Baked, red, foraged and raw

BY CAM O’KEEFE

Like most, I’m always open to suggestions of local Indian restaurants I haven’t yet tried, and this week’s recommendation came from colleague who thought they’d tried almost all in town.

Jugni (Waurn Ponds) was indeed quite the surprise packet when I ventured in to check their advice. Happily, I can report this place succeeded with meeting above-expectation on the food front, rocketing it up there with what I feel is close to some of the better (or best) in Geelong. I was a little sceptical when I heard the venue was found next to a cinema and filled with pink neon, but with location (and choice of lighting set aside) this is really good, fairly authentic Indian food for very reasonable prices. Lucky for those in the surrounding south-western Geelong suburbs.

For those in Highton that haven’t yet frequented, Pane di Matteo (Porter Avenue) is doing some seriously tasty treats in the patisserie department. I went to drop in a couple of Sundays back only to be greeted by a sign on the window explaining they had happily sold out for the week and subsequently shut the doors. Frustration aside, the place does some brilliant ciabatta, spelt sourdough and pasta dura (crusty, yet airy, northern Italian style bread) – the place is a must for those in the area who appreciate some old school baking quality. Coffee too, isn’t at all bad here.

 

Ocean Grove have welcomed an exciting addition to their midweek/weekend dining option with the addition of the opening of Red Park, the former site that housed Napona for almost a decade and a half. It’s certainly upsetting to see any established local hospitality venue fail, but it’s probably equally encouraging to a new vendor taking over its reins, (re)building on the foundation the previous incarnation had established during its tenure. The new custodians of the space are not unfamiliar with the hospitality game, having been a part of the Melbourne success story Heartattack and Vine (Carlton) with their mix of all-day/night dining and quality drinks offering. The owners aren’t trying to replicate the formula here in Ocean Grove, yet rather wanting to bring some of that successful DNA to one of our best seaside town destinations along the Surf Coast. I’m yet to mention their night food offering is a mix of pizza (using 48-hour fermented dough) and cocktails, adding a more (probably) needed, better drinking destination for Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads folk.

A quick reminder about the excellent Forage to Feast event happening in a couple of weeks as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. The new jewel of Queenscliff, Tarra, will be the host for not just another tabled dinner, but more an immersive dining experience. The show starts with a foraged walk through the restaurant’s surrounding beachside by the executive chef, Mike Jacques: he’ll chat through the native produce able to be sourced directly from the venue’s proximity, as well as the dos and don’ts of Foraging 1.1. Following this, guests will then enjoy a bespoke menu reflecting the philosophy the Chef had just communicated, noting the sustainability and seasonality focus of the restaurant’s regular food (and beverage) menu. For less than $200, this could be an event very worthy of your dining dollars. Simple things done extraordinarily well is the venue’s mantra: let me know if you make it along and agree! ([email protected])

 

Geelong’s waterfront has received another addition this month, with the opening of The Raw. Serving freshly shucked oysters, sushi sandwiches and quality sashimi, the concept is a bit of a no-brainer when you consider the view and the lack of decent seafood options in Geelong. Also, this is the sister venue to busy morning/lunch spot Brown Deli (found a block and half over west of this new location) so we figure the experience of the operators hopefully mean success is achieved. Currently lunch only, a pending liquour licence will dictate when the venue can operate evenings (likely April) with the promise of a more refined seafood offering. Stay tuned. (*not yet tried, but certainly looking forward to)

Finally – and a little off the food and wine track here – I had the pleasure of attending the annual Ryan Gatgens Memorial Golf Day a couple of weekends back. This event, now in its fifth year, has become one of the most loved and supported events on the Bellarine’s calendar, but (more importantly) has become one of the biggest fundraisers for Hope Bereavement Care. HBC is an incredible, Geelong-born organisation that offers support for those who experience sudden and unexpected grief. Surviving the heat, those 300 (plus) in attendance enjoyed a day of fun, community spirit and reflection. It was an occasion, and cause, that was truly worthy of raising our glasses to.