This month, we’re all about dining á la cart. Food and drink trolleys are currently doing the rounds at some of the country’s hottest restaurants, but are they here to stay or just another passing fad?

WHAT’S HOT: These days, you can expect to find all kinds of delights delivered on four wheels. Not just desserts, but cheese, champagne, and caviar, too. Bespoke and custom-made carriers have become their own culinary performance, with pesto smashed in movable mortar and pestles to gelato scooped from retro chiller carts.

WHY: If you find it hard to say no to desserts, try doing it face-to-face with a black forest cake or glossy lemon tart. Even the most committed calorie counter will not be able to resist. For indecisive diners, there’s nothing like a visual aid to help you make up your mind.

Laura, Mornington Peninsula

Take the trend for a spin at Laura, which has just reopened at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. The restaurant has three new handcrafted trolleys in rotation. The circuit starts with martinis shaken tableside, followed by rock lobster flambéd right before your eyes. For the grand finale, white-gloved waiters serve housemade confections from a dedicated petit fours cart. 3649 Frankston – Flinders Rd, Merricks; ptleoestate.com.au.

The Charles Grand Brasserie, Sydney

Afternoon tea is the best time to visit this French fine diner by the Loulou crew. Head Pastry Chef Rhiann Mead keeps the dessert trolley well stocked with Russian honey cake and opera gateau. 66 King St, Sydney; thecharles.sydney.

Bisou Bisou, Brisbane

Sniff out the best French and Australian cheeses when they roll past your table on Bisou Bisou’s dedicated fromage trolley. There are 25 varieties to try, from hard and soft to blue and bloomy. 458 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley; bisou-bisou.com.au.

Fishbank, Adelaide

Hail down the caviar cart at this upscale seafood restaurant for a bump of white sturgeon, served on the back of your hand, with a nip of ice-cold Belvedere vodka. That’s just how they roll. 2 King William St, Adelaide; fishbankadl.com.au.

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