If you haven’t heard of Fork & Walk, neither had I, but I’m so glad I have now. Let me introduce you to this deliciously fun dining experience… hopefully before it sells out!
Now in its second year, Fork & Walk hosts an all-inclusive progressive dinner in the heart of bustling Chapel Street, taking guests to three of the area’s top restaurants (all perfectly ambient date night venues).
It’s essentially a roaming dinner party. You’ll visit three venues over roughly two hours, indulging in tapas-style dishes paired with unlimited drinks, including a signature cocktail at each stop.
Three restaurants. Seven courses. Unlimited drinks.
Expect to leave merry and very full. (Pro tip: pace yourself and save room for the tiramisu!)
We kicked off at Mr Miyagi, a modern Japanese restaurant I hadn’t visited in some years now. On a chilly Melbourne winter evening, the warm, moody ambiance was a welcome escape. We were greeted, seated, and very swiftly handed drinks. Their signature cocktail was the prettiest pastel-pink frosé served in a wine glass with a white flower garnish that managed to taste even better than it looked. It was hands down my favourite flavour of the night, including the food. My partner and love a good cocktail and despite being a slushy, it was right up there!
After some conversation, the first dish arrived: Mr M’s Salmon Nori Taco. This was my partner’s favourite dish of the evening, and a strong contender for mine. A lightly tempura-battered nori taco shell encased sushi rice, spicy napa cabbage kimchi, Japanese mayo, chilli oil, and buttery-soft salmon belly. A second frosé later, we were served the Ramen Beef Short Rib. A 40-hour slow-cooked Jorim beef short rib in toasted sesame ramen sauce with pickled radish and lightly pickled kohlrabi noodles. Rich, tender, slightly caramelised and bursting with flavour, it was absolutely delicious.
The staff at Mr Miyagi were exceptional, offering another drink before you’d even finished your last. This was no chaotic bottomless brunch style experience. We were given ample notice before moving to the next venue and reminded again five minutes before, with a calm, no-rush approach.
Sad to part ways with the frosés, we stepped into the cold Melbourne night. Luckily, our next stop was only a short stroll away and just as inviting.
At Freddy’s, we were greeted by tealight candles, a row of bar seats under warm industrial hanging lights, and the comforting glow of a wood-fired pizza oven. The second signature cocktail was an orange spritz, which my partner loved. I opted for a house red. The nostalgic Italian memorabilia and buzzing Thursday night crowd added to the charm.
Our first bite was Freddy’s Crocchette. Crispy, cheesy, potato goodness with a creamy gorgonzola sauce that was surprisingly mellow (read: blue cheese haters will still enjoy it). Then came the wood-fired margherita pizza. Pillowy, charred crust with the ideal chew, a rich San Marzano tomato base, and melted bufala mozzarella just barely clinging to each slice.
By this point, I was very full. Trust me, you won’t leave hungry. You’re more likely to leave food on your plate.
Our final stop was Windsor Wine Room, an elegant wine bar filled with the hum of conversation. The third cocktail, a beautifully fragrant Garden of Eden, featured gin, lychee, and rose syrup in a highball glass.
Our first dish here was my favourite of the night: Baked Scallops. Served in-shell with a silky beurre blanc, they were generous and oh so tender. The Georgian roast chicken followed – Juicy and just spicy enough, with pickled chillies and a rich sauce. We were stuffed, but when dessert was mentioned, how could we say no? A generous scoop of tiramisu landed in front of us, and it was as good as it sounds.
We left completely full and very happy after a night of venue-hopping, cocktails, delicious bites, and seriously cosy vibes.
Don’t walk (and fork), run to grab your tickets at Fork & Walk website before it sells out like it did last year!