Kate’s Eats – April 22
A Moveable Feast Safari: A very special offer only for our listeners, Maeve O’Mara is offering Feast listeners 15% off her Italian Gourmet Food Safari in Melbourne on May 7. Ring her office next week on 02 8969 6555 and mention A Moveable Feast to claim your discount: gourmetsafaris.com.au or 02 8969 6555
?Alternative Heathcote: A number of local Heathcote wine producers have banded together as part of Aussie Wine Month to promote some of the alternate Mediterranean varieties now produced in the Heathcote Wine Region. Forget Shiraz, you can taste varieties like Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Vermentino, Marsanne, Viognier, Fiano and much more at the inaugural ‘Mediterranean Festa @ McIvor Estate’ on the 14th and 15th of May. Tickets are $20 if you buy in advance (includes a Riedel glass for tasting), for more info contact Gary at info@mcivorestate.com.au
Pasta Classica lunch at The Real Italian
The Real Italian: Friend of the program Danny ‘Pasta’ Tonin is inviting you to share Sunday lunch in his dining room – well, their Pasta Classica store which is as good as home to the Tonins! The invite is open for the first Sunday of every month, so the next one is 1st May, for $69 you’ll enjoy three courses (think antipasto, delicious pasta, cannoli & biscotti) with matching wines. More info: http://bit.ly/1UUfUdE or dtonin@pastaclassica.com.au
So Frenchy: Worth mentioning, I got to the French Saloon for the second time last night, and it is just a stunner. Wonder chef Ian Curley and his business partners just know how to do European bistro, and this one is no exception. A beautiful space upstairs on Hardware Lane, there were no bum notes, the salad of fresh fig, buffalo ricotta and candied walnuts was phenomenal, and their dry aged beef was to die for.
For Mum – plenty of places putting on special Mother’s Day lunches, here are a few:
Woodland House: Formerly Jacques Reymond, stunning property and the boys there are doing 5 spectacular courses for $110. www.woodlandhouse.com.au
Mr Bianco: Over in Kew, these guys are serving up a decadent three or four course lunch will be enjoyed by the whole family, finishing up with a generous serving of Mister Bianco’s famous tiramisu & a prosecco on arrival for Mum, and gift bag to take away at the end of the day. $80 for three courses, $90 for four courses. More info: www.misterbianco.com.au
Estelle Bistro: Owner Scott Pickett and head chef Ryan Spurrell want to spoil your mum with a special four course meal with glass of sparkling ($95). This is one of my favourite venues in this city, so it’s bound to be a cracker! More info:www.estellebistro.com
Grosvenor Hotel: Head to St Kilda to surprise mum with a succulent beef roast with all the trimmings. Start with roasted parsnip and pine nut soup, then devour a hearty main of slow roasted scotch fillet, with root vegetables and beef fat potatoes; and top it all off with decadent cherry clafoutis. Just $55 for adults. www.grosvenorhotel.com.au