If all this social isolation has left you keen to kick start some positive lifestyle changes, helping to save the planet seems like a pretty good place to start. After all, there's nothing like being cooped up indoors to inspire a newfound appreciation for blue skies, clean beaches and big, green open spaces. As a whole, Aussies have been gathering some momentum in the war against plastic waste in recent years, embracing bans on single-use plastic bags, swapping out plastic straws for sustainable alternatives and championing the humble reusable coffee cup. But, if you're feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure where to begin your own journey to a waste-free life, we've found a new local read that'll help put you right on track. Penned by ocean-lover and avid enviro-warrior Kate Nelson — aka Plastic Free Mermaid — I Quit Plastics And You Can Too is a practical guide to ditching disposable plastics and living more sustainably. And, given that Nelson broke up with single-use plastics over a decade ago, it's safe to say she's something of a guru on the topic. Whether you're keen to follow her lead completely, or simply want to learn how to live a little lighter, consider this book your new encyclopedia. It's chock full of handy, helpful information, served alongside manageable tips and how-tos aimed at reducing your plastic use, easily. Small, everyday changes can do big things for the environment. You'll discover how to cut down on waste, while shopping, cooking, cleaning and living with a more planet-friendly, plastic-free mindset. And Nelson shares lots of easy-to-implement strategies along the way, with more than 60 recipes to help de-plastic all areas of your life — from bodycare to breakfast. This is one online purchase the oceans will definitely thank you for. You can grab a copy of 'I Quit Plastics And You Can Too' for $26.25 from Booktopia. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Quick show of hands: growing up, how many of us would have loved to commit our lives (and tastebuds) to chocolate? While our Willy Wonka-inspired dreams might have only been just that, for Koko Black chocolatier Remco Brigou, it has been a dream come true. The Belgian native holds the envy-inducing title of head chocolatier and product innovator at the artisan chocolate brand. Brigou's latest creation is an incredibly luxe range of ice creams in collaboration with Connoisseur. It's a surprising first for Koko Black, which has never ventured into ice-cold desserts despite delighting chocolate lovers around the nation for nearly 20 years. While two flavours — a classic vanilla and an indulgent honeycomb — are available at supermarkets around the country, Brigou's three exclusive creations for Koko Black lounges in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are dressed up with ingredients including melted chocolate, pistachio and chocolate pearls. To celebrate the new Koko Black x Connoisseur ice cream range, we sat down with Brigou to talk about the new collaboration and what he loves about chocolate. [caption id="attachment_833239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Hi Remco! Tell us a little about your journey. How did you become Koko Black's head chocolatier and product innovator? I started in hospitality at the age of 15, working and studying in Belgium, and by the age of 18 I had decided to specialise in chocolate and pastry. My love for chocolate and baking started when I was very little and has been my passion for as long as I can remember. From here, I worked with Marcolini in Brussels as their chocolatier and at 25 I moved to Australia for adventure, travel and a new challenge. I started working with Koko Black as the head chocolatier leading the development of our full retail and lounge menus with new owner Simon Crowe — together we formed a vision to bring an Australian edge to artisanal chocolate and build the Koko Black brand as we know it today. [caption id="attachment_833240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] What is your favourite thing about what you do? What keeps you inspired? I love chocolate and the possibilities are endless — from flavours within various [types of] chocolate to the flavours you can add and create. The discovery of new things, flavours and tastes is what inspires me. A lot of people might think that making chocolate is a dream job. Are there less glamorous things in the job that people might be surprised to find out? Not really, it truly is a dream job for me. I still love it as much as I did as a young boy. What is your favourite type of chocolate and why? Dark chocolate is definitely my favourite for its variation in flavour, depending on the origin of chocolate. It's versatile and can pair beautifully with so many different flavours. I'm often asked which is my favourite Koko Black chocolate, [but that's] like choosing a favourite child as they all have things to love. However, I think the dark hazelnut cluster might be the frontrunner. [caption id="attachment_833027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Tell us about the Connoisseur collaboration. How did this come to life and what excited you about it? We are always teaming up with fellow Australian artisans to make, create and have fun together. So when we were thinking of ice cream, Connoisseur [was] the top pick. Like us, they are premium, artisan and Australian-made, and they also love to create new flavours and combinations. It's been really fun to work with them. For the new flavours, we took the best of both brands — their vanilla ice cream and our dark 54-percent dark chocolate — for an elevated classic. The other flavour was created to reflect one of our best-selling items, Tasmanian leatherwood honeycomb. This required a delicate balancing of flavours to capture the true taste of the leatherwood honey, with our dark chocolate and honeycomb coating. [caption id="attachment_833238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Were there any challenges you had to overcome to create Koko Black's first ice cream? How did you get past these? The balancing of flavours always takes some work, but it's the part I enjoy most. For more information on the luxe new collaboration, head to the Connoisseur and Koko Black websites. Images: Julia Sansone
Damian Griffiths, local Brisbane go-getter and owner of newfangled eateries Alfredo's Pizzeria and Chester Street Bakery and Bar (among a whole list of others) has finally opened the doors on his new hole-in-the-wall, artisan doughnut bar in the Valley — with the apt name Doughnut Time. Taking over a sectioned-off corner of Alfredo's on Alfred Street, and with design by Alex Lotersztain (who's provided interiors and accoutrements for most of Griffiths' other joints), Doughnut Time has started serving up its "hand-dipped artisan doughnuts" today. If Chester Street's doughnut offerings are anything to go by (think blueberry crumble, key lime, and passionfruit meringue varieties), we're only too excited to see (taste) the sure-to-be-mod delicacies that Griffiths' dedicated doughnut shop has come up with. We're crossing our fingers for more desserts converted into doughy, iced-and-garnished circular confections of your dreams, and perhaps a good old-fashioned jam doughnut, oozing with tongue-burning strawberry conserve straight out of the oven. The Doughnut Time Van is also set to hit the road soon, inevitably guaranteed to increase Brisbane's doughnut obsession with every kilometre. The bottom line is: expect to leave Doughnut Time's Valley store sticky-fingered and happily ready to sell your soul to Ned Flanders in a devil's outfit. Find Doughnut Time at 39 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8am until sold out. Via The Courier Mail.
Marina Mirage has scored its own floating beach club, La Luna, which is also Australia's first venue of its kind. But if you'd like to check out the site's same-named eatery for a stint of cider mussels and pineapple margaritas, the waterside spot has good news: that's where La Luna Dining comes in In a space filled with soft, crisp shades — on the walls, and in the linen and curtains — and plenty of natural light from its big windows, diners can tuck into a meal and a few drinks while looking over the marina. Unsurprisingly, plenty of the ocean's finest earns a spot on the menu, including seafood platters, oysters three ways, scallop sashimi, lobster rolls, beer-battered prawns and seafood linguine from across the full lineup. The mezze range also spans goose liver and black truffle pate, wagyu bresaola and dips; the cold bar selection features crispy wonton crackers and spicy beef tartare; and saganaki cheese, four cuts of steak, three types of pizza, and mains such as miso pork belly and confit duck leg will also tempt your tastebuds. From the drinks list, expect sparkling, white and red wines to suit all budgets, plus local and international brews on tap and by the bottle — and several options spirits-wise, no matter whether you're a gin, vodka, tequila, bourbon, rum or whisky drinker. If the whole seaside setup screams cocktail to you, the signature offerings include barrel-aged negronis and mai tais, as well as non-boozy spritzes, sours and watermelon highballs.
Located just three kilometres North of Brisbane CBD you will find Wilston Village, a quickly developing trendy lifestyle hub with leafy streets and 18th century architecture fused with contemporary spaces. Wilston is home to the ultimate hair destination, Fruition, a modern salon that promises great results. The large-scale space is fitted with slick interiors that hold fifteen styling stations to accomodate their loyal clientele. Fruition has a team of 18 hair stylists who each strive to craft a precise and personalised experience. The salon offers a bustling yet relaxing environment with award-winning stylists that are committed to working with clients' individual taste and lifestyle choices.
When 2020 hits, one of Brisbane's big music and party venues will cease to operate in its current form. That'd be The Brightside, which is joining forces with Crowbar to create a mega venue at ol' Brighty's current address. It'll be called Crowbar Brisbane, with the adjoining space currently known as The Valley Drive In taking on the Brightside name. Obviously, this big change is something worth celebrating, which we're sure the revamped site will do when it relaunches. For now, The Brightside is throwing a big party to say goodbye to the status quo — and it's calling on DZ Deathrays, Bugs, Jeremy Neale and Sycco to hit the decks to help. All of the above will take on DJing duties and, as always, there'll be plenty of drinks on offer. Head along to Bye Bye Brightside from 7pm on Saturday, December 28 to mark the end of an era — with tickets costing $10.
Does your must-see movie list just keep growing, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball — especially after splashing cash around over Christmas, your summer holidays or both? Call Dendy Cinemas' latest special a case of great timing, then, with the chain offering up discount tickets that'll solve your problem. You will need to head down to its Southport venue, however. Every day from Thursday, January 26–Wednesday, February 1, you'll only pay $5 for your movie of choice at the 11-screen complex, which only opened less than a year back. Buy online or buy at the box office — either way, you'll nab a bargain. With everything from newly minted Oscar-nominees Triangle of Sadness, The Fabelmans, Tár, Babylon and The Banshees of Inisherin through to M3GAN, Avatar: The Way of Water, Emily and A Man Called Otto currently screening, there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. A caveat: the offer isn't available for special events, previews, special screenings or Dendy Arts sessions, but remains valid for everything else. Also, there's a booking fee if you do purchase via the internet.
Already home to Vietnamese food hall Fat Noodle and upmarket steakhouse Black Hide by Gambaro, the Treasury Brisbane is expanding its food range — with potstickers, dim sum, barbecued meats and other Cantonese-style food. As first announced last month, the Brisbane CBD spot has welcomed Mei Wei Dumplings, with the new hawker-style eatery setting up shop on the basement level. Head underground every day of the week to eat your way through plenty of Mei Wei's titular dish — at the chain's second location, with its first restaurant already a favourite at The Star Gold Coast. Plus, in good news for Brisbanites hankering for some dumplings long after dinner time, the eatery is open until 11pm weekends and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether you like your dumplings fried or steamed — and whether you're dropping by for lunch, an after-work meal of a late-night bite, you'll find a variety of flavours on offer. Prawn dumplings, vegetable dumplings and three varieties of potstickers (beef, chicken and pork) are all on the menu, as are other dim sum staples such as spring rolls, barbecue pork buns and xiao long bao. Also on the lineup: char siu pork, crispy pork belly and Cantonese crispy duck, as part of an extended Brisbane-only selection filled with new signature dishes. If you can't choose between barbecued options, there's also a combination platter. And just like Mei Wei's Gold Coast site, there's a range of wok-cooked options, including sichuan beef, kung pao chicken and Singapore-style curry rice noodle. The restaurant also boasts a separate congee menu, with the rice porridge coming topped with the likes of pork and preserved egg, seafood, or chicken and mushroom. Design-wise, Mei Wei's Brisbane eatery includes elements of Chinese design while also taking into consideration the Treasury's 134-year history. And, in terms of places to sit, you can choose between booths, benches and tables. If you're already thinking about gathering the gang for dumplings next time you're in the vicinity of the casino, Mei Wei also features a 14-person private dining room. And, patrons can enter via a separate George Street entrance, rather than through the Treasury. Find Mei Wei Dumplings at Treasury Brisbane, corner of Queen and George streets, Brisbane — open Sunday–Thursday 11am–11pm and Friday–Saturday 11am–1am.
If you're a fan of 90s horror getting a new lease on life, we know what you're doing this winter Down Under: watching the latest instalment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. Although a TV series ran for one season in 2021, it's been almost 20 years since the last film in the series hit screens — and, as both the initial trailer and the just-dropped fresh look at the newest movie shows, familiar faces are back, and spouting familiar lines of dialogue as well. A slasher premise. A script by Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson. A cast member of Party of Five being terrorised. That setup worked well twice three decades back, first with Scream and then with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Indeed, when they each initially released, sequels followed in both instances. Here's the latest part of the trend: both franchises have made or are making 2020s-era returns after jumps to the small screen, in flicks sharing the same name as the original movies in each saga and featuring OG cast members. First came 2022's Scream. Next arrives 2025's I Know What You Did Last Summer. Once again, Jennifer Love Hewitt (9-1-1) follows in Neve Campbell's (The Lincoln Lawyer) footsteps — and as Scream did, I Know What You Did Last Summer picks up with a mix of recognisable and new talents. As the sneak peeks for cinema's return to Southport illustrate, Freddie Prinze Jr (The Girl in the Pool) is also present again. Being stalked for their past misdeeds this time: Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio), Jonah Hauer-King (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Tyriq Withers (Me) and Sarah Pidgeon (The Friend). On the big screen on Thursday, July 17, 2025 Down Under, the results will play out — aka a group of friends getting involved in a car accident where someone dies, they cover it up and vow not to tell anyone, but that secret and a vengeance-seeking killer haunts them a year later. The new film layers in the fact that this has all happened in the past, with the quintet in focus needing help from two survivors of the Southport Massacre of 1997. Enter Hewitt and Prinze Jr, as part of a cast that also includes Billy Campbell (Mr & Mrs Smith), Gabbriette Bechtel (Idiotka) and Austin Nichols (The Six Triple Eight). Starting as a 1973 novel, which Williamson adapted into the first 1997 film, I Know What You Did Last Summer initially spawned two sequels: 1998's I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and 2006's I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Then came that shortlived television effort. On the franchise's return to the big screen, Do Revenge filmmaker Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directs — and continues her connection with the OG I Know What You Did Last Summer cast, given that Sarah Michelle Gellar (Dexter: Original Sin) featured in that 2022 movie. Check out the trailer for I Know What You Did Last Summer below: I Know What You Did Last Summer releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Brisbane is a river city and always will be — but it's now a rooftop city as well. Only a few years ago, sky-high bars were rare across this town of ours; however, that's been changing. In fact, these days, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to drinks with a lofty view. The latest watering hole that's asking you to look at Brissie from a different vantage: Ooh La La Rooftop, which has made its home in Woolloongabba. It's an upstairs offshoot of beloved French restaurant C'est Bon, and it's serving tipples and bites to eat three days a week — from Friday–Sunday, with the space's official launch happening on Friday, July 2. First, when it comes to a view, you'll be peering over a different part of the city than usual — given that this sky-high spot isn't in the CBD or Fortitude Valley. The Mater Hospital and its carpark will be in your eye line, but so will the rest of this inner-city pocket. When the suburb's revamped Princess Theatre reopens in August, that'll just be around the corner, too. So, you know what you'll be looking at after you climb up the rear steps from C'est Bon, with entry to Ooh La La Rooftop via the rear laneway and carpark. As for what you'll be eating and drinking while you sit at high tables — or in regular chairs — the French theme unsurprisingly travels upstairs. Food-wise, both Siberian and Oscietra caviar is on the menu, including as part of a blini caviar set with potato rye blinis. From the seafood-heavy lineup, you can also tuck into Appellation oysters, Fraser Island crab, mussels, barbecued prawns and kingfish crudo. Or, there's duck liver parfait eclairs, angus tartare and confit suckling pig terrine, as well as a cheese and charcuterie selection for snacking. On the beverage list, the vino hails from either France or Australia — and while there's only four signature cocktails on the menu, Ooh La La is clearly about quality over quantity. Warm up with a hot whisky grog, opt for passionfruit or elderflower-heavy concoctions, or drink your way through a Tasmanian pinot negroni. Whatever you're sipping, you'll be doing so in a spot designed by Brisbane's JDA Co — who looked to open up the space, highlight its views and pay tribute to the building's history. Another key aspect of this makeover: ensuring that the structure's 1900s facade still has pride of place, too. Find Ooh La La Rooftop at 609/611 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba — open 3pm–late Friday–Sunday.
Taking over the slice of Newstead that Chester Street Bakery once called home, Hello Gorgeous has one thing in common with its now-defunct predecessor: wherever you look, something catches the eye. In the site's previous incarnation, colourful and inventive cakes screamed out for attention. Now, it's the vivid decor. Given its name, this new watering hole isn't pretending to be modest. It might be compact in size, accommodating up to 100 people, but Hello Gorgeous is designed to make an impact. Emblazoned with the venue's moniker, a pink neon sign lights up one corrugated iron wall. Elsewhere, tropical prints and plants are scattered around the joint. Patrons grab drinks from a bar decked out with pastel pink tiles and gold detailing, then sit and sip at teal banquettes. In short, Hello Gorgeous is the kind of place that is luxe but casual — somewhere Brisbanites can head after work, settle in for a lazy arvo on a weekend or grab a meal up until 10pm every night of the week. Owner Justinn De Beer describes it as a place "for everyone to just relax, enjoy great food and wine, and have fun", an ethos that shines not only in the vibrant interiors by Bea Berry Designs, but in its multiple spaces. As well as the main bar, there's a deck out the front, a private dining room for 20 and the ability to host functions of up to 80 guests. With Matthew Wrench (Eleven Rooftop Bar) overseeing the kitchen, variety reigns on the menu as well. Primed for sharing, the food range spans sesame-crusted tuna sliders, a pan-seared cuttlefish salad and lamb cutlets with harissa and pumpkin purée — plus sides that include roasted bone marrow with sourdough crisps. That's just the beginning. Although, it's the seven-page drinks list that visitors will spend most of their time flicking through, whether they're after boozy or non-alcoholic options. House cocktails on tap and by the glass take pride of place, and Hello Gorgeous' staff can make most classic and contemporary concoctions by request; however, the venue's list of non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages is just as sizeable. Here, you can indulge in a few Hello Gorgeous gimlets or a trio of tipples made from the booze-free spirit Seedlip — or, back on the strong stuff, choose from more than 45 wines, 20-plus beers and ciders, and over 100 different types of spirits. Find Hello Gorgeous at 32A Chester Street, Newstead, open from 4pm Monday–Thursday and from 12pm Friday–Sunday.
After hosting a sellout weekender in 2024 to celebrate its 15th birthday, Strawberry Fields is turning sweet 16 in 2025 with another three-day festival filled with impressive acts hitting the decks and the stage, all on the banks of the Murray River. When you're not catching Detroit Love featuring Carl Craig and Moodymann, Gilles Peterson, Chaos in the CBD and Interplanetary Criminal at Tocumwal in regional New South Wales this November, you'll be seeing Tommy Holohan, Malugi, Lady Shaka and ISAbella. They're a mere few of the 80-plus DJs and live acts on the just-dropped lineup. Other names on the bill across Friday, November 21–Sunday, November 23 include KOKOROKO, WITCH, and Circle of Live featuring Albrecht La'Brooy, Move D and Sebastian Mullaert — plus Dita, Wax'o Paradiso and Horse Meat Disco. Or, for more than three hours, Mama Snake, DJ Scorpion and Andy Garvey will play B3B. Aurora Halal, DJ Sweet6teen, Fafi Abdel Nour, DJ PGZ B2B Yikes and Karen Nyame KG are on the roster, too. Strawberry Fields is among the Australian music festivals that aren't just about who's providing the soundtrack, even though it clearly doesn't skimp on talent. This fest boasts a setup and setting worth spending a weekend enjoying no matter which acts are on the bill, with its location is a hefty drawcard all by itself. Having multiple stages pumping out tunes in leafy surroundings, and also a bush spa for a soak between sets, will do that. Festivalgoers clearly agree. As was the case in 2024, 95 percent of Strawberry Fields' tickets were already snapped up before the lineup dropped. If you were waiting to see who was on the bill first, though, more are going on sale from 9am on Friday, July 11. Folks lucky enough to nab a ticket can look forward to epsom salt baths, plunge pool sessions and sauna trips, then, plus hanging out in the festival's Mirage Motel space again, and hitting up an expanded range of workshops and talks — alongside onsite glamping and camping. Strawberry Fields' commitment to sustainability remains strong, too, with its rewash revolution system diverting over 300,000 single-use plastics from landfill so far, renewable energy powering the entire fest and all carbon emissions offset via Treecreds. Strawberry Fields 2025 Lineup DJ Afrodisiac Anu Aurora Halal Ayebatonye Baby J Bella Claxton Chaos In The Cbd Dameeeela Detroit Love (featuring Carl Craig and Moodymann) Dita DJ Friday B2B Sweetie Zamora DJ Pgz B2B Yikes DJ Sure DJ Sweet6teen Fafi Abdel Nour Gene On Earth Gilles Peterson Horse Meat Disco Interplanetary Criminal ISAbella Jenny Cara Josh Caffé Karen Nyame Kg Kirollus Kuzco B2B Quicksticks Kyle Hall Lady Shaka Malugi Mama Snake B3B DJ Scorpion B3B Andy Garvey Mazzacles Messie Mismeg Move D Myles Mac B2B DJ Possum Naycab Neptunes Trident Poli Pearl Regularfantasy Roka Sampology B2B Frank Booker Slothboogie Super Flu THC Tommy Holohan Toni Yotzi Vanna Wax'o Paradiso Wolters B2B Ned Bennett Zalina Live Asanti Beats Becca Hatch Bumpy Circle of Live (featuring Albrecht La Brooy, Move D, Sebastian Mullaert) Close Counters Corto.Alto D.D. Mirage Devaura Drifting Clouds Drmngnow / Bricky B Ella Haber Ella Thompson Empress Ferrari Party Flewnt Inkabee Jerome Thomas Juman Kokoroko Mathew Jonson Minyerra Moontide No News Rodriguez Jr. Serebii The Pro-Teens (MF Doom Tribute) Waari Wilson Tanner Witch Wrong Way Up Xpress Point Strawberry Fields 2025 takes place at Tocumwal, New South Wales, from Friday, November 21–Sunday, November 23. The final release of tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, July 11. Head to the festival website for further details. Images: Duncographic / Will Hamilton-Coates / Max Roux.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we set the compass to regional Victoria and take a trip to Sorrento for a special stay at the newly renovated Hotel Sorrento. [caption id="attachment_899023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Rising High Media[/caption] WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Here, in a buzzy pocket of the Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento has sat for nearly 150 years boasting enviable bay vistas. Now, the historic sandstone building is welcoming a massive expansion including a soon-to-come 30-metre pool and rooftop yoga studio. At the moment, Hotel Sorrento boasts five separate bars, two restaurants, newly refurbished accommodation rooms as well as private dining areas. It's an all-in-one destination escape just over an hour from Melbourne's CBD. THE ROOMS There are plenty of rooms to choose from at Hotel Sorrento, starting from $325 a night. Contemporary and light-filled, rooms are accented with a variety of deep European oak, natural limestone and marble. Heritage Balcony Rooms are the crowning jewel of this hotel, boasting private balconies with exclusive vistas overlooking the bay. [caption id="attachment_899027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Threefold Social[/caption] FOOD AND DRINK Hotel Sorrento has recently overhauled its food and drink offering, helmed by George Calombaris. "The goal is to create dishes that not only satisfy the palate but tell a story of the region and the community's rich history," George Calombaris says. Shihuishi is the newest addition to the Hotel Sorrento family, nestled in the original, grand Hotel Sorrento ballroom. Head chef Junlin (Jerry) Yi (ex-Red Spice Road) is unafraid to stray from tradition, from prawn crackers paired with crème fraîche; to spanakopita dumplings that marry whipped feta and dill. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover Australian-Canto cuisine that nods to the Chinese restaurant that stood onsite back in the 1980s. A prawn, lap cheong and onion stir-fry is a crowd-pleaser, along with duck pancakes and black pepper beef, served on a sizzling plate. Other classics run to the likes of steamed barra with soy, ginger and spring onion, or the ever-popular pork and prawn shumai. Otherwise, if you fancy a short but sweet wander, head across the road to the Conti for a slew of venues including a public bar, beer garden, speakeasy and fine diner. Luxe speakeasy Barlow is our pick for a pre-evening tipple. Sorrento institution Stringers has also recently been revamped by The Darling Group (Higher Ground, Kettle Black, Top Paddock), turning the corner store and cafe into an all-day restaurant, pizzeria, bar and providore. THE LOCAL AREA Sorrento is a much-loved spot for both Mornington Peninsula locals and regular holiday blow-ins, due to its accessibility from Melbourne. In warmer months, swimming, snorkeling and water activities at Sorrento Beach is a must-do. If you're looking to sidestep the crowds, Diamond Bay is a popular spot for both families and couples. A range of short, all-weather walking tracks are stunning year-around, including Coppins Track which finishes at the clifftop of Diamond Bay. The cliffside Millionaires Walk is named as a nod to the lavish private residences that line this path, or try the 7km Sorrento Circuit Walk, which hits all of this town's main attractions. THE EXTRAS Hotel Sorrento is looking to install a new 30-metre pool alongside a pool-friendly bar, rooftop yoga studio and gym by the end of 2023. If you're looking for a staycation special, Hotel Sorrento's winter escape package includes overnight accommodation for two, dinner for two at Shuihuishi and a bottle of local Pinot Noir for your room. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: supplied.
There are plenty of ways you could experience Sydney Harbour's world famous New Years Eve fireworks show, but here's one that'll really make all those haters jealous. The Sydney Opera House has teamed up with the crew at Airbnb to offer the ultimate bucket list New Year's Eve situation, involving exclusive VIP front-row seats, dinner by an acclaimed Aussie chef, an intimate concert and a private Opera House balcony. And all that could be yours for an easy $10. This high-flying experience will be enjoyed by just ten lucky people, with the Opera House releasing one double pass each Wednesday at midday for five weeks, starting from tomorrow, November 13. The Opera House x Airbnb New Year's Eve Experience will see those ten winning punters wrapping up 2019 in serious style, partying in their own VIP area overlooking the fireworks extravaganza. Hatted chef Karen Martini will be dropping by to whip up a fitting last supper of 2019, an Opera House expert will guide guests on an educational tour and a surprise act has a special, intimate concert planned. Then, it's off to a private balcony to celebrate the turn of the decade with possibly the best view in Sydney. Each pair of tickets will cost $20, though, as you can imagine, it'll be a challenge to beat out the competition and actually snap one up. But, for 20 bucks, it's worth a shot. Elsewhere, you have to pay a pretty, pretty penny to get a view of the fireworks. For example, the Sydney Opera House's official party costs a bomb ($795 per person), a ticket to Shark Island's festivities is $245 and even a spot on the lawn in the Royal Botanic Garden will set you back $360. To be in it, you'll need to head over to the website, and be ready and raring to go when the NYE experience appears on the page at noon. If you've been conflicted about your NYE plans, this could be an easy solution — and, even if you don't live in Sydney, it's a good reason to make the trip. Double passes to the New Year's Eve Experience will be released at midday on November 13, 20 and 27, and on December 4 and 11. Images: Ken Leanfore. Fireworks image: City of Sydney
One of Brisbane's go-to live music joints for more than a quarter-century, The Zoo is usually a hive of activity on any given Friday or Saturday night. That's obviously changed over the past few months, with the Ann Street venue temporarily closing due to COVID-19 restrictions — but, should Queensland's next stage of eased lockdown conditions allow it, it's planning to turn the tunes back on from mid-July. Dubbed The Zoo Goes Anti-Social, the series of gigs will take place from Saturday, July 11–Saturday, September 12, featuring 30 acts across 15 shows. Butterfingers and Resin Dogs' DJ Katch will kick the whole thing off, in what just might be the most old-school Brissie lineup there is, before the likes of Bugs, Perve Endings, The Steel Syndicate, Beddy Rays, The Dreggs, Concrete Surfers, Asha Jeffries and Fat Picnic all hit the stage. And, yes, the list goes on. In line with the anticipated rules from July 10, only 100 people will be allowed at each gig. If the series proves popular, more shows could be put on — either on the same nights or on others. It's worth noting that, while The Zoo Goes Anti-Social tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, June 11, the Queensland Government is still yet to publicly confirm that the state's third stage of loosened COVID-19 restrictions will definitely come into effect by then. It's expected that they will, as per the government's already-outlined plan, but just keep in mind that venues and the public haven't been given the official go-ahead for 100-person gigs from mid-July as yet. Ticket pricing is also adapting to the times, with costs varying per show — and punters required to purchase a ticket (all money from which will go to the artists) and commit to a $40 minimum spend at The Zoo at the same time. Regarding the latter, you'll pay in advance, then receive $40 in credits when you get to the venue, which you can spend on booze, other drinks and The Zoo merchandise on the night.
If listening to "Last Christmas" by Wham and watching Love Actually for the 100th time doesn't sound appealing, Australian streaming service Stan is providing viewers with an alternative. If you know you'll have festive fatigue by the time Boxing Day rolls around, the streamer is releasing all eight episodes of the new Australian dark comedy Sunny Nights on December 26. While some streamers have taken to releasing TV series weekly or even splitting seasons into two parts, you won't be held hostage by any cliffhangers while waiting for the next episode with this new show. Dreamt up by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, the Stan Original series is directed by Trent O'Donnell (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, New Girl, Hacks) and stars Hollywood comedians Will Forte (Four Seasons, Bodkin, Saturday Night Live) and D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Nobody Wants This, Barry). For fans of crime shows, Sunny Nights offers a twist on the genre. Forte and Carden play siblings Martin and Vicki Marvin, who move to Australia to start a new spray-tanning business. Additionally, Martin is determined to win back his estranged wife, Joyce (Ra Chapman), who just happens to reside in Sydney. After the Marvins get mixed up in an extortion scam, they get sucked into the city's criminal underworld with their lives on the line. While the two main characters are from the USA, this show is undoubtedly Australian. From crocodiles to the chokehold footy has on our country, there are inside jokes littered throughout the series that Aussies can appreciate. Plus the ensemble cast is made up of some established and emerging local talent, including Rachel House (Heartbreak High, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Kangaroo), Jessica De Gouw (Dracula, Kath & Kimderella, Arrow), George Mason (Home and Away, My Life Is Murder, The Survivors) and Ra Chapman (Five Bedrooms, Wentworth, Neighbours). The former NFL player Willie Mason also makes his acting debut as Terry Torres, a tough member of Sydney's criminal underworld. It all begs the question: Why aren't we embracing more local content? In an era where we have been constantly fed reboots, sequels and remakes, Sunny Nights is proudly local. Major scenes take place in and around Sydney, dry conversations are had with mortgage brokers, and there's even a Chemist Warehouse-esque pharmacy. So, if you're already dreading the holiday season, Stan Original Sunny Nights is something you keep an eye on. With the absence of cheesy Christmas storylines, this is an antidote to all of the festive films that have likely been clogging up your streaming services. So, grab yourself a plate of Christmas Day leftovers and tune in on Boxing Day to see the Sydney skyline and some Aussie talent instead. It's time to get sucked into the dark world of Sunny Nights. Stream the Stan Original 'Sunny Nights' Boxing Day, only on Stan. Image credit: Supplied
Good things come in small packages, right? Well, Little Corner Cafe has raised the stakes as they aren't just a good thing, they are a wonderful thing. When driving along Dickson St in Wooloowin, it's hard to miss the bright yellow chairs outside of the appropriately named, Little Corner Cafe. The outdoor dining area is sun-drenched and is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee catchup in the cooler weather. Inside the Little Corner Cafe is a small yet smart space. It allows seating for a reasonable number of people and the artwork pays homage to the history behind the suburb. On any given morning the modest cafe plays host to a large amount of guests enjoying great coffee and simple food. The specials board is filled with well priced meals such as the chicken quesadilla with fresh shredded chicken, cream cheese, avocado and sliced sundried tomatoes between tortillas toasted, served with a side of salsa. The quesadilla was filling yet a light choice. The Texan spicy slow cooked beans, herb sour cream and parmesan on sourdough is another delicious option. However, a standout menu item is the espresso smoothie with honey and yoghurt. It makes its poor cousin, the classic iced coffee, look dismal in comparison. Although there was a little wait for food, Little Corner Cafe nailed friendly service. This cute cafe bursting with character and history is in prime position for northsiders making their commute into the city or to nearby train stations. The bright atmosphere, splash of colour and good coffee will make your mornings a little easier.
Perched by the river between George Street and North Quay, Brisbane Quarter is already home to Chinese, Italian and Thai restaurants, coffee and bubble tea joints, W Brisbane and its bars, and fine diner Three Blue Ducks. But the growing CBD precinct still has room for a new addition: Japanese eatery Tenya, which'll open its doors in early September. The new restaurant comes courtesy of hospitality veteran Tony Cheng, who already has Sunnybank's Hana Zushi Japanese Restaurant to his name. This time, he's pairing modern-style dishes with a lengthy drinks list, with more than 85 types of sake and Japanese whisky on Tenya's menu. Obviously, the riverside views over to South Bank will also be a big feature. When it welcomes in patrons, Tenya will usher Japanese food fans into a space that seats 240 in total, complete with an eye-catching curved bar. The inside dining room caters to 120, the outside area seats 80, a VIP room and function area holds 20, and ten seats are available in the Kaiseki and Omakase room — which is where diners can watch the chefs prepare their dishes. Opt for the latter, and you'll also be eating a bespoke meal created using whichever seasonal ingredients are available that day. On the regular menu, Head Chef Yang Zhao's kitchen will cook up everything from sushi, sashimi, tempura and udon noodles to $45 three-course set lunches — and an array of rolls that'll include ocean king prawn, soft shell crab and flamed grilled beef. For dinner, Kagoshima wagyu, salmon tartare and char grilled cuttlefish are a highlight. And, drinks-wise, all that sake and whisky will be joined by Japanese-inspired cocktails, more than 250 wines from around the world, and a range of spirits, beers, soft drinks and tea. Tenya will open at Brisbane Quarter, 300 Queen Street, Brisbane in early September — we'll update you with an exact date when once is announced.
Thanks to social distancing restrictions, we're having to take a break from some of our favourite food experiences right now, from mimosa-matched bottomless brunches, to sit-down dinners at actual restaurants. But at least in the meantime, you can get your culinary fix delivered via soundwave, by tuning into one of the many podcasts dedicated to life's tastiest of pleasures — food. Whether you're hungry for some fun food history facts, or fancy tucking into an interview with one of Australia's hospitality legends, we've pulled together a menu of food podcasts to satisfy all your culinary cravings. And, unlike a visit to your favourite fine diner, these won't require you to change out of your trackies. Get downloading and whet your appetite with a few of these audio gems. DEEP IN THE WEEDS For an especially timely, locally focused food fix, try this new podcast headed up by restaurant critic and food journalist Anthony Huckstep. A real no-holds-barred look at the impact COVID-19's had on the Australian hospitality industry, Deep In The Weeds is dishing up honest conversations with a range of chefs, restaurateurs, producers and other hospo folk who are riding the storm. You'll get insight into the many issues currently facing our venues and their staff, and learn about the creative plays being made in an effort to help keep things afloat, sitting down with names like Jacqui Challinor (Nomad), Rockpool's Neil Perry, Attila Yilmaz (Pazar Food Collective) and Colin Fassnidge (4Fourteen, Banksia). HOME COOKING WITH SAMIN NOSRAT Born in response to the world's newfound passion for kitchen projects — thanks, COVID-19 — Home Cooking is the new podcast from chef Samin Nosrat (star of Netflix's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat) and producer Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder). As the name suggests, it's designed to be the ultimate companion to your home cooking adventures, no matter where your skill levels are (or aren't) at. These affable hosts will help you whip up culinary success with whatever random ingredients you've got lying in the pantry, turning the everyday basics into inspired food creations. You might learn how to transform those tinned beans into something fab, or find an unexpected use for that less-than-fresh loaf. Best of all, Nosrat and Hirway are even taking audience requests for upcoming episode topics. THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING HUNGRY Aussie food journalist Lee Tran Lam hosts this largely Sydney-centric podcast, where each episode features a sit-down with a different local food legend, the program ranging from star chefs to renowned restaurateurs. You'll hear tales from the industry frontline, behind-the-scenes goss and plenty of colourful personal back stories, interspersed with hot tips on all the city's (and Melbourne's) best spots for eating and drinking. Seafood maestro Josh Niland (Saint Peter), celebrated chef Monty Koludrovic (Icebergs Dining Room, The Dolphin) and croissant queen Kate Reid of Lune are just some of the high-profile names to be found among this rich back catalogue. A worthy antidote for anyone who's missing dining out. RADIO CHERRY BOMBE A big ol' celebration of the boss ladies that have helped make our food scene what it is. Radio Cherry Bombe is an audio spin-off of the US magazine of the same name, now with over 270 episodes under its belt. That juicy back catalogue is brimming with inspiring stories about the industry's clever, creative female talent, starring guests ranging from chefs and cookbook authors, to food stylists and gutsy entrepreneurs. Get up close and personal with the likes of best-selling writer and activist Yasmin Khan, Canadian cake queen Lyndsay Sung (Coko Cake Land), cereal artist Jessica Siskin (aka Misterkrisp) and loads more. And if you tune in to recent episodes, you'll get the low-down on how some of our female hospo heroes are handling the global pandemic. GASTROPOD What kind of food crops might we one day be able to grow in outer space? How did liquorice become England's first branded candy? What the heck are blue raspberries and where did they come from? They're the kind of quirky questions you'll find answers to over at long-running podcast Gastropod, which aims to sate your inner foodie, history buff and science nerd, all at once. Co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley take listeners on a series of fun, investigative journeys, with each of the fortnightly episodes diving into the often surprising science and history behind a different food-related topic. Listen in for a treasure trove of cool facts you can throw around at your next dinner party. THE SPLENDID TABLE A spin-off of the acclaimed debut book from food writer and cooking teacher Lynne Rossetto Kasper, The Splendid Table began life as a public radio show way back in the 90s. These days, it's a weekly podcast hosted by renowned food writer Francis Lam, continuing the same mission of celebrating the countless ideas and stories of our global food culture. Sharpen your skills with expert cooking tips, catch sit-downs with top international food heroes, explore the history of your favourite ingredients and dishes, and get acquainted with a smorgasbord of cuisines from all across the globe. One week, you might find yourself hearing René Redzepi chat all things fermentation, while the next, you're reigniting your passion for dairy with tales from a team of international cheese experts. RACIST SANDWICH A food podcast served up within a slightly different context, Racist Sandwich dives into the politics behind what you're eating, and why. It's hosted by a pair of American writers, with (mostly) fortnightly episodes that explore the various ways in which concepts like race, gender and class intersect with the big wide world of food. Prepare to catch a diverse spread of insightful investigations and guests, from one food justice advocate's mission to preserve Salvadoran culture through its recipes, to an interview with a French prisoner and Instagram food star who's whipping up culinary magic behind bars. Make yourself a cuppa and settle in to score some fresh perspectives. EATER'S DIGEST Famed food publication Eater backs up its online feed with this weekly podcast serving up all the tastiest news morsels from the culinary world, both across the USA and further abroad. Join Amanda Kludt and Daniel Geneen as they dissect food trends, unearth new hot-ticket dining destinations, celebrate favourite cuisines and touch base with a swag of big-name hospitality heroes. You could tune in to a discussion about the world's new obsession with food TV, learn some unexpected secrets from a top restaurant critic, or get taken through a definitive list of all the very worst dining-out habits, as revealed by New York hospo staff. Right now, Eater's Digest is also dishing up plenty of honest insight into how COVID-19 is affecting the restaurant game as we know it.
In his creative exploration of sleep and lightness, David Nemcsik has placed his friends in sleeping positions in the location of their most recent dreams...levitating in mid-air. His ingenious levitation photography is unlike the many of this sort we've seen before. Not only do his pictures appear as a wonder of unfathomable manipulation, but they are also meaningful and attempt to do much more than just confuse and amaze. Nemcsik travelled around his home country, Hungary, asking his friends where they were in their last dream and then proceeded to depict them in each particular location. He wanted to "show that people can levitate. It's magical and mysterious. They are levitating in a lying position just as if you'd be if you were lying in your bed while you were sleeping." The project was conducted as an entrance exam to art university and aimed to demonstrate to his friends that magic does really exist out there in the world. He's certainly convinced us so take a look at Nemsciks magnificent levitation photographs and renew your faith in magic.
Something delightful is happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are starting to reopen — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney and Brisbane (and, until the newly reinstated stay-at-home orders, Melbourne as well). During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made over the past three months, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLNXHJB5Mto BABYTEETH Usually, cancer movies aren't just terrible and generic — they're insulting. Too often focusing on pretty young things succumbing slowly to the insidious disease, they generally tug at the heartstrings with shameless abandon, treating their protagonists and their plights as a mechanism to wring weepy tears out of the audience. The Fault in Our Stars did it. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl did too, and even won awards at Sundance for its efforts. So when a film also hones in on a cancer-afflicted teenager yet refuses to trot out the same old tropes and cliches, it firmly stands out. Based on the play of the same name, Babyteeth is that movie, and it could never be mistaken for the usual illness drama. As directed by feature first-timer Shannon Murphy, this lively, vibrant, insightful and genuinely moving Australian film truly sees its main character, Milla (Little Women's Eliza Scanlen), as a person first and foremost. She's not a mere tool used to evoke easy emotion. She isn't a secondary figure primarily deployed to explain someone else's troubles, either. Rather, she's a passionate Sydney high schooler who unexpectedly falls for drug dealer Moses (Acute Misfortune's Toby Wallace) as her already-struggling parents watch on. Also starring Essie Davis and Ben Mendelsohn as Milla's mother and father, this is a raw, sensitive, astute and arresting addition to a genre that rarely (if ever) earns any of those terms. It's also visually striking and, unsurprisingly given the cast, boasts fantastic performances — and it's one of the best Aussie movies that'll hit cinemas in 2020. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wplr6eN2ajQ THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY In The Burnt Orange Heresy, Mick Jagger plays a rich, ruthless art collector who visibly enjoys toying with everyone in his orbit. This isn't the Rolling Stone's first acting role, with the superstar musician famously playing Ned Kelly in the 1970 film of the same name, and popping up in the likes of Freejack and The Man from Elysian Fields over the years — but in this Italy-set art-centric thriller, he's worth the price of admission. He's clearly having fun with his wily character and Cockney drawl, even though he's just a supporting player. As a reclusive artist who lives on the collector's sprawling Lake Como property, Donald Sutherland falls into the same category, too. Alas, thanks to a by-the-numbers narrative, the slow-burning, handsomely shot film itself can't quite match them. When Jagger's shrewd Joseph Cassidy invites art critic James Figueras (Claes Bang) to his estate, the latter isn't sure why — so he takes American tourist Berenice (Elizabeth Debicki) along for the trip. Upon their arrival, the new lovers become immersed in a plot to unearth the latest paintings by Sutherland's art legend, although that's just the tip of the subterfuge and duplicity surrounding Figueras. The second feature by Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi, The Burnt Orange Heresy doesn't lack in plot, themes or attempts to ape Patricia Highsmith's best tales, but its twists prove as routine as its insights into authenticity and forgery on multiple levels. And, while excellent when he last dallied with art in The Square, and in this year's Dracula as well, Bang is never commanding as his co-stars — including Widows' Debicki, who overcomes an underwritten role in her tender scenes with Sutherland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4MRcUzmFv8 CALM WITH HORSES Living in a sleepy rural Irish town, Douglas (Cosmo Jarvis) has tied his fortunes to the region's crime heavies, working as an enforcer for the Devers family. The former boxer largely pals around with young up-and-comer Dympna (Barry Keoghan), but when the latter is instructed to jump by his menacing uncles (Ned Dennehy and David Wilmot) — and, specifically, to rough up an old man who has committed a heinous act against one of their own — Douglas must also do what he's told. But this is a task that tests his loyalty, even with his violent history. Complicating matters are Douglas' ex Ursula (Niamh Algar) and their autistic five-year-old son Jack (Kiljan Moroney), who want to move to Cork — and away from Douglas and his brutal cronies — so that Jack can attend a better school. Best known until now for Lady Macbeth, Farming and Peaky Blinders, Jarvis is exceptional in Calm with Horses, a downbeat crime film that doubles as a tense and probing character study. This is a social realist-leaning (and sometimes blackly comic) look at life on the margins, a sharp exploration of toxic masculinity and a potent quest for redemption, too, and Jarvis' quiet, internalised but powerful performance couldn't be more pivotal. In fact, it's a career-best portrayal amongst a top-notch ensemble cast (including Dunkirk's Keoghan). Also crucial: the emotive, immersive stylistic approach favoured by filmmaker Nick Rowland, who makes his feature helming debut. As the movie charts Douglas' gradual awakening to the consequences of his chosen path, the first-time director conveys the character's inner conflict through juxtaposed colours, the noticeable jumping between closed-in interiors and wide-open landscapes, and a pulsating soundtrack by Benjamin John Power — and, yes, with tender scenes involving Douglas, Jack, Ursula and gentle equines as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mrkt44f83k THE VIGIL If something goes bump in the night, it causes jumps or both, then it's in Blumhouse Productions' wheelhouse. A hefty list of recent films have demonstrated that fact — including the Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, Ouija and Happy Death Day franchises, as well as the relaunched Halloween series — and, in case audiences needed another reminder, now The Vigil is here to do the same. The differentiating factor here is the focus on the Orthodox Jewish faith, including one of its rituals. Fresh from stepping out of a support-group meeting for Hasidic New Yorkers who are slowly encroaching upon a more secular worldview, Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis) is enlisted to spend a night working as a 'shomer' in a crumbling Borough Park home. His task: to watch over the body of recently deceased holocaust-survivor Mr Litvak (Ronald Cohen) until dawn. From the moment that Yakov steps inside the Litvaks' townhouse at his friend Reb Shulem's (Menashe Lustig) urging — and the moment he meets the eerie Mrs Litvak (Lynn Cohen), spies her husband's corpse under a sheet and notices the unmistakably moody lighting — The Vigil is content to lurk in standard jump-scare territory. It feigns at delving deeper, including into Orthodox culture and the weight left by the atrocities of the Second World War, but this is primarily an exercise in evoking dread and suspense in the usual haunted house-focused horror movie mould. First-time feature writer/director Keith Thomas still conjures up a creepy atmosphere and crafts a number of spine-tingling, anxiety-inducing visuals. As the increasingly perturbed protagonist, Davis (Greyhound, Logan) deftly navigates all of the above, too. But, even with its tense score always going for broke, the film always feels like it is simply dressing up well-worn genre elements in different packaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4aM_3JJ_Us HOUSE OF CARDIN He trained as a tailor before the Second World War, then worked for the Red Cross during the conflict. Afterwards, he made costumes for the 1946 big-screen version of Beauty and the Beast, became the head of Christian Dior's atelier, then launched his own fashion house in 1950. From there, he pioneered an avant-garde, boundary-breaking style that's marked by its constant evolution as much as its love for geometric designs. The man in question: Italian-born, French-raised and -based designer Pierre Cardin, the subject of P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes' (Mansfield 66/67) energetic, affectionate and informative — albeit slickly formulaic — documentary House of Cardin. Unlike its eponymous figure or recent fellow fashion doco Halston, this film doesn't aim to push any limits or stand out — in its form or function, that is. Instead, it sticks to the oft-used template (think: talking-head interviews with other famous faces, enticing shots of eye-catching designs, archival footage aplenty and an overt score) to celebrate the now 98-year-old Cardin. The movie's straightforward approach and structure is always obvious; however it also helps push Cardin, his work and his jam-packed life story front and centre. And in a documentary that benefits from its subject's sometimes-abrupt recollections about his experiences and career, as well as ample examples of the designer's dazzling pieces — both of which sprawl in a plethora of directions — that ultimately proves a savvy and engaging choice. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas, check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9 and July 16 — and our full reviews of The Personal History of David Copperfield, Waves and The King of Staten Island. Top images: The Burnt Orange Heresy © joseharo.
The huge dose of nostalgia that Milan Ring's latest release 'Are Your Friends Alright?' generates is only partially intentional. The Sydney-based artist and producer explains that she drew inspiration from parties she had been to throughout her teens and twenties where gatecrashers or uninvited people brought negative energy. "I was playing with the idea of not allowing that to make your night with your friends a bad vibe." It's an idea that most people could relate to. But, with the very notion of socialising and partying with mates seeming quaint and far away right now, the song strikes an even deeper chord. It's about focusing on the good things and channelling positive energy. Produced in collaboration with Sydney-based artist Blessed, 'Are Your Friends Alright?' is a charged track, packed with sensual vocals, soulful harmonies and a funky bassline. It's a prime example of why Ring was chosen as one of the visionary artists to collaborate with Miller Design Lab, the home of creativity and self-expression built by Australia's leading minds in design, art, technology and fashion. The platform is a celebration of our nightlife and its impact on culture to deliver exceptional moments to you and your home. To that end, we spoke with the Sydney-based talent to talk about life as an artist — from having a flexible process to seeking inspiration from her city and collaborating with some of the best in the biz. Artist is a broad term, but it's an important distinction when referring to someone like Milan Ring — she can't be pigeon-holed into one category. Throughout her teens, she spent time jamming on guitar and experimenting on an analogue drum machine, before getting a diploma in sound engineering and technical production. She started performing professionally in her twenties, first as a guitarist in bands and then progressively as a backup vocalist. Now, not only does she write and compose all of her music, but she also produces and mixes it all — and masters some of it, too. And most of that magic happens in her studio, which she built in a Marrickville warehouse with her best friend two years ago. This loaded skillset affords Ring a lot of flexibility in her creative process. "There are times when I just want to create, do something fresh and improvise. And then there are times I just want to fix things and do all the technical stuff. I listen to myself. Sometimes I go in with the intent to create a new song. I start and I'm like 'I'm not really feeling it', so then I'll pull up a song to finish the mix." Though Ring admits that she mostly works alone, she also places enormous value in teaming up with other artists and producers, including Blessed and American band The Social Experiment (who in turn have worked with Chance the Rapper). "It's down to finding the right collaborators, but you don't know until you try. Every collaboration, even if it doesn't end up with a song that's released — there's something to take away from that and something to learn." And, for Ring, there's a direct relationship between collaborating and customisation. "The way I interpret customisation would be drawing inspiration from something and making it your own. Someone like BLESSED might send me some beats and then I'll use this, change this sound, delete that, move that over here and then record it. Therefore, I've customised, added to and changed his initial concept into something else". The idea of customisation is also evident in the stitching together of Ring's various sources of inspiration. Her music is known for sampling from various genres — she specifically mentions Latin, Afro-Cuban and American-style jazz and soul music, which she spent a lot of time listening to growing up. But when it comes to lyrical content, Ring looks to her community in Sydney's inner west. "I'm definitely inspired by the area I grew up in and different people I know or have met and their stories. Things I've observed or had people tell me their story, I've written about it and taken the essence of the story and then gone off on a tangent." Ring specifically mentions a number of places around her studio in Marrickville that she frequents for inspiration, including cafes like Matinee, West Juliett and Two Chaps, the cluster of craft breweries and a handful of pubs like The Henson, The Vic on the Park and The Marrickville Hotel. And even just going and sitting Enmore Park. "It is nice being surrounded by people even if you're not talking to them. That's one of the things that I've been missing in this time [during lockdown] is just being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of everyone's lives." Speaking to this hiatus period due to COVID-19, which resulted in Ring cancelling her national tour Switch Off, Milan explains, "I haven't been as inspired to go into the studio and hustle. With everything that's going on, I'm not particularly pushing myself — it's a bit of a respite." Instead, she is spending quality time with her dog, cooking and collaborating with a friend on a kids' play-along book. And she's been working her way through a Stevie Wonder songbook on the guitar. "I'm trying to get back into my jazz theory, which I put on the back foot as I've been working on being the best producer and mixer I can be. It's been quite therapeutic for me." But there's no doubt that once lockdown is over, she'll be back out there making the most of Sydney's nightlife. "Being out with friends, going to restaurants, then going to bars and then going to a show — it about being part of culture and the community and feeling connected to all these people. Even though you don't know who they are, you're all there for the same reason." For more, check out Milan Ring's collaboration with Miller Genuine Draft here. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way. Images: Reuben Gibbes
Back in mid-2019, the revamped section of Fortitude Valley around the Alfred Street and Brunswick Street area underwent a revamp, with Foresters and Altitude rooftop bar opening in the slick FV by Peppers precinct. Plenty can change in a couple of years, however, with both venues saying goodbye — and La Costa among the newcomers taking their place. The space at 209 Brunswick Street now actually features four new places. For those eager for a cocktail and a bite to eat on the ground level, that's where the two La Costa venues come in. The restaurant serves up dinner Wednesday–Sunday and lunch Friday–Sunday, while the bar does cocktails, antipasti, tapas and brunch — plus live tunes and DJs. For those keen for a food-focused experience, La Costa restaurant takes inspiration from summers in the Italian Riviera, so seafood features heavily. Think Moreton Bay bug spaghetti ($32), clam linguini ($24), mussels with sun-dried tomatoes and Italian sausage ($26), and whole baby barramundi ($34). You can also opt for a sirloin steak marinated in chilli and garlic ($36), three other types of pasta ($26–32) and eight varieties of pizza ($24–26), plus Italian doughnuts filled with tiramisu cream ($14) and limoncello meringue tarts ($14) from the dessert range. At La Costa bar, there's fresh burrata ($12), baked sardines ($12) and two types of bruschetta ($9–12), plus mango coffee margaritas ($22, made with tequila, Mr Black coffee liqueur, mango and lime) and Olive and Tonics ($22, with olive leaf gin, madeira, tonic, rosemary and olives) from a nine-option cocktail list. If you'd rather, you can pick from the three spritzes on offer ($18–22), or peruse the sparkling, wine and beer selection. For brunch at La Costa Bar, highlights include Spanish eggs ($18); haloumi, mushroom and avocado burgers ($16); eggs benedict ($18); and beetroot and quinoa salad ($17). Your mid-morning meal also comes with a range of choices from the special brunch cocktail menu. And yes, the Hangeroni ($15, with gin, Campari and vermouth rosso) definitely stands out. Those drinks menus hail from the folks at Sydney's Maybe Sammy — which was named one of the world's best bars late in 2020. And, the venues themselves are the latest ventures from the team behind Salt Meats Cheese and Roman-style eatery Eterna. They also sit in a building that was first erected in 1889, was originally known as Foresters' Hall, initially housed a community meeting place and then became Fortitude Valley's first cinema in 1910.
Time flies when you're sitting in a darkened room in the middle of the city watching movies, and that's definitely proven the case for the Elizabeth Picture Theatre. It has been a year since the CBD cinema opened its doors, and it's celebrating the occasion. Sure, it's the venue's birthday, however they're turning the tables and giving you the gift of $5 movie tickets. The only caveats are that you'll need to see a movie on Friday, October 5 — and you'll need to do so before 5pm. Thankfully, there are plenty of flicks to choose from if you can manage a few daytime hours away from the daily grind. Why not spend your Friday finally catching up with Crazy Rich Asians or Ladies in Black, or perhaps seeing Tom Hardy turn into Venom? For those with a spare chunk of daylight, a fiver in their pocket and a desire to see a movie, you can also do so in style. The $5 tickets are also available in the Elizabeth Picture Theatre's Royal Rooms, aka the cinema's premium option.
Penny Coffee Co feels like it's run by your ultracool best friend, you know, the one that's always ten steps ahead when it comes to trends. While the cafe serves up standard brekkies, like toast with "two yolky boys" (eggs, if you were wondering), its strength lies in its ability to create wholly original dishes. Tuck into piña colada panna cotta with coconut-cashew granola, minted pineapple and a piña colada pour ($17) or okonomiyaki with sriracha aioli, edamame, radish, crispy lotus roots and nori dusted yolky ($19). As we said, ultracool. Coffee is served both espresso-style and filter — V60 and Aeropress — and the beans come from a variety of roasters. If you're not a coffee person, there are some tasty Assembly teas available, as well as 9 Spices chai and Kali hot chocolate. In addition to the top-notch food and drink, Penny Coffee Co promises to provide "awesome service, cozy vibes and dank tunes". A promise which it most definitely keeps, with its friendly staff and buzzy atmosphere. Situated in Dutton Park, the cafe boasts large bi-fold windows — perfect for people watching — subway tiles and a colourful mural. The space is at once neat and inviting, the handiwork of Clui Design, and is the perfect place to hit up on your next brunch date.
"Generally the person who listens the best, who listens to the axe-pert, wins the axe-throwing competition." That's what Aaron Hocking, Maniax's Head of Sales and Marketing, has observed at the Australian chain of hatchet-hurling venues. They're comforting words for anyone who has ever been intrigued by the concept, but might've held off giving it a try because they thought they wouldn't be any good at it — aka most of us, probably. "People come and beat their bosses," Hocking continues, with a trip to Maniax popular for group-bonding sessions. "The stereotypical thing, a big burly guy, generally loses. It's normally the smallest person who is the best axe-thrower, because they're not trying to throw it too hard. It's about technique, not about how hard you throw it." If you're keen to follow that advice, Maniax is about to launch its next venue — the chain's eighth in Australia since first launching in 2014, and its second in Queensland since setting up shop in Brisbane in 2018. Complete with a bar with ocean views, the brand is calling level one of the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise home, opening to customers on Thursday, August 4. "You're all on the same level," Hocking explains, and he isn't talking about the new Maniax's physical location. Instead, everyone tends to come to the brand's whole concept — that'd be blowing off steam by slinging sharp blades at a target — with zero experience, learning the skill that is axe-throwing anew. The Gold Coast venue follows the same setup as Maniax's other locations, including the aforementioned Brisbane joint, two sites in Sydney, two in Melbourne, and one apiece in Adelaide and Perth. By the end of the year, the chain has plans to add another three or four outposts, too. No matter which spot you're heading to, patrons get flinging in special axe-throwing lanes, with the Surfers Paradise venue featuring 11 single lanes and four double lanes. And no one lifts a hatchet without being shown the ropes — and taught all the necessary safety essentials, crucially — by one of Maniax's axe-perts first. From there, folks can choose between a range of blade-hurtling activities — think solo or small group sessions, axe-throwing events for larger parties, and also date-night options (because the couple that hurls hatchets together stays together, clearly). And, if this seems like your kind of sport, there's even a competitive league. As for how it all works, it's comparable to darts. Basically, you chuck axes at a board and try to hit a bullseye. Don't even know the first thing about picking up a hatchet? Again, that's completely to be expected, which is why those lessons are included in every session, as well as in the league competition. And, the axe-throwing experts are also on hand to help even when you think you've mastered the basics. Decor-wise, it's easy to pick the theme. "A Viking-themed utopia" is how Hocking describes it, complete with shields, helmets, horns and furs. Fans of The Northman, take note. The Gold Coast spot is also home to Maniax's new bar concept, Ragnar and Sons, where you can sip Viking cocktails and craft beers. The beer menu skews local, with brews on offer from Burleigh Brewing, Black Hops, Precinct Brewing and Lost Palms Brewing. And if all that blade-chucking works up an appetite, Maniax isn't doing food in-house at Surfers; instead, it's partnering with local businesses on dining packages, which customers can pre-purchase. A burger joint will provide the obvious, while pizzas and grazing boards are also on offer. Find Maniax on level one in the Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise — opening on Thursday, August 4. Visit the venue's website for further details and to make a booking.
Think that there's a difference between a cafe and a food truck? Think again. Kith 'n' Chow combines the best of both worlds, parking their mobile eatery in Mount Gravatt, settling in for the long haul and serving up breakfast, brunch and brekkie for lunch every Wednesday to Sunday. On Gaynesford Street, the laidback mood of meals on wheels bunkers down in one permanent location, complete with a funky garden, handmade seats made from pallets and plenty of umbrellas for your shady outdoor eating pleasure. And if the idea, vibe and furniture have already won you over, wait until you see the menu. Kith's eponymous platter for two is the main attraction — and one of the best value shared breakfasts you're likely to find across the city. Grab a friend, feast on sourdough, bacon, haloumi, tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh greens, fried eggs, smoked salmon, Greek yoghurt and housemade granola, and start the day in one of the tastiest ways imaginable. For those dining solo, we'd recommend the breakfast bruschetta — because everyone wants to devour an early morning twist on a classic antipasto dish. Drinks-wise, you'll find four juices and six smoothies to choose from, including the P.Nutter. No prizes for guessing what's in it.
There are two types of people in Brisbane: those who love Archives Fine Books, and those who haven't been there yet, even though it has been a Brisbane institution since 1985. Regardless of what you like to read, and how often, perusing the Charlotte Street shop's shelves is like hunting for — and finding — treasure. Yes, that old book smell will hit you the moment you walk in. And yes, there are more bookshelves — and books, too — than you've probably ever seen in one place. They claim to have more than a million printed tomes, and it certainly looks like it. From '80s cookbooks to tie-in novels for movies you never even knew existed, plus everything in between, you'll find it here.
The grilled calamari comes seasoned with lemon myrtle. Warrigal green gnocchi is its pasta of choice. Peppermint gum lamb is one of its signature mains, jaffa mousse with eucalyptus honeycomb sits on the dessert menu, and a beer that pays tribute to mango and macadamia Weis bars is on the drinks lineup. They're some of the highlights at Brisbane's Dapl, which serves up modern Australian cuisine with a focus on native Aussie ingredients, and sits inside Creek Street's Amora Hotel. The revamped five-star site was formerly known as the Novotel, then underwent a hefty revamp to the tune of $30 million, with the hotel itself relaunching at the end of 2023. At the time, it officially unveiled its new guise with a rooftop pool deck with skyline views, a lobby bar pouring cocktails and 296 rooms located over 14 floors. The next step: Dapl welcoming in diners from early 2024. Executive Chef Jamie Renfrey oversees the kitchen, with more than 30 native ingredients taking pride of place in his menu, which is available as à la carte dinner dishes and either two- or three-course set menus. The beverage selection includes that Mango Mac kettle sour beer from Revel Brewing Co, gin and whisky from 23rd Street Distillery, and a range of wine and cocktails. Among the latter, the Tropical Punch combines tropical gin with seasonal tropical fruits, triple sec, prosecco and sugar syrup — and the Citrus Sparkler is made with red citrus gin, limoncello, rosemary and tonic. Dapl's nature and botanical themes aren't just on display in its dishes and drinks. They're literally on display in the decor, too, with designers Cottee Parker overseeing the fitout. Think: a feature wall painted with a leafy scene, earthy hues all round and foliage watermarks elsewhere.
Picture this: a perfectly portioned entree of beautiful flavour combinations followed by a deliciously tasty main course and a light and sweet dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Got it? Now picture this: it's only $30. Yes, you read correctly. The Eatery (the in-house restaurant at Brisbane's newly constructed CBD hotel Four Points by Sheraton) is ticking all the boxes when it comes to weekday dining options. This hidden gem, situated on level two of the hotel on Mary Street, is seriously worth stepping off the main road for. Patrons are treated to a three-course Market Express Lunch for only $30 or two courses for $24.95, the usual all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets and, on Friday and Saturday nights, a fresh seafood buffet for only $55. The menu showcases wonderful fresh and seasonal Queensland produce but takes your tastebuds around the world, drawing inspiration from Asia, America and Italy. Think entrees of wild mushroom risotto with portobellos, mascarpone, preserved lemon and shaved pecorino or five-hour slow-roasted pork belly with cauliflower puree, sous vide mustard apple balls and a sticky Cumberland sauce. For mains, diners have the choice of dishes like the chef-made saffron fettuccine, Thai green curry, pan-fried prawns in Napoli sauce or spice rub chicken with house-made corn bread and mint and coriander relish. If you have enough room for dessert (it's highly recommended that you do), you'll have the choice of light and fruity — a vacherin of fresh fruit with meringue, ice cream and smoked apple jelly — or something a bit more decadent, tiramisu with a shot of espresso and chocolate soil. For the savoury fans, there is also the cheese plate of epic proportions that could easily be shared between three. The Eatery is a perfect venue for a city business lunch or grazing for a few hours catching up with friends. With three courses for only $30, you really can't put a foot wrong.
Does anything scream holidays quite like kicking back with a drink while staring at the ocean? If that's your dream getaway pastime, even just on day trips to the Gold Coast, then you're about to score two more places to indulge. Already famous for its surf, Kirra is welcoming a new precinct that'll include accommodation, as well as hospitality spots Kirra Beach Hotel and Kirra Beach House — both of which are set to open in November. Eleven years in the making, Kirra Point Precinct will feature residential and vacation apartments, with a 116-unit tower dedicated to folks living the beach life year-round. If you're not residing or staying onsite, you can still look forward to hitting the shops — and gaining a new excuse to sip and snack while feeling the coastal breeze. One of the development's big drawcards is its seafront perch, which gives Kirra Beach Hotel and Kirra Beach House killer ocean vistas. At Kirra Beach Hotel, which'll start letting patrons through the doors on Wednesday, November 8, the aim is to level up the classic beachside pub concept. A watering hole has stood onsite since 1956, but this is a new Kirra Beach Hotel after its previous guise was demolished in 2021. Designed to be breezy and casual — think: a sunny beer garden opposite the surf, five-metre-high ceilings and windows letting the fresh air in — this version sprawls across 1300 square metres on the corner of Marine Parade and Miles Street, and will be filled with surfing memorabilia heroing the sport's famous names like Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Attracting all kinds of beachgoers is another big focus. So, Kirra Beach Hotel will include a family-friendly bistro serving up schnitzels, fish and chips, and other traditional pub fare; a public bar pouring plenty of local names like Balter and Burleigh Brewing on the beer side, and Brookie's Gin for spirits; and a sports bar filled with hefty TVs. For a drop to take home, there'll also be a bottle-o that again champions homegrown fare. And, for anyone heading by straight from the beach, there'll be a tub of thongs for folks who don't have shoes with them. Greg Hodge is back as Kirra Beach Hotel's publican, after overseeing the bar for eight years in its last iteration. "We want the Kirra Beach Hotel to be more than just a pub for our guests and a place where anyone is welcome," he advised. "It's a second home, a place where you can relax and be on a first-name basis with our staff, a place where you can pop in after a surf and grab a bite to eat, and perch up with a beer in hand and watch the waves roll in." Kirra Beach House doesn't have an exact opening date as yet, but will also throw open its doors in mid-November on the precinct's second level. Here, patrons will find a 1200-square-metre venue by SITE Hospitality's Dave Galvin (Kōst, Mozza Mozza) — and a spot that again boasts a number of spaces within its one big space. There'll be a wine bar, two cocktail bars (one, Preston's, is for intimate soirées), indoor spots to drink, outdoor places to settle in, and room for events such as weddings and shindigs. The views at Kirra Beach House will feature the ocean and sky — so, plenty of blue — from almost everywhere within its walls. Obviously, when you're out on the terrace cocktail bar, seeing the beach is a given (also expect to spy Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise's skylines). While you're soaking in the views, you can listen to DJs and acoustic tunes, and get comfortable in 20-person cabanas. Head around to the western terrace and a kitchen, bar and asado barbecue await, as well as foliage as a backdrop. "It will have a beach club atmosphere about it, with great music, mesmerising panoramic views of Kirra, Mediterranean-style food using the incredible local produce we have on our doorstep, a world-class drinks list and, of course, great service," said Galvin. As for the food and drinks, the menu by Kōst Executive Chef Sebbie Kenyon includes seafood platters both raw and cooked, plus steaks, burgers, flatbreads and pizzas — and cocktails that take their cues from holidays, fittingly, as well as house-made spritzes and Aussie wines. Kirra Beach Hotel and Kirra Beach House form part of Kirra Point Precinct's first stage. When stage two arrives, it'll add to the places to stay, shop, and eat and drink. On the cards: a boutique hotel, laneway retailers, a village square, a fresh food marketplace, another residential apartment tower, a gelateria and more. Kirra Beach Hotel will open on Wednesday, November 8 and Kirra Beach House in mid-November at Kirra Point, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta.
When it comes to eating at a restaurant, everyone broadly knows what to expect. You mosey on in, sit at a table, chat with whichever wonderful person happens to be sharing the meal with you, make plenty of eye contact over wine and dinner, and spend ample time soaking in the eatery's vibe and decor. That's the general process we've all been through countless times. Now, imagine what your dinner would be like if there were no lights. Actually, you don't need to imagine — you can simply head along to The Mix Bar's new Dining in the Dark series. There'll be food, drinks and everything else that goes along with the experience, but absolutely no illumination. The idea behind the concept is to heighten your other senses — taste, obviously, but also smell — and allow you to experience dinner in a completely new and different way. If you're keen, tickets cost $75 for a three-course sitting, with the Woolloongabba spot turning the lights out on select Thursdays — on August 22, September 12 and 26, and October 17 and 24. Image: The Mix Bar.
Like all of the eateries in the PappaRich empire, this Coorparoo outpost of the Malaysian restaurant chain serves consistently satisfying buttery rotis, fragrant laksa, filling nasi goreng and fiery sambal. What started out as a vision to create a modern version of the traditional coffee shops in Malaysia, has turned into an Australia-wide name, and rightly so. Each store has its own menu, but you'll always find roti canai, nasi lemak and pan mee — plus its range of teas, like teh tarik, lemon tea with honey and the Milo Dinosaur, a cup of iced Milo with a scoop of Milo powder on top.
After two years spent sipping more coffee at home than you might've liked, you probably don't need need an excuse to hit up Brisbane's cafes for your next cuppa — but Veneziano Coffee Roasters is giving you a reason to stop by anyway. The West End spot has just relaunched after hefty renovations, opening up its warehouse and cafe space so that patrons can make the most of getting their caffeine fix in a coffee joint that's also roastery. Expect to see the behind-the-scenes magic happen while you're drinking your warm beverage of choice, all in a space that can seat 50 inside and 16 outdoors. Veneziano's revamped site is airy, light and bright with white surfaces aplenty, plus glass walls that let you peer from the dining space to the coffee roastery and warehouse. And, it's also now home to training studios and a cupping lab, and will be running sessions for both professional baristas and folks keen to make their best coffee at home. The renovations come more than a decade after Veneziano opened in West End in 2009, with alterations made to the Montague Road spot with its Richmond headquarters in Melbourne and Surry Hills cafe in Sydney in mind. The aim: to ensure that stopping by is about more than just getting a buzz, turning it into an interactive coffee experience. Also new: a full-service food menu, so you can now grab something sizeable to eat alongside your caffeine hit. The Veneziano group's head chef KaiKai Yan has whipped up a range of dishes that focus on seasonal produce, still have room for the classics, and also offer a sizeable vegetarian and vegan selection. Think: a spin on eggs benedict with zucchini fritters, a citrus hollandaise and crumbled feta; chilled coconut rice pudding paired with seasonal fruits and dehydrated mandarins; the ol' favourite that is bacon and eggs; and weekly specials such as chicken and cheese spring rolls with Sriracha mayonnaise and duck massaman pappardelle topped with roasted peanuts and kaffir limes. Coffee-wise, Veneziano's Soar is the house blend, so expect honey, pineapple, cherry and chocolate malt notes in your cuppa. Or amid plenty of other options, there's a rotating range of microlots which are served via filter pour-over, plus a limited-edition selection of nanolots. Find Veneziano Coffee Roasters at 369 Montague Road, West End — open 6am–3pm Monday–Friday and 6am–2pm Saturday–Sunday.
During its Sydney run, Longrain was a must-visit for fans of Thai cuisine. In Melbourne, the Victorian version has proven the same, as has the Tokyo offshoot in Japan. Brisbanites can now head to Short Grain instead, with former Longrain co-owner, founder and Executive Chef Martin Boetz setting up his latest venture in Fortitude Valley. Short Grain marks a homecoming for the Brisbane-born kitchen wiz, who had a 14-year association with Longrain in Sydney and a seven-year link to its Melbourne eatery. Since then, he's been behind The Cook's Shed on the Hawkesbury River in Sackville in New South Wales, before giving Brisbane a new 60-seat Thai restaurant inside Marshall Street's Stewart & Hemmant building. This isn't just a place to sit and eat, either. Making its home inside an old clothing factory, Short Grain also features an Asian food store, as the brick building also once housed in the 90s. So, patrons can stop by for dinner or Sunday lunch, or pick up ready-to-go meals and house-made sauces. If you're dining in, you'll find arched windows letting light into Short Grain's section of the heritage-listed spot, banquette seating and wooden tables lining the space, and art by Vicky Lee. On the menu: Thai dishes aplenty, wine to match and a small dessert selection. For now, on a lineup that'll change seasonally, think: chicken skin with smoked trout and green mango among the appetisers, plus caramelised pork hock paired with chilli vinegar on the mains list. The culinary highlights also include red chilli nahm jim oysters, hot and sour squid, salt and pepper cuttlefish, and soy-braised quail. Yes, yellow, green and red curries are also on offer, the first with beef, the second with mackerel and the third with pork belly. And for something sweet? Choose from duck egg caramel custard tart made with salted pork-fat pastry, black sticky rice with mango and coconut tapioca with caramelised pineapple. To wash your meal down with, the vino list includes four bubbly drops, six whites, one amber, three rosés and chilled reds, and nine reds — with a focus on Australian wine, but also tipples from France, New Zealand and Germany. And, for taking home, expect not just curry sauces made and bottled onsite, but condiments and dressings. Short Grain is also selling The Fermentary's wares and acting as the only Queensland spot to get Gewurzhaus' spices. Find Short Grain at 15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley — open Wednesday–Saturday from 5pm–late and Sundays from 11am–4pm.
Brisbane's busy market scene loves an occasion. Accordingly, it should come as zero surprise that Christmas markets are a massive thing around town, including at Redcliffe's regular excuse to get shopping by the sea. Indeed, only the Redcliffe Christmas Twilight Market will take you browsing and buying by the Redcliffe jetty. Fancy a merry theme and an ace waterside location? That's on offer from 4–9pm on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Also on the bill: a whole Christmas wonderland set up, festive-appropriate decorations all over the place, and music and live entertainment to fit the mood. And, a heap of food stalls serving up bites to eat, and drinks, also to suit the theme. Entry is free, but you'll want your wallet for all that browsing and buying — there's usually hundreds of stalls to peruse. And yes, dressing up is welcome for this wander along Redcliffe Parade till 9pm. There's even an ugly Christmas t-shirt competition, should something in your wardrobe suit.
Every last trilby-wearing tween celebrity, former President's daughter and your smug, smug US-based friends will be rubbing their paws together after this afternoon's Coachella festival lineup announcement. Running over two weekends from April 12–21, the Californian festival has delivered their usual jaw-dropper of a lineup — including Australia's own Tame Impala headlining both Saturdays. Kevin Parker and his touring bandmates have big-name company, of course. Childish Gambino hasn't rescheduled his cancelled 2018 Australian dates yet, but he will be leading the charge on Coachella's two Fridays sessions. As for the Sunday shows, Ariana Grande doing the honours. Elsewhere, a bonafide metric fucktonne of squealworthy acts fill out the rest of the bill — Janelle Monae, Solange, Weezer, Aphex Twin, Khalid, Diplo, CHVRCHES, Jaden Smith, Idris Elba and Aussies Rüfüs Du Sol, to name a few. Anyway, let's be honest, you haven't truly read any of those words — you'll be wanting this: Coachella runs over two weekends, from April 12-14 and 19-21 in Indio, California. Tickets go on sale at 11am PST on Friday, January 4. For more info, visit coachella.com.
Any great gelateria lives and thrives by its scoops. When the best ice cream is being piled high onto cones and in cups, the dessert joint serving it can be anywhere. Still, there's something particularly special about being able to lick your way through a sweet treat in a scenic spot, like strolling along by the river — and it's that experience that Rosé Gelateria has covered at its just-opened new Brisbane outpost at Portside Wharf. The Hamilton precinct is undergoing quite a few changes at the moment, announcing late in 2022 that a $20-million makeover is in the works. Also on the way: Fosh, a seafood restaurant from the restaurateur behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Massimo Restaurant, Yamas Greek + Drink and George's Paragon; and the Gold Coast's Rise Bakery launching its first Brisbane venue. Beating them to it is Rosé Gelateria, which was announced back in April, opened in early June and debuts in the River City after setting up stores in Sanctuary Cove and Main Beach. Brisbanites now have a new boutique dessert go-to. Yes, it's winter, but it's never too cold for gelato in the Queensland capital (as our obsession with the Ekka's strawberry sundaes each August shows). This ice cream spot is located next to Dendy Cinemas, handily, and spans across 56 square metres of indoor seating space, as well as an al fresco seating area. Rosé Gelateria is known for its rose gelato made with rosewater and topped with rose petals, but also does Biscoff gelato — using the biscuit spread, and also caramel — among its 20-flavour signature lineup. The Portside shop features vegan and dairy-free options, too, and will rotate through four limited-edition flavours each month. If you have a pet that likes frosty treats, and always tries to get a lick of yours, Rosé Gelateria is doing pet-friendly gelato as well. Husband-and-wife team Bronson Tucker and Diana Prinz came up with their range after a visit to Italy. "Every flavour on our menu is inspired by our journey to Florence, and the knowledge we gained from learning the authentic art of gelato-making, ensuring an exceptional and truly authentic experience for our customers," advises Prinz. That said, Rosé Gelateria doesn't just keep things cold and creamy. It also serves up macarons and cookies, plus juices and milkshakes. And, joining forces with Paradox Coffee Roasters, it'll brews a specialty coffee blend called Picasso Baby, too — and expect to taste dark chocolate and blackberry with your caffeine hit. As for the fitout, Rosé Gelateria has gone chic and elegant, complete with pastel hues and plenty of white, with help from Lowry Group as the venue's builders. "It was a priority for the team that the space was just as pleasing to the eyes as our food is to the tastebuds... where our iconic rose-toned French-washed walls are harmoniously blended with pristine white indoor and outdoor furnishings, adorned with gold accents," says Tucker. "To cater to the diverse preferences of our guests, our store design also includes dedicated areas for gelato indulgence including cosy cafe seating and convenient takeaway options so customers can savour their treats onsite or on the go." Find Rosé Gelateria at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — open from 8am–10pm daily.
Essa has established itself as one of Brisbane's most respected dining rooms, known for its bold, seasonal cooking and sharp focus on Queensland produce. Tucked just off James Street, the restaurant is led by chef-owner Phil Marchant, whose approach centres on working closely with local farmers, fishermen and artisans. The menu evolves with the harvest, shaped by elemental techniques such as wood-firing, smoking, curing and pickling. Expect premium ingredients handled with confidence, resulting in dishes that feel grounded yet inventive. Regular diners will rarely see the same menu twice. Beyond its core offering, Essa also runs Test Kitchen: Five Chefs, Five Plates, a rotating collaborative format that hands creative control to the kitchen team. Sundays shift into a long-lunch rhythm with Sunday School, where shared dishes and generous pours set the tone. The beverage program mirrors the food's intent, with a wine list focused on expressive producers and a cocktail selection designed to complement the season. Inside, exposed brick and steel are softened by leather banquettes and Verde Alpi stone, with an upstairs garden backdrop adding warmth to the industrial bones. [caption id="attachment_1079047" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mathilde Bouby Photography[/caption] Images: supplied. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Brisbane
American barbecue is only as good as its pitmaster. Fortunately, Twelve Boar founder Rick Palesh has plenty of experience in that regard, spending years producing smoky meats for friends in both Australia and Canada. Twelve Boar launched in 2015 and has seen Palesh's range of slow-cooked proven to be a massive hit. Everything is prepared in-house overnight, with the brisket undergoing an intense 12-hour smoking session that ensures it's basically falling apart by lunchtime. A midday session at Twelve Boar will leave you stuffed until it's clocking off time with a selection of pork ribs, buffalo wings and beef brisket burgers on offer. Twelve Boar Cleveland allows BYO wine. Image: Hennessytrill
With two great locations on the south side of Brisbane, Premium Pilates and Fitness has become a favourite with Coorparoo and Camp Hill locals looking to increase their fitness and strengthen their body. The friendly team of instructors provides a range of group classes, including reformer pilates, mat pilates, barre, HIIT, stretch and yoga classes. Want to try something new? Book into a PIT (Pilates Interval Training) class, created by studio co-owner Chris, and sweat it out to a series of exercises combining interval training and low-impact mat movements. Premium Pilates and Fitness also offer affordable pilates and group fitness classes, with weekly memberships starting at $30 for unlimited classes at one studio. Membership is $50 per week if you want an all-access pass to both studios, or you can get fit in your living room with an online membership for $15 per week. Whether you're looking to strengthen your core, improve your posture or enhance your coordination, you're guaranteed a satisfying workout at Premium Pilates and Fitness. Images: Kristine Fernandez
If you've ever spent a day on your towel at the beach, wished you had something comfier to sit on and dreamed of getting a drink from a bar right there on the shore, you definitely aren't alone — and, on the Gold Coast this summer, your fantasy has just become a reality. Meet Kurrawa Beach Club, which has set up shop on Kurrawa Terrace in Broadbeach until Sunday, January 30. First announced back in November, and now open and welcoming in beach-lovers, it's serving up all the things that its moniker promises. Think: cabanas, daybeds, volleyball nets, cocktails, live tunes, seafood and salads, and just generally having a cruisy yet still luxe trip to the seaside, all while surrounded by oh-so-much sand, Queensland's dazzling sun and plenty of blue salty water. The venue is the latest venture by Australian Venue Co, who've been awarded the opportunity to host a trial beach club run over the summer. At this stage, it has settled in for a two-month stretch — and whether it could lead to a permanent beach club hasn't yet been revealed. Across its test stint, Broadbeach's European-style stint of lounging, sipping and relaxing by the ocean is pairing cocktails and brews — including margarita slushies, plus sips from Black Hops Brewing, Wheel & Spoon and Hard Fizz — with a food menu from its container kitchen. So, you'll be tucking into prawn and Moreton Bay bug rolls, fried haloumi with watermelon, seafood skewers, salads, burgers, and other summer-friendly snacks made using local and seasonal produce. Grab one of those prawn and bug rolls on a Sunday, and you'll also be helping Albatross Nippers, a Gold Coast-based nipper program for children with special needs — with a dollar from each sale going to the initiative. Also on the agenda: live tunes from Gold Coast locals, pilates brunches and beach volleyball games, as well as hanging out on those aforementioned daybeds and in the VIP cabanas. The space is family-friendly, too, so you might have pint-sized company while you're getting comfy and getting drinks from the bar. The Goldie has toyed with the beach club idea before, of course — more than once, in fact — and it's obviously no stranger to waterside drinking spots. But thanks to Kurrawa Beach Club and also Surfers Paradise's rooftop version of a beach club, you can now add beach club crawls to your next coast trip. Fingers crossed that Kurrawa Beach Club will still be up and running when the Gold Coast's just-announced floating beach club opens next year as well, as then you'll have three beach clubs to hop between. Find Kurrawa Beach Club at Kurrawa Terrace, Broadbeach until Sunday, January 30, with dates and hours varying each week. For further information, head to the beach club's website.
Situated in a string of shops on the corner of Enoggera Terrace and Waterworks Road is Brisbane's newest health food hotspot, Botanica. Serving wonderfully fresh and original salads for take away only, Botanica's focus is on fast food the healthy way. The glass display cabinet has enticing salads full of flavour and beautiful colours. For my visit I chose to have a small box ($10) filled with three salads. In one corner I had the shredded carrot, flame grapes, parsley, celery root salad with spiced peanut puree; in the middle was the red rice with pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach; and finally crisp green beans with almond slivers, celery red onion and lime and chili dressing. Taunting me in the front window were plates full of amazing looking sweets. I was told that all of their sweets are gluten-free which is great news for coeliacs. Feeling piggish and deserving of a treat I bought a chocolate cupcake and an individual cinnamon bun cake (both $4). The service was delightful, with every dish being explained to me in detail. Once I returned home I tucked into my salads. All were crunchy and fresh, full of flavour and beautifully dressed (in fine couture). And the best part was that I felt full, but not uncomfortably so, afterwards...with just enough space for a ridiculously awesome gluten free and vegan chocolate cupcake. Who knew that no eggs or wheat could taste so amazing!? The absolute winner of the day though (other than me), was the individual cinnamon bun cake which was indescribable perfection. For delicious, health-focused and convenient food, you must stop by Botanica.
If peering at an artist's work is the same as peering into their soul, then staring at a self-portrait is like peeking through a wide-open window. Perhaps Rembrandt believed this? The 17th-century artist certainly loved putting his likeness on paper, whether he was picking up a brush or pencil, or getting etching. Perhaps you can ponder this very notion at Rembrandt — True to Life, which is bringing the Dutch Golden Age master's works to Melbourne's NGV International to brighten up Australia's winter. From Friday, June 2–Sunday, September 10, the St Kilda Road gallery will be home to a wide-ranging exploration of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's work — so expansive, in fact, that it's the most-comprehensive Rembrandt exhibition to display Down Under in 25 years. On loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, 1659's Self-Portrait is one of the star attractions, and one of around 80 images of himself he's thought to have made. Created when the artist was 53 (and three years after he'd declared bankruptcy), it sits alongside ten etched self-portraits. Combined, they let True to Life attendees chart how he saw himself, and conveyed his soul to the world, over three decades. Etchings comprise a significant portion of the NGV's ode to Rembrandt, with more than 100 from its own collection at the heart of the impressive retrospective. In addition to helping to detail his self-perception, they showcase his innovations as a printmaker and also illustrate how widely and deeply he splashed around his artistic talents. If you're heading to a Rembrandt exhibition, you want to see his paintings, of course, an instinct that the showcase capitalises upon. Thanks to pieces borrowed from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Teylers Museum in Haarlem as well, the artist's prints are placed in context with his paintings. You'll see how they're connected no matter the subject or theme as True to Life steps through not just his portraits, but also his landscapes, scenes of daily life, depictions of religious motifs and nudes. Among his scenery-focused works, his largest landscape etching The three trees, which dates back to 1643, is a drawcard. From his pieces that hone in on the human form — never idealising them — Diana at the bath, an etching from 1631, is another highlight. Taking its cues from passages from the Gospel of St Matthew, 1648's well-known piece The Hundred Guilder Print is also on display as part of the exhibition's survey of Rembrandt's fascination with faith. His two largest prints similarly fall into the same category: The three crosses from 1653 and Christ presented to the people from 1655. Because the artist transformed them both by making continuous adjustments, True to Life shows them in two different states — early and late side by side. Images: Installation view of Rembrandt: True to Life on display from 2 June-10 September at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Tom Ross.
Where can you play a music game show, watch well-known folks do the same, and possibly spend the evening in the company of Spicks and Specks favourite Myf Warhurst or Murray Cook from The Wiggles — or Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno from Aunty Donna, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, Agro, Ben Lee, Steven Bradbury, Kate Miller-Heidke, Robert Irwin, Ranger Stacey, Craig Lowndes, Tim Rogers, Will Anderson and Adam Hills, plus perhaps members of Powderfinger, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Ruby Fields, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants and The Go-Betweens? In Brisbane, there's one answer: at Not on Your Rider. Taking some cues from Spicks and Specks and the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, aka the show that the hit Australian TV series is based, Not On Your Rider gives the big name-filled music quiz panel show format the live treatment. Yes, the audience gets to play, too. And yes, the event is back for 2025. This year, there's a few changes in store — not to the format, but to how and when Brisbanites can head along. After the 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, March 20, it'll mostly return bimonthly. So, mark your calendar for Thursday, May 15, plus Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, September 11 as well. Not On Your Rider's Halloween Spooktacular will be back on Thursday, October 30, while the Christmas show will cap off the year on Thursday, December 18. Also, 2025's events are headed riverside, to the Felons Barrel Hall at Howard Smith Wharves in the Brisbane CBD. This might be a case of new year, new venue, but the setup remains the same otherwise. Attendees will be peering at a stage, rather than a screen — and answering questions themselves, of course. And if it has you thinking about pub trivia nights, they don't include The Creases' Aimon Clark (who is also behind Isolation Trivia) and Patience Hodgson from The Grates hosting, let alone a heap of entertainment-industry guests. Here's how it works: Not on Your Rider takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. While the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. The quiz element is accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees. Not on Your Rider 2025 Brisbane Dates at Felons Barrel Hall Thursday, March 20 Thursday, May 15 Thursday, July 10 Thursday, September 11 Thursday, October 30 — Halloween Spooktacular Thursday, December 18 — Christmas show Not on Your Rider's 2025 Brisbane season runs on various dates until Thursday, December 18 at Felons Barrel Hall, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Not On Your Rider website. Images: Darcy Goss Media / Dave Kan / Bianca Holderness.
After opening 90 bars over the past eight years, bringing its worldwide footprint to 94, Scottish brewery BrewDog has finally set up shop in Australia. And, sprawled across a hefty parcel of land by the banks of the Brisbane River, it has arrived with a splash. That said, while a brand new jetty has just been built right next to the company's Murarrie site — which has been dubbed DogTap Brisbane — don't go planning on pairing your brew with a dip in the ol' Brown Snake. Brisbanites, you really do know better than that. Still, Calvin McDonald, BrewDog's operations manager for Australia, isn't ruling out making the most of DogTap's impressive location. "There aren't many bars in the world that are totally accessible by jet ski," he notes, without giving away what fun activities the company might have in store down the line. If you've been following the brand, you'll know that it has engaged beer-lovers in many inventive ways over the years, including launching a craft beer hotel in the US, brewing up a Subwoofer IPA for pooches and taking to the skies in the world's first craft beer airline. [caption id="attachment_751722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] In Brisbane, brew aficionados can look forward to the BrewDog basics when DogTap opens to the public on Thursday, November 21. Acting as the brand's Australian base, the brewery will pump out beer that'll get shipped around the country. It'll also have a huge taproom with food and plenty of opportunities to learn more about craft beer. There'll be tours of the facility, once the fully automated four-vessel 25-hectolitre brewing system and accompanying canning line is completely up and running in January, while eager drinkers can also enrol in Beer School — aka two-hour guided tasting sessions where one of BrewDog's Cicerone-certified staff will talk you through the BrewDog and craft beer basics. First announced in 2018, and only the company's fourth taproom directly attached to one of its breweries, BrewDog's $30-million street art-covered Brisbane site boasts a range of other reasons to drop by. Heading to the end of a Murarrie industrial estate hasn't ever been high on locals' to-do lists, but making the journey to sip freshly poured cold ones on a 485-square-metre riverside patio soon should be. The sizeable outdoor area comes with views towards Hamilton and the Gateway Bridge, as well as ample seating. There's also a selection of games, such as giant Jenga, giant chess and giant Connect Four. And, both the public and staff car parks are licensed too, so beer festivals and other events could be in DogTap's future. [caption id="attachment_751727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] If you're coming by for the beer, BrewDog's headliners (including its famed Punk IPA) sit alongside a heap of small-batch brews. Nodding to the growing local craft beer scene — one of the reasons that BrewDog chose Brisbane as its Aussie base, McDonald advises — is a rotating range of guest tipples from other Queensland breweries, such as Range Brewing, Currumbin Valley Brewing, Balter, Aether, Brouhaha and Black Hops. All-Australian wines, an Aussie-heavy spirits list and local soft drinks are also on offer, should you want something other than beer. Of course, if you fall into that category, McDonald hopes that BrewDog will convert you. He's adamant that there's a craft beer for everyone, and that anyone who says they don't like beer just hasn't tried the right brew for them yet. Food-wise, it's a lineup of familiar bar favourites. Think 11 types of burgers and eight kinds of pizza — plus Korean-style chicken wings, crispy pork, baby squid and barramundi fritters. On weekends, a brunch menu will feature chicken and waffles, eggs benedict and other classic meals, while you can tuck into two-for-one vegan dishes on Mondays. In addition to 16 blue leather booths and high-top tables, DogTap's industrial indoor area also has arcade games, including Addams Family and The Munsters-themed pinball machines. [caption id="attachment_751728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] Really love BrewDog? There's a merchandise stall that's already been selling items before DogTap even opens. Want a few brews to take home? Stop by the takeaway area on the way out the door. And if you're an interstate BrewDog fan hoping that it'll be coming your way soon, McDonald explains that the plan is to open five Aussie venues in the next five years (then, hopefully, another five before the brewery marks a decade in Australia). Find DogTap Brisbane at 77 Metroplex Avenue, Murarrie from Thursday, November 21. It's open from 12pm–midnight daily. Images: Pandora Photography
Brisbane's family-owned Italian bakery does a damn good selection of authentic Italian treats. It first opened in New Farm in 2003, and since moved to Ashgrove and expanded to three locations around the city. The pastry chefs bake breads, cakes and pastries daily and one of our favourites is the cannoli. The Sicilian classic comes in three flavours: vanilla crema, chocolate crema or creamy ricotta. And at $1.35 a pop (for a mini) it would be a crime to not try this tasty and wallet-friendly delicacy. Photo: Carla Nichiata/Getty Images.
Damian Griffiths has done it again. The entrepreneur and restaurateur responsible for Doughnut Time and many a Brisbane hotspot has just added another delicious offering to his busy, ever-blossoming portfolio. Think cold, creamy and perfect for summer. Yes, Mister Fitz is his foray into the ice cream world — and it's just the venture this sweltering city has been waiting for. Having opened last night, chilled, refreshing desserts will now be served up daily from 10am in the brand new shop behind Les Bubbles on Little Street, Fortitude Valley. Of course, in classic Griffiths style, his frosty parlour won't be like anywhere else. Mister Fitz won't be boasting 31 different flavours, but will feature handcrafted ice cream, made with fresh milk, cream and free-range eggs, whipped up from an original recipe, and produced in small batches in-house. You'll also find ice cream sandwiches made with cookies, brownies and more — because if there's one thing Griffths' Doughnut Time taught us, it's that ice cream always makes something tasty even tastier. And, if you're not going to be in the vicinity of the Valley often enough to satisfy your creamy cravings, don't despair — a second store is already under construction, and is due to open at South Bank within a matter of weeks. Given that Mister Fitz comes from the man who made the Limes Hotel, Alfred and Constance and Les Bubbles the city's favourite hangouts — and catapulted Chester Street Bakery and Kwan Brothers to everyone's must-eat lists — ice cream lovers are allowed to be excited. As is everyone else. Brisbane didn't go bonkers for doughnuts until Griffiths started selling them, after all. Find Mister Fitz behind Les Bubbles on Little Street, Fortitude Valley from 8.30pm on Thursday, December 17. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
