Author: We Know Melbourne

A Foodie Battle | Ms Collins

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Last night we attended Good Food Month’s Battle of the Pans at Ms Collins. To kick of the night the two foodie giants, Daniel Wilson of Huxtable fame and Daniel Poyner, resident chef at Ms Collins were introduced, giving a short speech about what to expect. Wilson was to cook up dishes with a pan asian flavour and Poyner, more of a modern Australian touch. Upon looking at the menu, we already were anticipating which dishes we would give the tick to, but were secretly hoping that the chefs would surprise us. Each round was served with a battle card where we had to circle our favourite dish. First up of the ranks, Round 1. Wilson was serving up Pan fried prawn rice noodle roll w sesame ginger dressing & coriander and Poyner, Seared scallops w peas, fennel, lemon & guanicale. Normally not a fan of prawns, Wilson’s dish surprised us. The crispiness of the rice noodles wrapping the prawns gave it a fresh new taste, to the point where we were even chomping on …

Summer Night Markets

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If you want to taste a true Melbourne summer you have to visit the Queen Vic Night Markets at least once (or maybe more). Last Wednesday saw the launch of this year’s summers night markets and we were there to check it out. It feels like just yesterday when we were visiting the Winter Night Markets, and it was refreshing to see that stalls have been changed, adapting to foods craved during the warmer weather. Old regulars were there like 400 Gradi, Taki Balls, the Sangria stand as well as newcomers, Boss Man Food (we recommend the Goat Curry),  Estelle and the Raclette Cheese Stand. Open every Wednesday night from 5pm to 10pm , the Queen Vic Night Markets features over 50 exotic food stalls, live music and specialist trades. Where: Queen Vic Markets When: Wednesday nights, November 4 – March 30 We Know Melbourne tip: Get there early to avoid the lines. 

Vegans Unite – Smith & Deli

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Vegetarian restaurants aren’t hard to come by if you know where to look in Melbourne, but if you’re searching for vegan restaurants it may be more like searching for a needle in a haystack. Enter Smith and Deli! From the same people that brought you Smith & Daughters, Smith and Deli offers up vegan eats that even the most hardcore carnivores will love. Get in line for a sandwich such as  the Buffalo the Vampire Slayer sandwich (buffalo tofu on a roll with celery, ranch), Godfather (a spicy pressed sandwich with pepperocini) Parmageddon, and Hail Seitan. Don’t be confused when your read meat on the menu, it’s not real  meat, but instead faux meat made with seitan. Not up for a sandwich? The food doesn’t just stop there. Choose from a selection of bagels, sweet treats, fresh produce and Noisette baked goods to take away. Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm,  this New York Style deli brings in the crowds every lunch time and just goes to show that vegan food can be loved by …

Food Trucks meet Fashion at Chadstone

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Food trucks are taking over Melbourne and their next truck stop party is at Chadstone! Just in time for summer, Melbourne’s finest food trucks will descend on the Fashion Capital launching this Friday, 13th November at 11am  until 10pm daily. The food trucks will give shoppers the much needed break from crossing off their Christmas lists for a few share plates with family and friends in the alfresco atmosphere. There’ll be over 30 food trucks on rotation inlcuding Sliders on Tyres, Cali & Co, Dude Food Man, Toasta and more. Whether you’re in bibimbaps, burgers, or brulees, the food trucks are the perfect stop when the crowds get too much. When: Friday 13 November – Sunday 3 January. Where: Chadstone Shopping centre. #ForTheLoveOfStreetFood Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Polish Festival

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For one day, Federation Square will be transformed into a European style historic town square for the Polish Festival. The festival celebrates Polish hospitality as well as their hearty food and ‘romantic traditions.’ Sounds like one not to be missed. When: Sunday, 15 November, 10am – 5pm Where: Federation Square Visit the website here.  Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Melbourne’s very first Gin festival

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Did you know there are more classic cocktails made with gin than with any other spirit? To celebrate this fine spirit,  Pilgrim and Riverland have joined forces with The West Winds Gin to bring to Melbourne, Melbourne first gin festival, Juniperlooza. Launching the summer season at Federation Wharf,  Junipeplooza’s program is filled with  gin tastings, ‘meet the maker’ sessions, pop up bars and gin inspired food stalls from some of Melbourne’s favourite and freshest establishments as well as plenty of live entertainment across. When: 28 November – 29 November Where: Federation Wharf Visit the website here.  Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards are back

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Where do you go in Melbourne for the best bar food? Where’s the best new bar? How about the Bar of the Year? Find out all the city’s hottest watering-holes and most skilled bartenders, as the annual Time Out Melbourne Bar Awards returns once again at the brand new host venue, The Mill House. Now in their fourth year, the Time Out Bar Awards are the only consumer-based bar awards to celebrate the best of Melbourne’s bar scene, with the city’s top venues battling it out for the coveted awards.  When past bar winners include Everleigh, Le Bon Ton, Black Pearl, Bar Americano and Harry & Frankie, you know that they are all over the hottest spots. In addition to great music, snacks and all the excitement of the awards ceremony, partygoers will be treated to White Rabbit beers, Maker’s Mark bourbon whisky and hangover cures from Hydrodol. The 2016 edition of the Time Out Bar Guide will also be launched at the event. Early bird tickets are now on sale for Melbourne here and the full list of nominations …

Celebrate Day of the Dead in true Mexican Style

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Forget Halloween, Day of the Dead is where the real festivities are at. This year, Espolòn is taking the opportunity to bring Day of the Dead to life in Melbourne. Celebrate the traditional Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, or as it is more well known, Day of the Dead with various Espolòn  venues around Melbourne coming alive with DJ’s and live bands setting the soundtracks to the parties, bespoke Espolòn cocktails serving up their offerings on a fresh take on the tequila experience, with a Mexican-inspired menu to match. There’ll be  Dia de los Muertos sugar skull  face painting, photo booths and live art installations all to bring to bring to life the story of Espolòn and Day of the Dead.style and Celebrate Day of the Dead in true Mexican style with Espolòn TEQUILA. And in case you haven’t heard of  Espolòn TEQUILA before, the tequila at its core, is a powerful tribute to Mexican culture.Crafted with 100% Weber Blue Agave in Los Altos, the Highlands region of Jalisco, the award-winning tequilas are the pride …

What’s On in November

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November is a big month in Melbourne. Spring Carnival is in full swing, Good Food Month brings over 200 culinary events to the table and we’re edging just that tiny bit closer to summer. Here’s our pick of events you can’t miss this month. Good Food Month, November A month long celebration of the tastiest and most flavoursome foods from Melbourne’s hottest chefs!  From fine-dining, to one-off dinners and hawker night markets, Good Food Month is sure to put a dent in that pre-summer diet! Melbourne Cup Day, November 3 Celebrate the race that stops a nation, and this year Melbourne even gets a day off to fully enjoy the show! Stop by The Swanston Hotel for their Breakfast and Bubbles, with unlimited sparkling wine for $30 (part proceeds go to Mission Australia). Melbourne Design Market, November 5 Design lovers, this market is for you! Held in the Federation Square Carpark, and now in it’s 10th year, this has market has set off a flood of design markets around Australia. Start your Christmas shopping early! Taste …

Colour Run

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Grab a white shirt and get ready to Run, walk, dance or skip, The Colour Run.  The 5km untimed run gives runners the chance to cross the finish line with coloured powder thrown at you at each kilometer. And in case you want more, the fun doesn’t stop at the finish line! The Epic Finish Festival will then give Color Runners the chance to burn a few extra calories by showing off their finest dance moves! Think music, dancing and of course, the  infamous Color Throws! When: 2pm, Sunday 22 November 2015 Where: Flemington Racecourse Visit the website here.  Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.