Overview
It's cold, it's dark, you're hungry and all you want is Mum's leg of lamb with roast potatoes. It's winter and — aside from maybe a hot bowl of soup — a roast dinner is perhaps the most comforting of all the hot, home cooked foods. Unfortunately, slow roasting something is, well, slow — and, we're guessing, not a process you're going to embark on on a Wednesday night.
Luckily, there are many an establishment who will do the roasting of the meats and veggies for you. And thanks to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival's winter Roast Collection, even more restaurants, pubs and bars are doing roasts throughout June. Whether you're after a traditional British-style roast or are keen to try one that's a bit left of field, you'll be able to find one that doesn't include a trip back to your parents place. You can see the full program of roast events here, but we've picked out five that we think you should try first.
THE CLASSIC ROAST: NEIGHBOURHOOD WINE
Neighbourhood Wine is a treat any night of the week, but it's on Sunday that they really turn it on. The fire is lit, the room becomes light and cosy, and the oven is roasting relentlessly. Their roast is a classic — it changes weekly, but last week it was a juicy piece of beef rump paired with crunchy potatoes, Brussels sprouts and red wine jus. It comes as part of their three course Sunday roast lunch special which, with an entree and dessert, is great value at $35. And although part of the Roast Collection, this baby is available each and every week.
Available every Sunday 12-5pm or until sold out. View the details here.
THE RIVERSIDE ROAST: ARBORY BAR & EATERY
Roast dinners have never been given much of a glamorous setting. But during the month of June you can eat your roast right along the river at Arbory, which overlooks the Yarra right along Flinders Street Station. Chef Nick Bennett (ex Fatto) has created a killer roast pork menu that goes down just as nicely as the view — all the pigs used will be ethical and free range, and all produce will come from Victoria. Plus, it will be paird with a glass of TarraWarra pinot — all for $25.
Available every day until June 30 from 12-9.30pm. View the details here.
THE ARMENIAN ROAST: SEZAR
Don't have a clue what Armenian food actually is? Don't worry, no one did before before Sezar. Thankfully, they've schooled us on the deliciousness of Armenian cuisine — and now they're even adapting it to our British Sunday roast sensibilities. Theirs centres around a slow-roasted lamb shoulder (their signature), with a selection of Armenian mezze and sweets (think walnut sujuk and baklava) on either side. Enjoy three courses for $50.
Available every day until June 30 from 12-3pm and 6-10pm. View the details here.
THE MIDWEEK ROAST: POPE JOAN
Let's face it: after work on a Wednesday night, you will not be going home to cook a roast. But if you're still craving that warm, fuzzy full feeling that only hearty, home-cooked food can give you, head to Pope Joan for one of their midweek feasts. Their Brunswick East space is super cosy at night, and they sure sure know how to put on a spread. Each roast dinner will include three courses — a soup, roast and dessert — and will cost $60. The meat will rotate between low-cooked dorper lamb shoulder, roasted Milawa chicken, glazed Western Plains pork neck and a roasted Warialda Belted Galloway brisket, so choose your night wisely.
Available weeknights until June 26 from 6-8.30pm. View the details here.
THE GREEK ROAST: ELYROS
Being big fans of Epocha's weekly Sunday roast — in which the animal is spit roasted out the front of their Carlton restaurant — we knew that this would translate well over to Camberwell, where owners Angie and Guy have opened up Elyros. Similarly Greek (but a bit more Cretan), Elyros is putting on a killer Sunday lunch using local Victorian meats and veggies. They'll be slow roasting lamb, chicken, pork or beef, and serving it as part of a four-course meal for just $45.
Available Sundays until June 28 form 12-3pm. View the details here.