What's On: Events around Melbourne

Australia Day

If you’re hunting around for something to do this Australia Day, look no further than local food champion Charcoal Lane, in Fitzroy. The restaurant will be dishing up ‘Eat your emblem’ burgers (or a vegetarian equivalent) as the JJJ Hottest 100 plays over the airwaves. Burgers, beers and other treats will be available for purchase all day.
Saturday January 26th, midday-late, 136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

Meanwhile, across the country the Grill’d burger chain is also getting patriotic, with the temporary release of its ‘Coat of Arms’ burger. The 100 per cent kangaroo and emu pattie, accompanied with Meredith Dairy cheese, bush tomato relish and native thyme mayo, is on sale until January 31 from Grill’d outlets around the country. $14.50 ($15.50 in WA).

Bottle it

East Brunswick’s Bar Idda will run two special passata-making classes next month, just as Melburnians’ backyard tomatoes begin to ripen.

Participants will begin the day with coffee and torta, before learning how to preserve their tomatoes as versatile passata. Take home the recipes and, of course, your bottles of sauce.

The day will finish with a lunch including drinks and fresh tomato juice Virgin Marys.

Dates: Saturday 9th February, Saturday 16th February; 10:30am - 1:30pm
Cost: $150 per person

Where: Bar Idda, 132 Lygon St Brunswick East. To book call 9380 5339

Burgers get Cecconi touch for the tennis

Who doesn’t love a burger and beer deal? If pubs are not your scene, you can still get in on the burger action with hatted city restaurant Cecconi’s offering a special $20 deal during the Australia Open. Savour a fat beef burger on a brioche bun, washed down with an icy-cold Peroni for a limited time (until January 31).
Cecconi’s Cantina, Basement, 61 Flinders Lane, Melbourne cecconiscantina.com.

Send suggestions for What's On (Victoria) to jholroyd@fairfaxmedia.com.au