Besides being covered in the street art that is synonymous with Melbourne, the laneways also lead to some of the city’s best cafes, shops and restaurants, and are always worth taking time to explore.
Fresh is best. The best place in Melbourne for fresh cheese. The Buffalo Mozzarella and the creamy Ricotta are to die for. I used to have to wait years and fly half way across the globe to my home in Italy just to bite into one of these creamy morsels of goodness. Now my life can be defined by the ‘pre La Latteria period’ and the ‘post La Latteria period’.
Designed by Corbett Lyon, the residence house-turned private museum is quite an impressive establishment, where one could enjoy two types of contemporary art gallery walks: one is the public gallery and the other is a more eclectic visit to Lyon's house museum guided by Corbett or his wife Yueji the family members. The organ performance has been a preciously memoriable experience too!
A small shout-out to the suburb where I grew up. Glen Waverley is home to Victoria’s Police Academy, where cadets undoubtedly partake in the same 80s-style hijinks as seen in the movies.
La Paloma is my local, my regular stop for coffee and tortilla. The atmosphere is unpretentious and the handwritten menu is simple, fresh and delicious, featuring Argentinian empanadas, shakshuka, beans and churros.
Probably my favourite place in Melbourne, its where I can get away from it all and watch the world go by from above. One could say its my happy place... But the location is a secret.