Melbourne Main Street's Flavor Experiences offers chance to enjoy rooftop of Hotel Melby

Food, wine and a panoramic view share the spotlight in Melbourne Main Street's upcoming Flavor Experience, set for May 1 atop Hotel Melby.

The event generated a lot of excitement, even with very little promotion, said Kim Agee, Melbourne Main Street executive director. She attributes that to two things.

"People really want to get out and do something nice," she said, and they are eager to see what Hotel Melby, which opens Thursday, has to offer.

Melby's The Landing Rooftop, which has indoor and outdoor seating, will host the event, offering food and wine tastings at eight stations, as well as butlered hors d'oeuvres. The menu, created by the hotel's chef, includes ahi tuna cones, beets with goat cheese and roasted salmon accompanied by Lyonnaise potatoes, bacon confit and leek puree. 

The Flavor Experience concept originated last year when it became apparent Main Street's major event, the Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, couldn't take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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An outdoor event with plenty of social distancing and a high-end feel was set for Nov. 14; it was cancelled 30 days out as virus cases continued to grow across the country. 

Agee prefers to think of it as a postponement rather than a cancellation. Hotel Melby stepped in to make the 2021 event happen. 

"They really believe in Melbourne Main Street and downtown Melbourne," she said.

Guests at the event can enjoy music by Fred Cavese on saxophone inside and the acoustic duo Howl Tree on the outdoor balcony. They can also take in a view that stretches to Florida Institute of Technology, Crane Creek and the Atlantic Ocean.

"When you see it, you get a very different perspective of Melbourne," said Agee said.

The Flavor Experience isn't taking the place of the Food and Wine Festival, said Erin Schuck, event coordinator for Melbourne Main Street. That event is set for Nov. 13. 

Tickets to the Flavor Experience are $150, and only a few remain.

"We're excited to see everybody out enjoying the food, enjoying the wine, overlooking downtown," said Schuck. "Hopefully it will inspire them to come back."

The Flavor Experience will be from 6:30-10 p.m. May 1 at The Landing Rooftop at Hotel Melby, 801 E. Strawbridge Ave., downtown Melbourne. Tickets must be purchased by April 14. Visit downtownmelbourne.com, call 321-724-1741 or email Events@DowntownMelbourne.com. Overnight hotel packages are available. Proceeds from the event will benefit Melbourne Main Street projects.

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