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The Age Good Food Guide 2015: hello, goodbye

Don't look now but there are more restaurants on the way. Here's what's on your dining horizon.

Roslyn Grundy
Roslyn Grundy

Take a seat: Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant is coming to town, for a limited time.
Take a seat: Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant is coming to town, for a limited time.Simon Schluter

400 Gradi, Southbank

Johnny Di Francesco has barely had time to draw breath since winning the World Pizza Championships in Italy in April. His Brunswick pizzeria is pumping, he's opening a Venetian-style bar next door, and is due to open a second 400 Gradi pizzeria at Crown in late September.

Arbory Bar & Eatery, city

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All aboard as 120 metres of the disused Sandridge railway line at Flinders Street Station becomes a new dining and drinking destination called Arbory. Nicholas Bennett, most recently of Trocadero and Fatto at Hamer Hall, will head the kitchen, sending out European-influenced dishes. It's on track for a spring opening.

Elyros, Camberwell

The team behind Carlton's Epocha bring a taste of Crete to Camberwell, launching restaurant-wine bar Elyros in the former Magic City next week. Expect produce-based Cretan cuisine from Michelin-trained Athenian chef Yiannis Kasidokostas, plus booze-friendly mezze in the wine bar.

Rosa Mitchell brings her Canteen to the city.
Rosa Mitchell brings her Canteen to the city.Eddie Jim

The Fat Duck, Southbank

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Britain's best-known chef, Heston Blumenthal, is shipping his lauded Fat Duck restaurant to Crown, Southbank, for six months from February. After that, it will become Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and the Fat Duck will fly back to Britain. Reservations are tipped to open in October.

Hellenic Republic, Williamstown

The Hellenic Republic continues to expand, with plans to conquer Williamstown. It will become the third Hellenic Republic Greek taverna from George Calombaris and the Made Establishment group, with opening tipped for April-May 2015. Made Establishment is also expanding its Jimmy Grants souvlaki chain, with outlets slated for Ormond, Moonee Ponds and Richmond.

Kappo, city

Stylish Spring Street udon noodle and bento box joint Nama Nama was to close mid-September, reopening in late September as Kappo. Simon Denton, Miyuki Nakahara and Takashi Omi, who also own Hihou and Izakaya Den, have teamed up with chef Kentaro Usami.

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Lee Ho Fook, city

Cheeky Chinese diner Lee Ho Fook, which opened in Collingwood in mid-2013, is moving on up. Owners Peter Bartholomew and David Mackintosh are transforming a CBD warehouse in Duckboard Place into a bigger Lee Ho Fook, opening early 2015. The Smith Street restaurant may switch focus to Chinese street food.

L'Hotel Gitan, Prahran

The imported rotisserie is in place and a facelift is under way at Prahran's Hotel Max before Jacques Reymond and family relaunch as ''food-focused public house'' L'Hotel Gitan in early October.

Rosa's Canteen, city

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Uptown girl Rosa's Kitchen joins MoVida Aqui and Paco's Tacos with a downtown sibling, Rosa's Canteen, due to open in September. Rosa Mitchell will be serving dishes from all over Italy at the site, which overlooks the handsome sandstone Supreme Court buildings between Queen and William streets.

Saint, St Kilda

Former St Kilda hotspot the Saint is being reimagined as St. Hotel, with Sean Judd in the kitchen producing Thai-sparked food. The upper two floors will be home to a supper club and a social club.

Tokyo Tina, Windsor

The team behind Hanoi Hannah and Saigon Sally are continuing their colonisation of Windsor, bringing a third venue, Tokyo Tina, to the 'hood. Expected to open in Chapel Street in early November, it will offer food and drinks with a Japanese flavour.

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Goodbye for now …

Comme, Cucina di Esposito, Flouch's, Golden Fields, Jacques Reymond, Koots Salle a Manger, Le Grand Cirque, Maris, PM 24, Scusa Mi, St Katherine's, Tea Rooms of Yarck, Trocadero, Vin.

Roslyn GrundyRoslyn Grundy is Good Food's deputy editor and the former editor of The Age Good Food Guide.

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