There's a new powerhouse partnership hitting Melbourne's hospitality scene, as Nic Coulter and Simon Blacher (Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina) join forces with David and Michael Parker (the brothers behind Pastuso and San Telmo), on an ambitious new Windsor venture. Now open, two-level Neptune is a reimagining of the wine bar concept, sharing its focus between food, wine, and cocktails. With a considered assortment of stylish spaces and intimate nooks, the guys have created a year-round charmer that's seriously dressed to impress. We're foreseeing many a cosy night in the 'fireplace lounge', sophisticated sessions hidden away in the 'cocktail saloon', and evenings camped out downstairs, quaffing vino at the suburb's largest bar. Neptune's menu will have a Mediterranean vibe, with clever share plates backing up a solid grazing selection and a range of cured meats, fresh from the bar's slicer. Dishes like an absinthe bonito tartare and a classic 'fritto misto' will sit alongside an assortment of signature pasta creations, to be teamed with expertly-crafted classic cocktails and sommelier-picked wines. Find Neptune at 212 High Street, Windsor. Images: Steve Murray.
Tucked away from the mayhem that is Chapel Street, is David's — a Melbourne BYO restaurant with seriously good Chinese food. Shanghai-born David Zhou set up the restaurant, creating a menu using recipes favoured by his ancestors. The dishes are inspired by those of Zhouzhuang — a town about 85 kilometres west of Shanghai famous for its many canals. The menu is monstrous — we're not going to lie, it's overwhelming. So we'll break it down for you. It's made up of six sections; starters, something more, dumplings, greens, side staples and something sweet. Sharing is an integral part of Chinese cuisine, and before you freak out at having to go with other people's options, know that it's hard to go wrong with any of the choices at David's. What makes the food so spectacular is its preservation of authenticity. No lemon chicken in sight here. We suggest starting with some barbecue pork buns or some oysters with soy and finger lime caviar. Chase it up with some steamed whole barramundi with ginseng soy. And if there's one thing the Chinese do incredibly well, it's eggplant. Try the sweet and chunky sweet vinegar eggplant with sliced garlic. You'll also need some rice. Chinese eating tip: eat rice at the end of the meal to wash down the rest of the food consumed, and to rejuvenate your palate. This advice is imperative if you're planning on having dessert. To drink, there's everything from spirits and wine to premium green and jasmine lychee tea. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful, high-ceilinged building completed with white timber and white walls. It's tricky to guess that it's a Chinese restaurant just from walking in, until you see the navy blue flashes from the Chinese crockery when you take a seat.
Well, it’s official: animal-themed cafes have reached critical levels of absurdity. After cats, owls and even teacup pigs, an impending eatery in East London will pay tribute to the humble blobfish, the gelatinous sea dweller that was recently voted the ugliest animal in the world. Set to open in summer 2016, the Blobfish Cafe will be home to three blobfish specimen named Barry, Lorcan and Lady Swift. No word on how the aquatic trio are handling their newfound celebrity, although Lorcan already has his own twitter account, where he mostly tweets about Tom Cruise. Of course, running a blobfish cafe isn’t as simple a proposition as just rounding up a few stray cats. The fish reside on the ocean floor off the east coast of Australia (booyah!) at depths of around 1000 metres, where the pressure is several dozen times that of the surface. As a result, the owners of the cafe have had to construct a special tank capable of replicating the deep sea environment, a mammoth undertaking described on their website as 'not cheap'. Still, the trade-off for the blobfish community may well be worth the cost. The 2013 public ballot by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society threw the species into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, with the fleshy pink fish beat out the axolotl, the proboscis monkey and the kakapo, aka the New Zealand owl parrot, to claim the title of God’s most hideous mistake. To make matters worse, a rise in deep sea trawling is threatening blobfish populations. Do you really want to live in a world without this guy? The cafe is yet to reveal their food and drinks menu, although they’ve promised a mix of light lunches and more substantial evening meals, along with weekly gourmet nights consisting of an eight course deep sea themed tasting menu. Presumably that doesn’t include eating blobfish. A number of online retailers also sell plush blobfish toys. That piece of information doesn’t really have anything to do with the cafe, but we still thought it was worth mentioning. We’re also not entirely convinced this whole story isn’t an elaborate hoax, although if it is it’s a pretty amazing one. Via London Evening Standard.
It seems Christian McCabe and Dave Verheul have been keeping all kinds of busy since closing their much-loved eatery The Town Mouse earlier this year. In excellent news for anyone mourning the loss of the Carlton restaurant, the pair has announced it will be opening a new venture, Lesa, in August. The boys have transformed the space above their Russell Street wine bar Embla into the ultimate escape from all of that CBD hustle and bustle. Oak flooring and exposed bricks lend a warm, rustic feel, while a window at the back of the space looks through to McCabe's prized wine room, its sprawling collection heroing minimal intervention drops and Old World iterations. They'll aim to dish up a slower, more intimate sort of dining experience, with both food and a setting to linger over. A woodfire takes pride of place in the kitchen, so expect plenty of slow-cooked, grilled and smoked creations on the menu. Nab one of four seats perched along the pass for the best view of the fire-driven magic. As far as pace goes, Lesa is keeping things relaxed, forgoing an a la carte offering in favour of a four-course set menu, with a two-course option for those with a little less time up their sleeve. Here, expect to settle in and really savour, with dishes like a salted bergamot, walnut and koji île flottante (French for 'floating island'), and a semi-dried potato cacio e pepe pasta, topped with basil and pecorino. Embla was one of our favourite bars of the year when it opened in 2016, so we're looking forward to seeing what McCabe and Verheul do with Lesa. Lesa will open on level two, 122 Russell Street, Melbourne, from early August. We'll let you know when an opening date is set.
By day, it's a casual eatery, takeaway joint and source of fresh roasted chooks and high-end pantry staples. By night, it's a bar and restaurant. Sounds like our kind of place. It's not surprising then that the venue, Pickett's Deli and Rotisserie, comes from Melbourne chef and restauranteur Scott Pickett. He's already given us Estelle and Saint Crispin — and with the opening of his new Queen Victoria Market eatery, it's clear he knows what we want. Whether you're in need of some brekkie sustenance, a hot chicken to take home with you, or cocktails, cheese and charcuterie after work, Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie has it covered. Plus, they're doing some damn fin chicken and chips. Officially opening its communal tables to hungry patrons on Thursday, September 29 after a quiet test run over the weekend, it's a fresh spin on the classic market deli, that also aims to showcase the fresh produce available in the market. Indeed, Pickett's fondness for the new deli's iconic location is one of the eatery's motivating factors. "I've always been enchanted by the market's bounties and have many friends and suppliers here," he says. "It's a special moment for me to be able to now work alongside them with my own offering at this unique Melbourne destination." Plus, in good news for anyone in the area on a Monday, the deli and rotisserie won't be taking a day off at the beginning of the week. While the rest of the market around it is quiet, it'll be trading across seven days from 7am to 11pm. Pickett's Deli and Rotisserie is now open at the Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. For more info, check out their Instagram.
There's a brand new festival coming to New South Wales, sporting a mini-Meredith lineup, an outdoor cinema and an independent record market. Plus, it's in one of Australia's prettiest coastal towns. Fairgrounds is Australia's newest boutique music festival, coming to the NSW town of Berry this December. It's just two hours out of Sydney on the south coast, so one easy peasy road trip. Pioneered by Handsome Tours, the shiny new festival fuses local food, boutique beverages, markets, movies and music in one sweet-sounding event. Taking cues from the recently-announced Meredith lineup, Fairgrounds' folk, pop and garage-focused lineup will see LA-based crooner Father John Misty headline, with Brooklyn glitchy duo RATATAT and dream pop legends Mercury Rev at the top. San Francisco's quirky characters Unknown Mortal Orchestra will be there, alongside folk-rocker Jessica Pratt, Sydney's immortal Royal Headache and the gospel dancehall blues of C.W. Stoneking. While music is your main drawcard to most festivals, Fairgrounds has given more weight to the in-between elements than many festivals do. Foodies will find a gastronomical paradise at the event, with wines and local nibbles sourced from neighbouring estates. There'll be markets and field games — sounds like someone enjoyed Secret Garden Festival — and the best bit? There'll be an outdoor cinema: Fairgrounds' Cinema Under the Stars, presented by Madman Films. FAIRGROUNDS 2015 LINE-UP (SO FAR): C.W. Stoneking Father John Misty Jessica Pratt Mercury Rev RATATAT Royal Headache Unknown Mortal Orchestra Fairgrounds Festival is happening on Saturday, December 5 in Berry, NSW. Earlybird 'Fairgrounds Founder' tickets are $110 and go on sale on Thursday 20 August at fairgrounds.com.au and moshtix.com.au. Kids under 12 enter the festival for free. You can choose to stay offsite in a B&B, or Fairgrounds offers in-site camping. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Thirty Eight Chairs has something especially comforting to it. It may be the warm bread that lands on your table straight after ordering, or the five types of pasta on the menu. Or it might have something to do with the hospitable waitstaff who take their time to entertain their guests, as opposed to plonking plates onto tables and leaving faster than you can say grazie. The team here are experienced, having dished out Italian food in South Yarra for years already. Constantly flying out of the corner of the restaurant are salumi boards piled with cured meats such as a 24-month aged prosciutto di Parma and porchetta arrosto — that is, roasted, rolled suckling pig. These all make for great grazing, but we suggest you visit for dinner for a complete course of its Italian cuisine. Pasta remains the frontrunner at Thirty Eight Chairs — it calls itself a pasta bar, so it's unsurprisingly the dish works its way onto most diners' dockets. The pappardelle duck ragu in Napoli sauce remains a crowd favourite for good reason. The monstrous wine list can be a little overwhelming, so we urge you to put your faith in the waitstaff, who are extremely well-versed with what wine will best accompany your food. The Gibele (a Moscato) from Sicilian winery Duca di Castelmonte matches almost anything — dry and aromatic, yet soft. And if you find a slither of room in that stomach for dessert, we suggest Thirty Eight Chairs's tiramisu, that achieves the perfect amount of sweetness, instead of being drowned in coffee. The volume of the space makes for a fantastic dining experience, hosting "about 38" chairs inside a high-ceilinged room. It's refreshing to feel comfortable, and not suffocated by dozens of tables in a space that simply can't take them. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Melbourne, we get it. You're a bunch of kidults who refuse to grow up and you can't get enough of slides. First there was the Slidestreet that toured the country in 2015. Then we were graced with Slide Melbourne on Lawsdowne Street in East Melbourne, followed by Slide the Square in Federation Square. Finally, Slide the City took us through to summer 2016. But if you thought you could go even one calendar season without hurtling down a half pipe, think again. The Eureka Skydeck have announced their winter project – a four-metre-high ice slide that'll see you slithering alongside Southbank's waterfront for 40 whole metres like a high velocity seal in a beanie. The chute is opening from June 25 to July 17 and tickets can be bought on the day. Best of all, you won't need to come dressed in your ski lodge best (although you totally can and should), as regular clothes are fine for ice sliding. The winter slide is more reasonably priced than we've come to expect from the summer slides, with three slides only setting you back $10. And when you're done dominating the slide, you can avail yourself of the food truck park to satiate you winter hunger pangs. Ahh winter, we don't know what the Starks are on about, you're not so bad after all. Ice Slide will be open daily from June 25 to July 17, 10am till late.
Hungry musicians doing it tough on tour, prepare to satisfy your appetites. All it takes is a stopover in Brisbane for a gig, and a trip to a certain Fortitude Valley café. That'd be LostBoys, the new saviour of starving artists visiting sunny climates. The Ann Street establishment isn't just largely staffed by those handy with a guitar, drum kit or microphone, but wants to support them too. That's why they've taken it upon themselves to offer a solution to the scourge of musos everywhere: barely making enough money to eat while they're away from home. Travelling around the country playing live shows might seem like a fun life, but the thrill of taking to the stage is tempered by the not-so-glamorous, not-so-financially-lucrative reality. At LostBoys, musical talent dropping by Brisbane can treat themselves to whatever takes their fancy from the cafe's lineup of 100 percent natural, locally-sourced options. Vegetarians, vegans, dairy free foodies and gluten intolerants, there's something on the menu for you, too. The initiative is a brand new addition to what has fast become one of the area's favourite hangouts — which is no mean feat given that LostBoys only opened in October 2014. Of course, their magic all stems from their name. Trust a Peter Pan-inspired eatery to come up with a wondrous way to help creatives' dreams come true. Via The Music. Visit LostBoys at 694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, or check out their website.
Traditional Japanese nosh meets on-trend superfoods at Armadale's newest cafe, Walk Don't Run. Opened by Vincent Conti and Mario Minichilli — the duo responsible for both The Merchants Guild and Prana Chai — the eatery is serving up what's been dubbed 'mindful gourmet' food according to Good Food. In other words, you get all the goodness of superfoods, but without sacrificing taste. The man making this happen is head chef and co-owner Ryo Doyama, who's previously worked at St Edmonds. Drawing on his Japanese background, he's come up with innovative dishes, like green tea noodles with poached chicken, green beans, nuts and tahini-ponzu dressing. All ingredients are organic, locally-sourced where possible, and put together to make sure that diners leave feeling well-nourished. "The focus is on ensuring customers feel nourished and energised when they leave, like they have been good to themselves," Minichilli said in a media statement. "We want a health conscious person to pick anything from the menu and not have to worry about what is in the dish — as it is all super good for you because if the fresh produce isn’t organic, it doesn’t make it onto the plate." Walk Don't Run's interior has been designed to complement the menu — simple, clean, beautiful and features one-off pieces from Please Please Please. It's the work of designer Wendy Bergman of Bergman & Co., who's lengthy resume includes Kong, Hello Sailor, Taxi Kitchen, Mr Miyagi, The Meatball & Wine Bar and Green Park. Find Walk Don't Run at 17 Morey St, Armadale. Open Wednesday to Sunday, between 7am and 3pm. Via Good Food. Images: WDR Instagram.
There are so many cafes, restaurants and bars in Melbourne that it's easy to be overwhelmed with choice. You put yourself under so much pressure to impress your friends, and yourself, by always choosing the best coffee, the best place for drinks, or the most decadent and delicious fancy dinner in the area. We've decided that we're going to make it extremely easy for you to feel like a local, with the first of our neighbourhood guides we're producing with Adina Apartments. Have a read of our picks for St Kilda, and the next time you're staying in the area consult this list for a reliable, local option for a coffee. We promise that none of these options will disappoint. BEST PLACE FOR A COFFEE Hannah Hannah serves Proud Mary Coffee, which is juicy and full of flavour — just as it should be. The cafe prides itself on a well-considered approach to coffee, food and interior design. Vinyl records provide the soundtrack, while ferns pepper the interior. The all day brunch features porridge with date jam and hazelnuts ($11) and coconut pancakes with pink peppered berries and vanilla mascarpone ($16.50), while lunch is a mouth-watering selection including the likes of smoked trout, cavolo nero, witlof, radicchio, poached egg and samphire salsa ($19) and octopus salad with silverbeet, watercress, purple congos, capers and marjoram salmoriglio ($18.50). BEST PLACE TO GRAB BREAKFAST Matcha Mylkbar St Kilda is home to Melbourne's most popular and Instagrammable vegan eatery, which is fuelled by matcha. The plant-based café comes from the same people that brought you (and basically every cafe in Australia) Matcha Maiden. Dubbed Matcha Mylkbar, the cafe serves the regulars like smashed avocado with heirloom tomatoes and corn fritters, but then there's the coconut bacon and the matcha pancakes with dark chocolate sorbet. There are also the famous mushroom lattes, and beetroot lattes. BEST SPOT FOR FISH & CHIPS Paper Fish A kickass fish and chippery is located right off the St Kilda Beach boardwalk. Paper Fish offers sustainable, healthy(ish) eat-in and takeaway options all throughout summer. Open noon until late seven days a week, now until the end of daylight savings, Paper Fish will serve up sustainable seafood and fresh quality produce in environmentally friendly packaging. Menu items include flathead, blue grenadier, salmon or gummy served grilled or tempura fried, as well as fritto misto (small fried bits of seafood), sweet potato cakes and crinkle-cut chips in a cone. BEST PLACE TO GRAB A BEER Freddie Wimpoles Freddie Wimpoles features 13 taps pouring a rotating lineup of local and international craft brews, as well as additional beers by the bottle and can. They also have a number of wines, plus more than 180 premium spirits and a selection of classic cocktails. The food is inspired by corner delis in NYC – think hot dogs, beef jerky, pickled vegetables and slow-cooked meat subs. BEST PLACE FOR A CHEESEBOARD Milk the Cow You don't just go to Milk the Cow for fresh mozzarella and just-made ricotta — you go for the selection of over 150 cheeses. There is cheese that's been imported from France, Ireland and Norway as well as the Yarra Valley; cheese that's been washed in chai, paprika and cognac; aged in caves and sat ripening out the back until just the right time to eat. There's all sorts of soft, hard and in-between cheese — all curated on a rotating basis by head cheesemonger Laura Lown. This, and Milk the Cow's Carlton location, is the best place for cheese in all of Melbourne, not just St Kilda. BEST ROOFTOP BAR Captain Baxter St Kilda Sea Baths may not be Melbourne's Mecca of fine dining, but in a city convinced they are starved of sun, you can rarely beat a seat at a beachfront venue once the weather warms up. The same could be said about Captain Baxter. Nestled in with Republica at the baths, its large upstairs dining room and looming facade is the perfect place for a beer, a cocktail and a bowl of hand-cut fries. BEST WEEKEND FOOD MARKET Hank Marvin Market Over 40 street food vendors set up shop at Hank Marvin Market, a street food market on every Saturday at Alma Park in St Kilda East, transforming it into a hub of fresh produce, food trucks and street food stalls. Old favourites Overdosa, Hammer & Tong, Happy Camper Pizza and the Little Mushroom Co. are generally there, along with artisan doughnuts from Cobb Lane Bakery and traditional wood-fired bagels from Shtetl Bagels. BEST SPOT FOR A FANCY DINNER Cafe Di Stasio The upper echelons of elegance, service and rich Italian food. If we're talking about institutions, Cafe di Stasio is right at the top of the list. After 26 years on Fitzroy Street, the restaurant and bar still exudes elegance, sophisticated service and decadent Italian food. Here the lunches are long, the wine is expensive and the atmosphere is right on point. There's a place for old-school, classy dining and this is it. BEST SPOT TO PACK A PICNIC Catani Gardens For the discerning picnicker with a preference for a cool sea breeze, St Kilda's Catani Gardens is an idyllic fusion between urban and ocean. One of the only places in Melbourne where it is acceptable to find a palm tree lined avenue, six hectares of brilliantly landscaped gardens hugging both the city and the sea is located right on the St Kilda foreshore. While not as secluded as other options, the boardwalk setting provides the perfect vantage point of ample amounts of people watching, as well as immediate access to a host of fancy fish and chips shops. Extra points will be given for those who rollerblade with basket in hand to picnic point of choice. Book yourself in at an Adina Apartment Hotel and have a St Kilda staycation — it's the easiest way to tick all these off.
Having fed countless cronut cravings out of their Richmond, CBD, and Fitzroy outposts, the Rustica crew is at it again, with owners Brenton Lang, Matt Vero, and Tristan White closing up operations on Swan Street and adding a Hawthorn store to their popular stable of bakery cafes. Launching next Monday, May 8, the new project makes its home within a light-filled space at the base of Maple's Power Street residential development, following in the footsteps of other food-focused apartment dwellers like South Yarra's Two Birds One Stone and Collingwood's Project 49. Out of the kitchen, head chef and co-owner White will plate up tried-and-true Rustica favourites alongside a handful of exclusive additions, with the bakery's artisan breads starring throughout. Newcomers include a baguette of slow-roasted lamb shoulder, red onion, cumin yoghurt, and iceberg lettuce; and a house-made baba ganoush, teamed with grilled haloumi, greens, and poached eggs. Of course, as with the other stores, Rumble Coffee Roasters will fuel the coffee list, while a covetable assortment of Rustica croissants, cronuts, and other sweet treats will hold court in the pastry cabinets. There's plenty more Rustica goodness on the horizon, too, with another store slated to open below The Rialto Towers in the coming months. Find Rustica's new digs at 121 Power St, Hawthorn, from May 8. Open Monday to Saturday 7am till 4pm, Sunday 8am till 4pm.
The truth is out there, and this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival is on a mission to hunt it down. The annual boundary-pushing arts fiesta's 2019 program embraces the hard-hitting theme 'in search of the truth'. Descending on the city from September 12–29, Melbourne Fringe is set to deliver its signature diverse spread of talent, this time cramming over 455 eye-opening events into the calendar. It's also debuting its brand-new home at Trades Hall, one of a huge 140 venues playing host to this year's Fringe festivities. You'd best start plotting your festival experience now, because there's a whole lot here to tickle one's fancy. The USA's Cause Collective will be doing some digging with its pop-up photobooth confessional, a live art piece that has visitors responding on camera to the prompt "the truth is…". The oft-revealing answers will then be featured in a public exhibition at Chapel off Chapel. A jam-packed comedic lineup promises to throw down some hard truths of its own, from the hilarious tale of self-discovery that is Mormon Girl, to a stand-up show packed full of fresh material from legendary funnyman Jimeoin. Meanwhile, homegrown burlesque star Moira Finucane stars as an apocalyptic snow queen in internationally-acclaimed show The Rapture Chapter II: Art Vs Extinction. Elsewhere, you can get a little more hands on. Unearth hidden gems as part of roving outdoor audio experience Shrines and Half Truths, or perhaps embark on a smartphone-guided tour of Werribee lead by performance alchemists Binge Culture. Expect party vibes aplenty from heady circus cabaret piece Society, as well as a show-stopping riot of drag, music, circus and burlesque when Yummy Deluxe takes over the Fringe Hub at Trades Hall. The new digs will also play host to a program of lively fiestas, including a fittingly boisterous Janet Jackson tribute night, the city's best choirs singing 1999's best hits and a Fringe-style Grand Final do with the riotous Betty Grumble as host.
Fresh air. Food trucks waiting to fill your hungry stomach. Live music. Outdoor cinema. Sounds like summer in Australia, doesn't? Add in aerial circus, medieval performance fighting and Mexican wrestling, too, and it also sounds like Melbourne's new four-day arts and food truck festival. Taking over Coburg's Velodrome from January 26-29, 2017, the rather descriptively named Velodrome Food Truck Festival promises all of the above and more. And the best part? Not only can you bring your pet pooch, but the whole event is free. Each of the four days of the festival will cram in a lineup of food trucks, several bars selling beers and craft cocktails and an outdoor cinema screening a film each night. Expect a sideshow circus, roaming talent, workshops, visual art installations, a market stall village, eating competitions and more than 30 food trucks, including Messina, Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck, Mr Burger, Pierogi Pierogi and Poke Time. "We're dubbing it 'the Glastonbury' of food truck festivals. It's a mixed bag of performance and entertainment," said Velodrome events director, Chris Mitchell. He's one of guiding hands behind the drive to turn the site into a cultural event precinct — and given that, with his partner Gareth Holt, he also helped turn Chapel Street venue Red Bennies into an internationally renowned arts intuition, he certainly knows what he's doing.
Melbourne knows how to make use of its space. Cafes are crammed into alleyways, high-end restaurants pop up in basements, and bars float under bridge pylons on the river. With all that, you can't be surprised that a rooftop has been snapped up and repurposed into a (somewhat) camping ground, and that you can go there on a RedBalloon experience. One of Melbourne's most unique accomodation options is glamping at St Jeromes. It's accessed via an alley near Little Lonsdale St, near Melbourne Central. The lobby is on level three. Upon arrival the campsite in the sky delivers one of those "wow" moments we're all chasing — the rooftop is surrounded by some of Melbourne's most iconic buildings, including the Melbourne Central cone tower and the façade of Melbourne Emporium. It's glam without being snooty, and it seems to be designed specifically for the Instagram generation, meaning it photographs extremely well. The whole venue, from the lobby to sauna, is decked out in lush tropical plants. That could be to cover up the functional elements required of a rooftop, but no matter, the aesthetics work with the canvas tents. The main communal area of the hotel is the General Store, which is less a store (although it does have a vending machine stocked full of toiletries and emergencies supplies) and more a bar/cantina. A free cocktail on arrival will no doubt lead to a few more and as well it should – the staff make a mean Long Island iced tea. Inside it, you'll find board games along a communal bench and most likely get distracted by them. The general store is surrounded by oversized bean bags, hammocks and bocce balls and usually inhabited by chill but chatty staff and other guests. There's a distinctly 'hostel' vibe about the way guests interact, which is a big draw card for young folk. That kind of communal vibe is often absent from fancy accommodation. If you can, move past your welcome treats and cocktails into your tepee. The Luxe Plus option is 5 metres across, giving you plenty of room to spread out and roll around on the plush carpet and/or pirouette into the soft queen sized bed. The Luxe option is 4 metres in diameter, a little cosier than its counterpart but both boast downy quilts, soft linens and, more importantly, a welcome esky stock piled with local craft beer and cider. Now that's how you check-in. When you've finished wandering your new digs in awe, you'll have noticed the little luxuries that make your stay at St Jeromes a cut above. You find locally made treats, vouchers and a killer room-service menu that features camping faves done well, like jaffles and hot chocolate. Over time, you'll find yourself not wanting to leave the rooftop as the perks keep coming throughout the day. You can have bespoke Gelato Messina dessert and T2 sleepy time tea delivered to your tent if you request it. Staying with the theme, the dessert is a reimagined s'more – and they are the richest and sweetest ice-cream s'mores you'll ever taste. Don't forget during the food frenzy to take advantage of the built-in extravagances on offer. Book in for a sauna session (remember to do it pre-booze), pop over to Strike Bowling for a free game or stop by the Melbourne Central Lion for a complimentary late night snack. Possibly the biggest game changer (all hotels should take note) is the barista-made coffee that is delivered to your tent in the morning. The smell of coffee, and the crunch of a bacon, egg, tomato and basil jaffle in the morning, combined with the diffused morning light through your tent will reinvigorate you. It's almost better than a proper holiday. Look, there are some aspects of camping that no amount of luxury can smother. You really start to appreciate how deeply privileged we are to have access to running water at all times. And a campsite toilet is a campsite toilet regardless of how lovely it smells. Strangely, waking up on the rooftop brings that same feeling that occurs when you're waking up in a forest. You feel clean, and high up above everyone. It's a confusing, relaxing sense of urban spiritualism. Maybe you're a proper outdoors person, and you can stay that way. But this is camping, with running water and a campsite toilet. You can fall asleep with a full stomach in a warm tent just above the most vibrant city in the world. The hum of traffic in the distance sounds like gentle ocean waves, who says you can't have both? Book your St Jeromes glamping adventure (or gift it to someone else) at RedBalloon. Images: Imogen Baker and RedBalloon.
As the story goes, mulled wine was originally devised by the Romans who would heat their wine to try and shield their bodies from the extremely cold winters. Although heating has now been invented — hallelujah — this is a notion we can all understand. And now the cold weather is here, there's no denying we all could use a glass of the spicy beverage to thaw our fingers and warm our bellies. With winter having rolled around quicker than ever, bars and pubs across the city have taken the traditional glüwein recipe and added their own — shall we say — spice to the steamy drink. And we are seriously grateful. Is there anything better than warming yourself up from the inside out with a nice glass of steaming hot mulled wine? We don't want you to miss out on the best of the bunch, so we've put together a list of our favourite places to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or cider. It may be cold out there, but it's nice and warm in these joints. WELCOME TO THORNBURY, THORNBURY The only thing better than a glass of mulled wine is a selection of two different mulled wines. Here at Welcome to Thornbury, in — yep, you guessed it — Thornbury, you can take your pick between a cup of traditional mulled wine and a rotating flavour (both $9 a glass), which could be anything from mulled rosé to mulled cider and chilli-spiked mulled wine to sticky date or cherry. Yep, you may just have to go back numerous times so you can try them all. The choices don't stop there, either, with the spacious venue is home to a range of food trucks, serving burgers, Nepalese momos, gluten-free doughnuts and vegan meatballs. There truly is something for everyone here, paired perfectly with a cup of your chosen mulled wine. WINTER NIGHT MARKET, QUEEN VIC MARKET Running every Wednesday night throughout winter, Queen Victoria Market's Winter Night Market is one of the beacons of light on Melbourne's event calendar in a fairly glum cold weather stretch. As always, this year's market promises to not only brighten up your winter Wednesday nights, but to fill your hungry stomachs. The 30-strong lineup of food stalls will send punters trekking across the world, eating the likes of traditional 400 Gradi pizza, pierogi, churro bowls with oozy hazelnut sauce and vanilla ice-cream and That's Amore's legendary pastas, which are tossed in a parmesan wheel before landing on your plate. Of course, there'll be mulled wine by ReWine and steaming hot cider from Coldstream to warm your belly and hands as you browse over 50 design and specialty stalls, too. MADAME BRUSSELS, CBD Located in the heart of the city, Madame Brussels knows how to make a drink, and its mulled wine is no exception. The rooftop bar's mulled wine comes piping hot in an adorable teapot and tea cosy — with sizes for one ($20), two ($40) or four ($60) — laced with winter spices and finished with strong flavours of strawberries and peaches. You can sip on this one at your leisure, as the teapot keeps it nice and warm, and enjoy the heated rooftop and blankets on offer. This over-the-top bar will have you feeling fancy as pie as you get spicy in the sea of pink. COMMON MAN, SOUTH WHARF When the colder months come to Melbourne, Common Man, located along South Wharf, is ready for it. It transforms its outdoor area into a 'fire garden' complete with lots of fire pits and enough booze to heat tummies down to toes. So, it's no surprise then that they're also got a stellar mulled wine offering. In true Common Man style, no ordinary mulled wine will do, either — the folks here have gone for a rum take on the beverage. For $9 a glass, you can sip on a steamy drink made with 19 Crimes Shiraz rum-aged wine mixed in with a selection of spices including star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins, just to name a few. If you're peckish, you can pick something off the $10 fire garden food menu, which features the likes of arancini, meatballs, grilled chorizo and risotto. THE ROOKS RETURN, FITZROY If you're feeling like taking your mulled wine up a notch, head into The Rooks Return on Brunswick Street. Here, the bar staff will offer up your glass with your choice of an added shot of either cognac, cherry liqueur or fireball. It's just as boozy as it is delicious. You'll be handing over $5 for a cup, $9 for a mug and $13 if you want the added kick. This small bar will have you feeling right at home in no time. On your way to a table or large booth, grab one of their board games, burrowed in among its assortment of knick-knacks, and play Uno or Connect Four as you sip away. At any moment somebody might start to play to the piano in the front or jump on the vinyl decks in the back. Be warned, though: once you nestle in here, it's hard to leave. [caption id="attachment_708137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] RIVERLAND BAR, CBD Whether you're finishing up the work day, about to head out for a night on the town or looking for a new date night location, Riverland Bar provides the perfect stop to indulge your mulled wine cravings. Made from Australian cabernet merlot and cognac, the waterside bar's take on mulled wine is not short on booze or spice. Plus, the best bit is you'll be enjoying a mug for no more than $10 a glass. While the urban beer garden is outside, with the heaters blasting and mulled wine steaming, you won't even notice when the temperature drops below single digits. Top image: Welcome to Thornbury.
The Arcadia Hotel on the corner of Punt and Toorak Road in South Yarra has been serving up cold ones since before the American Civil War. And it's no surprise it's a survivor. Being able to adapt to the times is the struggle of every hospitality venue, be it a pub or a five-star restaurant, and the crew behind Arcadia has been able to do it with style. With a fresh refurb, the place is modern yet vintage, with heritage features maintained throughout and a special focus on interior design. It's a laidback joint to enjoy a game of pool and some wicked live music, but it has a healthy dose of self-respect when it comes to its food and wine service. Starters include classics such as chicken wings and nachos, while dishes such as the pan-fried vegetable gyoza and the Korean glazed popcorn chicken give an East Asian edge. Mains include all the hits such as fish and chips, lamb shanks with creamy mash, steak sandwiches and veggie burgers, while lesser-seen dishes such as veal scaloppini with pepper sauce and roast potatoes also make the cut. From the grill, enjoy cuts such as a Southern Range scotch filler or a grass-fed Black Angus sirloin. There are pasta dishes aplenty too as well as a selection of baos, tacos and pizzas — with the Calabrese being the highlight. Basically, there's a bit of everything on Arcadia Hotel's menu. And it somehow manages to do it all really well. If you're just after a drink, then it's got you covered too — with over 12 beers on tap and a wine list including Fifth Leg chardonnay, Pepperjack shiraz and Squealing Pig pinot noir. There's live music and DJs every Saturday until late and the footy, cricket or NRL will also get a play most weekends. Images: Tran Nguyen
The balmy season's about to kick off on a ridiculously blissful foot, with Tame Impala announcing a huge national tour this morning, hitting some of Australia's biggest outdoor venues this November. Following one widely celebrated comeback set at this year's Splendour in the Grass, Perth's favourite psychedelic outfit are doing an epic tour through Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and back to their Perth hometown. Tame brain and frontman Kevin Parker will be teaming up with Dom Simper, Cam Avery, Jay Watson and Julien Barbagello to bring the insanely successful new album Currents to venues like the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Melbourne's epic Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the Brisbane Riverstage. Such big outdoor shows deserve one heck of a support, and you'll get it in Mini Mansions (Queens of the Stone Age bass player Michael Shuman's side project). Tame Impala will also be joined by Fremantle's seven-piece hip hop outfit Koi Child for the Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth shows. TAME IMPALA 2015 NATIONAL TOUR DATES: Saturday, November 7 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Tuesday, November 10 — Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Wednesday, November 11 — Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Saturday, November 14 — Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth Wednesday. November 18 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Saturday. November 21 — Riverstage, Brisbane Tickets on sale Monday 31 August, 9am local time, from tameimpala.com. Image: Matt Sav.
When you first hear it described to you, Tangerine doesn't exactly scream 'comedy'. Set on the streets of Los Angeles one day before Christmas, the breakout feature at this year's Sundance Film Festival follows a poor transgender sex worker who has just gotten out of prison, only to discover that her pimp/boyfriend has been cheating on her. Sounds pretty grim, right? That's where you'd be wrong. Working closely with transgender actors Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, neither of whom had any prior screen experience, writer-director Sean Baker and his co-writer Chris Bergoch have crafted one of the boldest, funniest and most memorable independent features we've seen in quite some time — one that puts transgender issues front and centre without ever becoming preachy or resorting to cliche. As if that weren't impressive enough, there's also the story of how they physically made the movie, using little more than a pair of iPhone 5s. Originally a budgetary decision, it ends up being Baker's ace in the hole, lending the film a brash, in-your-face aesthetic that could hardly be more fitting. We spoke with Baker about what it's like to make a movie on your mobile, as well as the importance of giving narratives like these the spotlight they deserve. Tell us a little bit about how this project came about? I live about a half a mile from the intersection of Santa Monica and Highland, which is sort of an unofficial red light district. It's known, especially as of late, for transgender sex workers. That intersection in particular was always known for its drama, and I would pass it and wonder why there haven't been more films that have taken place there. I was also in a situation where I was trying to get money for a much bigger film, but it never happened. The industry is really upside-down right now, and I was waiting and waiting and waiting, and I knew that if I waited any longer I wasn't ever going to make a film again. So I turned to Mark Duplass and said, "hey, a couple of years ago you offered me a micro-budget. I think I'm in the position where I'm going to have to take it." So does that mean the decision to shoot on the iPhone was primarily a budgetary one? Yes. Or at least, it started off that way, and then of course it became an aesthetic. Were there other films that influenced you, in terms of the way the movie looks? No, that was the cool part about it — that it seemed to me to be a pretty original aesthetic. We combined a bunch of tools. This anamorphic adapter that we used allowed us to shoot in true scope; true widescreen cinema. Then there was an app called FiLMic Pro that has a bunch of bells and whistles and allows you to shoot at 24 frames per second. And then we used the Smothee, which is a handheld stabiliser that stabilises the iPhone. Then in post production we ended up pumping the colours through the roof, which really enhanced the LA sun. So all of a sudden you have these four tools working together creating this look that I'm really happy with. When you're on location, what are some of the advantages and/or challenges of shooting on a phone? What it did was that it allowed us to basically work clandestinely. If you saw us shooting from across the street, you'd never know we were shooting anything professional, except for the fact that we had a boom pole. We got permits, but we didn't have to announce that we were shooting, so we were able to capture real street life. Of course, then we had to ask them for their releases after I yelled 'cut', which is a risk because you then have to chase people down and beg. But for the most part people are pretty nice. From what we've read elsewhere, it sounds like a lot of research went into the film. How important was it that you immerse yourself in this world? I think it's the only way. I think it's best to allow the world to speak to you, as opposed to you speaking to a world that you're not a part of. That's just an irresponsible way of storytelling. Chris and I, we're cisgender white males who are not from that world whatsoever. So we needed to do a lot of research. We had to find a collaborator and put the time in. And the collaborators in this case were our leads. Mya especially. She was the first person we met who gave us the enthusiasm we were looking for. On its face, the film's subject matter sounds fairly grim. Was there ever a version of the script without the comedic elements that played like a more straightforward drama? It's funny that you mention that, especially with you being from Australia, because the cinema coming out of Australia has been incredibly influential on me. Snowtown is such an amazing masterpiece, and that's what I thought the film was going to be originally. Not the murders, but that social realist style with that really desaturated look. So then what changed your mind? Getting to know the women, and hanging out with them regularly, I saw that even though they were dealing with incredible hardships, they used humour to cope. And I knew that the film would be dishonest if I didn't incorporate that humour. It was actually part of Mya's request as well. She said to me point blank, "I've seen your other films and I trust you, and I want to make this movie with you, but you've got to promise me that it will be funny. You've got to make a film that is entertaining for the people out here. We don't want a 'plight of' film that's all drama, hitting people over the head and leaving the audience feeling terrible." And I'm really glad she sent me down that road. On that point, how has the transgender community reacted to the film? It's been really positive. I thought this film was going to divide audiences, but so far there's been a really nice amount of love given to us across the board. One of our first reviews from a transperson came from Australia, at the Sydney Film Festival, and she was very, very positive about it. And having travelled with the film a little bit already, I've been able to see how members of trans communities react in different countries. I was in Columbia, in Bogotá, and members of the local trans community came to the premiere, and they said to me afterwards through a translator that while there are lots of cultural differences, they really connected and indentified with the sisterhood between the two main characters, which was a real nice thing to hear. With television shows like Transparent and Orange Is the New Black, as well as all the recent media coverage surrounding Caitlyn Jenner, it feels as though transgender stories are finally getting attention in mainstream culture. How important is this, and are you pleased to be part of the trend? Most definitely. Setting down this road two and a half years ago, we had no idea it was going to be as much a part of the zeitgeist as it is now. Any time visibility and awareness is increased it's a positive thing. The unfortunate part of all of this is that the murder rate here in the United State has almost doubled from last year, assuming it stays at this rate. It's hard to get up-to-date statistics because of the fact that a lot of these murders aren't investigated correctly. But we're already up to 15 murders of transpeople here in the United States in 2015, and we're only at the end of August. The hope is that increased awareness and visibility will eventually lead to acceptance, but we still have a long way to go. I also think we need a number of these types of narratives. I'm making a film about a microcosm — about transwomen of colour who happen to work as sex workers in a very small area of Los Angeles. So this is only representative of a tiny, tiny portion of the transgender community. This has to be one of many, many different narratives that are being told. Tangerine is in cinemas in Sydney and Melbourne now.
It's a sad day when you want to visit Japan (so, so bad — we know) but you can't find sale flights that match up with your annual leave dates. Or you can't find sale flights at all. Or even if you could find sale flights, it's just not gonna happen. Luckily, Melbourne is one Australian city that's bursting with Japanese culture, but like many things in the city, finding the gold takes a bit of digging. You just have to know where to look to fill your life with Japanese-style ceramics, stationery, fabrics, furniture, kitchen sponges, Akari light sculptures, goldfish paper balloons and oh, a hidden city bath house. Here are a handful of the best spots to get you started. MADE IN JAPAN "We shape clay into a pot, but it's the emptiness inside that holds everything we want." Sounds pretty MIJ to us. No, that's not a typo for MUJI. It's short for Made In Japan, and that's one of their mottos. The warehouse that their houses their South Melbourne store has just enough emptiness to hold nearly everything you could want. Including rice paper floor lamps, hammered copper rain chains, flower spikes and the incredibly beautiful, seemingly weightless Akari light sculptures. Intrigued? That's only the beginning. It's tableware that brings most of their loyal customers to the store — the pieces imported by Made in Japan rarely appear outside Japan, and even then often only in homes and restaurants nearby to the makers' kilns. 276 – 278 Coventry Street, South Melbourne APATO Oh, how we love to namedrop Naoto Fukasawa. Simple yet innovative, many designs have flowed from this man's imagination into products that have in turn inspired some of the everyday shapes we know and love. Sleek white Apple products? That's right, even Apple cites Fukasawa as an influence. As beautiful as pictures are, it's worth heading into Apato to check out his designs in the flesh – or bent blonde wood, as the case may be. The Swan Street store hold some of the world's most beautiful furniture, from high profile designers like Fukasawa to emerging talents, all masters of their craft. 283 Swan Street, Richmond MR KITLY Not only is Mr Kitly a mecca for plant people, it's a haven for Japanese design-lovers. Store owner Bree Claffey lived in Japan for five years, so she knows her stuff. There's a big focus on artisanal crafts and ceramics, yes, many of which have beautiful plants growing in them. The store presents a range of international artists and artisans from countries including Australia, the US, the UK and France. But Japanese culture and aesthetics is definitely a focus, and Bree cites the tea room, ikebana films of Yasujiro Ozu, urban potted garden culture and organic buildings by Terunobu Fujimori amongst her key influences. Don't forget to check out the gallery works while you're there, too. 381 Sydney Road, Brunswick ONSEN MA If you wanted to design a place to relax completely, and wash away the endless chatter of the outside world, what would you create? A deep, marble bath in a light-filled converted warehouse, complete with soaring ceilings, decorative slippers and a tea house? Yep, that'd do the trick. Enter Onsen Ma. It's one of Melbourne's very best spa experiences. Follow the flight of stairs behind an unassuming door in one of the city's laneways and be led to reception – not before removing your shoes, naturally. If you haven't had a traditional Japanese bath before, the poised yet warm receptionist will tell you how it's done. And before you know it, you'll be soaking in the tub. Sauna, shower, and repeat. Judging by the tranquility of other bathers, this could be a good habit to get into. Level 1, 12–18 Meyers Place, Melbourne CIBI Head. Hands. Heart. Ours were full when we left CIBI. So were our bellies. CIBI serves up home-style Japanese cooking during lunch, and their weekend breakfast menu is not-to-be-missed. But first things first, the initial thing we noticed when we visited was the cutlery. Have you ever really studied the cutlery at a café before? Maybe you have, you're reading a design article, after all. But, design nerd or not, we'd wager you'll be well impressed by the smooth, characteristically Japanese shapes of the knives and forks next to your matcha latte. And everything — from panko-crumbed bowls of miso-mayoed goodness to the design treats inside. Did you ever imagine wanting a cedar pot stand? Chef's chopsticks? Ornamental porcelain elephant? Probably not. But, we challenge you to leave empty-handed — or without one of their delicate goldfish paper balloons. 45 Keele Street, Collingwood TOKYOBIKE No Melbourne x Japan design list would be complete without bikes, right? Tokyobike to the rescue. Founded in Tokyo's quiet Yanaka neighbourhood, their bikes were designed to bring enjoyment, comfort and lightness to people exploring the city on two wheels. They've now set up shop in Melbourne. As well as bikes, they've got all the accessories your heart could wish for, including the bike engineer pouches hand-crafted in Okayama, touchscreen gloves developed by Japan design geniuses, and a killer poncho (which looks Japanese but is actually made in London). Everyone's a winner. 5 Peel Street, Collingwood CHEF'S ARMOURY Like its Sydney sister store, the Melbourne Chef's Armoury is a must-visit for anyone who loves Japanese cooking or food, or just likes marvelling at the precision with which a knife can cut through that oh-so-hard pumpkin skin. Know the feeling? Probably not, because if you're anything like us, you've been hacking away at those hard-to-cut vegetables with a knife whose origins, and absolute bluntness, is a mystery. Carbon steel, ironwood, cast iron. All the good kitchen things. Check out their konro barbeques, too – filled with clean-burning white charcoal, they're said to imbue anything you cook with an incredible flavour. Add one of the many condiments for sale to your basket, and you're a match for any long weekend. 422 Church Street, Richmond MUJI If you're reading this article, chances are you're into Japanese design enough to know about MUJI. If you are, or if you read our article on Sydney's Japanese design gems, you'll know MUJI's name comes from the words 'Mujirushi Ryōhin', translated as No Brand Quality Goods. And the store's wares sure live up to its name. Linen aprons and acacia-wood chopsticks, anyone? Oh, and this is where you snag those ceramic ginger-graters. Level 2, Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, and Lower Level, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone KIMONO HOUSE Did you know that kimonos are made in different fabrics for different seasons and occasions? Cotton for summer, wool for winter and silk for special events. We're hanging out for a traditional kimono in linen, but maybe we'll have to wait and see if MUJI come up with a modern take on that. Tucked away in Melbourne's historic Nicholas Building, Kimono House has reams of kimono, in an almost unimaginable array of prints and colours (unless, of course, you've been to Kyoto). They also run craft and cultural classes, including an ikebana course that we're itching to try. Room 7, 2nd Floor, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne Following your Japanese design addiction to Sydney? We can help. Top image: Tokyobike.
Prepare yourself for a serious case of food envy. After months of hype and speculation surrounding the menu, Noma Australia is officially open for business, and it looks totally out of this world. Popping up for a ten-week residency at Sydney Harbour's new Barangaroo precinct, Noma Australia sees head chef Rene Redzepi and his world-renowned team working exclusively with local ingredients. The menu includes Kakadu plum, pepperberry, wattleseed and kangaroo, along with a vast assortment of Australian seafood. "On my many trips around Australia I’ve seen a larder that is so foreign to me," says Redzepi. "Foraging for abalone, eating fresh muntries, nibbling on pepperberries and cracking open a bunya nut — these experiences are so wild compared to what we're used to in Europe." Redzepi has also been influenced by local cooking techniques. "Spending time with indigenous communities in places like Arnhem Land have left the biggest impact on me and the Noma team," he said. "For instance, seeing the use of fire as the main way of cooking ingredients inspired us. Most of what we’re cooking at Noma Australia will be cooked over fire." Standout dishes on the Noma Australia menu include dried scallop and lantana flower pie, abalone schnitzel with bush condiments, a seafood platter of pippies, sea bounty mussels, strawberry clam, flame cockles, oysters and crocodile fat, and — the icing on the cake — a lamington made with rum, dried milk and tamarind. Oof. [caption id="attachment_557122" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Wild seasonal berries flavoured with gubinge[/caption] [caption id="attachment_557123" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Unripe macadamia and spanner crab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_557124" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Rum lamington[/caption] Now for the bad news: bookings for Noma Australia have long been snapped up, despite costing a whopping $485 a head. Still, we can dream. Noma Australia will be serving lunch and dinner at the Barangaroo pop-up until April 2. If you're optimistic, you can put your name on the waiting list at noma.dk/australia. Images: Jason Loucas
Say what you will about American eating habits, but they sure know a thing or two about barbecue. When it comes to Kevin Bludso, it's practically in his blood. A third-generation pit master originally from Compton, Texas, Bludso is one of the most renowned barbecue chefs the United States has to offer, with his restaurant Bludso's BBQ declared the best in America by CNN, Fox News and The New York Times. Now, he's bringing that Southern-style cooking to Melbourne's Crown Casino. We're already drooling. According to Good Food, scouts from the casino complex tried barbecue from all over Texas, before convincing Bludso, who operates restaurants in Compton and Hollywood, to bring his talents to Australia. Set to open on Tuesday November 10, San Antone by Bludso's BBQ will seat 187 people and serve genuine Texas-style barbecue, slow cooked over handpicked woods and natural charcoal in enormous Ole Hickory smokers. The smoke pit section of the menu includes pulled pork, beef brisket and whole BBQ chickens, as well as a share plate that combines all of the above plus beef hot links, mac and cheese, coleslaw and Southern greens. We're pretty sure the greens make it healthy. There's also a bit of a Mexican influence, with tacos, nachos, quesadilla and ceviche, plus sides like ranch baked beans and fried green tomatoes. Assuming you haven't sunk into an irreversible meat coma, your dessert options include traditional American favourites such as peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. The drinks list, meanwhile, features a number of American beers including Budweiser, Miller Draft and Pabst Blue Ribbon, as well as signature cocktails such as the Jalapeno Margarita (jalapeno infused tequila, cucumber, lime juice, agave nectar and ciltrano salt) and the Rusty Boots (bourbon, bitters and burnt orange and vanilla syrup). They've also got a healthy selection of tequila, bourbon, whiskey and moonshine (yes, moonshine). Hell, even their non-alcoholic options, including the lime spider and the root beer float, come with the option of a vodka or rye whiskey spike. San Antone by Bludso's BBQ is located on Level One of Crown Casino. For more information, visit their website. Via Good Food. Image via Bludso's Bar-&-Que.
Giving back and scoring some sweet new threads sound too good to be true? Naysayers, HoMie is here to dispel your doubt. A pop-up store with a heart of gold, HoMie is an initiative of Homeless of Melbourne, who put a creative spin on social justice. Boasting both up-and-coming as well as established local designers, the store will donate a piece of clothing to a member of the homeless community for each item purchased. For co-founder Nick Pearce, this 'one for one' policy "is a new way of trying to reinvigorate that whole outdated op-shop scenario and bring in something new and diverse, and hopefully have a bit of an impact in the homeless sector". With its first-hand clothes, new fit-out and mix of paying and non-paying clientele, HoMie aims to create a dignified shopping experience for Melbourne's homeless. Their crew of dedicated suppliers will be going that extra mile too, donating their time and expertise to running workshops that focus on increasing employability and life skills for Melbourne's most vulnerable. If their inventive project hasn't hooked you in already, a scroll through their Facebook page is sure to fix that. The charity has been collecting the stories of the city's battlers for the past eight months and sharing them online to debunk misconceptions about homelessness. They've garnered close to 15,000 followers. "We wanted to make people stop and think about where these people come from, so we're not just walking past, making judgements," says Marcus Crook, the other half of HoM. Marcus and Nick devised this latest three-month concept store following the success of HoM's Street Store in Federation Square in December last year. Armed with stacks of paper coat hangers and a budding team of eager volunteers, HoM gave Melburnians in need a chance to snag some pre-loved garments. "The response we got was unbelievable," says Nick, "we found that a lot of people on our page really wanted to help and donate stuff, but they just didn't know how to do it or where to go." That led them to look for a more permanent guise for the Street Store, and so shopfront HoMie was born. Speaking of dedication to the cause, Nick and Marcus are finding out just what it's like to live on the streets, spending two nights this week camping out in Melbourne's CBD for a humbling insight into the realities of life without a secure home. "We don't think its anything special because obviously people do it every night of their lives," says Marcus, "but we're going to be going out there with a sleeping bag and a phone in case of an emergency and just seeing what happens." Great intentions aside, these grand visions don't come cheap. As a grassroots organisation, HoMie is all too aware of the costs of CBD rent. They've turned to Pozible to raise $10,000 towards the rent and associated start-up costs, vowing to employ homeless labourers and designers as much as possible in the process. At time of writing, they're over halfway to their goal, with 17 days to go. Along with the Many Hands online art gallery and the Youth Food Movement Melbourne, the organisation is also in line for additional funds if they meet their target, thanks to burger chain Grill'd's Local Matters donation program. HoMie is vying for $2,000 that goes to the winner of the in-store customer vote at Grill'd restaurants. There's also $500 in it for each project that reaches its Pozible target. With goals of turning this three-month appearance into a long-term venture, HoMie hopes to open its arms to Melbourne this May. To help make it happen, grab a bite to eat at one of Grill'd Melbourne CBD locations or contribute directly to the Pozible campaign, which includes rewards like art prints and T-shirts.
Hey Dad! Steve! Over here! Two of your favourites are playing Bluesfest this year! Let's go! Bluesfest Byron Bay's 2017 lineup came from somewhere back in our long ago, with two big mum and dad-friendly superstars being added to the lineup this morning: The Doobie Brothers and Santana. One of Australia's best festivals, the five-day Easter long weekend event has played to its core audience with their latest lineup additions. First up, the legend himself, groundbreaking, Grammy-nabbing, Afro-Latin-blues-rock fusion king, nay, sultan Santana is coming to melt faces and throw down elongated solos like the melodic monarch he is. Expect 'Black Magic Woman'. Then, takin' it to the streets of Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, California's harmonising head honchos The Doobie Brothers will make their triumphant return to Bluesfest. The Doobies have some serious fans at Bluesfest — do not try and push in front of them. This big ol' announcement comes just a week after Bluesfest added superstar Mary J. Blige to already heaving lineup. THE THIRD 2017 BLUESFEST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT: Santana The Doobie Brothers 2017 ARTISTS ALREADY ANNOUNCED: Zac Brown Band Patti Smith and her band perform Horses Mary J. Blige The Lumineers Buddy Guy (exclusive) Bonnie Raitt Mavis Staples (exclusive) Billy Bragg Jethro Tull Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Rickie Lee Jones Gregory Porter Snarky Puppy St. Paul and the Broken Bones Corinne Bailey Rae Michael Kiwanuka Nahko and Medicene for the People Gallant Beth Hart (exclusive) Laura Mvula Andrew Bird Booker T. presents The Stax Records Review Roy Ayers Joan Osborne Turin Brakes The Strumbellas Jake Shimabukuro Dumpstaphunk The Suffers Nikki Hill Irish Mythen Bluesfest returns to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside of Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (April 13-17, 2017). More info on the Bluesfest website. Image: Andy Fraser.
There's about to be plenty more crinkle cut chips and beefy brioche in east Melbourne mouths. Huxtaburger is opening a fourth instalment, the very first for the eastern suburbs. Taking over 681 Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, Huxtaburger's newest joint will sit within the restored Lido Cinema Centre — yep, that cheeky $5.5 million eight-screen complex set to open in June. The Huxtateam have thought long and hard about their next move, following the recent CBD opening and their already buzzing Collingwood and Prahran stores. They've picked an eastern, high foot traffic spot on Glenferrie Road close to the much-anticipated cinema complex, Swinburne University (students are widely renowned burg fiends as a general rule) and the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre (because everyone wants, nay deserves a post-workout burger). Huxtable head chef Daniel Wilson points two thumbs to the sky for the new location too. "It is a great fit for Huxtaburger; being a vibrant Melbourne hotspot, but one that’s retained some of its eccentricities and old-school charm over the years," he says. Expect the Huxtamenu you know and love from the Northside burger lovin' crew, with southern fried chicken Clair burgers and those juicy, juice beef Huxtaburgers rolling over to the east with crinkle cut chips in tow. Huxtaburger Hawthorn will open its doors on Friday 15 May. The joint will be open from 11am – 10pm, Sunday to Thursday and from 11am -11pm on Friday and Saturday.
UPDATE, January 22, 2021: Get Out is available to stream via Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. When a movie starts with a character walking nervously along a dark street, we all know what's going to happen next. Decades of horror films have taught us that nothing good can occur here. And, in Get Out, the situation plays out exactly as we've been conditioned to expect. The scared person is abducted by a masked attacker and dragged into a car. Crucially though, the victim isn't an attractive young woman, but rather a black man (Lakeith Stanfield) getting snatched up in the kind of picket-fenced suburbia most white folks could stroll through without fear. If you've ever seen his work with Keegan-Michael Key across the five seasons of their sketch comedy show Key and Peele, writer-director Jordan Peele's fondness for dissecting matters of race won't come as much of a surprise. While his first stint as a filmmaker doesn't feature white zombies refusing to eat people of colour, the underlying idea that African Americans are treated differently still sticks. Here, as in his comedy, he presents a scenario that quickly goes from amusing to uncomfortable to downright unnerving. Following Get Out's sinister opening scene, the film's focus switches to Brooklyn photographer Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), who's about to head to his girlfriend Rose's (Allison Williams) family home in the country. He's meeting her parents for the first time, and he's understandably anxious. When he asks "do they know I'm black?", she assures him that it doesn't matter because her dad would've voted for Obama a third time if he could've. Chris has clearly heard similar sentiments before, and knows it's going to be awkward anyway. "I don't wanna get chased off the lawn with a shotgun," he jokes. After they arrive, Rose's father (Bradley Whitford) keeps dropping "my man" into daggy attempts at conversation. Her mother (Catherine Keener) is polite to Chris, but noticeably stern with their black servants (Betty Gabriel and Marcus Henderson). Then there's Rose's younger brother Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones) who makes uncomfortable comments about Chris' physique. To say that things don't feel quite right is a horror movie understatement right up there with Rosemary finding her new neighbours a bit odd in Rosemary's Baby. But again, Chris has seen this type of behaviour before. He's not thrilled, but he's not astonished either. Like all sinister storylines, the events that unfold are best discovered with as little prior knowledge as possible. It's not hard to pick up on the cleverly deployed horror tropes as they appear: the isolated location, hitting a deer on the way there, and the vocal warnings from Chris' pal Rod (LilRel Howery) back home. Likewise, you won't be able to miss the way that race keeps seeping into every conversation, shaping the way the movie unfolds. Peele's mastery of his spook-inducing genre is evident from the outset, but it's how he uses his classic setup to subvert the expected cliches and unleash a barrage of scathing social commentary that proves downright genius. What's so great about Get Out is how it defies easy categorisation. It's smart and oh-so-timely in the way that it highlights what it's like to be black in "post-racial" America. It's also genuinely unsettling and tense in an edge-of-your-seat manner, and never stops making viewers question what it is they're seeing. Last but not least, it's frequently hilarious, which given the director's background shouldn't come as a surprise. Add all of that together, and you're gifted one of the most assured, astute, entertaining and intelligent horror movies to creep out cinemas in years.
Craft beer has come of age in Australia. Even in the darkest, dingiest drinkatoriums where metal troughs still adorn the base of the bar, you'll likely find a boutique beer or two for the more discerning drinker. But with new options on the market every day, how best to find the perfect one for you? Here are some handy smartphone apps that help take the guesswork out of choosing your brew. UNTAPPD Cost: Free Platform: iOS, Android, Windows and yes, even Blackberry. Untappd is like the Facebook of beer apps: a vast social hub of drinkers all eagerly posting reviews, checking in at pubs and breweries and uploading photos of their thirst-inducing beverages. It easily boasts the largest user base and is helpfully available on every platform. Flip on your location services and Untappd will alert you to both new beers and bars in your vicinity, as well as let you know who else is drinking there. Over time, it even learns your tastes based on your own drinking habits and reviews, then makes tailored recommendations for what to try next. BEER BUDDY (iOS) / APK TICKET Cost: $4.99 Platform: iOS, Android What Untappd is to the social side of drinking, Beer Buddy is to straight-up information. With more than 300,000 beers in its database, Beer Buddy lets your scan a drink's barcode and access a storehouse of information, including its alcohol and calorie content, brewery history and user reviews. It also features a wide-ranging search function that allows you to seek out your favourite (or soon-to-be tasted) beers according to bars, brewery, type of beer, season, the top beers in whichever country you find yourself and, of course, simply by what's nearby. NOW TAPPED Cost: Free Platform: iOS, Android Combining the official drinks lists of around 300 partnered pubs and bars in Australia with the reported lists by other Now Tapped users, this app offers a comprehensive database of craft beers around the country. Search by venue and you'll see everything they've got for sale, as well as drink info and a brief review for each. Search by brewery and you'll find all the places that manufacturer's products are available. Otherwise there's always map view, where you can see all the places nearby where craft beers are for sale. NEXT GLASS Cost: Free (but US only for now) Platforms: iOS, Android Imagine being able to just look at a drink and know (down to a percentage) whether you'll like it or not. Next Glass does exactly that by bringing science into the equation. Using a mass spectrometer to analyse the chemical composition of thousands of different beverages, Next Glass developed a detailed criteria against which your own preferences are then matched. Basically, once you've told it your favourite drinks, all you need to do is point your phone at a label and Next Glass tells you precisely how likely you are to enjoy it, as well as how much your friends like it and even how many calories it contains. iBREWMASTER 2 Cost: $12.99 Platform: iOS (Android version in development) This is the app for the serious craft beer brewers. Add your own recipes, try out the 250+ preinstalled ones or purchase more from the in-app store. Featuring a powerful scheduling tool, iBrewMaster lets you stay on top of every stage of the fermentation process, complete with notifications and info about nearby suppliers. Highly customisable and packed with details, it's a pricey but invaluable app for anyone who lists their favourite beer as the one from their own basement.
Just as uni students across the country start to finish their last exams for the semester and high five each other as they realise they don't have to step foot on campus for the next few months, the team from Shadow Electric decide to throw a huge two-month summer festival — at uni, of all places. And even though it's the holidays, you're definitely going to want to go back to school for it. The organisers — who are known for their summer outdoor cinema at Abbotsford Convent, among other events — will take over the University of Melbourne's impressive Parkville campus for two whole months of music, film and, of course, food and drink. Dubbed Shimmerlands, the festival will run both day and night throughout January and February. Making the most of the ghost town that is a university during summer, they'll turn the campus into a veritable feast of cultural delights. There'll be an outdoor cinema, two performance spaces (an indoor concert hall and outdoor music amphitheatre), multiple bars and a pop-up collection of 16 of Melbourne's best restaurants. The 45 title-strong film program has been developed by Lauren Valmadre, director of the Human Rights & Arts Film Festival. It will include the Australian premiere of The Rolling Stones Ole, Ole, Ole!: A Trip Across Latin America, as well as the new Nick Cave documentary One More Time With Feeling, Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals and the much-anticipated La La Land. UPDATE 21 FEBRUARY 2017: To cap off the season, Shimmerlands is throwing a big day party from 3pm on Sunday, February 26 with music from Tim Sweeney (Beats in Space), The Egyptian Lover, Awesome Tapes From Africa and Andee Frost. Tickets are available for $35 here. Images: William Hung and Ivanna Oksenyuk.
Melbourne has scored itself another bottomless brunch, this time sporting a modern Japanese twist. Kicking off on August 5, Tokosan's new Sunday series will have diners rounding out their weekends in style, with a booze-optional bento box feast. The kitchen's designed both a vegetarian and a teriyaki chicken bento, filled with treats like gyoza, rice and sushi, each clocking in at $24 per person. On top of that, there's a beverage option for every mood, starting with a simple glass of wine or beer, which you can tack on for an extra $5. For a longer, lazier lunch, enjoy your bento matched to a bottle of wine for a total of $49. Otherwise, go the bottomless booze route — $59 will get you food, plus two hours of unlimited beer, wine, mimosas, bloody marys and spritzes, between 12-2pm. Catch Tokosan's new brunch offering between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.
If you had to choose one drink that captures the essence of Sydney, what would it be? How about a handcrafted gin, made using a selection of botanicals picked from our own Royal Botanic Garden? Well, that's exactly what the folks at award-winning Distillery Botanica Gin have created with their just-released limited-edition Rather Royal Gin. In developing this one-off creation, master distiller Phillip Moore teamed up with the Botanic Garden's director of horticulture, Jimmy Turner, to pick out the most gin-worthy botanical haul this verdant, 220-year-old site had to offer. Botanicals from all over the Garden have leant their unique flavour qualities to the spirit, including mandarin leaf, lemon verbena, lovage, chamomile, and even Pope John Paul roses. An age-old technique called enfleurage was used to cold-extract the various perfumes and refine the gin to its final product — effectively, a trek through the Botanic Garden, in boozy liquid form. What's more, Rather Royal Gin will have you drinking for an excellent cause, with sale proceeds earmarked for the Garden's many conservation programs; from seed collection and banking, to research, training, and awareness. Plus, the bartenders are Bulletin Place are offering up a special limited edition cocktail using the gin. Just 1000 bottles of Rather Royal Gin have been crafted, so if you're keen to snap one up, you'd best get in quick. They're priced at $129 and are available from selected stockists, Distillery Botanica Gin's website, and over the bar at The Botanic Garden Restaurant.
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.
No longer just the realms of year three excursions where your mum came as chaperone, Melbourne Zoo Twilights — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps one of the best summer nights out, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven they've got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. This summer, they're back with a brand new lineup playing spesh live sets every weekend from Friday, January 27 through Saturday, March 11. Considering it includes the likes of Kurt Vile and Tegan and Sara and then Killing Heidi and george, it's probably their most diverse yet. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be handy gourmet hampers available to pre-order, as well as a slew of food trucks to choose nosh from. Either way, it's actually the one of the best dates in Melbourne — lock those tickets down. All proceeds from Zoo Twilights go back into Zoo Victoria's ongoing conservation work to help fight the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. [caption id="attachment_595048" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Save this little guy.[/caption] MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2017 LINEUP Friday 27 January – JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS and THE SPORTS Saturday 28 January – PETER GARRETT & THE ALTER EGOS and KEV CARMODY Friday 3 February – HOODOO GURUS with special guests Saturday 4 February – THE RUBENS supported by Bec Sandridge Sunday 5 Februrary - THE RUBENS supported by Bec Sandridge Friday 10 February – BALL PARK MUSIC and THE JUNGLE GIANTS Saturday 11 February – BJÖRN AGAIN Friday 17 February – PAUL DEMPSEY supported by Melody Pool Saturday 18 February – george supported by Felix Riebl (Cat Empire) Friday 24 February – WARPAINT (US) supported by Big Thief (US) Saturday 25 February – KILLING HEIDI supported by Abbe May Thursday 2 March — THE LIVING END 'TWANGIN' AT TWILIGHT' featuring special guests, supported by Gabriella Cohen Friday 3 March – THE LIVING END 'TWANGIN' AT TWILIGHT' featuring special guests, supported by Gabriella Cohen Saturday 4 March – KURT VILE (US) supported by Mick Turner Wednesday 8 March – TEGAN AND SARA (CAN) with special guests Friday 10 March – MARTHA WAINWRIGHT (CAN) supported by Margaret Glaspy (US) Saturday 11 March – THE SPECIALS (UK) with special guests Tickets go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, October 25 at zootwilights.org.au.
First, the bad news. The Hi-Fi, as patrons in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane currently know and love, is no more. The saga that started with the company behind all three locations going into administration back in February will see the familiar name disappear. But the good news? You don't need to mourn the loss of another music venue. Boasting new owners as well as new management, the Hi-Fi is changing its name. Fans of live bands and casually excellent nights out can now head to Max Watt's. The new moniker comes from Max Watt's Operating Pty Ltd, the knight in shining armour that swooped in to stop the three music-scene mainstays from permanently closing their doors. In a new business model, bookings for future gigs and all online marketing activities will be handled by The Venue Collective. The experienced team already manages the music lineups for Melbourne's the Corner, 170 Russell, Northcote Social Club, and Shebeen, Sydney's Newtown Social Club and Brisbane's Woolly Mammoth. It might take some time to get used to calling the Hi-Fi something different, but it's a better outcome than looked likely just over a month ago. Rebranding will take place on site over the next few weeks, and in terms of shows, it's business as usual. Now, music lovers can breathe a sigh of relief. Via The Music.
Sexy pop-inspired sculpture. Sub-sea level photography. Work by the mother of American Modernism. Whether you're looking to escape the heat or simply looking for something to look at, Melbourne's galleries have something to make them open wide. Swing by Spenceroni's first ever solo show after work one night or block out a day to head to Heide to see the work of Georgia O'Keeffe before the exhibition finishes up — and if you're not into those, one of the other shows on this list should pique your interest. Top image: Who's Afraid of Colour at NGV Australia, photographed by Wayne Taylor.
Visiting Sydney's rugged Blue Mountains region is always worth the two-hour drive from the city. There are hundreds of things to do — from bushwalks, to abseils, to waterfalls, to standing around and generally admiring the view. There's also the option to do all of that in one go — with a Blue Mountains canyoning adventure. The description on this RedBalloon adventure says you don't have to be a professional adventurer (no abseiling or canyoning experience is required). But requirements are being able to walk up steep steps for 20 minutes and swim for 25 metres, which we discovered makes it a full on adventure that even the more experienced in the group will enjoy. Dedicate one day out of your weekend to abseiling off cliffs over massive valleys, jumping over rocks in freezing water, canyoning, and swimming in waterfalls. The day starts with some beginner abseiling over the Megalong Valley (see below). Later, you'll go rock jumping through caves, and eventually abseil a 30 metre waterfall. Read this and find out what you're really in for. THE MORNING Arrive at The School of Mountaineering at 8:45am. There are two instructors per group of ten, so you're sure to get individual attention throughout the day. In the Megalong Valley you'll start off with a couple of practice runs abseiling off a cliff. The shortest is five metres, and the longest is thirty metres — they vary in difficulty and overlook the massive valley below, so if you're not too terrified you should look down and enjoy the view. You're only abseiling a minuscule portion of the distance to the ground, but you'll feel the height in your gut. These smaller trips are 'practices' because they're intended to get you ready for the tough abseil of the 30 metre Empress Falls at the end of the day. THE AFTERNOON The next part of the adventure is a twenty-minute hike down a mountain. Enjoy this trip down, because soon you'll be going the other way and you'll feel every step. Once you reach the creek at the base, change into a wet-suit and pop your clothes into a dry bag – make sure you close it properly, the water you're about to jump into is cold. Very cold. Your instructors will mention how cold the water is several times, but there is no way to properly oversell this point. You'll get used to the temperature pretty quickly, but you'll definitely want your clothes nice and warm when you're out. Your group will be instructed how to trek through the canyon you're in, which can be a dangerous activity if your head isn't screwed on straight. There are four water jumps through the canyon, at varying difficulty and at a maximum height of 5 metres. The safest option is the 'Grandma' jump, but once you get confident you can go for the more extreme 'Keanu Reeves' and 'Mission Impossible' styles. Take a breather and look up among the oasis of the temperate rainforest within this sandstone gorge. The peaceful air is unparalleled and makes it easier to forget the cold. The only way out the canyon is to abseil the Empress Waterfall. This is why the adventure is not for onlookers or the faint of heart – once you commit to the canyon, you're in it. THE WATERFALL Harnessed in, you go over the ledge of the waterfall and immediately duck into its cave. This rope is heavy duty and it's the most important time to remember your abseiling training because the waterfall crashing over your head is a major distraction (even though it's beautiful). At the end of the rock, take a final leap and land in the waters of Jamison Valley. Savour your success – a few minutes later you'll be heading back up those steep steps. Change out of your wet-suit and get going while the adrenaline is still kicking in. Book your Blue Mountains canyoning adventure (or gift it to someone else) at RedBalloon. Images: Marissa Ciampi and RedBalloon.
The word 'mansae' is Korean for 'hip hip hooray', which is appropriate as this is the type of authentic Korean restaurant where the food is a real celebration. The atmosphere here is casual and fun, so bring a group of mates for that upcoming birthday or drag your family along for a much-needed catch-up. This is a destination restaurant in Melbourne, and it is bound to be a dining experience you won't soon forget. Mansae Korean BBQ doesn't take bookings, and there is often a line, so be sure to turn up ready to wait. Then, once inside and seated, quickly start ordering as there is a strict 90-minute limit on seatings. The vibe here is hectic and heaving, with a real market atmosphere to complement the smells and sounds of the sizzling Korean barbecues. The barbecue meat includes wagyu scotch fillets, short ribs and oyster blades, while the striploin is especially lean. There are also more exotic options such as the thinly sliced ox tongue, the prime pork belly as well as prime pork jowl. Pair the barbecue with sides and appetisers including lightly spiced edamame, a healthy serving of school prawns dished up like french fries or a kimchi jeon. The hotpot options are not be missed at Mansae with the seafood feast — haemul doenjang jiggae — the highlight. The mural on the wall shouts 'Go beef or go home', which might scare off vegetarians, but being a barbecue it's hard to get too offended. There is however a veggie platter with zucchini, mushrooms and pumpkin, which can be had on its own or shared between servings of meat. But if this doesn't suffice, you might prefer changing up cuisines and heading around the corner to The Happy Mexican's CBD location — a super veggie-friendly diner.
Life moves very slowly on the Con Dao Islands. Lying just 45 minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, the archipelago of 16 mountainous outcrops couldn’t be further away from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s frenzied capital. Our destination is Con Son, the largest in the chain, covering roughly 50 square kilometres. Once considered ‘the devil’s island of Indochina’, Con Son is ringed by golden sand beaches and covered in verdant rainforests, and looks anything but intimidating. Now, the island is better known as a luxury spa destination thanks to the arrival of Six Senses Con Dao, named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s best ecolodges. ARRIVE AT THE END OF THE EARTH Described by chief designers Parisian architecture firm AW2 as ‘luxury at the end of the earth’, Six Senses Con Dao is first glimpsed across the waters of a large turquoise bay. Arriving at the property’s front gates, the sleek design lines and playful colour palette of the resort’s 50 villas becomes apparent, with swaying palms framing a scene that’s custom-built for Instagram. Reclaimed teak and sustainably-sourced materials abound but the aesthetic remains a contemporary one; less Robinson Crusoe than other Six Senses properties around the world. We’re quickly introduced to the effervescent Minh, our dedicated ‘Guest Experience Maker’ for the duration of our stay, before being whisked off to our villa in a golf cart. Minh insists that she unpacks our bags so that we can get straight down to relaxing, and we’re not inclined to argue. But with a host of activities, beachside restaurants and bars, an outdoor cinema, private infinity pools, a Vietnamese cooking school and a world-renowned holistic spa all waiting to be explored, it’s hard to sit still for long. SETTLE INTO YOUR BEACH VILLA Our room, the self-explanatory Ocean Front Deluxe Pool Villa, has an open plan layout that proves fluid and functional. Moving from the back to the beachfront, the villa contains a large private garden (complete with a mandatory outdoor shower), an enormous bathroom containing an oversized bath and multiple day beds, a large bedroom and sitting area, and an outdoor sun lounge area that overlooks the private infinity pool and ocean beyond. Rounding out the villa is a Bose sound system, a rather nifty espresso machine (that I have absolutely no clue how to operate), free and insanely fast wi-fi, tablets, and a well-stocked wine cabinet, ensuring that you want for nothing during your stay. All of the resort’s villas come served with stunning views of the sea, and are offered as single-level and duplex standalone structures containing anywhere from one to four bedrooms. An efficient timber frame construction means that each building operates at low energy levels, designed to maximise natural ventilation provided by the prevailing trade winds. Materials and labour for the property were locally sourced, as were more than a quarter of the resort’s employees. Even the drinking water is eco-friendly, bottled to the sound of classical music in a desalination plant on site. Yep, to classical music. PLAY 'FEED THE FISH' GOLF AND STUFF YOURSELF SILLY Minh works with the Experience Team to make sure that the coming days are as full as our oft-fed bellies, and some of the highlights on offer include fishing trips, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, sunset boat charters and ‘feed the fish golf’, a driving range that provides guests with biodegradable golf balls which dissolve into fish food in less than 24 hours. Myriad beach activities are available along the one kilometre stretch of sand too. The heart of the property was dreamt up by AW2, responsible for the design of some of the world’s more opulent hotels. Their intention was for the main collection of buildings to resemble a Vietnamese village-style market, complete with dining, drinks and shopping. The openair Vietnamese Kitchen quickly becomes a favourite pit-stop, where delicious pho, banh mi and rice paper roll creations are the order of the day. At night, we’re talked into the traditional hot pot for two, and we’re blown away by its rich flavours and spices. The transition from our table onto the designer hammocks placed in front of the outdoor cinema screen is not a complicated one, and as we sit back with home-cooked popcorn and freshly-made ice cream (which is on offer for free in the deli at all times of the day and night) the opening credits of Four Weddings and a Funeral start to roll. DISCOVER THE ISLAND'S DARK HISTORY Like much of Vietnam, history is all around you here, and the island is best explored on bike or scooter. We commandeer one of the resort’s bright red Vespas and navigate our way across most of Con Son, winding around spectacular hillside roads that drop hundreds of metres into the waves below. Of most interest is the island's dark military history. Con Son served as a prison island during the French colonial era, then later housed Vietcong political prisoners from the North during the Vietnam War, where inmates were imprisoned in infamous ‘tiger cages’ until 1975. Some 20,000 inmates lost their lives in custody here, and the jails and museums dotted around Con Son town prove at once interesting and eerie. A large group of ex-VC soldiers, on the island to pay their respects to fallen comrades, does little to lessen the intensity as we meander through Phu Hai, the largest of the island’s prisons. PREPARE TO TAKE YOUR NEWFOUND ZEN HOME Before we depart for the Vietnamese mainland Minh makes sure to book us into the Six Senses Spa, recently a winner at the 2014 World Luxury Spa Awards. Sculpted bamboo fences frame numerous indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, pools and salas, and the Six Senses spa menu provides endless ways to spend inordinate amounts of time and money indulging. We meet with Dr Aneesh, an ayurvedic consultant at the Six Senses Spa who originally hails from India, and he takes us through a 60-minute consultation to determine our overall ‘wellness’, providing some tips to help take the slower pace of Con Dao back into our everyday lives. LET'S DO THIS, GIVE ME THE DETAILS: To get there, fly to Ho Chi Minh City — Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), then take a 45-minute commercial or chartered plane to Co Ong regional airport (VCS) for a short transfer to the resort. The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is around 230 kilometres or 145 miles. Rooms start at US$428/night and can be booked online at the Six Senses Con Dao website. The writer stayed as a guest of Six Senses.
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.
Love a cheeky G&T? You're probably someone who's noticed gin's undergoing a massive revival in Australia, with new gin bars seemingly popping up every other day, and local distillers pushing boundaries with bold, experimental flavours and colours, and all of it is thanks to those miraculous little things known as 'botanicals'. But what are they exactly? What are you even talking about when you're loftily referring to 'aromatic botanicals' in your nip of Tanqueray No.TEN? This iconic, award-winning gin, launched in 2000 as an evolution of the original Tanqueray, is handcrafted in small batches that combine the four botanicals of juniper, angelica root, coriander and liquorice. It's the only gin to be inducted into the San Francisco Hall of Fame — not too shabby. Every type of gin has a unique blend, but botanicals are the key in every bottle. Let's get to know them. [caption id="attachment_580018" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jonas Tana.[/caption] BOTANICALS By EU law, all gin has to be made using a 96% ABV (alcohol by volume) highly rectified spirit, and must taste predominantly of juniper — the small shrub from the mountain slopes of Italy and Macedonia whose name itself is from where the word 'gin' is derived. Juniper's taste is one of bittersweet pine, lavender, and camphor, but it's from the other botanicals — those select natural additives with which the spirits are distilled — that we get the uplifting, complex and unique aromas of spicy, floral, woody and citrus. SPICE Key amongst the spicy botanicals is coriander, whose seeds are second only to juniper in terms of their importance to the process of gin distillation. Coriander is grown throughout southern Europe, southern Asia and North Africa, and its tiny fruits release spicy sage and lemon flavours that contribute a dry, peppery finish to your gin. The other major spicy botanical is ginger root, one of the earliest spices known in Western Europe. In its pure form, it's capable of raising your body temperature, and when distilled in gin it imparts a dry, spicy character. [caption id="attachment_580016" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FLORAL Chamomile is perhaps best known to tea drinkers and aromatherapists courtesy of its reputation for reducing stress and assisting with sleep. As a gin botanical, however, this creeping plant found throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and North America imparts distinctive light apple and faint straw aromas (indeed, its name means 'ground apple') as well as a sensation of dryness. Chamomile's most frequently used floral alternative is the leaf of the bay laurel tree, with its pungent, bitter taste and an aroma most closely resembling thyme. WOODY Amongst the earthy, woody botanicals, there is no greater ingredient than Angelica root. Once rumoured to cure the plague and stave off witchcraft, the angelica root from the subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere is renown for its medicinal purposes. Yet in gin, it's an indispensable component that not only makes it dry, but provides its typically earthy base. Liquorice root, too, is another woody mainstay that hails from southwest Asia, India and some parts of Europe, and whose sweet and bitter compounds produce similarly woody flavours. Liquorice root is responsible for adding length and base to your gin, softening and rounding out its 'mouth feel' or texture. CITRUS NOTES Finally, there are the citrus botanicals, led most famously by bergamot peel. Grown in Italy's southern Calabria region, bergamot orange peel is just as likely to turn up in perfumes and lotions as it is gin, possessing a distinctly bright, citrusy aroma and taste. More broadly, then, comes the conventional orange peel botanical, which — in dried form from both sweet and Seville oranges — is similarly used in gin to offer a light, citrusy note capable of balancing out the more pungent botanicals. Top image: Jez Timms.
Over the past few years, Melbourne's famed floating bar has become a summer staple — because soaking in the warm weather and partying on the Yarra clearly go hand-in-hand. That wont't change in 2019, with Arbory Afloat back for spring and summer. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, has reclaimed its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra. It's will hit the water earlier than last year, which already marked a significant extension to its season. That's not the only change, either. As part of its annual revamp, the temporary bar and restaurant is taking inspiration from Miami — which means palm trees, pastel blue and pink hues, art-deco touches and a 70s vibe. Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which is inspired by all things Latin American, including the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico. A woodfired pizza oven will once more take pride of place in the open kitchen, pumping out American-style pizzas. You'll also be able to tuck into grilled meats, empanadas and lots of seafood — think oysters, ceviche and anchovies. Would it be a visit to Miami without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there'll be plenty. Patrons will also be able to sip their way through an extended rum menu, peruse a curated gin offering or opt for one of the many spritzes on offer. [caption id="attachment_754394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] To complete the picture, the floating bar also has an upper deck complete with — wait for it — an onboard swimming pool. Sticking with the bar's breezy Miami theme, the eight-metre-long pool is flanked by its own bar, sun lounges and five private cabanas, which can be booked out for your next poolside sojourn. Towels, hats and sunscreen are all available to purchase from the bar, and there'll be a lifeguard on patrol whenever the pool's open. The opening hours are set to vary depending on the weather, but you can jump over to Arbory Afloat's Instagram to keep an eye on the schedule and plot your visit. The bar will be open every day from 11am–1pm until the end of summer — and yes, that includes Christmas Day and New Year's. Updated December 11, 2019. Images: Simon Shiff
Hawthorne's Tao Tao House is your classic white linen Chinese restaurant complete with lazy susans, with a strong focus on traditional and aromatic dishes served with just barely the hint of a smile. The menu here is everything you dream of when heading to a Chinese-Australian restaurant. Tao Tao House has an impressive and notably delicious yum cha selection including classics such as prawn dumplings, spare ribs in black bean sauce and mushroom and duck roll. The poultry dishes are also big hits. These include diced chicken in a teriyaki sauce and a succulent sesame duck — stuffed with prawn paste, coated with sesame and served with mushroom sauce. Vegetarians can indulge with the 'typhoon shelter' eggplants that are wok fried with garlic and chilli and a side of Chinese broccoli and fried rice. Wash it all down with a hot a sour soup or a crab meat sweet corn soup. For dessert, get around Tao Tao House's egg custard tarts, a mango pudding or some very charming Cadbury chocolate sesame dumplings. If you're in Hawthorn and haven't tried Tao Tao House, add it to your list right now.
How good at Pictionary would Grimes be? Would Mac Demarco's sketches found in an art gallery? How would Future Islands go in a life drawing class? Sydney's FBi Radio intended to find out, by inviting a list of over 30 musicians to try their hand at a handdrawn masterpiece. Bringing back their wildly successful 'Brush With Fame' art auction, FBi asked a serious banquet of bands, rappers, ARIA-nominees, folksters, singers and beatmakers to create drawings on canvas especially for the station, ready for auction from Thursday 10 March (9pm AEDT) until Sunday 20 March (9pm AEDT). All proceeds raise funds for the independent, not-for-profit, top notch station. Kudos to FBi for one of the best group show lineups around, y'ready? You (YOU) can own a handdrawn work by these guys. FULL ARTIST LIST: Alabama Shakes Albert Hammond Jr (The Strokes) Alison Wonderland Benjamin Booker Best Coast Cosmo’s Midnight Courtney Barnett DIIV Django Django Dune Rats Elliphant & MØ Future Islands Grimes Hot Chip The Internet Little Simz Mac Demarco Matt Huynh Metz Neneh Cherry Parquet Courts Perfect Pussy Perfume Genius Peter Bibby Purity Ring The Rubens Run The Jewels* Rustie Thundercat Total Giovanni TV On The Radio Tycho Vic Mensa * Two individual canvases by Killer Mike and El-P respectively, sold together All works are on display over here. The auction will run on eBay from Thursday 10 March (9pm AEDT) until Sunday 20 March (9pm AEDT). Each piece comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity from FBi. Here's a couple of our favourites in the bunch, that you'll have to furiously outbid us on.
When Kevin Bacon stood up in Footloose and said, “This is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life,” what he didn’t say was “but only for skinny people”. And yet, that seems to be what we mean these days. 'Fat' dancers and performers aren’t often seen, and so many people seem to have so many opinions on fatness and how fat people move through our society. We look at fat people and assume things — that the person is lazy, slovenly, unhappy and definitely, definitely ungraceful and unconnected to their bodily wellbeing. Now fat activist and artist Kelli Jean Drinkwater and resigning Force Majeure artistic director Kate Champion are working together to broaden our outlook on the body and the act of dancing. After selling out shows at this year's Sydney Festival, Nothing to Lose is headed to Melbourne; a highly topical, audacious and — coming from dance-theatre masters Force Majeure (Never Did Me Any Harm, Food) — sure to be a powerful watch. Challenging as it is to our prejudices, it might even be the most important work you see at the festival. We spoke to Drinkwater and Champion about the thinking behind the provocative project. Read what they had to say over here. Preview: 11 March at 8pm. Season: 12-21 March — 12-14 March at 8pm, Mon 16 March at 6.30pm, 17-21 March at 8pm, Weds 18 March also at 1pm, Sat 14 and 21 March also at 3pm.
Grief can take any number of forms. Yet the same isn't necessarily true of funerals. While coming together with friends and family is a vital part of celebrating a lost loved one, the trappings that surround this process – the hearse, the funeral home, the traditional overpriced coffin – can often seem a little impersonal. It's for this reason that The House has us so intrigued. Co-founded by Kylee Stevens, Morna Seres and Christian Wills, all of whom share a background in design and the arts, this new Sydney-based funeral service is offering an alternative to the industry standard, allowing for a truly personal celebration of a person's life. "We service memory artistically through curated reflection, music, light, sound, performance, food and ritual held within our exclusive venues," reads a mission statement on the company website. "Whether it is a large affair, or a simple gathering of friends and family, The House provides the opportunity to say goodbye in a compelling, cultural and modern manner." "Our way of working with clients doesn't really exist in the industry," Stevens told Concrete Playground. "I believe there's space for tradition, particularly in a moment of grief...but if someone doesn't want something traditional, what are their options?" While The House has only been operating since the tail end of March, Stevens sees a world of "infinite possibilities." Their first service, for example, was held in a gallery, and featured a room full of suspended images and incorporated poetry written by the deceased. Friends and family were also invited to be involved in the planning and installation stages, which in turn became another way for them to process their grief. "I think each family will be quite different, said Stevens. "Some will want to come forward and work [with us], and some won't. It's our role to navigate that." Despite their ambitious and personalised approach, the cost of a funeral at The House is in line with industry standards. "We talk about substituting costs within the traditional framework," explains Stevens. "You can spend $3500 to $6500 on a coffin. Making a more ecologically friendly, better designed choice, you can go as low as $550. So you can substitute out existing cost structures that a traditional model offers, and replace them with things that are more memorable." For more information about The House, visit their website at www.thehouse.global.
If you, like us, plan your holidays entirely around food, you're in luck. We've teamed up with Zantac and we're giving away three mini holidays in Melbourne, Hobart and the Barossa Valley in South Australia. You'll wine, dine, sleep and adventure in luxe surroundings until you simply no longer can — how does that sound? Choose Melbourne and you and a guest will spend two nights at QT Melbourne in the CBD, have lunch and attend a coffee cupping course at Collingwood's famous specialty coffee house Proud Mary, and have dinner (and dessert) at Andrew McConnell's pan-Asian restaurant Supernormal on Flinders Lane. In the Barossa, you'll stay at The Louise (an incredible hotel that's side-by-side with a vineyard), head to St Hugo for a wine tasting and delicious winery lunch, then wind up at Fino at Seppeltsfield for dinner. Head to Hobart, and you'll stay at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, visit Bruny Island for a day of food, sightseeing and lighthouses thanks to Experience Oz and then feast on a South American-style dinner at Frank. Each prize includes return flights from any Australian capital city, two nights of accommodation and two foodie experiences (lunch and dinner). All you need to do is tell us your details and where you want to go — Hobart, Melbourne or the Barossa. It breaks our heart to tell you that you can only pick one destination, and you can only enter this competition once, so think long and hard about where you really want to go. If you're available to go on your adventure between Friday, July 28 and Sunday, September 10, head here to enter. To find out more about Zantac and how it tames heartburn fast, head to the website.
For a big three days — from Friday, November 29–Sunday, December 1 — the latest iteration of Melbourne's The Big Design Market will feature 250 stalls showcasing homewares, fashion, jewellery, stationery and more by local independent designers at the Royal Exhibition Building. It's tailor-made for early Christmas shopping. There'll also be a slew of tastemakers serving up exceptional food and wine experiences, including coffee from ST ALi, hot chocolates from Mork, pasta from That's Amore Cheese, tacos from CDMX, sweet treats from Gelato Messina and innovative cocktails from Sydney's Archie Rose, among others. The event will also see the return of the popular showbags and art installations, as well as great visitor prizes and a colourful play space for kids created by Claire Mosley. Images: Blake Walshe.
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
Finally, coveted New York fashion label rag & bone has landed in Australia. Now open in Melbourne's CBD shopping district, The Strand, the US brand has unveiled a characteristically minimalist, 1150 square feet space. Haven't stumbled upon it yet? Take a look. Features include a glass façade and interiors decked out in rag & bone's signature industrial style with exposed ceilings and concrete floors. Endeavouring to become a true Melburnian, the brand has also collaborated with local Australian designers to include unique fixtures in the space, like custom tube pendant lighting, brass shelving and walnut detailing. To complete this highly visually satisfying space, the label will host media installations in-store, kicking off with the SS17 campaign film playing throughout. Among the modern industrial look of the new store, rag & bone's women's ready-to-wear, /JEAN, accessories and footwear collections sit, ready to tempt your wallet with tailored silk shirts, satiny slip dresses, wide-neck and off-the-shoulder knits and plenty of denim. Australia, it's time to inject some New York style into your wardrobes. Find the new rag & bone shop at 320 Elizabeth Street, Shop T21 in The Strand.
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
