Melbourne International Comedy Festival

To celebrate the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Gastrology were treated to a night on the town. Here’s what we got up to…

6pm - The Westin Lobby Bar

The Westin Melbourne’s Lobby Lounge offers a sophisticated setting to enjoy a cocktail pre-show or night cap post-show. We loved taking a seat in one of the luxurious club chairs next to the fire place to sip on delicious cocktails and canapes. During the period of the festival, their extensive beverage list will also be expanded to include some quirky Comedy festival inspired Cocktails like the ‘Go with the Flo & Joan’ which is a glorious mix of melon, cucumber, pineanpple and Lillet blanc. This cheeky number is inspired by the sweet and sharp stylings of UK musical comedians Flo & Joan.

Address: 205 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: (03) 9635 2222

Link: https://westin.marriott.com/

7pm - ACMI - Best of the Edinburgh Festival

A hop and a skip away from The Westin, we were delighted to see the Best of the Edinburgh Fest show at ACMI. Jimmy McGhie, John Hastings and Kelsey De Almeida had us in stitches.

Location: Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne

https://www.acmi.net.au/events/best-edinburgh-fest-2019/

8pm - Lucy Liu

After the show we enjoyed a short stroll to Lucy Liu Kitchen & Bar. A Melbourne darling, Lucy Liu serves up Pan Asian cuisine in a modern and chic environment. 

In line with the venue’s social setting, the menu is designed to share. To start we loved the Kingfish sashimi. The thick slices of very fresh king fish were served with green chilli, Thai basil, coconut foam and toasted coconut. The dish was notable for the quality of the fish and the interplay between the heat of the green chilli and the richness of the coconut cream. It was a simple but well executed dish. 

The barramundi and scampi dumplings were similarly delicious and swimming in an umami sea of chilli, ginger and spring onion.

For mains creamy chicken curry and pan fried salmon hit the spot. Together with fluffy rice to soak up all the goodness this was a wonderfully comforting and gratifying course.

Lucy Liu continued to please at dessert time. We thoroughly enjoyed the Coconut parfait which was served with decadent chocolate sorbet and finished with malt crumb.

Location: 23 Oliver Ln, Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9639 5777

Link: www.lucylius.com.au