Andrew Zuccala

Melbourne

Lifestyle Writer at Freelance

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Articles

The Best Places in Melbourne to Take Your Mum This Mother's Day (or Any Day)

1 month ago | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

You love your mum, and if you're looking for ways to spoil the leading lady in your life, we're here to help. Because let's face it — your favourite underground bar is a bit too dingy, and your go-to ramen joint is a bit of a lazy pick for the woman who gave you, you know, life. This is your chance to deliver something momentous and memorable — and earn some serious brownie points on the side.
Yarra Yering has released its 2023 flagship wines - marking winemaker Sarah Crowe’s 10th vintage

1 month ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

The annual release of Yarra Yering’s ‘core four’ wines is always hotly anticipated. These wines are consistently celebrated by wine enthusiasts, and our Tasting Team regularly scores them within the high 90s. Thankfully, the 2023 vintage – which was released on April 1 – has met these high expectations. It consists of the 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 1, 2023 Dry Red Wine No. 2, 2023 Underhill Shiraz and the 2023 Agincourt Cabernet Malbec.
Best’s Great Western is releasing its much-anticipated 2020 Thomson Family Shiraz this May

2 months ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

Best’s Great Western is poised to release the 2020 vintage of its most prestigious wine – the Thomson Family Shiraz – on Thursday, May 1. The team has been producing this wine since 1992, sourcing fruit from just 15 rows of old shiraz vines that were planted in 1868 by Henry Best. The vines yield fewer than two tonnes per acre, and are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Traditional winemaking methods are also honoured in the winery – like hand-plunging the ferments in small open fermenters.
Giaconda is releasing four new wines on April 15 – with its famed chardonnay expected to sell out within minutes

2 months ago | winecompanion.com.au | Andrew Zuccala

Giaconda has become a Beechworth legend – consistently making some of the country’s best wines which are prized by local and international collectors. And the coming four releases are expected to be just as sought after. These include the 2023 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, 2023 Estate Vineyard Roussanne, 2023 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir and the 2022 Beechworth Nebbiolo.
The 16 Best Spas in Melbourne for 2024

Feb 20, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

The best day spas in Melbourne are where you treat yourself to some true pampering and relaxation - heaps of luxury treatments await.
Ishizuka

Feb 12, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala |Libby Curran

It's the Japanese fine-dining experience characterised by intricately plated dishes, an intimate setting, and a produce-led menu that celebrates that perfect balance of taste, texture and precision. But most people haven't heard or experienced the concept of kaiseki quite like you will at Ishizuka — a contemporary 16-seat restaurant from famed chef Tomotaka Ishizuka, situated in Melbourne's CBD.
Juni

Feb 11, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

UK-born Michael Lambie (ex-Stokehouse, Circa, The Prince and Taxi Kitchen) has been a big player in Melbourne's restaurant scene ever since he landed here back in the late 90s. He's worked at some of the city's top restaurants and even co-founded Lucy Liu — before selling it in 2020 and running off to Queensland for a short stint. But now he has returned and is ready to take on the CBD with a new venture: Juni.
Kolkata Cricket Club

Feb 11, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

Melbourne's Crown complex has been working hard to reinvent itself right. It's removed some of its older drinking and dining hotspots, replacing them with more contemporary venues intended to attract a younger and more diverse crowd. Basically, Crown is trying to be cool. And one damn good way to achieve this is by enlisting the help of the hugely popular Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) to create a new venue.
Younghusband Market

Feb 10, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

Rose Street Market is the famed Melbourne gem — running every weekend in Fitzroy. But the market is packing up once a month — from Saturday, February 15–Saturday, July 19 — and setting up shop at Kensington's newly developed Younghusband precinct. From 10am–3pm, over 60 stallholders will be selling a curated mix of handmade art, ceramics, fashion, jewellery, and artisan goods like distilled gin and boutique pantry items.
Flight Club

Feb 9, 2025 | concreteplayground.com | Andrew Zuccala

Games bars are only getting more popular in Melbourne — where you can play mini golf, do a spot of bowling, participate in carnival-style games or simply throw axes at a wall. And one of Melbourne's newest joint providing a space for competitive socialising (with plenty of food and bevs) is the international darts bar Flight Club.