Festival Eatin'

The good folk at Melbourne Festival know these things about their audience (besides, you know, that they have good taste in arts and music): they are time-poor, and they love to eat and drink well. So they’ve partnered up with a bunch of restaurants near their venues in order to offer special discounts and deals to ticket-holders. We got to have a sneak peek of the menus of a handful. For the full list of restaurant partners and offer details, head to melbournefestival.com.au.

State Of Grace – 477 Collins St

We didn’t know that halloumi could be so light and fluffy – and whoever had the idea to pair it with caramelised figs is a genius. The ‘cod chips’ are grown- up fish fingers (also genius). For a light snack, to whet the appetite or just to have something to nibble on while sipping your sparkling, the antipasto board is just the thing.

Offer: Complimentary dessert with any main meal or grill purchase / Pre-theatre menu options.

Om Nom – Level 2, Adelphi Hotel, 187 Flinders Lane

Decadent desserts and savoury tasting plates; if you like your flavours rich, try this impeccably designed destination. We sampled the scallop ceviche with coconut sorbet and crispy shallots, and a twist on the tarte tatin (Granny Smith apple, five spice, chantilly, chocolate tuile).

Offer: A complimentary bottle of house wine per table of customers who spend over $100.

Chocolate Buddha – Federation Square

Simple Japanese cuisine with a focus on flavour and presentation. Here we had ocean trout nigiri and gyu tataki.

Offer: One glass of Semillon Sauvignon Blanc or Shiraz or a pot of tap beer for $5.

Taxi Kitchen – Federation Square

Feast on share plates while taking in a wonderful view of the city. To start, try the beetroot salad with anchovy, capers and goats curd; candied pork with coconut, red chilli and macadamia; or crispy soy quail with apply and lime dipping sauce.

Offer: three-course set Showbiz menu for $55 per person.

The Carlton – 193 Bourke St

Everyone in Melbourne’s had a drink here, but how many of you have had a meal? We tried two signature cocktails: The Green Mantra (Tanqueray 10 gin, St Germain, grapefruit, cucumber, lemon, egg white), which was light and refreshing, and the decadent Dark Side Of The Moon (Ron Xacapa XO, Pedro Ximenez Yellow Label, caramel, coffee, Aztec chocolate bitters). For food, ready your palate with raw tuna carpaccio with caviar, tomato jelly and shiso, before moving onto the lamb cutlet with crushed peas, burnt carrot puree, charred spring onion and mustard jus. To finish with a bang, there’s the dark chocolate parfait with caramel ganache on top of sable biscuit, almond cake and caramelised white chocolate.

Offer: $10 Carlton Cocktail with the purchase of any main meal.

Melbourne Festival runs 10 - 26 Oct, various locations