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Marriage of Figaro

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The We Know Melbourne Concierge team was lucky enough to attend the opening night of Opera Australia’s new production of the Marriage of Figaro. The Melbourne season follows a very well received stint at the Sydney opera house so we were expecting big things and we weren’t disappointed!

British director Sir David McVicar has chosen to set the operatic action in the 1640’s rather than the more standard French Revolution era. This makes for interesting viewing as the period is similar to when Mozart originally wrote the music in 1786. In the same year Lorenzo De Ponte wrote the Italian libretto (don’t worry there are ‘subtitles’ above the stage)!

Of course the music is stunning and you will hear many tunes that you recognize, but what really took our breath away were the amazing stages for the different acts. The sets were huge and very atmospheric, particularly those featuring moonlit outdoors scenes.

Our favourite performers were mainly the female characters. Taryn Fiebig shines in her signature role as the feisty Susanna and she provides many of the highlight moments of the show. The lovesick youth Rubino (Anna Dowsley) is involved in many of the performance’s funniest moments and she has a strong and melodious voice. The Contessa (Nicole Carr) has some of the most emotional arias to perform and she is splendid in role.

All in all it’s a very enjoyable evening with a good mixture of comedy, social intrigue and of course, fabulous music.

When:  12 Nov – 28 Nov, 2015

Where: Arts Centre Melbourne

Visit the website here. 

 

A Forking Good Time at Taste of Melbourne

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Last Thursday saw the kick-off of the annual restaurant festival Taste of Melbourne and we were there to sample the delights from Melbourne’s finest, as well as some notable chefs from abroad.

Armed with empty stomachs, we headed straight to the South African Garden for a Masterclass with chef Benny Masekwameng, known not only for his culinary skills as Executive Chef for the Tsogo Sun Group,  but as one of the judges on the popular MasterChef South Africa.

Chef Benny’s chosen recipe was a melting pot, borrowing flavours from across the globe. We were surprised to find that the hero of the dish was not the lamb chops or ratatouille, but a tie between the creamed spinach (the addition of peanut butter being key) and the crisp, deep fried mielepap cubes. Mielepap is Afrikaans for maize porridge, similar to polenta, and is a staple food of many South Africans.

Next stop was Circa, the Prince for Cape Brim Ox Cheek, which (while being a bit on the small side of things) was cooked to perfection, Luxembourg Bar and Bistro for Duck Sausage Roll and Supernormal for the infamous New England Lobster roll.

Still not satisfied with our fill of meat, we ended the night with the Royal Mail Hotel’s iconic dish, Duck Phat Sundays  – a combination of duck fat ice cream, angelica syrup, orange cream and nuts. While one of us wasn’t sold, the dessert was a crowd favourite and won joint first place at the Best in Taste Awards.

Thanks for having us Taste of Melbourne, but we’ll be eating vegetables only for the next few days….

This post was written by guest blogger, Zara Homes.

See our full set of  photos on our Facebook page.

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Opera in the Bowl

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There’s no better way to spend a balmy summer’s evening than with a picnic in hand and live music in the Myer Music Bowl. Join the most‐loved opera chorus and arias from four leading soloists, the Opera Australia Chorus and Orchestra Victoria, this Saturday as they present Mazda Opera in the Bowl.

Brought to you by Opera Australia’s Principal Partner Mazda Australia, this free concert celebrates the magic and memorable moments in opera. The 2015 line-up features dazzling soprano Eva Kong, gorgeous mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley; tender-hearted tenor Diego Torre; and commanding baritone Luke Gabbedy, with Orchestra Victoria conducted by Anthony Legge with the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Christopher Lawrence.

Bring the kids, this event is family-friendly and free! So, whether you’re an opera aficionado or opera novice (like us), this is the perfect way to spend a chilled Saturday night.

When: Saturday, 14 November

Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Visit the website here.

We Know Melbourne tip: You can’t book your seat, so be sure to  be sure to arrive early as capacity is limited to 10,000.

Rizky’s Hip Hop High tea

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Baby got back! Melbourne DJ and Radio Host, MzRizk is bringing her Hip Hop High Tea to Belleville this November.

You may recognise the name MzRizk all the way back from 2013, when she had previously sold out two events of a similar kind and you may ask why wait another two years if she knew it was so good? Well, MzRizk has been traipsing the world in some far away places such as Turkey and Vietnam, looking for the cream of the crop, top teas and she’s going to share them all with you this Saturday, November 21 from 4pm – 6pm.

Alongside MzRizk, Executive Chef for Office of Public Works (Section 8, Ferdydurke, The B.East and Belleville) Jarrod Moore and Belleville’s Head Chef Slash Vala have designed a delicious menu that puts a spin on traditional High Tea cuisine, including dishes such as Wizz Fizz Khalifa Donut with Blackberry Jam, F$@k Da Police Twice Cooked Pork Belly plus more.

So set next Saturday aside and get ready to experience a blinging new take on high tea that even Kanye would approve of.

When: 4pm – 6pm, Saturday November 21

Where: Belleville Melbourne

Visit the website here. 

Buy tickets here. 

We Know Melbourne tip: Vegans, vegos & those with allergies,  send an email to hiphophightea@mzrizk.com with your dietary requirements after you have made your booking.

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 the tail (this was encouraged). The scallops also impressed us (pictured below). Never trying guanicale before (nor knowing what it was – it’s pork jowl in case you’re wondering), the saltiness of it perfectly complemented the scallops. However only one dish can win. First round went to Wilson’s prawns.

Seared scallops

Round 2. Wilson’s Wagyu tataki w shiitake, black garlic ponzu  & daikon cres vs Poyner’s Grilled lamb loin w truffled potato puree, spring veg & rosemary jus. Before even trying the dishes, we couldn’t help but already pick a winner. Wilson’s dish sounded divine and it delivered. Perfect in every way, this was our dish of the night. Unfortunately, because of the lighting we couldn’t get a good photo but below is the lamb.

mscollins7

Up next, the final round. The dessert battle was between Wilson’s Mango, jasmine rice, panna cotta w kaffir lime & coconut sorbet vs Poyner’s Lemon posset w raspberries & chocolate hazelnut biscotti. Now if you know anything about us, you’ll know that we’re giant sweet tooths. We love our desserts and will often look at the dessert menu before even looking at the mains. It was going to be a tough decision for this round as both sounded spectacular and such different flavours. But once again there could only be one dish circled and this time, Poyner reigned.

Then it was decision time. Who would take out the foodie crown? We’ve got to say both of the menus each chef served up was delicious, almost flawless, but there could only be one winner. And drumroll please….. the winner was Daniel Poyner!

Where: Ms Collins, 425 Collins St.

Visit the website here

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 anyone, meat eater or not.

Where: Smith & Deli, 111 Moor Street, Fitzroy 3065

When: Monday to Sunday, 8am -7pm

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

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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. 

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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.