This Week in Food: 400 Gradi pops up in the Yarra Valley and summer in the city

THIS WEEK IN EATS

SUMMER SPRITZ & SCHNITZ – Supernormal Canteen in St Kilda is the perfect summer spot, so how about making the most of their Spritz & Schnitz Fridays. That’s a $12 Mecanese Pork Chop Sando with Chinese mustard, wombok and fermented chilli on the menu for lunch and a range of $12 Spritzes (think Umeshu & Aperol or Vermouth, Watermelon and mint). https://supernormal.net.au

INDIAN-ISH – Gertrude St is forever evolving, and one of its newest residents is the vibrant new Indian restaurant, ISH. A meeting of the old and new, traditional and modern, owner Ganeev Bains is promising ‘unexpected India’. On the menu, Tempura eggplant, capsicum chhonka, tamarind peanut salan or Butter-poached scallops with south Indian coconut ‘moillee’ curry. I’m checking it out in the next couple of weeks so will be sure to report back. http://www.ishrestaurant.com.au/

BACK TO BALGOWNIE – Yarra Valley’s premier winery accommodation has just welcomed a brand new head chef, so what better excuse to get out and enjoy a weekend at Balgownie Estate? Grant Flack (formerly RACV City Club) has hit the pans with vigour, he’s chomping at the bit to beef up local producers’ presence on the menu at Rae’s Restaurant. So, here’s your excuse to get onto the deck over Summer soaking up the stunning views. Stay a couple of nights, enjoy the fine food, the Natskin spa or the onsite pool. http://www.balgownieestate.com.au/

GRAPES AND GRADI – And speaking of new additions to the Yarra Valley, Johnny di Francesco and the 400 Gradi have popped up at Rochford. Well, not a pop-up, but a permanent addition to the Rochford food offering. Of course, there’s the award-winning Margherita Verace Pizza, plus plenty more pizzas, as well as antipasto dishes, pastas, sides and desserts – with world class Rochford Wines to go with them. With a deck over the lake, it’ll be bound to be popular over Rochford’s many summer events. http://400gradi.com.au/location/yarra-valley/

BARBECUE BONANZA – It’s a BBQ bunfight, as two of Melbourne’s tastiest Asian barbecue specialists, Heroes and Kong BBQ, get together for a a night of rooftop barbecue, booze and all-night karaoke. It’s all happening Heroes in Bourke St, where Kong BBQ chefs Benjamin Cooper and Mat Brazier will join forces with Heroes head chef Alicia Cheong and Fancy Hank’s chef Mike Patrick to create two Korean-inspired barbecue platters cooked over fire along with signature Kong BBQ flavours. For $50pp, you’ll get you a barbecue tray on the rooftop, a selection of drinks and access to free karaoke all night in the basement of Heroes. Thursday 22nd November, 5pm until late, tickets via https://www.heroesbar.com.au