Sharing Plates in Melbourne

New Zealand chefs continue to make their mark in Melbourne with recent arrivals including Daniel Wilson and Dante Ruaine at Huxtable and Alric Hansen with Small Victories. Christian McCabe (pictured, left) has opened The Town Mouse with his sister Amber, and fellow New Zealander Dave Verheul (pictured, right) as chef, with a typically modern menu designed around sharing. McCabe previously had the award-winning Matterhorn restaurant in Wellington, but it is the combination of produce available in Australia and excitement in the local food scene that’s inspiring him too. “I think, as New Zealanders, we do come here with a fresh set of eyes – what’s available is new, the food scene in Melbourne is really vibrant and that helps your energy,” McCabe says.