Quotable Quote

The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.
Saint Jerome; Church father & Saint (374 AD - 419 AD)

Hatton News

Time to bid farewell to another hot summer and look forward to the autumnal bliss as Melbournes streets take on the orange and burnt hues in memory of the summer just passed. Autumn in Melbourne means cooler evenings, good wine and autumn salads. Good news this Autumn for the Peter Hatton with his French Island Pinot Gris 2008 (available in the front lounge) being scored the highest of any Pinot Gris produced in Australia with 4 stars in the publication Winestate. Here is the write up for those who missed it: Quite Alsacian in style, with subtle pear and apple aromatics and plenty of fruit richness on the mid palate. Very good length and depth and excellent acid/sugar balance. A very nice wine. Congratulations Pete, always good to get an accolade in a competitive industry!

An Autumn Day/Night On the Town

Autumn is a great time to reconnect with Melbournes inner city suburbs and shopping strips- here is just a couple of ours both located in Fitzroy to get you started this Autumn. Oh yeah here is a great site to help you out with your street exploring www.streetsonline.com.au.
Brunswick St- following a certain beatnik flair at present, Brunswick St has been a vibrant area for some time now. Expect lots of gearless bicycles, an array of coloured Elvis Costello sunglasses and skinny jeans. Lined with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants is one good reason for a visit. One of our favourites is Little Creatures Dining Hall (www.littlecreatures.com.au). Next it has some fantastic street inspired boutiques and galleries, like Panelpop an innovative gallery/ printer that uses its own special recipe of recycled polystyrene to produce a board pre-framed in recycled timber that can be painted or printed on, or simply purchase a panel on show with an image you just cant live without (www.panelpop.com).
Gertrude St- Just off Brunswick St is Gertrude St. A little more gallery oriented than Brunswick St it holds a good few surprises of its own. For a pub meal or drink it is hard to go past the Builders Arms Hotel (www.buildersarms.blogspot.com) with a varied menu and live music on weekends its a great spot to watch the world go by. Another great spot to checkout is Spacecraft (www.spacecraftaustralia.com) specialising in a boutique approach to textile designs (although producing other designer products) you will be sure to find something to tickle your fancy. Heavily influenced by the botanical and architectural imagery the prints are contrasted often by bright colours and layering effects to create aesthetically beautiful cushions, linen and clothing.

Gallery Watch

Be quick to catch this fascinating and confronting exhibition by Australian born London based artist Ron Mueck. With an ultra real take on sculpture his work concentrates on the human condition often placing his figures in all their glory for inspection by the viewer. Expect feelings of awkwardness, awe and wonder! Now until 18 April NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Temporary Exhibition Spaces 2 & 3, Ground Floor, 10am to 5pm Closed Tuesdays. www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ronmueck/

For a peek at some contemporary art try the Sutton Gallery on Brunswick Street. With an array of diverse contemporary artists it is very well worth a look. Showing from the 15 April to the 15 of May is work by Sara Hughes whose abstract pieces reflect the digital world we now live in and the patterns created within this information fuelled landscape. For more information go to: www.suttongallery.com.au

Enjoy your Autumn and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Hatton.