While Sydney is the largest and most popular tourist city in Australia, Melbourne is the second largest and is proud of its label as “Australia’s Cultural Capital.” This diverse friendly city has much to recommend it – shopping at the gigantic Queen Victoria Market or the Royal Arcade, having coffee at any one of the innumerable privately owned coffee houses, meeting friends at the iconic Flinders Street train station, or enjoying the peaceful beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens are just a few of its charms. Living up to its reputation as a culture mecca, many of its quirky alleyways are brimming with world-class street art, comedy, jazz and film festivals are popular annual events, and the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum house works and artifacts from antiquity through the present day. Explore the nearby winery scene in the Yarra Valley and hike or ride the “Puffying Billy” steam train through the Dandenong Mountain Range.
Signature drink of Melbourne – Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz coffee liqueur
- 2 oz premium vodka
- 2 oz espresso coffee
- Ice
Preparation:
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients
- Shake vigorously 30 seconds or so until shaker feels cold
- Strain into martini glass and garnish with coffee bean if desired
Signature Dish of Melbourne – Smashed Avo Toast This is a simple recipe that’s an integral part of the legendary Melbourne brunch scene. Each restaurant has its own twist on this crowd favorite – feel free to experiment!
Ingredients:
- 2 large avocados (very ripe)
- ½ t salt
- ¼ t each garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh ground pepper
- 2 T sun dried tomatoes chopped fine
- 1 t smoked paprika (optional)
- 4 slices crusty bread (sourdough is preferred)
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients except bread in a bowl and mash and mix thoroughly
- Toast the bread until brown and crunchy
- Spread toast with avocado mixture and serve immediately
