Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD

5 must-do Melbourne Good Food Month events this June

Food Month

Life’s basically normal again and with the annual Melbourne Good Food Month back on this year – safely – it’s time to plan what you’re going to hit up. Here are five feature events to add to the diary. Flower Drum x Neil Perry Where? Flower Drum | 6pm, 6:30pm & 7pm, Tuesday, 1 June | $220 Good Food Month couldn’t think of a better way to kick off Melbourne Good Food Month than with Flower Drum x Neil Perry. We wanted to go big – so we asked the country’s most hatted chef (149 at last count), Neil Perry, to collaborate with Melbourne’s culinary institution, Flower Drum for something truly exclusive. Neil has curated a one-off special menu filled with his favourite Flower Drum dishes – some of which are on the menu and some of which are the secret off-menu dishes made especially for Neil when he visits. Tickets include multiple courses plus a Q&A with the chefs.  Get tickets here Esmay Pop-up with Bar Liberty Where? Bar Liberty | 5:30pm, 6pm, 8pm & 8:30pm, Tuesday 15 June | $140 Good things happen when you pair Alanna Sapwell’s travelling restaurant, Esmay, with Melbourne’s hatted wine and dine masterpiece, Bar Liberty. Both have a focus on seasonal produce, and both live on that axis where creativity meets comfort.  Alanna’s touring Esmay around the country with Good Food Month, with all events in Brisbane, Canberra & Perth selling out in a flash, so we recommend snapping up tickets early as tickets are limited to this Melbourne… Read More

What to do in Perth this Mother’s Day

Catering food

It’s Mother’s Day in Australia soon and if you’re not getting her gift – like any gift ideas from our Mother’s Day gift guide for 2021 – then lunch is where it’s at. And if you’re in Perth; we’ve got your sorted. Here are three picks of where to take her. The Ritz-Carlton, Perth: Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Delight mum this Mother’s Day with a special Afternoon Tea celebration at Hearth Restaurant on Sunday 9 May. Savour in a 3-course culinary journey of the finest WA produce. Experience the Chilled Western Australian Seafood Station, featuring freshly shucked Albany rock oysters, scallop ceviche and Exmouth king prawns, before moving on to dessert at the Chocolate Fountain Station. See the full menu here. Details: Date and time: 12pm – 4pm, Sunday 9 May (two hour seating times) Venue: Hearth Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth Package: Adults are $198 per person and children (3-17 years) are $98 per person, with $2 from every ticket being donated to Breast Cancer Care WA Bookings: Essential via email to hearth.perth@ritzcarlton.com W Brisbane: The Mother of All High Teas Celebrate this Mother’s Day in true W Style with ‘The Mother Of All High Teas’ atW Brisbane’s Living Room Bar. Indulge in three tiers of Aussie inspired sweet and savory treats, from Fraser Island Crab sandwiches, Marble Score 8+ Meat Pies, Buttermilk Panna Cota, and L’Artisan Mountain Man cheese. Be sure that mum will be spoilt with a class of Veuve Clicquot Champagne on arrival, and a fabulous W gift to take home.  Details: Date and time: Sunday 9 May 2021… Read More

A new kind of Mexican in Melbourne: Johnny’s Green Room ‘New El Paso’

Tacos

This Sunday 11 April, there’s a new once-off Tex-Mex extravaganza at Johnny’s Green Room in Melbourne, showcasing the yummiest in food and drink of the Mexican persuasion. Complete with Melbourne rooftop views, delicious Mex-American dishes will be pumped out for under $20 alongside tunes from DJ Chico G. Oh, and a special one-time-only gelato taco from gelateria (and Johnny’s neighbour) Pidapipo will round out the menu with the perfect sweet finale. Garage Project will also have their Golden Path IPA on tap to sip (for only $12 a pint) and enjoy the city views whilst you chow down on delicious tacos and quesadillas. Here’s what to get excited for: Totopos con queso – $11 Corn chips & nacho cheese sauce Mushroom quesadilla – $11 Pine mushrooms, Oaxaca cheese & jalapeño Burnt ends hard shell tacos (2pc) – $17 Smoked brisket burnt ends, salsa roja & guacamole Torta ahogada – $16 Fried chicken sandwich, chipotle mayo, iceberg, guajillo & tomato salsa Pidapipo gelato taco – $11 Sweet corn gelato tacos with capsicum and strawberry jam, poached cucumber & peanut croquant Johnny’s 8 Ball – $20 Blanco tequila, mezcal, Aperol, yellow chartreuse, lime Find it at Johnny’s Green Room presents: ‘New El Paso’ Sunday 11 April, 12pmLevel 2, King & Godfree LnCarlton VIC 3053

Get your booking for Drag Brunch Sundays at The Smith, Prahran Melbourne

Max Drag Queen

Sometimes brunch can be boring. To remedy that, you need a little glitter in your life. Enter The Smith Prahran, offering up Sunday brunch options that serve food, yeah, but offer up the snacks the likes of Max Drag Queen up as the main dish in all her glamorous glory. A two-hour brunch package that includes a brunch dish and bottomless spritzes, you’ll be entertained by Max and Jaw Breakers’ DJs Kali and Sabrina. For the menu and to make a booking, head to The Smith Prahran’s website.

2 places to go for the best Italian and Greek desserts in Melbourne

cannoli on a table

Australia’s prized Mediterranean heritage comes fully into into its own category of awesomeness when you turn your gaze to the food. From the roadside delis of Oakleigh to the gastronomy of the CBD and the full-on production houses of the northern suburbs, there’s no surprise Greek, Italian and Mediterranean food is right up there on Melburnians’ list of ‘must-eats’. But, what about dessert? For those more sugar-inclined, there’s never a reason to overlook the desserts from that region of the world and thankfully, Lukumades (Greek) and Cannoleria (Italian) are filling the gap. Lukumades is – as the name suggests – known for their traditional Greek doughnuts, vehicles for all the sauces and toppings your heart could desire. In fact, they’re so desired that Lukumades has just opened five shops in Indonesia on top of their outlets in Melbourne. They can’t get enough and it’s easy to see why – they’ve taken the traditional lukumade recipe, which is normally served with honey syrup and crushed walnuts, and Australianised it. They look incredible. And if it’s something with a bit more crunch you’re after, that’s where the Italians step in, with their little pockets of deliciousness: the cannoli. The Melburnian Cannoleria was created in 2018 by That’s Amore Cheese; the brand specialises in the traditional Sicilian dessert where the delicate tubes of golden, crunchy pastry are filled fresh daily with That’s Amore Ricotta. We’re getting excited about them again, because on top of their usual quality array of desserts, they’re producing some themed ones for those die-hard… Read More

An exclusive five-course wine and dine experience in Melbourne at Mr Joe

Mr Joe food

From Richmond, Mr Joe is partnering with two of Victoria’s most notable wineries to inner Melbourne with an exclusive five-course wine and dining event. Hosted in collaboration with 2019 Winery of the year winner, Seville Estate in Yarra Valley and Indigo Vineyard in Beechworth, the events are expected to showcase the best of Victorian wine and produce, including an exciting global-fusion set menu. And now, you can enjoy. Get in touch via the website or through details below to purchase a ticket for unforgettable evenings across April 29th and 30th for Indigo Vineyard, and May 6th and 7th for Seville Estate – only at Mr Joe. And prepare yourself for an onslaught of gastronomic intensity you don’t find often. Head chef Martin Sun has curated an exciting five-course menu for the event, featuring the innovative, boundary-pushing cuisine that Mr Joe is renowned for. Sun’s dishes will take guests on a sensory experience around the globe, using cooking techniques and ingredients from different countries including yuzu from Japan, gianduja from Italy, tzatziki from Greece and veloute from France. Despite the inherent worldliness of their cuisine, local ingredients are at the forefront of the menu, with wagyu rump from Sher Wagyu in Ballan, lamb saddle from Gippsland and dairy from inner-Melbourne’s only micro-dairy, St David Dairy. More awaits, but to find out, get booking.

Love the pickle? You’ll love this new festival dedicated to fermenting in Mudgee

Fermanting

Fermenting’s the unsung hero of the kitchen. If ever you wanted to make stuff last forever, it’s the number one tool for success. And the best bit? It’s literally so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it yourself sooner and been opting for super expensive pre-done options from the supermarket for years. There’s a festival happening in Mudgee to know about, if this is up your street, called Fermenta, celebrating fermenting in the format of a twilight picnic. Headlining events to look forward to are: breakfast with an alpaca, ‘Wild stories’ foraging guide, kombucha demonstration and brewing workshops, how to make honey ginger beer, sourdough crumpets making, chocolate fermentation classes and even a traditional sauerkraut demonstration. Fermenta is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s The Festival of Place – Summer Fund and the Australian Government’s Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Fund. For more info and to get tickets, head to the Fermenta website

Top 5 events at Canberra Good Food Month in 2021

Canberra Good Food Month flat lay

Canberra Good Food month is back in 2021, celebrating the very best of the capital city for the seventh sensational year. Here are the five best events to add to your calendar: Alanna Sapwell x Analiese Gregory x Bar Rochford Lunch sittings from 12:00pm, dinner sittings from 6:30pm | Sunday, 28 March | Bar Rochford | $160 Hold on to your hats, Canberra! Good Food Month presented by Citi is flying Alanna Sapwell, former head chef of ARC Dining (Brisbane) and Saint Peter (Sydney), and Analiese Gregory (who recently departed Hobart’s two-hatter, Franklin) into town for two delicious events at everyone’s favourite watering hole, Bar Rochford. Tickets include multiple courses with matched wine. Buy tickets for lunch here Buy tickets for dinner here Young Chefs Dinner presented by Citi Vegetarian Edition 6:30pm | Monday 29 March | Monster Kitchen & Bar at Ovolo Nishi | $150 Promoting and nurturing young talent is a Good Food Month legacy and we proudly shine a light on the crème-de-la-crème of Canberra’s bright young things. This year the brief is to go green, so what better way than a plant based take-over of the newly vegetarian kitchen of Monster Kitchen & Bar – our budding young chefs Kenny Tse (Monster Kitchen & Bar), Ben Waterston (Les Bistronomes) with one more to be announced soon, will curate a stellar set menu under the guidance of acclaimed Michelin-starred Executive Chef, Paul Wilson. Tickets include three courses with premium wine and beer. Buy tickets here The Good Weekend Quiz: Live The Good… Read More

Best burgers in Five Dock Sydney: Fat Belly Jack’s food truck

Chicken burger

Southern American food better watch out – it’s about to meet its match. The Australian interpretation’s out for blood. The new Fat Belly Jack’s food truck is serving up Nashville fried chicken, burgers and bar snacks like dumpster fries, cheeseburger spring rolls and jalapeno poppers five days a week (Wed-Sun) from the beer garden at the re-launched Illinois Hotel in Five Dock. None of it’s good for you, but it’s good for the soul, turning a local inner west pub into its slice of heaven as they use recipes developed over years of research and general taste gauging. Fat Belly Jack’s boasts the most authentic Nashville fried chicken outside of Nashville. With heat level ranging from mild to ‘really f#cking hot’, there is something for everyone with wings done four ways, as well as chicken tenders and other snacks. Find the food truck at The Illinois Hotel, 15 Parramatta Road, Five Dock

South Yarra Melbourne’s newest cafe: Norman

Cafe

After the mess that was 2020, Norman is now open in South Yarra! A visually pleasing space to drop-in to or stay a while, it’s complete with a two-level tranquility, that can hold up to 100 guests. It’s a sleek and sophisticated joint with brushed brass tones, baby blue hues and leafy greens throughout.  And the food? Think a mix of classic cafe dishes with a twist as well as entirely new creations, giving cafe goers every reason to try something new. Whether it be an all-Aussie breakfast dish like Norman’s Vegemite avo toast or something more left of field like zucchini and corn waffles, Norman really has something for every hungry tummy. The brekky board really does have it all with a variety of bite-size sweet and savoury dishes that feature on the menu, and if you’re still hungry, dig into the brekky burger. Find it at ?Shop 2/300 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141 Monday – Saturday – 7am-4pm Sunday – 8am-4pm