Dinner Dates

Where Chemistry Meets Cuisine

Dinner, to me, is an experience — not an event.

It’s where connection blooms between courses, where conversation lingers like good wine, and where every moment feels both indulgent and effortless.

I adore food that tells a story — dishes that make you pause, smile, and go back for more. Being European at heart, I gravitate toward meals that celebrate flavour and feeling — from a perfectly seared steak and glass of Shiraz to delicate sashimi or a cheeky late-night burger after too much champagne.

I’m a woman of contradictions in the most delicious way — I’ll happily enjoy caviar with a martini one night, then chase down the best bánh mì in Footscray the next. Melbourne’s food scene keeps me endlessly spoiled, and yes, I’ll forever stand by Rocco’s Deli’s meatball sub roll as one of life’s simplest, most sinful pleasures.

And when I choose to indulge, my drink of choice is always tequila — crisp, smooth, and just dangerous enough to make the night interesting. I’m convinced I was Mexican in a past life, because tacos, tostadas, and margaritas sit high on my list of cravings.

I love curating venues that fit our mood — maybe a sleek steakhouse where the lights are low and the cocktails are cold, or an intimate Japanese omakase where every bite feels like foreplay. Whether it’s fine dining, coastal seafood, or a local gem that just gets it right, I’ll make sure our table sets the tone for the evening.

For me, food is sensual — it’s about curiosity, pleasure, and presence. I often share glimpses of my culinary adventures and travels, from lazy Italian lunches to long Melbourne dinners that turn into midnight dessert runs.

A Few of My Personal Favourites

Melbourne will always have my heart.

I’m endlessly inspired by the city’s rhythm — the laneways, the energy, and the people who know that good food is its own kind of seduction.

My top three will always be Grossi Florentino, Il Bacaro, and Francois — each for very different reasons.

There’s something timeless about Grossi: the history, the romance, and that upstairs dining room that feels like stepping into another era. Il Bacaro is intimacy at its best — Italian elegance, impeccable flavours, and a little sparkle that never fails to charm. And Francois? It’s pure pleasure — where food, laughter, and a dash of mischief come together perfectly. When the night calls for a little play, the bar next door always knows how to keep things interesting.

If you’d like to indulge in a date that blends connection, laughter, and flavour, here are a few of my favourite restaurants across Australia and New Zealand.

Melbourne & Victoria

Grossi Florentino · Francois · Il Bacaro · Gimlet at Cavendish House · Entrecôte · Cecconi’s Flinders Lane · Tipo 00 · Rockpool Bar & Grill · Steer Dining Room · Maha · Kisumé · Minamishima · Ishizuka · Kazuki’s · Oter · Flower Drum · Di Stasio Città · The Atlantic · Lona Lisa · Ezard at Levantine Hill · Doot Doot Doot · Coombe Yarra Valley · Rocco’s Deli (for that famous sub) · Hector’s Deli · Smith & Daughters · Footscray’s hidden Asian gems

Sydney & NSW

Aria · Bennelong · Quay · Margaret Double Bay · Icebergs Dining Room & Bar · Catalina Rose Bay · Firedoor · Woodcut · Nobu Sydney · Sake The Rocks · A’Mare · China Doll · Oncore by Clare Smyth · Mr. Wong · Bistecca · Hubert · Mejico · Chica Bonita

Queensland

Aria Brisbane · Gerard’s Bistro · 1889 Enoteca · Hôntô · SK Steak & Oyster · Stanley · Sushi Room · Pilon · Rothwell’s · Bianca · Detour · Mama Taco · Vintaged Bar & Grill

Perth & Western Australia

Wildflower · Balthazar · Lulu La Delizia · Garum · Heritage Wine Bar · Petition Kitchen · Fleur · Rockpool Bar & Grill · Shadow Wine Bar · Nobu Perth · La Cholita

Hobart & Tasmania

Templo · Peppina · Franklin · Fico · Aloft · Dier Makr · Landscape Grill · The Source · Urban Greek

Adelaide & South Australia

Chianti's · Osteria Oggi · Andre’s Cucina · Fugazzi · Shobosho · Peel St · Soi.38 · Hentley Farm · Appellation · d’Arenberg · St Hugo · La Popular Taqueria

New Zealand

Auckland – Amano · Azabu · Ebisu · Masu by Nic Watt · Soul Bar & Bistro · Onslow · Mexico Britomart · Mudbrick Winery · Harbourside · The Grove

Queenstown – Amisfield · Rātā · Botswana Butchery · Tatsumi · Ferg’s Bar (yes, the burgers live up to the hype) · Sherwood · Little Blackwood · Margo’s

Christchurch – Inati · Twenty Seven Steps · Amazonita · Story · Earl · Francesca’s

A Delicious Goodbye

Every dining experience with me is about indulgence — not extravagance, but depth.

The joy of good food, the ease of genuine conversation, and the spark that turns dinner into desire.

Because when we dine together, it isn’t just a meal… it’s foreplay for the senses.🤍