The days of a simple hot dog and beer at the tennis are gone.
And celebrity chef George Calombaris is thrilled about the progression to a more global sophistication and appreciation of food.
"Gone are the days of crap, refined processed food," Calombaris said.
With two of his venues, Gazi and Jimmy Grants, and other fellow Aussie chefs featuring among the offerings at the Australia Open, he's feeling proud.
![George Calombaris](http://web.archive.org./web/20180108160704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/a/1/m/y/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1485230876700.png)
George Calombaris Photo: Simon SchluterÂ
"People are here watching quality tennis, they should be eating world class delicious food."
Calombaris, an avid tennis fan, was enjoying time at the tennis last week saying: "I'm pumped as a Melbourne born and bred boy."
He said he has a "man crush" on Marcos Baghdatis and he also has a message for those giving Nick Kyrgios a hard time after his loss. "Those that are saying he's a disgrace, pull your head in." While not condoning some of Kyrgios' on-court behaviour, Calombaris recognises his great potential.
Calombaris' Gazi is one of the venues at the new Grand Slam Oval where you take a quick trip from Paris to New York to England.
An Eiffel Tower statue stands proudly outside La Patisserie eatery, which offers croissants, pastries and something called the cruffin - a hazelnut and chocolate croissant crossed with a muffin.Â
This has to be washed down with French champagne of course, so the La Bar Champagne is the perfect choice for tennis lovers with French music playing all day long.
![A touch of France at the Open.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180108160704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/p/b/f/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x0.png/1485230344110.png)
A touch of France at the Open. Photo: Catherine Chisholm
If you are looking for a more rocking vibe, the NYC area is busy with punters looking for good old American hot dogs with all the trimmings from $6 to $8.
![Rocking it out at the NYC venue at Grand Slam park.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180108160704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/p/i/a/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1485230649002.png)
Rocking it out at the NYC venue at Grand Slam park. Photo: Catherine Chisholm
For those wanting a bit more of the Wimbledon feel, take a few steps and find a full English pub awaiting - The Linesman's Arms or the English Club offering strawberries and cream for $7.50.
Bringing things back closer to home, there's Melbourne Gardens, a funky trailer-park set up with some gourmet favourites on offer and bustling bars.
Gazi was offering Greek souvalaki for $18 and the glamorous prawn cocktail for $20, while Mexican restaurant Mamasita had long queues for nachos and tacos. Healthy burger favourite Grill'd Burgers was also flat chat with customers.
![The beef souvalaki with fries.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180108160704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/p/w/k/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1485231137419.png)
The beef souvalaki with fries.
The outdoor chairs and tables in the centre of the area provide a space to relax away from the courts, and under shade.
And the punters seemed to like it. "I like this whole set up, it's cool," said Darren from Sydney. "It only took two minutes to get a table and it's great value - I just wish there were more margaritas!"
Geoff was visiting from New Zealand and agreed that the tennis offerings have definitely improved. "There's lots of choice and it's a lovely set up - it makes you feel relaxed," he said as he dug into his prawn cocktail.
"You can take a break between matches and come out and sit down and meet people - you've got somewhere for downtime."
Apparently the Italian favourite drink - Aperol Spritz - is now so popular it has its own bar at the Australia Open. And, it seems to be pumping.
The orange drink is a mix of Aperol, Italian Prosecco with a dash of soda water.
Judging by the queues, it seems to be the beverage of the moment - with the bar selling around 2000 of the pretty drinks a day during the Open, according to Nicole Stanners, marking director for Campari.
![Serving it up at the Aperol Spritz bar.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180108160704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/p/7/5/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1485230127641.png)
Serving it up at the Aperol Spritz bar. Photo: Catherine Chisholm
For those wanting to sit down and dine, there are seven restaurants on site, including the Laneway Club, which offers a selection of different restaurants in the one big area and Estelle Bistro for a more formal experience.
And for those going more A-List, there are super boxes and exclusive dining and viewing areas.
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