PUBLISHED May 9th, 2013 06:59 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:34 pm
We’ve been waiting with baited breath for the opening of PasarBella Market up at the Grandstand at Turf City, ever since we heard about it towards the end of last year. Finally last weekend it flung its doors open for a soft launch…and of course we had to go check it out!
OK so it’s not really the farmer’s market it was originally touted to be, and so while the end result is actually not really about locally sourced produce; what it is about, is a rather cool foodie experience with lots of pockets of delights housed under one rather nicely designed roof. Expect quaint stalls and a warm vibe that is sure to charm with over 30 stalls bound to pique your curiosity (and tastebuds).
It’s as much a visual experience as one for the palate, and so rather than us waffling on, let us take you on a whirlwind tour of some of our highlights from the visit, and some Nomad worthy vendors to check out.
Oceans of Seafood
There’s no way you can possibly miss these guys – on entering the market you will be greeted with a fantastic array of ocean fresh seafood for purchase, complete with a restaurant where you can sample their selection of seafood. Don’t miss the standing sushi counter too! Watch this space because soon if you buy seafood from the Jonai section you’ll be able to have it filleted and have a private chef turn the fillets into sushi and sashimi before your eyes.
bagelry
For fab, freshly made bagels Melbournian style, seek out the folks at bagelry. Think nice and crispy on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside, these are bagels done the Ozzie way served up with some tasty fillings.
Le Patio
We couldn’t resist the temptation of that massive pan of hearty homemade paella over at Le Patio. The picture says it all…
The Cheese Ark
Cheese fiends this one’s for you – discover rare cheeses that are on the brink of being phased out by time and evolution from cheesemakers who belong to the Slow Food Presidia. For a taste of rare authentic cheese, this is where it’s at!
Bella Bakery
Freshly baked loaves, muffins and croissants in the traditional European style are abound here with some tasty all-day sandwich specials to enjoy the baked goodness with.
Merchants Wine Cellar
Browse through a diverse range of award winning wines produced by small, boutique winemakers with wines available for tasting and for purchase by the glass, not just the bottle.
Five & Spice Kitchen
Pates and pestos, marmalades and marinades, and lots more, made fresh from their very own brand of finest herbs, spices, sauces and condiments. Look for a daily selection of naturally spiced and flavored iced teas, bubbly and cocktails too!
The Great Beer Experiment
A craft beer playground on a mission to “Tickle, Test and Tempt” all palates and preferences with limited edition brews from around the world. Check out their Food & Beer Pairing Trail which will send you on a little taste adventure round the market.
The above is just a snippet of things that piqued our interest and tastebuds, but there is so much more to PasarBella Market, more than even we Nomads are able to convey in this piece! It’s a great place for a spot of weekend mooching and grazing – though we would love to see more fresh, local produce on the table in future. To fully appreciate it, you most definitely need to go down and soak up the offerings and ambience. So get planning that visit!
Written by Ms Demeanour