Thank you to Kate, curiousgeo, and traveler38 for your wonderful recommendations!

Lots of gresat suggestions for oyu in Melbourne -hopefully we can meet at one .
Theres a DinTai Fung inMelbourne too - its in The Emporium -lov eit.
Supernormal would be one of my favourites in Melbourne.
Love =Higher Ground for breakfast/brunch .its in a heritage listed power house. Operator 25 is another brunch place in a 1900's building that house dMelbournes first switchboard. Its 7 mins walk to Quenn Vic market from there.. The people who run the latter have a new one at historic bluestone Wesley church called Operator Diner. Caretakers Cottage is anothe rbrunch palce at Wesley Place.
Loved Big Esso for something different.
My other. excellent Asian influence. is Aru -lunch or dinner 268 Little Colliins Street -superb -
as a complete contrast SOI 38 -itsThai and in an indoor carpark -has long lines which move quickly -no booking -its fun

Hi Northie, I just saw your restaurant suggestions. Thank you!

Yes, we would love to meet you in Melbourne for dinner. This will be in October. I am away right now so I don’t have the dates with me. Will contact you in a week or two with dates.

For Melbourne, since you’re staying at The Savoy on Little Collins, check out Hardware Société for breakfast—it's a local favorite. In Sydney, near The Grace Hotel, you might like The Grounds of the City for a great breakfast with a local vibe. For lunch and dinner, in Melbourne, try Flower Drum for excellent Chinese, or head to Lygon Street for Italian options like D.O.C. Pizza & Mozzarella Bar. In Sydney, you can’t go wrong with Chinatown for Chinese, and for something different, maybe visit Apollo in Potts Point for Greek food. As for the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry, it’s a good idea to book in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak times. Enjoy your trip!