Winter warmers: Southgate restaurants are serving up seasonal delights with a series of masterclasses, meet-the-maker events, and innovative new dishes and drinks
*Title Photo: Pure South’s King Island pasture fed wallaby, parsnip, native pepperberry sauce – Photo credit: Pure South Dining
As the colder months approach, Southgate restaurants are keeping Melburnians warm with new menus integrating the best local and regional produce, limited edition specialty drinks and dishes, and a range of foodie events including makers dinners, regional foodie fests, opera nights and Mother’s Day high teas.
Innovative winter menus incorporate some of the best seasonal produce to create indulgent meals, with new offerings providing the perfect excuse to revisit a favourite Southgate venue, or discover a new haunt amongst the 13-strong staple of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Melbourne’s beloved risotteria, the award winning Tutto Bene, is adding six new dishes that deliver a taste of winter to their menu. Hot picks include the Finocchio, a roast baby fennel with snap fried khol rabi and the Pannacotta di gianduia, a stunning hazelnut chocolate pannacotta with lemon gelato and fennel pollen. Plus of course, risotto, always risotto.
Photo credit: Tutto Bene
“We love working with fennel at this time of year – it grows in abundance and you can be creative with how you use it in both savoury and sweet dishes. It is such a versatile plant, with all parts being edible from bulb, stalks, leaves and seeds, while the fronds and pollen are great accents to any dish,” says Nathan.
Tutto Bene’s risotto masterclasses are back by popular demand, on 13 June and 11 July. Clue: if you’re using Arborio, you’re doing it wrong. The event includes a take home goodie bag with all the right ingredients. Book pronto, as it’s tipped to sell out.
Waterslide’s new cocktail list delivers some of their most creative winter-warmer concoctions yet. ‘Auntie Faye’s Cure No.23’ is inspired by the head bartender’s Auntie Faye, who would add a large measure of bourbon to her apple and rhubarb pie to cure your ailments. The cocktail version takes over 24 hours to prepare, delivering powerful punch of flavour with spiced rhubarb, apple syrup, and a hit of bourbon, topped with custard, rhubarb skins and crush. Guaranteed to kick your winter chills to the kerb.
Photo credit: Waterslide Bar
A commitment to provenance is something a number of Southgate chefs are passionate about, whether that means working with the best local suppliers of fresh produce, or paying homage to a specific region of the world via carefully curated local and international ingredients.
Pure South Dining brings the best of Tasmania to the table and their extensive wine menu is perfectly curated to match the impressive food offering. During May and June, a series of wine dinners will be taking place providing the chance to sample incredible wines from bespoke Tasmanian wineries Piper’s Brook, Moorilla and Torbreck accompanied by special menus from their Michelin star chef, David Hall.
Photo credit: Pure South
BearBrass has secured the makers of three of their favourite Yarra Valley producers to attend their special ‘A Taste of the Yarra’ event on Sunday 27 May. With tastings on offer from Napoleone Beer & Cider, Four Pillars Gin and TarraWarra Estate, patrons can also enjoy a special Yarra Valley Bar Menu accompanied with live music from Rory McKenna across the afternoon.
La Camera Southgate is bringing regional Italy to Melbourne with Gior D’Italia. Friendly chefs will lead diners through a culinary tour, using their daily specials as their flavour passport. Each week in May a different region will take the spotlight with a selection of delicious meals showcasing the unique elements of the selected district. It’s a tour of Italy with a view of the Yarra River.
La Camera’s Opera Nights have become a fixture on the calendar for many, combining culture and cuisine in one electrifying evening. The next event takes place on Monday 28 May, when the souring voices of Samantha Du Rennes, Suzanne Shakespere, Lino Del Giudice and Richard Thomas will come together to give the ultimate wine and dine experience, enjoyed over a set three course menu.
Waterslide is hosting a bevy of special events throughout the cooler months, including their own Waterslide Gin & Tonic Appreciation Day on Thursday 3 May and Waterslide’s Rum Day on Thursday 14 June. June will also see the return of their (literally) hot ‘Fitzroy Hipster’ cocktail, back by popular demand. Available for a limited time only, the delicious combination of spiced whipped butter and rum is Waterslide’s take on the classic Hot Buttered Rum and is guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out.
Pure South Dining is hosting a unique King Island Degustation Dinner on 1 June, celebrating the world-renowned produce from the island’s wild shores and seas. The intimate dinner will showcase some of the restaurant’s most remote, and in some cases exclusive, suppliers from King Island’s farms, dairies and fisherman. For example, the newly available King Island wallaby is now on the Pure South menu, but cannot be found anywhere else on the mainland.
Sunday blues are a thing of the past thanks to the continuing ‘Free Flowing Champagne Sunday Lunch’ at Pure South Dining. Enjoyed with either a two or three course lunch, Pure South will be rotating the bubbles with Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut, Bollinger Special Cuvee and Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial. Sunday afternoons never looked so good.
Southgate is home to fifteen diverse restaurants, bars and eateries with cuisines ranging from German to Tasmanian to modern European. A range of boutique retailers including vintage fashion, books and stationery can also be found within the precinct.
Photo credit: Tutto Bene
**Information and Images Courtesy of Southgate restaurants/supplied by Fuller PR – Keryn O’Donnell & Keshia Hutchens
Photo credit: P.J.O’Brien’s
Connie Lambeth
The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tatgourmetmag
READ HERE FOR WHAT’S ON THIS WINTER AT SOUTHGATE RESTAURANTS…
Mother’s Day at Southgate
Mum’s the word on Sunday 13 May with restaurants throughout the precinct all serving up something special to spoil mum this Mother’s Day. For those who can’t settle for brekkie in bed, The Deck is offering beautiful Mother’s Day breakfasts from 8.30am in one of Melbourne’s most picturesque settings.
Whose mum doesn’t love a high tea? Indulge mum with decadent delights and delicious teas at the Damon Bradley High Tea, or the special BearBrass style high tea, with a platter loaded with scones, quiche and macarons to be enjoyed with a glass of bubbles throughout the day.
Long lunches are synonymous with Mother’s Day and La Camera, Tutto Bene, Pure South, P.J.O’Brien’s and Hophaus are all serving up their own signature specials, including Sunday roasts, complimentary desserts, schnapps, cider and flowing champagne, all guaranteed to give mum the best day yet.
Photo credit: Damon Bradley
Mother’s Day specials and events happening at each Southgate venue:
Breakfast
Mother’s Day Breakfast at The Deck
Serving up an alternative to breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day, The Deck delivers breakfast with a view of the Yarra River from 8.30-11am. The full breakfast offering will be available and groups will be catered to.
High Tea
Bearbrass High Tea
A Bearbrass style high tea by the river is available from 10am-5pm, including a board of nibbles loaded with scones, quiche, and macarons, accompanied with a glass of Dunes & Greene Sparkling or tea and coffee at $25pp.
A kids menu is also available and bookings are essential.
Damon Bradley High Tea
Afternoon tea at Damon Bradley is an experience that delivers tradition, elegance and delicious delicacies. Offering a beautiful selection of cakes, teas and handcrafted fingers sandwiches for Mother’s Day, Mum gets an added treat of a 9 piece truffle box to take home and enjoy. $75 per adult and $45 per child (aged 4-12), bookings are essential.
Lunch and Dinner
Lunch at Tutto Bene with Mamma
Thank Mamma with a delightful lunch at Tutto Bene this Mother’s Day. Choose from either a two-course menu for $65pp, or Al Tavolo di mamma where you eat at mumma’s table with a selection of four courses tailored by our kitchen for $85 pp. Both include a glass of prosecco on arrival.
Mother’s Day Sunday Roast at P.J.O’Brien’s
Let the team at P.J.O’Brien’s cook the Sunday roast today! $22 for their Roast of the Day including a Pint of Bulmers Cider, available from midday until late. Plus all mammies will receive a complimentary glass of bubbles. Live Irish music will be on from 3pm with Pat McKernan, Marty Kelly and the Hijacked Penguins all penned to perform.
Mother’s Day Lunch at The Deck
A three-course menu is on offer for the best family lunch, including a shared first course, individual main and dessert for just $55pp. Group bookings are welcome.
Free-flowing champagne lunch at Pure South
Treat mum to something extra special this Mother’s Day with a two or three course lunch consisting of Tasmania’s finest, accompanied by three hours of free-flowing champagne at Pure South.
Two courses are $139pp (or $69 without champagne), while the three course menu is $149 (or $79 without champagne).
Hophaus Mother’s Day Lunch
Spoil mum with a special lunch this Mother’s Day. All mums receive a schnapps of their choice and a complimentary miniature Bavarian dessert with their main meal – Prost!
When:
Sunday 13 May
Where:
Southgate Melbourne. Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
Bookings:
Bookings essential with each venue
Tutto Bene’s risotto masterclasses
For over a decade, Melbourne’s beloved, award-winning risotteria, Tutto Bene, has been Melbourne’s go-to for the best risotto. Full of flavour and the perfect winter meal, this dish can often be difficult to master – but not anymore. Head Chef Nathan Scarfo will divulge all his tips and tricks and show you how to perfect this popular winter staple. Learn about the right rice to use (clue: it’s not Arborio, and they’ll let you try his preparation of both to prove the difference), the truth behind much debated cooking methods and how to choose your ingredients. You’ll also learn how to match your risotto with the perfect wine. Then all your learning will be rewarded with a two-course meal with matching wines. Tutto Bene – everything’s good!
When:
6:30pm Wednesday 13 June and 6:30pm Wednesday 11 July
Where:
Mid Level, Southgate Melbourne. M28/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
How much:
$85 per person includes a risotto masterclass, two course dinner, a glass of wine and a goodie bag to take home and put your new skills to test.
Bookings:
To book call 03 9696 3334 or visit the Tutto Bene website.
Photo credit: Tutto Bene
Giro D’Italia at La Camera
First introduced in 2010, La Camera is bringing back their innovative Giro D’Italia dining experience to celebrate the regional cuisines of Italy. La Camera’s chefs deliver a range of dishes each week to bring to life the techniques and specialties of the selected Italian region, allowing patrons to experience a taste of Italy first-hand.
All diners who participate go in the draw to win some fabulous bike themed gifts with one major prize to be announced at the end of May.
When:
May, 2018
Where:
La Camera Italian Restaurant, Mid Level East End, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank VIC 3006
How much:
Price dependent upon dishes.
Bookings:
Bookings are recommended, call 03 9699 3600 to secure a sitting.
Photo credit: BearBrass
BearBrass ‘A Taste of the Yarra’
BearBrass brings three of their favourite Yarra Valley makers to Melbourne on Sunday 27 May. With a special stall set up, you can rove between stands and enjoy tastings from Napoleone Beer & Cider, Four Pillars Gin and TarraWarra Estate. A special Yarra Valley Bar Menu will be available in addition to the usual full food menu and live music will be performed by Rory McKenna.
When:
Sunday 27 May
Where:
Ground Level, Southgate Melbourne. GR3A/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
How much:
$15 per person tasting fee on the day includes all three stalls.
Bookings:
Pre-book online or just rock up and enjoy! Pre-book at https://www.bearbrass.com.au/
La Camera Opera Night
Bringing back one of La Camera’s most popular events the upcoming Opera Night is guaranteed to be another sell out. With the talented Samantha Du Rennes, Suzanne Shakespeare, Lino Del Giudice and Richard Thomas coming together, the experience is one for the senses with incredible music, a delectable three course meal and views of the Yarra River and Melbourne city skyline.
When:
Monday 28 May
Where:
La Camera Italian Restaurant, Mid Level East End, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank VIC 3006
How much:
$70 per person.
Bookings:
Bookings essential as there are limited seats available to this event. Call 03 9699 3600 to book.
Pure South Dining wine dinners
Enjoy the best of Tasmania at Pure South with perfectly matched food and wine to be enjoyed in an intimate setting and curated menu courtesy of Michelin star executive chef, David Hall.
When:
Piper’s Brook Wine Dinner 23 May
Armadale Cellars-Moorilla Wine Dinner 13 June
Torbreck Wine Dinner 28 June
Where:
Ground Level, Southgate Melbourne. GR2 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
Bookings:
For bookings call +61 3 9699 4600
Photo credit: Pure South
Pure South Dining’s King Island Degustation Dinner
Pure South Dining’s King Island Degustation Dinner is taking place on 1 June, celebrating the world-renowned produce from the island’s wild shores and seas. The intimate dinner will showcase some of the restaurant’s most remote, and in some cases exclusive, suppliers from King Island’s farms, dairies and fisherman.
When:
Friday 1 June
Where:
Ground Level, Southgate Melbourne. GR2 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
Bookings:
+61 3 9699 4600 or ps@puresouth.com.au
‘Free Flowing Champagne Sunday Lunch’ at Pure South Dining
Never suffer from lunch envy again with ‘Free Flowing Champagne Sunday Lunch’ at Pure South Dining. Enjoy either a two or three course lunch with endless bubbles, and make Sunday the day to remember. The flowing French varies between Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut, Bollinger Special Cuvée and Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial.
When:
Sunday lunch – three hour sitting
Where:
Ground Level, Southgate Melbourne. GR2 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
How much:
Two course lunch $139pp or three course lunch $149pp
Bookings:
+61 3 9699 4600 or ps@puresouth.com.au
Waterslide Gin and Tonic Appreciation Day
Waterslide is inviting gin lovers to join them on Thursday 3 May to show their appreciation for the classic ‘G&T’. Celebrating with a ‘2 for 1’ gin and tonic offer from 4-10pm*, offers like this only call for good company to share in the fun.
*While stocks last
When:
Thursday 3 May
Where:
Shop MR3 Mid Level East End, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Victoria 3006
How much:
2 for 1 G&T’s from 4pm-10pm.
Bookings:
To book visit the Waterslide website. Walk-ins welcome.
Waterslide Rum Day
At Waterslide, winter and rum are synonymous with one another and to celebrate Waterslide Rum Day a special offer of $12 Old Cubans and Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktails are guaranteed to get you in the mood to relax and enjoy the rich rum concoctions.
When:
Thursday 14 June
Where:
Shop MR3 Mid Level East End, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Victoria 3006
How much:
$12 Dark ‘n’ Stormy and $Old Cubans from 4pm-10pm.
Bookings:
To book visit the Waterslide website. Walk-ins welcome.
The Fitzroy Hipster returns to Waterslide
Photo credit: Waterslide Bar
Back by popular demand, Waterslide’s Fitzroy Hipster cocktail is returning to the menu once more. An indulgent hot buttered rum with kick, this one will get you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, available for a limited time only, this one will leave the menu once again at the end of June, so get in quick to enjoy it while you can!
When:
June, 2018
Where:
Shop MR3 Mid Level East End, Southgate Melbourne, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Victoria 3006
How much:
$17 Fitzroy Hipsters during June
Bookings:
To book visit the Waterslide website. Walk-ins welcome.
Photo credit: Tutto Bene
About Southgate
Southgate restaurant and shopping precinct, located on the south bank of the Yarra River, is located at the gateway to the arts precinct of Melbourne. A $26 million redevelopment of the precinct in 2011 has transformed Southgate into a vibrant restaurant, shopping and entertainment destination.
The iconic complex comprises two high-quality office towers across 66,000 square metres, the 29 level IBM Centre and the 24 level HWT Tower, a three level dining and retail plaza across 9,000 square metres and a large underground car park accommodating 1,041 vehicles. www.southgatemelbourne.com.au
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