B'STILLA
30 Bray Street, South Yarra, 9826 2370
The sun shines on Morocco once more thanks to Jason Jones (Mamasita) and his restless continental leap-frogging. He nails its subtleties (that namesake pigeon pie) and its brashness (the addictive housemade harissa) then adds Middle Eastern cocktails for a party vibe.
The Age restaurant reviewer Larissa Dubecki says: "It must be hard following up the crazy success of Mamasita. B'Stilla hops on board a different aircraft with essentially the same principles: the free-wheeling smack of authenticity, the cocktail-crowd buzz, the bang for your buck."
The low down
The best bit: Welcome back, Moroccan
The worst bit: Nightclub-lite
Go-to dish: B'stilla
Wine list: Limited: six whites and six reds. All but two available by the glass.
The full review: B'Stilla
VALENTINO
517 Malvern Road, Toorak, 9826 8815
Riccardo Momesso (ex-Sarti) has dug into his Calabrian roots to create a dashing new restaurant with heart and soul. His antipasti highlight the southern Italian flair for pickling and preserving, the pizzas are crisp and light and the nimble wine list is a cultural journey all on its own.
Larissa Dubecki says: "This is a place where you can eat a pan of goat offal in considerable comfort, amid white marble counters and sexy Thonet chairs."
The best bit: Italian food with soul
The worst bit: Yes, it's noisy
Go-to dish: Calabrian offal stew
Wine list: Victorian or southern Italian, a dozen red and white, all available by glass, carafe or bottle
The full review: Valentino
The next two restaurants on the 'hot and new' list will be revealed at lunchtime tomorrow.
The Age Good Food Guide 2014 will be available for $10 with The Saturday Age on August 31, from participating newsagents, Coles, Woolworths and 7Eleven stores, while stocks last. It will also be available in bookshops and online at theageshop.com.au for $24.99 from Tuesday, August 27.
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