BITES

JEFF Burch, who owns Howard Park and Mad Fish wines, has launched a new boutique brand this week developed in partnership with renowned Burgundian winemaker, Pascal Marchand.

The Marchand & Burch venture was formed in 2006 with the aim of sourcing fruit from vineyards in Western Australia's South West to produce chardonnay, shiraz and pinot noir.

The first showing was at the 2008 London International Wine and Spirit Fair where Marchand & Burch chardonnay and pinot were available for tasting for the first time.

The chardonnay and pinot noir were launched in WA earlier this week, with the shiraz to be released late 2008.

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After a $2.6 million renovation, the Hyatt Café reopened for business last week.

The new look involves spacious, comfortable chairs and sofas, contemporary decor and interactive dining style which features three interactive cooking stations - a deli counter, show kitchen and dessert bar. The chefs are positioned at each of the cooking stations to deliver food straight from the pan to the plate - tossing fresh salads to taste, grilling lamb chops and baking waffles on the spot.

The cafe is open daily from 6.30am to 10.30pm.

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The man named a "legend" of the 2007 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival for his contribution to Melbourne's dining evolution, Phillipe Mouchel, is coming to Burswood's (A)LURE on Tuesday August 5 to present a five-course truffle dinner.

His restaurant, the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel, has won the award for best European restaurant in the Restaurant & Catering Victoria Awards for Excellence for the past two years.