Not just for summer

WHOEVER said our coast dies once winter hits, couldn’t have told a larger fib. In fact, if judged by the cold-embrace some towns and venues are showing over the coming few weeks, it would seem quite the opposite.

Each weekend during the month of June, the SENSE-sational Aireys Inlet Festival takes place, where it invites both locals and visitors to enjoy some of town’s cultural (and dining) experiences.

It’s a rather diverse program, featuring events based around film/documentary, wellness, arts and, of course, food.

Highlights of this last front include Puglian-style aperitivo nights, pasta-making courses, French baking demonstrations, and a string of lunches and dinners inspired by the surrounding native coastline.

Lots to like – see airey.org.au for the full fixture – but if there’s one event I can recommend you looking into it’s Santara’s A Fushion of Five Courses dinner next Friday 19 June.

I really liked this place in the past actually: its modern Indian/Nepalese-leaning menu is shared tastefully with some more contemporary options, pleasing both the more adventurous and safer, diners.

The chic, beachside fit-out makes the place all the more lovable too.

Opening next week in Torquay will be Mule: a small taqueria and bar, by Charlie Curnow, and chef mate, Rory Benzie.

The pair share a love of Mexican fair, so it made sense they open somewhere to pay tribute to the humble taco: an item the cuisine is so heavily loved for.

I’m told the tortilla will be made in house, and cooking over open flame will be the norm in this relaxed spot. Tequila-based cocktails, mezcal and tap beer are all a given.

Staying in Torquay, Bomboras used the quieter month of May to refresh its kitchen and food offering.

It decided to drop its dinner services entirely to focus solely on its lunchtime trade. Granted, it’s hard for a venue to sometimes manage both, so it’s positive they’ve chosen to follow the path they excel best at.

As part of this refresh, a set of new eyes have been given to the food menu too, with Chef James White handed carte blanche in terms of new dishes.

 

White has been in charge of the kitchen at sister-venue, The Kyn, since it opened a few years back, and has also been a Torquay local for decades, first coming of note when he was awarded a Chef Hat at Scorched Restaurant, as its co-owner/chef (circa, 2010).

Bomboras reopened last week (…I’m yet to get there myself) and it will no doubt be a hot-spot over the coming months, particularly as a few other daytime places tend to drop back their lunch hours over the winter period.

The final Wallington Pasta Social Club will be held in a couple of weeks at Mona Cicchetti Bar, before the team here takes a short break to plan for their next series of events.

For anyone who hasn’t yet been, it’s a simple (but great) concept that sits 40 diners along large communal tables, with a progression of antipasti, bread, pasta, dolce etc courses bought to the table to share.

Besides a generous amount of food (you won’t leave hungry) plenty of vino and amari are serviced alongside, ensuring your thirst-levels are equally as well catered for.

If you don’t mind who may be sitting next to you, it’s a social affair that nails the Italian-style, communal eating brief.

And for those unable to head coastal over the coming few weeks, Little Creatures will be host their annual Winter Wonderland event at the start of July.

Over two big days and nights the large open dining areas of the brewery play host to a range of family-friendly activities like winter-themed markets, petting zoos, face painting fairies, and food trucks and dessert stands galore.

Some live local music adds to a great community weekend. Ohh, probably some beer drinking too. Note, this is different to the Winter Solstice event reported last week, which features Three Horn meadery teaming up with Little Creatures for a one-off (more adult-themed) evening in their Barrell Hall. Another event worth your attention though, particularly any mead-fans out there.

 

Finally, if you’re a lover of local wines and haven’t come across the Mulline label yet, you need to get out more.

Mulline Vintners started only a handful of years ago, but has quickly made its mark in Geelong, particularly when it comes to exploring the many (many) nuances and micro-climates the vineyards of our region/sub-regions, enjoy.

For example, they have not one, but seven different pinot noirs that explore our varied Geelong landscapes.

In fact, I can’t say I’ve ever come across a producer that has explored more of Geelong’s regional vineyard differences than these guys. Head to their website to learn more.