Finally it's March into Merivale month is here for 2012. And it went off with a bang! Seriously was it me or was it more packed this year than last year? As per last year, this was held at the Ash Street Laneway and the Ivy Room. Unfortunately they did not give out the menu list of food offered at all the stands which was slightly frustrating. Like last year, an entry ticket gives you 6 food items and 2 drinks to try out with additional $10 and $20 tokens that can be topped up throughout the night. This year, all tickets to the launch party have sold out in advance.
This year the theme for March into Merivale is 'Eat my words'. The theme is slightly similar to last year's theme 'The Art of Food' except with a focus on words describing food indulgence in varying forms. During the event, models parade around the venue displaying very little clothing in front of wordy background shots.
In complying with the theme, decorations such as plates were displayed across the restaurant stands with some classic food-related one-liners. Aside from the models, entertainment included a DJ and several musicians playing at the Ash Street Laneway and the Ivy Room.
My friends and I turned up before it opens which ended up being a good decision as the line got long fairly quickly. After trying several, I lost my friends in the massive crowd so it was time to wander around to check what's available. It was a bit tough trying to move through the crowd on both levels and some stalls had really long queues which can be tough for the impatient. Eventually I found my mates again but I decided to wander and check out more stuff while they chill out and drink on.
Glasses of wine and champagne were being handed out non-stop throughout the night for you to mingle and chill after an epic gourmet feast.
Ash Street Cellar
Beresford Hotel
Bistrode CBD
El Loco
(Did not get to try the crumbed flathead taco which I heard is the standout dish at El Loco's stall)
Est.
Felix
Mad Cow
Ms G's
Sailors Thai Ivy
Sushi E
Uccello
Mr Wong (a new restaurant perhaps?)
David O'Brien
By the end of the night I was absolutely full and slightly tipsy. So much food in so little time...
This year the theme for March into Merivale is 'Eat my words'. The theme is slightly similar to last year's theme 'The Art of Food' except with a focus on words describing food indulgence in varying forms. During the event, models parade around the venue displaying very little clothing in front of wordy background shots.
In complying with the theme, decorations such as plates were displayed across the restaurant stands with some classic food-related one-liners. Aside from the models, entertainment included a DJ and several musicians playing at the Ash Street Laneway and the Ivy Room.
My friends and I turned up before it opens which ended up being a good decision as the line got long fairly quickly. After trying several, I lost my friends in the massive crowd so it was time to wander around to check what's available. It was a bit tough trying to move through the crowd on both levels and some stalls had really long queues which can be tough for the impatient. Eventually I found my mates again but I decided to wander and check out more stuff while they chill out and drink on.
Glasses of wine and champagne were being handed out non-stop throughout the night for you to mingle and chill after an epic gourmet feast.
Ash Street Cellar
Chicken and chorizo Argentinian empanada with salsa criolla
Ash St Cellar tart of the day with various toppings (raspberry, blueberry) - I wanted to try the raspberry tart but the person in front of me got the last one!!!
Beresford Hotel
Shellfish orecchiette with vongole, mussels, crab, cuttlefish, squid, chilli, garlic, parsley & lemon - FAVE
Classic panzarotti in three different flavours
Bistrode CBD
Wagyu beef pie with homemade bistrode ketchup - FAVE
Spit roast Melanda Park pig with raw fennel and lemon dressing - FAVE
El Loco
Field mushroom quesadilla with chipotle mayo
Secret Taco
(Did not get to try the crumbed flathead taco which I heard is the standout dish at El Loco's stall)
Est.
Salad of sand crab heart of palm, avocado, chilli, pink grapefruit, coriander cress - FAVE
Mascarpone citrus cannoli, raspberries and violets
Felix
Lamb pie, sauteed mushrooms and tarragon jus - FAVE
Tasting of fruit de mare with lobster roll, oyster, prawn & mussel (ran out before I got to try it)
Mad Cow
Barbequed rangers valley wagyu flank steak with spicy barbeque sauce
Signature pavlova with strawberries and passionfruit
Ms G's
Vietnamese ocean trout ceviche with prawn crackers
Sang choy bao of cheeseburger springroll with potato chip mayonnaise - FAVE
Sailors Thai Ivy
Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce - FAVE
Beef curry with roti - my friends really enjoyed this dish!
Sushi Choo
Vegetarian hand roll
Mixed seafood ceviche
Sushi E
Spicy tuna Dynamite roll, Wagyu beef confit with miso sesame sauce
Uccello
Vitello Tonnato, piquillo peppers and caper berries
Prawn and calamari salad with saffron infused orzo, olives, chilli, cherrie tomatoes and parsley
Mr Wong (a new restaurant perhaps?)
Steamed scallop shumai
David O'Brien
Tuna carpaccio, fois gras butter, brioch, quail egg
By the end of the night I was absolutely full and slightly tipsy. So much food in so little time...
March into Merivale is running from 16th February to 5th April. For more info on upcoming special events and their month-long $33 restaurant meal deals, check out the Merivale website.
Make sure you book for your favourite event soon because it will sell out.
Merivale Restaurants
Make sure you book for your favourite event soon because it will sell out.
Merivale Restaurants
i was thinking whether to go to the launch event. now i'm regretting that i didn't go...all the food looks amazing! oh well, hopefully there's next year.
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