtime agrees with me

 

[cove]

We start from the Freshwater side of Southbank so the IGA there plus the easy walk across the muddy river to David Jones is ok. The South Melbourne Markets are close and quite ok for HSW location and if minigr takes to tram rides Melbourne will be your oyster. Do a tram test with minigr so you can see how that works.
Someone left their big fridge door open and Melbourne is pretty cool at the moment and you have to watch out for quick weather changes that could catch you out.

 

[drewbles]

I was going to suggest the Queen Vic Market, but that's a bit further again. Good tram access though.

My vote for this too. For everything cheese/bread/paté, you can't miss the food hall here. It's streets ahead of everywhere else in Melbourne. Jump on the tram, head up there, walk around, buy stuff. It's also great with the kids. Make sure you stop off at the American Doughnut van (located outside the fresh fruit and vege stalls ironically enough) for quite possibly the worlds best doughnuts (Sorry, Krispy Kremes are Krap!). Wander around, take in the markets and then stop off at a bottle shop somewhere (there's one in the world trade centre on your way back, South Wharf Cellars next to the Crowne Plaza) and you've a) made something of your day and b) have possibly the best produce there.

Can recommend Bills Farm for Cheese there too! If you're feeling Germanic, stop by the Bratwurst store for one 'with the lot' for $6. I recommend the spicy one with some mustard, cheese and sauerkraut. Delicious!

 

[michaelj]

It is, however, we chose sometime ago to leave the tourists to shop their hearts out there, and adopted the South Melbourne Market as our choice of purveyors of fine produce. simongr will not be disappointed at SMM - take the 96 tram from the end of the Exhibition centre - the tram / light rail stops at the market.

South Melbourne Market

I fully endorse the South Melbourne Market recommendation. Not only is it closer than QV Market, but it has some of the best food stalls in melbourne.

 

[drewbles]

I fully endorse the South Melbourne Market recommendation. Not only is it closer than QV Market, but it has some of the best food stalls in melbourne.

I tend to prefer purchasing fruit and veg at SMM, but when it comes to small goods, antipasti and other lovely cheeses and bits and pieces, the food hall at QVM is tops. There's a reason the tourists stay at QVM... the outdoor markets. The indoor Meat and 'food halls' are full of locals stocking up (and if you want amazing pieces of meat, try Sardes, right near the Elizabeth street entrance; picked up an amazing Cape Grim piece of fillet for a roast on the weekend... was stunning!).

 

[simongr]

Tempted to head there on Friday to grab something for dinner before I head to the hotel to meet the family...

 

[drewbles]

Tempted to head there on Friday to grab something for dinner before I head to the hotel to meet the family...

Perhaps you can finally catch up with me, or it's just possible you're avoiding me

 

[simongr]

As an update we grabbed the city circle tourist tram to Queen Vic markets - found the bratwurst stall - great and just what we needed (we however didnt the homeless drunk sitting down on the bench with us). Picked up some great cheeses and a nice Pinot Noir (rabbit house I think) but after a good session in the exec lounge decided to order a sirloin and chips - which was one of the best steaks I have had there (likely to have it tomorrow night). Managed to "jerry rig" a cool box to bring the food home and finished off a superb terrine last night whilst we finally watched the end of Masterchef.

 

[TonyHancock]

As an update we grabbed the city circle tourist tram to Queen Vic markets - found the bratwurst stall - great and just what we needed (we however didnt the homeless drunk sitting down on the bench with us). Picked up some great cheeses and a nice Pinot Noir (rabbit house I think) but after a good session in the exec lounge decided to order a sirloin and chips - which was one of the best steaks I have had there (likely to have it tomorrow night). Managed to "jerry rig" a cool box to bring the food home and finished off a superb terrine last night whilst we finally watched the end of Masterchef.

Sounds like you had and excellent couple of days!

 

[simongr]

It was possibly the best time I have ever spent in MEL. There was a moment of "you know if pushed by the company we could live here...

Although tonight I am not relishing the thought of a flight back tomorrow morning.

On the upside PB worked very well and mrssimongr was suitably impressed...

 

[drewbles]

Glad you made it to QVM. The Bratwurst is a great way to start the day (only on a w/end). It's fun walking around trying to eat one and then stock up in the market halls!

Melbourne isn't Melboring ​like some Sydney-siders think it is