This Week In Food: Pier Farm, Pastuso, pool parties and Heston

THIS WEEK IN FOOD

PERUSING THE PIER

Well, I finally got in to check it out Pier Farm.

The Anchorage in Williamstown was a favourite of mine, so I was nervous about visiting its replacement.

I needn’t have been. There is a change in the cuisine, definite Italian bent here, more classic flavours and simple dishes done well.

That view remains, there’s been a bright refresh inside.

Highlights were a tuna carpaccio and the paccheri pasta with gorgeous, slow-cooked lamb ragu. www.pierfarm.com.au

TIME FOR TICKETS

Right, it’s fast approaching, so if you don’t have tix to any Melbourne Food and Wine Festival events, jump on it soon – these are great one-off events that give you an excuse to go out and try some of the brilliant food, venues, drinks this city has to offer.

Here are some ideas:

The Pool Party

We all know that Flinder’s Lane is Melbourne’s gastronomic ground zero… so how cool does a Flinders Lane pool party sound? On Friday 23rd the Adelphi Hotel is hosting it, Lucy Liu is serving up the entrees, Ezard is on oyster shooters and canape main, and of Om Nom Kitchen is supplying dessert.

Tickets are $138 inclusive of food and drinks. http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program/flinders-lane-neighbourhood-poolside-party-6890

All about Alejandro

One nomination for busiest man at the Festival is Pastuso’s Alejandro Saravia … check out what he’s up to!

First – Out of town, on Sat 17th March he’s in charge of Renascence Gippsland – teaming up with Gippsland Natural beef producer Paul Crock at his Biran Biran farm overlooking Wilson’s Prom, where he’ll cook up a local feast over the open fire. Back in the city, on the 20th March there’s a dinner at Pastuso celebrating the produce of Gippsland – a six course sharing menu with wines from the region too. Plus – he’ll actually be at Melba restaurant at the Langham on the 15th March with a Peruvian pop up.

For tickets to all/any of these head to www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au and search Saravia!

Dining with David

Or for something really special, for two nights only, on 19th and 21st March, Dinner by Heston will be hosting Australian artist David Bromley for an “Exploring Connection Dinner”. The wonderful Ashley Palmer-Watts will be in the kitchen, and guests will enjoy his special tasting menu while Bromley paints a piece of work live on each night. At the end of the evening, the painting will be raffled off, with proceeds going to the Children’s Cancer Foundation.