Top of the Melbourne pop-ups and events

MasterChef winner Sashi moves into HWKR

What: Four new food offerings are moving into modern Asian hawker food centre HWKR, including Thai fusion connoisseurs Son in Law, gourmet Asian hotdog makers Ume Burgers, egg waffle experts Poklol x Puffle AND MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah's first venture, Gaja by Sashi. Sashi will focus on Singaporean/Malaysian classics including rendang, kerela chicken, and ayam masak merah.
When: From August 17
Where: HWKR, 137 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne
More info: hwkr.com.au

Dan Hong cooking in Melbourne

What: Sydney chef Dan Hong (Mr Wong, Ms Gs), known for his creative spin on Asian cuisine, is paying a flying visit to Melbourne and he's bringing his caviar-dabbed cheeseburger spring rolls with him. For two nights only, he'll be cooking a $195-a-head four-course banquet at Shane Delia's Melbourne restaurant Maha featuring some of his best-known dishes, including strange flavour prawn dumplings and Mr Wong's mapo tofu.
When: From 6pm on Monday, September 3 and Tuesday, September 4.
Where: Maha, 21 Bond Street, Melbourne
More info: maharestaurant.com.au.

Queen Vic Market gets a Central Beer District

What: A new winter beer oasis will pop up at Queen Victoria Market over six weekends, Central Beer District will celebrate Melburnians' unstoppable obsession with craft beer. Led by independent brewery, Brick Lane Brewing Co, Central Beer District will rotate well-known microbreweries from across the city to bring a craft beer extravaganza.
When: Every Saturday and Sunday until September 9
Where: Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne
More info: qvm.com.au

Passion for the Pacific dinner at Pastuso

What: Pastuso's executive chef and co-owner Alejandro Saravia and Atlas Dining's head chef and co-owner Charlie Carrington will come together for a one-off sustainable seafood six-course degustation dinner showcasing a Passion for the Pacific – Peru and Australia. $115 for six courses, $155 for six course plus matched wines.
When: 6.30pm, Tuesday, September 11
Where: Pastuso, 19 AC/DC Lane, Melbourne
More info: pastuso.com.au/

David's 20th birthday celebrations

What: To celebrate turning the big 2-0, Prahran institution David's will be hosting a two-part series, kicking off with a birthday party for 100 people, with 100kg of wok-fired seafood washed down with 100 bottles of wine ($98 a head), and a retrospective degustation on Wednesday, October 17, a nine-course sit-down affair featuring classic David's dishes present and past ($70 a head / $105 with matched wine).
When: Birthday party Wednesday, September 12; retrospective degustation Wednesday, October 17.
Where: 4 Cecil Place, Prahran
More info and bookings: davidsrestaurant.com.au

Boho food and music at the first Lost Picnic festival

What: An impressive food line and music line up at the very hipster sounding Lost Picnic Melbourne. Graze on delicacies from big names including Caravan of Caviar, Annam, French Saloon, Pho Nom, Beatbox Kitchen, Naughty Frenchy and St Gerry’s as Tash Sultana, Meg Mac, Marlon Williams keep you entertained. Earlybird tickets $99
When: noon-8pm, Saturday, October 7
Where: Flemington Racecourse
More info and bookings: lostpicnic.net

Sake Champagne lunches

What: Indulge in an elegant champagne lunch at Saké Restaurant & Bar Hamer Hall and feast on a selection of Saké dishes for $75 a head while sipping free-flowing Veuve Clicquot (an extra $99 a head) or Veuve Clicquot Rose (another $139 a head). If you're feeling super fancy, go on the last Saturday of every month and enjoy free-flowing Dom Perignon (additional $299).
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from noon-2.30pm
Where: Sake Hamer Hall, 100 St Kilda Road
More info and bookings: sakerestaurant.com.au

L'Hotel Gitan pop up at Dinner Plain

What: The Reymond family brings a dash of Chamonix to Mount Hotham as L'Hotel Gitan takes over Dinner Plain's Alphutte restaurant. Gitan Alps will be a European-inspired mountain restaurant. Picture French doors opening to a roaring fire, warming alpine food and drinks with a French flavour (bouef bourguignon, coq au vin, hot chocolate) to create the ultimate ultimate antidote to a long day on the pistes.
When: August 8-21
Where: Big Muster Drive, Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham
More info: facebook.com/gitanalps

High Cheese with Maker and Monger at the Westin

What: High tea with cheese? You better brie-live it. The Westin and Maker Monger team have joined forces to come up with an oozy take on tradition: think scones served with creamed Giorgio Cravero Reggiano, cheesy tiramisu and ricotta-filled cannoli. For extreme cheese lovers High Cheese will be serving up whole baked Normandy Camembert with mini baguettes you can rip apart and dip into the cheesy goodness, or Basil creme fraiche layered brie with crackers. $70 a head.
When: From Monday, June 11 through winter.
Where: 205 Collins Street, Melbourne
More info: The Westin Melbourne

The Winter Night Market

What: Street food, warming drinks and entertainment every winter Wednesday night. More than 30 global street food stalls, 50 speciality artisan stalls, crackling open fires. Craft brewers, new vegan options, churros and melted cheese wheels, spiced mulled wine and the brand new book nook. So. Much. Fun.
When: Every Wednesday night until August 29.
Where: The Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street & Therry Street, Melbourne
More info: qvm.com.au