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Dani Valent

Dani Valent

Food writer and restaurant reviewer

Dani Valent is a food writer and restaurant reviewer.

Clover Cottage was a special occasion destination for Berwick locals from the 1970s to 2010s.

‘Never thought we’d be custodians’: Berwick’s beloved dining icon makes a comeback

Locals remember the carvery, Brandy Alexander mousse and grand dining room. Clover Cottage’s three-decade run is about to continue under new owners keen to revive the glory days.

  • Dani Valent
The soup's base is a reduce beef stock of depth and distinction; its cheesy topping grilled to melty magnificence.
14/20

Find perfect French onion soup at a local favourite flying under the restaurant radar

The cheese is grilled to melty magnificence, atop a pearlescent broth that gleams like a sword tip.

  • Dani Valent
Premium pork loin katsu (fried cutlet).

‘Perfect golden, crisp finish’: Katsumo will satisfy your cravings for killer katsu

Former two-hatted chef Jaejun Kim’s hunch about this one dish has been vindicated. But you’ll need to travel to a not-very-foodie suburb to experience his craftsmanship.

  • Dani Valent
Matilda has launched happy hours and weekend dinners.

From espresso to prosecco: Seven suburban cafes now doubling as wine bars

Cafes are breaking free from daytime trading by adding wine, handmade pasta and DJs to give locals new casual options after dark.

  • Dani Valent
Pani puri at Bombay Meri Jaan Indian restaurant in Richmond.
13.5/20

It’s located in Melbourne’s Little Saigon, but the ‘balls of joy’ will transport you elsewhere

BYO-friendly Bombay Meri Jaan serves up Mumbai’s street-food hits on Richmond’s Vietnamese strip.

  • Dani Valent
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Hoppers and curry sets are a mainstay at Many Little.

Hatted chef fired-up to open hot new Sri Lankan restaurant on buzzy south-side strip

Many Little chef-restaurateur Gayan Pieris hopes to expand Melburnians’ notions of the island’s vibrant cuisine at fire-driven Agnii.

  • Dani Valent
Pad kee mao made with rolled rice noodles.
13.5/20

Roll in to this Thai spot, order this comforting noodle dish, and you’re in for a happy time

Ari.BKK joins Melbourne’s maturing Thai food scene, but its imaginative menu isn’t trying to slot in neatly.

  • Dani Valent
Barrett describes the 60-seat dining room as "an intimate, homely space".

Former Good Food Guide Chef of the Year swaps bowlo for revamped motel restaurant

Two years after closing her hatted Lorne bistro Little Picket, Jo Barrett is back cooking in a different Great Ocean Road town.

  • Dani Valent and Emily Holgate
Elizabeth Coyle, a migrant hospitality worker, has spoken up about working conditions in Victorian restaurants.

Elizabeth spoke up about feeling unsafe at work. Then she lost her shifts

Alarming new data shows hospitality is rife with sexual harassment, instability and fear. But one group has nine big ideas to change the status quo.

  • Dani Valent
Freeze foods like lasagne in portions for when you're home alone and hungry.

The 10 golden rules of freezing food (plus the ‘lasagne law’ that’ll always save the day)

Food safety and cooking experts share their vital tips on how to safely and simply freeze your food – and save time, money and washing up in the process.

  • Dani Valent