The chef, presenter and foodie extraordinaire takes us on a tour of his favourite haunts around the country.
Over the past few years, few personalities within Australia’s vibrant food scene have crafted a reputation for being so in the know as Khanh Ong. And why shouldn’t he be? The successful chef (he’s a former MasterChef contestant) and presenter/author savant has warmed hearts on social media and TV alike with his vivacious personality and infectious, insatiable appetite for great food and drink. Although based in Melbourne, he’s spent much of the past few years jet-setting around this great land and beyond, sharing his most delicious recommendations along the way. Yes, Khanh is living the dream.
While his number-one interest is food, drinks are close behind. And when you spend so much of your travel time in bustling restaurants, there’s a serious need for more secluded, chilled-out venues to while away the evening – preferably with a cocktail in hand. “I travel a lot – so when I go to a new bar, what I'm after is atmosphere, but I still want to be able to hold a conversation,” Khanh says.
Of course, knowledgeable, friendly staff are crucial. “If it’s not my local, I want to go in and not feel out of my depth.” A Dirty Martini is Khanh’s ultimate go-to – “that’s how my friends convince me to come out, by telling me I can get a Dirty Martini” – but he loves being steered towards something new by the experts behind the bar. “I love it when my bartender can give me suggestions that are tailored to both my tastes and their venue. You can upsell me so easily if you’re passionate,” he laughs.
Khanh’s top tip for finding a decent place to drink when all you have to rely on is Google maps? Ask the bartenders. “They're the people who are in the know. When you’re on the ground and talking to people, that’s when you're going to get the best ideas. I don’t just want to go to wherever’s hot at the moment, I want to go where the locals are going because it's usually cooler and the atmosphere is nicer. There's a reason these people are choosing to go there after work.”
With this in mind, we couldn’t resist getting Khanh’s red-hot bar recommendations from each of his favourite Australian cities.
1. Little Felix, Sydney
“I love Little Felix because it’s one of those places that has a venue within a venue, so they have somewhere to send you for pre-drinks while you’re waiting for your table. I first discovered it as a pre-dinner drink spot, but now it’s one of my go-to’s because I’m obsessed with their charcuterie,” Khanh says. “It’s dark, it’s moody and there’s lots of green, which is my favourite colour, so I instantly felt comfortable there.”
This sophisticated, French-inspired spot also makes for a hell of a date night. “The booths are perfect for sitting right next to each other, and they serve one of the best Espresso Martinis I’ve ever had. Plus, because it’s in the big Merivale block, it’s the perfect place to start if you’ve got a dinner booking at Totti’s or Jimmy’s Falafel.”
2. Pearl Diver, Melbourne
“Cocktails and oysters. Absolute heaven.” One of Khanh’s favourite ways to spend a night out is bar-hopping with a couple of close friends, letting the night lead him where it pleases. It’s on these nights that he typically ends up at Pearl Diver on Little Bourke Street. “It’s a gem. It’s honestly one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. They specialise in oysters. All their oysters are delicious – and I don’t love a cooked oyster, but I love theirs. And the octopus! Really, all their food is amazing.” Of course the cocktails deliver, too. “They do an incredible Bloody Mary, served in a glass that looks like one of those Catholic candles, but with a picture of [co-owner] Perryn Collier’s face in place of Jesus. I had a Dirty Martini there once that had olive brine pearls that popped in your mouth with this burst of flavour. Every cocktail has a really nice, unexpected touch.”
3. Maybe Mae, Adelaide
“Venues with a secret door can get intimidating, but when I walked into Maybe Mae I was greeted with the biggest smile.” Khanh is adamant that it’s impossible to choose which Australian city has the best food and drink scene, but Adelaide – and in particular, this concealed, basement bar – caught him by surprise. “I thought it wasn’t a late-night town,” Khanh says, “but it was really vibey for 11pm on a Wednesday night. They don’t do food, but they’re just so knowledgeable with their cocktails and that made me fall in love with them. I gave them a vague brief like, ‘I don’t really love sweet, I like something a bit more acidic, I’m not in the mood for a slow sipper, I don’t want something bitter, blah blah blah’, and the bartender absolutely nailed it.” That perfect drink was Maybe Mae’s Poolside cocktail – a mix of Patron Silver Tequila, Mae’s own vermouth, agave watermelon, cucumber, hibiscus, and pepperberry leaf.
4. Rude Boy, Hobart
Where the other bars on Khanh’s hit list are going for sexy, at the Caribbean-themed Rude Boy the focus is on the fun – and exceptional food and drink. “Here, it’s all about infused rums and incredibly unique flavours. When I went, I had a cocktail that blended white chocolate, pistachio and rose, and I usually don’t like sweeter drinks but this was amazing,” Khanh recalls. “What really impressed me with Rude Boy, though, was their fried chicken. I was there for a pre-dinner snack, but after trying the chicken I was thinking we really should have eaten there all night, because the food was so good.” Again, it comes back to the atmosphere for Khanh. “It’s not stuffy at all. It’s really eclectic decor, the energy is just so warm.”
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