This Week In Food with Kate Stevenson: Syracuse, Green Park, Movida + Elton

By Kate Stevenson

SYR-IOUSLY GOOD: With so many new openings every single week in Melbourne, it’s easy to forget the classics. Well I reacquainted myself with one, heading along for dinner at Syracuse, in the bustling Bank Place. Melbourne industry stalwart has taken the helm at the European bistro, and there wasn’t a miss on the night. Impeccable service, brilliant wines, but as you’d expect the food was the highlight. From a classic like French onion soup with an apple cider twist, to a sublime piece of John Dory with jerusalem artichoke two ways. She is the dessert Queen, so it’s no surprise that the “Syra-misu” was a revelation, with coffee and cardamom ice cream to die for. www.syracuserestaurant.com.au

PARK YOURSELF HERE: Chef and restaurateur Jesse Gerner is revamping Carlton North’s Green Park (pictured at the top of this page), bringing in Añada’s head chef Russell Hall and Andrew Fisk to design a menu built on wholesome, flexible dining using premium produce – and the new space will be known as Park Street. At night there’ll be a Pasta Bar, inspired by Jesse and Vanessa Gerner’s time at London’s River Cafe, and you can choose from a list of up to 200 wines. Green Park will close this weekend with the final service Sunday, August 13 and reopen as Park Street in early-September. www.parkstreetdining.com.au

IBERIAN ROAD TRIP: If like me you’re sick of seeing people on your social media feeds who are traipsing around Europe while you sit on the couch and binge watch TV, here’s your chance to do a virtual trip to Spain. Movida Aqui is holding a 5 course “La Vida Galicia” lunch on Saturday 9th September with special guest Troy Wheeler and his team from Meatsmith. $120 will get you all-inclusive food and wines. https://movida.com.au/la-vida-galicia/

A MEAL ON THE GREEN: Two huge announcements for A Day on the Green in the last week, Sir Elton John will grace the Rochford lawn on Grand Final Week, and now in November Stevie Nicks and the Pretenders will belt out some classics. Worth knowing that if you really want to do these days in style, you can book a concert and dining package that will get you special parking, three course meal at Rochford’s stunning winery restaurant, drinks, a VIP seat in a reserved seated area to watch the magic, and private toilets! Comes at a premium, but it’s a pretty special way to enjoy such world class acts. www.adayonthegreen.com.au