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In other local wine bar news, the new Claret Wine Shop quietly opened its doors last week, offering Newtown residents an alternative choice to shop wines, spirits and beers, rather than at one of the big chains. Its owners are familiar faces, having operated the five-year old Blackhearts and Sparrows just a few doors up the road, until it closed (reasonably) abruptly at the end of last year. Their adjacent bar space (albeit tiny) is a neat spot to enjoy a glass or three, alongside a selection of tasty, simple bar snacks. They’ll be open Easter Saturday, but shut on the other public holidays. After this period however, it’s a seven-day affair for the shop, while Thursday-Sunday for the bar. The river end of Pakington Street has never looked better.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’ve been busy this past week too, sampling hot cross buns from as many local bakeries and supermarkets in order to bring you a favourite. Although it probably won’t come as a surprise, I’m happy to report that it will be well worth your while to swing by Born and Bread (Newtown) to enjoy some really great buns. Although orders are\/were highly recommended, make sure you get in early (very early, in fact) to secure yours. Porter Avenue Pies and Cakes (Highton) were very close to the top gong too, but they’re unfortunately shut all weekend, so suggesting them as an option to enjoy is basically pointless. Oh, and make sure you have some good quality butter to spread on these lovely fluffy and moist numbers.<\/p>\n If you’d prefer Easter beers rather than buns, Blackman’s have released a milk choc Easter egg stout that might suit your taste. A bucketload of real cocoa has been used in its creation, plus a mix of malts\/hops and lactose, to provide a smooth milk chocolate palate. It sold out quickly last year, so hit up their website or your quality local liquor retailer to ensure you don’t miss out this time round.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking ahead, there’s another couple of important events you may want to pencil into your calendar now, particularly given they’re both in their inaugural year. Always known as a place that understands how to throw a party, Little Creatures will launch their Barrels & Taps Festival in mid April. The day will bring together some of our state’s finest brewers, distillers, meadmakers and winemakers – all who are passionate about their choice of craft – in a bustling marketplace setting alongside food vendors and live music. Expect one-off festival keg releases and the chance to speak with the makers one on one, it’s promising to be the first of an annual event that’s set to attract both local and regional visitors.<\/p>\n The other calendar-worthy mention is Viral Food Festival: an event set to offer a mass of street food stalls and trucks including Brazilian barbecue, Philly cheese steaks and Dubai bubble waffles (the last of which I have no idea about, but sounds interesting enough). There’ll be rides, games, live DJs\/music and a wrestling ring (yes, why not?) plus tickets are a mere $7. Yes, why not?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RIGHT up there with the Christmas\/New Year holiday-period, the Easter long weekend is always a welcome break from the busy few months of the year’s beginning. And in the spirit of giving, I have a couple of sweet treats to share with you all, although not in the usual chocolate form (sorry) but rather as […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/palatecreaturesstack_48242.jpg\")
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