This Week In Food: Something new, something progressive, food truck heaven and off the grid

CHANGING IT UP

Well, alter it did, what was Saigon Sally in Duke Street Windsor, and then cheap and cheerful joint BKK is now Alter Dining, a somewhat more refined eating experience that still retains an accessible price tag.

They promise modern Australian ingredients, sourced locally from sustainable producers, with unique flavour profiles and combinations. I checked it out on the weekend, there’s definitely still an Asian bent but it is indeed a unique menu.

Try the stunning salad of Jerusalem artichoke, pine mushrooms & honey dressing; or the Northern Thai sausage with eggplant puree and smoked fish sauce. WEBSITE.

MAD FOR MUSHROOMS

Bente Grysbaek is a Danish/Australian chef who used to head up Dansk at the Danish club, but is now getting back to her Viking roots.

I took part in her first “Off the Grid” event, a campfire cooking workshop and degustation in the central Victorian bush, and it was a brilliant experience.

She’s just announced her second event, a celebration of mushrooms that’ll kick off in Macedon on 26th May. She’ll take you foraging for Slippery Jacks and Saffron Milk Caps then head back to the bonfire and blankets where she’ll prepare a casual three course mushie lunch with local wines (BYO basket and small knife!). Search www.trybooking.com for “Off the Grid“.

PALERMO PROGRESSIVE

I love a progressive meal, getting to experience a number of different venues in quick succession.

So how about the best of “Midtown Melbourne”? Palermo Argentinian restaurant has joined forces with some of their favourite neighbours to offer up progressive lunches that will showcase their collective wares. Sample a beverage, a snack or both at each of four stops that could include Palermo, Osteria Ilaria, Trattoria Emilia, Sun Moth, Whitehart, or Rice Paper Sister.

More info: http://palermo.melbourne/midtown-food-tours/

FESTIVAL O’FOOD TRUCKS

The team behind the Food Truck Park are promising the biggest Food Truck Festival Melbourne has seen, five days of fun and food at Birrarung Marr, from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 May.

Boasting the best food trucks from the North, East, West and South – think offerings like fried chicken, tacos, dumplings, Japanese, beer, and wine. Entry’s free, but gold coin donations are encouraged for their charity partner, FightMND. MORE INFO.