Podcast moguls, TikTok superstars, friends to Osbournes and Oras alike, Melbourne’s Luke and “Sassy” Scott O’Halloran are the moment. After spinning their brotherly schtick into an international followership some four-million strong, the O’Halloran brothers have fast become one of the country’s proudest (and loudest) online exports – and they’re coming for your cinnamon scrolls.
My local is…
Sassy Scott: Dendy Pizza and Pasta: my comfort food in the Brighton bubble. The family that work there fill my soul and their tortellini Bolognese hits the spot (at least) twice a week. Every other week I’m at the Brighton Hotel smashing down a Parma. That’s right Sydney – it’s a Parma!
Luke: Nothing better than a pub meal. I’m going to have to lock in the Brighton Hotel too, Eddie! However, I wish I lived near the Mt View Hotel. I would love to have that as my local; I love that rooftop view.
I know I’m in Melbourne when…
SS: Every café, no matter the suburb, shopping strip, size and style has a varied demographic spilling out the door onto the street with a coffee in their hands.
L: Cliché answer is coffee, but it’s also the correct one. Seriously though, we don’t know how good we have it.
In the mornings you’ll find me…
SS: At Ollie and Ari in Brighton. Shout out to Harry. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of his berry and white choc-chip muffins still warm from the oven.
L: At Baguette Studios in North Melbourne on the way to work (except on Mondays when they’re closed; this is my official petition to get them to open on Mondays). They have the best coffees, and just as their name suggests, an unreal selection of baguettes and bread. Check it out. Oh, and their pretzels are to die for.
My defining food moment in Melbourne was…
SS: Working for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival! I was running a cooking demo in City Square with Gabriel Gaté. He was so kind and blew my mind and introduced me to a brand new palate. I’ll never forget picking beans fresh from the garden each day and gnawing on them before each public cooking demo.
L: Working in a local pub in Heidelberg and coming to the realisation that steaks aren’t meant to be eaten well done/burnt as my dad had cooked for us our whole lives.
When I want to show the city off to friends from out of town, I like to…
SS: Take it back to the northside and hit up The Standard in Fitzroy. It’s the most inviting pub and celebrates our city culture and spirit so well. Secretly it makes me miss the north!
L: Go to literally any Korean barbecue restaurant. Guaranteed to be a fun time. If I had to name one, then Yeonga Korean BBQ in North Melbourne.
My favourite place to stock up on supplies is…
L: La Manna in Essendon Fields. They make me my coffee on entry and I just walk around for ages looking at their incredible range. This place makes grocery shopping bearable.
The best new thing I’ve found is…
SS: Coe & Coe’s cinnamon scroll – it’s lathered in the best creamy white sauce.
L: Just today I had a saffron and vanilla scroll from Bread Club in North Melbourne. I ate it under a big tree and it’s all I’ve been thinking about since. I’m wondering how many times I can eat one of these in a week; it’s got me contemplating how high up I would have this on my favourite sweets list. I’ll have to go back and get another tomorrow just to double-check.
When I want to go all out on a special meal, I…
SS: Rely on my husband, Marcus. He gets food – and he knows how to treat me! It’s only because of him that I’ve eaten at the best restaurants in Melbourne. He’s taken me everywhere from Nando’s to Attica.
When I want to drink something Victorian, my first choice is…
SS: A Capi! I don’t drink alcohol anymore and loved my Polperro pinot noir back in the days. I went through our entire cellar during lockdown.
L: I am a pinot gris fiend. Once I hit 30 I could no longer look past a Victorian pinot gris.
There’s no better value in Melbourne than…
SS: South Melbourne market on a Sunday at 3pm. Hint hint, the florist gets rid of all bunches for $5.
L: Cleo’s Deli in Elwood if I want to get a large selection of dips for a platter. Best selection prices for dips in Melbourne. Taramasalata is my favourite.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here it would be…
SS: Lining up. Fuck that. I can’t stand (ahem) waiting for anything and I just can’t buy into anyone’s offering being worth bracing the freezing cold weather Melbs throws at you. Nope! Onto the next place in the street with no line.
L: Get rid of QR codes when ordering at tables. I love talking to the wait staff.
But the one thing I hope never changes in Melbourne is …
SS: Its zero-fucks stance on being the food and coffee capital.
L: The variety and number of cafés and restaurants. I love walking around and trying out a new place. It’s great to see how busy everywhere is. In saying that, I also hate how busy they are when I am trying to make a booking!
Follow Luke and Sassy Scott on TikTok at @lukeandsassyscott, and on Instagram at @lukeandsassyscott, and tune into their podcast here.