tjanabi - shop 3a federation square flinders street melbourne 3000 9662 2177

red curved velour sofas and not a straight line in sight. if you've ever been to federation square you'll know what i mean. the place is falling down, or at least seems to be in a permanent state of construction or deconstruction. some bloody architect probably decided that it was symbolic of the building of australia. i reckon it is symbolic of the architects struggle with reality. but i digress...

federation square has rubbed off on these guys except unlike fed square, tjanabi has class and style. you can sit outside with your champagne and watch melbourne go by (trams with wings aside - if you know what i mean you will know what i mean) or huddle in a corner and curse the packs of tourists that wander aimlessly by with bumbags and the air of constant and pervasive expectation. the choice is yours.

tjanabi combines your basic dips with croc burgers (there's even a croc salad) with simple favourites like pastas and sandwiches. the owner is out in front taking care of business, the way it should be. and he didnt even get shitty when we moved tables three times. legend.

and with a bit of bernard fanning through the speakers i found it hard to drag my lazy ass away. open only a week, expect good things from tjanabi. tjanabi has its roots in aboriginal cuisine and seems to be surrounded by aboriginal art and crafts at the flinders street entrance to fed square. the coffee rocks too.