It’s midwinter. It’s cold. It’s dark. And, let’s face it, when the sun’s not out, it’s pretty damned bleak at times. But we Melburnians won’t let a stretch of dodgy weather put us off. No. Because we’re tough AF. So let’s have a crack at all the shiny things on offer this July so you don’t have to get your bleak on.
European Night Market, Madam Brussels Lane, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 5pm – 9pm
Your very own pieces of Europe pulled together into one laneway every Friday night in July. Madam Brussels Lane gets all Euro with custom light installations, banging tracks, cups of hot spiced rum, mulled wine, Nutella stuffed donuts, crepes, macarons, oozing raclette, and Polish dumplings.
In addition to live musical entertainment, the laneway’s own Cobbler DJ (from The Cobbler’s Last) will be spinning decks and shining shoes late into the night.
Do-Something? Vic Bar, 281 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
The second exhibition/pop-up shop for artist, Jarryd Hood’s Do-Something? project. This time it’s at Vic Bar on Victoria Street, Abbotsford. Do-Something aims to become a digital guide featuring a curated list of things to eat, drink, hear and see in Melbourne on any night of the week. Only runs for a few weeks, so get in soon. If you can’t make it, you can still grab the good stuff here.
Bhang, which has been open less than a year, is the latest project from chef and front-of-house duo Dougal Colam and Sway Quach, who also own Brunswick icon, Tom Phat.
Bhang is delivering soft shell crab pakoras with mustard seed and curry leaf kadi, charcoal roast pork belly with spicy Goan vindaloo and charred fennel and meen charu Malabar coast spicy tamarind & coconut kingfish kari. Yeah, you fire up that belly, Michelle.
Curry and helping. Great combo. You can find out more about Scarf here.
Price:      $95 per person, inclusive of  four courses with matched wines and an aperitif on arrival
Bookings:  Call (03) 9533 2342 or visit www.alterdining.melbourne for online reservations
L’Hotel Gitan, 32 Commercial Rd, Prahran
Featuring Parisian classics such as Chèvre Tartlet, Bisque De Crabe and Boeuf Bourguignon. On the dessert front, indulge in traditional Creme Brûlee, Tarte Tatin, or Crêpes Suzette. $65 for four courses. Bookings call (03) 9999 0990.
Bistro Gitan, 52 Toorak Road West, South Yarra
Celebrate La Fête Nationale with a four-course culinary experience, created especially for the occasion. Experience the joie de vivre with French specialities including Burgundian Gougères, Soupe a l’Oignon and Blanquette de Veau with Chocolate Fondant or Creme Brûlee to finish. Completing the French fare will be plenty of wine to help diners celebrate. $65 for four courses. Bookings call (03) 9867 5853.
Wine, Whiskey and Fire, Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield East, July 19Â – 22
All say a big heyyyyy to the first outing of Whisky Wine & Fire presented by BMW featuring some of the country’s most distinguished whisky distillers and wine makers. Guests will get to enjoy delicious tastings while chowing down on mouth-watering meats and meals inside an incredible fire garden.
Run over four consecutive evenings at Caulfield Racecourse, guests will be greeted with jaw-dropping fire installations and indulge in some of the best boutique whiskies and wines paired with a feast of smoky, spicy and saucy barbequed dishes. Food by Farmer’s Daughters, Burn City Smokers, Hoy Pinoy, and Glacé Frozen.
Tickets are $15 for adults (includes one free tasting of whiskey or wine) and free for kids. Tickets and more info available here.
Design and Drink Market, The Rochey, 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, July 21
Grab your beanie and best buds for an afternoon of warming wines and design on Saturday 21 July as The Rochey hosts a Design and Drink Market to celebrate emerging Melbourne designers.
Grab a drink and check out the arty wares by designers including Made by Bowie, Pot Luck Ceramics, artist Georgia Harvey, indoor plants by Mama Kokedama’s, Double Scoop’s statement earrings and Howdily Doodley selling their pins and badges.
The Design and Drink Market is free entry and for the first 30 people through the door there will be a free gift from one of the designers. Yassss!
Once you’re done, hit the Rochey’s new Kerala-based menu by Mischa Tropp (Kerala’s in southern India, Brett. There’s canals, delicious curries and a more socialist-based health and education system than other Indian states, if you must know).