Another year, another American Express delicious. Month Out and 2024 was our biggest and best yet! Over the month of May, hundreds of businesses offered incredible deals, specials and events, making it easier than even to get out and support the hospitality industry. We sipped, dined, and danced through the month, and celebrated it all by kicking it off in style. Here’s the wrap up of the fabulous events that got the party started.

We didn’t let a bit of rain stop our parade at the American Express Shop Small Village. A unique experience open to all, food-lovers sampled the best that the city had to offer from local favourite Shop Small cafes and restaurants.

We put on the out-of-office and headed for a lazy long lunch at Lana in Sydney. Held at one of the city’s most beautiful venues, the exclusive event featured a multi-course menu, flowing drinks and live entertainment.

Over in Adelaide, Aces rolled out the red carpet with a killer housewarming party complete with ’80s and ’90s beats, and an eight-course snack menu by chef Tom Tilbury, Water Lo of Nina Restaurant and Thomas Robinson of the Lane Vineyard.

For one night only, Alex Prichard brought Bondi’s iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar to the Sydney CBD. Guest chef Prichard’s signature coastal cuisine met Bistro George head chef Steve Sinclair’s elegant take on Euro/Oz bistro classics in a very special four-course menu that championed Australian native flavours.

One of Melbourne’s most lavish dining rooms set the scene for a glittering event that put Victoria on a plate. Over a bespoke four-course menu, Autumn by Society celebrated the best of the season and shone the spotlight on the outstanding Victorian producers who are making their state proud.

We celebrated the trailblazing women of Melbourne’s culinary scene at Lillian Brasserie, in honour of its namesake Lillian Wightman, Collin Street’s legendary original couturier. A bespoke three-course sharing menu featured dishes from top female chefs and wines from leading female winemakers.

We took a detour to Bangkok via Brisbane’s Ada Lane with a one-off event pairing premium Queensland produce with the energy and rich legacy of Southeast Asian cuisine. For the evening, sAme sAme head chef Arté Assavakavinvong teamed up with Ben Wallace of TNQ legends Jungle Fowl and Oaks Kitchen & Garden on a multi-course shared feast that was anything but the same old thing.

We took a seat at Darling Quarter for a meal with a mission. The talented cooks from Two Good Co. teamed up with favourite Darling Quarter eateries to prepare a long table lunch featuring recipes from top chefs, including Alanna Sapwell-Stone, Mike McEnearney and Maggie Beer. Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction on the day raised life-changing funds for women living in crisis.

What a month! While every participating restaurant and bar was special, here are some highlights of 2024 to get you excited for 2025. We lived the glam life with $2 oysters and mini martinis at Shell House in Sydney, and loved the drama of tableside crêpes Suzette at Brisbane’s C’est Bon Restaurant & Le Bon Bar. We melted over Anchovy Bandit’s woodfire pizza and crisp house cocktails in Adelaide then ate our way through the freshest seafood at Melbourne’s Cutler & Co. Same time next year?