Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, read, be merry.
EAT: Pentolina’s A Magical Night in Cattolica
He’s weaved his magic in kitchens across the globe, from Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and London to top restaurants in Melbourne, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil and Thailand. But the heart of Pentolina’s head chef Gabriele Olivieri remains in his hometown Cattolica, a quaint seaside resort on the Adriatic Coast of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region renowned for fresh clams caught daily by the vongolari (clam fishermen). And for one magical night in November, Melbourne diners will have a rare opportunity to be teleported to Cattolica to experience firsthand the town’s spellbinding seafood and pasta dishes.
A Magical Night in Cattolica is inspired by Cattolica’s two famous summer festivals, La Notte Magica delle Vongole (the Magical Night of the Clams) and La Grande Rustida (the Big Grill).
On Wednesday November 13, 2019, Olivieri will present a six-course degustation menu featuring passatelli with clams and cuttlefish (in honour of La Notte Magica delle Vongole) and charcoal-grilled sardines with piadina, squacquerone and saba (an homage to La Grande Rustida). Diners will also be bewitched by playful interpretations of Olivieri’s favourite traditional dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region – wild rabbit with sausage and fennel; strozzapreti (hand-rolled “strangled priest” pasta) with beef & pork ragù romagnolo; and brodetto di pesce (fish stew with mullet, calamari, mussels, clams and scallops). The final spell of the night will be cast with zuppa inglese, a dessert with layers of chocolate custard, sponge cake and Alchermes liqueur.
A Magical Night in Cattolica is priced at $80 per person, with the option of matched Italian wines for $40 per person (in partnership with Arquilla Wines).
Bookings can be made online at www.pentolina.com.au or by calling 03 9606 0642.
DRINK: Jacob’s Creek Wine Tipi
The eagerly anticipated Melbourne Night Noodle Markets opens at the end of this week. And this year Jacob’s Creek, Australia’s largest wine brand, is popping up to complement the bustling Asian street food festival with a range of wines perfectly paired for every kind of spicy, salty, sour or sweet delicacy.
The Jacob’s Creek Wine Tipi will be waiting for those seeking an escape from the hustle and crowds, providing the perfect spot for those wanting to grab a seat under cover and by the fire to enjoy a glass of wine with their favourite fare.
Jacob’s Creek wines have been expertly matched to Melbourne’s best restaurants and dishes for you to enjoy the ultimate culinary wine moment in style and comfort.
From the 7th – 24th November at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. Look for the Jacob’s Creek Wine Tipi.
TRY: The Color Run
The Color Run Love Tour Australia is making its final two stops in Sydney (10 November) and Melbourne (24 November).
Australians of all ages and abilities will tackle the ultimate color-sprayed 5km fun run this November. Flying through the course, Color Runners will be immersed in a pigment wonderland as they are doused head-to-toe in clouds of color at dedicated Color Zones. After scoring a limited edition unicorn medal on the finish line, participants will party-on with giant color throws, rainbow skies and disco beats at the ultimate Finish Festival.
The Color Run Australia encourages participants to raise funds and awareness for official Charity Partner, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, who are committed to bringing fun, joy and laughter to sick kids and their families all over Australia.
With no winners or official finish times, The Color Run is perfect for everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes!
For more information or to register, please visit https://thecolorrun.com.au
BUY: Probiotic Natural Deodorant by KIND-LY
Probiotics have long been considered the unglamorous hero of the gastrointestinal world; restoring good bacteria in the gut for a healthy digestive tract and immune system. Over the years, the benefits of probiotics have been applied to skincare with a range of serums and emulsions rising to cult status for their ability to balance the microflora on the skin’s surface in order to improve its appearance and strengthen its protection from environmental threats.
Merging probiotics with natural ingredients, KIND-LY revolutionises the green hygiene category with Australia’s first and only 100% natural deodorant enriched with probiotics and magnesium. Referred to as resident bacteria, the good microorganisms found in KIND-LY deodorants neutralise the bad, transient bacteria by supporting the skin’s natural microbiome for healthy, smell-free pits.
As sweat itself is odourless, KIND-LY’s aluminium, paraben and alcohol free formulation allows the underarm area to produce sweat and expel toxins naturally without the associated smell, and re-educates the body to correct bacterial imbalances on its own.
Available in 5 scents infused with premium essential oils, including Lavender & Bergamot, Lime & Frankincense, Cypress & Sandalwood, Coconut & Vanilla and Rose & Geranium, the award-winning range contains organic aloe vera juice to soothe aggravated skin, negatively charged diatomaceous earth to absorb moisture, antibacterial magnesium to cleanse skin, and calming witch hazel to restore underarm health.
For info and stockists, please click here.
VISIT: The State Rose & Garden Show 2019
The State Rose & Garden Show have revealed their exciting line up for 2019, which includes the addition of a wine and beer garden, and a high tea experience amongst the roses!
The annual event will return to the glorious grounds of Werribee Park across the weekend of 9th and 10th of November, with plenty of activities to entertain the whole family including live music, a variety of food trucks and a Prosecco Van, gardening exhibitors and kids activities.
The location – the internationally-recognised Victoria State Rose Garden – is considered to be among Australia’s best rose gardens, and sits nestled in the iconic grounds of the historic Werribee Mansion and the Werribee Park Precinct.
Victorians are encouraged to revel in the Spring sunshine, roll out the picnic rug and enjoy a rosé or two amongst the 5000+ award winning blooms.
For more info on the free event, visit www.stateroseandgardenshow.com.au
READ: Café Culture: For Lovers Of Coffee And Good Design by Robert Schneider
There’s something very special about being able to relish a quality espresso or expertly brewed filter coffee in beautifully designed surroundings. What is the magic formula that makes a café space so inviting, so successful, with a buzz in the atmosphere that’s so enjoyable?
Café Culture: For Lovers of Coffee and Good Design brings together a selection of well-crafted interior spaces by those with both a strong sense of good design aesthetics and a refined appreciation of the art of a good coffee experience. As the much-anticipated follow-up to Robert Schneider’s very successful first book, Coffee Culture: hot coffee + cool spaces – design inspiration that presents coffee shop designs from across the United States, in his new book Schneider expands on the theme by showcasing a wonderful new collection of designs, this time from around the globe.
Richly illustrated throughout with full-colour photos that capture the feel and personality of each coffee shop, and with detailed analysis of each design and its features, along with an insightful overview of the industry trends in design across the globe, this book successfully connects an appreciation for great coffee with spaces that invite human interaction and create memories through good design.
