Kate Jinx is a writer, podcaster and the current Senior Programmer (Feature Films and Talks) at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), where she helps shape one of Melbourne’s most iconic cultural events. The Founding Program Director at Golden Age Cinema, Kate has also curated the All About Women in Film Festival at the Sydney Opera House, and is the host of weekly culture podcast See Also. A regular guest critic on ABC TV and radio, her writing has been published widely. Kate regularly hosts public panels on film, art and culture, and while often travelling abroad for work, Kate calls Melbourne home after moving from Sydney for her role, where food and drink often come before and after a film.
My local is Napier Quarter. I’ve had to change my walking route recently because my dog Top Chef also adores Napier Quarter and is always tugging me towards it. And what’s not to love? It has such a warm feel to it. Whether it’s a stand-up coffee at the bar in the morning rush, a lazy brunch on the footpath, a little glass of whatever wine’s open at dusk perched in the front window, or dinner and a cold Martini in the evening at one of the low tables inside – it’s all perfection. The owners did a lovely renovation of the space a few years ago during MIFF and I was very grateful for the kismet – it’s the only month I don’t have much time to spend there.
The best new thing I’ve found is my other local, the Punters Club on Brunswick Street, now offers a vegan and vegetarian roast along with the more traditional offering of a Sunday afternoon. It’s become something of a ritual when both my partner and I are in town to pop in for a late lunch with friends, and it’s best to time it so you can tuck into your roast while their excellent in-house jazz band plays.
When I want to celebrate an occasion with a special meal, I take a Gibson Martini plus whatever delicious bar snacks they have on the menu at Apollo Inn on Flinders Lane. Otherwise, a classic spaghetti with mussels and a Moretti at Mario’s Café in Fitzroy. In fact, I took myself for the latter, the day after program launch.
When I want to show off the city to friends from out of town, I assume they have already hit up all the city faves I have sent via a personalised Google Map, and I take them to Abbotsford Convent. Start with a coffee at Cam’s Kiosk, and then either have a cocktail and a “bowl of chippies” on the sweet, tree-lined Julie terrace – I recently had a marigold old fashioned there which was out of this world – or commit to the bit, and do a long lunch inside at Julie, where the menu features produce from their own nearby kitchen garden. I love how the food and service is totally top tier but never feels fussy. If it’s during MIFF though, I’d simply let them choose from our carefully curated Food & Film series, which pairs a handful of excellent titles from our program with some of the best restaurants in town.
My favourite place to load up on supplies is CIBI, to the detriment of my wallet. Before I moved from Sydney, CIBI would always be the first place I came to straight from the airport. Now that they’ve expanded, I find it hard to not let “browsing” their Japanese specialties and other goodies turn into “spending” while I wait for a table (traditional breakfast plate with natto all the way). Ditto, Morning Market for a few elite treats when I’m having friends over.
There’s no better value in the city than Psarakos Market! My partner and I are obsessed with Psarakos and do most of our household shopping there – truly worth a fortnightly drive to pick out well-priced fresh veggies and fruit. Plus a quick stop at the adjacent fish and nut shops, maybe even the florist before home. Even better when my partner goes while I’m at the office and I come home to a fully stocked kitchen.
And I wish more people would experience the excellence of Comedy Republic. It’s only been open five years, but it’s already become such an institution. Of course, it’s well known that they always have the best comedy shows on their line-up, but their bar is also super reliable and you don’t need a ticket for that. The staff are the friendliest in town. It’s roomy, right on Bourke Street, and you (read: I) can’t go past a pint of the Laugh Draught and a vegan toastie.
My defining food moment in Melbourne was… I’ve had some brilliant meals and some delightful snacks but I’m not sure I’ve had it yet. I’ve only lived here for six years (two were spent in lockdown) and know I need to broaden my horizons. I’m looking forward to traveling to unfamiliar suburbs and eating in the more adventurous way I do when I travel, but at home.
If there was one thing I could change about eating and drinking in Melbourne it would be more pubs serving drinks in schooner glasses. It’s the perfect size, and I will not be challenged on this. Sure, I’ve come around to ‘potato cakes’, but I remain firm on the Goldilocks-esque beauty of the schooner.
But the thing I hope never changes here is the city’s attitude to late nights. It’s such an arts and hospitality city, so being able to find a spot to go to in the wee hours is non-negotiable. Honourable mention to Hell’s Kitchen. May it never change.
Melbourne has never looked so good on screen as in… My colleague Kate Fitzpatrick put together an epic Melbourne on Film program at the festival a few years back and it was eye-opening as a newcomer to the city. That said, it will always be Love and Other Catastrophes for me. I was obsessed with this film when it came out in 1996, and frankly, still am. Every day I walk up Brunswick Street and shed a little tear that the café featured in it, Rhumbarella’s, is no longer there.
If there was one dish I could eat from a film it would be… I’ve spent the last year immersed in the work of the late Belgian director Chantal Akerman for a large-scale survey of her films I’ve put together called Chantal Akerman: Traces for this year’s MIFF and one of the Australian premieres it features is a 4K restoration of her 1984 short J’ai faim, j’ai froid (I’m Cold, I’m Hungry). In it, two spirited teen girls ditch Brussels for a stint in Paris, and in one scene they pool their money and go to a little café and order two orange juices, two pieces of toast and two café au laits. They down it all ferociously and then immediately order the exact same thing. Simple but sublime.
Melbourne International Film Festival runs Thursday 7 August until Sunday 24 August. Explore the program at miff.com.au and follow along via @melbfilmfest for more.