Ribs & Burgers

Launched in 2011, Ribs & Burgers is a foodie favourite with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients.

A growing chain of wholly owned restaurants and rapidly expanding in Australia, with global expansion on the horizon, the delectable dining brand turns four this month.

The name Ribs & Burgers says it all. The venue offers fresh, hot, succulent burgers and eight hour slow cooked ribs paired with friendly service, cosy vintage furnishings within a warm welcoming atmosphere. 

BBQ Beef Ribs

Slow cooked for 8 hours to ensure that the meat is cooked in its own juices for a stronger natural flavour, the ribs here are amazing. No effort is spared to prepare these beauties - From sourcing the finest cuts to the traditional preparation.

Lemon and herb Lamb Ribs

Both the BBQ Beef Ribs and the Lemon and herb Lamb Ribs were stunning - Tender, falling off the bone, juicy and packed with flavour. 

Original Burger 

     

We enjoyed the Original burger - an almighty burger with a large beef mince patty, shredded iceberg, tomato, Spanish onion dill pickles and their special pink & BBQ sauce all squeezed into a fresh, toasted brioche bun. Yum!

Lamb Burger

For something a little different from the beef patty, we recommend their Lamb burger which is filled with beautifully spiced lamb, tomato, rocket, fetta, Spanish onion and tzatziki. A clever and pleasingly complex combination of flavours that we loved.

The menu also boasts a tasty election of sides. The mouth-watering onion rings in particular were a stand out - deliciously encased in the crispiest of batters. 

For a sweet end to the meal, we recommend getting one of their thickshakes. We tried the milo thickshake and seriously haven’t stopped thinking about it. 

A testament to serving honest food alongside genuine hospitality, Ribs & Burgers is a winner. 

Location: 862 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Phone: 03 8899 6630

Link: http://ribsandburgers.com/au/

Cuisine: American, Burger

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Ribs & Burgers.

Night Tripping @ The St Hotel

Gastrology recently attended 'Night Tripping' at the St Hotel where the space was transformed into an Asian bazaar.

We enjoyed plates from Windsor’s favourite culinary trio; Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina and Saigon Sally as well as Docklands’ Ba Noi.

A night of endless entertainment, with a line-up of circus acts and freaky performers strutting their stuff around every corner, it was a vibrant celebration of Melbourne’s best Asian street food, drinks and tunes. 

Host, St Hotel turned up the heat with a delicious braised pork red curry. The perfectly seasoned curry broth possessed the customary punchy flavours exhibited Thai curries and was a great match for the tender pork. We loved the inclusion of textural bamboo shoots and the added kick from the addition of green peppercorns.

Hannoi Hannah delivered a fragrant chicken pho which boasted a lovely broth with generous slices of lean chicken breasts. It was a refreshing and light dish.

Tokyo Tina stole our hearts with a show stopping beef brisket bao. Featuring melt in your mouth umami-laden beef brisket combined with pickles and adorned with luscious kewpie the bao really hit the mark.

Banoi’s banh cuon, an exotic mushroom rice crepe served with sticky soy and Chinese doughnuts were addictively good. We loved this modern take on the traditional banh cuon. The savoury fried Chinese doughnuts were a delicious canvas which soaked up the sticky soy sauce and provided a contrasting texture to the slippery crepes.  

Saigon Sally’s Coconut prawn ceviche with sweet potato and betel leaf was also a crowd favourite. Displaying a multitude of intense flavours and was highlighted on by the beautifully cured prawns and the gentle sweetness of the sweet potato.

Gastrology bloggers attended the event courtesy of Night Tripping.

Mr & Mrs Howell

Combining a unique modern and relaxed dining experience and a firm focus on affordable hospitality, Mr & Mrs Howell impresses.

The restaurant has been drawing in the crowds since April 2013 on Brunswicks’ Sydney Road with its fresh seasonal produce matched with a range of boutique beer and wines.

The ambience is warm and inviting with comfortable furnishings and fittings, exposed brick walls and accents of timber. 

The kitchen is in safe hands with Chef and owner Mark Brozics’ leading the charge. The menu comprises an eclectic array of dishes inspired by a variety of international fare in particular Middle Eastern, Asian, European and African flavours.

From left: Almond crusted goats’ cheese; House made charcuterie

We started with the almond crusted goats’ cheese and house made charcuterie. The goats cheese was luxurious while the house made charcuterie was a respectable assembly of cured meats which were each excellently prepared.

Duck spring rolls

An Asian take on the cigar, the mouth-watering pastry rolls were delightful. Biting through thin, crunchy exterior pastry, our taste buds were greeted with a flavoursome concoction of tender duck, pine nuts and currants. 

Tasmanian scallops, sweet corn puree, ginger, soy sauce

The scallops were perfectly seared and bursting with natural flavour, a flavour further enhanced by the restrained sweetness of the sweet corn puree and the slight bursts of heat from the ginger.

Indian spiced chicken with mango chutney and saffron rice

John Dory with macadamia nut satay sauce and seasonal vegetables

The quality of the John Dory was exemplary. The skin of the fish was perfectly seared to be very crisp while the flesh was delicate and moist. It was a wonderfully simple dish that allowed the natural subtle sweetness of the fish to be enjoyed.

From left: Mini doughnuts with salted caramel; Hokey Pokey cheese cake with ginger biscuit 

The desserts at Mr & Mrs Howell were similarly well devised. 

Lemongrass pannacotta with fresh mango and coriander

The Lemongrass pannacotta was excellent. A texturally perfect rendition, the pannacotta was silky smooth with the perfect hint of aromatic lemongrass. Just barely holding its shape, it was quivering on the plate.

Steamed lemon pudding with berry compote and ice cream

The steamed lemon pudding is another must-have from the desserts menu. Mastering the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness, this dessert was a truly ambrosial version of the classic steamed lemon pudding. The pudding was well made and decadently topped with a generous serve of luscious ice cream.

Mr & Mrs Howell offers uncomplicated, affordable, masterfully executed Modern Australian dishes within a highly contemporary fit-out which combines the best of old and new. 

Location: 173 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Phone: 03 8657 8571
Link: http://www.mrandmrshowell.com/
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Mr & Mrs Howell.

Kikkoman launches Rice Inspir-Asian snack range

The world’s favourite soy sauce manufacturer has just announced the launch of an exciting new range of convenient microwavable rice snacks. 

The Kikkoman Rice Inspir-Asian™ range of instant meals includes Teriyaki, Nasi Goreng, Curried Rice and Korean Bibimbap and boasts the same authentic flavour that Kikkoman is famous for.

We liked how the packs were ready in just 45 seconds, making it an ideal companion for the avid snacker or for a hearty filling meal by simply adding meat or vegetables. 

The rice packs are made from the highest grade jasmine rice and Kikkoman special sauce recipes.

The range currently comprises of the Teriyaki, Bibimbap, Nasi Goreng and Curried Rice. Our favourite was the Bibimbap which is a delicious combination of spices complemented by Kikkoman’s naturally brewed soy sauce. This signature Korean dish is not for the faint hearted with the powerful and spicy sauce made with garlic, sesame oil and a Korean chilli paste.

The Kikkoman Rice Inspir-Asian™ range is now available from Woolworths’ stores nationally.

To find out more visit www.kikkoman.com.au.

Gastrology bloggers received the product courtesy of Kikkoman.

Mission Foods Red Quinoa and Chia wraps

Mission recently launched their Chia & Red Quinoa Wraps, a delicious and healthy addition to their wide variety of products from Mission Foods range. 

Gastrology received these products courtesy of Nuffnang's Product Talk and Mission Foods.

The Chia Wraps contain Chia seeds which are known as an ancient Aztec grain that contain a little bit of everything including omega-3 fats, calcium, dietary fibre and protein.

Toasted cheese wrap

The Red Quinoa Wraps on the other hand contain Quinoa which is known as the “mother of all grains” by the Aztecs. Touted as a superfood, Quinoa has the perfect balance of all nice amino acids essential for human nutrition.

Banana and peanut butter wraps

We really enjoyed the great taste of the wraps which are particularly delicious when toasted. They are perfect with both savoury and sweet options and are a great way to stay healthy when served with fresh and lean healthy options.

These wraps are available in WOW and selected independent supermarkets for RRP $4.79.

Find out more here,

Good Food Month Program Launch - Free Pierre Roelofs ice creams @ Queensbridge Square [29 September 2015]

After smashing attendance records last year The Age Good Food Month presented by Citi is back in Melbourne this November as part of the world’s largest food festival, Good Food Month.

In a special program launch day offer an ice-cream van of sweet delights will be popping up tomorrow at Queensbridge Square from 12pm-1pm offering up to 200 free ice-creams from the king of dessert-for-dinner degustations Pierre Roelofs.

Released today, The Age Good Food Month program has more than 240 events taking place across the city and regional Victoria from 1-30 November, where Melbourne’s food-loving locals and visitors will get to join the feast through a variety of masterclasses, tastings, indulgent one-off events and even raves.

Vinitalia 2015 [11 October 2015]

Vinitalia is an event dedicated to the promotion of Italian wine (main focus) and Italian food (complementing wine) where commercial, educational and enjoyable aspects mingle together in a program made up of degustations, wine masterclasses, workshops and business meetings.

The breathtaking Royal Exhibition Building will provide the sophisticated backdrop for this enticing food and wine opera, presenting guests with a visual feast as you weave your way through tables of over 400 premium wine labels accompanied by delicious and authentic gourmet food, whilst you let yourself be transported by Mirko’s jazz tunes. 

The day promises to be a real experience, rewarding the palate and evoking emotions with its casual mix of refined flavours and dynamic notes… and an unexpected finale. 

THE PROGRAM:

1. Theatre with stage (auditorium style) on the showfloor 

Tentative program: 

11.15am – Roasting the perfect Italian coffee (TBC) 

12.00pm – Italian Aperitivo: Spritz & C. demo 

12.45pm – Mozzarella stretching demo with Giorgio Linfguanti from That’s Amore Cheese 

1.30pm – Ospitalita’ Italiana Restaurants & ANZIS Sommelier awards 

3.00pm – Italian Jazz with Mirko Guerrini 

3.45pm – Vinitalia Wine List Award 

4.30pm – Italian Jazz with Mirko Guerrini 

5.15pm – Cocktails and surrounding demo 

6.00pm – Italian Jazz with Mirko Guerrini 

2. Classroom on the first level where there will be masterclasses (ticketed) about: 

11.30 am – 12.30am 

Piedmont: Italy’s most awarded wine region 

Speaker: Roberto Bellini (President of AIS Associazione Italiana Sommelier) and Mark 

Protheroe (Guy Grossi’s Restaurants Head Sommelier)

1.00pm – 2.00pm 

Orange, White and Amber- Onto the Dinner Table 

Presenter: Joshua Elias from Alquimie

2.30pm – 3.30pm 

Organic, biodynamic and natural wines from Italy 

Presenter: Max Allen 

4.00pm – 5.00pm 

A Tuscan Selection Panel discussion with Joshua Elias (from Alquimie) and Michael Trembath (from Trembath & Taylor) 

5.30pm – 6.30pm 

Grappa & Acquavite: peculiarities and inimitableness Panel discussion presented by Jay Bassell (from The Carlton Wine Room) with John Portelli from Enoteca Sileno, Andrea Morazzoni from Navigli and Marco Senia from ANZIS Australia New Zealand Italian Sommeliers 

3. DOC Apericena – from 7.00pm to 9.00pm 

At 7.00pm the curtain will fall on the exhibition while the stage will light up on for an evening event: the Apericena, an Italian style after finger food.

For more details, head to http://www.italcham.com.au/gustoitaliano/vinitalia2015/index.html.

Nuggetty Creek Olive Oil

At Nuggetty Creek Olives their passion is to produce the best tasting extra virgin olive oil experience.

To achieve this they harvest early, press the olives within hours, working through the night to process what they strive to be the freshest, best tasting extra virgin olive oil available.

We absolutely adored Nuggetty Creek oil. Boasting a fresh taste of extra virgin olive oil we loved both the aroma and the luxurious texture. 

All their oils are tested to ensure true extra virgin oil at the Department of Primary Industry NSW, the only  IOC (International Oil Council) approved Laboratory in Australia.

No poison is used in the olive grove ensuring pure extra virgin olive oil.

Find out more about Nuggetty Creek Olive Oil here.

Gastrology bloggers sampled the product courtesy of Nuggetty Creek Olive Oil.

Mick Adams Burger Bar

Gastrology recently joined Mick Adams Burger Bar for a delicious evening which featured some of the finest burgers from the streets of Oakleigh.

The eatery is named after Greek born Australian business entrepreneur, Joachim Tavlaridis (who later became known as Mick Adams) who opened Australia’s first and possibly the world’s first Milk Bar in Sydney’s Martin Place back in 1932. Based on the American-style soda parlours of the 1930s, Mick’s concept proved popular and within 5 years there were over 4,000 independently run milk bars across Australia.

In line with the Mick Adams spirit, owners Michael and Theo have created a comfortable environment which pays homage through food and service to all those who have shaped our understanding of what it means to be simply Australian.

We enjoyed the Spicy Jorge burger - an almighty burger with a large 200g grass fed patty, red cheddar, tomato, jalapeno, crispy bacon, cos lettuce, mustard aioli and “bada-bing” sauce all squeezed into a fresh, toasted brioche bun. It was the small details that set it apart - from the slightly crispy edges of the pattie to the subtle smokiness of the bacon. Yum!

The Trout burger (a current menu special) was beautiful. It was a delicious burger with generous amounts of perfectly cooked trout, tangy Vietnamese slaw, aromatic coriander and crispy noodles which added texture. Each element was precisely portioned and cooked with love.

A testament to using ingredients that are of the highest quality and expertly judged fillings, Mick Adams Burger Bar is a winner.

Location: 38 Portman Street, Oakleigh

Phone: 03 9563 0331
Link: Facebook, Instagram

Cuisine: Burgers

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Mick Adams Burger Bar.

Monkey King

Set in the heart of the city, the Monkey King Bar is business entrepreneur and dumpling master David Zhou’s latest eatery which takes Melbournians on a food adventure with delicious pan-Asian cuisine. 

Under Zhou’s watchful eye, Monkey King Bar presents a delightful dining experienced coupled with a brilliant cocktail list to enhance and compliment a good night out.

From left: Passionfruit Caprioska; Berry Mojito

The bar offers a concise, considered and well-priced wine list as well as cocktails that are bursting with flavour. We particularly enjoyed the Passionfruit Caprioska (one of the latest additions to their cocktail menu). A moreish cocktail which was both fresh and zingy.  

Mao Pao Tofu

The food menu comprises a selection of delectable dishes – and all items are perfect for snacking on or making a meal of over the libations.  

Wagyu beef dumplings with Lemongrass and Ginger tea infused sauce with a hint of chilli

We were delighted by the tasty selection of delectable dim sum. Each dumpling had gracefully delicate pastry skin enveloping rich and tasty fillings.  

Clockwise from top left: Pan fried pork & chive dumplings with chilli vinegar dipping sauce; Tibetan lamb skewers; The Immortal vegetarian dumplings; Sate Madura chicken skewers

The skewers are also highly recommended. Each morsel was sufficiently seasoned and had benefited from a delectable outer charring courtesy of spending the perfect time on the grill.

Black bean beef with sliced almonds

The Black bean beef with sliced almonds was a delicious main course. Generous morsels of tender beef slathered in luscious umami laden black bean sauce and lightly adorned with sliced almonds, it was a dish that married particularly well with fluffy steamed buns. 

Foreground: Nutella & peanut butter spring rolls dipped in chocolate and nuts 

Background: Wangs taro - sweet honey & sesame taro

The desserts on the menu, did not disappoint. We loved the traditional dessert of sweet honey and sesame taro which featured taro morsels which were each coated with a perfectly crispy exterior and gooey soft centre. The modern dessert of Nutella and peanut butter spring rolls dipped in chocolate and nuts also pleased - I mean Nutella and peanut butter? It was always going to be good.

Monkey King Bar is a brilliant watering hole that will take you on a journey of enlightenment over Pan-Asian delights from the Orient and beyond.

Location: Melbourne Central, Ground Level, Corner of Swanston Street and La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9066 0207

Link: http://www.monkeykingbar.com.au/

Cuisine: Pan Asian

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Monkey King.

Sabai

New-comer Sabai in Richmond celebrates assertive Thai flavours with youthful vigour.

With owners and chefs, Manpreet and his wife’s collective 25 years of experience in the industry, the restaurant is in safe hands. The menu is, quite simply put, sensational, boasting classically-inspired and creative Thai cuisine that makes a statement.

BBQ pork neck sticky rice, nam jim jaew

We started with the BBQ pork neck sticky rice. A simple and tasty starter that was packed with flavour, we particularly loved the smoky flavours imparted by the pork neck and the perfectly spiced nam jim jaew that brought the dish together alongside the gooey sticky rice. 

Chicken, sweet corn and shitake Dumplings chili jam

The velvety dumpling pastry was beautiful in texture and the accompanying sea of sweet chili jam was pleasantly appetising. 

Crispy barramundi, fresh herb & apple salad chili, lemongrass & sweet sour dressing

Our first main course was an interesting take on the traditional. Instead of the barramundi being served whole, it had been decidedly cubed and then fried to a perfect crispy exterior with plenty of surface area to soak up the pleasant chili, lemongrass and sweet sour dressing.

Slow braised lamb shank Massaman, potato, cashews & roti

The slow braised lamb shank Massaman was a show stopper. The lamb was falling off the bone and was beautifully tender and succulent.  Harmonising a perfect balance of spices and sweetness, the accompanying curry was one of the best examples of a massaman curry we have had. Together with steamed rice, the robust and fragrant dish was an addictive and comforting dish.

Duck Salad, spicy asian slaw, baby raddish, & caramalised popcorn

The duck salad was a multitude of fresh and intense flavours and was highlighted by the luxuriously tender duck and gentle tartness of the spicy asian slaw.  

Coconut ice cream, kaffir lime toffee

The coconut ice cream was refreshing. Of particular note was the addition of kaffir lime leaves which added interest and enhanced the flavour of the ice cream.

Thai Tea Pannacotta, coconut crumble, berries

Sabai’s take on the pannacotta was delicious. Wonderfully melt in your mouth, the pannacotta went beautifully with the textural coconut crumble and frozen berries. A welcome departure from the mundane, this dessert offered its own unique characteristics. We loved the familiar yet different flavour combinations. 

With a firm grasp on the fine art of balancing Thai flavours of salinity, sweetness, heat and acidity, Sabai offers a compelling proposition of beautiful and punchy food. This, combined with a team that clearly loves the food with a passion, Sabai is a welcomed addition to the Richmond dining scene.

Location:

460 Church Street, Richmond

Phone:

03 8528 6884

Link:

http://www.sabairichmond.com.au/

Cuisine:

Thai

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Sabai.

Yardmill celebrates one year with launch of new Raw High Tea series

Yardmill Kitchen and Grocery have a new offering set to hit Melbourne in October.

With a unique ‘real food’ focus – Yardmill is launching a new Raw High Tea Series made from nutritious and raw ingredients, with no refined sugars, no dairy, no gluten and 100% raw.

The launch is to celebrate their first birthday, one year since opening.

The Yardmill Raw High Tea Series can be consumed in store, take away or via home delivery. 

Gastrology will be sampling these offerings soon so stay tuned for our full write-up!

Find out more here.

MGallery Literary Collection - "Celebrity Dining" @ The Como

By Jessica Williams.

The Wheeler Centre – Melbourne’s hub for literary art – is taking part in a new literary collaboration with the MGallery Collection – a selection of nine hotels in Australia, each inspired by a story, either historic or contemporary.

Gastrology was privileged to be invited to attend its Debra Oswald Event at The Como Melbourne on Chapel Street recently. A brilliant evening of gorgeous food and literary talent. It made the team at Gastrology proud to be part of the booming literary community in Melbourne. 

The evening began with champagne, lavender martinis and canapés in The Como Melbourne foyer - a contemporary and welcoming hotel in South Yarra – before being invited to proceed up the elevator to level 6 to the beautiful penthouse event space, Gold Suite. 

The Como Melbourne General Manager Jeremy Healy and Kendra Overall from the Wheeler Centre introduced the night ahead once we had taken our seats. The Como Melbourne – member of the MGallery Collection together with Wheeler Centre had intentionally capped ticket numbers to create an intimate dinner atmosphere in the romantically lit room. Forty people sat around four round tables complete with black table cloths, gorgeous spring blooms and a beautiful grand piano provided stunning background music. We felt so fortunate to be a part of the evening. 

A smooth and rich duck terrine was served with toasted brioche, fig and lime chutney and a soft herb salad for entrée – matched with a stunning 2013 Rockbare Chardonnay from McLaren Vale in South Australia it was an enticing way to begin the meal. 

The MGallery Literary Collection offers Australian writers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different city through a three day residence in one of the nine hotels. The aim is to provide writers with a creative retreat; a chance to focus on their writing and creative practice, away from the demands and distractions of everyday life. 

Our special guest, Debra Oswald, was the creative genius behind the television show Offspring. It was so fascinating – for the many Offspring fans out there – to hear firsthand what it like to be the woman who wrote Patrick’s death. Yes, we met with the woman who caused thousands of Australian hearts to break simultaneously. Debra also wrote multiple episodes of Bananas in Pyjamas and has recently release a new book entitled Useful. Of which we now own a signed copy of, yay!

For main, King George Whiting with Carrot Tarte Tatin, Pea Puree and a luscious Lemon sauce were alternated with Beef Eye Fillet served with potato rosti, asparagus spears and a sweet jus. 

The food served throughout the evening was of such high and beautiful quality. The way in which creativity of food and creativity of literature and music all seemed to collide in the same space was a beautiful thing to be a part of. 

As mains were cleared, Debra Oswald was introduced to the room. The conversation-style presentation between the author and Sarah Greenstone from The Wheeler Centre sustained the feeling of intimacy intended for The Como Melbourne event. 

Oswald is a brilliant, quirky woman of whom anyone could gleam some insight from. She doesn’t seem to take herself to seriously, and was happy to exhibit her career in the literary industry openly and honestly. 

We learnt that Offspring was a ten page pitch for four years before it was picked up to be made in to a TV show. For so long Oswald was the only one who believed in the story of the Proudmans. Kat Stewart (Billie Proudman) and a few other Offspring team members were at the enlightening event in support of Debra. Slyly keeping their mouths shut ahead of a surprising Offspring Season 6 announcement just days later. 

Debra shared insights from her past, and joked about her genuine surprise that she made it as a playwright with happily married parents and an upbringing in a non-happening suburban town. 

We all reminisced about the bananas and their friends the bears. And learnt that all empowering story lines were handed to the female characters of the childrens’ show. “I offered to invest in fabric to provide just one testicle for Morgan,” Oswald jested. 

The presentation ended as dessert was served. And while the Chilli and Dark Chocolate Pudding with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Popping Candy, matched with a Yalumba Botrytis, looked like absolute heaven. None of us wanted Debra to return to her seat. A fascinating, smart and entertaining woman, we were so honoured to be allowed the opportunity to learn from Debra’s beguiling mind. 

The Wheeler Centre is Melbourne’s home for smart, passionate and entertaining public talks on every topic. To be a guest at one of their future events, head to www.thewheelercentre.com and sign up to their newsletter to learn about the 200+ events that take place every year.

Gastrology bloggers attended the event courtesy of MGallery.

COCO RUM

Hawthorn and premiership player Josh Gibson and entrepreneur Hamish Buckley, co-founders of one of Australia’s leading premixed brands “Coco” have introduced an exciting and enticing new product: COCO RUM which will hit stores nationally this month.

Following the success of COCO VODKA, COCO RUM is made from coconut water, white rum and all natural ingredients. The new drink is helping consumers shake the winter chill in time for a balmy summer.

The Coco brand strives to deliver innovative offerings that provide consumers more choice and flexibility and Coco Rum continues this same philosophy. It has even less sugar than its vodka counterpart with only 4.5 grams per 100mls. 

Coco Rum will exude the same simple style as Coco Vodka, and will be available in either a four pack or a 24 pack of 250ml cans. Drink it straight from the can or pour it over ice!

Royal Melbourne Show 2015‎ [19 - 29 September 2015]

The 2015 Royal Melbourne Show, Victoria's largest and most iconic annual community event, is running from Saturday, 19 to Tuesday, 29 September at Melbourne Showgrounds.

Conducted annually by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the Royal Melbourne Show celebrates and showcases excellence in agriculture, attracting close to 500,000 people over 11 spectacular days.

Open daily from 10:00am to 9:00pm, the Royal Melbourne Show offers a huge variety of unique memorable agricultural experiences that are entertaining, interactive, educational and fun for young and old alike.

With over 350 showbags on offer at this years Royal Melbourne Show, there's something for everyone.

With an expanded and enhanced animal precinct, only at the Royal Melbourne Show can visitors get up close to thousands of animals, including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, cats and dogs.

Food-lovers will enjoy tantalising tastes and mouth-watering aromas at the Royal Melbourne Show with the event featuring award-winning food and drink from top producers, rotating pop-up restaurants and intimate masterclasses and cooking demonstrations from Australia’s finest chefs and industry experts.

Some of Melbourne's most celebrated restaurants will be popping up at the Royal Melbourne Show and their menus are sure to get your mouth watering.

For the first time ever, Adriano Zumbo brings his exquisite sweet treats to the Royal Melbourne Show, appearing in the popular Dessert Bar for the first seven days, from Saturday 19 to Friday 25 September.

Visitors to the Winning Tastes Pavilion will be spoilt for choice with South Melbourne’s newest dessert boutique, Bibelot, also featuring in the Dessert Bar with its European-inspired cakes, chocolates and pastries on the remaining four days of the Show, from Saturday 26 to Tuesday 29 September.

Burger-lovers will enjoy Daniel Wilson’s Huxtaburger with a taste of Huxtable, popping up in the Winning Tastes Pavilion on Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 September, offering their famed Wagyu burgers and Huxtable tasting plate.

Foodies looking for more exotic flavours will delight in Rumi’s delectable Middle-Eastern inspired menu from Saturday 19 to Tuesday 22 September. We absolutely adored the dish of Pulled Lamb Iskender - bursting with flavour and wonderfully tender, the lamb was adorned with luscious yogurt, fresh tomato sauce. Fluffy flat bread acted as a wonderful canvas for the dish, soaking the delicious flavours.

Your taste buds will go into overdrive with the finest award-winning produce from the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards and Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, including gourmet cheese and cured meat plates, glasses of award-winning wine, cups of award-winning coffee, gourmet ice cream and pies, available for purchase in the Fine Food Deli.

For the first time at the Royal Melbourne Show, enjoy a little ‘cocktail hour’ with a tasty tipple, from 12noon to 6pm at the Speakeasy Cocktail Bar. 

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar also makes an appearance at the show, offering delicious pizzas, minus the guilt. Their Royal Melbourne Show menu offers a selection from Crust's menu including some classic combinations as well as some more adventurous gourmet options. 

Boasting hours of free world-class entertainment and performances, the thrill and excitement of carnival rides, spectacular stunts, glittering nightly fireworks and much more, there's an amazing variety of things to do at this year's Royal Melbourne Show.

Tickets to the 2015 Royal Melbourne Show are on sale from Monday, 3 August and there are a number of great value ticket options.

For all things to do at the Show and ticket packages, visit the new and improved Royal Melbourne Show website, www.royalshow.com.au and follow the Royal Melbourne Show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What: Royal Melbourne Show

Where: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale 

Dates: 19 - 29 September 2015

Gastrology bloggers attended the event courtesy of Royal Melbourne Show.

The Wine Gallery

Founded by Tom Walenkamp and multiple award winning sommelier Banjo Harris, The Wine Gallery is a new online wine store designed to simplify the wine buying experience. 

The Wine Gallery differs from other online wine stores in a few key areas. The Wine Gallery stocks 20 varieties of wine but only one of each variety is available at any one time. All wines are selected by Banjo from boutique wineries around the world and are identically priced (from $20 - $25 per bottle depending on the number of bottles purchased). Then, to make things really easy, you can choose your wines by food, mood, tastes or the weather. Simple.

Gastrology recently took The Wine Gallery website for a spin. We searched for wines that would match well with Italian food and were presented with a Sangiovese from the McLaren Vale and a Spanish Tempranillo - so we ordered both!

Tempranillo, Quinta Milu 'Milu' 2013, Ribera Del Duero, Spain

Sangiovese, Hedonist 2014, McLaren Vale, South Australia

Tasting notes for each wine from Tom and Banjo are also helpfully included on the website. 

We were really impressed by our experience testing out The Wine Gallery - both wines represented great value, matched beautifully with our Italian dinner, were well packaged and arrived extremely swiftly. If you find choosing the right wine to suit your food, mood, tastes or the weather daunting at times, The Wine Gallery is definitely worth a try. 

For more information visit http://www.thewinegallery.com.au/.

Gastrology bloggers sampled the product courtesy of The Wine Gallery.

Long Story Short Cafe

Sitting unassumingly in a quiet street off bustling Bridge Road, Long Story Short is a delightful café exuding modern chic charm with its modern interior, wooden benches, ceiling-suspended lighting and touches of greenery. 

As expected of any great Melbourne café, the coffee is excellent (Eagle Vision by Proud Mary) and poured by adept baristas. 

The drinks selection also includes welcomed additions such as matcha lattes and Sisko hot chocolates.

Poached Chicken Salad, Beluga lentils, chickpeas, dukkah, harissa yogurt, spinach leaves and kimchi popcorn

Perfect for the warm weather, this was a lovely salad of tender roasted chicken breast served on a bed of baby spinach, lentils and chickpeas. The scattered kimchi popcorn added a delicious salinity and spicy kick to the dish while the tangy harissa yogurt dressing brought all the elements of the salad together.

Grilled calamari salad with rocket, chickpeas, quinoa and Vietnamese dressing

A delicious salad of perfectly grilled calamari that was spiced up with a Vietnamese tangy dressing, we loved the freshness of this salad and its Asian-influenced flavour combinations.  

Pepe Saya Buttermilk Pancakes with caramelised banana, peanut butter, sour cream and vanilla ice cream

The Buttermilk Pancakes were a showstopper.  A simple breakfast favourite that amalgamates the best things in life (such as ice cream). The pancakes were fluffy and moist and embellished with wonderfully caramelised banana, decadent peanut butter and balanced with slightly tart sour cream. Yum!

Armed with amiable staff and a great selection of honestly prepared food and beverage, Long Story Short puts most cafes to shame.

Location: 10/53 Coppin Street, Richmond

Phone: 03 9421 6221

Link: http://www.longstoryshortcafe.com.au/

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Long Story Short Cafe.

Blue Chillies

16 years on Blue Chillies continues to be one of Melbourne’s favourite modern Malaysian restaurants.

Located in the iconic Brunswick Street Fitzroy dining district, Blue Chillies have been serving locals and visitors alike over the past 15 years with an ever progressive menu of signature takes on classic Malaysian flavours with a Melbourne flair.

By combining fresh local ingredients with imported spices and traditional Malaysian cooking techniques, the Blue Chillies kitchen has been able to expand on their extensive experience of hawker-style cooking on the streets of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. 

Black pepper soft-shell crab

We loved Blue Chillies’ enticing soft shell crab. The deep fried crustacean pieces were coated in a semi-thick crisp batter that encapsulated firm, sweet flesh. Served with ground peppercorn sauce and aromatic curry leaves, this dish was simply superb.

Rockling fillets with curry leaves, chilli, spices and buttered egg floss

The rockling was encased in light and crispy tempura batter. This dish was pure comfort food and laced with feather light egg floss, just the right hint of chilli and aromatic curry leaves. The egg floss was one of the most delicate we have seen, a testament to the chef’s wok skills. 

Pork ribs with chilli jam

The pork ribs were expertly prepared - juicy and succulent from having been wok roasted. The outstanding ribs were slathered with a flavoursome and sticky chilli jam sauce.

Assam Prawns with okra, stringless beans and tomatoes

The Spicy Assam Prawns were 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 seafood.

Belachan asparagus

The wonderfully fresh and organic asparagus were smothered with a beautiful belachan sambal paste. It had the perfect level of heat and was cooked very well.

Black sticky rice pudding 

A modern take on the traditional Malaysian dessert of black sticky rice pudding with coconut milk, this bowl of goodness arrived as pretty as a picture, boasting a lovely deep purple colour. Blue Chillies’ version was absolutely moreish - luscious and striking without being too sweet. We loved the crisp exterior of each morsel of rice and the addition of toasted coconut which provided a great textural element to the dish. 

Pandan crepes

The kueh dada (pandan crepes) were lovely. This sweet coconut stuffed pancake roll was beautifully made and matched perfectly with the creamy, cold ice cream. It was an especially gratifying dessert that concluded our evening on a sweet high.

Serving up dishes that have a focus on balance in texture, flavour and presentation, Blue Chillies pleases with innovative yet familiar Malaysian dishes. 

Location: 182 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Phone: 03 9417 0071

Link: http://bluechillies.com.au/

Cuisine: Malaysian, Asian

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Blue Chillies.