Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/131975
citybites cafe scene big winner Melbourne If you haven't already heard of Small Victories, get set to discover this Carlton North cafe owned and run by three friendly, food-savvy New Zealand expats. It's already nailed the Melbourne lunch and breakfast scene, named Breakfast Spot of the Year and Best New Cafe of the Year by The Age. Now chef Alric Hansen is turning his super-talented hands to dinner. Diners can take advantage of Alric's fine-dining techniques and flair for making food look insanely good on the plate, but in a casual, understated setting. Expect to be blown away by the flavour combinations in dishes such as kingfish carpaccio with coconut jelly cubes, candied sugar cane, fried shallots and nam jim dressing; ewe's milk croquettes with Tasmanian honey; or the knock-out dessert of plum, honey ice-cream, sesame crisp, 'gooseberries from the garden' and halva. This is casual, modern antipodean fare at its best, and it appears on a menu that is no small victory. www.smallvictoriesrestaurant.com.au "This is casual, modern antipodean fare at its best, and it appears on a menu that is no small victory." out & about Third time's the charm Sydney This Stanley Street cafe in Darlinghurst is a great spot for a coffee catch-up with a friend, a home-cooked breakfast or a lunch date. Third Village has a relaxed vibe, which is reflected in its styling (exposed rafters, hanging bulbs and a mural depicting Darlinghurst) and its trendy, friendly staff. Its menu has been recommended in the international restaurant guide Where Chefs Eat by Momofuku head chef Ben Greeno. His recommendation will ring true when you tuck into the 'eggs royale': poached eggs on Sonoma toast with Tasmanian salmon, baby spinach and hollandaise sauce. The cafe also serves a great brown-rice 'protein porridge' and tasty acai berry granola, and focuses on healthy eating and sustainable, free-range produce. www.thirdvillage.com.au 8 show time Back in Blak Melbourne, wollongong, sydney, canberra, brisbane Explore the story of a contemporary clan and the collision of two worlds. Bangarra Dance Theatre's new production, Blak, peels back the layers of men's business and women's business, crossing the worlds of old and modern and exposing our universal yearning for spiritual connection. Award-winning composer David Page and renowned musician Paul Mac fuse their styles to present a groundbreaking, physical and edgy new production that draws on the perspectives of Bangarra's own Indigenous artists. Blak will premiere at Arts Centre Melbourne from May 3 to 11 before touring to Wollongong (May 17 to 18), Sydney (June 7 to 22), Canberra (July 11 to 13) and Brisbane (July 18 to 27). www.bangarra.com.au