March Into Merivale 2017

Overview

Burger battles, immersive cocktail parties and European-style laneway feasts are just a few of the delicious events March Into Merivale has brought us over the past decade. And the restaurant group-wide shindig is back for 2017. But, this time, it'll be squeezing what was a month's worth of eating, drinking and experimenting into one glorious night.

Taking over the whole ivy complex and its surrounding laneways on Wednesday, March 22, the festival will transform Ash Street into an Asian street food market. Expect to see legendary chef Dan Hong hovering over sizzling platters and smoking barbecues. Wandering around, you'll discover stalls selling tasty morsels with origins all over Asia, from pillowy bao and dim sum to sushi and oysters with jalapeño and ginger nuoc cham.

Palings will be spending the night dishing out all things weird and wonderful. Chefs Patrick Friesen and Christopher Hogarth — who are on the pans at the newly opened Queen Chow — have joined forces to create the menu. A whole lamb on the spit will be centrepiece, ambushed by quesadillas, fish tacos, nachos supreme tostadas and the pair's famous Papi Chulo burgers (which won last year's aforementioned burger battle). When you're full up on savouriness, move onto The Den for high tea, loaded with pastries, sweets, desserts, Champagne and cocktails.

Meanwhile, the ivy ballroom will be turned into a European garden. Sitting among greenery, you'll be treated to dishes from John Wilson, Merivale's dedicated events chef. And get poolside for whole pork bellies cooked over the fire by chef Jordan Toft along with patatas bravas cones and warm creme Catalan.

"Since its inception nearly a decade ago, March into Merivale has offered Sydney a spectacular feast of culinary events and food experiences, evolving each year with our expanding portfolio," said Justin Hemmes, CEO of Merivale. "This year, fresh from the biggest period of growth in Merivale's history, we want to deliver one exceptional experience that celebrates the group's diversity and quality of offering, as well as the talent and creativity leading Merivale into our exciting future."

Tickets for March into Merivale 2017 are just $60, and include all food as well as three drink tokens. They're on sale now — we reckon you'd best be speedy to snap one up.