It may not lay claim to the long, balmy evenings of summer, but winter's still got plenty up its sleeve when it comes to romance. And if you're looking for the perfect date destination to woo that special someone, we can assure you that cute, cosy options abound in Melbourne's inner south, even when the weather's frosty and the temperatures are low. Here, we've teamed up with the City of Port Phillip to assemble some of the area's top go-to winter date scenarios, ranging from a nostalgia-fuelled bottomless brunch to a private beachside bonfire set-up. Whether you're teeing up a first date, or organising the 300th, these options are sure to impress. Victoria is currently under stay at home orders so, while you can't visit these spots right now, you can start planning for when restrictions lift. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, as well as current restrictions, here. AMP UP THE ROMANCE WITH BUBBLY AND OYSTERS A warm, elegant space in the heart of Albert Park, boasting a top-notch selection of cheese and vino, The Victor Wine Room makes for a primo date night destination any time of the week. But it's really turning on the couple-friendly charms from 5.30pm every Thursday, when Date Night Thursdays kicks into gear. Setting the tone to your midweek rendezvous are live acoustic tunes to enjoy while tucking into the Skinny Dipping special — two glasses of Montaudon NV Reserve Champagne or rosé, paired with six oysters for $30, or a dozen of the ocean-fresh morsels for $40. GET COSY IN THIS FIRESIDE GLAMPING TENT Camping by the beach might sound like a scenario best suited to summer, but Republica has given the concept a cosy, winter-friendly spin. The beachside St Kilda bar has unveiled a pop-up glamping tent nestled in its courtyard overlooking the Bay. Kitted out with plush furnishings and warmed by a roaring campfire, it's available to book for groups of four to six, perfect for a cute double (or triple) date situation. Walk-ins are available if it's just you and your boo. Open daily from noon until late, it's a toasty, private hideaway where you can kick back in comfort as you devour house-made mulled wine and apple crumble. [caption id="attachment_821141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Jewish Museum of Australia, Sarah Walker[/caption] EXPLORE ST KILDA THROUGH THE EYES OF A LOCAL LEGEND St Kilda held a special place in the heart of iconic French-Australian artist Mirka Mora — she lived and worked there for many years, opened the (now-closed) Tolarno Bistro with husband Georges in 1967 and went on to create numerous works that would also call the suburb home. These days, you can experience St Kilda through Mora's own eyes while digging deeper into her lasting legacy, on a self-guided art-filled walking tour. Download the mobile-friendly 'Mirka's St Kilda' map, don your coats and set out to explore. You'll catch landmarks like the Tolarno Hotel (which has a number of her works on display), the Mirka's Children's Mural, the St Kilda Pier Mosaic she created in 1993 and the restaurant site where she penned much of her autobiography. Want more of Mora? Check out the Mirka retrospective exhibition, currently showing at The Jewish Museum of Australia. INDULGE IN A BOOZY BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH WITH YOUR BOO Get a little nostalgic as you bond over the good ol' days of your youth at the Newmarket Hotel's newly launched old-school-themed brunch. Featuring sittings from 12pm every Saturday and Sunday, this one's a tasty blast from the past, soundtracked by hit tunes plucked from the 90s and early 00s. While you're grooving to those bangers and swapping stories from the past, you'll find yourself sipping bottomless bubbly, beer, mimosas and seltzers, matched with your pick of brunch dish for $60. Now, will it be the fried chicken burger, a breakfast salad or the avo smash with roast mushrooms? SIGN UP FOR A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION Had a rough day at the office? Don't take it out on your favourite person — channel the full fury of your crazy customers and looming deadlines into a bladed weapon headed straight toward the bullseye target. Yep, whether you're meeting for the first time or you're longtime lovers, date night needn't be all candlelit dinners and making googly eyes at each other. Amp up the fun factor with a visit to Lumber Punks, South Melbourne's axe-throwing joint. Sessions start at just $45 per person for 90 minutes, after which time you should be ready to hit up one of the nearby bars or restaurants — Patient Wolf Distilling Co, Meatworks Co and Bells Hotel are all within walking distance. ENJOY SUNDOWNERS AFTER A BEACHSIDE STROLL The best way to stay warm on a wintry date is to keep moving — and by that, of course, we mean conquering one of the city's walking tracks (or did we...). Tackling the Foreshore Trail is a task best completed without the full force of the summer sun belting down on you anyway. Starting at Perc White Reserve in Port Melbourne, this 11-kilometre bayside trail will see you winding past Lagoon Pier, Catani Gardens, St Kilda Marina and over Elwood Canal before arriving at Elwood Beach. Celebrate your trek at Elwood Bathers. Perch at one of the outdoor tables and split a bottle of vino and a charcuterie board with your bestie as the sun sets over Port Phillip Bay. For more inspiration for how to spend a wintry day in Melbourne's inner south, head to the City of Port Phillip website. Top image: Republica
It turns out Melbourne's oldest licensed pub has a few new tricks up its sleeve, as The Duke Of Wellington gets set to unveil its very own rooftop bar next week. The CBD stalwart has expanded upwards with a total top-floor revamp, incorporating sweeping city views against a large-scale artwork by illustrator James Gulliver Hancock. The new sky-high setting is pitched to be a favourite for after-work adventures and weekend wind-downs alike, with its own snack-happy, share-focused menu and broad-ranging drinks lineup. Up here, enjoy bites like the Lygon Street-style lasagne croquettes, coated in garlic breadcrumbs and teamed with aioli — or 'The G' hotdog, best devoured with the stadium itself visible in the background. In a win for late-night snackers, the kitchen is open daily until late. The booze program is packed with a range of tap beers and both local and international wines, though you'll easily be tempted by the crafty seasonal cocktails. Among them, you'll find the Spellbound Smash — made with bourbon, orange bitters, blackberries, sage and thyme — and a spiced tequila and coffee number dubbed Café ala Mexicana. There's also group-friendly booths, plus six big-screen TVs for when a sports-watching session's on the cards. The Duke Rooftop Bar is set to open at 146 Flinders Street, Melbourne, on Friday, July 6. To be among the first to see it, RSVP here for the opening night party. Image Credit: Brook James
To be afraid of death is one thing, but to be afraid of interesting conversation is another. Intelligence Squared is hosting a debate — Euthanasia Should be Legalised — this Wednesday about the decision to take death into one's own hands. Should it be legal? If it's okay for the terminally ill, is it okay for anyone? Will it be abused by the greedy or the malicious? Legalisation of euthanasia will be supported by Dr Phillip 'Dr Death' Nitschke, vocal international euthanasia activist; ethics expert Loane Skene; and Victorian Health Commisioner Beth Wilson. Opposing legalisation will be Dr Shakira Hussein, an expert in injustice and violence; William Silvester, a frontrunner of compassion and forward planning in medical treatment; and Scott Stephens, the ABC's ethics and religion commentator. Hosted by philosopher and ethicist Dr Simon Longstaff, the conversation should be heated, intense, personal and fascinating. Image by Steven Depolo.
For 125 million film and television lovers around the world, Netflix's two-note intro sound is synonymous with one thing: settling in to watch an episode or movie on your TV at home (or on your computer during your lunch break, or on your phone during your commute, let's face it). Soon, however, it could also echo through cinemas, with the streaming platform apparently looking into buying its own theatres. First reported by The Los Angeles Times regarding the sale of one particular US chain — Landmark Theatres, which Netflix ultimately opted not to purchase — the potential move would assist the company in achieving two things. Firstly, it could give the company a bigger footprint within the entertainment landscape. Secondly, it'd provide a cinematic outlet for its films. And, as you might've noticed, there's no shortage of the latter. Indeed, whether it's snapping up flicks at festivals, funding them from the get-go or saving the day when traditional distributors want to back out of putting their movies in theatres — as happened with both The Cloverfield Paradox and Annihilation earlier this year — Netflix's slate of originals is only growing. It has released more than 20 so far this year, and will more than double that number by the time December comes to a close. In total, Netflix will spend up to $8 billion on content in 2018 alone, and CEO Reed Hastings has recently said that's not enough. You mightn't think screening their films in cinemas would be important to the streaming behemoth, but playing in theatres is absolutely essential for one thing: collecting Oscars and other industry accolades. And they're starting to do just that, with Netflix's Icarus picking up the Academy Award for best documentary this year, while drama Mudbound garnered four nominations. Both had a short cinema run, something that's a necessity to meet the Academy's criteria. But, unsurprisingly, few existing theatre chains are eager to screen flicks that are also available on the streaming platform at the same time or shortly afterwards. On the international front, it's a battle that saw Netflix withdraw its films from this year's Cannes Film Festival, after the fest announced it had banned flicks that wouldn't also play in French cinemas. Part of the prestigious event's requirements is that movies also screen locally; however France also stipulates that a film can't make its way to home entertainment platforms, be it DVD or streaming, for three years after its big-screen appearance. Obviously, that doesn't work for Netflix. Last year, Okja was available online a month after it premiered it Cannes, while the Noah Baumbach-directed, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller-starring The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) released in October. Just how far Netflix will pursue their cinema prospects is yet to be seen, but the company isn't known for doing things by halves. At present, reports centre on opening theatres in the US, with no word on any international plans. Via The Los Angeles Times.
If your days spent working from home and social distancing could do with a few more adorable animals, you'll be happy to know the internet is filled with many. Melbourne's zoos are live streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong and the Wild Life zoo is prepping for cuddles with quokkas. At a Queensland wildlife sanctuary, however, one of Australia's cutest native marsupials is the star of the show: the koala. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it does have 15 webcams running. Yes, 15. And eight of them are dedicated to observing the sanctuary's 130 koalas, 24/7. So, you can watch them eating, climbing, hanging out with each other and, mostly, sleeping. Koalas sleep for about 18-20 hours a day, so you will see many many sleeping furry boys and girls. https://youtu.be/6TYHWQt1YV0 While they are sleeping, though, you can tune into some of the other live-streams, which follow the sanctuary's dingo puppies (awww), reptiles, platypus and birds. There are also a few highlight reels if all the residents are particularly quiet. As the koala cams are running all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your productivity, but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's webcams over here.
Named after the traditional Argentinian style of slow-cooked barbecue and the relaxed dining experience it informs, Asado is centred around an open firepit and a custom-made three-metre-long charcoal parrilla grill. Bright, bold and buzzy, the 250-seater steers away from the moody, intimate feel of its siblings (Palermo, San Telmo, Pastuso), boasting soaring windows and vibrant art deco features. To match its fit-out, the menu is brimming with Argentinian flavours with Spanish touches. You'll spy snack-friendly jamón boards and tinned anchovy with guindilla peppers alongside kingfish ceviche with celeriac tiger's milk and grilled beef tongue skewers with smoked chilli and kampot pepper. Rounding out the fun is a drinks list worthy of celebration — think sangria, Patagonian pilsner, sherry and a wine selection that highlights the best of Argentina's Mendoza region.
Wasting food can often just come down to aesthetics: a bruised apple, a twisted carrot, a dinted onion. So Harris Farm Markets is launching Imperfect Picks, a range of would-go-unloved fruit and vegetables that may not look perfect, but are just as delicious and nutritious as their counterparts who made the 'good looks' cut. Good thing is, the uglies are now available for up to 50% cheaper. Inspired by the success of the 'Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables' campaign by French supermarket chain Intermarche earlier this year, Harris Farm aims to raise awareness of the Australian supermarket industry's overly strict standards of perfection regarding the appearance of fresh fruit and veg. "It is our hope that through this campaign, we encourage Australians and the big supermarkets to rethink what's important when buying fruit and vegetables," says Harris Farm CEO Tristan Harris. "Our commitment to freshness and taste won't ever change, [but] we've come to realise that when it comes to fresh produce, we shouldn't always judge a product by how it looks." https://youtube.com/watch?v=-U23XgEkZf0 But who doesn't search for the roundest orange or the straightest carrot in the bunch when on their weekly grocery run? The startling fact is that our pickiness as customers, coupled with unnecessarily high industry standards, has lead to about 25% of fresh food wasted each year. With the stats being this high, there's no doubt we're facing a food waste crisis. "It's such a crime and everyone needs to get involved. Sustainability is everybody's responsibility," says Rockpool's Neil Perry. "I'm really hoping that the… campaign grows and that it forces the other supermarkets and Australian consumers to realise that there is such great food being wasted," he says. Perry is just one example of chefs taking part in a sustainable table movement spreading across the country, showing us that today's funnily-shaped fruit and veg can be tomorrow's gourmet offering — and proving our pickiness unwarranted. So next time you drop in to your local Harris Farm, why not choose that two-headed potato or that wonky zucchini? Not only will you be helping to reduce environmental waste, but you'll also be supporting Aussie farmers and saving hugely on your grocery bill to boot. On offer in the first range of Imperfect Picks will be Packham pears, Navel oranges, Pink Lady apples, plus bananas, carrots, potatoes, swedes and zucchinis — all deliciously imperfect and in need of some lovin'.
As the apple belt of Australia, Goulburn Valley may have a place in your heart for providing all that thirst-quenching apple juicy goodness, but it's also one of the region's prettiest winery destinations. That's largely due to Mitchelton Wines, a winery that's also home to a new $16 million luxury boutique hotel — so now you can indulge in that second glass and stay overnight. The winery is nestled in a crook of the Goulburn River and surrounded acres of fertile grape land that produces top-notch shiraz, chardonnay and marsanne. You can taste them at the cellar door or, if you have more time, over lunch at the on-site restaurant, The Muse. The menu showcases both produce and wines from the Nagambie area, pouring both its own wines and the best from the region. The restaurant opens at 8am for breakfast, and the cellar door opens at 10am. The hotel and adjoining spa was designed by the good folk at Hecker Guthrie and they've gone hard on the natural textures — expect a lot of divine linen and exposed timber — and tied it all together with a dark, muted colour palette. With an in-room selection of the vineyard's finest drops, you may never want to leave your suite but you definitely should to take a stroll through the stunning grounds.
We're officially less than two months out from December 25, so, like it or not, you can prepare to be inundated with an assortment of new-release festive goodies. In a similar vein to Four Pillars' annual Christmas concoction, the latest edition of which has just hit the shelves, South Australian distillery Prohibition Liquor Co. has unveiled its own Yuletide-inspired gin for 2018. As always, this year's seasonal small-batch release sets out to bottle the essence of a true-blue Aussie Christmas, blending flavours of star anise, cherry, cinnamon, fig and orange to create a drink that's spicy, syrupy and unmistakably festive. Longtime fans of Prohibition's Christmas Gin will notice a few changes with this latest batch, which is slightly boozier to previous years (at 40 percent) and rocks a new pale blush colour. As with other Prohibition products like the Shiraz Barrel Gin and the Bathtub Cut Gin, this one's all packaged up in a square, Prohibition Era-style bottle — perfect for bootlegging some booze to your family Christmas lunch. Prohibition Liquor Co.'s 2018 Christmas gin is on sale now for $105 online and at select retailers.
No matter where they pop up around the world, Yayoi Kusama's infinity rooms instantly attract hordes of eager visitors, as anyone who has lined up to peek inside can attest. At present, with galleries and public spaces closed across the globe, no one can explore the Japanese artist's dazzling mirrored spaces in person — but one American venue is providing virtual access. That'd be The Broad in Los Angeles, which is currently home to Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. With the whole site closed due to COVID-19, the gallery has started an online video series called Infinite Drone that steps through the glittering, LED light-filled attraction. And, it's pairing each clip with a drone, electronic, ambient and pop music-filled soundscape. Attempting to mimic the sensation of standing inside one of Kusama's infinity rooms in person — and, as the artist intends, soaking in her dazzling contemplation of eternity as it gleams all around you — the idea is to give art fans as an immersive experience as possible. Of course, when you're viewing the installation via virtual means, you don't have to queue — or worry about a time limit. So far, one video has been released, with Los Angeles-based artist and composer Geneva Skeen on scoring duties. Available to watch via Facebook and Instagram, the first 14-and-a-half minute clip watches on as the infinity room's lights glow and fade over and over again — and as well as offering an escape from being glued to the news, it serves up quite the meditative experience. https://www.facebook.com/thebroadmuseum/videos/2906806926047006/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBOxGpmFiisf4BHLIydeMauefG6Y0zMqYRM-_OEsoFmmwxv1XErWIVbc9OrYayVAN4R2pMW4F0LUdPiihR9Zwgv6eh-Hlwgd0DTcZXT5qKh780Ngti2z4G1jYkk_FGa4-u70sYu4n2RM3u8wLuDHncUysxot5mMb5qjoRMP46B4BEaHJNdzT_HMubTLIcu32LXtUEi57v0FlZ6H_WVtCaizQZwoT677vUqlthU8vUsd2-NVXIZFLqwQVZhUudCPCmN_W13ZzMXe-bTRcdQRUjvh_jn02gqPan5HZyXkQfq1G4IsLJh6dJHXxW0X69Z4h_5GodXgnb7N-DGc89xUwb98yrekEHJO01AKWQ&__tn__=-R To check out The Broad's virtual Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away tours, head to the gallery's Facebook and Instagram. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
When the director and lead of one of 2021's best Norwegian films — and best movies from anywhere that year — joined forces again, of course the Scandinavian Film Festival needed to get the resulting picture on its program. Accordingly, Sentimental Value from The Worst Person in the World filmmaker Joachim Trier, once more starring Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent), is one of the big highlights at 2025's Australian showcase of cinema from the Nordic region. Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) and Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown) also feature, and the results won this year's Cannes Grand Prix (the award below the Palme d'Or). At the Scandinavian Film Festival, Sentimental Value is getting the centrepiece treatment. Movies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are always in the drawcard at this Aussie fest — so a Norwegian spy drama to kick things off in 2025, then an Icelandic black comedy to wrap things up, are both on the itinerary. This year's national tour will hit Melbourne across Friday, July 11–Sunday, August 3 at Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre. Launching the fest: Number 24, the latest from The Burning Sea and The Quake director John Andreas Andersen, recounting a true espionage tale from World War II. The aptly named Grand Finale comes in at the other end, spinning a Reykjavik-set story about a struggling chamber orchestra's efforts to endure. Alongside Sentimental Value, Quisling: The Final Days is another of the festival's big-name titles, this time from The King's Choice and Utoya: July 22's Erik Poppe, with the trial of its controversial namesake head of state the film's focus. Cannes favourites, blasts from the past, laughter-inducing fare: they're all on the lineup, then. Add watching Björk's daughter in her first feature role, multiple dates with Danish actor Trine Dyrholm (The Girl with the Needle) and celebrating the 25th anniversary of a Swedish romantic-comedy to the list, too. The first comes courtesy of The Mountain, a coming-of-age and road-trip flick starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. Dyrholm pops up in both the healthcare-centric Second Victims and the David Dencik (Other People's Money)-co-starring Beginnings. And Jalla! Jalla! is marking its quarter-century milestone. Audiences keen to spend Australia's winter feasting their eyes on colder climes from the other side of the world can also look forward to the Faroe Islands-set The Last Paradise on Earth and heading into an Icelandic seafood restaurant with Odd Fish. Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Riders of Justice) leads Way Home, about a Danish father endeavouring to save his loved ones. With heist effort The Quiet Ones, Denmark's biggest-ever robbery makes its way to the screen. Finnish relationship dramedy Sudden Bursts of Emotions, the nation's great Heikki Kinnunen playing 'The Grump' in Long Good Thursday, three siblings returning to the house they grew up in in Everything Must Go, the couch-surfing antics of Live a Little, the beer-brewing sisters of 100 Litres of Gold, My Father's Daughter's focus on a Sámi teenager: add them to your Scandinavian Film Festival list as well.
"The World Has Enough Superheroes". That's not our opinion, mind. Rather, it's literally the slogan for Venom, right there up on the posters. After watching the film, one wonders if it wasn't actually a studio note placed on the banners by accident. It's true, Venom is more antihero than superhero, but given he is still part of the wider Marvel universe (a Spider-Man spinoff owned by Sony Pictures), to call this anything other than a superhero movie is as laughable as Tom Hardy's attempt at bumbling comedy. Here he plays Eddie Brock, a VICE-like gritty street journalist whose video segments focus on taking down the rich, powerful and corrupt. Fixed firmly in his sights this time is the Elon Musk-esque tech mogul Carlton Drake (Rogue One's Riz Ahmed), whose determination to advance humankind routinely requires him to also sacrifice them in human trials. Drake's current focus is on four "symbiotes": amorphous sentient blobs from space who need to occupy a human host in order to survive our atmosphere. But Drake believes they also hold the key to humans being able to survive in space (which we'll need to do, because...global warming). In the course of his investigation, Eddie becomes entangled with one such symbiote (aka Venom), who wildly enhances Eddie's strength, speed and stamina, but also compels him to commit regular acts of extreme violence (mainly head eating) as they grapple to form some sort of symbiotic relationship. It's a device not entirely unlike the earlier Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus, but even more so the recent Aussie film Upgrade, whose protagonist becomes infused with an AI that speaks to his subconscious and allows him to fight off hordes of villains whilst essentially watching on as a passenger in his own body. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), Venom flicks back and forth between violent battle scenes and mismatched buddy comedy, so much so that it never fully lands the vibe of either. It's almost as if Fleischer himself was possessed by a studio symbiote, one compelling him to make one type of film whilst he sought to make another. This incongruity is never clearer than in Hardy's misfiring performance as Brock, whose scratchy and stammering accent sounds like a half-baked Adam Sandler impression. Brock's presented as a hard-hitting journo one minute, then consistently called a loser the next – including by Venom. He's shown as principled and driven, then spends half the movie avoiding responsibility. He'll do whatever it takes, but often does nothing at all. The result is a character without an arc, ending the film – at best – somewhere in the ballpark of where he started. In all, Venom feels like an enormous squandered opportunity. Hardy is a juggernaut of charisma and physicality when given the right material, so to use him in this way is like using a prized stallion for birthday party pony rides. The same goes for his character's fiancée in the film, Anne, played by Michelle Williams. Decked out in the Spider-Man franchise's weirdly consistent tartan skirt and knee-high boots ensemble (seriously, what's up with that?), she's a paper-thin character with almost no reason to be there. An actor of her calibre deserves far better. There's the inevitable teaser of a sequel in the film's closing moments, including the introduction of another terrific performer. It's possible that with the back story and setup out of the way, Hardy and the gang could cast off the origin movie shackles and properly go for it next time round. That's assuming they even get the chance, which is by no means a lock given Venom's disastrous beginning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Mv98Gr5pY
If it's a feast of weird, wild and wonderful movies that you're after, then one Australian film festival has been delivering for 16 years now: the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Dedicated to strange and surreal cinema, it screens the kinds of flicks that don't usually turn up at your local multiplex — although, this year, the event itself is making the move to one such venue. 2022 marks a huge milestone for SUFF in two ways. Firstly, it's the fest's return to a physical event for the first time since 2019, thanks to a couple of pandemic-affected years. Secondly, SUFF is shifting to a new location. Accordingly, come Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, Sydneysiders will want to flock to Event Cinemas George Street to watch everything from hilarious Pete Davidson-featuring horror satires through to the latest and greatest genre shorts. And if you're not in Sydney, the fest's online program will return from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25 as well. For those keen on an in-person experience, I Love My Dad will open the fest, telling a tale about an estranged father (played by Patton Oswalt, Gaslit) who catfishes his own son in an effort to reconnect. From there, highlights include new releases by a few mighty impressive filmmakers: closing night's Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, the latest from A Girl Walks Home at Night's Ana Lily Amirpour, and Something in the Dirt, by The Endless and Synchronic's Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. And, of course, there's the aforementioned Bodies Bodies Bodies — which not only features The King of Staten Island's Davidson, but also Dear Evan Hansen's Amandla Stenberg and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Oscar-nominee Maria Bakalova. They star in a film that turns a party game into a slasher onslaught, and tears into not only its characters, but Gen Z and today's always-online world. Also on the in-cinema bill: Dual, the Aaron Paul (Westworld) and Karen Gillan (Avengers: Endgame)-starring new deadpan comedy by The Art of Self-Defense's Riley Stearns; On the Count of Three, Jerrod Carmichael's (Rothaniel) feature film debut as a director; and documentary I Get Knocked Down, about Chumbawamba singer Dunstan Bruce. Or, you can see the world premiere of horror flick Pig Killer, which is inspired by a true story; catch Norway's Sick of Myself, which also screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival; and check out a charity screening of Rhino by Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. For those watching at home around the country, SUFF's online program includes queer Canadian drama Compulsus, horror/sci-fi film LandLocked, and an impressive range of documentaries — such as F@k This Job, about Russian TV channel Dozhd and its founder Natasha Sindeeva; Girl Gang, which follows a 14-year-old London influencer; the self-explanatory Nightclubbing: The Birth of Punk Rock in NYC; Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters, about the Hellboy creator; and Circus of the Scars, about sideshow performers. Plus, SUFF's dedication to the most out-there shorts the fest can compile will also hit screens in-person at Event Cinemas George Street and via the virtual lineup. Sydney Underground Film Festival will screen at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, then head online from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25. For further information, or to buy tickets, head to SUFF's website.
Just next door to Glen Iris' much-loved Grazia Restaurant, Grazia D'Asporto brings the same Italian swagger to a polished grab-and-go format. 'D'asporto' translates to 'takeaway' in Italian, and that's exactly what you'll find here: coffee and pastries in the morning, panini and pizza a taglio by day, and Roman-style pizzas after dark. Executive Chef Joe Di Cintio has crafted a generous menu that mirrors the contemporary sensibilities that have made Grazia an enduring inner-east favourite. Schiacciata — baked daily in a Castelli pizza oven imported from Rome — comes stacked with fillings like slow-roasted porchetta, provolone, artichoke cream, Davidson plum sauce and slaw, or mortadella with stracciatella, house-made pistachio pesto and hot honey. There's also a selection of toastie-style sourdough melts like braised beef cheek with provolone and mustard pickles, daily-changing pizza by the slice and hot snacks like supplì carbonara, a Roman-style arancini filled with spaghetti alla carbonara. [caption id="attachment_1019114" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jay Hynes[/caption] At night, the focus shifts to Grazia's famed thin and crispy Roman pizzas, now available to-go in 11 varieties. Highlights include pumpkin, whipped ricotta, caramelised onion and hot honey; prawn, green olive and house chilli crisp; and mortadella, pistachio pesto, buratta and pistachio dust. Gluten-free bases are available upon request. On the sweet side, you'll find fluffy bombolone packed with vanilla custard, jam or Di Cintio's pistachio crema, citrus-flecked sfogliatelle and Drambuie-laced tiramisu. Plus, crema di caffe and a crema di pistachio featuring that house-made pistachio cream. The design by Richard Hall & Son cleverly balances industrial edges with playful flourishes — deep red tones, Italian-inspired checkerboard tiling, eye-catching benches by Hay and Steelotto and a stainless steel counter with marble inset create a space that's casual enough for a quick coffee run, but considered enough to make waiting for your pizza a pleasure. Top images: Jay Hynes.
In Yiddish, the word 'Mensch' means a person of integrity and honour. Not exactly traits you'd associate with those in the entertainment industry, let alone the drug-addled hedonist who introduced the world to Alice Cooper. Yet despite his often outlandish lifestyle, talent manager Shep Gordon is by all accounts considered one of the nicest people working in the biz. Directed by Mike Myers (yes, that Mike Myers), Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon takes audiences through the agent's astounding career, from getting high with Jimi Hendrix to cooking breakfast for the Dalai Lama and amassing an astounding rolodex of friends along the way. Gordon got his start in the mid '60s, selling pot to the likes of Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin. Around that same time, he also forged what was to become one of his closest relationships with up-and-coming shock rocker Alice Cooper. Gordon's managerial strategy was simple: whatever parents hated, teenagers tended to love, and so he went about orchestrating scandal wherever he possibly could. Hoax calls to police. Paying-off paparazzo. Chickens torn to pieces live on stage. Listening to the documentary tell it, you could be forgiven for thinking Gordon was singlehandedly responsible for corrupting an entire generation of youths. Whether or not that's true, it's bizarre trying to reconcile his unashamedly sleazy tactics with the fact that no one seems to have a bad word to say about him. Myers, in his lively directorial debut, enlists the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Tom Arnold and Michael Douglas to testify to Gordon's generosity. In later years, the agent's million dollar Hawaii home became a safe haven for beleaguered celebrities; Myers himself spent two months living there while grieving the death of his father. Given that, it's hardly surprising that the movie paints Gordon in a benevolent light. Myers never even attempts objectivity about his friend, whose life, surely, has been far too eventful to be entirely free of skeletons. Nor does the film spend much time examining Gordon's self-reflexive claims that fame has no inherent worth, instead preferring to indulge in yet another A-list anecdote. Then again, when that anecdote is about how Gordon used to shared a cat with Cary Grant, or how Alice Cooper used to have nightly sleepovers with Groucho Marx, it becomes frightfully easy to forgive the film for its bias. Some of Gordon's stories are nothing short of flabbergasting — and ultimately, his kindness speaks for itself. His later years are filled with some incredible acts of altruism including essentially adopting the grandkids of an ex-girlfriend after their mother passed away. All things considered, the word Mensch doesn't seem so inappropriate after all. This film is being presented as part of ACMI's Summer of Sound Program alongside Super Duper Alice Cooper, Jimi: All Is By My Side, and Beautiful Noise. Head to the ACMI website for more information.
UPDATE, January 13, 2022: Yotam Ottolenghi's Australian tour has been postponed again due to the pandemic. New dates have not yet been announced — we'll update you when they are. If you're a vegetarian, worshipper of eggplant or just a keen home cook, chances are Yotam Ottolenghi has had some impact on your life. In fact, we bet you've got at least one of his bestselling cookbooks in your cupboard. Next year, you'll be able to learn a few more tips and tricks from the renowned Israeli chef as he heads to Australia for a speaking tour. The trailblazing chef, author, TV personality and restaurateur whose name has become its own cooking style is touring the country in 2022 off the back of his recent book Ottolenghi Flavour, which builds on his love for innovative vegetable-based recipes. And yes, this'll sound familiar, as he was planning to head Down Under in 2021 — but we all know how this year turned out. Yotam Ottolenghi — Flavour of Life will hit Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and the Gold Coast in January — and, as well as dishing up a few spicy secrets behind mouthwatering hits like miso butter onions and spicy mushroom lasagne, the show will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the man himself about his influences and experiences. It also promises to delve into Ottolenghi's experience as the owner of famed London restaurants Nopi and Rovi, how he approached home cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can dial up the flavour in your own kitchen. [caption id="attachment_768174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/Stijn Nieuwendijk[/caption] YOTAM OTTOLENGHI 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Sunday, January 16 — Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC, Sydney Monday, January 17 + Wednesday, January 19 — Canberra Theatre Centre Tuesday, January 18 + Tuesday, January 25 — Adelaide Convention Centre Thursday, January 20 + Monday, January 24 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Friday, January 21 — Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart Saturday, January 22 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday, January 23 — The Star, The Gold Coast The Yotam Ottolenghi — Flavour of Life will tour Australia in January 2022. For further details or to buy tickets, head to the tour website.
The grassy headland fringing the delightful blue waters of Bronte, with tribes of surfers bobbing on the waves and tanned sunbathers lining the beach, is the perfect setting for Perrier mixologist Tomas Vikario to re-create summer’s best cocktail for sharing: The Perrier Summer Punch. It's the fourth delectable concoction in Perrier’s series of cocktails tailor made for Concrete Playground, and on a perfect Sydney summer day, it couldn't be more welcome. "Did you know that the origins of punch can be traced back to seventeenth century British sailors?" asks Tomas, explaining how citrus fruits were added to the sailors' ration of rum to prevent scurvy. It’s a quirky historical flashback, but Vitamin C deficiencies aside, today's punch comes with a 'Tomas' twist on the classic. By replacing the traditional rum with a smooth vodka and adding Perrier, Tomas has created a beverage that's as light and refreshing as a Sydney summer is sizzling and steamy. "This is the perfect no-fuss drink for casual summer get-togethers or when friends turn up unexpectedly,” says Tomas as he expertly dices fruit for the punch. “You don’t need any special equipment and you can also use whatever fruit you have on hand.” As Perrier’s beverage innovation manager, Tomas has his pulse on international trends and says there's a move towards lighter, cleaner flavours and drinks that have a bit of 'fizz'. With its long-lasting bubbles and low mineral content - which means it doesn’t inhibit other flavours - Perrier certainly injects this refreshingly delicious punch with a zingy edge, making it an invigorating treat on hot summer days. To re-create the Perrier Summer Punch you'll need: 700 ml vodka 500ml iced tea 200ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (roughly three lemons) 200ml freshly squeezed orange juice (roughly two oranges) 2 oranges 2 lemons 10 strawberries 750 ml Perrier Step 1 Prepare the fruit: take the oranges, limes, lemons, and strawberries and halve or quarter into bite-sized pieces. Combine in a glass punch bowl. Step 2 Add the freshly squeezed lemon and orange juices or substitute with bottled juice if you're out of the fresh stuff. Then add 500ml of iced tea — store-bought or a homemade brew, whichever is on hand. Tomas uses a peach iced tea but says you can try other flavours like mango or lemon. Step 3 Measure out 700ml of good-quality vodka — you can go heavier or lighter depending on your taste — and pour over the fruit. Belvedere is Tomas's vodka of choice on the day, but he adds that you can use others like Grey Goose. Want to mix it up a bit? Experiment with liqueurs like Grand Marnier or Cointreau in place of the vodka. A tip from Tomas: if you have the time (and the patience), start steps 1-3 the night before — or a few hours in advance — to allow the fruit to soak up the alcohol, intensifying its flavoursome goodness. Stir together slowly. Step 4 If you can get your hands on it, add a large chunk of ice. According to Tomas, a block of ice takes longer to melt than cubes and helps to prevent diluting the light, fruity flavours of the punch. Don’t have an ice maker nearby? Tomas suggests using a plastic container, like an old ice cream tub (make sure it’s clean first), to make your own ice blocks at home. Step 5 Finally, to add that extra fizz, slowly pour one 750ml bottle of chilled Perrier into the punch. Stir gently and serve in glass cups or demitasses, as Tomas has used in this recipe, with generous helpings of fruit. Variations Fancy some punch alternatives? Replace the strawberries with 20 fresh cherries and the vodka for 300ml of white rum, add in a bottle (750ml) of champagne (or sparkling wine) and some Perrier, and omit the lemon and orange juices for two tins of canned peaches or apricots (along with their juice) to create a chic white sangria Perrier punch.
You've danced the night away to 'Good Luck', 'Do Your Thing' and 'Romeo'. Every time you hear it, you can't get 'Where's Your Head At' out of of your head — or the monkeys from the song's music video. But when it comes to electronic music duo Basement Jaxx, we're guessing there's one thing you haven't done. If you've never seen the British act play live with an orchestra, here's your chance. On Saturday, April 13, Basement Jaxx Vs The Metropolitan Orchestra will take over the Margaret Court Arena for a night of reimagined bangers. Expect all of the group's floor-filling hits, but expect them to sound rather different. And, as well as sharing the stage with Sydney's The Metropolitan Orchestra, Basement Jaxx will also have singers Vula and Sharlene Hector pumping out vocals.
With international travel set to be off the cards until mid 2021, many Aussies are looking to explore their own backyards a bit more. One of the ways we're doing that is by hitting the trails and mountain paths. While your regular trainers and favourite leggings are probably all good for a one-day hike (depending on terrain), if you're looking to do something a bit longer — like a multi-day adventure across NSW, Victoria of Queensland — you might want to invest in some slightly more serious hiking gear. This can usually cost a pretty penny, but, thankfully, good ol' Aldi is about to drop a heap of adventure gear that won't empty your bank account. Available at stores across the country from Saturday, July 4, the gear includes everything from down jackets to hiking shoes and backpacks. You can snag headlamps for just $4.99, wool hiking socks for $11.99, $12.99 gloves , shoes for $29.99, a $34.99 30-litre backpack, merino thermals from $26.99 and a waterproof jacket starting at $39.99. There's also an Ultralight down jacket, which is water repellent, insulated and can be packed into a easy-to-carry pocket, is on offer for just $49.99 — still less than a pineapple — as well as some outdoor-appropriate technology such as binoculars ($39.99), handheld radios ($49.99) and GPS watches ($79.99). Once you're all kitted out, it's time to start planning your adventure. We suggest you aim high (literally) and tick off these ten epic mountain walks across Australia. The Aldi Adventure Range is available from Aldi stores nationally from Saturday, July 4. From 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 1, until at least Wednesday, July 29, stay-at-home orders have been reintroduced in ten Melbourne postcodes, which means their residents can only leave for one of four reasons: work or school, care or care giving, daily exercise or food and other essentials. For more information, head to the DHHS website.
In support of their new release, Chasing Ghosts, The Amity Affliction will burn a path across Australia with what is shaping up to be a blistering parade of infernal jams. After the success of their previous release, Youngbloods, some incredible shows at the Big Day Out festival earlier this year and a massive headline tour a few months after, the band are taking 2012 by storm. Performing with The Amity Affliction on all their dates will be a collection of international acts that revel in a similar style of chaotic music. California’s The Ghost Inside, Brighton’s Architects and local rockers Buried In Verona will all be on hand to rev the audience up.
For the next two months, visitors to MoMA PS1 in New York's Queens best start looking up. The gallery has just installed its latest installation, Lumen, which turns the venue's courtyard into a environmentally responsive, colour-changing wonderland. Designed by Jenny Sabin Studio, winning The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1's annual Young Architects Program, and on display until September 4, Lumen consists of cellular canopies made from textiles that react to conditions around them: light and heat, namely. As the environment changes — aka the weather gets gloomy, or day turns to night — so do the hues emitted by its digitally knitted fibres. If you've ever wondered what the '90s Hypercolor fad would look like if it was strung across the sky, this dreamy interactive piece provides the answer. So, how does it work? Well, those fibres are solar-active and photo-luminescent. Almost a million metres of them have been turned into 250 hanging tubular structures, and paired with 100 robotically woven recycled spool stools, as well as a misting system that responds to visitors' proximity. The aim is to use insights and theories from biology, materials science, mathematics and engineering to create an adaptive piece of micro-climate-like architecture that behaves like an organism. As Sabin describes, "by night, Lumen is knitted light, bathing visitors in a responsive glow of photo-luminescence; by day, Lumen offers succor from the summer heat, immersing participants in delicious ground clouds of cooling mist." She continues: "Lumen is a feminine form that offers luminous interiorities, informal networks, social fabrics, and fibrous assemblages that are pliable, transformative, and playful." Via: Inhabitat. Images: Lumen by Jenny Sabin Studio for the Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1's Young Architects Program 2017. Courtesy MoMA PS1. Photo by Pablo Enriquez.
In Dune, Josh Brolin jumped wholeheartedly into one of the best sci-fi subgenres there is: the space opera. When a movie follows a spice-war fought by feuding houses on far-flung planets, no other description fits the bill. And, the 2021 big-screen hit — and 2022 big-time Oscar-nominee — firmly did its slice of science fiction proud. But, as well showing up for next year's sequel Dune: Part Two, Brolin definitely isn't done with sci-fi just yet. Making a rare small-screen appearance — his first ongoing episodic role since 2003, in fact — the Milk Oscar-nominee leads Outer Range, the next trippy streaming series that you'll want to add to your queue. That recommendation is based on the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the eight-part series, which'll hit Prime Video from Friday, April 15, and promises quite the mind-bending supernatural western. The setup: on a ranch in Wyoming, Brolin's Royal Abbott is trying to keep his land, and ensure that his family stays together, after his daughter-in-law Rebecca goes missing. His neighbours, the Tillersons, are after his parcel of turf, and strange things start happening — including an eerie black void in the middle of the Abbotts' west pasture. So far, the show is keeping most of its small town-set storyline close to its sci-fi/western/thriller/mystery chest — but the sneak peek certainly sets an unsettling tone. And yes, it's shaping up to be a big year for unnerving stories set in vast expanses of US land, with Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope covering the same terrain. Outer Range will drop two episodes per week, so you'll spend around a month soaking in its mysteries, turf wars and wild revelations. If you've currently got a Yellowjackets shaped hole in your viewing schedule, this might just fill it. On-screen, Brolin is joined by an impressive cast that includes Imogen Poots (The Father), Lili Taylor (Perry Mason), Tamara Podemski (Run), Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) and Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek). Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range will start streaming via Prime Video Down Under on Friday, April 15.
2021 proved a busy year for Chris Lucas and his growing hospitality stable, with the addition of not one, but two new restaurants — the glamourous Society and buzzing Japanese spot Yakimono. But hey, why stop when you're on a roll, right? Lucas (of Chin Chin, Baby Pizza, Hawker Hall) is gearing up to open the doors to yet another hotly anticipated eatery before the month's out, with the impending arrival of new Italian-inspired bar and restaurant Grill Americano. First announced last June and originally slated for a spring launch, the newcomer is now set to welcome customers from Monday, March 21, making its home in the iconic 101 Collins Street tower. If you're extra keen, however, you can get in early as bookings for the venue open today, Tuesday, March 8. [caption id="attachment_845295" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grill Americano owner Chris Lucas[/caption] While you'll have to wait a couple more weeks to find out exactly what's in store, the team has unveiled a few key details to tide us all over until then. You can expect a Northern Italian flavour to Lucas' latest menu, from a kitchen that's centred around a bespoke wood oven and flame-licked grills. The food offering is set to hero top-quality Aussie meat and seafood, running to the likes of sophisticated grill classics, handmade pasta dishes and slow-cooked braises. And tying it all together is a sense of modern elegance, right through to the team of smartly jacketed waitstaff bringing the dining room to life. Lucas says: "Grill Americano speaks of the rich cultural heritage of Melbourne as one of the best food cities in the world", sharing that he hopes the newcomer will help give a much-needed boost to the city's rebuilding restaurant industry. Grill Americano will open at 101 Collins (entry via Flinders Lane) from Monday, March 21. We'll share more details about the venue as they drop.
A brand new performing arts festival is on its way to Melbourne, featuring works by creatives from all across Asia. Running from January to April in 2017, the first ever Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts is a joint venture between various government entities, the Sidney Myer Fund, and a number of the city's leading cultural institutions — including the Arts Centre Melbourne, the NGV and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Suffice it to say, we've got big expectations. The inaugural Asia TOPA lineup includes 60 events and more than 350 artists, hailing from China, Japan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and beyond. Standout shows include a special performance by the MSO featuring prolific Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman, a pop music pop-up and bar in the Immigration Museum courtyard, and the first ever Australian performance by the National Chinese Ballet of their most iconic work, The Red Detachment of Women. Many works on the program are the result of cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary collaboration. In One Beautiful Thing, acclaimed local circus company Circa will join forces with acrobats from India to showcase the centuries old gymnastic practice of mallakhamb. Meanwhile, Chunky Move choreographer Anouk van Dijk has teamed up with Singaporean visual artist Ho Tzu Nyen on the immersive new dance work ANTI GRAVITY. Also on the menu are a number of moving image works. These include a free exhibition at ACMI about the early days of Bollywood, a showcase of four episodes that reimagine urban mythologies and traditional Filipino folklore from Australian-Filipino collective Club Ate, and a special screening of Satan Jawa, the new film from Indonesia's Garin Nugroho, featuring a live score by the MSO and 20 gamelan players. Image: Balud (Jai Jai), Ex Nilalang (2015). Shot by Gregory Lorenzutti.
If you're particularly excellent at nailing a sourdough, crafting a camembert or perfecting the art of the cracker, you'll be gunning for backslaps at the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards. In a nutshell, this is the Australian Olympics of Gourmet Noms. Get ready for some acronyms. Run by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards (RMFFA) delve deeper than your umbrella restaurant/store awards, giving out medals for seriously niche producers. The awards were established to give national ups to Australia's best dips, oils, meats, jams, free-range eggs and more to both the wholesale industry and consumers. They've given out no less than 693 medals to date this season (164 gold, 299 silver and 230 bronze), a record number for the RMFFAs and significantly more than our Commonwealth Games taking. Why more shiny high fives? There's apparently been a 14% increase in overall entries — and their produce was just too damn good. A serious Big Deal for the fine food industry, these are the categories (with some super niche subcategories): SPRING 2014 CATEGORIES: Branded Beef Branded Lamb Dairy Sheep, Goat and Buffalo Ice Cream Gelato and Sorbet Delicatessen featuring Dips, Tapenade, Smallgoods and Uncooked Sausages Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Flavoured Oils Bread and Baked Goods Free Range Eggs Sweet and Savoury Preserves, featuring jams, vinegars and dressings “The Awards see entries from a variety of producers, who are provided with a unique and valuable opportunity to benchmark, promote and market their produce and products under a recognised seal of quality and excellence. They provide a level playing field for all producers to be recognised on a national level,” says RASV CEO Mark O’Sullivan. So how'd we do? Victorian breads nailed it, with Torquay's Zeally Bay organic artisan bakery picking up a first-time gold medal for their Southern Casalinga Sourdough in the White Sourdough class. "We entered not only to see where we sit but also to have a voice and to keep the integrity of the bread industry. We’re proud of our win, it enhances the credibility of what we’re doing at Zeally Bay and the response has been great so far," says Co-Founder John Farnan. Apollo Bay's multi award-winning ice creamery Dooley's dominated the Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet realms, taking out no less than 19 gold medals (there's different categories for single flavour, multi flavour, no inclusions, with inclusions and then there's sorbet). If you dabble in iced confections, Dooley's are the crew to beat. Cheese-wise Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese (whose kickass tagline is "Dare to be Cultured") took out the Mould Ripened, Blue Mould or Cheese Containing Blue Mould category for their Tarwin Blue, while Preston-based Alberto's Delicacies nailed the Tapenade section with a gold for their olive concoction. There's still more accolades to come for the RMFFAs, with the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavoured Oil categories to be judged later this month. For now, the gold medallists now have to sit tight; the official Awards Presentation looms for September 22 with more trophies on the line. But there's opportunities to join an exclusive Buyers' Tasting in late August as well as a spot in the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Deli in the Tastes of Victoria Pavilion during the 2014 Royal Melbourne Show. Nothing to be sniffed at; as far as dominating the tapenade market goes, this is battin' in the majors. For more info and announced winners, visit RASV. For more info, visit RASV.
Thanks to seminal documentaries such as The Endless Summer, excellent action flicks like Point Break and even the formulaic cheesiness such as Blue Crush, surfing is no stranger to cinemas. Big waves and big screens go hand in hand quite often, in fact, as seen in everything from beach party flicks like Gidget, surf dramas such as Drift, docos including Morning of the Earth and even the animated likes of Ride Your Wave. The next addition to the ever-growing surf movie genre: documentary Girls Can't Surf, which heads back to the 80s and into the backlash by female surfers against the male-dominated industry. Sick of being told that professional surfing wasn't for them — and being considered a gimmick, sideshow and complete afterthought compared to their male peers — a group of women fought back, striving for equal pay and treatment. Yes, this doco features an important story — as told through interviews with pioneering female surfers such as Jodie Cooper, Frieda Zamba, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Pam Burridge, Wendy Botha and Layne Beachley. Behind the lens, it's directed by Christopher Nelius, who is no stranger to the waves thanks to 2012's Storm Surfers 3D. With summer now in full swing, the arrival of Girls Can't Surf's trailer couldn't be better timed — although you will have to wait to see the film itself. After being selected as part of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, it'll premiere locally at the Perth Arts Festival in January, then hit up Sydney Film Festival's Summer Season and Westpac Openair, before hitting cinemas nationwide on March 11. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBjcbZla2cA&feature=youtu.be Girls Can't Surf releases in Australian cinemas on March 11, 2021. Top image: Don King
It's hard to beat a long lunch on a hot summer's day. This glorious time of year is made for taking extended work breaks and soaking up the weekend's afternoon sun with mates. But, not all lunch spots were made equally. So, together with Aperol — the brightly hued liquid behind the reigning champ of spritzes, the long-lunch bev of choice — we've compiled this list of Melbourne's top spots to head to when your lunch has the potential to go on and on. Some of these haunts come with sun-soaked outdoor spaces and others with plush indoor dining rooms (where the aircon is blasting). But, most importantly, each has a bloody good lunch menu and a great selection of summery cocktails — did someone mention a round of spritzes for the table?
Gin has come a long way in the past few years. No longer confined to your gran's dusty antique liquor cabinet, this refreshing and versatile nectar has shaken off the cobwebs by quickly becoming a staple component of any summertime drinking sesh. G&Ts have officially replaced vodka sodas as your beachfront drink of choice, and now Bombay Sapphire are taking things one step further. This summer they'll be opening a dedicated gin bar in North Melbourne. From November 19 until December 6, Bombay are treating us to a world of ginny bliss in the form of Project Botanicals. Pioneering the alluring idea of 'ginstronomy', this idyllic little hideaway will be serving up a curated menu of 10 dishes from Masterchef's Gary Mehigan paired with 10 unique cocktails from brand ambassador and certified gin master Raj Nagra. Taking inspiration from the aromatic depth of Bombay Sapphire, each pairing will be inspired by a botanical extract from the gin itself. Lemon will be utilised in a citrusy twist of a classic Tom Collins paired with cured kingfish, and coriander will be replacing the usual mint in a gin-based version of the Moscow Mule, paired with Vietnamese rolls and yellowfin tuna. It's safe to say, it's time to venture beyond the classic G&T. Project Botanicals will be open every Wednesday-Sunday evening at 64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne. For just $35 per person, you'll be treated to two cocktails and matching tapas style dishes. Book your tickets here or, if you fancy some free tickets, we're giving away two double passes. Shoot your details through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au to be in the draw.
It might seem like Melbourne's inner north has become overrun with breweries in recent years, but the beer-making traditions of Richmond, Abbotsford and Collingwood actually date back to the 1800s. But, it's safe to say, the beers have improved a lot, with innovative beer purveyors setting up shop in various ramshackle warehouses scattered over town. Strap on your walking shoes and plunge into Melbourne's immense beer culture. Visiting these five brewhouses is a beer lover's adventure so good you won't be going back to the standard swill anytime soon. FIRST, A FEW SIMPLE TIPS Start early —It's easy to lose track of time in a house full of beer. To fit all of these in, you'll need to get to the first brewery early. Go with a group — Sharing a beer with friends doesn't just spread the love for local craft brews but will also make the walking in-between go by far faster. Take advantage of tasting paddles — The most bang-for-your-buck option, paddles allow you to taste the brewery's range without going overboard. Schedule a brewery tour — There are few occasions in life when you get to see exactly where the product you're consuming is made. Take advantage of this moment. Pace yourself — Don't be a hero, you have a whole day of drinking ahead of you. This isn't a pub crawl for rowdy uni kids all wearing the same t-shirt. The breweries are community hangouts where friends gather to chill and grab a beer, best to keep that in mind. Eat, eat, eat — Drinking on an empty stomach leads to nothing but inevitable sadness; luckily, some of the breweries have food trucks parked outside or you can grab a bite to eat inside. Now, let's get walking. STARTING POINT: MOUNTAIN GOAT BREWERY & BAR The original brewery. The Mountain Goat Brewery is a fitting place to start this boozy walking tour as these guys have been around since 1997 — right back near the start of Australian craft beer. Emerging from Dave Bonighton and Cam Hines' backyard, it's now one of the industry's largest players and its dedication to the craft has stayed the same over the last 22 years. Featuring many old-favourite drops, the large-scale brick warehouse also has a novel selection on tap that you can only test out here. The North Street IPA is a fine choice with its fruity aroma and earthy hints, while the Fancy Pants Amber Ale makes for an easy-going drink — a good one to kick off the day's festivities. 80 North Street, Richmond. Open 5–10pm Wednesday, 5–11pm Friday, and 12–6pm Sunday. SECOND STOP: MOON DOG CRAFT BREWERY (15 MIN WALK) The casual brewery. Moon Dog may have recently announced some brand spanking new digs to open in Preston later in 2019, but for now its home remains on Duke Street, Abbotsford. Sink into the thrift store couches and get comfortable because there are a lot of great drinks to sample. The brewery might take on a pretty lo-fi appearance, but don't mistake it for a small-time operation. Moon Dog is already pumping out millions of litres of beer each year with more soon to come. There are ten taps on offer, pouring classics like Old Mate and Love Tap plus some seriously flavourful single kegs. Meanwhile, there's always free popcorn and a van serving woodfired pizza out the front. 17 Duke Street, Abbotsford. Open 4–11pm Wednesday to Friday, 12–11pm Saturday, and 12–8pm Sunday. [caption id="attachment_717784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Hyde Photography[/caption] THIRD STOP: STOMPING GROUND BREWING & BEER HALL (20 MIN WALK) The next-big-thing brewery. If Mountain Goat is responsible for helping launch craft brewing in Victoria, Stomping Ground is the crew pushing it forward. Having opened its massive Collingwood brewery and bar back in 2016, it's not uncommon to see the sprawling, 30-tap converted warehouse teeming every weekend. If the sun's shining, the beer garden is perfect with its semi-retractable roof, while there's a huge fireplace for those wintery Melbourne days. With so many beers on offer here, now is your chance to give a tasting paddle a try, with the Cicerone Selection ($26) featuring everything from tart goses to the smoky Hanging Rauch — a German-style smoked larger. 100 Gipps Street, Collingwood. Open 11.30am–late Sunday to Thursday and 11.30am–1am Friday and Saturday. FOURTH STOP: THE MILL BREWERY (15 MIN WALK) The relaxed brewery. Leave behind the powerhouse that is Stomping Ground and get yourself to a more intimate space at The Mill Brewery. This formerly dilapidated mechanic's workshop is one of the local residents' favourite haunts thanks to its chilled out atmosphere. Founder Mirek Aldridge is still very much a part of the everyday activities here and is always keen for a chat. Find yourself a spot at the solid red gum tables and sip a Jack D-licious — a golden ale with a slightly floral flavour at a very reasonable 4.8 per cent ABV. If you can still find a way to focus, there's also table tennis to test your hand-eye coordination. 40 Sackville Street, Collingwood. Open 4–10pm Wednesday to Thursday, 4–11pm Friday, 1–11pm Saturday, and 1–9pm Sunday. LAST STOP: FIXATION BREWING CO – THE INCUBATOR (5 MIN WALK) The obsessed brewery. If there's one thing that Fixation Brewing Co knows, it's IPA. That's because the entire brand is dedicated to making this specific type of beer as fresh and flavourful as possible. Fronted by experienced hop-head Tom Delmont, this place is Australia's only brewery bar that's dedicated to IPA so you can be sure that it delivers some serious quality. The namesake brew offers a hazy orange colour that comes loaded with fruity notes, while The Fix takes things up a notch with its punchy double IPA strength. Being the last stop on your potent brewery walking tour, let's hope you don't feel it too much tomorrow. 414 Smith Street, Collingwood. Open 4–10pm Wednesday to Thursday, 3–10pm Friday, 12–10pm Saturday, 1–7pm Sunday. Want more inner north breweries? Pace these six out. Top image: Stomping Ground
One of South Melbourne's iconic food celebrations is back for a lip-smacking weekend of music and molluscs. Port Phillip Mussel & Jazz Festival returns to the South Melbourne Market from Saturday, March 9–Sunday, March 10. Once again, the precinct will come alive for a food-focused, tune-filled street party from 11am each day, with the humble mussel as the star of the show. Seafood lovers will find themselves in heaven, feasting through a host of special dishes from resident vendors, plus all the usual market favourites slinging everything from pastries and porchetta rolls to fine cheese and cannoli. The market has once again teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to deliver the Shuck Don't Chuck recycling program — leftover mussel, oyster and scallop shells from the weekend's feasting will be collected, cured and reused to help rebuild marine ecosystems in the bay. As always, there'll also be plenty of fresh catches for entertainment — enjoy soul and jazz tunes on the main stage alongside cooking demonstrations, kid's activities and roving entertainers.
Despite Australian supermarkets' current two-item limits, trying to get your hands on — and covered in — sanitiser is much harder than it should be at present. The liquid disinfectant is on everyone's must-buy list, leaving empty supermarket shelves seemingly everywhere. Luckily, a bunch of Australian distilleries are using their booze to make the now-essential product. It makes sense, because alcohol is a crucial ingredient in sanitiser — especially ones that are effective against COVID-19. So, next time you slather your hands with sanitiser, you could be covering them with your favourite booze, too. Meaning there's now no excuse not to clean your hands, you detty pigs. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. MANLY SPIRITS CO Normally, north Sydney's Manly Spirits Co makes gin, vodka, whisky and liqueurs. Of course, these aren't normal times, so it's using its high-grade gin to whip up its own sanitiser. So, if you're wanting to disinfect your hands and smell like botanicals, now you can. Understandably, that's likely to make you thirsty, so the company is making 50 millilitre bottles available for free with every Manly Spirits Co bottle of spirits purchased, which can be ordered here. To discourage stockpiling, however, there is a limit of one free sanitiser per person. Plus, it's supplying its Manly Spirits Hand Sanitiser with Gin Aroma to local community groups, charities and organisations in larger five-litre sizes, to assist with their crucial operations. MR BLACK COFFEE LIQUEUR Fans of caffeinated booze can look forward to freshening their fingers with their preferred tipple thanks to Mr Black's new hand sanitiser. The distillery has made thousands of bottles and you can grab a maximum of two 500 millilitre bottles, for $19.95 each, plus a $10 flat-rate national shipping fee. It's also donated bottles of its A-class sani to a bunch of charities, medical centres and COVID-19 testing clinics. The hand sanitiser is made using a World Health Organisation recipe with 80 percent ethanol, and as bottles don't come with a pump they're designed to be used as refills. While currently out of stock, Mr Black will be adding more early next week and you can join a waitlist over here. And if you decide to invest in some actual coffee liqueur while you're on the site — the OG ($60), single-origin ($75) and amaro ($80) versions are all for sale, as is the most adorable 50-millilitre bottle ($5.99) — or some sweet merch, and spend over $80, you'll get free shipping. BRIX DISTILLERS Sydney's only rum distillery has also jumped on the sanitiser wagon — and selling twin-packs of 300-millilitre bottles for $34. While you're on the site, you can nab a bottle of white, gold or spiced rum; a mix-your-own espresso martini pack; or barrel-aged rum negroni from these guys, too. Plus, Brix is offering $10 off and free shipping on its core range of rums. Nab your booze and sani over here. CAPE BYRON DISTILLERY Premium spirits slinger Cape Byron Distillery is turning its awarded Brookie's Byron Gin into a natural hand and surface sanitiser. Made with 70 percent ethanol, gin byproducts, filtered spring water, aloe vera and citrus, this hand cleaner is also scented with lime and gin botanicals, so your hands will smell like a G&T. As well as supplying large containers of the stuff to local medical centres, doctors, hospitals and care workers, 500-millilitre bottles are also available for purchase via Cape Byron's website for a reasonable $14.99. ARCHIE ROSE The much-loved Rosebery distillery has reallocated its spirits production capacity to hand sanitiser. And in doing so, it's been able to keep majority of its staff in a job. Unsurprisingly, Archie Rose's sanitiser sold out in an instant, but you can pre-order a 500-millilitre bottle via the website. The latest release will leave Archie Rose's facilities the week of April 27, so hopefully you have some in the cupboard for the meantime. ANIMUS DISTILLERY Located in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, Animus is known for its small-batch gins and is using its distillery to now make sanitiser. A 100-millilitre bottle will only cost you $10 and is available for purchase online or pick up in person at the distillery. To discourage hoarding, there's a six-bottle limit per person. You can feel good about buying it, too, with 50 percent of all profits being used to subsidise access to sanitiser for those in need. POOR TOMS GIN Need to restock your gin supply? Poor Toms is still delivering its goods — and it's throwing in a free bottle of its hand sani with any gin purchase. But only for a limited time, so best be quick. As the distillery is supplying frontline healthcare professionals, the botanical-scented sanitiser is not available for retail sale. So, nab yourself some of its classic, strawberry-infused or Fool's Cut gin and maybe throw in a bottle of its amaro, too, and you'll receive 200 millilitres of high-grade, limited-edition sanitiser. It's only $10 shipping across Australia. Available online.
Borneo-born chef Esca Khoo made quite the splash during his stint helming the kitchen at Miss Mi, even earning it a Chef's Hat. But if you missed out on catching his playfully inventive neo-Asian fare in the CBD, you've got one final chance to get acquainted before Khoo jets off to launch his upcoming Malaysia restaurant venture. The Noma Sydney and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal alum is hitting Balaclava's Moonhouse for a one-night-only farewell feast on Tuesday, October 25. [caption id="attachment_856124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moonhouse, by Parker Blain[/caption] Guests are in for a five-course spread built on Khoo's signature fusion of traditional Asian technique, and Malaysian and Australian flavours. Expect a healthy dose of Hong Kong influence throughout, across a menu that features a slew of exclusive new creations. We're talking the likes of caramelised boar san choy bow; a scallop, octopus and prawn chee cheong fun with kelp dressing; Spam fried rice starring grilled char siew pork chop; and Hong Kong-style French toast elevated with sesame and pecan butter. Tickets come in at $145, including a signature Moonhouse cocktail on arrival. You can make a booking online from 5.30pm. [caption id="attachment_856128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moonhouse, by Parker Blain[/caption]
Regional holidays in Victoria are back on the cards from today, Monday, June 1, but if you're not ready (or able) to leave the city just yet, you can still treat yourself to a fancy staycation. And Element Richmond has just the prescription. The eco-conscious Westin brand hotel has just launched a new hot tub and silver screen package. You'll spend the night one of the two luxe King Spa Balcony rooms with your own private outdoor hot tub, which has been conveniently positioned right in front of big screen — so you can have your own movie night. You can, in fact, have a movie marathon, with the screen hooked up to an Ipad loaded with a heap of streaming services and a selection of classics and new flicks. Prepare for wrinkly fingers. When you're sick of looking at the screen, you can gaze out over the Melbourne skyline, too. The package starts from $280 a night for two people and for an extra $50 you can add on a snack pack with a bottle of bubbles, popcorn, ice cream and chips. It's important to note that your four-legged friend can come along for this staycation, too, as Element is a pet-friendly hotel. Comfy dog beds are available for any four-legged guests, though there is a maximum of two dogs per room and they can't weigh more than 20 kilograms each — apologies to all those particularly leggy hounds and hefty pooches. If you are bringing along your canine mate, there's an $80 pet cleaning fee per room, per stay. Element also offers free on-site parking with any package booking and, if you can fit your pooch in your basket, it's also easily accessible via bike. And it has a hand sanitiser bar — with sannies from the likes of Mr Black and Four Pillars — that you can peruse. Element Richmond's hot tub and silver screen package starts at $280 a night for two and is available from June 1 to December 31, 2020.
When the Victorian government committed to funding the Melbourne Metro Rail project, easing inner-city congestion was the topic on everyone's minds. With new transport infrastructure comes new names, however. With five new underground train stations set to join the city's network from 2026, suggesting those monikers has now been tasked upon the state's residents. If you've always wanted to name a piece of Melbourne, here's your chance. Naming is now open for stations at Arden, Parkville, Domain, and under the northern and southern ends of Swanston Street, with a deadline of October 22 for submissions. Entries can be lodged online, must be no longer than three words or 25 characters unless they're in an Indigenous language, and should be relevant to the geography or heritage of the place in question. Names of people held in high regard by the community will also be accepted, although participants are asked to avoid those of people who are still living. Alas, before you go thinking what we're all thinking, one idea has already been ruled out: Station McStationface. "Try to come up with something more original," the Premier posted on Facebook, clearly hoping to stop a repeat of the British Boaty McBoatface situation. That said, Trainy McTrainface was ruled a perfectly fine name in Sweden. "We want as many Victorians as possible to have their say on what they'd like the five new underground stations to be named," is the Premier's official statement, but entries will go through a vetting committee according to The Age. As for the new Metro Rail itself, it will includes two new tunnels as well, and create a new path into the city that doesn't rely on (but connects to) the City Loop. Here's what it will look like: Image: Binayak Dasgupta via Flickr.
It might be a movie about a faux romance, but Anyone But You hasn't faked its setting. In the upcoming rom-com, which has a date with cinemas on Boxing Day, Sydney Sweeney (Reality) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) play a couple pretending that they're in love — but as most of the just-dropped full trailer shows, there's no shams about the Sydney location. When Sweeney was in Sydney at a Sydney Swans game earlier in 2023, it wasn't just because she was playing the Sydney version of Pokémon and catching them all. Rather, the Euphoria and The White Lotus star was filming this movie. And, from both the first teaser and the latest sneak peek, this film clearly falls into a specific category of Aussie-made flicks: pictures shot Down Under that can't stop reminding viewers that they were made Down Under (see also: fellow future release The Fall Guy, which will arrive in 2024). [caption id="attachment_926799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney star in ANYONE BUT YOU.[/caption] Multiple shots of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House feature heavily amid the banter-heavy glimpses at Anyone But You's stars. In fact, the Opera House even shows up in the background as Bea and Ben are having a Titanic moment on a boat. Anyone But You's setup: Sweeney's Bea had a great first date with Powell's Ben; however, then everything turned sour. Now they're at the same destination wedding and pretence becomes their solution. Anyone But You is directed and co-written by Will Gluck, who has both Easy A and Friends with Benefits on his resume, then the vastly dissimilar Annie and the two Peter Rabbit movies. On-screen, as well as Sweeney, Powell and a whole lot of Sydney — the city — Alexandra Shipp (Barbie), GaTa (Dave), Dermot Mulroney (Secret Invasion), Bryan Brown (C*A*U*G*H*T) and Rachel Griffiths (Total Control) also feature. Check out the full trailer for Anyone But You below: Anyone But You opens in cinemas Down Under on December 26, 2023.
If you're missing fresh-off-the-grill burgers due to Melbourne's extended lockdown, Simon O'Keefe — aka Goldieboy — is here to change that with his new DIY double cheeseburger kits. You might have experienced Goldieboy's work at private parties and pop-ups, where he's been honing his creations along the way. The result is a beast-like fusion of Martin's potato rolls (the same used by Shake Shack), a patty made with a special blend of chuck and brisket courtesy of Toorak butcher Peter Bouchier, and a top-secret adobo kewpie sauce. Now O'Keefe is unleashing his finely-tuned formula in a DIY kit so you can recreate the magic at home. Each pack contains all the ingredients necessary to whip up a batch of the double cheeseburgers for two or four — patties, pillowy buns, American cheese, pickles and lashings of that secret sauce. A limited number of the kits drop weekly, with online orders open from 5pm Sundays till midnight on Tuesday or until sold out. Deliveries are then sent out on Friday between 7am and 4pm. Goldieboy has also teamed up with the folks at South Yarra's Two Wrongs, where you can collect pre-ordered burger kits each Saturday, alongside a super limited number of ready-to-eat burgs and take-home cocktails. In the coming weeks, more cafes and venues are set to jump on board, expanding the list of places where you can order and collect burger kits. And if all goes to plan, O'Keefe is looking to set up a permanent Goldieboy burger joint next year — more on that to come soon. Goldieboy's DIY kits are available to order via Mr Yum, Sunday to Tuesday. You can keep an eye on his movements over on Instagram. Otherwise catch Goldieboy from 11am Saturdays at Two Wrongs, 637 Chapel St, South Yarra.
Australia's much-loved cook, author, restaurateur and The Great Australian Bake Off host Maggie Beer is helping you become a culinary whiz while you're spending more time at home. So, next time you're reaching for the instant noodles, do yourself a favour and turn to Maggie. Dubbed Cooking with Maggie, the series features the cooking legend whipping up delicious dishes in her Barossa home. She'll be putting up a new video every day via Instagram or Facebook, showing you how to make an easy rustic-style dish in under 20 minutes. From eggplant and eggs to a caramelised onion and Persian feta side dish and Maggie's take on a panzanella salad, every recipe uses simple ingredients, which you probably already have most of sitting in your pantry. Otherwise, a quick trip to your local grocer — or your garden if you've a green thumb like Maggie — will sort you out. But perhaps best of all is watching Maggie in her own kitchen, offering up little wisdoms. Her enthusiasm and charm is undeniable and will warm your soul. So, even if you're not looking for dinner inspiration, you may want to watch the affable cook anyway. Because, we're all in need of a little comfort — food or otherwise — right now. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMaggieBeer/videos/242070486919378/
They both boast stars. They each look better when there's nothing else in your field of view. Darkness provides them both with their absolute best surroundings, too. We're talking about peering at space and hitting the cinema, two pastimes that are no strangers to combining — as IMAX Melbourne is celebrating with its Spacetember Film Festival. Screening across September 2025, this film fest is all about checking out space flicks on the venue's massive seven-storey-tall screen. On the lineup: classics, recent favourites and this year's releases. Obviously, 2001: A Space Odyssey is one such movie. When you're not communing with Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, whether for the first or 51st time, the IMAX 1570 version of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is another of the fest's big drawcards — and it's playing with 75-plus minutes of sequences presented in full-screen IMAX. Screening dates and times vary across the fest from Monday, September 1–Tuesday, September 30; however, you can revel in footage from the moon landing with excellent documentary Apollo 11, ponder the heavens with Jordan Peele's Nope, revisit the Oscar-winning Gravity in 3D and hear screams from space courtesy of Alien: Romulus. There's also more extra-terrestrial-centric tales via Arrival, 3D kaiju battles courtesy of Pacific Rim and Bong Joon-ho's Mickey 17, the Parasite director's latest film. Or, go all in on upcoming Bond helmer Denis Villeneuve thanks to sci-fi sequel Blade Runner 2049, plus the spiciest double there is in the Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)-starring Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two.
Whether you watched along during its original 2010–12 run, or you've been hooked to repeats of old episodes over the past nine years, there's no denying the joys of SBS game show Letters and Numbers. It celebrates clever contestants doing word and number puzzles, each episode has an engagingly low-key vibe — all while still remaining tense as competitors try to work out the right answers, of course — and it's very easy and immensely enjoyable to play along with from home. The show didn't use a new format, though, with the Aussie series taking its cues from both French TV's Des chiffres et des lettres, which dates back to 1965, and also from Britain's Countdown, which has been on the air since 1982. So, now that Letters and Numbers is coming back — which is obviously fantastic news — it's doing so with a twist that also takes inspiration from overseas. Get ready to spend your time watching Celebrity Letters and Numbers. Yes, the change of focus is right there in the title, with famous folks rather than everyday people battling it out — to make words out of nine randomly selected letters, to use six also randomly chosen numbers in equations to reach a set figure, and to rearrange a jumble of nine more letters into one lengthty word in the final round. There's a big emphasis on comedians this time around, too, so this is basically SBS's Aussie version of the great 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (which SBS also airs, so it clearly knows that it's ace). Celebrity Letters and Numbers will start airing from 7.30pm on Saturday, October 2, with its twelve-episode first season dropping new instalments weekly on both SBS on TV and via SBS On Demand. You'll be getting twice as much puzzling this time, with eps running for an hour. Also, the series will air at least two seasons, with the second set to land in 2022. There is one other significant change, too, with comedian Michael Hing taking over hosting duties from Richard Morecroft. That said, Lily Serna will return to flip numbers and show off her maths skills, and David Astle will again tell contestants whether they've found real words or just made them up, all with his trusty dictionary in hand. And, if you're wondering who'll be competing, guests include Hamish Blake, Matt Okine, Merrick Watts, Jennifer Wong, Aaron Chen and Susie Youssef. They'll each be vying for a single book per episode, which is being sourced from a vintage 80s encyclopaedia collection that's been gifted by Michael Hing's parents (after they cleaned out their garage). Check out the trailer below: Celebrity Letters and Numbers will start airing on SBS and SBS On Demand from Saturday, October 2, with new episodes dropping weekly.
Love craft beer, but also have a soft spot for a good whisky? Does the idea of drinking them together excite or intrigue you? If so, we've found your next drinking destination. The cocktail experts behind Eau de Vie have recently opened Boliermaker House on Lonsdale Street. For the uninitiated, a boilermaker is an American beer cocktail consisting of a shot of whisky and a beer chaser. There are a few ways to down this drink, but the most prevalent is to shot your whisky and then sip the beer. At Boilermaker House they recommend going in that order, but you certainly don't have to shot your whisky in haste. In fact, you're encouraged to take your time, especially with the complimentary food bites that come with your boilermaker to eat post-whisky and pre-beer. On the surface, boilermakers may look like an exceptionally efficient way to get drunk, fast. And while this may be the purpose for some drinkers, it certainly is not the aim for the Boilermaker House. The idea is that, when the two are consumed together, new flavours are created that you wouldn't find from sipping just one. We decided to try two different boilermakers: one light and bright, the other dark and sexy. The Speyside Rambler ($23) consists of a shot of Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak followed by a Red Hill Pilsner, with a skewer of apple and salted caramel for between drinks. It's described as 'a juicy apricot on a summers day', and the flavours certainly made us pine for warmer weather. This was a very drinkable combination, and a bound to be a crowd pleaser for those new to the boilermaker game. The Black Forest ($24) was, as the name suggests, a lot darker, with a shot of Aberlour 16 year old and a dark and delicious Newstead 21'7" Porter to follow. The name certainly fits the bill with this one, and the dark chocolate and date food addition enhanced the black fruit flavours that the combination created. Having something to nosh on while downing these drinks is certainly wise, if not necessary. Boilermaker House has already made a bit of a name for itself for its excellent selection of cured meats and cheeses from all over the globe, so we selected the small ploughman's platter, which, at $53, is ideal for 2-3 people. The beautiful serrano, cacciatore salami, and bresaola cuts were paired perfectly with 1,000 day gouda, chicken pâté, sweet quince and picked vegetables. There are more substantial meals on offer for those feeling more peckish, but this little nook tends to lend itself to casual conversation and grazing. In fact, we found ourselves so comfortable in our golden-lit booth we happily whiled away a few hours and another beer. The service was helpful and unobtrusive, offering suggestions when we were a bit lost and left us to our own devices once we had settled in. Weeknights are a go if you want somewhere cosy to catch up with friends rather than dealing with the hustle and bustle. The wall of whisky that surrounds their 12 beer taps is quite a sight to behold, showing that there's clearly plenty more to try — and we will be back to do so very shortly.
If you're looking for a 'gouda' time with charcuterie boards, thick slices of cheese and generous pours of wine, then this limited-time Melbourne high tea experience is made for you. From now until Saturday, October 25, The Westin Melbourne's Allegro Restaurant is serving up a moreish High Cheese in collaboration with The Studd Siblings and Zonzo Estate. For $89-$110, you get a three-tiered selection of cheese-filled sweet and savoury bites, making for one indulgent evening of fancy feasting. Put together by The Westin Melbourne's Executive Chef, Apoorva Kunte, the menu is a feast for the senses packed with cheeses sourced by cheese connoisseurs The Studd Siblings, so you can rest assured you're only getting the tastiest varieties. Expect pairings like Aphrodite Barrel Aged Organic Fetta with tomato and lychee tartare, or baked le conquérant camembert with thyme and garlic. You'll then finish with decadent desserts such as a chocolate basque cheesecake with blistered padron pepper and Tasmanian pepper berry salt. The High Cheese experience is available from Wednesday to Saturday from 5-9.30 pm. Wednesday to Friday sittings are $89pp, while Saturdays are $110pp. Make sure to book ahead of time, as walk-ins are not welcome.
While so many small restaurants and bars are doing it tough these days, plenty of the big restaurant groups are only getting bigger. Lucas Restaurants (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisumé, Grill Americano, Society, Yakimono, Baby Pizza) is one of these beasts — and it's just announced plans to launch two new venues in the CBD. Set to open at 435 Bourke Street within a new $1 billion commercial office tower by developer Cbus Property, Chris Lucas and his team will not only run the sites but also heavily influence the space's design, which, as a restaurateur, is surely one of the perks of joining a venture while the venue is still under construction. About his new venture, Lucas said: "Melbourne is my home and city that I have dedicated my working life to and is also one of the world's great food cities. "Developments such as 435 Bourke Street give me a rare creative licence and a blank canvas to see how our restaurants can help transform our city and position it as a city of the future for both hospitality and work." At the time of publishing, the only details we have received about these two venues are that one will be a "new-style Chinese" restaurant, and the other a "sophisticated Mediterranean" diner. There's also no clear opening date, but the development in which they sit is slated to open sometime in 2026. [caption id="attachment_921103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yakimono[/caption] The two new Lucas Restaurants venues will be found at 435 Bourke Street, Melbourne, and are slated to open in 2026 . We'll be sure to keep you updated with more details as we find out more.
Take the rocky road down to the Yarra Valley and get ready to stuff your face. Yes, the fiends behind last year's month-long sugar extravaganza are taking your tastebuds on a trip all over again, with sweet, nutty, marshmallowy rocky road in the spotlight. By the way, to any dentists who are reading, go ahead and put down a deposit on that beach house you were looking at. We have a feeling your financial situation is going to be juuuuuuuuust fine. The Rocky Road Festival of Flavours will run through the entire month of May. That's 31 days, which means 31 different flavours. And it doesn't just stop at blocks and bars, either, even when a 100-kilogram, eight-metre long rocky road block is part of the fun. There'll also be rocky road hot chocolate, rocky road ice cream and rocky road waffles too. The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery will also be hosting Rock Around the Block tasting sessions three times a day, which can be booked via their website.
Some people like to sit at home with their feline friends, soaking in their purrfect company. Others prefer to head to a cat cafe and cuddle up to a whole room filled with kitties. And, others still might fancy walking in their paws and getting a sense of their point of view. As well as offering some feline-themed fun, that's what Australia's first cat-themed human obstacle course is designed to do. In case the concept isn't clear, or your kitty-loving head is already seeing visions of mice, the Felix Clever Cat-a-thon lets two-legged people run, jump, climb, hang, claw and pounce like their favourite four-legged creatures, all while navigating a 16m long, inflatable space the event is calling "the most cunning human-sized cat obstacle course ever devised". While in feline mode, they'll compete against each other for glory. Think '90s TV show Gladiators, but with people acting like kittens. Two Cat-a-thons are currently slated, so folks in both Sydney and Melbourne can join in. The former takes over Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal on November 12 and 13, while the latter takes place at Queensbridge Square, Southbank on November 26. Yep, if you've ever wanted to claw your way up onto a window sill, weave through breakable items, climb onto kitchen counters and more cat-like antics, this is your chance. Dressing up like your favourite mouser is recommended, of course. Eating lasagne like Garfield beforehand, not so much. The Felix Clever Cat-a-thon takes place at Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal on November 12 and 13, and Queensbridge Square, Southbank on November 26. For more information, visit the event website. Image: Steve Garner.
Set in 1980, Everbody Wants Some!! follows a university baseball team as they prepare to commence the next semester, and feels in a lot of ways like the movie Richard Linklater was destined to make. As the film ambles through the antics of teens and twenty-somethings embarking upon the next chapter of their lives (read: drinking and chasing girls), it shouldn't come as a surprise that it's a spiritual sequel to the writer-director's 1993 effort Dazed and Confused. In painting a portrait of young men becoming adults in the most routine of ways, it also acts as a very apt follow-up to the filmmaker's last effort, Boyhood. Rather than charting the final day of high school, or capturing the process of growing up over the course of 12 years, Linklater's latest chronicles the weekend before the start of college classes. When Jake (Blake Jenner) parks his car outside of the team lodgings he's about to call home, he's clearly excited, and just as obviously trying to make sure he appears cool, calm and collected. That careful attitude colours his interactions with his new housemates, whether they're welcoming him with open arms or pronouncing their strong dislike of pitchers. By day, they mostly sit or drive around. By night, they try their luck with the opposite sex at bars and parties. Cue a film with plenty of talk and testosterone, not as much action as any of the characters would like, but plenty of the kind of carefree moments that everyone has experienced at some point in their lives. As Jake's fellow baseballers flit through the narrative, some make a bigger impression than others – including ladies man McReynolds (Tyler Hoechlin), bearded stoner Willoughby (Wyatt Russell), and confident veteran Finnegan (Glen Powell). However, as they sling insults at each other, trade in exaggerated stories and natter on about whatever comes into their heads, they all play their part in this freewheeling slice of life. Accordingly, Everybody Wants Some!! is the ultimate hangout flick, about a bunch of guys just shooting the shit when they're not expected to do anything else. There's no missing the nostalgia driving Linklater's warmly amusing movie, with his images tinted with the glow of happy memories, his camera placed to make the viewer think they're part of the gang, and his soundtrack overflowing with '80s hits like 'My Sharona' and 'Rapper's Delight'. That said, there's also no mistaking the way that the filmmaker simply presents rather than probes, such as when it comes to Jake's romance with fellow freshman Beverly (Zoey Deutch). He's not making a statement — he's just happy to linger in the group's company. Don't confuse the film's laidback vibe with a lack of smarts or precision though. As Linklater proved with his charming romantic trio Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight, it takes careful planning and pitch-perfect performances to make something look and feel so easy and effortless. Like their director, the ensemble cast rarely hit a bad note, with Jenner and Russell certain stars in the making. The film's title might stem from a Van Halen song, but as this group whiles away several days, Everybody Wants Some!! earns its exclamation marks.
