2009 Age Good Food Guide Chef's Hats

[James]

The 2009 Age Good Food Guide has been out for a little already, but with 2009 just around the corner I think it's worth highlighting what the judges and reviewers have earmarked as the best places to eat in Melbourne this year.

Interestingly, this year we've got double the number of 3-chef's-hat winners, with Vue de Monde being added to Jacques Reymond. Is it coincidence that they rhyme? Not sure.

What is interesting is the number of up-and-comers that have been added to the list this year. It's hard to know why these in particular have been chosen and not others that are in the same league, but I guess the judges have to make a decision and these are the ones that are lucky enough to have made the right impression on the right nights. Congratulations to all!

Three Chefs Hats winners - Melbourne

• Jacques Reymond
  
• Vue de Monde

Two Chefs Hats winners - Melbourne

• Attica
  
• Bistro Guillaume (new)
  
• Botanical
  
• Cafe di Stasio
  
• Circa, the Prince
  
• Donovans
  
• Ezard
  
• Flower Drum
  
• Grossi Florentino
  
• Interlude
  
• Matteo's
  
• MoVida (previously 1 hat)
  
• Pearl
  
• Rockpool Bar & Grill
  
• Stokehouse
  
• Taxi Dining Room
  
• Three One Two
  
• Verge (previously 1 hat)

One Chefs Hats winners - Melbourne

• Abla's
  
• Bacash
  
• Becco (previously 2 hats)
  
• The Brasserie by Phillippe Mouchel
  
• Cecconi's Cantina
  
• Church St Enoteca (new)
  
• Cicciolina
  
• Comme Kitchen
  
• The Court House
  
• David's
  
• Esposito (new)
  
• Estivo (new)
  
• European (new)
  
• Gingerboy
  
• Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons (new)
  
• The Grand
  
• Il Bacaro
  
• Kenzan
  
• Koots
  
• Ladro
  
• Longrain
  
• L'Oustal
  
• Maha (new)
  
• Melbourne Wine Room
  
• Ocha
  
• Oyster Little Bourke
  
• Paladarr Thai Issan (new)
  
• The Press Club (previously 2 hats)
  
• Red Emperor
  
• Sarti (new)
  
• Shoya
  
• Tempura Haijimer
  
• The Italian (new)
  
• Yu-u

Two Chefs Hats winners - Regional

• Lake House - Daylesford
  
• Merrijig Inn - Port Fairy (previously 1 hat)
  
• Range - Myrtleford
  
• Royal Mail Hotel (new)
  
• Simone's Restaurant - Bright
  
• Stefano's - Mildura

One Chefs Hats winners - Regional

• Annie Smithers Bistrot - Kyneton
  
• Bellbrae Harvest (new)
  
• Eleonore's at Chateau Yering (new)
  
• Healesville Hotel - Healesville
  
• Montalto - Red Hill South
  
• Neilsons - Traralgon
  
• The Outpost Retreat - Noojee
  
• Pettavel Winery & Restaurant - Waurn Ponds
  
• Royal George Hotel - Kyneton
  
• Tea rooms of Yarck (new)
  
• Teller - Mooroopna
  
• Wardens Food & Wine - Beechworth

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“Blessed are the Cheese Makers!” - Jesus, in the Life of Brian