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Food, Lifestyle, Things To Do

Where to go for Valentine's Day in Melbourne

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Where to celebrate Valentine's Day in Melbourne? We have romance and non romance options covered.

 

Merricks Creek Winery

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Merricks Creek Winery is celebrating Valentine's Day at it's fabulous new stylish Cellar Door on Mornington Peninsula, only an hour from Melbourne.  

Book for Valentine's Day this Sunday in a romantic winery setting. Experience delicious share plates with standout Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Booked tables will include 2 red roses in a vase.

To book contact: 03 5989 8868


The Great Local Lunch

WHAT?

  • The Great Local Lunch is all about celebrating Melbourne's seasonal local produce to inspire a new generation of growers and support local food in the city.
  • Hosted by Costa Georgiardis, this free long lunch will bring together 200 farmers, backyard growers and Melbourne foodies. 

WHY?

  • Support local food and help build community around and support for a sustainable food future.

WHEN?

  • 12.30 - 2.30pm Sunday 14 February

WHERE?

  • Birrarung Marr, Melbourne

The Hotel Windsor, Spring Street

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This Valentine's Day, The Hotel Windsor is inviting guests to spoil their loved ones with a romantic weekend break in Melbourne. Experiencing the hotel's Royal Suite, recently voted Australia's Leading Hotel Suite at the 2015 World Travel Awards™, before indulging in the ultimate dining experience at the hotel's One Eleven Spring Street dining room. Executive Chef Joel Alderson will be showcasing his signature, beautiful and contemporary cuisine at breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, all in the grand dining room surroundings. The hotel will be serving complimentary sparkling rose to all breakfast guests and are providing the option of accompanying restaurant reservations with a dozen stemmed roses and a bottle of G.H.Mumm Champagne, priced at $160 per couple (not inclusive of the a la carte menu offering).


 

Mister Bianco, Kew

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Valentine's Day at Mister Bianco is always a treat. Chef and owner, Joseph Vargetto is a true fan of the romantic occasion as it's also the name day of his eldest son, Valentino. "It's a time to reflect on the wonderful people in your life, like my wife of 20 years, Daniela", says Joe. He has designed a plentiful menu that has a focus on sharing, including gluten free and coeliac options.

Lovers will enjoy prosecco on arrival along with a selection of stuzzichini such as tuna carpaccio with cucumber + tomato. A selection of shared entrees will delight, in the form of semolina spice dusted calamari, tomato sugo, olives, currants, pinenuts and natural oysters with fresh lemon and blood orange granita. Guests will have the choice of three mains, including Angus dry aged eye fillet 220g, beetroot puree, baby beetroot chips + red wine sauce (gf) and ricotta gnocchi “alla norma” with cherry tomato + basil sauce, baked eggplant (v). Price: $95


 

Grosvenor Hotel, St Kilda

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Valentine's Day is traditionally all about romance, roses and chocolate. However this year, Grosvenor Hotel has planned a Singles Sunday Session that will win the hearts of bachelors and bachelorettes everywhere. Live music will be played from 12pm and resident virtuoso, Dan Millane joins the party in the afternoon to keep the good vibes flowing. Hungry guests can order from the a la carte menu that includes a range of small plates, pizza and steak or they can head into the St Kilda Burger Bar (just next door in the hotel drive-through) for a quick bite. Drinks-wise, there's something special for all the lads and ladies with $10 Champagne Cocktails and $10 pints available from 12pm-7pm. Doors open at 12pm and entry is free.


 

The Auburn Hotel, Hawthorn

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The Auburn Hotel will be treating lovers to a three course sharing style feast this Valentine's Day. Guests can enjoy a selection of the menu's best dishes, complete with a glass of champagne and rose´ for $59 per person. The Hawthorn East venue is the ideal romantic setting for couples, with its newly renovated dining room, complete with dark timber flooring and cosy banquette seating. It's the perfect backdrop for enjoying an assortment of dishes designed by Group Executive Chef Justin Wise. But guests must hurry, bookings are limited and selling out fast!


Stokehouse City

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Give your lover the Stokehouse City experience this Valentine's Day with a five-course feast crafted especially for couples. Indulge in an array of aphrodisiacs, including natural oysters with lemon myrtle aroma and a decadent chocolate dessert.

Designed by Head Chef Ollie Hansford,  our special banquet menu unites interesting ingredients and flavour combinations that will be sure to serve as a talking point for the evening. Ollie's cooking style is experimental and fun, often with an element of theatre and surprise. We are currently taking bookings for February 14 from 6.30pm onwards. Secure your table by phoning us on (03) 9525 5555.


 

ESP and Estelle

 

DOUBLE THE LOVE AT ESTELLE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Estelle by Scott Pickett (ESP) is known as an ideal destination for special occasions and no exceptions will be made this Valentine’s Day, with the venue perfect for a romantic night out.

To encourage the love, chef Scott Pickett has created a seven-course tasting menu that will surprise and delight, with lovers bonding over decadent dishes such as moreton bay bug, iberico Jamon and melon and wagyu, beetroot and black truffle. A raspberry and rose dessert will ensure a sweet finish. Bookings are still available, for $180 per person with beverages to be purchased separately on the night.

All guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne upon arrival.

Bookings: (03) 9489 4609 Location: 245 High Street

Price: $180

Situated next door to Estelle by Scott Pickett is Estelle Bistro. The slightly more casual sister restaurant will, in customary Estelle style, put on a five-course tasting menu that showcases the best produce available in Scott Pickett’s delicious cooking.

The menu begins and ends with aphrodisiacs that excite the palate too. A black truffle vichyssoise kicks off the meal alongside a complimentary glass of Champagne.

Progressing from here, diners will enjoy plates including spanner crab, apple and nasturtium and Great Ocean Road duck, plums and purple carrots before a grand finale of white chocolate, strawberry and rose.

Patrons will be able to select between celebrating in the dining room or the verdant courtyard.

Bookings: (03) 9489 4609

Location: 243 High Street Price: $130


 

Haighs

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Haigh’s Chocolates 2016 Valentine’s Day collection is rich with heritage and traditional elegance as Haigh’s celebrates a centenary of chocolate making this year.

Themed in bronze, burgundy and gold, the luxury collection includes centenary inspired ribboned gift boxes and tins filled with favourites such as Pastilles, Milk and Dark Assorted Creams, Champagne Truffles all ready for gift giving to special loved ones.

Traditional Valentine’s hearts also abound with small, medium and large foiled hearts in milk and dark chocolate, half milk chocolate heart filled with popular Berry Chocs and the adorable Heritage Collectors Teddy with Large Milk Chocolate Heart is simply irresistible.

Our team of chocolatiers has created a special Valentine’s Milk and Dark Assortment featuring milk chocolate foiled hearts and new delectable Raspberry Caramel;  a soft chewy caramel centre combined with a raspberry fruit puree, coated in premium dark chocolate and finished with a striking decoration.

Gold hamper boxes filled with assorted luscious milk and dark chocolates complete the range.

Chief Executive Alister Haigh said  “We are absolutely delighted with this Valentine’s collection for our centenary year and proud to continue our support of Variety the Children’s Charity with part proceeds from the sale of the 125g Milk Chocolate Heart donated toward their valuable work.”

Variety the Children’s Charity is an organisation that works to enrich the lives of children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs.

The 2016 Valentine’s Day collection will be available for purchase from Haigh’s Chocolates 14 retail stores in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and online at www.haighschocolates.com from 27th January 2015.


 

Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival

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Make the most of this Valentine's Day at the Coburg Drive-Ins.

The Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival returns this year, bringing back your favourite food trucks and films over two consecutive days; Saturday, February 13 & Sunday, February 14. 

Some of Melbourne's finest food trucks will be serving up delicious food for all movie-goers this summer. Treat your date to some tasty dishes including burgers from Boss Burger and Shakes,  Dos Diablos, Greek Street Food, Mamma Van, Copa Food Truck, Taco Truck, White Guy Cooks Thai plus plenty more! Curb your sweet tooth with Street Crepes, Yo Bar, Sweet Forbidden Journey, Senor Churro and more!

Valentine's Day screenings: Deadpool & Zoolander 2

For more information on additional screenings and to purchase tickets please visit www.villagecinemas.com.au/events/food-truck-festival 

Dates: 

TimeGates open at 5pm

Where: Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In, 155 Newlands Rd, Coburg

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/VillageCinemas and share your experience of the Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival with #foodtruckflicks


MOONLIGHT ANNOUNCES UNFORGETTABLE FILMS FOR FEBRUARY

 

 

Moonlight Cinema’s February program announced!

Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema, Moonlight Cinema has today announced tickets go on-sale for the month of February across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane.  Catch up on all the biggest stories, greatest names and side splitting comedies this month. 

Among the line-up are three of this year’s standout biopics: Steve Jobs, Trumbo and Joy; as well as three advanced screenings of inspiring films based on real-life events: The Finest Hours, Concussion and The Lady In The Van.

Advanced screenings of Hollywood’s biggest films Hail, Caesar! and Zoolander 2; alongside cult classics Clueless and The Rocky Horror Picture Show are just some of the awesomeness in store for starry eyed film fans.

There’s also cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s returning on Valentine’s Day presented by Lindeman’s, who are providing everyone a free glass of sparkling on arrival.

Ian Sutherland, Group Director of Marketing, Event Hospitality and Entertainment said, “After a hugely successful start to Moonlight’s season that included first release movies, Oscar nominated films, popular classics and sell out shows, we are thrilled to announce the second half of the season. We will again be screening first release films and the latest and best loved films. Gold Grass has proven to be hugely popular this season with our food and beverage offerings in high demand however, a good old fashioned picnic on a rug under the stars, is still the only way to watch a film for many.”

Be the first to see the films that have had the world’s tongues wagging and awards rolling in, at advanced Moonlight Cinema screenings. 

These include Michael Fassbender’s not to be missed performance as Apple co-founder Steve Jobs with 11 wins including two Golden Globes for Best Screenplay and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Kate Winslet, and over 80 nominations including two Oscars.

See Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston in a whole new light as Dalton Trumbo, Oscar-winning screenwriter labelled a Communist and blacklisted by Hollywood in Trumbo. With two wins for Best Actor and another 27 nominations including one Oscar under his belt Cranston proves why he’s still the man to watch.

Catch summer’s biggest award winning blockbusters:  Golden Globe winners The Hateful Eight from Quentin Tarantino; Joy starring Jennifer Lawrence and The Revenant for Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar contending performance.

Moonlight also has all the hottest comedies before they hit cinemas.  Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson return in 2016 for Zoolander 2as does Australia’s comedy queen Rebel Wilson in this year’s dating manual How to Be Single; while Sisters starring comedy duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, returns to Moonlight by popular demand.

Don’t miss cult classics Mamma Mia!, The Rocky Horror Picture Show sing-a-long,  Blade Runner; and Clueless; plus Doggie Night screenings of Brooklyn and How to Be Single in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane Moonlight Cinemas.

Adelaiders have just one month left to catch this year’s biggest Oscar contenders The Danish Girl, and Lenny Abrahamson’s  Room with four Oscar nominations each.   There’s also a tribute screening of Labyrinth starring the late avant-garde artist David Bowie; and upcoming screenings of Daddy’s Home starring Will Ferral and Mark Wahlberg, and Zac Efron and Robert De Niro in Dirty Grandpa. 

As always Moonlight cinema is a BYO friendly event, but no sweat if you forget your picnic spread and sparkling; Moonlight’s famous LA style food truck and fully licensed bar, will be serving up tasty treats for all appetites.

Audiences can tuck into a scrumptious menu of movie munchies including pulled pork sliders, New Yorker chilli cheese dogs, buffalo fried chicken, parmesan truffle fries and fresh Nutella donuts.

Gates are open an hour and a half before the film starts so grab all your mates, snap up your grassy patch and lay back for a summer of fun, food and films under the stars!

 

WHAT:                                              Moonlight Cinema

WHERE & WHEN:                        Adelaide: Botanic Park, Dec 3 – Feb 14

                                                                Brisbane: New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse, Dec 16 – March 6

                                                                Melbourne: Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens, Dec 3 – March 27

                                                                Perth: Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Dec 5 – March 27

                                                                Sydney: Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park, Dec 3 – March 27

Start locking in some movie dates with your mates by checking out the program online, following Moonlight Cinema’s social media channels and signing up to Moonlight e-news.


 
Taxi Kitchen
 
 
Treat your Valentine to our lovers' special and share 4 courses for $85pp
Only available on Sunday 14th February, lunch and dinner. 

 

ROMANCE NOT REQUIRED AT HIGHPOINT THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

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Best friends forever (or BFFs) are in for a treat this Valentine’s Day as Highpoint Shopping Centre moves away from chocolate and roses and turns its attention to celebrating the inimitable bond of friendship.

No date, no worries. Highpoint has a host of must-visit activities perfect to share with friends, including a pop-up from nail art guru, Trophy Wife.

Trophy Wife will bring its colourful and intricate nail art (one of the hottest beauty trends of the moment) to Highpoint as part of the retail destination’s latest Electric Fields Festival, taking place in the Level One casual dining and entertainment precinct from Monday 8 to Sunday 14 February. The perfect way to show that you don’t need romance to enjoy Valentine’s Day in style, shoppers can visit the Trophy Wife pop-up to receive a free express manicure with quirky designs to match your best friend. The brainchild of Chelsea Bagan, Trophy Wife’s nail salon has fast become one of Melbourne’s most in-demand beauty hot spots and Bagan has built a cult following for her artistic hand-painted nail designs and embellishments.

Joining the Trophy Wife Nail Art pop-up at Highpoint’s third Electric Fields Festival is ‘BFF Battles’ where visitors have the chance to win prizes by testing how well they know their best friend in the ultimate BFF quiz.

Shoppers can also treat their best friend to ‘BFF Date Night’ with $10 off a meal purchased from any of Highpoint’s new Level One casual dining restaurants including Ajisen Ramen, Dumplings Plus, Ne Ne Chicken, Roti Road, Saigon Square and Tina’s Noodle Kitchen. Grab your best friend and head to Highpoint Shopping Centre, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong or visit www.highpoint.com.au for more information.

EVENT: Electric Fields Festival and Trophy Wife Nail Art Pop-up

DATE/TIME: Monday 8 until Sunday 14 February 2016

LOCATION: Level One, Highpoint Shopping Centre, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong

COST: Free

WHAT’S ON:

• Trophy Wife Nail Art Pop-up (6pm – 9pm Friday 12 February, 12pm – 3pm Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February)

• BFF Battles (12pm – 3pm and 6pm – 9pm Thursday 11 and Friday 12 February, 12pm – 4pm Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February)

• BFF Date Night (6pm– 10pm Monday 8– Sunday 14 February)