Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen @ Hilton South Wharf

Hilton Melbourne South Wharf has unveiled its stylish new restaurant and bar, Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen.
The 150-seat dining space embraces its riverside setting and complements the sea meets land concept. The result is a sophisticated and inviting dining room resplendent with warm timber walls, a striking suspended wine gantry in black steel, soaring ceilings, and full length windows maximising the South Wharf Promenade view.
Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen has a long bar with pull-up seating, communal tables and cosy couches to enjoy. The area is complete with a short and tailored menu full of bar-food classics available late into the night. A comprehensive selection of drinks are also offered from well-known classics to a tempting selection of custom-created cocktails, wine housed in the suspended gantry above the bar and dozens of beers on tap.
The menu is divided into user friendly sections with many dishes complemented with fresh produce from the hotel’s own rooftop garden. The garden is passionately tended to by Glenn, who has been with the hotel since its opening six years ago and has headed up the kitchen since 2011.
Smoked Duck Breast Served with a cabbage, citrus and celeriac slaw and a wasabi dressing

The slices of duck breast were cooked to perfection with the slightly tart cabbage, citrus and celeriac slaw allowing the rich flavour of the duck to transpire.  The accompanying wasabi dressing provided the crowning element to a wonderful dish.
Quinoa Salad - Popcorn-dusted goats’ cheese, roasted baby carrots, beetroot, kale and a pepian salsa

An enlivening salad of quinoa, popcorn-dusted goats’ cheese, roasted baby carrots, beetroot and kale all brought together with pepian salsa, the salad was a medley of exciting flavours and textures which will appeal to even the most carnivorous individuals.
400gm, grain fed, Victoria Rib eye w/ Red wine jus

We could not resist getting both our mains from the “Grill” section of the menu. Both our fish and beef were simple and beautifully cooked. Each served with our choice of sauce (there are more than 10 sauces to choose from, all made in house).
Whole Baby Barramundi w/ green chilli sauce

The Whole Baby Barramundi in particular impressed us. The quality of the barramundi was exemplary. The skin of the fish was perfectly seared to be very crisp while the flesh was delicate and moist. It was a dish that allowed the natural subtle sweetness of the fish to be enjoyed. 
Our dinner concluded with 2 well-conceived desserts that exhibited flawless flavour combinations and textural diversity. 
Walnut tart with blood peach foam and vanilla bean ice cream

The luxurious vanilla bean ice cream offset the accompanying rich bittersweet walnuts banana while the blood peach foam added a desirable touch of sweetness. Texturally, the crunchiness of the walnuts, silkiness of the ice cream and melt in the mouth foam ensured that each bite was as titillating as the last.
Chocolate brownie with hokey pokey, banana coulis and raspberry sorbet

The Chocolate brownie was similarly well devised. The decadent chocolate brownie was matched with velvety raspberry sorbet and harmonised with banana coulis - delicious!
Enviably positioned at the edge of Melbourne’s CBD on the banks of the Yarra River, Dock 37 at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf offers an approachable and relaxed dining for all occasions and adds an exciting new element to the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf guest experience 


Location: 2 Convention Ctr Place, South Wharf, Melbourne
Phone: 9027 2122
Cuisine: International, Modern Australian


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Hilton South Wharf.

Snippet: State of Grace

State of Grace offers a compelling dining experience. 


The restaurant delivers on use of fresh produce and skilful execution of dishes. We loved each course we had over the course of our dinner. The duck we ordered for our mains was of particular note. Cooked to perfection - skin beautifully seared while the centre boasted a lovely pink.  

Our dessert of chocolate and banana was similarly well devised. While this restaurant is known for its delicious cocktails, the restaurant certainly gives its bar reputation a run for its money.  

 Click to add a blog post for State of Grace on Zomato

AnestasiA Vodka Wonderlust Launch party

Images courtesy of Anthony.
Gastrology recently attended the AnestasiA Vodka White Wonderlust Launch Party at the beautiful Mon Bijou where guests were treated to hand crafted AnestasiA Vodka cocktails, canapes and Om Nom desserts.
Anthony attended the event on behalf of Gastrology and captured these stunning moments from the event where most were dressed to impress in white.

Snippet: Little Cupcakes

Serving some of the cutest cupcakes around, Little Cupcakes has become a bit of a frequent haunt for us when we're feeling like a sweet treat. 


They are a little smaller than your usual cupcake and a little dearer too in comparison but the flavours on offer are delicious. Their red velvet cupcake is our all time favourite. Fluffy, light and moist with the most decadent cream cheese topping. 


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Ex-Ramsay Chef creates new school British classics for Hooked Fish and Chipper

Raymond Good has been bringing sustainable and healthy options to Melbourne’s fish and chip scene since he opened up his first Hooked on Chapel St in 2006. Now he is bringing the classics.

Neale White of Flinders Lane’s lauded Papa Goose and ex-chef of Gordon Ramsay has teamed up with Good to craft a new winter menu inspired by classic British comfort food. 

The menu now features warming classics such as minted smashed peas, smoked fish croquettes, panko crumbed prawns in a basket (a la quintessential British 70’s pub food; 'scampi in a basket’), and a crowd favourite, fish and scallop pie. 

With the new menu comes a sea-change of sorts with a relaunch as Hooked – Fish & Chipper, a nod to Ray’s British heritage and his uncle Johnny’s ‘chippy’ by the English seaside where Ray spent his summers as a little nipper.

Warm, flavoursome, comforting and delicious - these dishes are ‘new school British classics’ unique to the booming fish and chip scene and unique to Melbourne.
Grilled blue grenadier, rice and salad

Available for both dine in and take away, daily fish specials (e.g. certified-sustainable blue grenadier, snapper, salmon and barramundi) are sourced from the market and cooked fresh to order, while the store’s famous potato chips are hand cut by the kitchen. 
Fish and Scallop Pie 

The hand cut chips were addictively good - beautifully crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The scallop pie was full of flavour and boasted buttery crumbly pastry while the minted pea mash was wonderfully seasoned.
English Sticky Date Pudding 

​T​he sticky date pudding was wonderfully ​light and fluffy​. It was​​ ​an​ exemplary ​​​execution of the classic dessert​. D​ecadently coated in copious amounts of ​rich butterscotch sauce, it was an absolute treat.
What Hooked does, it does well. The new winter menu inspired by classic British comfort food is a welcome addition to loyal punters and fresh foodies.

Locations: Prahran, Fitzroy, Hawthorn


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Hooked Fish and Chipper.

Upcoming Event: MIFF Culinary Cinema - FOODIES (TASTING SESSION) this Saturday | Giveaway: Melbourne International Film Festival double pass!

At the Melbourne International Film Festival, experience the festival buzz, immerse yourself in the year’s most extraordinary contemporary cinema, and revel in rarely seen repertoire.

Look out for the Culinary program, featuring 5 films, the selection is more enticing than ever, a fine art of feasting with the eyes! Tickets for #MIFF2015 are on sale now at miff.com.au.

An exciting film from this program in particular is FOODIES which is about an eclectic group of jet-setting food bloggers who travel the world in search of the tastiest haute cuisine. The ticket price for this session includes a special culinary experience, designed by Peter Rowland Catering!

Book your tickets here!


Giveaway: Win a double pass! 
Gastrology have teamed up with MIFF to giveaway 2 double passes to the following 2 delicious films from this program:

Cooking Up a Tribute (Tues 11th August) – An in-depth and often surprising survey of the peoples and rich culinary traditions of the South American continent, it offers a humane and richly detailed portrait of a world we so often understand solely through its food. 
Good Things Await (Sun 9th August) – Shot in lyrical widescreen images and scored to beautiful choral sounds from Oscar-nominated composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, director Phie Ambo's film is a richly cinematic meditation on an idealist devoted to the Earth's future. 

How to enter 

All you have to do, is: 

Send us an email answering:
  1. “What is your favourite culinary film and why?” 
  2. Which session you would like to win.
The best 2 entries, as judged by the Gastrology team, will each win a double passes to either Cooking Up a Tribute (Tues 11th August)  or Good Things Await (Sun 9th August) at MIFF this year.

The competition will run from now to 5:00pm Monday 3 August 2015 (winner to be announced on this post on Wednesday 5 August 2015). 


The fine print: 
Only entries made using a valid email address are eligible. Your email address will not be published. This competition is a game is of skill not chance. This giveaway is open to readers in Australia only. Prize is not transferable or exchangeable or redeemable for cash. The Promoter is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. The image of the prize is purely representative and the actual prize is subject to change. 

*****

[5/08/2015] Announcement: Winners of the Blog Giveaway: Melbourne International Film Festival double pass

Thank you to everyone who entered!

The 2 winners are…
I Haas
C Paul
… Congratulations, the winners have been contacted via email.



Competition Now Closed. 

Snippet: Chilli India

Venturing out for a weekday lunch, Chilli India appeared to be just the place to escape the cold Melbourne winter. 


Unfortunately, Chilli India was disappointing. The food was mediocre and really did not offer anything to differentiate itself from below average food court fare. We would not recommend visiting as there are so many places offering much higher quality food for comparable prices.

Click to add a blog post for Chilli India on Zomato

Bababoi Kitchen & Bar

One of the few restaurants in Melbourne to serve Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine, Bababoi stands out from the crowd with offerings that really pack a flavour punch.
The Nyonya cuisine is a Malaysian cuisine which combines Chinese, Malay and other influences into a unique blend resulting in dishes that are tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal.

The menu is extensive with something to suit everyone - From well-known crowd pleasers like their 5 spice marinated chicken to authentic Nyonya dishes like the Ayam buah keluak which is not served anywhere else in Melbourne. 

The food boasts beautiful flavour courtesy of the house made rempah (a blend of fresh spices which are ground together) that are meticulously prepared.
Lobak 

Our dinner commenced with a plate of Lobak from their “Something Light” section of the menu. The Lobak is a mixture of ground up lean pork, water chestnuts and herbs wrapped in a beancurd skin which has been steamed and then pan fried until crisp. The crispy beancurd exterior, juicy interior and salty-sweet chilli sauce makes for an excellent appetiser. 
Tamarind pulled pork (a.k.a. babi assam)

A dish of pulled pork with hints of tangy tamarind, the dish displayed a depth and complexity in flavour and had a lovely hint of tangy sweetness that complemented the overall savouriness of the dish. 
Nyonya chicken curry (a.k.a. ayam kapitan)

This classic Malaysian chicken curry was a stand out. Boasting creamy coconut and aromatic kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, it was wonderfully hearty. We enjoyed the richness of the curry and the generous use of spices which showcased the customary punchy flavours exhibited by Malaysian curries generally.  Together with steamed rice, it was an addictive and comforting dish.
Chocolate chicken (a.k.a. Ayam buah keluak)

The chocolate chicken was yet another highlight. Particularly enjoyable for its robust and fragrant nutty flavour. Each morsel was cooked to the point where the meat simply melted in our mouths. The flavours from the herbs and spices were unique and very enjoyable.
The Jewellery box - Earl grey pannacotta topped with black tapioca pearls

The visually attractive pannacotta was a wonderful creation of melt in your mouth pannacotta and perfectly chewy tapioca pearls. Absolutely delectable, this dessert was a masterclass in textural balance and great use of flavour. The pannacotta was textured perfectly. A welcome departure from the mundane dessert items usually found, this dessert offered its own unique characteristics. 
Bababoi celebrates the fusion style of Nyonya cuisine, with distinctive blend of Chinese and Malay techniques, flavours and spices. If you like your South East Asian flavours rich and gutsy, you cannot go wrong here.


Location: Shop 2, 60 Siddeley Street, Docklands
Phone: 0490 029 968
Link: http://www.bababoikitchenandbar.com/
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Malaysian


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of MATRADE's Malaysian Kitchen Program.



Snippet: Maxims Cakes and Pastry

A long time favourite of ours for around 15 years, this Asian cake store which is nestled away in Chinatown is definitely worth a visit.


Although the store has been renovated and has changed over the years, some things have remained the same - everything is prepared fresh and is delicious. With the chain Asian bakeries popping up everywhere, it is nice that there are still a few that remain independent.

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SunPork's #PorkonParade dinner @ Eureka 89

Gastrology attended the Pork on Parade dinner at Eureka 89 last week.
The evening was a fantastic showcase of Sunpork's expanding pre-prepared pork range. The endless possibilities were on display during our delectable dinner at Eureka 89. 
Eureka Head Chef Renee Martillano devised a seven course mouth-watering menu, inspired by and using SunPork pre-prepared products, inviting food lovers to rediscover what can easily be achieved at home. 
Renee explained how it was really easy work from her end as all the pre-cooking and marinating had already been done!
Clockwise from top right: Shredded Pork Croquette & seared scallop; Slow roasted pork belly; Peri Peri Pork Schnitzel; Pork Belly Rasher in Korean BBQ sauce

The Peri Peri Pork schnitzel was particularly impressive. We enjoyed the crisp exterior and the generous use of spices and the perfect amount of chilli-kick.
Slow cooked pork ribs in BBQ sauce, potato rosti, mushroom crisps

Another highlight from our evening was the Slow cooked pork ribs in BBQ sauce, We adored the smokey BBQ flavour and the pork meat which was so tender and simply falling off the bone.
Apple, Rhubard, Fennel and Pork skin crumble

Our evening concluded on a sweet end with a very clever dessert which of course also showcased a pork element! 
SunPork, a Queensland based company has recently expanded its offering of prepared pork products, aimed at busy people who still want tasty, nutritious and healthy food. The range initially started with SunPork's popular shredded meats and has today evolved to include Pork Schnitzels, Slow cooked BBQ pork ribs, slow cooked pork belly and Korean Belly Rashers. All products are available at Woolworths.

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of SunPork.

Rae's Restaurant @ Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

4 ½ star Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa in the heart of Victoria’s Yarra Valley recently released its new winter menu for 2015 with a strong focus on local regional dishes.

Each menu at the resort’s Rae’s Restaurant varies from season to season in order to take full advantage of the wealth of fresh produce in the Yarra Valley, with many of the herbs and vegetables sourced from Balgownie Estate’s very own kitchen garden.
Having lunch rather than dinner ensures that you are afforded a picturesque view of the sundrenched pinot noir vines and its leafy surrounds.  The floor to ceiling windows which encase the dining room, allow warm sunlight to billow in and provide a bright, airy and spacious atmosphere – a spaciousness underscored by the generous apportioning of space to each table.
  
The focal point of the restaurant remains the outstanding wines. Known for their ability to age, we enjoyed glasses of the 2010 Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that had been highly recommended to us. 
Hand rolled Potato Gnocchi, Smoked ocean trout, fennel, minted pea puree, Balgownie Estate chardonnay cream

The gnocchi was a beautifully rich dish which was highlighted by the light gnocchi.
Lamb fillet, Fried eggplant, tomato and zucchini ragout

The high quality pieces of lamb were cooked perfectly to a tender and juicy pink. The accompanying eggplant and tomato and zucchini ragout made this wonderfully flavoursome dish.
Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon, Thai red curry marinated, baked cashew nut, coriander and Vietnamese mint

The perfectly seasoned curry broth possessed the customary punchy flavours exhibited by South East Asian curries and was a great match for the oily texture of the salmon. We loved the inclusion of crunchy baked cashew nuts and fresh coriander and Vietnamese mint.
Broccolini, soy ginger glaze and crispy shallots; Crumbed button Mushrooms, herb pesto
Vine Smoked Chargrilled Boneless Rib-eye, Crispy fries, green beans, Bordelaise sauce

The steak was delicious. Cooked to our liking (medium rare), the steak was delectably juicy and tender. The accompaniments to the steak were each delicious – the crispy fries were perfectly seasoned and wonderfully flavoured and the green beans provided a thoroughly enjoyable freshness.
Warm Red Wine Cake, Balgownie Shiraz, cinnamon ice cream, sultana compote

For dessert, the Warm Red Wine Cake was a delight. Fluffy and moist with aromatic cinnamon ice cream, this cake was a deliciously sweet end to our visit. 
Overlooking Balgownie Estate’s pinot noir vineyard; the rolling hills and expansive views, Rae’s Restaurant affords the perfect backdrop for a lovely meal to be enjoyed over award-winning wine. 


Location: Melba Hwy, Yarra Glen
Phone: 03 9730 0774
Cuisine: Modern Australian


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa.

Din Tai Fung

Finally. It’s here. Din Tai Fung, arguably the world’s most famous dumpling specialists, has opened their first venue outside of New South Wales and their biggest Australian restaurant yet at Emporium Melbourne.
Shrimp and Pork Jiao Ze

Like each venue, the restaurant features Din Tai Fung’s signature glass-enclosed dumpling kitchen. The theme of ‘yin yang’ with a mainly monochrome fit-out exudes a casual and comfortable surrounding. 
The Din Tai Fung brand has earned cult status since introducing Australia to its world-class Xiao Long Bao dumplings seven years ago (2008) at its flagship World Square Sydney restaurant and it is easy to understand why.  
Avocado Chocolate Swirl; Mango Tango
Pork Dumpling / Xiao Long Bao

While many Chinese restaurants serve Xiao Long Bao, Din Tai Fung’s variety are a cut above. The allure of Din Tai Fung’s legendary Xiao Long Bao lies in their gracefully delicate pastry skin enveloping rich pork-seasoned broth.  

Usefully, Din Tai Fung’s staff are on hand to provide instructions on the recommended steps for consuming the Xiao Long Bao - steps which involve piercing the pastry skin to suck out the broth within and then subsequently flavouring the remaining pastry and minced pork dumpling with black vinegar and shredded ginger.

These soupy morsels may demand more effort than your run-of-the-mill pork dumpling, but we assure you - you will be rewarded.
Vegetarian Bun
Truffle Xiao Long Bao

An absolute show stopper was the bespoke Truffle Xiao Long Bao. The steamed pork dumplings were infused with shaved truffle and truffle oil and tasted nothing short of amazing. It was a decadent dumpling with fragrant aromas.
Water Spinach with Garlic
Shrimp and Pork Wonton with Tangy Sauce

With the extensive publicity received by Din Tai Fung’s Xiao Long Bao, the Shrimp and Pork Wontons with Tangy Sauce, which prevail in both taste and texture, can easily be overlooked. These pork and prawn filled wontons are wrapped with a blissfully silken wonton pastry and bathe in a mind-blowing concoction of chilli oil and sesame oil. Cooked with the perfect amount of heat, these wontons certainly tantalised the taste buds.
Vegetarian Jiao Ze
Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai

The Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai was yet another highlight. We loved the slightly thicker dumpling pastry which was beautiful in texture and the decadent broth accompanying the prawn topping.
Our evening at Din Tai Fung concluded on a sweet note with a duo of their most popular desserts.
Taro gelato with Golden taro Bread

The taro gelato was wonderfully creamy and went well with the taro bread which was perfectly crisp on the outside and featured gooey luscious taro on the inside.
Mango ice dessert

A towering mango slushy ice dessert, we loved the use of fresh mango with the shaved ice. It was a playful dessert which rounded out our decadent meal.
Din Tai Fung is certainly a welcomed addition to Melbourne. With its superb execution of Chinese cuisine and dumplings which are made with the same surgical-like precision that Din Tai Fung is renowned for, there is no doubt that this new outpost will soon be firmly entrenched as a Melbourne dining institution.


Location: Level 4, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9654 1876
Link: https://www.dintaifung.com.au/
Cuisine: Taiwanese, Dumplings


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Din Tai Fung.

OLDTOWN White Coffee

OLDTOWN White Coffee recently opened its first Australian outpost mid last month.
Established in 1999, OLDTOWN White Coffee is Malaysia’s largest white coffee café chain.
The menu pays homage to Malaysian food in general with particular emphasis on dishes from its place of origin, Ipoh. 
Sotong Kangkung Rojak

We started with a dish of cuttlefish and spinach (also known in Hokkien as “Jyu hu eng chai”). A “salad” of sorts, the dish had beautifully wilted water spinach and tender cuttlefish laced in rojak sauce which is a flavoursome concoction of  shrimp paste, black caramel sauce, belachan, sugar, tamarind water, lemon juice, chilli powder and fresh chillis. 
Sotong Sambal Petai

The Squid with Petai beans cooked in sambal was delicious. One of our favourite Malay dishes, we enjoyed the gentle bitterness from the Petai which cut through the richness of the sambal. 
Assam Pedas Fish

The Spicy Assam Fish was yet another highlight. The perfectly seasoned assam curry broth possessed the customary punchy flavours exhibited by Malaysian curries. We loved the beautiful tartness from the assam base which goes particularly well with fish.
Whether you’re looking for a light snack of kaya toast and coffee, or a Malaysian feast, OLDTOWN White Coffee delivers with their great range of Malaysian cuisine. 


Location: 303, Elizabeth St Melbourne Vic 3000 
Phone: 03 9939 4268
Cuisine: Malaysian


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Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of MATRADE's Malaysian Kitchen Program.

Veuve Clicquot Carnaval @ Ms Collins

Ms Collins brought the heat of Brazil and her love of champagne together as she presented Veuve Clicquot Carnaval in July 2015.
From the shores of Miami with Emily Ratajkowski, VCC launched for the first time in Australia at Melbourne’s notoriously popular restaurant and bar, Ms Collins - Hosted by Melbourne beauty Sophie Van Den Akker. After one night of Brazilian x Melbournian bliss, Veuve Clicquot packed up their Carnaval and move onto three other major cities across the nation.
The festivities began from 4pm in Ms Collins’ New World Kitchen for dinner and drinks, showcasing a Latin American menu by chef Paul Wilson – The clever face behind the newly launched Lady Carolina in Brunswick. Menu goodies included smoked Peruvian style quail anticuchos, steak taco sandwiches, crispy chicken and chia calamole taquitos, Lima style ceviche and beef brisket empanadas picadillio. Paired with $100 bottles of Veuve Clicquot NV.
Guests the enjoyed an evening of free flowing champagne from 10pm accompanied with Brazilian RnB beats by Melbourne’s DJ dream team B-Love, Khanh Ong and more. The Rio-inspired Carnaval theme celebrated Veuve Clicquot’s brand signature ‘let life surprise you’. Guests were blown away with Brazilian performances, dances, drummers, venue activations, a beauty room take over by Carlisle Street’s BEAUTYOLOGIST and VIP Veuve Clicquot booths.



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Snippet: Golden Monkey

Golden Monkey does a seriously bang for your buck $20 all you can eat lunch on Thursdays.


We enjoyed stuffing our faces with their skewers, noodles, rice dishes and dumplings. The dumplings in particular are a notch above. The only downside is the fact that the bar-like atmosphere doesn't exactly gel well with a lunch time feel but otherwise, it's a great place to catch up with friends. Service is also great - warm, friendly and helpful.

Click to add a blog post for Golden Monkey on Zomato

Giveaway: Melbourne International Film Festival double pass!

At the Melbourne International Film Festival, experience the festival buzz, immerse yourself in the year’s most extraordinary contemporary cinema, and revel in rarely seen repertoire.

Look out for the Culinary program, featuring 5 films, the selection is more enticing than ever, a fine art of feasting with the eyes! Tickets for #MIFF2015 are on sale now at miff.com.au.

Giveaway: Win a double pass! 

Gastrology have teamed up with MIFF to giveaway 2 double passes to the Culinary program stream at MIFF this year. 

Exciting films from this program include:

For Grace – With his eyes set on a three-star Michelin rating for his restaurant, Curtis Duffy is prepared to sacrifice everything in order to achieve his dream.  – Monday 10th August – 6:30 PM 

City of Gold – Pulitzer Prize winning food writer Jonathan Gold takes viewers on a journey into the rich melting pot of international cuisine that makes up modern-day LA. –  Wednesday 12th August – 6:30 PM 
 

How to enter 

All you have to do, is: 

Send us an email answering “What is your favourite culinary film and why?” 

The best 2 entries, as judged by the Gastrology team, will each win a double passes to the Culinary program stream at MIFF this year.

The competition will run from now to 5:00pm Monday 27 July 2015 (winner to be announced on this post on Tuesday 28 July 2015). 

The fine print: 
Only entries made using a valid email address are eligible. Your email address will not be published. This competition is a game is of skill not chance. This giveaway is open to readers in Australia only. Prize is not transferable or exchangeable or redeemable for cash. The Promoter is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. The image of the prize is purely representative and the actual prize is subject to change. 

*****

[28/07/2015] Announcement: Winners of the Blog Giveaway: Melbourne International Film Festival double pass

Thank you to everyone who entered!

The 2 winners are…
C Daniels
A McCarthy
… Congratulations, the winners have been contacted via email.


Competition Now Closed. 

EasiYo

Might seem like too much effort to make your own yogurt but our recent experience with EasiYo has proven it’s really quite simple.

Gastrology received this product courtesy of Nuffnang's Product Talk and EasiYo.


All you do is…
  1. Mix an EasiYo yogurt sachet with tepid (between 15-20 degrees Celsius), drinkable water.
  2. Shake the jar thoroughly, then pour boiling water into the maker up to the fill line and insert the jar  in the maker. 
  3. Eight to 12 hours later, wake up to one kilogram of the freshest yogurt.

There’s lots of benefits from consuming freshly made yogurt due to the increased beneficial live cultures, such as acidophilus. These are at their most potent as soon as yogurt is made. Making yogurt also comes with a wealth of added benefits including no artificial ingredients, additives and stabilisers, which are often found in store-bought yogurts. 
We loved the great range of flavours available.
EasiYo is delicious, nutritious, vegetarian and gluten-free, and effortless to make.  

EasiYo is very accessible and is available from Big W, Woolworths, IGA and online
- EasiYo yogurt maker RRP $24.99
- EasiYo 1L yogurt sachets RRP from $4.50

Find out more here

Bax Food Co

The brainchild of three passionate members of the Caribbean community, brothers Roderick and Dalton Grant, and friend Romain Grenville, Bax Food Co is a restaurant concept born from the trio’s desire to share their Caribbean culture.
The partners have worked to create an environment at Bax Food Co that is true to heart of their culture, and one which offers diners a high quality and authentic experience.
Prince of darkness - Appleton Rum, Tamarind, Apple juice, Dash of lime, Demerara sugar

The décor is warm and welcoming, embodying a vibrant vibe perfect for casual dining with friends over a couple of their delicious cocktails.
Cassava chips; Ackee, saltfish and mushroom pattie w tomato love apple sauce

With a communal-style dining fit-out and a selection of smaller and larger dishes designed for sharing, Bax Food Co offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Caribbean, without leaving the country. 
Dahl

Small or ‘Irie Grub’ menu items include mini goat sliders and smoky BBQ pork ribs, whilst the ‘Boss’ grub menu features more substantial dishes, such as traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, a jerk platter featuring a selection of jerk-style meats and corn, goat curry, and escovitch whole baby snapper. 
Jerk platter, jerk chicken, pork ribs, chicken wings, roast jerk corn

The platter was very impressive and we loved tucking into every corner of it. The pork ribs were falling off the bone. While the, jerk chicken were delectably covered in a delicious array of herbs and spices and juicy. The wings were sticky and moreish. Just. Yum.
Goat curry with potato and wicked spice with roti bread

The goat curry was decadent. The full-bodied, curry had just the perfect balance of heat and creaminess and paired beautifully with melt-in-your-mouth morsels of goat. We enjoyed the richness of the curry and the generous use of spices which showcased customary Jamaican flavours.  
Dark shadows - grapefruit, condensed milk with a dash of spices 

Sections of grapefruit covered with sweetened condensed milk - it was delightful. Make sure you order this if you are in the mood for a treat.
Sweet potato pudding 

A comforting dessert made from sweet potatoes and yam with sprinklings of plump raisins is a hit. We loved the hints of aromatic vanilla and nutmeg and the addition of sherry wine and rum which produced a soft slightly gooey pudding.
Bax Food Co is injecting a touch of Caribbean culture into Melbourne’s western suburbs. The latest addition to Yarraville’s Gamon Street, Bax Food Co delights foodies and families alike with their contemporary take on traditional Jamaican street food.


Location: 83 Gamon Street, Yarraville, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9689 2854
Link: http://www.baxfoodco.com/
Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican


Click to add a blog post for Bax Food Co on Zomato


Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Bax Food Co.

Christmas in July Seafood Buffet Lunch @ Stamford Plaza

Winter is here and it's a perfect time to celebrate with family, friends and colleagues with Harry's Christmas in July Seafood Buffet Lunch.
For just $49.00 per person, you will enjoy Tasmanian Oysters, Portarlington Mussels, Tiger Prawns, Smoked Salmon, Main Course options, salads and indulgent desserts.
Main course options include various pastas, chicken stuffed with figs as well as pan-fried barramundi in a beurre blanc sauce.
You will be spoilt with the dessert options...
which also include a chocolate fountain...

What: Christmas in July Seafood Buffet Lunch @ Stamford Plaza

When: 12pm - 2pm, Thursday, Friday & Saturday (up to 1 August 2015)

Cost: $49 pp

Bookings: Bookings are essential. For reservations call Harry's Restaurant 03 9659 1592 or email harrys@spm.stamford.com.au


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