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Monday 13th January: Match Point, Meditation & Return of the Meatballs
Some devastating news broke over the weekend: the return of the famous Chapel Street festival has been postponed indefinitely. If, like us, you had it marked in the diary already, we're sorry if this is how you're finding out. It also looks like there's some drama about who's responsible for the cancellation, but we've still got everything crossed for a future return. Here's what is going on today to keep you distracted while you mourn.
The Headlines
Italian is most people's default cuisine, and it's never easy to pick a spot with there being a top selection on every street. Concrete Playground has rounded up the 22 best Italian restaurants in Melbourne—from traditional dishes straight out of Nonna's kitchen to modern, pretentious small plate Italians, there's a restaurant for every occasion dotted around the city. The jury's still out on the ultimate prize for the best tiramisu though.
You guessed it, more tennis. If you're planning to spend a day or three at the Open, first of all, great choice. Secondly, it can be a little confusing to navigate if it's your maiden voyage. This handy article rounds up all you need to know about visiting, including the big dates for the main matches, and of course, the all-important dress code. Unlike Wimbledon, the AO is very easy to get into on the day without a crazy queue, even offering evening passes for a bargain $25.
If Picolino Panini Bar's meatball panino was a staple of your Melbourne winter diet, good news: the viral sandwich is back for two weeks only. The catch? It’s only available inside the Aus Open grounds, so if you’re desperate, you’ll need to factor in the ticket price. That said, it might just be worth it. Perfectly toasted bread, tender meatballs, and just the right amount of sauce—it didn't go viral for no reason.
Where to Eat and Drink
Start your week the right way by trying out a new coffee spot. Everyone's got their opinion on who serves up the best brew, but Patricia Coffee has to be one of our top contenders, especially for any city workers reading this. It's a humble hole-in-the-wall tucked away on Little Bourke Street, but their coffee is anything but basic. We recommend heading there early to beat the mid-morning coffee rush and enjoy your brew without the wait.
Where to Live
Brunswick is calling if you're looking for a light-filled room in a classic Northside terrace house. You'll be nestled between Hope and Albion Streets, which means Sydney Road's host of bars and cafes are dangerously close—perfect for a late-night snack or emergency caffeine fix. Your new housemates are also up for communal dinners and occasional city outings if you've got some summer exploring on the cards.
Core selling point: fun kitchen archway.
Where to Work
Melbourne's most sought-after apartment group Home are looking for a casual handy person to be on-site at their Southbank and Richmond locations. By the sounds of it, you'd be the on-call handy person for anything that needs fixing in these high-spec, brand-new apartments—in other words, nothing. It's a short-term position until late Feb, so the ideal stopgap if you're jetting off somewhere sunny before winter hits.
Where to Go
Feel Good Flows is a yoga class happening every Monday in Middle Park at 5:30pm and 6:30pm to help you with your January fitness kick. It's beginner-friendly and features meditation and breathwork to help you have a relaxing start to the week. With most yoga classes across Melbourne costing above $30, this community class operates on donations only, with the average donation being $15.
Match Point Pick
With the tennis officially underway, we’re bringing you a bonus segment: the Melbourne 417 Match of the Day. It’s your must-watch pick that promises all the action—whether you’re tuning in at home, soaking it up at the pub, or lucky enough to be there live.
It would be rude not to start with one of our own. British number one Jack Draper starts his Aus Open campaign against Argentinian Mariano Navone. It’s scheduled for Court 3 which, take our word for it, had the best atmosphere for a grounds pass ticket we’ve ever seen yesterday. We’re obvs backing Jack—it’s surely in the bag.
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