The Thais have it

IF anyone was to ask me my favourite food continent to travel through, it would hands down be Asia.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit several times, each having given its own insight into a breadth of cooking styles and ingredients we just can’t replicate here in Australia. Asia is a big place but, so let me get more specific and say Indochina. This southeast melting pot of civilisations, once heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese cultures, has long held its own unmistakable identity when it comes to cuisine. Where am I going with all this? Well, my love for Thai food, for one. And I can happily report on a few positive (local) fronts in this department: the first, being the announcement of a second outpost of Hommali, a Geelong CBD Thai favourite. There are many (many) food themes when it comes to Thailand – particularly as you start to venture into the more fiery, heat-driven dishes of the north – but at Hommali they focus on typical cuisine you’d find in and around Bangkok. Think Moo Ping (pork neck skewers) or Khao Mok Ped (Thai style duck biryani). They’ll be soon become a permanent fixture of Warralily Quarter, a new shopping/eating district next to The Village in Armstrong Creek. Any Thai food lovers out that way can rejoice: this will definitely become a spot on your weekly eat-out schedule.

 

Another brilliant local Thai offering (and probably my personal pick, truth be told) is Elephant Tusk, in Belmont. Don’t let its low-fuss appearance fool you: this is very much the destination in Geelong for proper (ie. authentic) Thai food. I don’t often eat in (although it’s perfectly fine inside) as their takeaway offering/quality is basically equal to it being served in front of you. A must if you’re looking for your next BYO spot. Rounding out the Thai topic, it’s worth also noting one of the newer Asian grocers in the CBD, which carry a modest (but decent) selection of Thai ingredients, amongst a pretty good selection of other Asian/pan-Asian eating material. Asian Thai Supermarket can be found on Mercer Street, and if anyone is wondering what a bag of the hot chili squid chips is like from there, it is HOT.

 

Some exciting new venue news came this week from the Rebecchis team, with the announcement of a hotdog-themed outlet popping up at the opposite end of their (current) Pakington Street café. You’ll find them where At Randy’s previously occupied, which although short-lived, had provided some lovely baked goods (and good coffee). I’m really looking forward to this place opening, as the sandwiches and food they do down the road at the original, is always spot on. As their branding suggests, a dogs gotta eat! Classic.

I’d like to give a shout out to the Geelong Jazz & Blues Festival too, happening this coming weekend in our CBD, principally along the Little Malop strip. Having attended this event in previous years, it’s a great opportunity to appreciate some of the musical talent we’ve harvested here in Geelong, as well as other nationally recognised acts. Over two days, there’ll be over forty performances, and participating venues include Piano Bar, Beavs Bar and the Courthouse. There’s obviously loads of food options around this area, so no doubt this little precinct will be a hive of activity. Jimi Hocking is playing (Sunday) which is definitely one of the highlights of the program, but I also really like The Mojo Corner (Saturday) – both will be playing at an event space known as Anabelas, on Shorts Place.

 

Finally, I couldn’t not mention one of the most celebrated days on the Irish calendar happening next week. St Patrick’s Day is of course the occasion I’m referring to, and although the day may be largely build around (ahem) consumption, it’s always a fun chance to get out amongst the cheery green public and enjoy a quiet (or loud) pint or two. I often get asked where the best poured and freshest Guinness can be found around Geelong, and my go-to answer is one of two, well-deserving, places. The Elephant and Castle is a personal favourite (I’ve enjoyed many a pint of the black here) but more recently, The Petrel Hotel has also fast become a spot for locals who appreciate the skill, and freshness, required to pour that perfect pint (they also have Kilkenny on tap too, if this is your Irish ale preference). Another option is Murphys, but their St Pats celebration seems to have turned into more of a nightclub in recent years rather than a proper opportunity to enjoy a decent dark drop. Anyway, wherever you are this Tuesday, 17 March, I hope it gives you a chance to appreciate the green and an opportunity to split the G.