The Vegie Bar has been kicking around for almost thirty years. The all-vegetarian restaurant was ahead of its time when it opened three decades ago, and is all the more in-vogue now. Monday through Sunday, lines of people will put their name down and wait for a table — sometimes a pokey communal one — just to get a feed. The open plan warehouse-style room is filled with exposed brick, wooden tables and a whole lot of history. With a pinboard listing rooms for rent on one wall and a separate room with a liquor licence, this venue is a Brunswick Street institution. As you weave your way through the menu, you'll find everything is vegetarian, a lot is vegan, and gluten free options are plentiful. More recently, raw dishes have been added to the already vast lineup. Start with the classic veggie spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce or the vegan chicken bao with crispy chilli oil and Asian herbs. Mains are broken down into wraps and burgers, salads, pizzas and other main dishes. The vegan beef rendang serves up succulent vegan beef with onion, capsicum, carrot and potato, while the Mexican burrito is packed full of beans, baby spinach and Spanish onions. This bad boy has been on the Vegie Bar menu for almost the entire 30 years, too. Desserts are rather impressive. There is a rotating assortment of cakes from a gluten and dairy free chocolate mud cake, to baked berry cheesecake to raw macaroons. How they make it all taste so damn good is a mystery, but we're happy to just enjoy the goods. When it comes to the drink list, Vegie Bar has anything from the super juice of beetroot, spinach, carrot and cucumber and smoothies, to a bottle of organic German Riesling from Gunderloch. Vegie Bar is the kind of place where any lifestyle can be catered for, but no one will impose one on you. You don't have to be vegan or be a champion of the raw food movement to enjoy your dhal or a big fat piece of vegan chocolate cake. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Vincent Corneille and Rubin Utama are the excellent gentlemen behind Son Valise, the company that builds the adorable and awesome JukeCase. You might have seen them at various markets, walked past their Collingwood store, or eyed one off with envy at your mate's place, either way, they're everywhere at the moment and not only they look great, but also the sound quality is top-notch. Vincent and Rubin recently launched a Pozible campaign to create a smaller version of the JukeCase, appropriately named the JukeCase Mini. As of Monday they reached their $16,000 goal and the JukeCase Mini is going ahead. (If you're pretty keen on these wonderful musical contraptions you can still pledge up until December 16 and receive a JukeCase Mini for below the RRP.) To celebrate their Pozible win, and the gorgeous summer that awaits us all, we asked Vincent and Rubin to compile some kick-arse playlists that are perfect for warm weather activities. Whether you're heading to the beach, getting out of town for a few days, or throwing a house party of epic proportions, here are a few tunes the Son Valise lads can recommend. Road Trip Songs A road trip playlist needs to cover a lot of ground. For starters, you need enough sing-along songs that your carload of people can scream along to that it keeps morale high. You also need songs that compliment your surroundings. A good way to do this is play artists who come from your destination of choice to get you in the mood. Finally, road trips are excellent introversion time, so if you're travelling solo, sometimes quieter, thinking music is best. Vincent and Rubin have covered all bases here, so grab your bags and let's hit the road. VINCENT Jackson Browne - Running On Empty: In the middle of the desert when you've been on the road for eight hours straight, this song propels you to keep on moving. The Doors - LA Woman: No road trip is complete without The Doors blaring out of the stereo (or JukeCase). This song has great pace and always gets you focused on the drive. Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire: Really chilled out and great for those really late nights in the middle of nowhere. Gorillaz ft. Little Dragon - Empire Ants: An amazing and powerful crescendo. The Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar: Seeing the sunrise over the ocean and this playing in the background is a truly wonderful experience. RUBIN Kanye West - POWER: Always a good pump up if driving is getting a little dull. Dr Alban - Sing Hallelujah: '90s sing-along. Cake - The Distance: The title is self-explanatory I think. Time to drive! Todd Terje - Swing Star, Pt.1 & 2: Sometimes when you get in the zone it's good to listen to a bit of "in the zone" music that develops. No lyrics. Just a musical journey. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis - Don't Make a Fool Out of Me: A good sunny-day, window-down tune to sing along with. House Party Boogie Nights Whether it's a housewarming, Christmas party or NYE festivities, you can bet that there will be some banging house parties over summer. If you're planning to throw your own, make sure you pack your playlist with dancefloor-fillers from the now and yesterday. Old school hip hop and disco are excellent choices and have been favoured by Vincent and Rubin, as well as few saucy ones for a cheeky make-out sesh. You're welcome, future summer lovers. VINCENT Rick James - Give It to Me Baby: I'm a big Rick James fan and this one always sets the scene. Prince - Erotic City: Sleazy funk from the master himself. Talking Heads - Girlfriend Is Better: Unrelenting party jam Hot Chocolate - Heaven Is in the Backseat of My Cadillac: The name says it all really. The Whispers - And the Beat Goes On: Try to not dance. I dare you. RUBIN Oliver Cheatham - Get Down It's Saturday Night - Because that's what you should be doing on a Saturday night. Chic - The Chic Minimix: The best of Chic all mixed into one seven-minute ultimate minimix. Young MC - Bust a Move - Old-school hip hop song/dance-along. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough: What's a house party without a little Michael? Thundercat - Oh Sheit It's X!: Upbeat, high energy, ridiculous bass line. Sure to get you moving in ways you never knew you could. Beach Time Chill Out Tunes It's time to kick back and let the hours pass you by with a blissed out soundtrack. Embrace the lazy, hazy days of summer either crashing amongst the waves or swinging in a hammock. Classics like The Beatles and The Beach Boys get a look in from Vincent's list, while Rubin has gone with local legends The Avalanches and the always perfect Will Smith. Surf's up, dude. VINCENT The Beatles - Side Two of Abbey Road LP: It doesn't technically count as one song, but they all intertwine without stopping so I can never bring myself to stop the music. Beach Boys - God Only Knows: Try and hunt down the a cappella, moving stuff. Cornelius - Beep It: One of my favourite artists, and it has such a beautiful melody. Daft Punk - Fresh: It starts with waves gently breaking and builds a chilled out groove. Fleetwood Mac - Albatross: Feels like you're sinking into the sand. RUBIN Will Smith - Miami: Will Smith, that's why. Air - La Femme D'Argent: Think dusk, hanging out in a hammock watching the orange sunset over the rolling sea. Washed Out - Feel It All Around - Poolside, ice cold drink. Maybe a Mojito. With a little umbrella in it. The Coasters - Down in Mexico: Drinking rum at a little bamboo beach shack. If that's not what you're doing then you should be. The Avalanches - Since I Left You: A feelgood song that makes you think of bright flowers and sunny days. Happy times.
Bigger isn't always better, but in the case of Collingwood's all-vegan pizzeria Red Sparrow Pizza and its expansion, there haven't be many complaints at all. In a move that slashed queue times, the Smith Street haunt busted through a wall and took over the space next door, boasting an extra 40 seats on top of its original 38. The expanded dining space rocks a similar fit-out to the first, decked out with a warm mix of recycled timber, exposed brick and moody lighting. Two hefty communal tables are primed for those group pizza feasts and there's a couple of street-side options for those who prefer to people-watch. The pizza offering is built around that same commitment to top-notch plant-based ingredients that has set Red Sparrow apart since it opened back in 2016. Here, tuck into crafty, vegan riffs on the classics, including the Patatas Bravas, with potato, dairy-free parmesan, chipotle aioli and a mock chorizo, and the Mushroom, topped with king browns, caramelised onion, truffle oil and thyme. If you're looking for a pizza that'll make you feel as healthy as your morning superfood smoothie, look to the Verde. It's loaded with kale pesto and spinach. Prefer yours loaded with chilli? Choose the fiery Volcano, featuring house-pickled jalapeños, habanero, Sriracha and chilli flakes. To cool your no-doubt burning mouth, finish with the dessert pizza, decked out with "Notella", banana and vegan vanilla ice-cream. Red Sparrow Pizza is a huge win for vegans and vegetarians who love their pizza but could do without the animal products. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Don't let the sporadic showers fool you — summer is most definitely on it's way. It's time to pull your beachwear out from the depths of your cupboard, dust off your tatty straw hat and prepare for three months of good food, good music and stunning sunshine. We love summer afternoons, and we've partnered with Heineken 3 so you can get the most out of them. We've spoken to a few of our favourite chefs, musicians and artists, to get their insights on creating the perfect balmy afternoon. For this particular adventure, we've teamed up with Brendan Cato of The Farmed Table fame and Matt Branagan and Chester Garcia of Work-Shop to bring you a masterclass on how to bust out a bonza barbecue in just under an hour. Brendan created The Farmed Table, those secret dinners that started off in a tiny café and now pack out warehouses. He's all about fresh, organic, sustainable eating. Matt and Chester founded Work-Shop, a place where you can learn to do absolutely anything. They're a good team. Use these tips and tricks for a speedy but delicious barbecue spread that isn't just the same old steak, snags and salad combo. They'll help you stand proudly as queen or king of the grill this summer. BULK UP YOUR DRY STORE It would be perfectly acceptable to assume that the tricky bits for grilling up a storm are those that require actual cooking, but Brendan assures us that this is not the case. This part is actually extremely easy — just begin with the very best produce that you can get, and stock up your pantry with good quality dry store ingredients. A few herbs, a curry powder, salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon juice are the key to making everything taste on-point, according to our chef for the day. Giving yourself the best base of flavour is key to a delicious barbecue no matter how much time you have. DON'T MUCK AROUND, START WITH HIGH QUALITY FRESH PRODUCE As is part of Brendan's Farmed Table ethos, buying good, fresh, organic produce gives you the perfect building blocks for your summer shindig. There's definitely no shortage of vendors around your house, from market stalls to tiny independent grocers around the corner, so it should be pretty cruisy to track down solid ingredients. We started off with leeks, cauliflower and eggplants all just tossed on the grill and taken off shortly after because, as Brendan tells us, "you don't have to do as much if you start with something good". Rather than mucking about trying to add flavour to a sad carrot, get yourself some good organic veg to begin with. LOW MAINTENANCE MEAT MEANS LESS NEED FOR FANCY MARINADES Rather than some pretty generic cuts of meat you'd normally find at a barbecue (the regular porterhouse steaks and snags, for example), Brendan decided to cook up a huge chunk of flank steak. Seasoned with the staples of salt, pepper and olive oil, that bad boy just went straight on top of the grill. It's less maintenance than paying attention to individual steaks, and more impressive when it's sliced and served. Having a good quality cut means you won't have to muck around with fancy marinades — the flavour will speak for itself. Cooking your meat, according to Brendan, all depends on each individual cut. With cuts like flank, eating it rare isn't going to be as tasty as it is with other cuts because it's naturally more chewy. If you're doing chicken, cook it skin-side down first to render the fat, then let it rest once it's almost cooked through. Get to know your meats, and save yourself some time at the grill (but always let your meat rest — no shortcuts there). FANCY FOOD IS SURPRISINGLY EASY TO PULL OFF Matt tells me that one of the reasons he started Work-Shop was because "people need to get more creative", and the same is definitely true at the barbecue. Just like with the flank steak, try a new cut of meat and pair it with a Heineken 3. Grill your veggies, instead of boiling them. For a sneaky dessert that's not a pavlova, how about halved peaches, grilled, served with amaretti, mint and mascarpone? It's literally a matter of cutting a peach in half, grilling it, and enjoying the resulting deliciousness. Even if you don't have Brendan plating skills, it's hard to go wrong throwing nicely hued things on a plate. Always be unique, guys. Enjoy your summer afternoons with the new low-carb Heineken 3 — we're helping you make the most of them. Images: Michael Wickham.
If you look hard enough, you'll find INI Studio hidden within what looks like a small garage that's been painted white and decked out with white cube furniture. Minimalism is the name of the game here — that is until you purchase some of its pastries and coffees. The sweets are fairly next-level, with the croffless (part croissant, part waffle) topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup being a crowd favourite. We're also big fans of the tiramisu, made with INI Studio's own coffee. And as these folks roast their own coffee, it's no surprise that they do it damn well. You can go for your usual flat whites, filters and ice lattes, but INI Studio's more experimental coffee drinks are what we love the most about this cafe. The iced citrus long black made with a shot of coffee, a few slices of lemon and a dusting of lemon rind is one of the most refreshing and vibrant caffeinated drinks we have ever tried. The cream iced latte and the honeycomb affogato are also absolutely perfect for summer days — especially if you want something a little richer. Food- and drink-wise, INI Studio doesn't do much more than coffee and pastries, but it doesn't need to when they are this creative. And if you are super keen on getting the perfect shot of these aesthetically pleasing items for Instagram, you can even hire out the upstairs photography studio. Although, we would say that is a bit overkill. The interiors of the cafe are basically a blank cavas anyway. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
A laidback gem down the Abbotsford end of Johnston Street, Lulie Street Tavern's warehouse space is an outright charmer. Life's rarely as sweet as when you're kicking back in a place like this with a tinnie and some pizza from Rita's next door, shooting some pool with some mates (and friendly regulars) and grooving to a banging soundtrack of vinyl tunes. Images: Jake Roden.
The Mornington Peninsula's 134-hectare Pt. Leo Estate is expanding its already extensive offering, adding a second restaurant to its arsenal. Meet Laura. Laura is a decidedly more intimate space than the original 110-seat restaurant and cellar door that opened when the estate launched in October last year. The restaurant is named after the sculpture by famed Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, which stands within the estate's impressive 50-piece sculpture park. Culinary Director Phil Wood (ex-Sydney's Rockpool and Eleven Bridge) is of course at the restaurant's helm, offering up set menus of four, five or six courses, ranging from $120–$140 with an optional wine pairing. Curated by head sommelier Andrew Murch (ex-Rockpool), the wine list is 600-labels strong and focuses on local and regional wines, with top bottles from other Australian and international producers also making the cut. The Rockpool recruitment extends to management staff as well, with assistant manager Madeleine Morgan joining restaurant manager Ainslie Lubbock (ex-Attica). Laura's dishes aim to express the cool climate, maritime cuisine of the Mornington Peninsula and focus on six categories: land, ocean, vineyards, livestock, dairy and orchard. To this end, the menu will change regularly depending on available produce. Dishes that are currently in the works include Flinders Island mussels with seaweed butter and local polenta, John Dory with pickled vine leaves and burnt butter, and locally grown lion's mane mushrooms, glazed and served with abalone and Sterling caviar. The fit-out falls in-line with the main restaurant and cellar door, with Laura also boasting floor-to-ceiling views over Western Port Bay and east across the sculpture park. The interior similarly uses a natural colour palette, pale timber and leather-topped tables, along with locally-made tableware and Zalto glassware. They're also following the long-standing open kitchen trend, giving guests the theatrical dining experience that has become the norm. "Laura is a love letter to the Mornington Peninsula," says Wood. "The menu paints a portrait of the region using the highest quality ingredients that I can find. I'm really excited to show people what we've created, and what I've discovered." Laura opens today at Pt. Leo Estate, 3649 Frankston–Flinders Road, Merricks. Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm. For bookings, visit the ptleoestate.com.au/laura. Images: Jason Loucas.
Deaf dance works, feminist hip-hop, an ecosexual labyrinth and a 24-hour performance piece are among the most eye-opening works on the lineup for this year's Next Wave Festival. Melbourne's biennial celebration of young and emerging artists is set to kick-off in venues around town on Thursday, May 5 and will run until Sunday, May 22, with 36 world premieres across a wide array of disciplines. Diversity is clearly a major theme on this year's program, with a whopping 75 percent of projects led by women. Queensland artist Hannah Brontë will deliver a politically-charged musical vision of an alternate Australia led by an entirely female parliament, Nat Randall will spend a whole day and night on a performance inspired by the cult John Cassavetes film Opening Night, and Indigenous writer and performer Maurial Spearim has created a darkly-comic one-woman show told partly in the Gamilaraay language. Further standouts include a dance work featuring both deaf and hearing performers, an audiovisual concerto from artist Dylan Sheridan, and a immersive, ecosexual (yes, eco) labyrinth in the Royal Botanic Gardens. In short, there's a lot to see, so we've put together a list of our top ten events to see at Next Wave 2016.
A trip to IKEA doesn't just involve wandering the aisles, looking at cheap furniture and homewares, and deciding that everything in your house could use a facelift. Because all that browsing and buying helps work up an appetite, it also includes a date with the chain's famed meatballs. And, since 2015, that's meant vegetarian meatballs as well — but now the Swedish retailer is introducing another plant-based version of its beloved dish. The new veggie balls will be rolled out (heh) in Australian IKEA store restaurants, excluding Victorian stores, from October 6. Obviously, the original meaty meaty meatballs are going anywhere; however these meatless meatballs, or HUVUDROLL plant balls as they're being called, will be made from a plant-based meat substitute comprised of yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple — and they'll both look and taste like meat. Accordingly, if you don't consume animal products but you've always wanted to know why carnivores are so obsessed with IKEA's meatballs — in-store, whipping up frozen versions at home and following the chain's recipe — you'll now be able to tuck into a vegan variety that's as close as possible to the meat-filled version. They'll cost the same price as their counterparts, and they'll also come in frozen packs, too, ready for you to take home. For vegans, it's worth noting that the plant balls don't contain animal-based ingredients — but they are served with mashed potato and lingonberry jam, so if you're tucking in in-store, the entire dish will include dairy products. Still, this is stellar news for IKEA-lovin' veggos — and everyone eager for more sustainable eating options. As for when Victorians will be able to pop a few plant balls on their fork, IKEA will provide more information in the future. IKEA's plant balls will hit Australia on October 6, at all stores except IKEA Richmond and Springvale.
Before social media, the local milk bar was usually where youngsters went to socialise. Though there's still a few of them about (including 2223 in Sydney and Rowena Corner Store in Richmond), they're fast becoming a thing of the past. That's why Melbourne-based artist Callum Preston has gone to painstaking lengths to recreate one, detail by detail. You'll find his incredibly realistic, immersive artwork Milk Bar in RVCA Corner Gallery, Collingwood, from Friday 1 December. Walking in, it'll be easy to imagine you're in a bona fide corner shop, as the installation is fully operational. But take a closer peek and you'll notice the chocolate bars, magazines and soft drink cans aren't what they seem. They're pretend versions of themselves that Preston has created by hand. "For most of us, these simpler times might have passed," Preston said. "Sure, the memories may be a little blurry now, but it's my hope that when all the elements are recreated you can be transported right back to 'when going down the shop' was an experience of pure joy." This isn't Preston's first venture into nostalgia. In 2015, he revisited Back to the Future via his artwork Bootleg to the Future, which featured a life-sized replica of a DeLorean. Milk Bar will be at Melbourne's RVCA Corner Gallery, 82 Stanley Street, Collingwood. The exhibition runs from December 1-10.
One of the best hidden secrets in Melbourne's CBD is finally trickling out into the mainstream consciousness, and you'd be smart to jump onto this bandwagon before the ever-delightful Captains of Industry becomes the next MoVida and you spend months waiting for your next reservation. Elegant yet unpretentious, the 'Gentleman's Outfitter and Café' is tucked upstairs along one of the many spiralling backstreets of Melbourne, and offers a surprisingly casual attitude despite its stylish clientele. Whilst you might have previously ventured into the old-world settings at the Captains for a barber or shoemaker, it's their new seasonal menu and reinvention of the bistro from fledging sandwich bar to finer evening fare that has really struck a chord with Melbourne's dining elite and looks set to catapult the versatile business to a new high. As multifaceted as their various services, the Captain's bistro transforms from morning coffee bar to elegant evening dining, with both a la carte and set menu choices available on Tuesday-Thursday evenings (with a view to adding Saturdays in the near future), and their Friday night's feature live jazz music with oysters for all, cheekily titled 'Get Shucked'. Whilst the bistro's former attention towards bespoke products and a casual atmosphere may have been tailored more towards distinguished gentlemen with a penchant for whiskey, it's adventurous new menu brings Captains of Industry's artisan approach to a high society setting, featuring inspired central dishes such as Coq Au Vin with asparagus, tarragon and truffle, or King Fish with ink, celery and vanilla. Topped off with perfectly sweet treats like the canelé pastries or a lemon tart it's the kind of dining experience that's uniquely Melbourne but manages to hold up to global fine dining trends. Whilst the prices are higher than in the old days of sandwiches and coffee (the dinner set menu is around $75 depending on how many courses you choose), it's worth saving your pennies for, and definitely worth supporting a truly local, finely-tuned artisan business, which is such a rarity these days and what's so memorable about Captains of Industry.
Boozy brunch. Two words every Melbournian loves to hear. And the lofty new oasis Cityfields has just launched a cracker. If you haven't heard of Cityfields before, it's Chadstone's Euro-inspired brasserie coming with some serious pedigree: the guys behind this place are the team who created Half Acre in the CBD. Cityfields has just announced its boozy brunch menu, which is available from 11am every Saturday and Sunday for $69 per person. So what can you get for your $69? Two hours of sourdough focaccia with rosemary and olive oil, smoked heirloom tomatoes, wood-roasted pumpkin dip, seared beef salad with lentils and herbs, and the wood-roasted chicken with lemon, oregano and fennel, which is quickly becoming Cityfields' signature dish. Every meal comes with a big bowl of fries for the table, and you'll also get unlimited cocktails, wine, prosecco and beer for two hours. In other words, you can probably skip lunch and go straight to nap time. Cityfields takes walk-ins on weekends, or you can secure a table over here. [caption id="attachment_897728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Images: supplied, Cityfields by Pete Dillon.
If you take sashimi seriously, pop this one in the diary. Exceptional Flinders Lane restaurant Kisumé is running an exclusive series of bluefin tuna masterclasses in July and August. The night starts with an entire bluefin tuna. You'll get front row seats as one of Kisumé's master chefs breaks down the behemoth fish, piece by piece. It's a chance to sample the best cuts – akami (red meat, upper back), chu-toro (belly meat, slightly fatty) and o-toro (belly again, full fat) – straight from the chef's knife. Doesn't get much fresher than that. Bluefin tuna is one of the most hallowed ingredients on the planet – some of these fish can fetch up to $3 million at auction. Kisumé's might not reach those prohibitively expensive heights but you'll still get to experience some of the best tuna of your life. Each masterclass also comes with an accompanying five-course feast, including crispy wagyu truffle with truffled miso, king prawn tempura with black garlic and kataifi pastry, and tuna tartare with crispy nori and wasabi. A seat at the table will set you back $225. There are three sessions left: July 9, July 23 and August 6. Bookings essential for this one. Images: Supplied
Earlier this year, over a frosty July weekend, Spencer Tunick staged his latest mass nude photography work. After months of controversy, the New York artist snapped 860 naked Melburnians on Chapel Street, as well as in the rooftop car park of the Prahran Woolworths — with a brightly coloured series of images entitled Return of the Nude the end result. If you've been wondering what the finished product looked like, Tunick has now revealed the final four photographs. The Return of the Nude installations feature participants donning pink and red sheer sheets for separate shots — and, in another, wearing a vibrant palette of body paint. That's not all that Tunick has in store. Art fans will also be able to experience the installation via virtual reality, thanks to the release of a location-triggered VR app. Available from this weekend from the Apple and Google stores, it'll enable anyone visiting Artists Lane in Windsor — aka where some of the photos were taken — to not only feel like they're in the image, but like they're surrounded by 550 nude people covered in paint. Explaining Return of the Nude, Tunick notes that "my work has long brought out the common themes of community, individual identity, and the challenges of making the arts an inclusive experience rather than an exclusive experience. Working within the Chapel Street Precinct provides an amazing opportunity to let the citizens of Melbourne become the artist themselves. I believe these final images have captured an extraordinary moment in the timeline of Melbourne." The images and app come after after Tunick experienced quite the tumultuous journey in his efforts to stage the piece. First he was given permission to hold a mass nude photoshoot on top of the Prahran Woolworths car park as part of Chapel Street Precinct's Provocaré Festival of the Arts. But then the store said that it wouldn't like to participate. The supermarket then reversed its decision a week later after a petition spearheaded by the Chapel Street Precinct Association (CSPA), the festival's host organisation, gained some momentum in the community. Return of the Nude arrives 17 years after Tunick assembled 4500 naked volunteers for a snap near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. It also comes eight years after he photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras. Images: Return of the Nude by Spencer Tunick.
Heading south of Sydney, it's not until you hit Kiama that you really reach the South Coast. With just 12,000 people and backdropped by green, rolling hills, it's the coast's first seaside town proper (rather than a suburb of Wollongong). The most famous attraction is the Blowhole, a natural rock formation that sends water spouting 20 metres into the air. But, when you're done Instagramming that, there are plenty more adventures to be had — from the 22-kilometre Kiama Coastal Walk to arts trails to markets galore. Plus, a short trip inland will take you to the 19th century buildings and classic country pubs of Jamberoo, while Gerringong village is ten kilometres south. Find all this just a 90-minute drive south of Sydney. Here's your guide to a Kiama weekender. [caption id="attachment_581919" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Berichard.[/caption] DO It's pretty much mandatory to make your first stop the Blowhole. After all, people have been travelling here to see it for more than 100 years. For the most powerful action, swing by when the tide's high and the swell is rolling in. You'll get beautiful coastal views while you're at it and, if you're keen for a dip, there's a rockpool close by. Less known, but also worth checking out, is Little Blowhole, found just south on Marsden Head. Next up, you might want to conquer the Kiama Coast Walk. All in all, it covers 22 sea-hugging kilometres, starting at Minnamurra River mouth and finishing at Gerringong. The way is dotted with beaches, headlands, basalt and patches of rainforest. Plus, there's easy access to four train stations, so you can walk just one section and get back to your car easily. If some scenes are looking a bit familiar, chances are you've seen them in Lloyd Rees's paintings. He owned a house at Werri Beach, where he painted works like Fire Haze Over Gerringong and The Road to Berry, which are now both at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Loads of artists continue to find inspiration in local landscapes and, on the first weekend of every month, some open their studios to the public. You can check out their work, chat about their practice and maybe even sharpen up your skills at a workshop. Another place to get an art fix is the Kiama Makers and Growers Market, held on the fourth Saturday of every month at Black Beach. [caption id="attachment_581923" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Budderoo National Park, Long Road Photography.[/caption] Travel 11 kilometres inland and you'll get to Jamberoo. This 1500-person village is best known for Jamberoo Action Park, where you can ride a bobsled. For more thrills, an up-close look at a forest canopy and cracking district views, visit the Illawarra Fly, home to Australia's highest zip line. Or, for a more sedate outdoors experience, do some exploring in Budderoo National Park. The 4.2-kilometre Falls Walk takes in waterfalls, rainforest and canyon views. [caption id="attachment_581934" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Hungry Monkey.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK The best caffeine hit around isn't in Kiama, but in Gerringong. The Blue Espresso Bar is a tiny cafe, housed in an aquamarine weatherboard cottage at 135 Belinda Street and open 7 days. Every seven days brings a new 'coffee of the week' — from Brazilian Daterra Monte Cristo to Kenyan pea berry. Match yours with a gourmet bakery treat. Just down the road in Gerroa, you'll find The Blue Swimmer. It was bought by Three Blue Ducks operations manager, Paul Dewhurst, earlier this year, and Kiama chef Shaun Smith oversees the kitchen. As you might expect, there's a big emphasis on seafood. So, tuck into steamed mussels with white bone broth, saffron, carrots, cannellini beans and sourdough or chilli-prawn spaghetti. Breakfast is served all day, too. [caption id="attachment_581925" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Milk and Honey.[/caption] Meanwhile, in the Mercure Gerringong's restaurant, Bella Char, another local chef, Jacinda Yates, has put together a seasonally-driven menu inspired by the South Coast. Sink into a red chair in the cosy, leather-and-wood splashed space and take your time over baked Australian scallops with cauliflower puree, salsa verde and toasted garlic crumbs. Back in Kiama, there's some decent casual cafe fare around. Hit Flour Water Salt for baked goodness or try the Hungry Monkey for a superfood-charged breakfast and a wide selection of burgers, like the Po' Boy, which comes with cajun fried chicken, cabbage slaw, jalapenos, parmesan and aioli. Also, right next door to the lighthouse, there's Milk and Honey. Here, the focus is on fresh, straight-forward generous dishes, with house-made ingredients, like brekkie burritos, eggs benedict and muesli. The coffee is Allpress. [caption id="attachment_581929" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Driftwood, Airbnb.[/caption] STAY The Sebel Harbourside is perched, as the name suggests, right on Kiama Harbour. 80 rooms are spread over three levels, with many overlooking the water and, for groups, there are two-bedroom apartments with country-sized kitchens. A warm, yet contemporary, aesthetic runs throughout — think red-toned woods, plantation shutters and bucket loads of natural light. If you don't feel like going anywhere much, settle into the onsite Blue Diamond Bar and Bistro for a harbourside cocktail. To stay on Blowhole Point, book a Kiama Harbour Cabin. Available in one-, tw0- and three-bedroom layouts, these cute hideaways come with water views, private balconies, electric barbecues and spa baths. There's also a tennis court onsite and the Blowhole is just 200 metres away, so you can max your chances of seeing it in action. Meanwhile, on Airbnb you're likely to find a super deal on a beach house. The 170-year-old Driftwood, for example, is a classic South Coast cottage, with high ceilings, a fire place, a big ol' verandah, timber floors and a central outdoor room. Up to nine people can sleep here at once and it's perfectly located for exploring the Blowhole, local beaches and the town centre. A fancier option is Somerville, an epic, just-renovated, four-bedroom house with 270-degree ocean views. There's a big swimming pool, loads of patio space for lounging about outside, gym facilities, two massive TVs with Netflix and even a pizza oven. Nine people can fit in here, too. Top image: The Hungry Monkey.
Any local knows the best Sunday night in town is the thriving, sweating, glorious mess that is Bar Oussou. Termed Africa's home away from home, this cosy bar on Sydney Road draws some of the finest jazz and world musicians to Melbourne's north. For a break from the boog, sneak past the thriving dance floor, through the mood-lit cushion room and find yourself in the leafy courtyard hideaway. Cold nights are no match for the roaring fire that dances to one side — and to the other, where the Oussou kitchen, dishes up pizza and French Senegalese food such as thiuiou, a spicy red sauce lamb with vegetables and rice. For those looking to stretch their pipes, head in on Tuesdays for the open-mic night.
One of the most perpetually praised coastal towns in Australia, Byron Bay is home to breathtaking beaches, mountains, rivers and rainforests, as well as a diverse, often experimental, grassroots foodie scene. This North Coast town is more than worth the ten-hour road trip up from Sydney, the easy two hours' flight from Melbourne or a two-hour drive from Brisbane and perfect for a summer adventure with your mates. This is, after all, a town that's best enjoyed together. To help you start planning your trip to Byron, we've teamed up with Jim Beam and mapped out some of the top spots to go to. Take note of the spots you want to hit, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. Here's how to spend your days in Byron Shire — what to eat, drink and do in Byron Bay. STAY One of the best things about staying in Byron is its proximity to the beach. So, you'll want to stay as close to it as possible. Of course, beachside accommodation can get pricey, but luckily there are a few affordable options available close by, including Byron Bay YHA. Located in the centre of town and less than a ten-minute walk to Main Beach, this is not your average backpacker hostel. The facilities include private ensuite rooms, a lush pool courtyard and custom murals by Sydney artist Mulga and renowned artist Robert Moore. Spend the day out biking, surfing or boogie-boarding (which can all be hired from the hostel) and once you've enjoyed that sunset on Main Beach, head back for one of the nightly barbecues. Upstairs, you'll find the kitchen and two sprawling decks overlooking the pool where you can meet fellow travellers, and downstairs, there's a games and reading room where you can book swap and catch up on some holiday reading. Embracing the community vibes of the Byron area, the hostel also offers pancake breakfasts during the week and its large deck is an excellent spot for some BYO sundowner sessions. EAT AND DRINK Byron's serious food scene is plentiful and diverse, offering up everything from casual eateries to fine dining with a sincere focus on sustainable eating. Our favourite shop in town is Orgasmic Food, which hands down offers the best falafel we've ever had. This little Middle Eastern eatery provides some serious bang-for-your-buck eating, with the naked balls only 70 cents a pop and the half pita pocket just $7.50. If you'd prefer some meaty protein, the menu has plenty of Middle Eastern favourites like beef kofta and lamb skewers, too. For another budget option, head to the nearby town of Mullumbimby where Milk and Honey slings artisanal wood-fired pizzas like charred onion, gruyere and rosemary or wood-roasted pork sausage with tomato and mozzarella. Aussie wines and craft brews round out the offering here. If you're looking for some superfoods to start your day, Folk is the way to go — the adorable hut-like cafe focuses on organic, ethical and plant-based dishes that will get your engine going. And of course, there's The Farm, a must-visit spot sitting just outside of town. From the Three Blue Ducks crew, this agricultural playground is dedicated to ethical, collaborative and authentic practices, functioning as an eatery, bakery, shop and, of course, a farm. Take a seat on the terrace and order off the seasonal menu featuring dishes crafted from ingredients fresh from your surrounds. Dig in while breads by The Bread Social are kneaded and baked just next to you and some of the farm animals like chooks and pooches make cameo appearances. After your meal, digest with a walk around the farm and through the on-site macadamia farm. [caption id="attachment_606776" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Cape Byron Distillery.[/caption] A must visit at dinnertime is The Roadhouse. The menu changes daily and the dishes use fresh, locally sourced and sustainably grown produce. Think a pulled pork open sandwich on wood-fired flatbread or organic sweet potato tacos with drinks like house-made kombucha and signature negronis. They also boast the biggest whisky collection on the North Coast, if that's your libation of choice. If beer is more your thing, a trip to Byron isn't complete without a visit to Stone and Wood brewery, one of our ten New South Wales breweries worthy of a road trip. The born-and-bred Byron Bay owners love the region and are a friendly, welcoming bunch. The demand for Stone & Wood led to the 2014 opening of their nearby Murwillumbah brewery, making the Byron shed a place for limited release and experimental batches. For those more into spirits, get a designated driver and head out to Cape Byron Distillery where you can savour Brookie's gin, infused with the flavours of neighbouring rainforest. Order a cocktail and take a seat outside overlooking the tropical rainforest preserved by owners Pam and Martin Brook. DO If you're staying in Byron, a morning trek around the Cape Byron Walking Track is a must-do. The 3.7-kilometre loop takes you through rainforest gullies and cliffs, complete with beach vistas and views of the Byron Bay Lighthouse — which Byron Bay YHA offers guided tours of. It's an ideal walk for spotting whales and dolphins. And on your way back down from the lighthouse, you'll pass by the launch point for Byron Airwaves Hang Gliding. Book in for a tandem flight that'll take you soaring above the Cape Byron Headland cliffs and down to Tallow Beach below. If staying firmly on solid ground is more your thing, watching the take offs is (almost) just as exhilarating. Another outdoorsy experience worth exploring is Tyagarah Nature Reserve. The seven kilometres of protected coastline offer swimming, sunbathing, fishing and birdwatching with not a car in site. Visitors can relax in the picnic area or hike along the bush trails studded with banksias, midgen berries, wallabies and bush turkeys. For those who prefer to skinny dip, the nearby Tyagarah Beach is clothing-optional. Another way to enjoy Byron from the water is on a sea kayaking tour with Cape Byron Kayaks. The three-hour trips will get you up-close-and-personal with bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and various species of sea turtles. Your guide will also delve into a bit of Byron Bay's history, most notably its Indigenous heritage. The group will pause to refuel mid-tour, too, with snacks and refreshments on the beach. If you prefer to do your own thing, the golden shores and crystal-clear waters of Clarkes Beach and Main Beach are just a stone's throw away from town centre. Plus, Main Beach is an ideal spot to watch the sunset soundtracked by free local music from the talented buskers who frequent the beach. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors.
Your Christmas lunch will soon be soundtracked by Bill Murray. We squealed about it back in October 2014 — Hollywood's quirkiest legend has teamed up with Sofia Coppola for a festive TV special involving him singing a variety of Christmas carols and decking the halls with one heck of a cast. Murray and Coppola's new project will be undoubtedly somewhat different to their last collaboration, Lost in Translation. The synopsis? The trailer came with a little peek: "This winter, Bill Murray brings an extra-special dose of holiday cheer to Netflix with the premiere of an all-star musically-driven holiday special, A Very Murray Christmas. Set inside New York City’s iconic Carlyle hotel, A Very Murray Christmas opens with Murray preparing to host a live, international holiday broadcast. After a blizzard shuts down the production, he makes the best of the situation by singing and celebrating with friends, hotel employees and anyone else who drops by." Dropped this morning, the trailer's a pretty quick look at a pretty damn big cast. Set to Murray's 'Let It Snow' duet with Miley Cyrus, the trailer revealed one heck of a lineup: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, George Clooney, Michael Cera, Jason Schwartzman, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock and Paul Shaffer. Watch it here and try not to squeal: 'A Very Murray Christmas' is coming to Netflix on December 4. By Meg Watson and Shannon Connellan.
Uber's international developments are going gangbusters of late, after launching free breathalyzers in Canada, possibly slashing UberX prices in Western Australia, and launching its first ever cash-only service — a brand new auto-rickshaw option available in Delhi. Uber users in Delhi can book a rickshaw through the mobile app — you just don't have to punch in your destination — before paying in cash without extra commission charges. Drivers are apparently being trained not to refuse bookings. For regular Uber cabs, it's still electronic payment as usual. And as always, Uber users can rate their auto driver on the app, and vice versa. Sure, there's already an auto-rickshaw booking service called Ola in Delhi, and sure, it's a PR attempt to steer Uber Delhi's recently less-than-great reputation back into clear waters, but it's one that will hopefully boost job security and facilitate generally more organised and safe auto-rickshaw service in the capital for both drivers and passengers. Can't argue with that. There's just over 100,000 auto-rickshaws in Delhi (actually one of the lowest rickshaw populations in the country, something the Delhi government is trying to up), so this could really shake up the local transport industry for the Indian capital. Via Economic Times.
No, it's not surprising, but it certainly is exciting — after months of deliberation and speculation, Netflix has officially announced it will be launching in Australia and NZ this coming March. The wait is nearly over. In just a few months time you'll be able to stream the solid gold original programming of this American behemoth while being 100 percent within the confines of the law. Get ready for some epic marathons. You certainly have a lot to catch up on. The announcement was made initially this morning by this sneaky tweet: http://t.co/8kKEzEtyq8 ??pu?u?o?x?????N# u??? ???u? ¡ZN & sn? ????W u? no? ??S — Netflix US (@netflix) November 18, 2014 Scamps. The local TV markets have been in a total tizzy since rumours started circulating earlier in the year about this. It's thought that around 200,000 Australians already access the US version of Netflix via cheeky, semi-legal VPN software, and the thought of legitimate and widespread access to the service seemed all-round damning for local competitors. Though Australia has various streaming options like ABC's iView, Foxtel's Presto, Quickflix, and Channel Nine's promising yet decidedly poorly named Stan, none have the same hype or popular appeal as Netflix. But don't go crazy just yet. Though the platform is best known for its critically-acclaimed original shows such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, the full range of our access is not yet known. A press statement released this morning announced that we'd be getting a range of great movie options as well as exclusive Netflix shows such as historical drama Marco Polo and the Will Arnett-voiced cult favourite BoJack Horseman, but it was suspiciously quiet about the better-known flagship titles. In fact, there's not too much we know right now. Though the overseas service costs US$8.99 per month, we're yet to receive a price point either. We know there'll be an option for a one-month trial, but that's about it. You should also be tugging at your shirt collar if you're one of the tens of thousands currently accessing the US service — there's a good chance they'll stop turning a blind eye and pressure you to sign up for the (almost definitely limited) Australian alternative. Don't get us wrong — it's not all doom and gloom. With Netflix officially on the scene, there's bound to be some serious movement on important industry issues like local licensing, fast-tracking of overseas shows, and the quality and price of online streaming. With everyone stepping up their game to compete, we could even see a decrease in piracy and copyright infringement. Despite what George Brandis may say, there's a reason why Australians are among the world's worst offenders. Imagine how good binge-watching is going to be when you don't have to feel guilty about it?
Just around the corner from Richmond station, Ms Frankie allows diners to get up close and personal with a glass-enclosed pasta-making room. Take a seat at one of the bar stools and watch them make your order from scratch — whether you've picked the pumpkin and ricotta stuffed tortellini topped with amaretti crumb, slow cooked beef ragu with gnocchi or Giorgio's signature spaghetti marinara. Gluten-free options are also available which is a big win for those in need. Drinks-wise at Ms Frankie, there are two beers on tap and a selection in the fridge, including everyone's favourite Peroni Red. By the glass, the wine selection isn't huge but is well thought out, with a nice selection of each colour. Cocktails include all the classics as well as a healthy selection of spritzes, while the Frankie's Sour with Montenegro, rosemary honey and mandarin juice is an instant classic. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Located on level two of QV Melbourne, Sura Korean BBQ prides itself on serving up an authentic Korean barbecue experience using premium cuts of wagyu beef as well as an extensive a la carte menu. The word 'Sura' translates from Korean as a banquet prepared for a king, which has inspired its focus on serving up only the highest quality dishes. Sura's menu features a variety of barbecue options, including the pork set and the wagyu beef set — perfect for those who might get overwhelmed ordering individual items at a Korean BBQ in Melbourne. A la carte options, that are designed to complement the barbecue as well as be enjoyed on their own, include a seafood pancake, kimchi rice and a hand sliced pork belly which is juicy as hell. Side dishes come with unlimited refill guarantee (this is a big win) and include kimchi, lettuce leaf, potato salad and pickled vegetables. The service here is fast and your dishes will generally arrive within minutes of each other. The drink options at Sura Korean BBQ include cocktails playfully names after K-Pop idols such as EXO, BTS and Aesepa, while non alcoholic options include traditional tea and soft drinks. Drop by Sura with a group of mates to celebrate a special occasion or bring a special someone for a sizzling date. They're open for lunch and dinner with a brief break to reset between three and five.
The Hunter Valley is the oldest and busiest wine region in Australia. Some of the country's first vineyards were planted there back in the early 1800s, and now, more than 150 wineries are on the wagon. These vary from flashy, famous establishments to more intimate, off-the-typical-wine-trail cellar doors. Semillon is the area's classic variety, but you'll also come across some tip-top chardonnay and shiraz, among others. In between wine tasting, pop into traditional and contemporary art galleries, sample local produce in stellar restaurants and maybe set your alarm clock for a hot air balloon adventure. DRINK With 150 wineries to visit, it's not easy to nut out an itinerary. At the big-name end, Tyrrell's in Pokolbin is the place to try your first drop. It's home to one of the oldest vineyards in the Hunter — the first grapes were planted in 1858 — and, despite its commercial success, remains family-owned, so it's friendly. Next, pop along to Tempus Two, not only for its legendary wines but also for its posh, architect-designed cellar door. The Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop, Oishii Japanese restaurant and The Goldfish cocktail bar are all just a hazy stroll away. To keep things unpredictable, and avoid constant crowds, visit at least a couple of boutique wineries. Krinklewood, located in the Broke-Fordwich subregion, is one of the most interesting, with its certified biodynamic, organic, sustainably run vineyards. It's also incredibly beautiful, backdropped by the Brokenback Range and immersed in Provencal-inspired gardens. Owners Rod and Suzanne Windrim say they're committed to a "hands-on" approach, governed by the philosophy that "what you put in is what you get back". Just down the road, you'll find Ascella Wines, the Hunter's biggest organic vineyard. EAT A premium fine dining experience is to be had at Muse Restaurant in Pokolbin, which is attached to Hungerford Wines. This year, it was awarded two chef's hats. Run by husband-and-wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown, the restaurant is housed inside a stunning, airy, architect-designed building, and the contemporary Australian menu prioritises fresh, seasonally available ingredients and simple yet innovative combinations. If you're into creative dishes, book yourself a spot at Rothbury's Shakey Tables. Pretty much every plate is an art work, and the interior's designed to match, with bold, fun paintings on the walls and bright suede seating. Even if you're not interested in committing to a full meal, pop in for the desserts — they're extraordinary, in terms of both looks and taste. STAY Accommodation options are incredibly varied - from classic country pubs in tiny villages to simple yet cute cottages on rolling acreages to lush suites. On a wino's weekender, though, it's only fitting that you should spend at least one night deep in the grapes. The fanciest way to do this is at Spicers Vineyard Estate in Pokolbin, a ridiculously luxurious guesthouse set in its own private vineyard, with amazing views of the Brokenback Mountains. Each suite comes with its own fireplace, king-size bed, en suite with spa and complimentary mini bar. If you're envisioning yourself in a secluded cabin, consider the nearby Belford Cottages. A handful of private dwellings are scattered around 15 acres of beautiful, unspoilt bushland. Each has its own private balcony, for sundown wine sipping and kangaroo spotting. There's also a games room and, for hot days, a pool. The property is in a central location, with Pokolbin, Wollombi and Lovedale close by, and there's even a restaurant and a couple of wineries within walking distance. Take your torch. For winos travelling on a tighter budget (or saving bucks for bottles), the Hill Top Country Guest House in Rothbury is good value. Situated on the Molly Morgan Range, affording brilliant views of the Hunter Valley, it's housed in a colonial-style building and dressed with touches of luxury, including king-size beds, spa baths, a sauna and a pool. But with nightly rates starting at $115, it's much more affordable than similar options. DO The Hunter is dotted with art galleries and museums. For traditional Australian landscapes, decorative work and investment opportunities, visit the Morpeth Gallery. While you're there, take a wander around Morpeth's historic buildings, relax on the riverfront and sample some famous Morpeth sourdough. Meanwhile, at the Maitland Regional Gallery, you'll find contemporary exhibitions, with temporary shows changing every six to eight weeks. If you're banking on something more active, there's the Yango Walking Track, a 6 kilometre walk through untouched wilderness in Yengo National Park, which journeys past red cedars, giant stinging trees and spectacular vistas. Keep a lookout for the rare velvet wattle. Alternatively, get your adrenaline kicks with a hot air balloon ride. You'll have to wake up early, because the trip starts before sunrise, but the sun-kissed views are more than worth braving an early hangover for. Top image: Kevin Rheese.
A new rooftop hotel in Melbourne is offering a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Opening soon (mid-2016) atop a Flinders Lane car park in the CBD, this boutique venture will consist of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the US and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation," complete with queen size bed, split system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. Notel update!!! The Airstreams are being moved into their final position in preparation for the bathroom instillation. Won't be long now 😉 #openingsoon #Notel #notelmelbourne #rooftophotel #notahotel #airstreamhotel #lovethis #adventure #original #airstream #vintagecaravan #rooftopview #journey #view #melbs #melbourne #melbournetodo #ilovemelbourne #visitmelbourne #australia A photo posted by Notel Melbourne (@notelmelbourne) on May 16, 2016 at 1:44am PDT Guests will have access to tablets loaded with music and movies along with a virtual guide to help them explore the city. The space will also be available for functions, with room for up to 300 people on the roof. Notel Melbourne is not currently taking bookings, however you can sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop with how things are progressing. Notel Melbourne will open in mid-2016 on the corner of Flinders Lane and Harper Lane, Melbourne. For more information visit www.notelmelbourne.com.au.
Sushi is great. Burritos are great. Frankly, it was only a matter of time before some genius combined the two. Now, the gastronomic phenomenon that has been filling bellies in the US is on its way to Melbourne. Opening soon on Little Collins Street in the CBD, Josie Jo is the brainchild of entrepreneur Jessica Tse, and sushi burritos are her specialty. "Basically I just really wanted to eat one," she explains when we ask what inspired her to open her to open a sushi burrito bar. "I love sushi myself, and I think it's a great concept." For those of you who are still unsure about what's certain to be the country's next big food trend (with an unrelated sushi burrito place also slated to pop up in Brisbane in November), the culinary combo is exactly what it sounds like. "It's a massive sushi roll, the size of a burrito," says Tse. "Everyone who has tried it says that it's really yummy." Diners at Josie Jo will be able to choose from a number of different varieties, served either in burrito form or as a rice bowl or salad. Think fresh salmon with spinach, avocado, cucumber, furikake, flying fish roe, pickled seaweed and wasabi mayo, or king prawn with roquette, cherry tomato, coriander leaves, red onion, avocado, grated cheddar, cumin, paprika, sour cream and chilli flakes. There's also a vegan option with marinated tofu, baby spinach, avocado, sweet corn, edamame, pickled radish, roasted sesame sauce and crispy onion. Alternatively, you can ditch the menu and mix-and-match your own. Josie Jo will also stock a "refined collection of drinks," including coconut water, ginger beer, poke green tea and organic cola. Although it's her first restaurant, Tse comes well prepared, having grown up in a family of chefs. "My father was a restaurateur, my brother is also a restaurateur, and I've cooked since I was five," she says. "I just love cooking for people." In any case, she will have a little bit of assistance from the restaurant's namesake, her cat, muse and fellow CEO. "She says she loves the food," quips Tse with a laugh, before quickly reassuring us that she's not actually taking business advice from her pet. "I'm not crazy." Look for Josie Jo at Shop 10, 318 Little Collins Street, Melbourne in the coming months. For more information visit their website, Facebook and Instagram.
What exactly does 'Australian life' look like, really? It's a pretty damn broad term, we know. If you were to capture a little glimpse of your own everyday Aussie existence, what would it look like? Each year, the City of Sydney holds their high profile Australian Life photography competition as part of Art and About. After a nationwide callout, 22 winning photos, all encapsulating the essence of Australian life, and taken by photographers at all skill levels, are presented in a free outdoor exhibition. Sometimes, the photos feature majestic Australian sunsets, bright outback-influenced colours or stunning beachscapes. Other times, the photos are of friends swinging off a Hills Hoist in the outback, or lying in the sun on a friend's deck. These photographs (all winners, or finalists in the competition) prove that you don't need to be a professional photographer to win the $10,000 prize. You could have a photo of your friends drinking tinnies by a campfire, or a majestic Bondi panorama you were going to post on Instagram. Think again — it could be the perfect image of Australian Life. [caption id="attachment_580209" align="alignnone" width="1280"] John Appleyard, Even When the Rain Falls (2015)[/caption] SIMPLE TECHNIQUES GO A LONG WAY Turn an everyday moment into a magic one by thinking about simple photography techniques, like framing and contrast. If you were at this football game, you may have just seen a team huddling in the rain. But John Appleyard, a 2015 finalist with Even When the Rain Falls, saw a team wearing dark colours, huddled in the foreground of an expansive, well-lit green field. The perfect backdrop for a stunning photograph. [caption id="attachment_580212" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mark Callanan, Sundeckers (2013)[/caption] ANY OL' MOMENT CAN MAKE A NEXT-LEVEL PHOTO Mark Callanan's Sundeckers proves you don't need to be a professional to take a great shot. This shot could have come straight off someone's Instagram account, a quick shot of a group of friends taking in the first days of summer sunshine (probably after a cold winter). Learning to recognise everyday moments like this as they come, and being able to turn them into something more, will make for great photography. [caption id="attachment_580213" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sally McInerney, Shark in Pool, Dover Heights (2012)[/caption] MAKE THEM THINK TWICE This stunning photograph by Sally McInerney, winner of the competition in 2012, plays with perspective in all the right ways. It matches the lines of a Photoshopped ocean up to the lines of a real-life Australian ocean — a detailed technique that makes you look twice, if only to figure out how the photographer achieved it. For an extra kick, she titled it Shark in Pool, Dover Heights, just to reel you in for another look. [caption id="attachment_580220" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jenny Evans, Eleanor, Portrait of a Boxer (2013)[/caption] GET YOUR TIMING RIGHT This street mural was already beautiful. But when Jenny Evans captured it in her winning photograph Portrait of a Boxer, she made it even more mesmerising. If you're shooting outside, choose a time of day that will make your subject go further. Sunset is the perfect time to shoot landscapes, or colours like those in the indigenous flag. Overcast weather, or shade, is the perfect time to shoot people. [caption id="attachment_580208" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Georgina Pope, A Great Day for Drying (2014)[/caption] FIND INSPIRATION IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD A Great Day for Drying is the photograph Georgina Pope took when she won the Australian Life competition in 2014. She gathered a few props from around the house, and then took them out to her own backyard to be photographed with an instantly recognisable Australian icon — the Hills Hoist. No professional photography studio needed. Inspired? Art & About Sydney is inviting professional and amateur Australian photographers to submit images representing Australian life, showing the country beyond the icons. Capture any aspect of Australia, from everyday occurrences to the diversity of subcultures, from celebrations/rituals to natural/man-made environments. You could be one of the 22 finalists who'll be chosen and exhibited in Hyde Park from 15 September – 9 October 2016. The winner of Australian Life will receive $10,000. Enter here. Entries close at midnight on Friday, July 29.
This Easter weekend marked the end of an era for one of Melbourne’s most beloved institutions. After 75 years of constant operation, the iconic Astor Theatre posted a sad "That's all folks," and finally closed its doors. But luckily, they won't stay closed for long. After much speculation, the Palace Cinemas group have confirmed they've bought the Astor. Palace Cinemas are the knight in shining celluloid cinephiles have hoped for. The Melbourne-based national chain is leasing the cinema, and continuing The Astor’s operations largely untouched. Palace’s custodianship would see The Astor to continue operating as a single-screen, 1150 seat auditoria, with programming of both new release and classic films to continue and showing on 35 and 70 millimetre prints — many bought from longtime operator George Florence. Palace Cinema's CEO, Benjamin Zeccola, is determined to keep the identity of the Palace intact for nostalgic reasons. "I am in love with the ambience and unique sense of cinema at the Astor, it reminds me of the Metro Malvern Cinema where I grew up and the loss of which still saddens me," he told The Age just a few months ago. "Palace Cinemas are keenly aware of the importance in preserving The Astor experience and, to that end, we see the business operating very much as it does today: one cinema, the continuation of the brilliant programming and maintaining the building in the art deco style in direct consultation with Heritage Victoria." Such a prospect is welcomed by everyone that has enjoyed the magic of movie-going at The Astor over the past 32 years. Whether catching a double feature of films missed upon their first release; dressing up and singing along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease or The Blues Brothers; or watching one of the many retrospective seasons focused on great directors or undersung masterpieces — all while devouring one of the venue’s famous choctops — The Astor has offered audiences a cinema experience unparalleled not just in Melbourne, but in Australia. Stay tuned to the Astor's Facebook page for more developments.
Well now, if this isn't the sweetest thing we've seen all week. CineFix have transformed Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away into an adorable 8-bit 'video game'. You can't pop a quarter in to play it, but you can see the entire film summarised in five minutes with a delightful video game version of Joe Hisaishi's score. Follow Chihiro, Haku, No-Face and Yubaba through the 'levels' (No-Face's bathhouse fight scene is particularly great) below: Via Geekologie.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and put on that festival you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of ten bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. As Katharine Butler Hathaway once said, "If you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, your life will be safe, expedient and thin," and never have her words rang truer. In our safe modern world, full of concrete, cushy comfort, our deeper instincts are all too often quashed. The only antidote to a safe, expedient and thin world is to seek out risk. For Brett Louis, co-founder and curator of Melbourne's ambitious festival Sugar Mountain, a 'Sine Metu' way of life is the only way. Thanks to Brett's meticulous curation and the team's unique penchant for collaboration over the years, Sugar Mountain has broken new ground with its blend of music, art and food — redefining what a festival can be (without fearing it won't work). RETHINK WHAT A FESTIVAL 'SHOULD' BE A change has been a-brewin' in Australia's festival scene for years. The exorbitant prices, cookie-cutter lineups and disappointing food so characteristic of the bigger festivals has worn thin and a counter-culture of boutique festivals has emerged. Enter Sugar Mountain, the brainchild of Brett and his equally groundbreaking team Tig Huggins, Pete Keen and Nicci Reid. It debuted in 2011, a small festival with a niche lineup of hungry musicians and artists. In the years since, SM has grown into an annual mainstay for foodies, visual art and music lovers across the country. Growing a festival from the ground up is no easy feat and harder still is maintaining momentum. The culmination of 18 months of planning comes together in one make-or-break day, and punters walk into the Victorian College of the Arts site brimming with expectation. Brett says the aim of the festival is to feed off this, to anticipate assumptions and shatter them on purpose. Instead of pandering to the common denominator, the Sugar Mountain music and art lineup pushes audiences out of their comfort zone and promises something different — something Brett and his hardworking collaborators value first and foremost. "We never want to be pigeonholed," says Brett. "Each year, we look for ways to expand creatively, it's about creating a cultural event. People go because they want to have a great day, be challenged a little bit and enjoy something that only happens once a year and really can't be recreated." At Sugar Mountain, it's best to leave all your preconceived notions of what a festival should be at the gate. OBLITERATE YOUR COMFORT ZONE (AND YOUR PUNTERS') Sugar Mountain is a place for creativity to be absorbed and celebrated; this is the antithesis to a safe, expedient and thin life. The ethos behind curating a festival that pushes boundaries is for people to have complete faith in Brett and his hardworking team, and understand that although the festival might differ from year to year, the quality will never falter. "We only book it if we love it and believe in it. Booking buzzy bands creates an expectation that every year you have to put on a buzz lineup," he says. Sugar Mountain has never been about validating people's taste, but about discovering new things and new favourites. Getting comfortable is a trap for musicians and artists too and Brett believes that the lineup should work as for itself as well as the audience. Blending a lineup of interconnected acts works because they respect and push each other; when the musicians know each other, like each other, work well together and vibe off each other's sets it changes from being a lineup of separate acts and becomes about the bigger picture. "When we put the lineup together, it's always a gamble because pretty much everything's put on the table," says Brett. "There's a team of us who are continually putting together booking options and our tastes and formative influences are incredibly broad." However for Brett, the food and drink offerings are the highest priority because, as a coeliac, he's had more than his fair share of terrible festival food, but also because sharing good food and drink is such an important social ritual that can elevate a festival from good to God-tier. In 2016, Sugar Mountain premiered Sensory, an immersive dining experience collaboratively crafted by experimental foodies Bomba, themed by visual artists Tin and Ed and soundtracked by Cut Copy. A risky venture (who's ever chanced a four-course sit-down tapas meal at a festival before?) but it paid off and brokered the completely novel idea that, if it's your bag, you can go to a music festival for the food alone. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO WHAT'S ALREADY OUT THERE When punters walk through the gates into Sugar Mountain, they see a slick, well-oiled machine. It's success incarnate; a well-planned, thoughtful and smooth event that flows seamlessly with no hiccups or clashes. What they don't see is the struggle. "People walking in aren't aware of what you faced only days earlier, problems that come about through so many different things, the weather, logistical problems, artist related issues… but when you do get put in the shit, the most rewarding feeling is when you get the outcome that you intended," says Brett. The idea that success is the absence of hardship is, as Brett points out, ridiculous but common. Often the assumption is that if something is meant to be, it's meant to be easy and people conflate a smooth ride with success. "The five or six days leading up to show day… that's my favourite time of the year," Brett explains "Everyone's constantly knee-deep all week and you're forced to make decisions and problem solve as you go." Planning, rather than hoping for a cosmic alignment, is the key to overcoming the hurdles. Brett believes level-headed decision making and quick reaction times are all you need to turn a crisis into an opportunity (a crisitunity). "Just do it. Dive into it. There's no harm in starting small, just make sure you do everything in your own way because you want to make sure you're doing something different to what's out there. If you believe in it and you really want it the only thing that can stop you is your self-doubt." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website.
We've got two incredible words for you: waffles and shakes. That's what you'll find on offer from Melbourne's newest food truck, the appropriately named Let's Waffle N' Shake. Rolling around town even as we speak, the bright blue van is the sweet, sugary brainchild of Ben Loke and Ari Tsiokas, two friends who saw a waffle-shaped gap in Melbourne's food-truck convoy and decided to fill it in the most decadent fashion imaginable. Indeed, just because they only serve waffle pops and milkshakes doesn't mean there's anything pedestrian about their operation. Turns out you can do quite a bit with a waffle on a stick, whether that's lathering it with chocolate ganache and nutella before dipping it in a mix of oreo crumbs, coco-pops and milo, or covering it in maple syrup, salted caramel, custard and white chocolate before topping it off with pecans, cinnamon sugar and whipped cream. All in all Let's Waffle N' Shake offer nine different variants at $8 a pop – and trust us, they're all equally as absurd. Alternatively, you're welcome to create your own. As for your milkshake, you can go with a classic option like chocolate, strawberry, banana or blue heaven, or opt for something a little more out there such as salted caramel, cream and popcorn or strawberry, rhubarb, marshmallow and fairy floss. And just in case you want to absolutely guarantee that massive coronary, you can add additional toppings, such as mini M&Ms, crunchy nut cornflakes and a combination of banana lollies and potato chips. Worth it. What a great photo of our Floss the Pink Fairy and Canadian Pie wafflepops @melbournepopups #wafflenshake #wafflepop #dessertporn #foodtruckpark A photo posted by Let's Waffle 'n' Shake (@letswafflenshake) on Mar 13, 2016 at 7:33am PDT Salted Caramel POP! Salted caramel, caramel popcorn, a bit more caramel and cream on top. #WaffleNShake #SaltedCaramelPop #milkshake #foodporn A photo posted by Let's Waffle 'n' Shake (@letswafflenshake) on Feb 24, 2016 at 5:16am PST To find out where Let's Waffle N' Shake will be dolling out their ludicrous treats, follow them on Facebook or check them out on Where The Truck.
Once the realms of Dahl-created Wonkahood, entire rooms dedicated to drinking chocolate are now a reality in our humble non-fiction lives. Melbourne-based drinking chocolate producer Mörk Chocolate have opened the doors on their new store — an entire liquid chocolate brew house, just in time for autumn. Founded in 2012, Mörk is run by Kiril Shaginov and Josefin Zernell. According to Good Food, the two were workmates at a Swedish coffee roastery back in 2009, bonding over the often underrated, non-coffee bev of dreams: the hot chocolate. Shaginov and Zernell decided to take it upon themselves to perfect the art of drinking chocolate with a bang-on recipe, high-quality ingredients and handmade integrity. They've now sold their secret recipe chocolate to the likes of Melbourne institutions such as Proud Mary, Long Shot, Bluebird Espresso, Seven Seeds and St Ali; Sydney's Reuben Hills and Harry's Espresso Bar; and Brisbane's Two Trees. Enough history, what of this magic chocolate dream palace that is the Mork Chocolate Brew House? Shaginov and Zernell found a '50s bakery warehouse on Errol Street in North Melbourne, and have converted the whole thing into a 16-seater chocoholic's dream. There are multiple blends to try, including the one we're all squealish about: Campfire Chocolate (smoked dark hot chocolate with smoked salt and served with marshmallow skewers, oh god). There'll likely be tastings, so make sure you're all over their Facebook page to stay on top of your addiction. Find Mörk Chocolate Brew House at 150 Errol Street, North Melbourne. Open Tues–Sat 8am–5pm; Sun 9am-5pm. For bookings or more info, ring 9328 1386 or head to morkchocolate.com.au. Via Good Food.
Melbourne has no shortage of minimalistic spots for breakfast and brunch, but West Melbourne's Japanese gem, 279, has got to be one of our very favourites. Despite some of its similarities to the city's many (many) cafes, 279 owner Kantaro Okada has done a lot to stand out amongst the local crowd. "One of the biggest reasons we chose West Melbourne was because of the lack of Japanese food options in this area," says Okada. "But the area does have a really interesting pocket of cafes — so I feel it will attract people who love food." Although the interior of the cafe is clean and light, the menu is hearty and traditional — and definitely not 'fusion'. "I really don't like doing fusion," says Okada. "We wanted to focus on home cooking and Japanese soul food that has been passed down through generations." The result of that is a menu that centres on onigiri (also called omusubi): triangles of rice wrapped in nori and served with a variety of toppings. Try out the classic miso (shiso-miso, $6), salted salmon (sha-ke, $5.80) or plum (ume, $5) for something on the lighter side. But if you're hungrier, the slow-cooked pork belly with ginger, garlic and spring onion (negi-shio, $14.80) and the smashed tuna with avocado and Japanese mayonnaise (negi-toro, $18) will both knock your socks off. Once you've ordered your onigiri, add some osozai (side dishes) — our top picks are the smashed tofu with shiitake and shimeji mushrooms ($5), the sweet soy glazed potato ($6) and the fried lotus root chips ($4.50). If you don't want rice, you can opt for one of three types of miso soup (kome, mugi and hiyoko mame, $6–6.50), which are individually strained through a specially designed 'pour over-style' machine to ensure each bowl is rich in flavour and smooth in texture, with no grainy mouthfeel. Still peckish? 279 also has a range of Japanese sweets on offer — most notably, its mochinuts ($6). A cross between mochi and doughnuts, these baked goods are made with tapioca and rice flour, which gives them a springy, slightly chewy texture. To get one, though, you'll need to get there early — they're usually sold out by lunchtime. Other sweet options include the roasted matcha tiramisu ($11) and the latte dorayaki pancake ($6.50). Like the food, the coffee is strictly Japanese. Sit at one of the countertops — drowning in morning light — and order a coffee made on Fuglen Tokyo beans, which are imported straight from the capital. 279 might look a little plain from the outside, but this authentic Japanese café serves up a huge spread of alternative brunch options. Don't be overwhelmed by dishes that might seem unfamiliar to you, either. It's all good. Trust us. Pick a bunch to share with your mates and enjoy the ride. If you can't manage to get a table at 279, you can also order many dishes to be delivered here. Appears in: The 13 Best Cafes in Melbourne for 2023
Yes, Rhianna snuffed Big Bird and made an omelette out of him. Yes, Solange looked like she was wearing a Sliders portal. But there were more than just celebrity fashion moments happening at yesterday's 2015 Met Gala — something only the likes of Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton would make you appreciate. Making ordinary people of celebs and stars out of ordinary people, the HONY photographer took the best snaps of the night; bringing that tried and true human interest formula to the most star-studded event on the damn calendar. Waiters become stars, pop singers become regular folk. Slam dunk, HONY. “I tried to prank him one time by putting a tuna fish sandwich in his bedside drawer. But the prank ended up being on both of us because I forgot about it for weeks.” “There’s a secret addict in me that I’m always trying to tame.” “I was too hard on my son because I couldn’t understand why he didn’t love to compete as much as I do.” “I hope to be as selfless as my mother. My father died when I was seven months old. She had to raise five kids on her own, but she made time for all of us. We used to have these days called ‘Mommy Holidays.’ She’d choose a normal school day, wake us up, have us get ready for school, cook breakfast in a hurry, and right before we walked out the door, she’d scream ‘Mommy Holiday!,’ and she’d let us skip school and go somewhere fun.” “They forced me into having an Instagram.” "I'm trying to look at my phone less." “We managed to raise two teenage girls and not get divorced.” “It was hard to see my father not become all that he wanted to be. He brought my family here from Trinidad. He really believed in the marketing of the American dream, and he thought that he’d become a DJ on the radio. He loved music and had the gift of gab. But he didn’t understand the system and he came too late in life to make the proper connections. So he ended up using his gift of gab to sell cars.” “What’s your favorite thing about each other?” “We’re fine with just a picture, thanks.” Images: Brandon Stanton/Vogue.
Smith's Street Gasometer Hotel is teaming up with its neighbours to open a casual, Japanese-style izakaya. The recently reinvigorated pub and live music venue has invited the chefs from nearby Japanese bar and eatery Northern Light to collaborate on the new venture, which is set to take over the Gaso from August 27. Gas-Light Izakaya is the latest concept from Gasometer owners Clint Fisher (of Retreat Hotel in Brunswick) and Shannon Vanderwert (The Post Office Hotel in Coburg), who took over the venue early last year. Northern Light's sous chef Joel Baylon will oversee the kitchen, which features a pair of newly-installed binchotan white charcoal grills. As for the menu, expect popular Japanese bar snacks such as oysters, yakitori food skewers, deep-fried crumbed meat and vegetables and the universal favourite that is fried cheese. The food should all go quite nicely with their selection of local and Japanese beers on tap, including Okinawa import Orion. Of course, if you really want the full izakaya experience, you should be ordering the sake. The Gas-Light kitchens will be open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday and all day Friday through Sunday. And despite the pub's change in flavour, regulars can still expect a rock solid live music lineup in the Gasometer's 350-capacity bandroom. Gas-Light Izakaya starts cooking on August 27 at The Gasometer Hotel, 484 Smith St, Collingwood. Via Gourmet Traveller and Good Food. Image: Northern Light.
The team behind quintessential Melbourne cafes Top Paddock and The Kettle Black are moving ever closer to cutting the ribbon on their long-awaited new venue. Located at the Southern Cross end of Little Bourke Street, Higher Ground has been in the works for well over a year, and was originally meant to open back in October. Now it seems the gears are finally moving in earnest, with the owners setting their eyes on June. As reported by Good Food last year, Higher Ground will be a 160-seat venue, nestled in a former warehouse on the corner of Little Bourke and Spencer Street. Interior features will include exposed brick and green marble as well as a mezzanine level and open kitchen. Just look at this: First glimpse of our new space coming soon to the CBD... A photo posted by Higher Ground Melbourne (@highergroundmelbourne) on Apr 3, 2015 at 12:33am PDT As for food, the Higher Ground team have enlisted chef Nate Wilkins. We don't have a full menu as of yet, but they did tease the following dish on Instagram: Menu development for HG continues. The black waffle with peanut butter parfait honeycomb, raspberries and figs is looking good. Nice one chef @natewilkins ! A photo posted by Higher Ground Melbourne (@highergroundmelbourne) on Feb 23, 2016 at 6:49pm PST We think we speak for hungry Melburnians everywhere when we say that June can't come quickly enough. Higher Ground is set to open in June at 650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. The website lists their opening hours as 7am – 4pm Monday through Wednesday, 7am – 11pm Thursday through Friday 8am – 11pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 4pm. For more information keep your eyes glued to www.highergroundmelbourne.com.au. Image: The Kettle Black/Eat Drink Design Awards.
The Smith Street Band have an incredibly endearing habit of looking out for the underdog. Following their November release of their third album, Throw Me in the River, the Melbourne four-piece found themselves in the news as a result of their sold-out EP titled Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, which features a portrait of Tony Abbott and protests the Australian government's current treatment of refugees. Throw in a fundraising gig for refugee advocacy groups in Melbourne on Australia Day and you've got one seriously outspoken Aussie band. On their upcoming tour around Australia they're keeping up their determination not to forget anyone, with the aptly titled 'Get High, See Everyone Tour', featuring an impressive 24 dates across Australia, including regional stops like Bendigo and Maroochydore and a whole heap of all-ages gigs for younger fans. The pairing of desperate energy and youthful, emotional frenzy with surprisingly thoughtful and touching lyrics have earned The Smith Street Band a loyal fan base. And, bless them, the band is going to do their best to see every one of you.
Both the heartbroken and the heartbreakers should take a lesson from Sharon Van Etten, heading to Australia for her 2015 Are We There tour. Renowned for embracing life's emotionally crippling moments, Van Etten has been putting her heart on a platter since her first offering 'Because I Was In Love' in 2009 — released after TV On the Radio's Kyp Malone gave her a nudge in the right direction. The Brooklyn-based, New Jersey and Tennessee-raised singer/songwriter hasn't stopped since, with four gripping albums under her belt including 2012's Tramp. Headlining Secret Garden (February 27-28) with Parquet Courts and Golden Plains (March 7-9), Van Etten is also playing sideshows for those who missed out on tickets. Supported by Tiny Ruins (NZ) + Jack Ladder + Heather Woods Broderick (USA).
Australian politicians, you'd better go incognito for the next few months. British-born, American-based comedian John Oliver is heading to Australia for a string of stand-up shows this August. The Emmy and Writer’s Guild Award-winning writer, comedic actor and politically-outspoken satirist is taking a short break from his Peabody-winning HBO show, Last Week Tonight, to jump on a plane and scatter truth nuggets around our shores. Heading back to his political stand-up roots, it's Oliver's first stand-up tour in Australia. Of course, this isn't his first time fiercely focusing on our great southern land; dropping plenty of not-so-flattering Australian takedowns on his own show and while guest hosting on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This is Oliver's first ever Australian stand-up tour, so expect these tickets to go quicker than Australia's political credibility on late night American television. Expect uncomfortable Australian realities aplenty, with deep burns like this Tony Abbott roast:
Daniel von Sturmer's latest Electric Light exhibition is a dynamic presentation of luminance, colour, shape and space. Taking a behind-the-scenes perspective on photographic production, Electric Light utilises lighting setups, backdrops, stands and other equipment to create an extensive room-sized work. Illuminated by a range of shifting lights, the work considers photomedia's role in reflecting what is 'real' and how truth can be constructed. Electric Light is hosted by Ten Cubed, a private art collection that's open to the public. An evolving art project in itself, Ten Cubed has handpicked ten diverse artists to collect extensively from over a period of ten years — demonstrating their creative growth within one space. Daniel von Sturmer: Electric Light is on now at Ten Cubed until Saturday, December 16.
Things are getting frostier in Melbourne, so the team at Welcome To Thornbury is bringing back one of their most intuitive event ideas to help warm your weekend — a mini festival dedicated to mulled wine and hot cheese. Following a successful first couple of runs in 2017, the party returns to the High Street food truck park from noon, Saturday, May 26 through until close, Sunday, May 27, pulling together a selection of hot, gooey creations from some of the city's favourite cheese-slinging vendors. This is where all your cheesiest dreams come true, chowing down on lush cheese fondue from Frencheese, plus cheese toasties and cheese pizzas, and other treats from the likes of Dip'd, Mr Burger, Belles Hot Chicken, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks, Maker & Monger, Happy Camper Pizza and Pasta Face. Previous events have served up mulled wine doughnuts and raclette burgers, so expect more than a few creative dishes. Of course, you won't find a better drink match to all that rich, melty dairy than some hot, spiced booze, so the bar will be rounding out its usual offerings with mulled wine aplenty. Six different flavours will be available — yes, six – served up all day long.
Beloved Austin rock band Spoon, who are playing headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne this month, have announced an addition to the schedule: intimate gigs at two of Australia's favourite record shops. Hitting Sydney's Red Eye Records on Wednesday, March 22 and Melbourne's Polyester on Friday, March 24, the band will appear in duo mode. Lead singer and guitarist Britt Daniel will be bringing you stripped-back takes on songs from Spoon's newest album, Hot Thoughts, alongside keyboardist and guitarist Alex Fischel. As you can imagine, spots at both gigs will be limited. To get your name on the guest list at Polyester, you need to pre-order Hot Thoughts — in person or online. Red Eye is a different story. Turn up as early as you can and hope for the best. It's an all-ages event, and it's first in, best dressed. Spoon's visit to Australia is a bit special — after all, the band started making the new album in a rented house in Collingwood. "I took a bunch of unfinished songs with me," Daniel said. "When I got down there, I was more excited about coming up with all new stuff. I'm not sure if it's just the AC/DC connection or what. Australia just seems like this other world. It's like this weird combination of Texas and England."
Sleater-Kinney recorded their first album in Australia. The year was 1994, and the fledgling band from Olympia, Washington knocked out their debut effort in a single day. They've been back several times since, but their latest visit feels extra special. Given that the indie-punk trio went on an indefinite hiatus in 2007, it very well might never have happened. Thankfully, Corin Tucker, Janet Weiss and Carrie Brownstein — yes, Portlandia's Carrie Brownstein — are back for another round of blistering rock tracks infused with the spirit of the riot grrrl movement. Reunions might happen all the time, but this is no ordinary group or return. If you've listened to any of Sleater-Kinney's albums from their Aussie-made 22-minute, self-titled initial outing to their latest release, 2015's No Cities to Love, then no doubt you agree. And if you haven't, don't just take our word for it. TIME called them “America’s best rock band”, and Rolling Stone hailed them as “America’s best punk band ever", after all.
From medieval guilds all the way forward to Wikipedia, sharing knowledge has always been a boon for humanity. We thrive on it. And Melbourne's new hospitality symposium GROW is built around the idea that information is better served up than hoarded. GROW Assembly is a slick new consortium of hospo professionals who've come together to collectively season the new generation of chefs, sommeliers, bakers, cocktail artisans, food journos and FOH firecrackers with the juice squeezed from their collective experience. The first event they're rolling out is a full day seminar on Sunday, May 1 in Melbourne with 12 industry speakers spitting knowledge left, right and centre. The lineup reads like a Wiki entry of Melbourne food royalty and includes Dan Hunter (owner chef of Brae), Angie Giannakodakis (restauranteur, Epocha and Elyros), Nolan Hirte (owner of Proud Mary Coffee Roasters), Kevin Donovan (industry long-tooth and owner of Donovans restaurant) and Sebastian Crowther (master sommelier at Rockpool 1989) among others. Also on the bill is Alquimie's Josh Elias, Gourmet Traveller's wine editor Max Allen and Sarah Lemke of Belgium's De Superette bakery. Phew. The team who are putting the whole shebang together — Michael Bascetta, Banjo Harris Plane, Meira Harel, Vicky Symington and Manu Potoi — also have an impressive joint resume; together they count stints at Attica, The Town Mouse, Rockwell and Sons, Lot 3, Proud Mary and Bar Liberty in their experience. It's a long list, but you get the jist — these are the people you want to be the hospitality Yoda to your Skywalker. If you're looking to bring that novelty hybrid food idea into fruition or give us your spin on fried chicken this event is the perfect way to get a foot in the door.
Los Angeles-based foursome Warpaint are set to return to Australia — the homeland of their drummer, Stella Mozgawa — in late February. The group's summer tour follows the release of their third studio album, Heads Up, in September last year. The new album's tone more closely emulates the style of their live performances — energetic and dance-oriented — than their previous albums, which have been more subdued and reflective. This isn't the first Australian tour for Warpaint, having previously performed at the likes of Laneway Festival in 2014 and Splendour in the Grass in 2011. But this time, they're playing a different kind of venue, hitting up Melbourne Zoo on February 24 as part of the Zoo Twilights lineup. They'll be stopping by other major capital cities including Perth (as part of the Perth International Arts Festival) on Sunday, February 19, Brisbane on Wednesday, February 22 and Sydney on Saturday, February 25. Image: Robin Laananen.
In a time before Netflix, Stan and The Pirate Bay, there was only one way to binge watch TV: huddled in front of Saturday Disney, elbowing your siblings out of the way and fantasising that one day you would win that batshit insane weekly prize and all would be phenomenal. For one night only you can relive the glory days of cartoons and diabetes-inducing cereal binges at the Astor Theatre. Aptly named the Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party, the event is a smorgasbord of cartoons from the '40s through to the '80s (interspersed with vintage advertisements) curated by film critic and writer Kier-La Janisse. It's a format pretty much directly taken from Williamsburg's Nighthawk Cinema, but we're not complaining. While resplendent in your jimjams, you'll be able to max-out on as much nostalgic, sugary cereal you can inhale, and rub shoulders with kidults who never had the luxury of ad-skipping.
After an epic debut last year — when over 7000 people rocked up to the party — Ding Dong and Po' Boy Quarter are channelling the spirit of New Orleans with an evening of rich food, live music and pleeeeennnnty of booze for Fat Tuesday 2016. Kicking off in Carlton's Argyle Square at 4pm on Tuesday, February 9, the Fat Tuesday New Orleans Festival is your chance to live the NOLA lifestyle – at least until you wake up the next morning. This year they're ticketing the event, meaning that you'll be able to get amongst it without being swallowed up by the crowds. MC'd by RocKwiz host Brian Nankervis, the event will feature performances from local musicians such as Jazz Party, Horns of Leroy and Adam Rudegeair's Bayou Tapestry. There'll also be a brass band parade, a fortune teller's booth, and a costume competition to find Melbourne's King and Queen of Mardis Gras. With multiple bar areas and catering by Po' Boy Quarter, Girl with the Gris Gris, Taco Truck and Bluebonnet Barbecue, it's safe to assume that no one will leave feeling hungry — or walking in an entirely straight line. Tickets are $22 via the web, or $28 on the door.
