Author: We Know Melbourne

Interview: Ze’ev Meltzer of Once Bitter

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Once Bitter is a story that begins years ago in boarding school. Ze’ev Meltzer showed a passion for beer but his school didn’t. So like a rebel without a cause, Ze’ev would sneak into the kitchen to work on secret beer experiments. Fast forward to years later, Ze’ev had fallen into the corporate world and was working in the finance sector, but he knew deep down it wasn’t for him. That’s why 3 years, he decided to chase his dreams again and quit his job to launch Collins Street Brewing Company and his flagship beer Once Bitter. With a philosophy of creating high quality flavourful craft beer that is thirst quenching, the beer is a celebration of our great city. We caught up with Ze’ev to talk about his beer and the inspiration behind it. Melbourne and Australia in general, have experienced a revolution in the beer market regarding to the availability and demand for local craft beer. In your opinion, what would you suggest was the catalyst for this change?   I think it’s …

Spring Racing Carnival Brunch

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Giddy up Melbourne! The Spring Racing Carnival is well underway and the Como is celebrating its long history and close relationship with the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival by hosting an exclusive racing-themed brunch with a very distinguished guest, the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup! Get glam with your best racing outfit and join the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in their elegant ballroom this September 24, for a stylish and scrumptious canapé style brunch with complimentary bubbles. While dining on your breakfast, enjoy a live acoustic duet on the croquet lawn and don’t forget to snap a selfie with the prestigious Cup, made of pure 18 carat gold and worth $175,000. When: Saturday, September 24 Where: Como House and Gardens, Corner Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra 3141 VIC Visit the website here.

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years Giveaway

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Academy Award® winner Ron Howard’s authorised and highly anticipated documentary feature film about The Beatles’ phenomenal early career, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, opens in cinemas nationally September 16 for one week only. The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years is based on the first part of The Beatles’ career (1962-1966) – the period in which they toured and captured the world’s acclaim. Ron Howard’s film will explore how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came together to become this extraordinary phenomenon, “The Beatles.”  It will explore their inner workings – how they made decisions, created their music and built their collective career together – all the while exploring The Beatles’ extraordinary and unique musical gifts and their remarkable, complementary personalities. The film will focus on the time period from the early Beatles’ journey in the days of The Cavern Club in Liverpool to their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966.  We’re giving away a double pass. See our Facebook page for details.

Melbourne Festival

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Melbourne Festival is an innovative festival highlighting the rich culture of the arts that exist within the Melbourne lifestyle. Watch various performances of dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, multimedia,  as well as free outdoor events will be held across several venues across the city. First established in 1986, the festival was created to carry the transformational nature that exists within arts and culture and the positive change it has on individuals.   Highlights this year include David Bowie: Nothing has changed | October 15 – 17 Paying tribute to the starman, musical artists will perform his music in their own unique styles, accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. M Pavillion | October 5 – February 18 Commissioning a world-leading architect to design a temporary garden pavilion for Melbourne, this year’s space is designed by influential Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai. Watch a free program of talks, performances, debates in this unique experimental space. Program released September. Triptyque | October 6 – 9 Canada’s Les 7 Doigts (The 7 Fingers) straddle the gap between circus and dance …

Melbourne’s Newest Rooftop Bar

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Melbourne loves a rooftop bar, and this September, we’re getting another one in Hawthorn! Named nineteenforty, the bar pays homage to the heritage-listed venue’s opening back on October 11, 1940.  Perched above Rivoli Cinemas, expect a garden inspired fit-out with festoon lighting, succulent potted plants and timber cladding. Offering panoramic views of Camberwell & Hawthorn, the venue is perfect for sipping champagne in summer, or curling up under umbrellas and heaters in the winter. Enjoy a  selection of bar food and a bespoke drinks menu with a specially curated list of drinks designed to amplify the setting or for the real gin enthusiasts, a premium G&T experience matches Star of Bombay with tonic water and a selection of botanicals. Rivoli Site Manager James Zwack looks forward to introducing a cocktail menu to compliment the Rivoli cinema experience. “We’ve always been enamored by the history of the cinema. The rooftop bar seems like the perfect way to invite guests to enjoy the space as much as we do.” This will be the place to be this summer!  Where: Rivoli …

Red Spice Road turns 9

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Red Spice Road are celebrating their 9th birthday this month and to celebrate they’re giving away free wine to September babies! All guests need to do is fill in the registration form here, and show the confirmation email along with ID to claim their Birthday bottle of wine when dining at either Red Spice Road McKillop St or QV. In addition, there is also $3000 worth of prizes to be won! One Grand Prize valued at $2000: Exclusive dinner for you and 7 friends in the comfort of your home, served by no other than Red Spice Road’s Executive Chef John McLeay. Two Major Prizes valued at $450 each: $200 Red Spice Road dining voucher, champagne, wine and cookbook / $200 Red Spice QV dining voucher, $100 Spa & Wellness voucher, wine and cookbook. When: September 2016 Where: Red Spice Road Visit the Red Spice Road website.

Grand Pie-nal Day at The Queen Vic Markets

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There’s nothing more Australian than a hot meat pie at the footy and with the AFL Grand Final just a few weeks away, there’s no better time to celebrate two great Australian traditions. On Friday 30 September  (aka Grand Final Eve), The Queen Victoria Market in partnership with Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses are inviting pie-lovers of all stripes to eat their heart out at Grand Pie-Nal Day. The day will be filled with events and pie competitions for the amateur, professionals and kids. The competition will be awarded to the first to eat 25 regular sized Ferguson Plarre lunch meat pies, or whoever eats the most pies in five minutes, whichever comes first. Kids will be served party pies, and will have a reduced two-minute quarter. Contestants in all divisions will be provided tomato sauce, water and a Grand Pie-Nal Day t-shirt. The prize for each division winner is a $200 Queen Victoria Market voucher. Kids will win footy merchandise and other prie-zes. If you don’t have what it takes to down 25 meat pies then there’s also …

Paris to Provence Festival

Paris to Provence

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Immerse yourself in a vibrant and lively French village atmosphere at the Paris to Provence Festival. Now in it’s 8th massive year, the festival returns once again to the beautiful gardens of the National Trust’s iconic Como House and Garden in South Yarra. Soak up the culture, French food and champagne, festivities and activities that are sure to rival any bustling French village. From the moment you pass the historic wrought iron gates of National Trust property, Como House and Garden, you will feel transported to your favourite French memory as the delicious aroma of French culinary delights float past, and the sights and sounds immerse you in the lively buzz of the popup French village. Browse through 75 French exhibitors, selling everything from homewares, wines and fashion or pick through the stalls selling delicious French food. After you’ve full to the brim of scrumptious French food, sit down to a masterclass from fourth generation boulanger (baker) Gontran Cherrier. Finally for all the bachelors and bachelerottes there’ll be a Singles French speed dating soiree where you can meet the dreamy love of your …

Fonterra Proud to Be A Chef

Interview: Buddha Lo of Matteos

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What does it take to become a head chef of a renowned Melbourne restaurant? For Head Chef of Matteos, Buddha Lo, it was plenty of passion and dedicated industry training. Starting his culinary  journey at the young age of 14, he later went on to complete his apprenticeship through the Fonterra Proud to be a Chef program, before heading off overseas to work in international kitchens. Now completing a full circle, Buddha is one of the mentors for this year’s Fonterra Proud to Be a Chef program alongside another industry legend, Huxtaburger’s Daniel Wilson. We caught up with Buddha Lo to discuss his training and how the program helped him to get to where he is today. Can you tell us was it always your dream to become a chef? Yes, ever since I was 12 years old. I worked with my parents at their restaurant when I was 9 on weekends and my dad asked me to flip an omelette on the wok one day and I flipped it perfectly – from then on I …

Oktoberfest in Melbourne

Say Prost to Oktoberfest!

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We love any good excuse for a party, and there’s no better time to sink a few ales than the next couple of months when Oktoberfest takes over Melbourne. With so many spots to celebrate this Bavarian tradition, you’ll never be short of parties to get into the festive spirit. Here’s our top picks of where you can say Prost and  join in on the Oktoberfest fun: Oktoberfest St Kilda at St Kilda Foreshore Dress up and have a few cold ones at St Kilda’s Biggest Oktoberfest at St Kilda Beach. With food trucks, beer halls, multiple stages, amusement rides, Oompah Band, Melbourne’s favourite DJs & plenty of Australian acts including Shannon Noel, this is going to be one giant beachside party! When: Saturday 15 October, 12pm Hoptoberfest at Hophaus Bier Grill Southgate Kicking off the celebrations early, Hophaus Bier Grill will bring Munich to Melbourne this September. The Official Opening Party is on  September 17 with the traditional tapping of the keg at midday with free bier whilst the keg lasts and the whole …