Episode 21: 3 July
Giaan Rooney joins special guest Scott Cam from Channel 9's renovation series The Block on a tour of Scott's favourite Melbourne haunts. The Postcards team also visit Healesville Farm, Retreats Victoria at the Sands, some of Melbourne's outstanding artisan bakeries and a behind-the-scenes experience of Disney on Ice's Worlds of Fantasy spectacular.
Harvest Farm
Many venture to the Yarra Valley for the vines and wine, but Healesville is a produce paradise and only an hour's drive from Melbourne. Next door to the famous Healesville Hotel is Kitchen and Butcher, an old country butcher that showcases the best locally grown produce, meats, breads, cheeses and charcuterie. The Healesville Hotel kitchen had always worked closely with the butcher next door and when he retired, they made the shop part of the hotel.
Next stop is Harvest Farm, which is also owned by the Healesville Hotel. This 18-acre property is just outside of town and has two luxurious farmhouses where up to eight people can escape to the quiet.
Kitchen and Butcher
258 Maroondah Highway, Healseville
Ph 03 5962 2866
www.kitchenandbutcher.com.au
Harvest Farm
101 Badger Avenue, Healesville
Ph 03 5962 4002
www.yarravalleyharvest.com.au
Golf Retreats and Scorched
Smack bang on the foreshore in Torquay is Scorched, a restaurant with new owners, that is earning rave reviews. After their success at the very popular Belbrea Harvest, owner Vanessa and head chef James White have moved from the bush to the beach and re-launched Scorched to make it the hottest place in town. Kick back with great food and wine as you look through the Norfolk pines to the beach.
If you're planning on settling in for the weekend, Retreats Victoria have a range of accommodation for couples and families. In Torquay, there's the four-bedroom, three-bathroom luxury of the Sands, which is a short drive from the heart of Torquay, 500 metres from the beach and next to the Sands clubhouse and restaurant.
Scorched
17 The Esplanade, Torquay
Ph 03 5261 6142
www.scorched.com.au
Retreats Victoria
Ph 9001 0855
www.retreatsvictoria.com.au
Artisan Bakeries
Whether you're a fan of focaccia, passionate about pide or just a sucker for sour dough, no matter what side your bread is buttered on, artisan bakers are the best thing since sliced bread. Baker D. Chirico on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda is possibly Melbourne's most perfect bakery experience with breads, pastries and custard donuts.
Or head to Bourke Road in Camberwell where Provence Artisan Bakers are producing superior sourdoughs for those in the know. Owner Beejan Dehgani is baking with a 17-year-old starter to produce a flavourful range of French favourites, as well as a popular Italian style casalinga and the Jewish sweet bread challah.
Finally, you can taste the love in every mouthful at Fatto a Mano, which means made by hand, in Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. Their famous spelt base pizza slices have a huge following and people come by each day to check out the flavours displayed in the window. All of the pizza toppings are organic and the most popular are the mixed veggie pizzas, mushroom and caramelized onion and tomato, boconchini and basil.
Baker D. Chirico
149 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Ph 03 9534 3777
Provence Artisan Bakers
919 Bourke Road, Camberwell
Ph 03 9813 4252
Fatto a Mano
228 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Ph 03 9417 5998
Disney on Ice, Worlds of Fantasy
Big and little kids have a favourite Disney story. The talented troupe from Disney On Ice, Worlds of Fantasy brings loved stories to life. The show takes audiences from the African pride lands to an enchanting undersea kingdom with high speed stunts and spectacular skating. The amazing cast of 38 is made up of top international ice skaters, including two Australians. This ice extravaganza includes an action packed opening with Lighting McQueen and the Cars team and classics moments from The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
Disney On Ice, Worlds of Fantasy
6–11 July
www.disneyonice.com.au
Scott Cam's Favourite Hang Outs
Much loved Channel Nine TV personality Scott Cam shows us some of his favourite Melbourne hang outs. Scott loves riding his bike on the great trails around our city, including a trip to The Abbotsford Convent in St Heliers Street. Not only is it a beautiful old building but it operates as an artists colony, a weekend market place and there are delicious eateries including the Convent Bakery.
Next stop is Doctor Follicles in Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. This is a barbershop with a difference, where you can get pampered while enjoying a refreshing beer.
Then it's off to the corner of North and Clark streets in Richmond for pizza and a boutique beer at Mountain Goat Brewery. At this micro-brewery, they craft their popular brews and seasonal beers. The brewery started as a backyard operation in 1997 and now has its liquid amber on tap in 80 bars across Melbourne.
Abbotsford Convent Foundation
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Ph 03 9415 3600
www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au
Dr Follicles
240 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Ph 03 9416 3999
drfollicles.com.au
Mountain Goat Brewery
Corner North and Clark streets, Richmond
Ph 03 9428 1180
goatbeer.com.au
Postcards diary
Winter Wonderland
It's a winter wonderland at Medibank Icehouse until the end of the school holidays. So pull on your socks and skate in for a glittering winter-themed spectacular.
Where: Docklands
When: until 17 July 2011
More: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson
Seduction by Tastebuds
Join chef Gabriel Martin as he designs a menu to compliment the finest Blue Pyrenees wines.
Where: Blue Pyrenees Winery
When: 9 July 2011
More: www.pyreneestourism.com.au
Kids Week
Mount Buller celebrates the school holidays with events and activities for kids of all ages.
Where: Mount Buller
When: 11–15 July 2011
More: mtbuller.com.au
Emerge Festival
Celebrate Melbourne's rich cultural heritage as the annual music and arts festival presents amazing emerging artists who have recently settled in Australia.
Where: various
When: to 30 July 2011
More: multiculturalarts.com.au