Our friend @kobi_ruz hasn’t opened a new restaurant but as the culinary director for @six_russell_bistro, which opened on Friday, he may as well have. He has lived and breathed this project for two years with as much energy and commitment as if it was his own. We’ve watched and enjoyed its evolution! A sibling to next-door bakery @six_russell_bakes, which has been open since December, it’s a bistro with attitude. There’s a classic steak au poivre with a choice of three types of accompanying potato dishes. (They’re in the PDT section, the name a bit of a hint of his love for Paris.) There are three types of oysters, two martinis in two sizes, smoked rainbow trout almondine garnished, not so traditionally, with curry leaves, duck liver parfait topped with mirror-level jelly, steak tartare with onion rings on the side, a particularly clever rum baba and much more. It’s classic but it’s not and all with the same impeccably-sourced produce he uses at his own venues @lucindawinebar and @diermakr including @fatcarrotfarm, @feldsfarm and @provenancegrowers (lucky, like us, to be at its soft opening). It’s a wine list with broad appeal and we are very happy that some of the people we work with are on the list. Years of planning and a wonderful kitchen team led by @jyefergusonnn and @julie_kettyle_ meant everything was going very smoothly when we turned up again the next day as the first walk ins on the official opening night. We had the unexpected bonus of dining companions @palisaanderson and @nthornburgh, here to lead a group of visitors on @roadsandkingdoms’ first Tasmanian sojourn. It augurs well for who you might eat with if you sit at the communal table! (And the @roadsandkingdoms Tasmanian itinerary sounds like a dream - a lucky group are going to discover some of Tasmania’s best secrets).

Photo 1 was a bowl from our very first visit on 3 December and we have already lost count of how many more there have been. @ranita.ramen is the most satisfying lunch, late breakfast, or afternoon pick me up. A shoyu ramen is the classic menu option and we could happily eat that on every visit but every special we have tried (sadly we missed out on one) has been fantastic. The hand-made house-made noodles ensure it is special but they are part of a complete package. There are only 9 seats around the counter so you may have to wait briefly at busy times but it doesn’t take long to eat a bowl of ramen so you don’t have to be patient for long! Most of the customers seem as lovely as Zoë and Javi, its Spanish owners, and depart quickly to make their seats available for the next customer. It all feels very Japanese. Regulars at @lucindawinebar might recognise Javi who cooked at the bar for several years while at the same time bringing this beautiful project to fruition.

A lot of good things have just happened or are about to happen in Hobart (@six_russell_bakes and @ranita.ramen have just opened and @lukeburgess77 has a project opening early in 2025) but not all the news is good. Today was the last day @mewahrestaurant will serve its lunchtime yum cha. An institution since 2007 this service will be sadly missed. It was a lucky privilege to have one last meal during the last service with @kobi_ruz @analiesegregory @jyefergusonnn and @julie_kettyle_ . No doubt there will still be dumplings on the evening à la carte menu but for now the trolleys are silent.

Time to draw breath and contemplate how few posts we have made this year. So many stories but nothing that’s easy to retrieve. This might come to nothing but here’s a first attempt to put together some favourite moments from time spent in France mid year. This post is about Perpignan - a town we have come to love (thanks @mataburro.vins and @vinaigrerie_la_guinelle_ for being the reason for us to come back regularly). Included here: @naivedeperpignan (we ate here twice) @manat.restaurant (we would have eaten here twice!) @bas__ton what a wine list and great pizza plus a @mamenakane_ popup @cafeleo_perpignan - some of France’s best coffee and one of its most thoughtful coffee people @neoperpignan for the best bread @yegg_pub for fried chicken And a photo at @vinaigrerie_la_guinelle_ which is easily accessible for a visit from here and a must visit if you are in the region. We might stop working long enough to do a few more of these before the year is out.

If you are in Hobart on Saturday afternoon come and try some of our delicious French natural wines at @five.leaves.left.hobart. We will be there from 2pm-4pm. Wines from the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Alsace and more … a chance to try before you buy!

We’re coming to Queensland for a tasting at @florgrocer in Burleigh Heads We’re there from 4pm-6pm. Everyone’s welcome - no bookings, no cost. Come and say hello and try some very spring-like Queensland-ready wines! (And it’s probably not a coincidence that it is still winter in Tasmania and we’re having trouble adjusting after spending July in France)