Pop-ups are always popping off around Melbourne, and April is no exception. From a menu with Chinese riffs on Italian food to a luxury brand’s take on a Parisian cafe, here are five pop-ups to check out this weekend.
Amande at Heide
Former Supernormal and Osteria Ilaria pastry chef Amanda Lowrensa recently launched her own micro-bakery, Amande, with a pre-order cake box. This Saturday, between 10am and 3pm at Heide Market, Lowrensa is doing her first Amande pop-up. Grab a slice of Basque cheesecake, orange-and-saffron cake, or quince-and-brown-butter tart, or a banana-and-salted-pecan butterscotch pudding and a rhubarb-and-vanilla cream bun.
Steve Chan at Lumen People
Steve Chan, the chef and owner of Sleepy’s (and ultimate Hong Kong uncle), is taking over Lumen this Sunday.
Chan tells Broadsheet he’ll be doing “Chinese riffs on Italian food”, including a “wonton-esque” tortellini with a ricotta filling and corn butter stock; a tomato and egg soup with drop dumplings; and glutinous rice with shiitake mushrooms and Shanghai-style red braised pork. Bookings recommended.
We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.
SIGN UPLucy Whitlow at Grana
Yes, Lucy Whitlow usually oversees the food offering at Grana, but this Sunday, as part of the restaurant’s Sunday lunch kitchen takeover series, she’s designed a one-off menu. Stop by for lunch, and for $70 per person you’ll be treated to Whitlow’s pumpkin-and-pickled-persimmon tart with black chestnut and lardo, and Parker House rolls. The dish Whitlow is most excited about is the fired curd pasta, which sees cheese curds wrapped in thin slices of eggplant, pan-fried and served with fresh ricotta straight from the pot. Book online.
Marameo at Zita’s Focaccia
This Sunday, the team from city Italian diner Marameo is popping up at Zita’s Focaccia in South Yarra. Stop by for focaccia wrapped round croquettes filled with Marmaeo’s black-truffle cacio e pepe sauce and topped with shaved pecorino.Available from midday till sold out.
Cafe Diptyque
Although Mecca’s Diptyque cafe is booked out, you can still look around the space and browse the core Diptyque candle range, as well its new cafe-inspired fragrances: Coffee, Chantilly and Biscuit. Plus, this weekend there’ll be a Diptyque cart at Mecca’s Emporium store offering takeaway Parisian hot chocolates with any in-store purchase.