Taste of Melbourne 2014 | Taste of Melbourne Giveaway - 2 x Double Passes

Wow, has another year passed already ? 

You know what that means though - Taste of Melbourne is back again, enriching the lakeside lawns of Albert Park this November 13th-16th with food, food and more food. Hang out with Melbourne's leading culinary masterminds, rub shoulders with like minded food lovers, immerse yourself in cooking classes, check out the latest food trends or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Taste of Melbourne. Be there.

This year, Taste of Melbourne have over 60 bite-sized dishes on offer from the likes of Brooks Restaurant & Bar, Lucy Liu, Mamasita, Gazi, Nieuw Amsterdam, MoVida and more.

You can imagine how excited I was to fly #TasteAir and embark on a culinary flight around Melbourne to preview some of Taste of Melbourne’s 2014 restaurants. 

FIRST STOP: BROOKS RESTAURANT & BAR

Sher Wagyu Rib

We kicked off the night at Brooks Restaurant & Bar, lodged beneath the streets of Melbourne, secluded in the basement of the heritage-listed Austral House on Collins Street. I was instantly wooed by their Sher Wagyu Rib - juicy, tender and of slightly gelatinous texture, the boneless rib was glazed in a sticky charcoal vegetable puree and crowned with fried vinegar infused shallots. What blew me away though was the Roasted Cauliflower Ice-cream - the roasting of the cauliflower brought out the most amazing depth of flavour and together with a drizzle of toffee caramel sauce, my tastebuds were in heaven.

SECOND STOP: LUCY LIU

Freshly Shucked Oysters

Green Papaya Salad with Beans

Lucy Liu Wagyu Beef F1 7+ & Lucy Liu Spiced Green Apple Coleslaw

Our next destination was Lucy Liu, the newest and trendiest multicultural Asian eating and drinking space. Here we started with Freshly Shucked Oysters with tangy nam jim and an authentic Green Papaya Salad with Beans that even Mama Piggy would have to agree with. We then sunk our teeth into a premium grade 7 Porterhouse Wagyu Steak with exceptional marbling and flavour which was lifted even higher with yakiniku dipping sauce and a hot mustard horseradish crème fraîche.

FINAL STOP: MAMASITA

Elote Callejero

Braised Zucchini Molotes

Tamal de Camarones

Taco de Pescado and Taco de Puerco

The third and final stop was Mamasita, arguably one of Melbourne's favourites. Our tastebuds were further tempted by their famous street style chargrilled corn (my all time favourite!), alluring and tasty Tamal de Camarones and earthy Braised Zucchini Molotes. The star of the show went to the tacos though, both the Taco de Pescado and Taco de Puerco were explosive in flavour and freshness. You can't miss these.

Taste of Melbourne Giveaway - 2 x Double Passes

So how do I win ? 

1. Like Confessions of a Little Piggy on Facebook

2. Follow Confessions of a Little Piggy on Instagram

3. Send me an email answering "Which restaurant are you most excited to visit at The Taste of Melbourne?" to confessionsofalittlepiggy@gmail.com


Giveaway Terms and Conditions: 

- Entries are open until Sunday, November 2nd at midnight AEST. 

 
- Winners will be notified via email by Monday, November 3rd, and winners’ postal address will need to be provided to confessionsofalittlepiggy@gmail.com within 48 hours. 

 
- Each winner will receive a Double Pass (valued at $60.00) which entitles them and a friend entrance to one session at The Taste of Melbourne. 

- Tickets cannot be resold for commercial gain.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Hot House Media & Events, Brooks Restaurant & Bar, Lucy Liu and Mamasita 

What: Taste of Melbourne 2014 

Where: Pelican Lawn, Albert Park Lake
When: Thursday November 13 - Sunday November 16, 2014 

http://www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au 

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The Stables of Como

Nestled deep in the Como House and Gardens in South Yarra, The Stables of Como is a breath of fresh air, offering city-goers an escape from the frenzied Melbourne city lifestyle. Blending the best of the past and the present, The Stables is utterly enchanting where elegance is met with a touch of country rusticity.

Skinny Flat White

Slow Braised Beef Cheek

The slow braised beef cheek was dark, packed full with flavour and meltingly tender. Together with a smooth, snowy white cauliflower puree, the dish altogether felt quite heavy for brunch. The pickled mushrooms were a relief from the richness, though unluckily did not tickle my pickle.

Chunky Chips with Aioli

I went the extra mile and ordered a side of carbs. I love chips, and anything potato really and these were no exception. I inhaled these chubby little things, making sure to chunky dunk each and every chip in blissful aioli.

Banana Hotcake  

On the other end of the table, my friend enjoyed a sweeter number, a gorgeous dish of banana hotcake with maple mascarpone, fresh banana, bursts of berries and an addictive pistachio praline. With her permission of course, I nibbled and poked at the dish. I found the hotcake rather parched of moisture, crumbly and well, let’s just say Top Paddock has spoilt me. 

The Stables of Como is a whole new cafe experience and one that I would recommend if you find yourself in the area. Taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens post brunch and soaking in some much needed vitamin D, we left feeling calm and relaxed. An enjoyable way to spend a lazy Sunday.

The Stables of Como

Cnr Williams Rd & Lechlade Avenue 

South Yarra, VIC 3141

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Green Park

So long St Ali North and hello Green Park! 

St ALi North in Carlton has re-emerged as Green Park, an all day eatery and bar with a Spanish accent. Revamped by Eades & Bergman, the space is intimate and warm with its dark forest green and timber fit out. Let’s not forget Sad Sax Sundays, with live music and all that jazz from 5-7pm every Sunday. 

As it was the official launch of Green Park, we were presented with a number of dishes to sample, all executed beautifully using the best quality seasonal produce. From Spanish terrines, fiery ceviche to homely fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, each dish was pleasing to both the palate and the eye.

 

Green Park Tonic

Pork and Rabbit Terrine with Cornichons

Local Asparagus with Aioli

Kingfish Ceviche, Avocado, Coriander, Chipotle and Jalapeño

Carrots, Labne, Mint and Cardamom

Local Snapper, Stewed Zucchini, Garlic and Thyme

Broccolini, Lemon and Smoked Almonds

Braised Murray Grey Beef Ribs, Onions and Shallots

Fried Chats and Garlic Butter

Fried Rabbit

Cakes and Fancies by Park St Pastries

The highlight dish from the night was the snapper - the meat light, sweet and moist. It harmonized perfectly with the rustic stewed zucchini with its humble sweet flavour and tender texture. Dotted with smoked almonds and a zing of lemon juice, the broccolini was also a charmer. Simple and honest food at its best I say. Supplied by Park St Pastries, the cakes and fancies left the majority of the sweet-toothed speechless. Big thumbs up to the Frozen Chocolate and Hazelnut Aero Bar and Salted Caramel Profiteroles ! 

With the likes of Scotch Eggs with black pudding and thick cut rosemary glazed bacon on brioche, Baked Eggs with lamb merguez drizzled with labne, harissa sauce and coriander and Cornbread adorned with avocado, scrambled eggs, tomato and chipotle relish making appearances on their day menu - you could say I’m green with envy. Another visit is definitely in order.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Tomatom and Green Park 

Green Park 

815 Nicholson Street  

Carlton North, VIC 3054

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Providence

Located in Carlton, Providence is a town village kitchen inspired cafe which focuses on embracing and sharing the beautiful produce that Victoria’s local farmers have to offer. Providence is the latest addition to Eleena and Michael’s family (Hero Subs, Reading Room Cafe and The Grain Store) and together with Head Chef Cate Hardman’s ‘gate-to-plate’ philosophy, you can just imagine how thrilled I was to attend the breakfast launch.

Blood Orange Breakfast Spritzer

Skinny Flat White

Upon our arrival, we were instantly greeted with an assortment of drinks - Breakfast Smoothies, Blood Orange Breakfast Spritzers and coffee roasted by Code Black Coffee. Oh yes, yes please.

Smoked Trout

The first dish of the day set the bar high, and was definitely my top pick for the day. Patties of fluffy, creamy bubble and squeak potatoes intertwined with rich, hot smoked trout. Topped with drool-worthy runny eggs and herbs, each bite was gratifying. You know you’re in for a treat when each and every element dances in your mouth.

Breakfast Salad

Oh avocado, how I love thee. But to grill the avocado ? Genius ! Paired with sticky ham hock, lovely leaves, sweet peas and goats curd, this was no ordinary salad, this was salad at a whole new level.

Egg and Bacon Pie

A spin on an old favourite, these pies boasted an incredibly buttery rich, flaky crust encasing a hardboiled egg and adorned with crispy bacon bits, chunky tomato chutney and peppery rocket. Though I found these pies a little too rich for my palette, they were well-received all round.

Pumpkin and Lentil Fritters

This last savoury dish particularly highlighted the quality of the ingredients with its aromatic spiced pumpkin and lentil fritters, chilli tomato pickle, fragrant coconut yoghurt and salad leaves. Though the fritters were not the same light, fluffy mouthfuls I had imagined, they were packed with flavour and dense with nutrients. 

 

 Breakfast Berry Clafoutis

We ended with these cute little samples of Breakfast Berry Clafoutis - a baked pancake studded with fresh berries, crunchy almond flakes and rhubarb ice cream. It was evident that these were too good to resist as they were demolished in a flash.

Though not every dish had me at the edge of my seat to the extent that the Smoked Trout did (that's pretty hard to top though), I had an amazing time at Providence. What really gave each dish extra points is that all produce are locally sourced and their focus on seasonality. Those who are fortunate enough to work or live in Carlton now have a great new spot for superb coffee and good food. Lucky you.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Providence

Providence

497 Rathdowne Street  

Carlton, VIC 3053

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