29th Apartment – Winter Menu Launch

Words and Images by Daria Kill-Smith Feeling like a voyeur crashing a pantomime, I entered St Kilda’s 29th Apartment – a music, food and drink venue located at the beach end of Fitzroy Street. The funky late-night bar – a pastiche of art gallery cum New York City-styled apartment, modelled on the residence of the … Read more

QV MELBOURNE WELCOMES WINTER WITH VIRTUAL / CHILL 18 MAY TO 10 JUNE

QV Melbourne welcomes winter with Virtual / Chill: a winter village complete with a state-of-the-art new VR experience, build-your-own s’mores, fire pit, bespoke hot cocktails from Teeling Irish Whiskey, live music and more.

As cooler evenings descend over the city, the square at QV Melbourne will transform into a modern Nordic wonderland. Experience Scandinavian cabin comfort, warming food and drink, live music and the launch of a cinematic new virtual reality experience from Friday 18 May – Sunday 10 June. Best of all, the entire program is free, with complimentary food or drink every night.

Virtual / Chill will unveil an all-new completely immersive VR experience created by the multi award winning pioneers in 360˚ VR at Rapid Films. Using real footage filmed on GoPro’s newest flagship 360˚ video camera, the experience will see you soaring 2000 metres in the air past snow-capped mountains, dancing over treetops and through the valleys of the Swiss Alps.

Virtual / Chill VR experience
Virtual / Chill VR experience

“We are thrilled to be launching this new VR experience with QV Melbourne. Not only is this some of the first footage filmed on GoPro’s phenomenal new 360˚ camera, we have made the whole activation even more unique by turning it into a multi-sensory experience. Tactile or ‘touch’ elements will work to enhance the virtual reality in the real world,” says Rapid Film’s Executive Producer Susannah Phillips.

It is designed so the experiencer sits suspended in a paragliding harness, with cool air whisking past their face while they are immersed in Samsung’s Gear VR mobile headset.

“By replicating physical elements in the real world, the effect is really significant in creating a stronger sense of presence and immersion,” says Susannah.

At the launch on Friday 18 May, paragliders will be able to fuel up for their flight with a complimentary build-your-own S’mores Station. Pick and choose what you want ‘s’more of’, toast melting marshmallows on the open fire pit and sip steaming cocktails from the multi-award winning Teeling Whiskey, all while enjoying live music from rising star Tayla Thomas and dreamy singer-songwriter Emma Yarosh from 5pm – 10pm.

Live music will light up the following three Friday evenings from 4pm-7pm, with Emma Yarosh returning along with acoustic musician James Hall to welcome the weekends at QV Square. Performing by the light of the open fire, with marshmallows toasting, it’s the perfect nordic night out.

The sure-fire hit S’mores Station will be available from 4pm-7pm Friday 18 May – Sunday 20 May and Thursday 31 May – Sunday 3 June.

Virtual / Chill S'mores
Virtual / Chill S’mores

From Thursday 24 May – Sunday 27 May between 4pm-7pm, treat yourself to an après-ski with the Virtual / Chill Bar serving up custom made red grape, apple and spicy pear mulled wine, heated to the perfect temperature.

Virtual / Chill Mulled Wine
Virtual / Chill Mulled Wine

Warm yourself from the inside out at the Virtual / Chill Bar with complimentary hot cocktails by Teeling Whiskey from 4pm-7pm on Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June. Chase away the chills with Damn Fine Hot Whiskey, a blend of spices, rosemary, lemon and Teeling Small Batch Whiskey, their flagship expression matured in ex-rum barrels and bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtration. Or if you prefer something sweeter, Teeling is reviving the Irish Coffee. Prepared with their signature Spiced Stout Syrup, orange zested cream and freshly grated nutmeg, it’s already a huge hit at NYC’s Dead Rabbit, crowned world’s best bar for two years running.

Teeling Whiskey - Damn Fine Hot Whiskey
Virtial / Chill Teeling Whiskey – Damn Fine Hot Whiskey (perfect tipples for World Whiskey Day Saturday 19 May)

Worlds apart from other retail precincts in Melbourne, QV represents the quintessential Melbourne lifestyle. Intimate laneways in the urban precinct give visitors the freedom to wander and discover the eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants at their own pace. Located on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, QV has something for everyone with boutiques, enlightening entertainment and cosmopolitan bars and restaurants.

Images: Teeling Irish Whiskey’s Irish Coffee and Damn Fine Hot Whiskey. Perfect tipples for World Whiskey Day is on 19 May.

Virtual / Chill - Teeling Irish Coffee
Virtual / Chill – Teeling Irish Coffee

Virtual / Chill Program

All activity takes place in the QV Square, Level 2, QV Melbourne, Corner Swanston & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne.

What & When

Details

Virtual / Chill launches during Shop the City

Friday 18 May

5.00pm – 10.00pm

  Join QV Melbourne for the Virtual / Chill launch event, coinciding with Shop the City in the QV Square.

Experience the thrill of paragliding over the snow-capped Swiss Alps via VR, fuel yourself with a complimentary build-your-own S’more, sip on steaming Teeling Whiskey cocktails around the open fire pit and enjoy live music from Tayla Thomas and Emma Yarosh.

Build-your-own S’more Station

Saturday 19 May – Sunday 20 May

Thursday 31 May – Sunday 3 June

4.00pm – 7.00pm

  Winter warming comfort food never looked so good with the sweet smelling, oozy toasted marshmallows set to get your tastebuds dancing at the Build-your-own S’more Station.

Mulled Wine at the Virtual / Chill Bar

Thursday 24 May – Sunday 27 May

4.00pm – 7.00pm

  Nothing says winter quite like mulled wine and the Virtual / Chill Bar will be serving up custom made red grape, apple and spicy pear mulled wine to be enjoyed as the sun sets in the city.

Live music from James Hall

Friday 25 May and Friday 8 June

4.00pm – 7.00pm

  Enjoy the cool tones of acoustic musician James Hall as he performs live, while you sip on a hot cocktail from the Virtual / Chill Bar, and ease yourself into the weekend.

Live music from Emma Yarosh

Friday 1 June

4.00pm – 7.00pm

  Sit back and let the dreamy tones of Emma Yarosh unwind the work-week -worries as you build your own s’mores by the open fire.

Hot Teeling Irish Whiskey cocktails at the Virtual / Chill Bar

Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June

4.00pm – 7.00pm

  Hot cocktails from the multi award winning Teeling Irish Whiskey will be on offer at the Virtual / Chill Bar, with their Damn Fine Hot Whiskey and Irish Coffee revival cocktails acting as decadent tools to banish those winter chills.

**Information and Images Courtesy of QV Melbourne/Fuller PR – Keryn O’Donnell

Virtual / Chill VR experience
Virtual / Chill VR experience

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@bigpond.com

connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tatgourmetmag

READ here for information on QV Melbourne – qv.com.au

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MAKE YOUR OWN MOCKTAILS THIS LONG WEEKEND

MOCKTAIL RECIPES & IMAGES COURTESY OF EDENVALE

Non-Alcholic Wines – Australia

https://edenvale.com.au/

Baby Bellini
Peach Bellini

Peach Bellini

Combine 1 part peach puree with 2 parts Edenvale Alcohol Removed Sparkling Cuvee and stir gently. Delicious!

Sparkling Fruit Sangria

Ingredients:

1 orange, thinly sliced

1/2 lemon, thinly sliced

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

10 large strawberries, sliced

1 cup orange juice

1 750ml bottle sweet white wine 

1 750ml bottle your favourite bubbly

Directions:

Place all fruit and orange juice in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 3 – 24 hours. Right before serving, add the sparkling wine. Taste; if you’d like it to be sweeter, add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, honey, or agave. Serve and enjoy!

Sangria
Sangria

 Lemon & Lime Mocktail

Ingredients:

1/2 Lemon, 1/2 Lime and Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee

Directions:

1. Cut lemon and lime into small rounds

2. Pour desired amount of Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee into glass

3. Add lemon and lime rounds

4. Stir and enjoy!

Lemon & Lime Mocktail
Lemon & Lime Mocktail

 Cucumber Cooler

1 cucumber

Mint leaves

Peel cucumber and  blend in a blender to create a smooth consistency

Add mint leaves (muddle, bruise mint leaves with a wooden spoon)

Strain

Add 2 cups of Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee

Stir

 

Cucumber Cooler
Cucumber Cooler

Mimosas

Mimosas are synonymous with Sunday brunch. So, if you’re planning a festive season brunch at your place, why not try a DIY mimosa bar! Place a few bottles of Edenvale Alcohol Removed Sparkling Cuvee in an ice bucket, and arrange alongside different types of juice (orange, pomegranate, grape fruit, pear), bowls of chopped fruit for garnish (orange, lemon, lime, strawberry) and champagne flutes. Then let your guests create their own mimosas and experiment with unique flavour combinations.

summer-2543914_1920

**Information & Images Supplied by Evil Twin PR

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/


Chilled Orange Juice

Chilled Orange Juice

MORE MOCKTAIL RECIPES FROM EDENVALE…

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2017 DONUT & BEER FEST: WINTER EDITION – THIS WEEKEND!

Batman Royale, North Coburg

Melbourne – 19th & 20th August

 Australia’s first donut & beer festival is back: bigger, badder & hol(e)ier than ever!

Due to popular demand, Donut Fest returns to Melbourne this August with a brand new Winter Edition.

Inspired by the donut festivals of America, our Donut Fest has a local twist. How to make something more Australian? Just add beer! Aside from an official bar hosted by Manchuria, the festival welcomes a range of craft brewers to their local line-up of local and independent donut vendors. There will even be a doughnut-friendly beer made from sessional ale with a touch of caramel malt developed exclusively for the festival by Kooinda Brewery!

donut&beerplates

DONUT FEST: WINTER EDITION 2017 Line-up

Sweet Vendors: Doughnut Time / Lukumades / Nuts About Tella (Nutella donut burgers)

The Hungary Boy / Honey Dee / Ostrich and the Egg / Dip’d (mini donuts)

Ahhh, Donuts! / Dandee Donuts / (hot jam donuts)

Uncle Donut / Jamm’d / St Gerry’s / Goldelucks (gold croissant donuts/“dossants”)

Krumbs (glow in the dark donuts)

Penny for Pound / Jamm’d / Señor Churro / Simply Gluten Free and more…

Donutsinabox

Savoury Vendors: Giant Springs (spring rolls) / El Jefe (South American) / Hangi Boys (traditional New Zealand cuisine) / Gnocchi Bar (glutenfree vegan gnocchi donuts) / The Real Jerk (Carribean) / Twisted Mac (mac ’n’ cheese) and more…

Beverage Vendors: Kooinda Brewery / Square Keg / Gageroads / Stomping Ground / Odyssey Craft Brewing (beer)

Those Girls (hot apple cider) / Wimmera Hills (mulled wine) / Welshman’s Reef (wine) / Manchuria (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails)

Koffee Kartel (coffee) and more…

Yet Donut Fest is not just another food market; they take the festival part of the name to their fried food-laden hearts by showcasing varied entertainment all weekend long.

THIS HOLEY EPIRENCE INCLUDES:

  • Live music
  • Donut eating competitions with prizes
  • Best Donut Award judged by a panel of experts
  • People’s Choice Best Donut Award
  • Miniature Donut Museum with a Donut Wall and art installations that take after L.A.’s wildly popular Museum of Ice-cream
  • Savoury Food Vendors experimenting with a homage to the donut shape
  • Beer and cocktails exclusively developed to complement donuts
  • Donut styles from around the world: Argentina, Greece, Hungary, South Africa, America, Denmark, Australia, and even Nutella donut burgers to Glow in the Dark donuts!

Donut Fest likes their donuts iced, but there’s no need for festival-goers to be. Winter warmers on-site include hot chocolate, mulled wine, plenty of outdoor heating and cheery festoon lighting. The huge new venue – the industrial warehouse of Batman Royale – means Donut Fest will be housed partially inside and undercover. Also kids under 12 can join in the fun with free entry.

Girleating

Donut Fest: Winter Edition is on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August 2017 at Batman Royale, 14 Gaffney Street, North Coburg.

Two sessions each day – 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm both days.

Early Bird Tickets (just $10) are on sale now, full price $15 (kids under 12 free).

Tickets include fast entry and a taster of the official festival beer.

BOOK TICKETS NOW:  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/     

**read below re: cashless payment system if buying tickets on the day 

Information & Images Courtesy of Donut Fest/Inka Creative – Dee McNamara

facebook: facebook.com/donutfestau

instagram: @donutfestau

twitter: @donutfestau

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Enquiries: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow TAT Gourmet News on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for info on the fest’s cashless payment system, chosen charity FairShare, founder Ngoc Le and more pics…

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