Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, be merry.
EAT: Ruby Dining
Nestled in the iconic grandeur of Queen Street’s heritage buildings, Ruby Dining is the new after-dark offering illuminating the Law precinct in Melbourne’s CBD.
Ruby Dining is run in partnership with Ex-Cumulus Head Chef James Cornwall and focusses on flavour cohesiveness that ties in with the space and concept of the restaurant.
Inspired by London and New York’s theatreland brasseries – offering quality dining in elegant settings that maintain welcoming accessibility and hearty sensibility – Ruby Dining invites those wanting an after-work wine and snack to sit alongside friends having a pre-show dinner, or a couple extending their date after dinner with an aperitif and dessert.
The food is outstanding, with mains showcasing proteins from land and sea, alongside a vegetarian special, while the grill offers prime cuts of Angus and Wagyu (MB9) with classic sauces.
And because Melbourne foodies love a point of difference – the brown butter madeleines, served with whipped goat cheese and honey, are baked fresh to order.
Working with some of Melbourne’s most ethical producers, the ingredients are sourced from the likes of Ramarro Farm, Loddon Estate Free Range Poultry and Duck, Chooks at the Rooke Eggs, Stone Axe and Sher for Wagyu, and Goldstreet Dairy.
For further info and bookings, please visit Ruby Dining.
DRINK: Barrel Lane Whiskey Club
Embrace the spirit of adventure and the taste of fine Australian craftsmanship with Barrel Lane, the newest venture from the creators of the esteemed Garden Street Gin Club.
Barrel Lane invites whisky enthusiasts across Australia to embark on a journey of discovery, indulging in exclusive small-batch, Australian craft whiskies delivered straight to their doorstep every one or two months.
Founded by passionate connoisseurs Joshua Robinson and Lauren Smith, Barrel Lane emerges as a celebration of Australia’s burgeoning whisky scene. With a keen eye for quality and a dedication to supporting local distilleries, Barrel Lane is set to redefine the whisky experience for aficionados and novices alike.
At Barrel Lane, members can anticipate a curated selection of one-time exclusive whisky releases, each meticulously sourced and crafted to deliver an unparalleled tasting experience. With a focus on showcasing the finest offerings from Australia’s best craft distilleries, Barrel Lane is committed to elevating the profile of Aussie whisky on a global scale.
Members of Barrel Lane can choose between monthly or bi-monthly deliveries, with the flexibility to opt in or out of whisky releases according to their preferences. Each shipment is carefully curated to provide a personalised and immersive whisky experience, complete with tasting notes and distillery insights.
With the official launch of Barrel Lane, whisky enthusiasts across Australia are invited to join in the celebration of craftsmanship, camaraderie, and exploration. Raise a glass to the finer things in life with Barrel Lane – where every sip tells a story.
For more info and to subscribe, visit Barrel Lane.
BUY: A Token Of Support For The Next Aussie Comedy Hit
Set in Melbourne, SQUIDS follows three best friends who find themselves in the middle of an evil and deadly plot as they prepare for the big national Scooter Race.
SQUIDS is for those who miss fun, entertaining comedies in the style of classic 80s & 90s extreme sport films such as BMX Bandits, RAD and Brink! And they’re looking for your help via their crowdfunding campaign. With production completed in 2023, the Melbourne-based creatives are seeking $25,000 for the post-production of the film.
Written and directed by Ryan Zorzut (The Y2K Bug: The Web-Series) and starring Tiana Hogben (Channel 10’s Thank God You’re Here), SQUIDS is the ultimate ride destined to become an Australian comedy hit!
Find and more and support the campaign here.
TRY: Aussie Favourites, Indonesian Flavours
The ultimate foodie crossover is coming to Melbourne in September, when two former My Kitchen Rules champions team up with a seasoned ex-MasterChef finalist for a playful dining experience that seamlessly blends Indonesia’s bold, vibrant flavours into cherished Australian dishes.
On Thursday 5th of September, Sisters Tasia and Gracia Seger, Owners of Melbourne’s coveted Indonesian restaurant Makan, are collaborating with the beloved Chef and Television Personality Michael Weldon on an exciting Indo-Australian menu that pays homage to their respective childhood favourites.
On arrival at the Aussie Favourites, Indonesian Flavours dinner, guests will be treated to an opening snack of Keju crackers with Vegemite Sambal, followed by Batagor Dim Sims with peanut dressing, Beef Rendang meat pie and Urutan ‘sausage sandwich’ for starters. Then, diners will feast on Gohu fish & chips and Kangaroo satay before being treated to the main event – Babi Guling Sunday Roast and Indonesian Charcoal Chicken served with various sides. To finish, a tropical ‘fairy bread’ will give foodies their final taste of nostalgia with an Indonesian twist.
During the dinner at Makan, there will also be an option to include a paired beverage experience, which will include a cocktail on arrival and three wines, including a glass of the 2023 Harrison X Weldon Picpoul.
A collaboration between Michael and winemaker Riley Harrison, the two friends wanted to create something that combined their shared passion for drinking wine and eating food, and settled on a varietal that is in their opinion, an underrated food wine: Picpoul. Fruity, floral and texturally exciting, the wine pairs beautifully with the seafood dishes – as well as the fresh and fried dishes – offered throughout the dining experience.
The Makan x Michael Weldon Indonesian-Australian dining experience will take place at Makan on Thursday 5th of September at 6pm.
The set menu is $120 per person, with an optional beverage pairing for $60 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made here.
VISIT: Affordable Art Fair
Affordable Art Fair will transform the world-heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building with thousands of never-before-seen art works from over 60 of the nation’s best boutique galleries, marking its biggest Australian program to date.
Aiming to demystify the traditional art buying experience with highly visible pricing ranging from $100 to $10,000, visitors will have the unique opportunity to speak directly with gallerists, witness artists in action, and discover something new each day with works rotated as they sell.
Showcasing an impressive array of original works at approachable price points, organisers have curated an impressive line-up of Australia’s best regional, suburban, and metro galleries, and artist collectives. Inner-city highlights include SOL Gallery and Outré Gallery (Fitzroy), Art to Art (Balwyn) and the nation’s leading online gallery Bluethumb (Richmond).
Salt Contemporary (Queenscliff), Plume Gallery (Lorne) and Manyung Gallery (Sorrento) will present the best of Victoria’s coastlines, alongside Grainger Gallery (Canberra), Benten Gallery (Sydney) and Chris Riley Gallery (Brisbane) from across the eastern seaboard. Artist collective highlights include Femme+, Jackson Pensa Price, and Highlands Artist Collective, to name a few.
Complementing the treasure trove of gallery exhibits, visitors will be able to experience a stacked Artists in Action program including live sketches from James Price (Gallery Alchemy) and a larger-than-life ‘reading room’ by Blue Mountain’s local Ben Tankard (Sarah Birtles Art + Advice). Chanel Tang and Ambrose Rehorek of Creature Creature (Outré Gallery) will also welcome guests with a six-metre mural as Jackie Case returns with her iconic Art ATM – producing one-of-a-kind pieces from inside a life size bank teller, for visitors who purchase a token.
Affordable Art Fair made its Australian debut in Melbourne in 2019 and has since become a cornerstone event in the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
Tickets are now available here.