Welcome to The Detour: Your food and travel guide to the best flavours, hidden haunts, insider tips and unforgettable new experiences that reward those who wander off course.
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of dining at Steer Dining Room, consider this your sign.
Within minutes of walking in, it catapulted straight to the top of my must-tries for 2026. It’s not hard to see why it’s been crowned number one in Melbourne on Australia’s 30 Best Steak Restaurants list.
Tucked discreetly down a South Yarra laneway, Steer is the kind of place you want to keep to yourself (and many do).
Recently refurbished, the space has cemented its reputation as a true ‘Temple of Wagyu’ – and not in a showy, overworked way.
Everything here is thoughtful. Each cut is meticulously sourced for marbling, lineage and integrity, then presented with a touch of tableside theatre. I’ve never learned so much during a meal.
The room itself strikes the perfect balance. It’s moody without being pretentious and intimate without feeling closed in. Think pinhole lighting, a cascading glass chandelier and a low (and flattering!) glow.
But what really sets Steer apart is the service – you’re looked after but never hovered over.
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of dining at Steer Dining Room, consider this your sign
The snacks: Natural oyster, shallot mignonette. Pulled beef tendon, miso mayo, pickled cucumber. Canadian scallop ceviche, pineapple, cucumber, curry leaf
Everything here is thoughtful. Each cut is meticulously sourced for marbling, lineage and integrity, then presented with a touch of tableside theatre. I’ve never learned so much during a meal
It’s also, unsurprisingly, a magnet for off-duty stars and chefs. On Grand Prix weekend, F1 driver Valtteri Bottas was dining quietly with family beside us, entirely unfazed, completely at ease despite it being the night before the big race.
At the helm is General Manager Harold Faizal, whose enthusiasm is infectious. His pride in what Steer has become is palpable.
And it’s justified. This is, without exaggeration, one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in years, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually gravitate towards big steak dinners.
At the heart of the experience is the Signature Wagyu Degustation, a tightly curated progression showcasing flagship cuts from some of the country’s most exceptional producers. Each course is introduced with care and each cut explained.
And despite the premise, it never once feels heavy.
After a trio of genuinely faultless snacks, we were treated to a Victorian-inspired tableside steak tartare, finely sliced Sher Wagyu rostbiff dressed with black garlic, oyster and egg yolk emulsion, and finished with native saltbush. It was, quite simply, the best tartare I’ve ever had.
What followed was a seamless procession: Wagyu Karubi with compressed tomato and leek bread sauce, a beautifully balanced Wagyu Sukiyaki, a deeply flavourful dry-aged Porterhouse 9+, and a pot of melt-in-your-mouth mashed potato.
And then, somehow, dessert.
Steer’s award-winning wine list features over 60 wines by the glass and a rotating series of thematic flights
At the helm is General Manager Harold Faizal, whose enthusiasm is infectious (left). He is pictured preparing the Victorian-inspired tableside steak tartare, finely sliced Sher Wagyu rostbiff dressed with black garlic, oyster and egg yolk emulsion, and finished with native saltbush (right)
We were already full, comfortably so, but at Harold’s insistence, we ordered the pavlova. And thank God we did. Light, nuanced and spectacular. Order it and you can thank me later.
Steer isn’t just a steak restaurant. It’s an experience that manages to feel both elevated and entirely unpretentious, leaving you full but not gasping by the end.
Go hungry. Book ahead. And prepare to be completely won over, whether you consider yourself a ‘steak person’ or not.
Wagyu Karubi with compressed tomato, leek bread sauce and society garlic (left) and Wagyu Sukiyaki with horseradish, chives and sukiyaki sauce (right)
We were already full, comfortably so, but at Harold’s insistence, we ordered the pavlova. And thank God we did. Light, nuanced and spectacular. Order it and you can thank me later
Hamsi Taverna: A Turkish haven
As promised I visited this newly opened Turkish hotspot in prime position at the sparkling new Sydney Fish Market.
And, as expected, it absolutely delivered. A stunning setting, genuinely fun staff, swift service and a menu designed for sharing. It’s perfect for a long, lazy Sunday lunch or a vibe-filled evening with a drink in hand.
Acclaimed chef Somer Sivrioğlu brings the flavours of Istanbul straight to the harbour at this absolute gem of a venue.
The culinary force (Anason, Maydanoz) opened Hamsi Taverna in January and the vibe is Mediterranean escapism. Think lazy afternoons and stacked share plates.
Inspired by the seaside taverns of the Aegean and named after the beloved Black Sea anchovy, Hamsi centres around ‘sea, smoke and spice’.
The menu is seafood-forward, built around crudo, cured and flame-grilled dishes that channel the spirit of market dining.
As promised I visited this newly opened Turkish hotspot in prime position at the sparkling new Sydney Fish Market
The cured kingfish lakerda with fava purée and OB Bakery’s rustic bread rolls with Antakya-style hummus (left). A baked conchiglie pasta with sweet spanner crab, Murray cod with charred scallion and lemon (right)
Now, to the highlights.
The cured kingfish lakerda with fava purée and pickled onion was a standout from the start, alongside OB Bakery’s rustic, warm, crunchy bread rolls with Antakya-style hummus, pine nuts and za’atar. A serious flavour bomb.
And I couldn’t not order one of the skewered Skull Island king prawns, paired with walnut harissa and lemon chilli. Perfectly charred, punchy and over too quickly.
Then came the main event. A baked conchiglie pasta with sweet spanner crab and prawn bisque, finished with a touch of tableside theatre, and a beautifully cooked Murray cod with charred scallion and lemon. To die for and fantastic when paired with the chargrilled broccolini.
To finish? One hell of a taste sensation in the form of a pistachio tiramisu and a strong Turkish coffee.
The space itself is great too. Marine tones, a luxe finish and a wood-fired grill anchoring the open kitchen, slowly perfuming the room with smoke, citrus and olive oil.
Make a day of it at the Fish Market, then settle in here. A top-tier recommendation you won’t regret.
The space itself is great too. Marine tones, a luxe finish and a wood-fired grill anchoring the open kitchen, slowly perfuming the room with smoke, citrus and olive oil
To finish? One hell of a taste sensation in the form of a pistachio tiramisu and a strong Turkish coffee
A Gaggan takeover
The Crown is bringing world-renowned chef Gaggan Anand to Australia for a limited run of exclusive dining events, and it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest culinary moments.
The Bangkok-based chef behind Gaggan, currently ranked number one in Asia for 2025/26 and among the world’s top 10, is known for redefining modern Indian cuisine with bold, high-energy dining experiences.
His Australian debut lands at Crown Sydney from 28 April to 3 May with a 12-course degustation featuring a glass of Dom Pérignon and his signature theatrical flair.
A progressive Indian lunch series will run from 1 to 3 May, while a bespoke bar and snacks menu takes over Cirq throughout May.
The experience then moves to Crown Melbourne on 6 May, where Gaggan will collaborate with Marmont for a three-day series blending fine dining with a party atmosphere. Expect an eight-course menu of his most celebrated dishes, paired with music and a multisensory edge.
Tickets are limited and on sale from 30 March, with early access for American Express Centurion and Platinum Card Members from 27 March.
Yum.
The Crown is bringing world-renowned chef Gaggan Anand to Australia for a limited run of exclusive dining events, and it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest culinary moments
The Bangkok-based chef behind Gaggan, currently ranked number one in Asia for 2025/26 and among the world’s top 10, is known for redefining modern Indian cuisine with bold, high-energy dining experiences
A progressive Indian lunch series will run from 1 to 3 May, while a bespoke bar and snacks menu takes over Cirq throughout May
July: A luggage world-first
In exciting news for luggage addicts like I am, July has launched CaseSafe, a fully integrated, trackable suitcase designed to take the stress out of lost luggage.
Created in consultation with Google and Apple, the clever design allows you to track your case directly from your phone via a built-in, TSA-approved lock. It’s a genuinely smart upgrade on something every traveller has worried about at some point.
I’ve been trying it out on international trips, and it’s delivered. Roomy, easy to manoeuvre and, most importantly, it worked exactly as promised. Having that visibility the entire journey adds a level of calm you don’t realise you need until you have it.
With an estimated 36 million bags mishandled globally each year, July’s co-founder Athan Didaskalou describes CaseSafe as the start of a new standard in travel.
In exciting news for luggage addicts like I am, July has launched CaseSafe , a fully integrated, trackable suitcase designed to take the stress out of lost luggage
I’ve been trying it out on international trips, and it’s delivered. Roomy, easy to manoeuvre and, most importantly, it worked exactly as promised. Having that visibility the entire journey adds a level of calm you don’t realise you need until you have it
Compatible with Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, the battery-operated lock connects to a global tracking system, making it simple to locate your luggage wherever it is
The technology is now built into July’s signature range, those instantly recognisable cases you’ll spot on baggage carousels everywhere, combining sleek design with genuinely useful innovation.
Compatible with Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, the battery-operated lock connects to a global tracking system, making it simple to locate your luggage wherever it ends up.
Retailing from $395 to $495, CaseSafe is available in Carry On, Checked and Checked Plus sizes, complete with July’s lightweight polycarbonate shell and smooth 360° spinner wheels.
Literally peace of mind, packed.
