Beat Eats: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Edition by Furst Media

Issue N NO 86 ISSUE

Guide to eating out in Melbourne

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MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL EDITION 2018

GUIDE TO EATING OUT IN MELBOURNE Winter 2017

Contents 10

Feature

Special Comedy Events Michael Shafar Magic Steven Linda Catalano

Editor’s Note If there’s any time of year to experience Melbourne in full triumph, it’s without a sole glimmer of doubt during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Our theatres ignite, our talents are on show, and our circles collide for three weeks of thoughtprovoking art, from international acts to the next crop of comedy royalty. However, it’s the coming together before, during, and after shows that’s the true beauty of this festival. In this special edition of Beat Eats, we show you where to indulge at all hours. Perhaps you’re after a rich bowl of ragu pre-show, a charcuterie board during, and a Sloe Gin Cocktail to cap off the evening? Whatever you fancy, we’ll show you spectacular food and the art to pair with it. Our cover story with Michael Shafar offers a comedian’s take on where to dine, Magic Steven shares his existential experience whilst enjoying a cup of classically Melbourne coffee, and Linda Catalano invites us over for a night of Italian traditions and storytelling. I won’t give too much away, but you might just be able to try her Nonna’s secrets. Buon appetito!

Georgia Spanos

Trades Hall EDITOR Georgia Spanos georgia@furstmedia.com.au

Jacob Colliver James Di Fabrizio

WRITERS

DESIGN Ruby Furst

ON THE LIVEN APP OUTDOOR SEATING VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

COVER Photography by Ian Laidlaw Featuring Punch Lane (page 34) with comedian Michael Shafar (page 18)

OPPOSITE PAGE Trunk Restaurant & Bar (page 42) Photography by Julia Sansone

PHOTOGRAPHY Amy Weavell @bitesofmelbourne

GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS

Anabelle Dwyer Greta Richmond gretarichmondphoto.com

FREE WIRELESS TAKES BOOKINGS

Amanda Sherring, Anabelle Dwyer Chris Swan, David Class Gareth Morgan, Jess Prescott Jess Zanoni, Jessi G, Julia Sansone Matilda Ramsay, Nick Mason Rosie Santos, Stevie Zipper Tarnay Sass

ADVERTISING Georgia Spanos georgia@furstmedia.com.au Thom Parry thom@beat.com.au

FURST MEDIA PUBLISHING

VEGAN OPTIONS

LICENSED

Madeline Bishop madelinebishop.com Shaina Glenny shainakayephotography.com

SUB-EDITORS

VENUE KEY

Ian Laidlaw @ian.laidlaw

Level 1, No. 3 Newton Street, Richmond VIC 3121. Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Autumn 2018

Holly Hawkins hollyhawkins.com Jess Prescott wholygoodness.com Julia Sansone @thesansberry

BEAT.COM.AU

@BEAT_EATS

/BEATEATSAUS

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Beer DeLuxe FEDERATION SQUARE FLINDERS ST, MELBOURNE | BEERDELUXE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY ROSIE SANTOS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

Nestled between ACMI and the NGV at the iconic Federation Square, Beer DeLuxe is the perfect pitstop for a quick craft beer from the tap, or a feast with friends between laughs this Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The relaxed yet vibrant courtyard setting always has something flavourful going on, be it sporty celebration, cultural play or their own local DJ. Of course, behind the bar is where the real fun begins. Perhaps it’s a tap takeover that will delight your taste buds (currently featuring Hop Nation’s Juice Me Up Scotty pale ale from New England, with aromas of lemon peel and ripe papaya), something from their share plate or their specialty – food and beer pairing. Much more than just a bar, Beer DeLuxe surprises you with its myriad of offerings, such as the burger bar upstairs, the beer salon and the cafe and dining area – complete with an extensive and delicious fare. Serving up classic pub food with a modern twist, everyone is taken care of. Internationally inspired dishes like the tuna poke bowl, which present a texture as equally enticing as the taste, melt in your mouth. There’s very little as satisfying as a good, audible crunch – it’s definitely up there in the list of life’s small but mighty pleasures. The perfectly crisp prawn crackers in this dish are just the right contrast to the

succulent tuna. Combine this with the sweetness of red rice while the ginger keeps it all light and refreshing. If you’re looking for a healthy grounding option, the beautifully roasted butternut squash salad is for you. Squash is tumbled through quinoa, lentils, pomegranates, flaked almonds and lifted with refreshing coriander. It’s also served with a divine dollop of yoghurt and an excellent vegan choice upon request, which the staff are more than happy to accommodate to. Beer DeLuxe sure has the bases covered to say the least. If it’s a quick snack, lunch with friends, knock-off beers, or a night out on the town, you’re bound to have a fun and tasty time. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Everyday from 4 – 6pm: $8 selected pints, $7 basic spirits and $6 wines. Tuesdays available all day: $18 Beer & Pizza deal.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Brunetti 250 FLINDERS LN, MELBOURNE | BRUNETTI.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

Upon entering Brunetti – an institution of Carlton now finding a new home in the heart of the CBD – you’re greeted by an array of colourful cakes and sweet treats, with a coffee counter housed in the middle of the venue. Brunetti are a venue that understands what they’re traditionally known for and are making it easily available to customers. Utilizing a massive space, the restaurant is seemingly broken into two segments, each with its own unique style of dining. As large as it is, it feels as intimate as any suburban cafe once you’re in your seat. It buzzes with activity, but you won’t struggle to find a table. Towards the rear you’ll find the Campari Bar, boasting a list of imported wines and beers – along with an impressive selection of cocktails and spritzes. The bar area serves as a respite for those who’ve had a tough day at work or are preparing for a big night out on the town. Simon, the chef, explains that the food is rooted in tradition but with a city edge. They’re going for something a little different – simple and tasty with some modern tweaks, which feel more savoury rather than the sweet that they’re known for. If you’re looking for a share plate, the Antipasto Platter is ideal, featuring an incredibly presented array of cheeses and meats accompanied by tomatoes and pickled veg.

The selection of salty and sweet tastes on offer is complete with arancini balls – filled with a subtle chilli flavour that creeps up on you, the puffy delights are served atop a bed of whipped ricotta. Brunetti offer a variety of classic dishes for mains, albeit with their own modern twists. The pizza is a wonderfully soft homemade base topped with a rich Napoli sauce that won’t overpower you by being packed with toppings. The crust is puffed to perfection with a crisp exterior that gives way to a delicious core topped with the freshest ingredients. For those after a more substantial meal, the pasta menu is the place to look. The carbonara comes piled high, garnished generously with fluffy parmesan and some crispy diced bacon – which adds a strong, salty flavour to the rich sauce. While still offering the amazing cakes and coffee they’re primarily known for, Brunetti are doing something a little different in Flinders Lane, making it an ideal destination for quality Italian with a modern twist.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Burma Lane 118 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | BURMALANE.COM WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

If you’re an avid reader of Beat Eats, you’ll know how much we enjoy Burma Lane. If you haven’t yet taken heed of our recommendations over the years, you’re seriously missing out. Even if you’re familiar with the fantastic experience on offer, you may yet encounter a twist or two on your next visit to Burma Lane.

The great culinary minds behind this destination’s dining experience – incidentally, the very same people behind beloved Asian fusion restaurant Red Spice Road – subscribe to the philosophy that “familiarity breeds contempt”. Sure enough, Burma Lane has changed things up since we last spruiked its many splendours, moving with the seasons. The key constant, of course, is the quality, the menu promising a full-flavoured extravaganza and delivering precisely that. The best place to start is Burma Lane’s assortment of bite-sized treats. It’s always a delightful moment discovering that even the tiniest, most delicate morsel can pack such a punch. That essentially sums up the experience of sampling their various snack-sized delights. Take, for instance, their duck, shiitake & water chestnut doughnut, complete with chilli rock sugar salt and sour cherry – it’s every bit as good as it reads on paper. Meanwhile, the wagyu cheeseburger bacon dumplings, served with Vietnamese tomato sauce, brings a touch of class to a familiar flavour. Any diners that fancy a spot of seafood will find plenty to enjoy, too. Primarily, there’s the smoked eel, with fennel, herbs, roe and crispy potato cake that deserves your immediate attention. There’s a great alternative, too, in the torched

Port Lincoln sardine, presented with smoky eggplant, miso kewpie, pickled shallot, yuzu jam and nori cracker. If all this speaks of an especially exotic menu, you’re not too far off the mark – one of Burma Lane’s greatest strengths has always been the sheer diversity of its menu and, pleasingly, that continues to be the case. It’s great, also, that they still tick the box for indulgent desserts. We won’t mention all of them to spare you from slack-jawed drooling, but picture this: milk chocolate cream, peanut butter parfait, banana caramel, chocolate soil… you get the idea. In case you aren’t yet persuaded, Burma Lane also serves as ideal destination this Melbourne International Comedy Festival, being mere minutes’ walk from a number of key festival venues. Enough banging on about it, though – by now, you know what we think and it’s time to book in and try it for yourself. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Show your same-day Comedy Festival ticket to receive one complimentary drink when spending $20 or more.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Cabinet Bar & Balcony 11 RAINBOW ALLEY, MELBOURNE | CABINETBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

Tucked away in Rainbow Alley, behind Swanston and Little Collins Street, is Cabinet Bar & Balcony. A small doorway with a speakeasy vibe leads to a staircase littered with framed portraits of patrons (a bunch of cocktails are even named after their regulars). With ceiling fans spinning overhead, giant chalkboard menus and small wooden tables sitting on a tiled floor, this spot has a nice ‘old-timey’ feel to it. Paisley wallpaper lines the walls decorated with hanging chairs, giving the venue a unique style all to itself. The look is complete with a wood-panelled bar occupied by polite, smartly-dressed staff awaiting your order. Head up a few steps and you’ll find yourself on a wooden deck overlooking Swanston Street, perfect for after-work drinks or a laid-back evening amongst the treetops. It’s a modest but well-stocked bar focusing on cocktails and wine, with Orion beer on tap and an extensive beer and cider list by the bottle. Having celebrated their 10th birthday last year, Cabinet have found what they’re good at and perfected it. With champagne cocktails, bar jars, martinis and “not so sweets” taking up the majority of their drinks menu, you’re sure to find a cocktail to quench your thirst. They boast a delicious tapas menu, offering patrons a variety of tastes to compliment their drink choices. The halloumi sliders are beautifully crumbed and cooked to perfection, topped with a fig chutney that gives an incredible sweet flavour against the salty cheese. They go

down easily as a nice light snack. With four to a serve, they’re perfect for sharing – if you feel like giving one up. The Cabinet Popcorn Chicken is made with lean chicken pieces in a deliciously crunchy breading that’s prepared in-house. Served with lime and chilli mayo for that extra kick, it’s not greasy at all, with each piece being generous in size. They’re incredibly moreish and perfect for snacking while enjoying a drink in the sun. The flatbread range is for those seeking a bigger meal. Each option is made with fresh flatbread that stays soft even after being in the oven. They’re not overloaded with toppings, allowing each ingredient to stand on its own. With a variety of specials throughout the week and a regular happy hour, Cabinet is the perfect CBD spot to tie one on after work or relax with friends on the weekend. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Show your Comedy Festival ticket to receive happy hour prices anytime.

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MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Campari House 23/25 HARDWARE LN, MELBOURNE | CAMPARIHOUSE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

Along the red brick-lined Hardware Lane, between Bourke and Little Bourke Street, is where you’ll find Campari House. Its red awnings shine like a beacon for those looking for a meal or just a few casual drinks.

Out front, the red shade cloth awning and white picket fence entices patrons into a modest dining area. There’s a multitude of outdoor tables, creating an Italian style of dining using one of Melbourne’s famous laneways to its advantage. The simplistic interior with jazz music playing gives the feeling of an old pub bistro. Fresh Italian ingredients are used to craft a varied menu catering to different tastes and dietary requirements. There’s something here for everybody. It’s a big year for Campari House. In addition to celebrating their 50th anniversary, they’re part of the drinks and dining program for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival – even using their adaptable space to host a few performances. Their generous share plates are perfect for before or after a show. A highlight is the Campari Board, a share plate consisting of a bit of everything from the entree menu, while their pizzas remain a classic for those wanting an easy meal. Their classic three cheese margherita pizza has a soft base that lets the tomatoes lead the charge with their rich flavour. It’s a classic done right, perfect for a light meal or those looking to share.

If it’s a more substantial meal that you’re looking for, Campari House offers a considerable amount of Italian staples. The linguine marinara is served with king prawns, calamari, mussels, clams and scallops. Tossed with a hint of garlic and offering a nice chilli after-taste, the lingering flavour of the white wine reduction it’s cooked in enhances the hearty portions of seafood served on a bed of tender pasta. The grilled spring lamb loin is cooked to order and served with vine-ripened tomatoes and butternut puree on a bed of cooked spinach. It’s a generous cut of meat cooked to perfection, with a soft crunch on the outside that gives way to succulent lamb with a rich flavour. The sweetness of the butternut and tomatoes works well with the meat to create a fantastic combination. With local beers on tap, along with a large selection of local wines, Campari House is ideal for anybody seeking traditional Italian cuisine in a classic Melbourne setting. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER 20% off your restaurant bill when you present your Comedy Festival ticket.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

The Carlton 193 BOURKE ST, MELBOURNE | THECARLTON.COM.AU WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

If you’ve never stepped foot inside this hotspot, then expect to be awash with an immediate appreciation of The Carlton’s safari-themed sophistication. The jungle-inspired decor is subtle and perfectly unobtrusive, offering a neat twist on the elegant lounge vibe many venues go for. Every inch of the place is simply gorgeous and pleasing to the eye, its popularity well-earned on aesthetics alone. Still, no venue gets by merely on good looks – it’s as much about tastes, too. The Carlton’s cuisine is, in part, informed by its location. Based smack-bang in the heart of Melbourne, it makes sense that the venue would try to cater for every taste. A tall order, certainly – but The Carlton more than step up to the plate with a diverse, crowd-pleasing menu, featuring several pub favourites. Whether you’re after a superb parma or flavourful porterhouse steak, The Carlton has you covered. To sweeten the deal, there’s weekly specials on offer, too, making the familiar feeds tough to beat. Still, if you have the extra shrapnel to spare, you simply have to indulge in the premium picks. Dishes like the succulent pan roasted duck breast – paired with confit duck leg, radicchio, fig and hazelnuts – see The Carlton really flex its finedining muscles. Their ocean trout, with soba noodle salad, heirloom tomatoes, pickled mussels, yuzu and squid ink is as colourful as it is tantalising. The fancier mains are an eyecatching, perfectly-executed ensemble of flavours that will ensure you leave the plate as if polished clean.

For those after something lighter, the venue’s diverse selection of bar snacks are each pleasing in their own right. Highlights include the pork belly (its pineapple and chilli salsa a delectable touch), as well as the bourbon glaze marinated chicken wings – a dish bound to tempt anyone that catches the snacks glistening under warm light. It’s these things and more that make up an exciting new era for The Carlton, boasting a recently re-jigged menu with new taste sensations begging to be discovered. On that note, it’s certainly worth mentioning the popular new addition of Super Fluid, an organic cold-pressed juice bar. How many other venues offer both a hangover and the ideal cure? Based just outside the hustle-and-bustle of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival epicentre, The Carlton resembles an ideal break spot between shows, with its exquisite menu a huge bonus. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER $7 Young Henry tinnies.

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FEATURE

Special Events From female-fronted comedy events to late-night laughs WRITTEN BY KATE STREADER

This year’s MICF program is brimming with incredible talent across a huge selection of special events. Whether you’re down to check out some international heavyweights at Comedy Zone Asia and the Indian All-Star Comedy Showcase, or you’re keen to see the next wave of comedy legends at RAW Comedy, there are laughs to be had no matter where you end up.

RAW COMEDY NATIONAL GRAND FINAL

Australia’s biggest comedy competition RAW Comedy celebrates the nation’s top emerging comedians – with the winner landing a spot at the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe. After fighting their way through heats and semi-finals, the only thing bigger than the stakes will be the laughs. The top contender will join a long list of greats who have also won the RAW Comedy title, including

Hannah Gadsby, Josh Thomas, Tom Ballard and Claire Hooper. If you’ve ever wanted to get in on the ground floor of a comedian’s career before they hit the big time, this is the place to do it. Hosted by Venezuelan-born national treasure Ivan Aristeguieta, this year’s RAW Comedy is going down at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Sunday April 15 from 5pm.

UPFRONT

DEADLY FUNNY

Upfront brings Australia’s top home-grown comedy queens centre stage, where nothing is off-bounds. Bringing razor sharp wit, often with a side of grit, this all-female lineup will induce some side-splitting laughs while tearing down female stereotypes in the best possible way. With past Upfront comics including Cal Wilson, Hannah Gadsby, and Susie Youssef, 2018’s Upfront program is set to be massive with another round of stellar comics. Upfront is happening at Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall on Wednesday April 18.

For the 12th year running, Deadly Funny will be uncovering Australia’s top Indigenous comedy talent. Showcasing a talented array of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island comedians, Deadly Funny is the only program of its kind. Hosted by last year’s Deadly Funny champion Ghenoa Gela – who will be joined by a slew of special guests yet to be announced – the winner will take home a $2,000 cash prize. It’s happening at Arts Centre’s Fairfax Studio on Saturday April 14.

ADITI MITTAL

FESTIVAL CLUB

INDIAN ALL-STAR COMEDY SHOWCASE

Festival Club will take over Max Watt’s to bring you a huge selection of comedy events as well as some after-party action across the festival. Key events include Josh Earl in Don’t You Know Who I Am on Tuesday April 3 and 10, Stampdown Comedy Night on Wednesday April 4 and 11, Rob Hunter Late O’Clock on Wednesday April 18, 10 Comedians for 10 Bucks every Thursday from March 29 until April 19, and Comedy Bonanza. From 12.30am, get your entertainment fix with Lip Sync Battles and Geraldine Quinn’s Spandex Ballet.

Coming in hot on the tails of the Bengaluru Comedy Festival, the Indian All-Star Comedy Showcase is set to raise the roof as some of the biggest voices in the Indian comedy scene make their MICF appearance. Join international stand-up superstar Sorabh Pant alongside Aditi Mittal, Amazon Prime special Cometh The Hour creator Azeem Banatwalla and multiple comedy competition winner Rahul Subramanian for an unbeatable lineup of laughs. It’s happening upstairs at the Forum Theatre from Friday April 20 - Sunday April 22.

VENUE PROFILE

Ciao Mamma! 3 UNION ST, BRUNSWICK | CIAOMAMMA.COM.AU WRITTEN BY JULIA SANSONE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA SANSONE

When you walk into many Italian restaurants in Melbourne, it can often feel like an ode to Italy’s history moreso than a celebration of its modern day culture. Nestled alongside Sydney Road, however, is the neon glow of Ciao Mamma! – a vibrant and contemporary perspective on the Italian taste as we know it.

Upon walking into the venue, a cherry red pasta maker shines through the window, opaqued by a cloud of flour and fast-moving hands wringing tagliatelle from the machine. With both pasta and sauce made fresh daily in the kitchen, Ciao Mamma!’s focus is on a humble yet casual dining experience that’s accessible for everyone. Italians call it pasta d’autore – where one creates their own personal combination of pasta plate. From the Ortolana sauce – featuring seasonal roasted vegetables – to the Mushroom Maria, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure for your tastebuds, where every choice ends with a handmade and home-cooked meal. The heart of Ciao Mamma! lies within Tina Tonio, who decided to take a leap of faith into her life-long passion of cooking after teaching Italian for 30 years. With the venue’s name serving as an ode to grandmothers and mothers alike, every item on the menu is an heirloom Italian recipe with a modern-day invigoration. Staying true to its Brunswick roots, the lunch and dinner venue offers local Brunswick Bitter – as well as Australian wines and produce from independent meat and cheese importers across Melbourne.

Arancini balls, baked olives, salumi, “Nonna Style” chips and house focaccia are spotted amongst every table within the venue – because no guest of an Italian family leaves feeling only slightly full. Plus, with gluten-free and vegan produce as proud additions to the menu, every stomach gets fed at Ciao Mamma!. The relentless Aperol Spritz craze takes a twist in the hands of the bartenders here, offering a different Italian contender to the table: the Montenegro Spritz. Packed with a crisp and refreshing punch, drinks like Crodino or Sanbitter are the perfect combination of a bitter-sweet symphony for someone who is ready to take their taste buds to the next level. Finish your slice of Italy off with a piece of TinaMi-Su, Nutella mousse or a famous caffe crema, followed closely by an espresso – it’s one of the few Italian traditions that not even the most modern eateries can let go of. Ciao Mamma! has quickly become exactly that: Brunswick’s new ritual that many will hold close to home.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

The Crafty Squire 127 RUSSELL ST, MELBOURNE | THECRAFTYSQUIRE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

Boasting the only working microbrewery in the CBD, The Crafty Squire beckons everyone from casual drinkers to craft beer connoisseurs to discover their flavour of choice, presenting an extensive variety of ales and lagers. An especially indulgent afternoon is guaranteed should you be simply working your way through the drinks menu – not to mention the limited releases on offer. And what pairs well with a selection of beverages? Live sport, of course. In that respect, The Crafty Squire has you covered. The venue has long been a popular spot for fans of all different codes. Complementing this pleasant picture of good times and good brews is an epic Australiana-themed menu, taking everything there is to love about your typical pub and kicking it into overdrive. If you’ve ever experienced a sincere yearning to eat a national emblem, you’re in luck – delicacies include the chermoula-marinated kangaroo loin, the wallaby gnocchi ragu and even crocodile sausage rolls. Pleasingly, it’s not your run-of-the-mill stuff – they deliver strongly with each dish, essentially rewarding diners for their curiosity. Not only that, but the portions undoubtedly contribute to the overall dining experience. A word of advice: be prepared to dig in. While their parma is arguably a contender for the best in Melbourne, it’s almost certainly one of the biggest – as it goes with the rest of the mains,

each an indulgent and flavourful undertaking in the best way. Of course, their generosity inevitably results in the best kind of problem for any diner – that is, whether or not to attempt dessert, acknowledging the risk of an Mr. Creosote-esque catastrophe. However, between the trio of chocolate (a chocolate brownie with white chocolate sauce, complete with Tim Tam crumb) and the mouthwatering Belgian waffle, you’re going to want to somehow leave some room. Formally The Portland Hotel, The Crafty Squire is the result of a major makeover; a hugely successful makeover at that, with the venue now bigger and better than ever. Think of it as your classic, beloved local pub, only taken to the next level. Just a short walk from the Melbourne Town Hall and The Victoria Hotel makes The Crafty Squire an ideal destination and dining option this Comedy Festival season. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Show your same-day Comedy Festival ticket to receive 20% off your bill. Not valid with any other offer. One discount per group, per day.

VENUE PROFILE

Etta 60 LYGON ST, BRUNSWICK EAST | ETTADINING.COM.AU WRITTEN BY TARNAY SASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE BISHOP

A casual-yet-fancy dining experience which is sure to fast become your favourite neighbourhood bistro, Etta is well-placed on Lygon Street in Brunswick East, standing out amongst the Italian and gelato joints for a well-deserved spot on your radar.

Once an old fish ‘n’ chip shop, owners Hayden McMillan, Dominique Fourie McMillan and Hannah Green have transformed a previously tired old venue into a welldesigned and tasteful masterpiece. All three share fine dining backgrounds, with chef McMillan most famously coming from The Roving Marrow in Carlton – as well as multiple-hatted venues in his home country of New Zealand. Green worked at Crown’s highly regarded Rockpool, as well as managing Ben Shewry’s Attica for four years before meeting Fourie McMillan at Neil Perry’s Rosetta. Their accumulated experiences proves that they know what it takes to be a success in the Melbourne restaurant scene with the food, atmosphere and energy behind Etta as living proof of that knowledge. The trio have the same food ethos – they want only local, seasonal food, able to be enjoyed with a clear conscience as to its origins. They also believe that it is important to give their chefs and waitstaff a much-needed work-life balance – an often-neglected issue within the industry – so that not only is the food ethically sourced, but the staff are ethically treated.

The food certainly lives up to its reputation. The $65 per person “Leave It Us” option is a no-brainer – although if you want to be a bit picky and choose some mouthwatering options for yourself, the heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella, kombu and fermented chilli is one to devour. It’s light, fresh and elegant – proof that Hayden has learnt how to make the most of a seasonal fruit. Next, try the sweet corn agnolotti with shishito pepper and tarragon – a creamy, indulgent concoction – before finishing with a main of Inlet Rock flathead. A difficult fish to get a hold of due to the fishing restrictions in that area, the Inlet Rock flathead comes with pipis and a shellfish emulsion. It quite literally tastes like the sea – fresh, salty and fishy – but not in an overwhelming way. Etta is the epitome of fine dining-influenced casual fare. If you’ve got some time to relax after your meal, there’s a great selection of locally sourced and international wines, which owner and sommelier Green can run you through.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Fancy Hank’s / Good Heavens 79 BOURKE ST, MELBOURNE | FANCYHANKS.COM | GOODHEAVENS.COM.AU WRITTEN BY ANABELLE DWYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNABELLE DWYER

If one thought is clear whilst being drawn inside by the sweet and spicy scent of smoked meats, it’s that Fancy Hank’s takes barbeque seriously. How seriously you ask? As proud owners of a custom built two-tonne smoker, we reckon pretty seriously. Capable of cooking free-range meats sourced from Gippsland for up to 22 hours, these barbeque bosses mean business. Form what started as a food truck turned Queen Vic Market pop-up, Fancy Hank’s has worked its way up to a Melbourne barbeque institution. After their original plans for a six-month pop-up seamlessly extended into a bamboozling three-year success, they knew they had something special in their hands. With offerings such as pork shoulder, brisket, sausages and three different types of ribs, their mighty list of meat just goes on – but veggie lovers, don’t despair. Two-thirds of the menu is vegetarian, guaranteeing there’s something to satisfy all. Paired with delectable sides as Mac‘N’Cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad, all essentials are ready and waiting to be devoured. Dine amongst scattered Americana memorabilia such as images of Jackie Robinson, and an old-school map of the Great Smoky Mountains. A soundtrack of rocking oldies from the ‘60s and ‘70s accompanies your every bite. The dining room provides the authentic charm and comfort of the South, yet is elevated by a contemporary freshness that reminds you that you are, of course, still in Melbourne. Which brings me to my next point – would it really be Melbourne without another added level of food, drink,

and general frivolity? Absolutely not. Cue the rooftop bar, Good Heavens. Think bartenders in Hawaiian shirts pouring ‘80s inspired cocktails to the sounds of music made specifically for summer. With DJs pumping sunny tunes every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights – and all-day Sunday too – what’s not to love? Do yourself a favour and head down into both Fancy Hank’s and Good Heavens, and double down in some good old fashion Americana food and drink. Their current offering makes it all the easier to enjoy the best of both worlds. Plus, with every Fancy Hank’s purchase of $25 or more, you can wet your whistle with one of two special Melbourne Moonshine cocktails – think lemonade and sweet tea with a splash of booze. Doesn’t get much better, easier, and more delicious than that. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Fancy Hanks: Purchase a main meal to receive a free cocktail from our Comedy Festival list upon presentation of your Comedy Festival ticket. Good Heavens: Two-for-one cocktails from our Comedy Festival list to any festival ticket holder.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

The French Brasserie 2 MALTHOUSE LN, MELBOURNE | THEFRENCHBRASSERIE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

Before being overwhelmed by the neon lit establishments that populate the laneways off Flinders Lane, The French Brasserie offers diners a quiet and elegant experience in high scale fashion.

Walking in, you’re met with a well-stocked marbletopped bar lining one side. Cosy tables occupy the dimly lit restaurant, making for an intimate and romantic dining experience. Concrete slab walls and an open ceiling give a chic modern-industrial fitting of the Melbourne laneway style and offset perfectly with the upscale French dining. Minimalist decor – save for some vintage posters, map of Paris and a staircase lined with wine – lead to the second seating area upstairs. Framed by a back wall covered in beautifully lit champagne bottles, it’s a way of celebrating France’s rich wine culture and encourages a full dining experience. French cuisine is all about the effort, the time and the care that goes into preparing each dish. The French Brasserie pride themselves on this. Everything is made in-house from the freshest ingredients by a staff made up entirely of French ex-pats. The dishes are beautifully presented, with the soup entree being served with small picked vegetables and croutons, making for a satisfying but not overly-filling start to your meal. The cold cucumber soup has a real zest but it’s not an overpowering flavour. With the mustard added, there’s a real heartiness to it, accompanied by a slight grain and a smooth, delicious finish. For a main in French cuisine, you can’t pass the roast duck. It near melts in your mouth – soft and tender, but

not overly juicy. The jus heightens the flavour by adding a savoury glaze, leaving you relishing every bite. The slow cooked egg adds an interesting new flavour that offsets the glaze. The combination of flavours is somewhat tart and lingers upon the taste buds, allowing you to savour the authentic French flavours before washing it down with a perfectly matched Bordeaux. For dessert there’s Fondant Au Chocolat – a bed of chocolate fondant populated with a salted caramel centre, nuts, biscuit and raspberry coulis. It’s essentially everything you’d want for dessert, all on one plate. It’s crunchy, sweet and perfect for sharing at the end of the meal. Boasting a rotating seasonal menu, The French Brasserie is the perfect destination for those seeking an authentic French dining experience, or a romantic evening on the town. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Ticket holders receive a pre-show two-course menu with a Kir Royal cocktail for $35 per person.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

The George On Collins 162-168 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | THEGEORGEONCOLLINS.COM.AU WRITTEN BY JESS ZANONI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Tucked away in the basement of the renowned George’s Building on Collins Street, The George On Collins is the CBD’s latest and most luxurious all-day restaurant and bar – whether you’re after a quick morning coffee fix or a place to enjoy a long lunch or dinner with friends. Upon entering the building, it’d be easy to assume that the venue is an exclusive late-night rendezvous. With its dimly lit, spacious interior featuring an ultra-sleek room length bar and curtained booths, it’s easy to imagine the space transforming after-hours into a sophisticated club. Whilst the venue does indeed play host to many night life ventures (and perfectly matches the charm of Melbourne’s nightlife culture), The George On Collins is much more. As an eatery, it provides a versatile and thorough menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with any meal offering bang for your buck. Drop by in daylight hours to experience outdoor seating and dining on Collins Street and soak up some of autumn’s final rays. If you and your friends like to indulge in a lunch or dinner loaded with delicious share plates, The George On Collins are your virtuosos. Their share plates cater to the number of companions you bring and how peckish you’re all feeling. The convenience of The George On Collins’ location in the CBD makes it a standout choice for drinks and food this Melbourne International Comedy Festival. What’s more, the good people behind the scenes love to give a great special when they can. For $50 a head (or $70 if you’re after some extra tasty share plates and fancier wines), you and a group of colleagues, friends or family members can enjoy a spectacular evening of bites and beverages.

You’ll be able to savour gorgeous antipasti and charcuterie boards (with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available) and a canape board specially designed for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival season. It also includes an unlimited one hour beverage package, with quality beers and selections of sparkling, white, and red wines. The antipasti grazing board brims with Mediterranean lavishness, comprising of grilled vegetables, feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pickled cucumber, and onions with an artichoke and tzatziki dip. The charcuterie board has all of your favourite cured meats meticulously arranged, including 20-month prosciutto, chorizo, saucisson sec and more. The canape board takes the cake, however – the flavours on this gold-toned, mountainous creation are heavenly and the portion sizes are generous. The George On Collins takes classic tapas food and packs in the richest textures and tastes. Paired with its contemporary, stylish demeanour and atmosphere, it’s a well-deserved choice for any occasion. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Present your Comedy Festival ticket to enjoy their share plates menu for $40 per person including a drink. You can also enjoy their daily happy hour from 4-6pm.

FEATURE

Michael Shafar A Comedian’s Guide to Eating and Drinking at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival PHOTOGRAPHY BY PERRI CASSIE

After a sold-out season in 2017, Michael Shafar’s returning to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with Kosher Bacon – a series of hilarious observations upon Jewish traditions and lifestyle. He shares with us some neat eateries, a handful of great acts to see, and some helpful dietary advice for the comedy enthusiast. Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the busiest time of the year for a lot of comedians, so we don’t have a lot of time to eat properly (or at all). Comedy and food are linked for me. If I have a good gig, I celebrate with something delicious and fried. If I have a bad gig, I commiserate with something delicious and fried. During last year’s Festival, I lived off a diet of KFC Popcorn Chicken, which met my daily caloric intake but also shaved about ten years off my life expectancy. Doctors say smoking is bad for your health, but comedy could be even worse. For this year’s festival, I’ve decided to eat better. It’s going to be a challenge because I’ll be rushing from my day job at Channel 10 where I write jokes for The Project, to perform my new show Kosher Bacon, and then I’ll be sprinting off afterwards to see other shows. With that in mind, I’ve done some research about places in the city where you can get food that (1) isn’t too expensive, (2) comes out pretty fast and (3) isn’t Popcorn Chicken. My show is at Trades Hall this year, which is where the festival programs emerging Australian comedians. Punters come to Trades to see back-to-back shows. It’s also the hipster hangout during the festival with a cool bar and lots of man-buns bobbling around the place. It’s very Melbourne. While you’re there, make sure to see Adam Knox, Alex Ward and sketch group Chimp Cop. See them all ASAP, and then you can tell your friends you saw them before they were famous. Now, that’s very Melbourne. The great thing about performing at Trades Hall is how close it is to heaps of food that satisfy the above three criteria. Shujinko on Russell Street is a 24-hour institution that serves authentic ramen. Ramen is to the Japanese what chicken soup is to my people, the Jews. It makes me feel warm and happy, and it can probably cure every disease. I like to get a seat tucked away in

the far corner where I can watch the energy in the kitchen, and where nobody will notice how bad I am at picking up noodles with chopsticks. A couple doors down is Stalactites, a 24-hour Greek joint that serves delicious lamb giros. I like to go there late at night and see the waiter wince whenever a bunch of drunk guys at the end of a big night try to pronounce ‘giros’. It’s also across the road from another festival venue called Greek Centre, where you should check out Cameron James and Gerard McGowan. On the same block I’ll also be popping into 8bit to get a late-night burger and potato gems. The burgers come out quick, and the potato gems come in a little cardboard box that is perfect for eating on the move. If you bump into me on the street, don’t shake my hand because it will be greasy. I’m not a big drinker, but Hairy Little Sista is where I hang out with other comedians to swap stories about how our shows went that night and who had the best heckle. It’s a great bar with heaps of shows nearby, including Tim Hewitt and Danielle Walker at The Victoria Hotel, Peter Jones at ACMI and Sam Taunton at the Town Hall. Have a great festival. See as many shows as you can, and take a punt on someone new. And stay away from the Popcorn Chicken.

Michael Shafar performs Kosher Bacon from Thursday March 29 - Sunday April 22 at Trades Hall (bar Wednesdays).

FEATURE

A Look at Liven: The App Changing the Way Australians Dine Tell us about Liven. Liven is Australia’s fastest growing rewards app that lets over 180,000 users earn Liven Cash every time they dine at over 700 partner bars and restaurants across the country. Users are currently credited up to 25 percent of the bill when they pay through the Liven app, which can be spent next time they dine with a Liven venue, or donated to a variety of Australian charities. Founded in 2014 by Melbourne siblings Grace and William Wong and academic David Ballerini, Liven is available in Melbourne and Sydney, and is on a mission to encourage Australians to explore their cities by rewarding them for every new experience at partner venues, including 8Bit Burgers, Roll’d, Crinitis, Massi and Nene Chicken. Liven was born when… We always wanted to create something that would change the world in a positive way, by adding value to people and giving back to the community rather than taking away from them. We knew that mobile payment was the future of transactions, however, we needed to offer people an incentive in order to change their ingrained habits – so Liven combined payment with loyalty. Which charities do you work with? Liven works with a number of charity partners including the RSPCA, The Salvation Army, OzHarvest, The Heart Foundation, beyondblue, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Royal Children’s Hospital. How did you go about selecting such charities? We take into account charities who can help us make the greatest positive social impact and share a similar ethical stance. We welcome partners who want to join us in our pay-it-forward movement and help us grow and expand our global influence to help enrich the lives of disadvantaged individuals and communities. Why is Liven particularly useful during Comedy Festival season? Melbourne International Comedy Festival is a great opportunity to explore the city, whether you’re a visitor or a local Melburnian. Our partnership with MICF aims to create a lively, inviting and incentivising atmosphere that rewards customers just for showing up. With a number of Liven venues hosting some of the world’s best comedians, MICF attendees have the opportunity to earn money while they enjoy a hilarious night out. From tacos and

cocktails at Touché Hombre to a boogie at The Carlton, Liven partner venues are within walking distance to MICF venues so you can jam-pack a night with fun experiences. Liven partner venues are scattered around the city and surrounding inner-city suburbs, so enjoying a meal closeby before the show or heading to some drinks afterwards is a simple way to be rewarded for having a good time. What rewards does the app offer? Users currently earn up to 25 percent of the bill in Liven Cash when they pay through the Liven app – which can be spent next time they dine with any Liven venue or donated to a variety of Australian charities. Those who use Liven find that… They become part of a community that encourages new experiences, positive social impact and celebrates the most fun parts of life. We’ve found the more people use the app, the more they want to go out to explore new parts of their cities. Plus, the ability to earn and spend rewards is slightly addictive because it’s so much fun.

Download the Liven app from Google Play or the App Store. LIVEN.COM.AU

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Glamp Cocktail Bar 2/267 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | POLEPOLEBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

On Little Collins Street, you’ll find a small red doorway. Head upstairs through Polēpolē and wander through their rustic safari decor to arrive at Glamp Cocktail Bar – an East African-inspired indoor tent venue with more than a few surprises.

You’re instantly met with a giant porcelain rhino, purchased from a charity auction at Taronga Zoo. Repurposed gas lanterns hang from the ceiling, giving the place a dimly-lit feel, as if it’s just after sunset. A beautiful wood-panelled bar lines one wall and spirit bottles glow from a backlight, enticing you to start trying their cocktails. The majority of the venue is taken up by a massive tent full of small tables and a wraparound bench. Decked out with throw pillows and rugs, it makes you truly get the sense you’re in the wild. The cocktails are incredibly intricate but far from intimidating. The menu has something for all tastes, utilising in-house infused spirits to bring unique and exciting flavours to their drinks. They also boast an incredibly comprehensive spirit menu for those seeking a simpler beverage. The aim is for you to come in, relax and enjoy your drink. Alcohol shouldn’t be exclusionary or elitist, the bartender tells me, explaining that they aim to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for anybody wanting a creative cocktail. Glamp Cocktail Bar’s signature drink is the Happy Glamper. It comes served in a teacup and saucer with a crouton utilising the leftover stone fruit used to infuse the gin – creating an apricot jam-covered treat

that compliments your drink. The apricot flavour isn’t overpowering, creeping up on you. The sour of the lemon is dulled by the delicious gin while the Prosecco adds a little extra kick. It’s incredibly refreshing as the flavours roll over you, no single element lingering for longer than the next, leaving you wanting another sip. The Lasa Salama is served Tom Collins-style in a tall glass loaded with ice. It’s incredibly sweet with the vanilla and peach bouncing off each other, almost like they’re dancing on your taste buds. The chamomile they’ve infused into the vodka comes as an afterthought once the ballet of sweetness dies down, leaving you with a content, earthy flavour. Each of Glamp Cocktail Bar’s drinks leaves you relishing every sip, wanting to let the wonderfully strong and unique flavours linger. It’s the perfect place for afterwork beverages or to settle in for a great night out. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy an African beer or glass of wine and some tasty beef biltong for just $10 when you show your Comedy Festival ticket.

Pay with Liven and earn 15% Liven Cash

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

FEATURE

Magic Steven Coffee, Carparks, and Questioning My Existence

Recently, I was driving north. I stopped for a coffee to wake myself up at a roadside place off the highway called Oliver’s. There was also an adjacent KFC, a McDonald’s, and a petrol station – all in one single building, combined. I placed my order and stood waiting for my coffee to be made. A few minutes passed. While I waited, I a-sexted a friend of mine back in Melbourne. For those that don’t know, an “a-sext” is an asexual text message. They a-sexted me back almost immediately. And so we continued a-sexting each other, back and forth, until finally the barista called out my name. I put my phone away, approached the counter, and received my drink. I walked with my coffee back to my car; a long black coffee in a paper cup with no lid. As I walked, I happened to notice a woman who was heading towards a large, royal blue ute. She was walking through a pedestrian crossing within the carpark. And just as I noticed her, a driver – who probably should’ve stopped and let her cross in front of him – didn’t stop. He rushed through it in front of her. “Hey, watch yourself,” she yelled. “Are you for real?” He didn’t seem to hear her. He just drove away, and disappeared. A few seconds later, she climbed into her ute. I got into my own car, and I sat there drinking my coffee in the carpark, because I couldn’t start driving.

Because my coffee cup had no lid. If I have to get takeaway, I never take a lid – for personal reasons. I sat in my car drinking the coffee, and I thought about what the woman at the crossing had said: “Hey. Watch Yourself.” I thought, “That’s good advice: watch yourself.” That’s exactly what I’m trying to do in my life. Watch myself. By writing in notebooks. And reading back over my notes each night. And treating my experiences as lessons. She said, “watch yourself ”. And then she said, “Are you for real?” On reflection, I chose to interpret that as: Are you for real? Or are you against real? Personally, I’m for real. I’m interested in trying to discover what’s real. Sometimes, it’s hard to work it out – what’s real and what isn’t. But the bottom line is, personally, I’m for real. “Hey, watch yourself,” said the woman getting into the ute. “Are you for real?” “Yes. I’m for real,” I said to myself. I watched myself drive out of the carpark. Back onto the highway. Because by that time, I had finished my coffee.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Harley House Bar and Grill 71 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | HARLEYHOUSE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY MATILDA RAMSAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAINA GLENNY

Tucked away off Collins Street amidst the corporate end of the CBD, Harley House Bar and Grill is a hidden gem to the local passerby. Sporting an art-deco style logo and surrounded by eclectic street art, the entrance is evident of the unique and lively atmosphere that it offers.

Descending down the stairs to an open-plan basement, the space finds a perfect medium between a New York warehouse feel and Australian institution, without seeking to intimidate. The presence of large artworks by the Archibald Prize-winning Vincent Fantauzzo gives Harley House Bar and Grill an interesting, relaxed and stylish atmosphere, making it the perfect venue for any type of meeting. It’s easy to see why it has become a popular favourite for after-work drinks and catch-ups. The new and updated food menu is full of bold South American flavours offering a selection of sharing plates, meats, desserts and specialist ceviches. Centered around Peruvian-influenced dishes, a particular highlight was the Ceviche Traditional – a sustainable local white fish in tiger’s milk – and the Yuca con Chorizo with cassava chips, chorizo and aioli. With the recent addition of Ceviche Tuesday, offering five different cones for seven dollars each, it’s an easy way to try Peruvian cuisine. Similarly, the cocktail menu is not to be missed. The addition of the Pisco Sour, the official drink

of Peru, dominates the cocktail list. The combination of Campo de Encanto pisco, lime, sugar, egg white and bitters creates a salty and popping flavour that is hard to forget once sipped. “Pisco Time” – which occurs between 4:30 to 6:30pm daily – means that there’s now a great excuse to indulge in this South American drink. Another favourite is the ginger beer, consisting of lemongrass pisco, lime, Brookvale Union Ginger Beer and maple syrup – as well as the staple range of internationally and locally-sourced wines, spirits and beers on tap. After experiencing an eclectic and unique evening that makes Harley House Bar and Grill so unforgettable, it’s easy to see why it has become a strong influence in the world of Melbourne bars. Next time you’re in the CBD, take a trip to Strachan Lane for an experience that will linger in your memory long after you leave. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Festival-goers receive two-for-one Pisco Sours when they show their Comedy Festival tickets.

VENUE PROFILE

The Lincoln 91 CARDIGAN ST, CARLTON | HOTELLINCOLN.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE BISHOP

Located on the corner of Queensberry and Cardigan Street, The Lincoln is easy to spot. It’s vintage-tiled exterior stands out as the neighbourhood’s classic watering hole amongst the apartments and office buildings that are springing up around Carlton. It truly is a classic pub. The original tiled floor leads up to a wraparound wooden bar. Boasting a wide variety of spirits and an impressive selection of local craft beers on tap, as well as a massive wine list of both local and imported options, you’ll be able to find a drop to go with whatever food you order. While the menu offers some pub classics, The Lincoln are going for something a little different in their dining. For starters you can’t go past the spanner crab, served in a house-made prawn cracker. The meat is tender, with a paprika hit on the top for a little spice. The dill flavouring sets everything off while the outer cracker combines it all on a savoury, crunchy bed. It can be consumed in one bite, however I’d recommend savouring this dish, as it’s incredibly moreish. If you’re after something a little different, there’s the stracciatella served with heirloom tomatoes and shallots. The cool cheesy soup is almost like eating straight melted bocconcini. The dairy is matched perfectly with a medley of Italian staples, including rich tomato flavours that really

rule the dish. The shallots and cheese work to create a taste that lingers on your tongue long after each bite. As a main, their Lincolnshire sausage is made inhouse and served on a fluffy bed of mash with a generous helping of caramelised onion on top. It’s a hearty sausage filled with tender meat that has an almost minty flavour that creeps up on the tastebuds, while the buttery potatoes add that classic element, making it an upscale twist on a pub classic. The chickpea panisse with salt-baked vegetables stands out as a fantastic vegetarian option. Generously garnished with shaved pecorino, it’s roasted to perfection with a slight crunch that is followed by a soft and delicious chickpea flavour, while the salt-baked vegetables add a unique saltiness. It’s modest in size, but that’s far from a bad thing. Hotel Lincoln’s food is full of charm and character, which is reflected in the pub’s atmosphere, making this classic venue an absolute must-visit.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

The Meatball and Wine Bar 135 FLINDERS LN, MELBOURNE | MEATBALLANDWINEBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY TARNAY SASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Matteo Bruno, owner of the three delicious Meatball and Wine Co. venues around Melbourne, doesn’t seem to think that it’s possible to overuse the word “balls” and it’s associated hilarious innuendo. His menu is full of “balls” jokes and he has founded his meaty empire on beef, veal, pork or chicken spheres.

Meatballs, it turns out, are a versatile and cheeky way to theme what is essentially a good old Italian restaurant. The Meatball and Wine Bar occupies a neatly tucked away building along Flinders Lane, with cute awnings on the windows, ample outdoor seating and re-vamped modern interiors. Each surface is a different texture, from the painted white bricks, to the silver-clouded mirror wall. The friendly staff across all three venues are an enthusiastic fount of wine-and-balls knowledge. Not only do they know the venue’s wine list – almost exclusively Italian except for two organic Australian wines – backto-front, but they make a mean Balls Tonic too (the venue’s signature cocktail, consisting of Melbourne Gin Company Gin, Fiorente Elderflower Liqueur, cucumber, lemon, and apple). Other notable options are the Witch’s Potion – passionfruit, dark and light rum, lime juice, Liquore Strega Italiano and Mandorla served in a orange-sugar rimmed martini glass – and the Mr. Rhubarb, another gin concoction that blends Aperol, gin, lime juice and rhubarb compote over crushed ice. These cocktails are best drunk at the beginning of your night, alongside the charcuterie board – the perfect starter

because of its grazing selection of salami, prosciutto, fior di latte and honey drizzled parmesan, with home-pickled cucumber. Next, move onto a glass of wine – by the bottle or the glass; the weekly special is always a must-try – and then order some meals to share (staff recommend this, as the extensive menu means its hard to taste everything). The main event is the “Balls and All” section, where you can choose a meatball type (chicken, pork, beef, or vegetarian), then a sauce (tomato based, white and creamy, or green pesto salsa verde) and, lastly, “something for your balls to sit on” – which could be house-made pasta, potato mash, cannellini beans or creamy polenta. Aside from the build your own “Balls and All”, there’s pan-fried gnocchi with a giant veal meatball, beef carpaccio, meatball smash, or The Feedlots Menu chef ’s selection (“let us feed you our balls”). Lastly, satisfy your sweet tooth with an ice cream sandwich – The Whoopie Mac. The pistachio meringue shell with salted caramel ice cream inside comes highly recommended.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Meatmaiden 195 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | MEATMAIDEN.COM.AU WRITTEN BY MATILDA RAMSAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

Located in a slick, neon-lit basement on Little Collins Street, Meatmaiden has become the heart and soul of Melbourne’s meat scene. Entering an industrial style open-plan restaurant, you can expect futuristic vibes, friendly staff and an invigorating passion for all things carnivorous. The enticing lighting elicits a warm glow, while the sitdown bar located at the front at the restaurant has the word ‘”HEART” boldly imprinted above the counter in sharp red panels – which indicates the kind of passionate experience on offer. There would be little to say about Meatmaiden without highlighting the food on offer. For the true meat lover, there’s an incredible diversity of mouth-watering delicacies on offer. Start your journey with the likes of wagyu beef tartare, some pork gruyere croquettes with a jalapeno aioli or even a Lobster Mac‘N’Cheese. From there on in, the world is your oyster – enjoy everything from a juicy grass-fed eye fillet steak to a roast Bannockburn chicken accompanied by brioche thyme stuffing and jus. Some true specialties are the slow-roasted carrots with spiced honey and the saltbush lamb shoulder with yogurt and herb dressing. These meats are generally braised and cooked for anywhere between 40 minutes to nine hours, giving them deep, rich and succulent flavours that are hard to find elsewhere. The addition of a set menu, where you can sample a range of meats to the taste and agenda of the chefs for $65 per person, is an excellent choice if you are new to the meat world.

As a match to the meats, Meatmaiden offers a range of wines from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. There’s also a massive selection of cocktails with sensations like the Cold Drip Negroni – which, like the meats, has been left to bring out those elusive flavours. The cacao-infused Beefeater gin, cold drip coffee, Campari and sweet vermouth work together well, in order to produce a satisfying, full-flavoured taste. As more than a restaurant, Meatmaiden has become a unique dining experience with a passion for delivering quality meats at an affordable price, leaving visitors with a newfound passion for the meat world. With the ability to cater for large corporate groups or small gatherings in their intimate plush booth, you can experience the best that the Meatmaiden has to offer. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Present your Comedy Festival ticket and receive a complimentary cocktail and a free canape. No bookings required. If you want to dine in before or after your show, just mention you’re a ticket holder and they’ll take care of the rest. Valid only on the date of the ticket that is held. One offer per guest.

FEATURE

Linda Catalano One Suitcase Four Stories WRITTEN BY JACOB COLLIVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH WALKER

Melbourne International Comedy Festival season represents the epitome of Melbourne’s social core –it’s about sharing memories, laughing loudly and enjoying a great meal out with the ones you love. Linda Catalano’s One Suitcase Four Stories offers the opportunity to do all three at once.

Food is a powerful social force that we often take for granted. The simple act of eating is a culmination of tradition, knowledge, culture, identity and connection – all wrapped up in a daily activity. For producer Linda Catalano, Italian cuisine is a source of love, laughter and great family memories – an experience you’re invited to share with her unique Comedy Festival show, One Suitcase Four Stories. “My nonna was a wonderful storyteller,” Catalano says. “She passed away two years ago and I miss her enormously. Growing up as a first generation Australian, we weren’t told ‘fairy stories’ by our family – we were told, instead, about how various family members came to Australia. These stories were always told in the kitchen, and I was really inspired by that experience. “When I was growing up, I thought my nonna was so magical,” Catalano continues. “[There’s] this wonderful thing about having grandmothers. You can pop in at any time of the day or night and they’ll always say to you, ‘I didn’t know you were coming, I don’t have anything’. They open the fridge and the cupboard and there’s food everywhere. I wanted to recreate that experience for the audience, but it’s quite a different way to do a piece.” Not many shows boast both four fun stories and a four-course meal. Set in a working kitchen, Catalano puts you at the dinner table, where there’ll be antipasto, lasagna, salads, ricotta cannoli, Italian coffee, sparkling water and wine – but don’t think you’ll get away with being fed scot-free. You’re family now, which means you can help make pasta, grate the cheese and pass the plates around. It’s interactive storytelling that you can literally take a bite out of. “Because of the Italian way of making everything, Italians are always very happy to tell you how long

everything took to make,” says Catalano. “The vegetables you grow in the garden, the salami – you made it; you were up at six o’clock – there’s a story within each meal. Once the show gets going, I think it’s a really nice mechanism, because what I realised when I sat down to write the show is that the preparation of the food and the sharing of the food is actually embedded with storytelling. You can’t do one without the other and it was really nice to grow up in a family that did that. Food was never really just placed on the table. There’s always a story that goes with it.” With each dish representing a particular journey to Australia in the show, Catalano will share tales of her family’s arrival in Australia – such as her grandfather’s travels to Queensland to cut sugar cane, his reunion with her grandmother at Port Melbourne and his meeting with her then-three-year old mother for the first time. A unique night out of tastes and laughter, One Suitcase Four Stories is a step back from the often fast pace of our lives to appreciate the simple joys of the world, especially within a food culture as vibrant and diverse as Melbourne’s. “It’s a really lovely way to keep those stories alive,” Catalano says. “I think it’s particularly relevant to do the show now when there’s a lot of talk of immigration, and not all of it is in a positive light. What I’m able to do with the stories is to highlight the benefits of people coming to Australia and what a wonderful impact that has. I think Melbourne’s food scene in particular would be very, very different were it not for Italian immigration.” One Suitcase Four Stories runs at Arts Centre Melbourne, Members Lounge from Friday April 6 - Thursday April 12.

VENUE PROFILE

Mr. Lawrence 67 BEACH ST, PORT MELBOURNE | MRLAWRENCE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY ROSIE SANTOS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAMILLA MUSLAND

A breezy, beachy pub that draws on flavours from Turkey, Lebanon and Morocco, dining at Mr Lawrence is like stepping into an oasis created to encourage relaxation and the pleasures of good company, with simple Middle Eastern cuisine and boutique wines. It’s intimate and cosy, and not far at all from the shores of Port Melbourne.

The food at Mr. Lawrence is almost sentimental in its taste – a selection from the seasonal mezze, created to share, will make for a great evening with friends and loved ones. You’ll definitely be fighting for that last Egyptian falafel, beautifully fresh, and perfectly paired with tahini yoghurt. If you’re feeling more daring, try the vibrant beetroot and walnut dip, or the spiced chickpea hummus. The colours of Mr. Lawrence’s food are what really stand out though – it’s as appealing for your eyes as it is for your taste buds. The fattouche is very much worth a mention – a perfect side made of tomato, radish, cucumber, mint and bread. It’s fragrance, colours and textures compliment the other heartier contenders on the menu well, like the most beloved and popular Turkish pizzas – think folded almondshaped crust with juicy grilled eggplant, tahini yoghurt and pomegranate inside. Other pizza options include the more traditional spiced lamb, mint yoghurt and almond, or a slightly more unconventional smoked chicken, tomato, halloumi and dill.

What’s most divine about the food at Mr. Lawrence is that all the dishes combined contrast yet compliment each other’s flavours, no matter what you order. For example, the subtleties in the halloumi with ripe figs that’s been flavoured with ruby-like pomegranate molasses pairs perfectly with the smoky flavours in the barbeque chicken skewers. It’s easy to imagine as the perfect cosy spot to watch the lightning strike the horizon on a stormy evening in June, with a glass of local wine by the fire. Everything about this place just works. It’s exquisite and refined in the right places, yet totally accessible and uncomplicated at the same time. There’s something really special when you can enter a place and feel so at home – a space that is somehow so familiar yet completely transports you to far away exotic places. Along with its various culinary offerings, Mr. Lawrence provides space for private dinner parties and functions to be enjoyed by small and large groups.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Palermo 401 LITTLE BOURKE ST, MELBOURNE | PALERMO.MELBOURNE WRITTEN BY MATILDA RAMSAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Entering Palermo feels like stepping back in time to visit an old Argentinian bar. First opening its doors in December 2016, Palermo is an exciting and eclectic dining experience specialising in ceviches, pisco sours, empanadas and meat dishes – with quality that is hard to match. With a name that originates from the neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Palermo is truly a rich and unique dining experience, faithful to its roots. The venue captures a quintessentially South American atmosphere, with cowhide skins hanging from the walls, Tuscan tiles, a bookcase embedded into the bar and a menu in Spanish. In an open-plan kitchen layout, complete with leather plush booths, there is leverage to cater for all groups to dine on authentic Argentinian cuisine. A specialty was the beef, green olive and boiled egg empanada – with a delicate, crisp and smooth pastry that sought to invigorate the taste buds. Similarly, the white fish ceviche with jalapeno, black olive, fennel and lemon was especially refreshing and delicate. I’m told by the head chef that, typically, grilling meat is both a long process and a pride of the venue. The next dish, the pork and paprika sausage chorizo – which had been chargrilled for eight to nine and a half hours upon an Argentine open-fire grill – was a delight, integral to the concept of Palermo. There’s a plethora of options available, from the pollo (free-range half chicken with garlic, thyme

& lemon) to the ojo de bife (premium dry-aged, pasturefed rib eye). To finish, the unmissable dulce de leche crème caramel flan with salted peanut praline was irresistibly sweet with a creamy texture. Whilst Palermo has an outstanding food menu, it also serves a range of wines from around Australia and the world – on top of a large spirit and cocktail menu. Palermo is the perfect opportunity to return to the unique flavours and atmosphere of Palermo – the sensations that leave you wanting to book a journey to Buenos Aires. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy a complimentary glass of Argentinian Malbec when you show your Comedy Festival ticket and order the Coca Sarli menu.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Pilgrim FEDERATION WHARF, 15-19 FEDERATION DRIVE, MELBOURNE | PILGRIMBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY JESSI G | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA SANSONE

Nestled snuggly under Federation Square, trailing along the Yarra, Pilgrim is set overlooking the delicious view of the river itself and the lights that line Melbourne’s iconic Arts Precinct.

Set within the bluestone of 19th century Melbourne architecture, your eyes spy a light dusting of fairy lights, speckled throughout lush, low hanging plants. When the warm summer days call and the sweetly-breezed nights whisper by, it’s hard to pass up a seat outdoors. There seems to be table after table of smiling clientele, a pleasant crowd of those who have just knocked off work and those lucky enough to have the day off. The cheerfully chill atmosphere is contagious – and thankfully, all of the tables come with a view. There is an open kitchen, and the bar is busy and bustling, overflowing with tantalising cocktails and an array of locally produced brews and vines. There’s even a menu dedicated solely to the delight that is the spritz – including the ever refreshing iced tea spritz (based with gin and house-made iced tea) and the teasingly tasty toffee apple spritz (tainted with the goodness of brandy and topped with cloudy apple juice). Whether it’s pre, post or mid-way through your first drink, any time’s a good time to check out the tempting food on offer at Pilgrim. The smoked kingfish, dressed in a good dose of olive oil, fresh herbs and tiny bursts of sugary tart finger lime, is hard to go past as an appetizer. The house made hummus is a stand-out all on its own, subtly flavoured with smoked almonds and served with warmed Turkish bread.

Finally, the delectable serving of the pepperberryrubbed lamb ribs is perfectly portioned and melt-inyour-mouth good. All meals are served tapas style and are designed to be shared amongst friends, partners and loved ones. Pilgrim is also home to a New York-style comedy room, set with intimate seating to a backdrop of the redbrick-and-curtain wall effect, à la Seinfeld. They host a free night of laughs from an array of local comedic talent on the first Thursday of every month. As we enter the great Melbourne experience that is our glorious Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Pilgrim will host gigs four times a night, Monday to Saturday, throughout the entirety of the season. Along with this comes the Pilgrim’s Comedy Special menu, with your choice of one entree and one main, and a double drink treat of a cocktail and wine, for $60 per person. Comedy and cocktails – what more could you ask for? MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy a $60 two course meal, including an arrival cocktail and your choice of beer or wine, when you present your Comedy Festival ticket. Conditions apply. Pay with Liven and earn 15% Liven Cash

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Polēpolē Bar & Kitchen 1/267 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | POLEPOLEBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY TARNAY SASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Very much the hidden gem of Little Collins Street, Polēpolē Bar & Kitchen is the place you go to sample inner-city, African-inspired food before trotting upstairs to get your drink on at the uber sexy cocktail bar of the same family, Glamp. Owners Dean and Jeanelle Mariani decided that, after some extensive African travels, it was time to bring some of the tastes that they loved on the Eastern part of the continent to Melbourne’s CBD. Combining flavours of Ethiopia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and more, Polēpolē Bar & Kitchen has successfully fused contemporary Australian food with the flavours of East Africa. Polēpolē Bar & Kitchen offers a contemporary spin on African cusine for an inner-city crowd, who want the exotic tastes of Africa mixed with some familiar favourites. The menu changes often, but one thing that’s stayed the same since the restaurant’s opening is the fried chicken ribs, with Moroccan honey, hummus aioli and smoked dukkah. It’s not the flavour combo you would usually associate with fried chicken – Polēpolē Bar & Kitchen’s chicken ribs are a moreish mix of sweet, spicy and something you can’t quit put your finger on. It’s easy to devour the entire stack before you realise that you probably need to share, as the menu suggests. The biltong – house-cured Black Angus porterhouse – is a must-order. A salty, peppery, meatier version of any jerky you’ve had before, it goes well with an Ethiopian St. George lager. Some well-chosen sides to add to your order would be the grilled corn cob with lime and chilli salt served on a bed

of goat’s curd, and, especially if you’re ordering a meatier dish for your main, some injera – a traditional Ethiopian spongy flatbread made from fermented teff or rice flour, used as the perfect accompaniment for soaking up juices and eating with your hands. If the exotic decor – including plants hanging from the ceiling, incredible African artwork and lots of earthy tones – leaves you feeling adventurous, try snacking on the crocodile croquettes. With a texture between fish and chicken, the croquettes have a spice combination not unlike the taste of Indian samosas. If you’re feeling even more daring, there’s also a game meat special, where the chef will serve you a selection of African-style cooked meats that may include wild boar, buffalo, camel, more crocodile, ostrich, guinea fowl or wallaby. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy an African beer or glass of wine and some tasty beef biltong for just $10 when you show your Comedy Festival ticket.

Pay with Liven and earn 15% Liven Cash

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Punch Lane 43 LITTLE BOURKE ST, MELBOURNE | PUNCHLANE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY STEVIE ZIPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRETA RICHMOND

Walking down the quaint and collage-dressed walls of Liverpool Street in the CBD, you’ll notice Punch Lane perched on the corner between laneways. The voices of Carol King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simons float gently through the air as you walk into the burgundy wooden-walled spot.

Punch Lane is dressed to impress, with an almost ceiling-tofloor blackboard boasting an extensive range of fine cheeses and wine. The decor and earthy music endow the place with an ambience of casual decadence, giving an immediate indication that they are specialists in fine cuisine. Punch Lane caters for the diner who loves to explore their palate. The menu doesn’t disappoint, with a selection of dishes that are classically Australian in nature, albeit spliced with fusions that reflect the diversity of Melbourne culture. For starters and entrees, enjoy wallaby accompanied by smoked mussels, in-house made crackers, a vibrant beetroot salad and halloumi grilled to utmost perfection. Mains follow and impress; a rump of Flinders Island lamb served on a pea puree with perky buttered peas and sweet flowers lend a nod towards the classic Australian roast. However, it’s restructured with contemporary, bold flavours. The miso barramundi stands alone as a star dish, fashioning Japanese flavours with a sesame snow and seaweed succulents. This dish in particularly represents the unique, signature Punch Lane touch. The talents of the chefs here do not go unnoticed. Room for more is always an option at Punch Lane. Enjoying a glass of wine paired with a selection of their

finest cheeses is an absolute must. The Drunken Buffalo, Rocchetta and Golden Roemer with in-house made plum jam, crackers, walnuts and a sliced pear is just one example of the exceptional cheese platters on offer. If you can only select one dessert option however, the crème de la crème of the dining experience is by far Punch Lane’s signature dessert. Encapsulating their ability to embody the classic flavours of Australia with contemporary innovation, it’s described simply as a deconstructed lamington. The flavour perfection of our nation’s most famous sponge is presented here with pure style. Punch Lane boasts delicate flavours, which are also at most times surprising, creating an impression never to be forgotten. A perfect place to dine with the one you love or to make a fine impression on your family and friends, this menu will delight anyone who enjoys excellence on their plate. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Present your same-day Comedy Festival ticket and receive a free digestif when you purchase their cheese board. Pay with Liven and earn 15% Liven Cash

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Red Spice QV 37 ARTEMIS LANE, MELBOURNE | REDSPICEQV.COM WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

Sophisticated Asian fusion restaurant Red Spice QV is deservedly famous as far as Melbourne dining is concerned. When it comes to expectations, there’s a clue in the name – most everything on the tantalising menu has a certain zing that will have you hooked from the first bite. Where to begin? There is a go-to option in the five-spice pork belly, proudly presented as the restaurant’s signature dish. Complete with chilli caramel, apple slaw and black vinegar, it’s a moreish, mouth-watering, must-have lunch. It’s certainly tough to dispute its title as the premier pick – but what is to be gleaned from the concept of ‘a signature dish’? It would be a huge oversight for any diner at Red Spice QV to ‘favour the best and forget the rest’, noting the sheer quality of the cuisine on offer. The entirety of the restaurant’s menu is deserving of great praise, with the celebration of their delectable pork belly more humble than anything else. Spice is the name of the game, but even those averse to fiery foods will find it difficult to deny the deliciousness of these dishes. The sticky sweet and sour cumin lamb ribs certainly earn a mention, while for something smaller, the betel leaf with chopped prawn, peanut, pomelo and herbs is a good bet. You’ve got to love a place that doesn’t leave vegans out in the cold, as well. In fact, Red Spice QV reserves some true taste sensations for vegans – most notably their fried eggplant, served with hot and sour sauce, sesame and Sichuan pepper. Another must-try dish is their

smashed green papaya, tomato, snake bean, chilli, peanut and herb salad. Of course, we’ve barely scratched the surface here looking at the lunch menu, let alone the rest on offer. There’s unique cocktails to experience, an extensive wine list and a delectable dessert menu that mashes traditional and modern Asian flavours together with fine Aussie produce. Suffice to say, you’ll be rushing back for more. Red Spice QV has a reputation well-earned and with its location just a short walk from the Greek Centre – a major venue this Comedy Festival – you should absolutely do yourself a favour and check it out. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Show your same-day Comedy Festival ticket to receive one complimentary drink when spending $20 or more.

FEATURE

Trades Hall Home of the Big Laughs this Comedy Festival WRITTEN BY KATE STREADER

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is taking over venues throughout the city and for the month of April, Trades Hall is transforming into a house of laughs with a huge selection of comedy performances taking over the entire space. Here are a handful of Trades Hall’s top picks to keep you entertained – without emptying your bank account.

GUY WILLIAMS

PO PO MO CO

TRADES HALL COMEDY 3 SHOW PASS

What could be better than heading down to catch a killer comedy gig at Trades Hall? A three-show pass, that’s what. You’ll score access to thrice as many laughs at a trio of events of your choosing. The Trades Hall Comedy 3 Show Pass will stop you from lightening your wallet while still allowing you to check out a range of shows from the 22 events on offer through the Trades Hall MICF program. You can make your way to an entirely improvised musical courtesy of The Impromptunes, catch PO PO MO CO’s adults-only take on a 1922 German vampire

film performed by queer clowns, or witness Soothplayers’ comedic take on Hogwarts through their previously sold-out show Completely Improvised Potter. Further highlights include stand-up from Guy Williams, Patrick Collins, Kaitlyn Rogers and Perri Cassie. The events are all taking place at Trades Hall between Thursday March 29 and Sunday April 22. Just remember, it’s one pass per person. Check out the huge selection of comedy acts at comedyfestival.com.au.

JACK GRAMENZ

ABORIGINAL COMEDY ALLSTARS

THE COMEDY ZONE

Drawing upon a vast history of storytellers, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars brings Australia’s Indigenous comedy legends to the stage to unfold a world of laughs. Expect with thought-provoking ideas and some cheeky jabs to boot. Join Kevin Kropinyeri for some observational humour meshed with slapstick antics, seasoned performer Sean Choolburra renowned for his ability to marry comedy and culture, MICF resident Andy Saunders and the charismatically bold Steph Tisdell, offering personal selfexpression through her comedy. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars is happening in The Meeting Room at Trades Hall from Monday April 9 until Friday April 15 (excluding Wednesday).

Melbourne International Comedy Festival has hand-picked five up and comers to take you to The Comedy Zone. Fresh in every sense of the word, these new faces will have you bellylaughing in no time. Blake Freeman will have you lapping up his relatable yet goofy comedy while Bonnie Tangey showcases her unique blend of poetry, stand-up and dance. Queenslander Jack Gramenz displays his insightful humour, Rowan Thambar tells tales of growing up Australian-Sri Lankan and Zack Dyer delivers his laidback comedic style. The Comedy Zone is happening in The Meeting Room every night excluding Wednesdays from Thursday March 29 until Sunday April 22.

SIMON TAYLOR

ALEX WARD

With a show titled Happy Times performed by one of Australia’s hottest comedians, you can guarantee you’ll be in for a good night with Simon Taylor. Pairing his sharp wit with a hilarious retelling of his ‘you’re going to be a dad, oh wait you might not be the dad’ saga, Taylor will have you in stitches as he dredges up all the gory details of a life changing incident in a satirical light. Catch Simon Taylor in The Quilt Room and Music Room from Thursday March 29 - Sunday April 22 (bar Wednesdays).

After a slew of sell-out debut shows in 2017, Alex Ward is back with her latest antics in Good, Great. Shrouded in sarcasm, cynicism and self-degradation with a hint of optimism – Ward is set to spike your anxiety levels and then rid your worries all in the space of one show. Ward – who spends her time writing for The Project when she isn’t producing stand-up gold – is a wizard with her words. You’ll be left laughing and contemplating people, life and love throughout. Catch her in multiple locations throughout Trades Hall between Tuesday March 27 and Sunday April 22.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

San Telmo 14 MEYERS PL, MELBOURNE | SANTELMO.COM.AU WRITEN BY TARNAY SASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Hidden down an enchanted alleyway off Bourke Street lives an authentic Argentinian barbecue eatery – and older sibling restaurant of Palermo. A little piece of Buenos Aires in Melbourne, it’s possibly the cosiest fine dining outfit in the city.

San Telmo’s owners have noticed the current Melbourne trend of industrial, minimalist chic and decided heartily against it for their South American hideaway. The walls are adorned with cowhides, dark woods, and a glass bottle chandelier hangs near the kitchen pass. The open kitchen adds to the intimate atmosphere, where chefs cook meat upon the parrilla – a traditional Argentinian charcoal grill. The lunch time crowd at San Telmo sneak in the chance to gulp down the signature red (a Ruca Malen malbec from Mendoza) and to indulge in the smoky, salty flavours of a medium-rare, slow-grilled flank steak – juicy and pink in the middle with a thick, salted black crust on the outside. It’s just as good as it sounds, paired with two traditional Argentinian condiments: a classic salsa made from tomato, onions and olive oil, and the lesser known chimichurri – parsley, garlic, olive oil and chilli in a paste. If you choose the asado set menu, the flank is served with a side of papas: crispy potato, garnished with a mix of cornichons, shallots and parsley – all topped with dollops of garlic aioli. The salad – lechuga – is light and deliciously tangy. Cos lettuce and shallots with horseradish dressing basically

makes this main a fancy Argentinian version of a humble steak, potatoes and salad. It’s simple and delicious, perfect with the malbec (which is smooth and easy to drink). Your stomach will be more than ready for the hearty main fare after the light starters. Chapa (a salty flatbread served with pickled eggplant), empanadas (made with beef, olives and egg), tender chorizo and the highlight of the entire selection: the ceviche. Lemon-cured rudderfish that comes in a colourful liquid, strong in citrus and coriander aromas, served with chilli, cubes of sweet potato, onion and micro herbs. It’s light, refreshing and completely different to the rest of the meat-heavy set menu. If you’re not too full to finish off your San Telmo experience with a dessert, the asado menu concludes with a dulce de leche-filled Argentine cookie called an afajor – which, as mouth-watering as it is, is no substitute for San Telmo’s signature crème caramel flan. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy a complimentary glass of Argentinian Malbec when you show your Comedy Festival ticket and order the El Asado $60 set menu.

VENUE PROFILE

Sonny’s Bottega 647 PLENTY RD, PRESTON | FACEBOOK.COM/SONNYSBOTTEGA WRITTEN BY DAVID CLASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN LAIDLAW

Cosy, sincere, classic and romantic are all apt terms when describing Sonny’s Bottega, a Preston-based restaurant serving Italian cuisine of the highest order. You step inside and wonder if you’ve just arrived in Sicily, with an interior of white brick walls and warm wooden panels. Sonny’s Bottega offers a set menu consisting mainly of spuntino (or light dishes), with an extensive beer and wine selection, but there’s also a concise main menu available that offers different meals weekly. To produce a new set of high quality dishes every week takes serious ingenuity, and for that Sonny’s Bottega must be credited – because they are all of a high calibre. The menu on this particular week featured a pasta bake with tomato and peas. Every corner of the mouth is indulged with this dish, as creamy sauce and fresh tomato seep through the lasagne sheets. Another favourite from the weekly selection was the insalata – a green bean salad with mint, almonds and a surprising punch of mustard. The tang from this salad gives an invigorating flavour. Perhaps the highlight was the affettati misti con formaggi – an assortment of Italian cured meats and cheeses with olives. This mainstay on the venue’s menu is perfect for sharing and tasting alongside a glass of wine. Each slice of meat and cheese punctures the taste buds in different ways, giving the opportunity to experiment with different combinations and groupings. The delicate prosciutto mixed with the gorgonzola was a hit.

Sonny’s Bottega clearly takes pride in creating Italian cuisine that is traditional and resonates with definitive Italian tastes. These plates have a simple and classic feel to them, representing the true philosophy of Italian cuisine. Nothing needs to be overdone with fancy assortments and an abundance of the unnecessary. Italians – and particularly Sonny’s Bodega – need show nothing but simple, good quality food impassioned by love. Each table features a deck of Italian playing cards. A captivating item that will surely spark conversation over dinner, these cards are characterised by different symbols and figures to the familiar English-style deck. Sonny’s Bottega also sticks with a 1950’s rock-n-roll soundtrack for ambience. Chuck Berry, Los Lobos and Jerry Lee Lewis all make an appearance, setting a lively mood. For an intimate night out, where food, wine and close conversation is the focus, Sonny’s Bottega just may be the ideal location.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Touché Hombre 233 LONSDALE ST, MELBOURNE | TOUCHEHOMBRE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY AMANDA SHERRING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

Located on the edges of Chinatown opposite the QV, Touché Hombre has been bringing Mexican flavours to Melburnians since 2011. Articles of Mexican culture past and present fill the space, with Day of the Dead figurines, vibrant embroidery and the word “Tequila” up in lights on the far wall.

Since stepping in over a year ago, head chef Jan Stander has made experimentation the norm in the kitchen. One such creation is what the team at Touché Hombre are calling The Mexican Croquette. “This is a little invention I came up with with the guys in the kitchen,” Stander says. “Every table orders this and they love it.” Stuffed with a goat’s cheese and jalapeno mash, then deep fried and served with chipotle mayo and pickled jalapenos, this dish offers a delicious twist to traditional Mexican-style cooking. As for tradition, Jocelyn’s Empanadas sit in pride of place on the menu. A popular snack across Central and South America, this particular version comes from a wife of one of the chefs. Sharing the recipe with Stander over lunch, the empanadas utilise the Mexican delicacy of corn truffle. Paired with corn and chimichurri, the whole thing simply melts in your mouth.

Much like the empanada, ceviche is a cultural delicacy. Fresh raw ocean trout is cured in lime and guajillo oil, complimented by red onion, cucumber, jalapeno, fresh coconut and coriander. A mention must also go to the fatty lamb ribs, and the pork tacos al pastor. At Touché Hombre and its adjoining venue Mezcalito, the menu is crafted around the concept of a celebration. Dishes are to be shared, enjoyed, and washed down with a Tommy’s Margarita or two. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mexican joint without a Virgin Mary – of which there are plenty. With everything made in-house minus the tortillas – which they’re currently working on – and chillies imported for authenticity, Touché Hombre knows how to bring the Mexico to Melbourne. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Mexican flavour hit or hoping to sample some Latino-style kitchen creations, this is the place.

VENUE PROFILE

Trippy Taco 234 GERTRUDE ST, FITZROY | TRIPPYTACO.COM.AU WRITTEN BY JESSICA PRESCOTT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESS PRESCOTT

It’s no surprise that Trippy Taco has become something of an institution since they opened and swiftly outgrew their first Fitzroy restaurant in 2006. Loved by vegans and meat eaters alike, their menu offers fresh Mexicaninspired street food and a killer cocktail list to boot. It’s hard to go wrong when picking something to feast upon at Trippy Taco. Whether you’re eating on the run or slowing down to dine in with friends, there’s an option to satisfy you here. Crowd favourites are burritos, nachos and tacos (of course) – but their taquitos, tamales, quesadillas and fries shouldn’t be overlooked either. All menu items are vegetarian and can be easily ‘veganised’ by one of their considerate chefs – many of which are passionate vegans themselves. Most things can also be altered for the gluten intolerant, proving that there really is something for everyone at Trippy Taco. They even have a ‘K’ next to menu items that are popular choices amongst the little ones. As for the drinks, wash every meal of the day down with one of their authentic margaritas. But if you don’t like tequila, no worries, they’ve got mojitos, pina coladas and horchatas. Or, order refreshing sangria by the jug, as well as

an array of bottled alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for your sipping pleasure. Naturally, there’s a first-class selection of beers on offer. The selection ranges from boutique local brews including a specially crafted Two Birds Taco Beer, as well as Mexican favourites such as Pacifico and Negra Modelo. There’s no going past Trippy Taco’s sweets. Opt for their Nutella melt, featuring a large slathering of Nutella across a melted grill, or the classic option of churros served fresh with sugar and cinnamon along with a tantelising dipping sauce. Before southsiders begin lamenting that all of the best places to eat these days appear to be on the north side, Trippy Taco has recently opened a second restaurant on St Kilda’s Acland Street – so you don’t have to make a trip across the Yarra to get a taste of this deliciousness. Head to Trippy Taco now, and thank me later.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Trunk Restaurant & Bar 275 EXHIBITION ST, MELBOURNE | TRUNKTOWN.COM.AU WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA SANSONE

Arguably the simplest way to determine if a bar or restaurant is worth your time is to observe the traffic it attracts. If it’s popular, it’s usually popular for a reason. Enter Trunk Restaurant & Bar, a venue eternally buzzing with business types, tourists and families – and that’s just afternoon tea on a weekday.

This place does well for itself and from the very first impression, it’s easy to see why. You’ll know you’re onto a winner from the moment their immaculate Mediterraneaninspired food is placed before you. Of the smaller plates, you can’t go past the kataifiwrapped halloumi with fig jam and walnuts – each flaky parcel a tiny-yet-potent grenade of flavour that bursts with a sweetness that’s bound to stay with you. The octopus is another highlight of the venue’s small snack selection, presented with kipfler potato, sumac and almond skordalia. It’s yet another instance where colourful presentation promises the world and, of course, Trunk Restaurant & Bar deliver. Pleasingly, as far as the mains are concerned, it’s much the same story. The pulled lamb shoulder with jeweled freekeh and tzatziki is undeniably moreish, while the tuna niçoise assembles a mish-mash of tasty morsels – black sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna, boiled egg, kipfler potato, tomato, lettuce, olives, capers and anchovies – combining them all to form one delectable dish.

Trunk Restaurant & Bar deliver in the drinks department too, which comes as no shock given their enormous, well-stocked bar space. When it comes to cocktails, you’ll need to pencil in a few returns to properly appreciate the variety on offer. The venue serves a range of specialties, as well as several classics developed “with a Trunk twist”. They’ve nailed the science, too – take the Ferrero Rocher for example, its flavour perfectly encapsulating its namesake. Trunk offers a range of summer spritzes, too, bound to tempt anyone spending a nice, sunny afternoon in the venue’s street-facing beer garden. Located on Exhibition Street, Trunk Restaurant & Bar boasts scenes that tease passers-by – patrons seen kicking back, a cocktail in hand, without a care in the world. In that sense, Trunk Restaurant & Bar takes food envy to a whole new level. A must-visit place and the ideal destination if you’ve got Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows lined up at the Greek Centre – it’s located just around the corner.

VENUE PROFILE

Union St Brewers 34 UNION ST, BRUNSWICK | HUNIONSTBREWERS.COM.AU WRITTEN BY TARNAY SASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY HAWKINS

A stone’s throw from Jewell Station, right in the heart of Brunswick, Union St Brewers is a must-try bagel and coffee stop for uni students and breakfast enthusiasts alike. Anthony Ierna bought the light-filled cafe from the owners of South Yarra’s Drugstore Espresso less than a year ago and has already managed to firmly root himself in the Brunswick community, welcoming each regular by name and favourite caffeinated beverage. The drink choices are aplenty, with ambitious barista Toby Chen behind the machine. Only ten months into his coffee-making career, he can already churn out lattes high enough in artistic flair and taste to take him to competitions. Choices include a wide variety of non-dairy milks, as well as turmeric, matcha or beetroot lattes for those who prefer their drinks caffeine-free. Anthony has kept the vibe of Union St Brewers very grab-and-go friendly for students attending the nearby RMIT campus, as well as for those rushing off to catch the Upfield line train. The menu is enticing enough, however, to ensure that many patrons are happy to sit down for a meal and take advantage of the sun-filled cafe – a venue that’s all windows and glass. Chef Tom Simson changes the menu seasonally, and has decided to keep the offerings as vegan-friendly as

possible to suit the Brunswick scene. The chia pudding with walnut praline, poached pear, pomegranate, strawberries, blueberries and dragon fruit is a dream – fresh and fruity, as well as visually delicious. The enormous slabs of peanut butter and chocolate brownies that taunt you from the front counter are all baked in-house, as well as the banana bread, muffins and other sweet treats. The width of Simson’s workspace might be about the same as your average walk-in wardrobe, but he manages to do some pretty impressive things within it. Most impressive of all would be the home-made bagels. The absolute gem of the menu, these bagels are yeasty, tangy, dense and moist. They take 24 hours to prepare, starting with the mother dough – very similar to a sourdough starter – before being left to sit overnight in preparation for boiling and baking in the morning. Bagel innards include chive and cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers and herbs or home-cured pastrami, mustard, beetroot relish and pickled onion. If that doesn’t entice you, then the vegan Big Boy burrito also comes highly recommended for both vegans and meat eaters alike.

VENUE PROFILE

Vanilla Lounge 17-21 EATON ST, OAKLEIGH | VANILLALOUNGE.COM.AU WRITTEN BY CHRIS SWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

Located just a stone’s throw from Oakleigh Centre – a hub of the south east and the heart of Melbourne’s Greek precinct – is Vanilla Lounge. It’s a two-storey mega bakery with Greek patisserie options and a full Mediterranean menu.

A sweet tooth’s heaven, you’re immediately greeted with an impeccable assortment of incredibly sweet and colourful cakes, while a variety of wraps and panini are available for those after a quick and easy meal on the run. An absolutely massive space with endless tables of all shapes and sizes to accommodate either a simple dinner for two or a group looking for a bite of lunch. The upstairs offers a more expansive dining area, catering for a sit-down meal rather than the cafe style downstairs – which has a stocked bar toting an extensive wine list and cocktails cleverly named after each of the Mediterranean Isles. There’s a distinct feeling of friendship and community buzzing through the venue with large groups of regulars happily chatting with staff as they rotate around. They’ve been around for ten years now and pride themselves on good service and locally sourced products. If you’re after a light meal, you can’t go past the spanakopita – a Greek classic cooked to perfection with crisp pastry and a rich filling that melts in your mouth. The more adventurous might be tempted by the roast beetroot and freekah salad served with feta, complete with figs straight from the owner’s tree. Beautifully presented, it’s an

explosion of flavours with each ingredient bringing unique strengths to the dish. It’s made all the better for adding chicken, which brings heft to an already filling special. The meat platter is a carnivore’s dream. The sausage or loukaniko has a distinctly Greek flavour, with a medley of herbs giving a rich taste that settles in. The pork and beef keftedes are a combination of fresh meats, well cooked to trap in all the flavours. The chicken gyros is the highlight – blended with spices and prepared as if carved right from the spit. The delectable poultry melts in your mouth. For dessert there’s sweet and rich galaktobouriko, a staple of Greek desserts and perfect with a coffee at the end of your meal, or kormo for those after something a little less sweet, but equally delicious. If you’re seeking unique Greek cuisine with a modern flair or a selection of sweet treats served in the friendliest of settings, Vanilla Lounge is the place for you.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Waterslide Bar MR3 SOUTHGATE AVE, SOUTHBANK | WATERSLIDEBAR.COM.AU WRITTEN BY NICK MASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

Waterslide Bar enthusiastically embraces its part to play in shaping Southbank as an entertainment destination, encompassing both the past and present. Inspecting the walls, you’ll notice that the venue is adorned with nods to its heritage. Its very name serves as a direct reference to the Victorian gold rush boom, with a sense of celebration of the bygone era evident. Beyond that, it fulfils its brief as a premier bar destination to the letter. As you would expect of a venue that touts its cocktail expertise, when it comes to exquisite alcoholic concoctions, Waterslide Bar spoils you for choice. The mere sight of the bar is enticing – a dazzling and diverse rainbow of options, spread over cascading shelves that hit you all at once. Of course, given this focus, it comes as no surprise that Waterslide Bar strips any stuffy formality away in favour of a more relaxed, lounge atmosphere. It makes great use of its space, offering patrons an abundance of room to mingle. To that end, it’s also no shock that Waterslide Bar’s specialty is light snacks, with an all-new menu of tasty treats recently debuted. Much like the history of the venue itself, there’s respect paid to some classic combinations, like the terrific fried Buffalo wings complete with blue cheese sauce. Then there are other offerings, such as the pizzas – each pitched as a unique gourmet indulgence. Take a broccoli pesto base, throw in some pumpkin and roasted

peppers, add a little chilli, bocconcini and basil, and just like that, you’ve got yourself an especially snackable pie that puts your local take-out joint to shame. Once again, the setup is as such that Waterslide Bar aims to have you enjoying your evening with a cocktail in one hand and tasty morsel in the other. Not just anyone, but everyone – from tourists to work colleagues – everyone’s likely to stream through Southbank looking for a place to kick back and have a little fun. As such, the bar snacks menu is notably diverse, accommodating for all different tastes. Importantly for this time of year, Waterslide Bar has the makings of a Comedy Festival hotspot as a close neighbour of Hamer Hall, with the Arts Centre and the Melbourne Theatre Company easy to access. The venue is well placed to kick off a fun-filled evening or even host a much needed debrief between friends following an unforgettable show. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Show them your Comedy Festival ticket for $4 sparkling wine, $4 pots and $8 pints of beer.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL DRINKING & DINING PARTNER

Allegro at The Westin 205 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE | ALLEGRORESTAURANT.COM.AU WRITTEN BY STEVIE ZIPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

As the old adage goes: first impressions last. This was undoubtedly proven true upon entering The Westin’s upstairs dining experience at Allegro – which is a sublime experience from the moment you enter. A sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, Allegro offers an unforgettable time.

Greeted by professional and smiling staff, I was guided to my table. My chair was pulled out for me to take a seat and a cloth napkin was placed on my lap. It’s the type of services that makes dining here something special, elevating any night out to a new level. Even before the first bite, the atmosphere was set – sophisticated and classy, but without coming across as pretentious. Being poured a flute of Moët champagne got the proceedings off to an impeccable start. The menu at Allegro is equally impressive, taking inspiration from all corners of the globe while retaining the flavours of contemporary Australia. An undoubted highlight is the seafood at Allegro – some of the freshest you will find in Melbourne. Their local Angasi oysters are a must-try, paired with fresh finger lime that’s subtle enough to keep the focus upon the carefully selected produce. Allegro’s Port Lincoln kingfish sashimi is the perfect starter for any meal, with the buttermilk and oyster sauce supporting – but never overtaking – the dish’s delicate flavour. Our main courses were unparalleled, with Burrawong organic duck breast arriving tender and full

of flavour. The mandarin crumble complimenting the dish was beautifully prepared and artfully crafted. While all dishes served were shining examples of flavour and skill in their own right, the flathead with milkpoached salsify, charred fennel puree, fennel pollen and a citrus bur was truly inventive. Both generous and light, it amounted to a celebration of seasonal flavours. Whether you’re dining out for a business meeting, spoiling a partner, or looking for the perfect pre or postComedy Festival dining experience, Allegro will fit the bill. For most, the tried and tested combination of dinner and a show amounts to a perfect night out. If that’s what you’re after, Allegro will not only offer something truly special, but they’ll deliver the service to make sure you leave with a smile on your face even before the first Comedy Festival joke has been told. MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL OFFER Enjoy an exclusive Comedy Cocktail for just $15 upon presentation of a valid Comedy Festival ticket. (Normally $20 each.)

VENUE PROFILE

Wings of Glory 288 LITTLE LONSDALE ST, MELBOURNE | WINGSOFGLORY.COM.AU WRITTEN BY GARETH MORGAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY WEAVELL

If you’re a little tired of burgers – which seem to be everywhere – but are still hanging onto the American dream of good, hearty, messy food, then you’re probably dreaming about wings. Wings Of Glory are the perfect answer to your cravings, specialising in traditional American-style chicken Buffalo wings and offering their very own brew – the aptly titled Glorious Beer. Wings might not be an obvious meal choice. Maybe the odds are even stacked against them. They’re so small? They’re on the bone? Well, you’re right – but don’t let these facts about wings scare you off. Wings of Glory prove that this humble cut of chook is ripe for innovation, and deserving of respect. Wings of Glory is still in its early years, having started back in 2015 in South Melbourne. Their mission was and remains simple – chicken and beer. Since then, they have opened a second store on cosy Little Lonsdale Street in the city with the same menu. It’s a simple menu that takes away the overwhelming feeling of a restaurant with too many options. It’s absolutely no nonsense: wings and sides. As you might expect from a narrow list of options, everything is made with a real attention to detail and packed full of flavour. The ease of the boneless wing might seem like the ultimate wing experience, but we must say: there’s something fun and genuine about eating meat from the bone. The bone-in wings are especially delicious with the original spicy flavour, and made – like everything – in-house.

For those a little wary of spice, the “Happy Medium” level of heat perfectly balances chilli, salt, acidity and sweetness without losing the spicy punch. For those with young ones, or people who don’t like any heat at all, the lemon pepper is a safe option with a little zing. Dunk these milder wings in a blue cheese sauce for a salty, funky flavour if you’re feeling a little wild. Wings of Glory have crafted a hand-cut potato chip that is truly something special. Vegetarians will be happy to know that someone’s making vegetarian ‘wings’ as well, which prove that meat isn’t everything—so you won’t be that person eating chips at the end of the table with their carnivorous friends. Also, they have $12 jugs of beer – a very solid house lager. That’s a cheap jug. Whether you’re new to wings or a seasoned purveyor Wings of Glory is great for a cheeky lunch, uni break stopover, or after-work beers.