Island Bites -a Journey through Sri Lanka and Southern Philippines

*Both seatings are sold out, waitlist only*
We've teamed up with Kristina Náray of Malindang (Southern Philippines cuisine) and Niro Vithyasekar  of Tuka Tuka Kothu Roti Man to bring you Island Bites -a  Journey through Sri Lanka and Southern Philippines on Sunday 26th April at Boire in North Melbourne.

Kristina specialises in celebrating the homestyle dishes and pre-colonial ways of mountainous probinsya (province) life in Southern Philippines (Western Mindanao) from her family and the culinary traditions across broader Mindanao, sharing stories of migration and culinary influence from neighbouring lands, long before the Spanish and American influence on modern mainstream Filipino cuisine. These dishes are guided by sustainable practices, featuring key ingredients of coconut, aquatic foods sourced from the rivers and the sea, fresh vegetables and fruit. Each dish utilises seasonal and home grown produce as much as possible, while reducing waste, and paying homage to the traditions of the region’s home-style cooking.

Niro is a Sri Lankan Tamil cook who came to Australia as a refugee in 2009. He was introduced to cooking by his mother, and as the eldest brother, he helped with preparing meals most days. Like Kristina's family in the Southern Philippines, Niro also grew up in a land surrounded by coconut trees, fresh seafood and vegetables. These ingredients are featured in our Island Bites menu. In 2025, Niro was featured in the "A Tamil Feast" episode on ABC'S Gardening Australia show.

This 3-course dinner will be a feast for the senses, with coconut as the hero ingredient. There will be two sittings - 5.30pm-7pm and 7.30pm-9pm. You can also add an extra $5-$10 at checkout, and this will be donated to Beit el Baraka, a registered charity providing food support in Lebanon.

Drinks will be provided by the Boire team.

The Menu (subject to change)

Starters

Grilled Scallop Sinuglaw with Coconut Chilli Dressing*

Pan Roll - Sri Lankan deep-fried crumbed vegetable roll served with Pol Sambal (coconut)

Mains

Katharikai Pirattal (Eggplant Curry) - fried eggplant and chickpeas cooked in coconut and tamarind

Pater sa Dahon* - Banana wrapped coconut rice with shredded aromatic chicken, served with palapa 

Dessert

Payasam - spiced coconut sago pudding (contains cashew nut), served with guava sorbet

*Vegetarian substitutes are available, no other dietary requirements will be catered for as it's a pop-up event. 

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