RUSTICA OPENS AT MELBOURNE CENTRAL
Renowned bakery-café, Rustica, announces the opening of its latest humble abode located in the iconic Melbourne Central shopping centre.
The Rustica empire, lead by founder, Brenton Lang, will see the Melbourne Central store as the fourth instalment of the widely popular café, with other locations in Fitzroy, Hawthorn and Rialto. While the move may seem a little left of centre for the iconic Melbourne entrepreneur, Lang believes Melbourne central is ready for proper café dining.
“Shopping centre dining is traditionally cheap and cheerful food court options. Our space is set to take you away from that feel and give the experience of quality Melbourne cafés. Melburnians demand high-quality dining experiences, regardless of their location or venue. We know this as we see queues outside of cafés every weekend, and every second instagram post is of what people are eating. Our aim is to turn the food court scene on its head with an experience that is unprecedented.” With the broadest menu offering of any Rustica, customers can expect to be treated to an array of mouth-watering and seasonal dishes; seeing the return of old favourites and welcoming exciting new items that are exclusive to
Melbourne Central.
Think Dill and Gin Cured Trout on a soft leaf salad paired with essentials from freekeh, heirloom vegetables, baba ganoush and pickled eggs, all topped on Rustica’s iconic Miche loaf. For those looking for something a bit sweeter, Rustica will be serving up an old classic with a contemporary twist; Chocolate Lamington French Toast – oozing with strawberry jelly and oreo custard, finished with a peanut butter
brittle.”
Where: Melbourne Central – La Trobe St & Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Located on Level 2, next door to Country Road.
Trade: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8am- 6pm | Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8am- 9pm | Sunday 10am-6pm
THE DUKE ROOFTOP BAR
Image by James Brook
The Duke has lifted its lid and now contains a rooftop perched high above Flinders Street showcasing the very best of Melbourne with views of the iconic cityscape including The Forum, Federation Square and Flinders Street Station. The Duke has had a few facelifts and refurbishments over the years and as of Friday, 6th July the top floor has reopened as The Duke Rooftop Bar.
Melbourne’s oldest licensed pub has a long history of entertaining Melbourne locals and visitors alike, but it never rests on its laurels. It is a space created in the city we love, live and breathe. The Duke is an institution in the heart of the city and with the addition of the rooftop, it is a must see for locals and travellers.
The Duke prides itself on being a stalwart on the Melbourne pub scene. It heaves on game days as the ground floor fills with footy fans and live music keeps the crowd buzzing. Level One is a magnet for suits winding down on a Friday evening or sharing a bottle of wine during the week. The Rooftop is expected to be a hit in the heart of Melbourne as a place to meet up, wind down or end up.
The rooftop food menu is filled with Australian classics perfect for sharing with friends over a few drinks. Pub classics like burgers, hot dogs and pies are staples, with creativity pouring through the menu with each seasonal update. New house favourites include The G Hot Dog, Flinders Street Double Cheeseburger and Finger Lickin’ Rooftop Chicken and don’t forget the locally celebrated dish of Lygon Street Style Lasagne Croquettes with Garlic Bread Crumbs and Aioli.
The Drinks menu includes a diverse range of international and local wines, icy cold beers on tap and the on-trend cocktails are shaken, mixed and poured including the Bourbini [Bourbon, Peach Bitters, Peach Liquor, Sparkling Wine and Mint], Winter Ginger [Lemonade, Honey Syrup, Ginger Syrup, Scotch and Ginger Twist], Café ala Mexicana [Anejo Tequila, Chilli Liquor, Drippa Brown Sugar, Cream, Coffee Beans and Chilli] and Spellbound Smash [Bourbon, Gomme, Orange Bitters, Lemon, Blackberries, Sage Leaves and Thyme].
The Duke Rooftop is located at 146 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Rooftop opening hours: 7 days a week, Monday to Sunday from midday until late
Website: www.dukeofwellington.com.au
WHISKY LOVERS TO GATHER AT CAULFIELD RACECOURSE FOR NEW WINTER FESTIVAL
Melbourne’s newest festival dedicated to all things malt and grape has just dropped their menu line-up and it’s a whisky-lover’s dream.
Whisky, Wine & Fire, presented by BMW will see attendees smell, swill and sip their way through tastings from 11 labels of single malt, small batch and Scotch and 19 wine labels of red, white and all varietals in between.
The line-up includes boutique distillers Port Melbourne’s Starward, Timboon Railway Shed from Western Victoria and Tasmania’s Belgrove Distillery sampling their wares alongside larger labels such as Talisker, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. Wine-buffs can graze their way through Grenaches, Syrahs and Roussanes from some of Victoria and South Australia’s favourite regions with tipples from Scotchman’s Hill, Portsea Estate and St Huberts, among others. Mulled wine and hot cider are also on the menu.
After filling your glasses, stomachs will be next with roasted beasts and flame kissed skewers from the likes of Farmers Daughters, the brainchild of Pastuso’s Alejandro Saravia, Filipino BBQ cult favourite Hoy Pinoy, and low and slow American BBQ outfit Burn City Smokers. Close out your night with a frozen pastry from Christy Tania’s Glacé Frozen.
Guests are welcome to explore the fire garden, with installations and performances that will warm as much as they will delight. Tunes by some of Melbourne’s coolest soul and folk acts will keep the vibe lively and help to guard against the wintry chill.
Entry to the event includes a tasting glass of wine and a reusable whisky and wine glass (adults only). Additional tastings, glasses and of course bottles, can be purchased throughout the evening. For more information on Whisky Wine & Fire presented by BMW and to purchase tickets, please visit www.whiskywineandfire.com.au or follow @whiskywinefire on Instagram and Facebook.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Thursday 19 July 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Friday 20 July 5:30pm – 11pm
Saturday 21 July 5:30pm – 11pm
Sunday 22 July 4pm – 9pm
Tickets:
Online: $15
At the gate: $20
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