New year, new spots to try

It’s New Year’s Day, is anything open?! Yes it is, so don’t panic!
Whether you plan on having an early night on New Year’s Eve so you can grab an early brekkie to ring in 2022, need to fill your belly ASAP, or you anticipate feeling a little dusky and think that hair of the dog may be in order, here are five Melbourne venues that can give you what you need.

Jiyu
cuisinesThai Hot Pot

How does a spicy Thai Hot Pot sound, to blow away the cobwebs? Then head to Jiyu, which is open on New Year’s Day, open from 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30 pm to 10pm (10 percent surcharge.)

You can choose from either a Tom Yum or coconut soup base (or a combination of the two), and then order whichever elements from the menu go into your soup that you want.

If this doesn’t appeal, then Jiyu has an a la carte menu too; the fried chicken or prawn curry would be ideal for a post NYE scoff.

The Albion
cuisinesModern Japanese, Modern Asian

The Albion in South Melbourne is open on New Year’s Day from 5pm until late, if you happen to have had a much-needed sleep-in.

This bar offers sophisticated yet casual dining with a Japanese twist. If you’re after some down and dirty pub grub then grab a beef or chicken burger, or a chicken parma. If you don’t need that grease hit, then try a delicate lobster roll with chives and garlic butter, or some baked broccoli with cashew puree and puy lentils.

If you’re feeling brave, then the drinks list at the Albion has whatever it is you need – beer, wine, cocktails, or dare we say it – champagne…???

Cafe Lafayette
cuisinesCafe

If hypercolour food is your ideal way to ring in the New Year, then look no further than Cafe Lafayette, where novel dishes are the order of the day.

Each dish is presented with dashes of pinks, blues, and purples; the presentation at this cafe is sure to make the kids smile.

If it is brekkie you’re after, order the Big Veggie Pan (eggs your way plus mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, avocado and potato); lunch could be the Beef Pie, the Octopus Fritters, or the Unagi Hotdog.

Cafe Lafayette is open from 10am to 2pm, with a 15% surcharge, on New Year’s Day. You’ll want to get your hands on the $24 Chicken Waffle.

Hazel
cuisinesModern Australian

Hazel is open for lunch on New Year’s Day, with a 15% surcharge.

The menu here has a focus on ‘zero waste’, which can clearly be seen in dishes like the pig’s head croquette with nettle. If your New Year’s resolution is to be more adventurous when dining out, then why not?

If your tummy is feeling a little delicate, then you can always play it safe with some house made bread and butter, some barbequed potatoes with saltbush, or a good old reliable Scotch fillet, pork chop, or lamb rump. Other suggestions, check out the $45 Wood Grilled Seafood Stew.

Dessous
cuisinesModern Australian

Dessous is open as usual, with a 15% surcharge, meaning that they are open on New Year’s Day from 5pm until late.

This bar’s dark, minimal interior may be just what you need if you’re nursing a hangover (or there to tie one on.)

Food-wise, the menu here is modern Australian with a seafood emphasis. The globe artichoke with stracciatella and salmon caviar, the gruyere souffle, or the grilled turbot with broan bean ragu are all fine examples of the dishes that are on offer at Dessous on January 1st.

But if you really are not in the right condition to make a decision, opt for the $85 Leave It To Us! Chef’s Choice menu.

mobile app promotional banner