Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, read, be merry.
EAT: Loti St Kilda
Since opening their doors last year, LOTI has quickly become one of Melbourne’s most coveted dining destinations and a local escape for St Kilda locals thanks to its incredible wine list, the beautiful Instagram-worthy interiors and the ingenious food inspired by the Mediterranean and the coastline.
Infusing a seasonal menu with a sophisticated yet fun experience, LOTI sets out to create a special atmosphere that makes it possible to dine fine on the fly. The new offerings make it much more conducive to enjoying happy hour and share plates with friends, or tucking yourself away for something more intimate.
From saganaki with honey brandy, kingfish crudo and mussels with chorizo oil, tomato and crispy bread. Fancy something bigger? Then try the blue swimmer crab spaghetti with confit tomato and lemon ricotta or lamb pappardelle balsamic lamb ragu with peas and pecorino. As for dessert, bombolini donuts or white chocolate and raspberry mousse are highlights.
LOTI is located at St. Moritz, 14 – 16 The Esplanade, St Kilda and is open from 3pm on Wednesday, from 12pm – late on Thursday to Saturday and from 12pm – 10pm on Sunday.
DRINK: Part Time Rangers
Part Time Rangers have released a new ready-to-drink tinnie…Peach Penguin with vodka, peach and sparkling water. And it’s delicious!
Each of Part Time Rangers flavours lets you ‘sip & save’, as a portion of their proceeds go to an affiliated charity. Their latest, Peach Penguin, supports conservation on Penguin Island in Western Australia.
Peach Penguin is also a very low-calorie option with 98 calories in each can, without compromising on taste.
BUY: Saltist
Saltist make 100% Pink Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glasses, ethically sourced from the Himalayan Mountains, to enhance any tequila experience — in the way it looks, the way it tastes, and the way it feels.
Their beautiful pink salt range adds a nuanced salty note to every sip of tequila. They are naturally anti-bacterial, reusable and environmentally friendly.
For more on Saltist, please click here.
TRY: Gallantly
Inspired by comfort, quality, and timeless design, Gallantly was born from a desire to have a daily under suit of armour that makes the wearer feel confident, supported, powerful and in total control.
Designed in Australia, the underwear range was created by Aaron Sansoni who saw a gap in the market for men’s underwear that was both comfortable and stylish and could drive confidence to inspire the aspirational. After hearing so many complaints from men that traditional underwear brands are too restrictive, look daggy and the fabric is uncomfortable and not breathable, the idea for Gallantly was born.
Gallantly underwear is made from lyocell, a silky-soft textile that is made from pulping eucalyptus trees. Lyocell absorbs 50 per cent more moisture than cotton and is more odour resistant, it is hypoallergenic and does not chafe. It holds its form and is extremely elastic, it supports and gives in all the right places.
The Gallantly range has men’s trunks in teal, red, black, and dusty pink ($49.95) and women’s bikini briefs in the same range of colours ($29.95) and is available to purchase at gallantly.com.au
VISIT: The Royal Mail Hotel Dunkeld’s Luxuriously Refurbished Cottages
The Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld is welcoming reservations to the luxuriously refurbished Deluxe Mount Sturgeon One Bedroom Cottages, where guests will be treated to the best of all worlds: lavishly-serviced standalone accommodation designed by esteemed practice Byrne Architects; a secluded, highly immersive nature experience steps away from the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park; and access to the hotel’s multi-award-winning food and wine offering.
Three kilometres from the hotel proper, the cottages are set within the serene, 91-hectare Mount Sturgeon Biodiversity Reserve, where bucolic pastoral scenes are punctuated with roaming wallabies and kangaroos, and the gentle hand of the Royal Mail Hotel conservation team is returning native flora and fauna to the land.
Retaining the integrity of the 1850s bluestone structures, Byrne Architects’ refurbishment pays homage to the cottages’ origins as shearers’ quarters, emulating the design language of Western Victorian woolsheds with touches of luxury.
Elegant furnishings emphasise the raw beauty of the original bluestone walls, with a palette of warm earthy tones, natural textiles and rich timbers accentuating its connection to the outside world. In cooler months, the fireplace is central to the room experience, while summer months draw guests out to an expansive private courtyard, enclosed by nature and overseen by the eternal presence of Wugarri (Mount Sturgeon).
The Royal Mail Hotel is located at 98 Parker Street, Dunkeld. For more info and bookings, click here.