Bringing you more of the good (food) stuff

I’m happy to report (or should I say, ecstatic) that The Geelong Palate will now be coming to you weekly, rather than the normal fortnightly format enjoyed over the past two-plus years.

Expect more regular updates on our local food, wine, hospitality and event scene, while using a little extra print space to highlight some of our best and most loved producers, and why they remain such an important part of our local community. If you’ve been enjoying this foodie roundup over the weeks, keep your ears open for our new monthly podcast too… more to come!

 

Geelong is (finally) getting a proper rooftop bar of note, with Crowne Plaza recently announcing a 10th floor sky bar which will form part of their hotel opening early next year. Rather than disco beats and cheap booze, expect a more serious offering of quality cocktails, upmarket bar food and attentive service. I feel the developer’s vision for this space is more in line with Melbourne examples of the style, rather than existing Geelong ones (thankfully). Downstairs, I’m told it’ll be all Italian themed, with an all-day wood-fire pizza menu, casual-yet-focused dining space that caters for both hotel guests and the busy local Geelong market. Add in 200 accommodation rooms and this is one hell of an operation: no doubt being adject to a new $450 million convention centre, these spaces and rooms will fill out quickly.

Winter seems to be a good season for local restaurant collaborations, as venues look to fill their naturally less busier dining spaces with events that might tempt diners out from the warmth of their loungerooms. One such collab that has caught my attention was the coming joining of forces between Rebecchis and Tulip. Although one is more a café (the other more a restaurant) both venues share a common love of good hospitality and using produce found as local as possible. The first of two events – happening July 26 – sees the Tulip team take over Rebecchis’ kitchen, the former sticking with the latter’s regular offering of making some of the best gourmet sandwiches in town, but with their own Tulip-twist. In return, the Rebecchis boys will pop-up at a later date with their own unique take on the restaurant’s food. Watch both their socials for more details.

 

I had a brilliant tip just this week gone about a local fishmonger doing great things (and you can imagine my joy when I discovered their shop was only a hop and skip down the road from me in Highton Village). The new shopfront of Kelp Seafood has been there for years (selling fish) but only under this brand for the past one or so. I called past for some fresh squid recently and it was great quality. Their fresh, daily assortment can include anything from the likes of sashimi-grade yellow fin tuna and red emperor fillets, to panko crumbed blue eye and smoked cod croquettes. Definitely worth a trip if you’re chasing some good sea bounty.

Love wine? Love sales? Love people? Well, owning your own wine bar/wine shop might be for you. For a little over the past decade, Union Cellars (originally known as Union Street Wine) has supplied Geelong winophiles with interesting and tasty bottles from their CBD and Minerva Road locations. After passing the vinous baton on for their original Union Street outpost over a year ago, the team are now ready to part way with their newer Herne Hill address also. They had a great run, and did great things for our local wine-thirsty community in terms of supply and knowledge. Big shoes to fill, but for the right operator – Geelong is your oyster (not mentioned: weekend penalty rates or late night closing times included!).

 

Finally, an event very close to my heart is happening in a couple of weeks at Truffleduck’s beautiful Balmoral facilities. It’s a breakfast charity to celebrate Hope Bereavement Care’s 40th anniversary in the Geelong community. Having supported tens of thousands of locals in need over the past four decades, this not-for-profit organisation has worked tirelessly to help those who experience sudden and unexpected loss. For any businesses or individuals wanting to show support to this incredible Geelong-based service, grab a ticket and be treated to a marvellous breakfast meal (Truffleduck do breakfast better than any other caterer in town) and a discussion with Geelong Cats goal kicking superstar Jeremy Cameron. For more information, search “Hope Bereavement Care” on the Eventbrite website.

See you next week.