Cheers to the new normal, Australia.

I dove stomach-first into dining when Melbourne restaurants reopened last last week. Dinner at Rumi at 11.59pm the minute restrictions lifted (read/listen to my 3AW review here). Boozy lunch at Tonka. Martinis at Gerald's Bar. Dinner at France-Soir. Long lunch at a friend's. Sunday was a write-off. I've never felt so much joy in a hangover. And as of 6pm tonight, density restrictions loosen even further. This week I'm sharing venues taking walk-ins if you've left booking too late (including a road trip suggestion), as well as the best places to Eat Curiously in Darwin. If you're planning to travel there at some point, make sure you bookmark this email (it's a ripper list, if I do say so myself). I'll be sharing some Tassie tips soon, too.A quick note as we head into the long weekend: please be kind and remember that many restaurants will add a 10-15% surcharge to your bill so that they can properly pay staff holiday hours.

WALK-INS » Last-minute Melbourne dining

- I ate dinner in Melbourne's Little Korea Town (Healey's Lane, CBD) this week and there must be at least five restaurants accepting walk-ins - La Tortilleria in Kensington is walk-ins only until Wednesday and still serves some of the best Mexican food in the country- Dale La Pau in Camberwell is a new Indonesian restaurant specialising in rendang that accepts walk-ins and delivers picnics across the road to the park- Boosa cafe in Bentleigh East is walk-in only and serves brunch with a Jewish-Israeli spin: challah benedict, giant potato latkes with house-cured salmon and malabi panna cotta- ST faves Nana Mookata Thai Hotpot & Soi 38 are two legit Thai venues in the CBD that only accept walk-ins- Hi Chong Qing is a tiny noodle shop in Carlton that uses a 30-plus-year-old recipe to perfect its southwestern Chinese beef noodle soup, and walk-ins are a go- Victoria Street, Richmond, is filled with struggling restaurants. Go for a drive/stroll and support the strip

SPONTANEOUS ROAD TRIP » Geelong & Torquay

If you're up for a drive out of Melbourne this long weekend, here are some Torquay and Geelong venues you can visit without bookings:Sou'West Brewery opened in Torquay in April and is predominantly walk-ins; nearby Mortadeli sandwich shop opened just 10 weeks ago with a Euro-style deli and a few seats to scoff in; newcomer Funk by Botanical Brew in Geelong West is open 7.30am to 5.30pm and goes heavy on fermented drinks and food (including ciabatta that takes 30 hours to make); The Beach House cafe by the Mulberry Group opened in February in the old 1930s surf club and welcomes walk-ins (otherwise there's the kiosk for food to go); and Union Cellars and Union Street Wine Bar are also walk-ins only.

TRAVEL » Where to Eat in Darwin

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HALLOWEEN: Seven Star Pocha, CBD

FREE: Chef's Hat Clear Out

EAT: Grilled Cheese Choc Tops

COOK: Artichokes

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