![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/banner-davidson-2_38083.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Another seriously good cheap-eats option is a simple sushi shop I was recommended recently, which fortunately is within a short journey from my doorstep.<\/p>\n
For me, it went to show that even franchised spots can have their better, and worse, outlets.<\/p>\n
Hi Sushi in Newtown (Pakington Street) is the former of the two, proving you shouldn’t necessarily judge the book \u2013 or in this case, the shop-front of a chain \u2013 by its name.<\/p>\n
Fresh, fairly portioned, good ingredients and quick: all the things I want from a local sushi and japas (Japanese-tapas) place. Oh, inexpensive too.<\/p>\n
Finally, in the way of value dining out opportunities, here’s one a little out of the box.<\/p>\n
Nestled amongst the greenery of our Eastern Park precinct is the recently renovated Eden Oak, right next to where our Geelong Botanical Gardens sit.<\/p>\n
Probably unknown to many, located here is a 46 accommodation room\/function facility with all the trimmings, including a small Thai restaurant called Eden Thai.<\/p>\n
Thankfully it’s also open to the public (and has a welcoming adjacent bar area), as it’s a cost-efficient choice for anyone who enjoys this cuisine. And let’s face it, who doesn’t.<\/p>\n
All the classic menu hits are on (eg Kapow Gai, Tom Yum, Pad Thai etc) as well as a couple of dishes I’d never heard of before, yet enjoyed. Check on Google Maps for where to access.<\/p>\n
Staying in the gardens, here’s an event that might be of interest to pencil in the diary.<\/p>\n
In just under a month’s time, Eclipse: In Bloom, will be an immersive experience that comes alive after sunset and tells the story of the biodiversity found in the our botanic gardens.<\/p>\n
Visitors can expect to encounter delicate glowing habitats as well as spectacular large-scale installations, all of which celebrate the connection between nature, light and imagination.<\/p>\n
Gates will open from 5.25pm until 9pm, so there’s plenty of time to work your way around the entire landscape.<\/p>\n
Make sure you call past WYM (Where You Meet) as you’re passing through for a refreshment or two: they do great coffee and other warming drinks, as well as adult beverages (equally as warming).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Providing it’s not raining cats and dogs, what a great night out this should be.<\/p>\n Mead. The drink of Viking kings and Nordic villains.<\/p>\n Neither wine nor spirit, it’s an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water and (sometimes) added ingredients such as fruits, spices, grains or hops.<\/p>\n Well, we have some of Australia’s examples of this ancient drink right here in our own backyard, with Geelong’s first meadery (yes, that’s a real word) Three Horn Brewing, having won a small string of awards over the past few years.<\/p>\n If you’re keen to sample the fruits of their labour, Little Creatures is hosting the mead-makers as a part of their Winter Solstice Takeover event on 20 June, with their range open and ready to pour for anyone interested to learn more on this more than 8,000-year-old drink. Sk\u00e5l! (\u2026ol’ Viking speak for cheers, I’m told)<\/p>\n Next week, I’ll give readers a full rundown on all the best events featured in this year’s Tastes of Greater Geelong program, which was released just this week.<\/p>\n There’s some reasonably exciting dates and I intend to explain some of these in detail. Stand by.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR some diners, it’s all about the cash right now. Discount eats, half-priced meal deals and two-for-one offers. I can’t think of any restaurant in our local area not offering some sort of dining concession to entice us penny-conscious eaters. The classic lunchtime special is probably the best example of how competitive venues are becoming. […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/1_RsuHjk-9tVpbbYv-HT_44621.jpg\")