Good taste

April brings all things sweet and spicy, from gourmet Easter chocolates, to Thai New Year celebrations

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR

ROCK THE BAY
If you’re in Melbourne on 20–22 April, cruise down the Great Ocean Road to the 15th Apollo Bay Music Festival.
Aussie music legends Paul Kelly, James Reyne and the Hoodoo Gurus headline the stellar bill, along with loads of other great rock, blues and jazz musicians. Local winery and brewery Otway Estate will be pouring drinks to accompany the music, a heritage-themed community village will serve Devonshire teas, and there’ll be food stalls along the foreshore offering heartier eats like German sausages, Dutch poffertjes (tiny pancakes), gourmet baked potatoes, and wood-fired pizzas. www.apollobaymusicfestival.com

EGG-CELLENT TREATS
For many of us, April 8 is when the Easter bunny bounces back into town, bringing with him chocolate treats – and boutique chocolatiers around Australia are conjuring exquisite hand-made goodies in preparation.
The Yarra Valley’s Kennedy & Wilson sells its divine tissue-wrapped eggs nationally through David Jones and specialty stores. Colefax Chocolates’ range of wildly coloured eggs and bunnies, made from Belgian Callebaut couverture, is available at its Sydney stores in Haberfield and Waverley. And for something different, you’ll love Pink Lady Chocolates’ patriotic Easter bilbies, wombats, koalas and green tree frogs, available nationally through David Jones and Myers. Proceeds from these gorgeous chocolates go to WWF Australia and the Healesville Sanctuary to help save the endangered bilby. www.kennedyandwilson.com.au, www.colefaxchocolates.com.au and www.plchocolates.com.au

RENAISSANCE
Everything old is new again in Melbourne, at least it is at Fitzroy Street’s beautiful old Tolarno Hotel. Guy Grossi, (of Grossi Florentino), is breathing new life into the Mirka at Tolarno’s dining room, gallery and bar, and artist Mirka Mora is restoring her original 1960s murals and creating some new pieces. The dining room, with its bare wooden tables and colourful art, serves a Continental menu with an Italian skew and the bar provides the perfect place to revive the body with a coffee, glass of wine or late night digestive. The gallery features seasonal exhibitions by local emerging artists – a joint venture with the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. 42 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, tel: +61 (3) 9525 3088, www.mirkatolarno.com

A SPICY START TO THE YEAR
The Thai New Year, Songkran, is celebrated from 13–15 April, and if you’re travelling around Australia what better excuse to discover a new Thai restaurant? Oceanic Thai in Clovelly, Sydney, is offering a four-course banquet featuring traditional Thai New Year fare on 13 and 14 April (AU$85 per head, tel: +61 (2) 9665 8942). Visitors to Noosa can drive into the hinterlands to the beautiful Spirit House at Yandina, with its stunning tropical gardens, ponds and statues. Or check out Melbourne’s Isthmus of Kra for excellent Southern Thai food with a modern twist and seafood specialities. www.oceanicthai.com.au, www.spirithouse.com.au and www.isthmusofkra.com.au

DELICIOUSLY GOOD DEALS
The theme for new Sydney restaurants this year seems to be stylish and affordable. Darrell Felstead (previously at Rozelle’s 3 Weeds) opens Foveaux Bar & Restaurant this month in a restored industrial space. The upper level showcases his mod-French fare, while the sandstone-walled, low-lit bar downstairs offers a range of excellent wine by the glass. 65-67 Foveaux St., Surry Hills, tel: +61 (2) 9212 4194. Meanwhile, Tristian Hope (last seen at the Local in Paddington) has just opened Tryst Food & Wine, a three-inone venture. There’s a café, takeaway offering seasonal dishes, and a bistro serving Mediterranean-inspired food. 21 Elizabeth Bay Rd., Elizabeth Bay, tel: +61 (2) 9358 2600.

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR