Five Food and Drink Pairings That'll Save You a Pretty Penny This Winter

The start of a new week can suck, but you know what makes Monday better? This cosy Carlton taco and tequila bar. Taquito has earned a reputation for its house-made tortillas, its solid craft beer lineup and its impressive selection of agave-based spirits — and all three feature in the venue’s weekly ‘shot, pot and taco’ deal. Every Monday and Tuesday, this dinner special offers the ultimate $20 pick-me-up, featuring a pot of house beer, a shot of Tequila Tromba or Charanda Tarasco Rum and your choice of taco. We’d suggest the Baja-style crisp barramundi, eggplant achiote or carne asada taco to get that week back on track.

Image: Julia Sansone.

If you fancy swapping wintry old Melbourne for a taste of sunny Vietnam without the hefty airfare, pay a visit to CBD newcomer Le Charme. The teal-hued eatery is dishing up super affordable Asian eats at a price-point that defies its stylish surrounds. You can roll in here any time, any day, to take advantage of the $9.90 meal special, featuring a huge five different varieties of pho. There’s the classic beef noodle soup, with raw wagyu or loaded with brisket and beef balls. The specials don’t end there, either — you can bolt one of its select drinks for $2 more. To really stay on theme, opt for the classic Vietnamese-style coffee.

Image: Julia Sansone.

Sibling to southern US-inspired White Oaks Saloon and The Silverlake Social, this new bar and restaurant celebrates the flavours of South and Central America. And it’s a cracking choice for that midweek frothy and feed.

Take a hump day trip south of the border with Casa N.O.M’s Wednesday dinner special that’ll satisfy your hunger for no more than a lobster. The $20 deal includes a plate of authentic quesadillas matched with an Indio amber ale. Choose from crafty, Latin-inspired fillings like zucchini flower with mozzarella, jalapeno and garlic, or sweet potato, sweetcorn and chorizo, each served in a blue corn tortilla and matched with pico de gallo salsa.

Image: Griffin Simm.

With footy on the telly, a solid selection of craft brews on tap, and plenty of reimagined classics on the food menu, the Rose is, for many, the quintessential corner pub. And like any great boozer, it’s dishing up a raft of weekly dinner specials that are likely more appealing than your own midweek roast. On Wednesday nights, the beloved parma is in the spotlight, featuring crisp, crumbed chicken breast crowned with Napoli sauce, ham and cheese, and flanked with that classic combination of salad and chips. Head in for a hump day feed and you’ll score a parma matched with a pot of beer or glass of wine, for a neat $20.

When that inevitable craving for cheese and vino kicks in, you’ll find both your tastebuds and your wallet in excellent hands at Collingwood’s Craft & Co. A true all-rounder, the business operates as a winery, brewery, distillery, micro-dairy and more, so its Smith Street outpost has one of the most impressive ranges of house-made eats and drinks going.

On Saturdays, you can sample a few of these in-house treats with Craft & Co’s weekly wine and cheese plate deal, which clocks in at $25. If you’re sharing it with a mate, that’s a pretty good deal. The grazing platter stars a trio of cheeses chosen by cheesemakers Katia and Sabrina Cappadocio from their rotation of seasonal creations. They’re matched with fruit, crackers and quince paste, and served alongside your choice of two glasses of house wine.