The Commoner to reopen in June

If Jo Corrigan, the owner of Fitzroy restaurant the Commoner, has learnt anything in the past couple of weeks, it's that ''the kindness of strangers is amazing'', she says. The popular eatery closed after a kitchen fire in late April and Corrigan has been taken aback by the generosity of the industry and her regulars. ''Everyone has been incredibly helpful,'' she says, including the owners of the Town Hall Hotel - chef Harry Lilai, his wife Michelle and Stuart Neil - who are just a few doors down on Johnston Street. They gave her access to their prep kitchen while she readies herself for the annual mushroom-foraging tours the Commoner holds in May and June at Bress Wine in Harcourt. Apart from the tours, Corrigan has been working around the clock to get the restaurant open again - that's due to happen from Monday, June 17.

Hilary McNevin