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High Cheese at The Westin Melbourne Menu

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The Scone
Giorgio Cravero Reggiano scones

Savoury Temptations
Basil crème fraiche layered brie
Marcel Petite Comté gourgeres
Roquefort & Cognac served with Pain d’Épices
Beaufort d’Alpage & leek tart
Baked Normandy Camembert with garlic and thyme

Sweet Delights
Tiramisu with Kahlua coffee syrup soaked chocolate cake
Cannoli with whipped vanilla bean ricotta and honey
Holy goat organic skyla strawberry and thyme Mille-Feuille
Gorgonzola dolce stuffed fresh figs with fresh peninsula honeycomb

Matched wines are available by the glass and include:

2016 10X Pinot Noir – Ten Minutes By Tractor $21
This is a Pinot that punches above its weight. Surprisingly restrained and elegant for what was a warm ripening season. There are layers upon layers of complexity here. Lifted aromatics of tart cherry, fresh tobacco leaves and candied ginger, the palate is supported by a fine acidity, gentle tannins & alluring savoury characteristics of dried red earth, leather and pencil shavings. Quintessential, on point, game Pinot Noir.

2015 Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay $24
2015 was a remarkable vintage in the Adelaide Hills resulting in fruit of outstanding quality. Matured for 9 months in French oak with some lees stirring to enhance the textural qualities of the wine. Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish highlights on the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine and subtle grapefruit merge into some biscuity oak and roasted almond characters with hints of dried honey and spicy nougat also apparent. The palate has a touch more weight and viscosity to the mouthfeel than recent vintages but is still on the fresh side. Flavours of nectarine and white peach mingle with flashes of grapefruit over roasted almond characters, a hint of dried honey and spicy nougat. Clean dry finish with well-balanced acidity. Long subtle aftertaste of nectarines, fleshy white peaches, dried honey, roasted almonds and spicy nougat.

Penfolds Grandfather Tawny $18
With each vintage, varietal batches are selected for Grandfather. These batches are individually aged in seasoned old oak casks before being blended together at 14 years of age. This blend is then introduced into the ‘Grandfather Solera’. This Solera consists of six stages that are designed to fully integrate all components offering consistency and freshness with a final minimum average blended age of 20 years.

National Soup Day at Fed Square 2018

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To celebrate National Soup Day, Youth Projects and Heinz are helping Melburnians beat the chill this winter and serving glorious, hearty soups from a retro-style food truck for only $2.50, with 100% of all proceeds going to charity. 

On the eve of winter, a particularly difficult time for people experiencing homelessness, Youth Projects sought to partner with Heinz to help raise funds and continue providing much needed support for those who are doing it tough this winter. 

Dreading the freezing commute home? Fear not we haven’t forgotten about you! Giant Heinz beans and soup heaters will be stationed near key public transport locations, offering much-needed warmth and deliciously hot soup samples. 

Everyone is encouraged to come and support Youth Projects’ great work by enjoying some of Australia’s favourite soup this winter. For more information on Youth Projects or to make a donation visit www.youthprojects.org.au. 

When: Thursday 31 May, Thursday 7 June, Friday 8 June and Wednesday 13 June
When: 12pm – 2pm
Where: Federation Square
More information: Youth Project | Heinz Company

Arbory Roast Collection 2018

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Arbory Bar & Eatery’s Roast Collection returns to keep guests warm over winter partnering with Meatsmith and award winning sommelier Raul Moreno Yagüe.

There’s no room for the winter blues at Arbory Bar & Eatery with the popular ‘Roast Collection’ dinners back on deck to keep guests warm throughout the whole of winter.

Arbory Bar & Eatery’s Executive Chef Nick Bennett has teamed up with Sommelier Raul Moreno Yagüe (2017 Good Food Sommelier of the Year) and cult butcher Troy Wheeler from Meatsmith to offer premium cuts of roasted artisan proteins alongside a glass of perfectly paired wine for $25.00 per person, for lunch and dinner throughout the three months of winter.

Each month heroes a new beast, and each week will champion a different cut and dish as created by Bennett and his team. For June the offering is pork paired with the 2015 Norton ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir from Richmond, Tasmania, in July they will be dishing up beef, paired with the 2016 Palmetto Shiraz from Barossa Valley, and lamb will be featured in August, providing guests with a heart warming meal paired with the 2016 Paul Durdilly Beaujolais from Burgundy in France to match.

Throughout winter Arbory’s cocktail list runs hot serving up specially crafted warm winter cocktails headlined with: Hot Buttered Bundy: Bundaberg Small Batch Rum, Spiced Butter, Rum Butterscotch & House Made Spice Syrup. It is served in a thermos and will guarantee to warm guests up from the inside-out. It is aptly available for all NRL guests celebrating Melbourne hosting the State of Origin. (Wednesday 6th June).

Located amongst a line of plane trees between Platform 11 at Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River, Arbory is one of Melbourne’s most picturesque spots for guests to spend their winter days and nights, with custom made large-span umbrellas, fire bins, plenty of gas heaters and merino wool blankets to keep guests warm throughout the season.

Arbory is the perfect spot to indulge in a hearty roast or hot cocktail for lunch and dinner after the footy at the MCG or before a show at the neighbouring Arts Centre this winter.

When: Juen to August 2018
Where: Arbory Bar & Eatery, 1 Flinders Walk
More information: Check their website.

Mabo Day Celebration

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Join with the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities in Victoria to celebrate one of the most significant dates on the Indigenous calendar, Mabo Day on Sunday 3 June 2018, Deakin Edge, Federation Square.

Hosted by the multi-talented Lisa Maza (of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage), this free family friendly concert will feature performances by the acclaimed Torres Strait Islander dance troupe Gerib Sik, as well as live music from Luke Captain and Monica Weightman, together in their unique blend of song, and the Black Sistaz.

Bringing together the voices of Aboriginal Australia, this unique performance celebrates the achievements and remembers the struggles of Indigenous people since this landmark decision.

From the Torres Straits, Gerib Sik is an internationally acclaimed dance troupe.  This community dance group is dedicated in promoting Torres Strait Islander culture and continues to grow with the constant advice from Murray Island Elders.

Luke Captain is from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of the Torres Strait Islands and his songs reflect his home and zogo – spirit of his ancestors. He is a cultural advisor, singer song writer, film maker and actor and strong advocate for Torres Strait Island inclusion.

Monica Weightman grew up in Townsville, influenced by her Islander father Ray and with the musical genes of her Scottish-English-Italian mother. Recently, Monica has been exploring more of her Torres Strait Islander heritage that so clearly shapes her songs.

Born into a movement – The Black Sistaz – Lea, Rosa & Petra Rumwaropen, are three West Papuan singers with a powerful message, standing strong for a free West Papua. The Legendary West Papuan band – The Black Brothers – with whom their late Father was a lead singer and guitarist, is the very core of who The Black Sistaz are today.

Mabo v Queensland (commonly known as the Mabo Decision) was a landmark case, in which Eddie Koiki Mabo (Meriam) challenged the notion of ‘Terra Nullius’; that Australia was a ‘land belonging to no one’, in the High Court of Australia.

His victory and the resulting decision recognised Native Title rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia for the first time since colonisation. On June 3 1992 it was ruled that the Meriam people of the Murray Islands were entitled to the possession, occupation, use and end enjoyment of (most) of the Murray Islands, setting a precedent for Native Title cases throughout Australia.

 

When: 3 June 2018
Where: Federation Square
More information: Check their website.

Brownie Festival

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It’s a brownie bonanza – in honour of Yarra Valley Chocolaterie’s signature couverture brownie, they are getting set to create a bountiful selection of flavours and taste sensations from 14 to 25 June.

Expect a range of different decadent brownie flavours and brownie inspired treats and desserts in their all day Cafe and showroom to devour, while true brownie devotees will love the hosted ‘Ultimate Brownie Tasting Sessions’.

Taste 10 Brownie Bites, sip on the cleansing cocoa tea blend and try the specially created Brownie Bomb and Brownie Ice Cream for $18 per person. Only very limited spots available at 11am, 12pm and 1pm sessions on Saturdays and Sundays during the Festival. Bookings a must via our classes section on the website.

Earn some brownie points and plan another visit to the Chocolaterie.

Content: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

When: 13 ~ 24 June 2018
Where: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen, Victoria, 3775
More information: Check their website.

National Celtic Festival 2018

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Held annually in Portarlington, Victoria, Australia on the June long weekend.

From near and far we gather in the wonderful township of Portarlington to Unleash the Spirit, Discover the Passion and Experience the Culture.

An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the township of Portarlington is ready to welcome you with open arms. Nestled between the Bellarine Peninsula’s renowned vineyards and the famous mussel farms of Corio Bay, this normally quiet bay side village comes to life with the music, laughter and passion of the Celtic spirit

This winter festival is regarded as Australia’s premier Celtic Festival and attracts over 15,000 people to the region over the three day long weekend event each June.

The event commences on Friday evening and concludes on Monday afternoon (over 4 days).

The Festival uses a range of venues within the town, including community halls and spaces, the hotel, restaurants, cafes and churches. Marquees are also set up on the foreshore to provide additional venues; these include the Village Stage, Celtic Club, Wine Bar, and Celtic Markets.

The National Celtic Festival program offers a broad and diverse range of arts experiences that capture the Celtic culture in its many interpretations within the Australian setting.

The setting of the Portarlington foreshore and surrounding township is an ideal location for the festival and showcases the region.

As festival organizers we recognise the significance of the land on which the festival is held to the indigenous people of the area and in collaboration with local elders have developed means to acknowledge this in a meaningful way.

The festival caters for all age groups and for a diversity of cultural and family groups. The festival has become an annual event for families and friends to gather, offering time to relax and experience the depth of Celtic culture through the festival’s cultural diverse arts program.

Content from festival website. 

When: 8 ~ 11 June 2018
Where: Portarlington, Bellarine Pennisula, Victoria here.
Ticketing: Purchase it here.
More information: Check their website.

Wine & Wildlife 2018

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Thinking about going away for Queen’s Birthday long weekend? Look no further because Healesville Sanctuary is teaming up with Yarra Valley icons to bring you a gourmet experience with a wild difference!

Healesville Sanctuary is just one hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD through Victoria’s beautiful wine country. Over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (9-11 June), Wine & Wildlife will bring you the best in food and wine against the backdrop of the Sanctuary’s stunning bushland setting.

From 11am to 4pm each day, six event spaces will showcase a line-up of Yarra Valley wineries, craft beers and ciders with a good helping of delicious locally-sourced warming winter dishes available too.

Warm up by roaring open fires and delight your senses with live acoustic music while keepers roam the grounds with some of our furry, feathered and scaly friends for serendipitous wildlife encounters.

Plus, visit the Four Pillars Gin pop-up bar – you won’t want to leave with all the G&Ts, mulled wine, cheese and charcuterie on offer.

All Wine & Wildlife proceeds directly support Zoos Victoria’s efforts to fight the extinction of 21 local threatened species. #LoveYourLocals

When: Queen’s Birthday long weekend | 9 – 11 June 2018
Where: Healesville Sanctuary
Tickets: Adult – $41, Concession – $32.50, Senior $37.50| purchase it here
More info: visit website.

Bring It On The Musical

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From the Tony Award winning minds of Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), comes a hilarious, high-energy spectacle. David Venn, in association with Stage Masters, presents the Australian professional premiere of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL.

Inspired by the hit movie of the same name, it’s a new musical bursting with acrobatics and sass, playing for a strictly limited season at The Athenaeum from 7-16 June.

Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL takes audiences on a high-flying journey that touches on themes of friendship and acceptance.

Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, the show features an original story by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony Award winning composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyrics by Broadway lyricist, Amanda Green (High Fidelity).

 

The Australian production is directed by multi-Green Room Award nominee Alister Smith (Pacific Overtures, Urinetown! The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone), with musical direction from Daniele Buatti (A Fine Romance, Godspell).

 

Choreographer Michael Ralph (Georgy Girl, Loving Repeating, The Boy from Oz 2018) brings his dynamic, unique style to the production. BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL’s explosive choreography comes complete with aerial stunts performed by world-class cheerleaders, fresh from the World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Under the guidance of Cheerleading Coach Natalie Commons, who has represented Australia at the International Cheer Union and IASF/USASF Cheer and Dance World Championships, BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL boasts a standout cast selected from over 500 professional dancers, singers and cheerleaders and promises to be an exhilarating display of physical strength and agility.

The story follows two squads with one mission: to claim the title at the National Cheerleading Championships. Through this, the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through extreme competition are explored. Campbell, played by Nadia Komazec (Legally Blonde, Matilda), is cheer-royalty at Truman High School and captain of the squad. But, an unexpected redistricting forces her to spend her final year at the neighbouring Jackson High School. Campbell befriends Jackson’s dance crew girls and their headstrong and hardworking leader Danielle, played by triplethreat newcomer Elandrah Feo. Together, they form a powerhouse squad for the ultimate competition, going head to head with her old squad at the National Championships.

Making up the remaining principal roles is Karla Tonkich as Eva (Grease, Legally Blonde, We Will Rock You), Hollie James as Kyla (Rocky Horror Show, My Fair Lady), Emily Thompson as Skylar, Connor Sweeney as Steven (Muriel’s Wedding), Nicola Bowman as Bridget, Ashley Roussety as Cameron (Spring Awakening), Marty Alix as La Cieniga, Samantha Bruzzese as Nautica (The Bodyguard, In The Heights), Thomas McGuane as Randall (Jersey Boys) and Tarik Frimpong as Twig (Mary Poppins Returns).

The ensemble includes William Brougham, Phoenix Mendoza, Dan Ham, Braide Mullane, Jayden Wall, Celina Yuen, Luca Dinardo, Ben Scarmozzino, Teagan Nowicki and David Shirianni.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL had a critically acclaimed, long running Broadway season and has toured the United States before it’s Australian premiere. The production runs for 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20-minute interval.

When: 7.30pm Thursday 7 June, Friday 8 June, Wednesday 13 June,  Thursday 14 June, Friday 15 June, 1.00pm & 8.00pm Saturday 9 June & Saturday 16 June
Where: The Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Swanston Street
Bookings: visit website.

WIN: 1 x double pass to Italian Wine + Food Festival 2018

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COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

Ciao Melbourne, one of your favourite festivals is back! Italian Wine + Food Festival returns on 27 May 2018, Sunday at Royal Exhibition Building for its third year anniversary. Everything about eating and drinking in Italy comes together under one roof. From street-style pizza to refined fresh pasta.

Here is your chance to win 1 x double pass to the event. All you need to do is fill out the form below and tell us what is your favourite Italian dish and why.

Read more about the event here.

COMPETITION CLOSES ON 23 May 2018

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Italian Wine + Food Festival 2018

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Everything that’s good about eating and drinking in Italy comes together under one roof in with the third annual Italian Wine + Food Festival. Just as the appeal of Italian food runs from street-style pizza-fun for the whole family to refined fresh-pasta for the gourmet foodie, the festival has food and drink, entertainment and information to suit everyone from spaghetti-loving kids to the most engaged Italian-speaking wine lover.

Melbourne’s top Italian chefs are turning out in force to make it a day to remember, with much-loved locals Joe Vargetto  (Mister Bianco + Massi Restaurant), Francesco Rota  (Trattoria Emilia), James Kummrow  (Fatto), Dusty Treweek  (Bottega), Jesse MacFadden  (Massi Restaurant), Johnny di Francesco  (400 Gradi) and Luca Ciano  leading the charge. Festival-goers can feast on pizza, pasta, panini and Italian snacks at pop-up restaurants from Melbourne favourites Bottega , Saluministi , SICILY by Mister Bianco  + Massi, La Svolta Pizzeria e Trattoria, Figo Pizza  and 400 Gradi  plus there’ll be cooking demonstrations with chefs and providores on the Main Stage including a demonstration by self-taught cookbook author and television presenter, Silvia Colloca .

Attendees can shop like an Italian in the festival marketplace. It will be brimming with salumi, cheese, pasta, bread, olive oil, pastries, truffles, gelato and much more. Those craving all things Italian can taste their way through Floridia Cheese, Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano, Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma, Pane e Pizzico, Melbourne Arancini, 48h Gnocchi Bar, Abruzzo Lab, Il Panzerotto, Truffle Traders, Luca Ciano Sauces, Maccora Vinocotto, Kyneton Olive Oil, Zero Gradi Gelato, Classica International, Cannoleria by That’s Amore, Monini Olive Oil, Eat Cannoli and flip through Italian recipe tomes curated by Books for Cooks.

Espresso di Manfredi are serving up coffee made to order, and Mutti are running a Bruschetta Station – both are FREE all day! For the first time in Melbourne Cow and the Moon are serving up their award winning artisan gelato, and the Tipo 00 Pasta Making Showcase is not to be missed.

Festival guests can sample over 200 Italian and Aussie-Italian wines region by delicious region, discover their favourite new Prosecco, Barolo, Amarone or Chianti. Plus they can meet winemakers and importers, learn all about the grape varieties, the regions, and best of all, how good they taste. Some may decide to delve deeper with an Italian Wine Masterclass  curated by the festival’s team, or relax and soak up the atmosphere with a glass from one of the wine bars in the trattoria-style wine gardens. There’s even a kids play area to keep the bambino amused.

For something stronger, there’s Moretti Beer  on tap, authentic Italian cocktails from the Aperitivi bar, serving up spritzes. Kids enter free and there’s pizza acrobatics by 400 Gradi  and live music all day. Proudly presented by Mutti , the festival is all about celebrating wine, food and culture together in inimitable Italian style. La Dolce Vita indeed!

Find out more about the program here.

When: 27 May 2018, 10am ~ 6:30pm
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
More info: visit website.