Noodles x Pasta
“We’re not so different, you and I,” said the penne to the pad see ew. This Festival, the pasta masters from Sydney’s Paski Vineria Popolare descend on contemporary Thai haunt Bar Spontana for a forensic examination of two of the world’s best-loved carbs. There’ll be excellent drinks by way of the award-winning Bar Spontana team, plus Giorgio de Maria Fun Wines and Vino Mito, and DJs will spin Thai funk, Italo disco and more. Pasta boat noodles, will ya?
Bar Spontana, 4 Saxon St, Brunswick
SEA LIFE Nights
Ain’t no party like a SEA LIFE party, ’cause a SEA LIFE party has Pesto. That’s right. It’s time to party at the aquarium with Australia’s fine-feathered, flappy-flippered answer to Moo Deng, Pesto the Penguin. For lovers of free-flowing drinks, canapés, and creatures of the deep blue sea.
21–28 March, SEA LIFE Melbourne, Corner King St and Flinders St, Melbourne
Grain to Gourmet
The brewing process can be a lot to bear for a grain. But if you thought the story was over once the beer was brewed, you’d be deliciously mistaken. This Festival, we’re heading to Preston’s Tallboy & Moose to follow the journey of spent grain as it transforms into dishes featuring juicy pork, mushrooms and freshly baked bread, all paired with craft beers from Tallboy & Moose that have been brewed exclusively for this event. You’ll also meet the brewer, the farmer, mushroom grower and baker behind everything you eat and drink. You gonna eat that spent grain?
Saturday 22 March, Tallboy & Moose, 270 Raglan St, Preston
Moon Dog Bus and Beer Crawl
The Moon Dog Bus is coming, and everybody’s jumping. Melbourne’s most imaginative brewery tours you through their madcap venues, plying you with deliciousness all the way before introducing you to – and hoisting you upon – a mechanical bull by the name of Jolene. Yee. Haw.
Saturday 22 March, Moon Dog World, 32-46 Chifley Dr, Preston
An Enchanted Orchard Evening
Ever eaten dinner in an orchard? Make for the Bellarine Peninsula’s Tuckerberry Farm this Festival, and sit down to a two-course dinner made with local produce aplenty in and amongst the autumn fruit. Acoustic music, chats with the farmers and on-site brewer, and a guided orchard stroll complete the scene.
Friday 21 March, Tuckerberry Hill Farms PL, 31-79 Becks Rd, Drysdale
Little Bourke Street Block Party
Frank Camorra of MoVida. Rosa Mitchell of Rosa’s Canteen. Victor Liong of Lee Ho Fook and SilkSpoon. Melbourne fish-smoker extraordinaire Tom Cooper of Tomm. Four heavyweights of Little Bourke Street united for one night only in a CBD block party for the books. Let’s have it.
Saturday 22 March, MoVida Aqui, Level 1, 500 Bourke St, Melbourne
Eastern Ports of India
Chef Rachit Kirteeman and Toddy Shop explore the rich culinary traditions of India’s east coast. Join them as they lead you through the the mustard-rich food of the Bengalis to the spicy food of Andhra Pradesh and right down to Chettinad over three delicious courses Kolkata Cricket Club.
Sunday 23 March, Level 1 Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
An Evening in Roma
Learn to make perfect pizza, drink excellent wine, ascend to an ecstatic plane. It’s a simple proposition with delicious outcomes, and it’s going down for two nights only this Festival at Richmond’s Flour Child.
Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 March, Flour Child, Level 1, 432 Church St, Richmond
Five Cocktails to Try Before You Die
History’s finest cocktails, shaken, stirred and illuminated in a masterclass led by cocktail history buff Sebastian Reaburn. Join him at Geelong’s award-winning Anther Distillery this Festival.
Saturday 22 March, Anther Geelong Distillery, PH3 Federal Mills, 33 Mackey St North Geelong
No Bull
Chef Shane Delia knows his way around a butchered beast. Give him an all-vegan brief, however, and things only get tastier. In collaboration with Somerset Farm in Seymour, No Bull treats guests to a five-course shared dinner that makes delicious use of Somerset’s finest produce. It’s Maha gone vegan, and you’re going to love it.
Monday 24 March, Maha East, 36 Chapel St, Windsor
By Frank Sweet