The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Alternative Valentine's Day ideas for Melbourne foodies

Sofia Levin
Sofia Levin

Must try: The Mango Alfonso at Om Nom Dessert Bar is a must-have Valentine's Day treat for the foodie.
Must try: The Mango Alfonso at Om Nom Dessert Bar is a must-have Valentine's Day treat for the foodie.Anu Kumar

When I put the call out on social media asking if anyone knew of restaurants showing a little originality this Valentine's Day, I was met with comments such as, "like ignoring the made-up excuse of a marketing ploy altogether?" Those with anti-commercialist attitudes and broken hearts, see here. As for the hungry couples out there, here are some ways to put the spark back into Valentine's Day.

DINNER AND A SHOW
Nothing brings people together like laughing at someone else's misfortune. St Ali is giving us permission to do just that with Clem Bastow's Tinder Nightmares. Bastow — an award-winning writer and comedianwill entertain guests with her dating horror stories following a three-course dinner. There's also Bad Date Trivia and Walk of Shame breakfast vouchers to be won ($60pp, email ingrid@stali.com.au).

Advertisement

DESSERT FIRST
Sweet tooths can go straight for dessert at Om Nom at the Adelphi Hotel. Order three favourites from the menu for $48pp and be sure to try the mango alfonso (call 8080 8827). Alternatively, swap corny for cheesy with Spring Street Cheese Cellar's six-course soiree of cheese-inspired desserts, finishing just in time to grab a picnic and head to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's free summer series concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl (call 9654 6657).

GET STUCK IN
Take the scenic route to Piper Street Food Co in Kyneton and sharpen your kitchen skills with a four-hour chicken butchery course. Get elbow deep learning the cuts and how to truss and bone a whole bird (call 5422 3553).

EAT AROUND
Book a progressive dinner through RedBalloon and venture from antipasti at Terra Rossa to a French meal at Mr Mason, before finishing with a cocktail at State of Grace (visit redballoon.com.au). Otherwise, pick a few favourite restaurants and construct your own crawl.

REDISCOVER MELBOURNE
Adventurous couples can become tourists in their own city with Hidden Secret's special Valentine's Day food tour. See Melbourne's laneways in a new light fuelled by chocolates from Koko Black and gin samples from Bass and Flinders' Distillery (visit hiddensecretstours.com).

PICNIC LIKE A PRO
Take that romantic picnic to new heights and let Melbourne's best cafes do all the work. Grab a gourmet hamper from Fitzrovia and head to St Kilda beach (call 9537 0001), hit up Ichi Ichi Ku for takeaway bento boxes across the road in the Botanic Gardens (call 9820 9119), indulge in a luxury picnic from Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder (call 9421 2808) or relax in Como House's picturesque gardens with a picnic basket from Stables of Como (call 9827 6886). Order 24 to 48 hours in advance.

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up
Sofia LevinSofia Levin is a food writer and presenter.

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement