If your 2021 New Year's resolution is to make up for last year's lack of live music, then you've probably already started off strong. But now, that gig calendar's about to get even fuller, thanks to this brand-new two-week music festival taking over St Kilda. April Sun is here to brighten up your autumn in a big way, dishing up a swag of live tunes from G-Flip, Touch Sensitive, Hiatus Kaiyote, You Am I and more. Gracing the St Kilda Triangle (beside the Palais Theatre) from Friday, April 16–Sunday, May 2, the new outing is delivering a diverse program of day parties, headline shows, mini-festivals and family-friendly fun, assembled by some of the country's best-loved curators and tastemakers. It's a COVID-safe, outdoor affair, with tickets available for four different audience zones, ranging from grand stand seats,to an open lawn area smack bang in front of the stage. Indie label Future Classic kicks off the fun on Friday, April 16, with a lush evening soundtracked by internationally-acclaimed multi-instrumentalist G-Flip, self-confessed synth-freak Touch Sensitive, Brisbane favourite Sycco and rising indie-pop star Thomas Headon. Elsewhere in the program, settle in for a sweet serve of neo-soul headlined by jazz-funk heroes Hiatus Kaiyote, funk synthesist Harvey Sutherland and Perth five-piece Grievous Bodily Calm. There'll be a rock-heavy night of sounds from You Am I, Geelong's Magic Dirt and Dallas Crane and some anthemic indie-rock ballads courtesy of The Church and Bob Evans Throw in a big dose of house and techno curated by Thick As Thieves, and a couple of shows from Sydney grime-rap hero Chillinit, and those ears of yours are in for a very busy autumn.
UPDATE, August 19, 2021: After Bluesfest was originally cancelled just days out from its usual Easter slot, and then later postponed to October, the long-running fest has now announced that it's abandoning plans to go ahead this year — and will return for Easter 2022 instead. For more information head to the Bluesfest website. Mid last year, after its 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, Bluesfest announced the first 50 acts for its 2021 festival. That lineup has changed in the months since, with an all-Aussie roster now set to hit the fest's stages — headlined by Aussie icon and the human scream Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts and The Teskey Brothers. Also on the bill: John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Church, The Waifs, Jon Stevens and John Williamson, plus Ian Moss, The Angels, The Living End and Tex Perkins. The list goes on, and includes new additions Pete Murray, Kate Ceberano, Electrik Lemonade and Palm Valley. In good news after a year lacking in large-scale music festivals, the event has been given a provisional green light, with organisers announcing that they've received NSW Government approval to run the festival at 50 percent capacity this April — as long as no outbreaks occur beforehand. The festival is set to return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for its usual Easter time slot, from Thursday, April 1 to Monday, April 5. When the festival was cancelled last year, it was the first time in 30 years it had not run, but the second year in a row it had come under threat. In 2019, the Festival Director threatened to move the festival to a spot outside of NSW because of the State Government's strict music festival licensing regime. Here's hoping that it does go ahead as planned in 2021 — with tickets on sale now. BLUESFEST 2021 LINEUP Pete Murray Mark Seymour and The Undertow Kate Ceberano Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers Lambros The Regime Round Mountain Girls Electrik Lemonade Palm Valley Ocean Alley John Williamson Tex Perkins The Man in Black Jon Stevens Ash Grunwald and Josh Teskey Vika and Linda Garrett Kato Mia Dyson The Church Kate Miller-Heidke The Living End The Angels Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks Blue King Brown Jeff Lang Kara Grainger Tash Sultana Ziggy Alberts Kev Carmody Ian Moss Hiatus Kaiyote Russell Morris Briggs Kim Churchill Mama Kin Spender All Our Exes Live In Texas Jimmy Barnes The Teskey Brothers John Butler Xavier Rudd The Cat Empire Kasey Chambers The Waifs Troy Cassar-Daley The Black Sorrows Melbourne Ska Orchestra Chain Backsliders Harts Plays Hendrix Ash Grunwald The Bamboos Mick Thomas' Roving Commission Dami Im Pierce Brothers Emily Wurramara Roshani Ray Beadle Henry Wagons Hussy Hicks Pacey, King and Doley Daniel Champagne Nathan Cavaleri Little Georgia Bluesfest Busking Competition and Winners The Australian Americana Music Honours Bluesfest 2021 will run Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 5 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix. Image: Joseph Mayers.
From roaming food trucks to a secret In-And-Out pop-up, Melbourne’s love affair with the humble hamburger is showing no sign of cooling off. And no one’s happier than the folks at Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew. After a couple of years exclusive to Fitzroy, the much-loved burger joint has opened a second store in South Yarra, with room for up to 200 hungry customers to chow down. The new Chapel Street location will stick to the same basic menu as they do on the Northside, albeit with a couple of tweaks. Expect old favourites like The Royal Blue (wagyu beef, bacon, onion jam, blue cheese, pickles and ketchup) and the vegetarian-friendly Magic Mushie (crumbed field mushroom, peppers, spinach, goats cheese, onion jam and mustard mayo), as well as pulled pork buns, a 'South Yarra-style' Reuben sandwich and even their own take on fish and chips. Living up to the second half of their name, the restaurant will also have a selection of 15 beers and ciders on tap — all of which are sourced from independently owned local breweries and cider houses. Permanent fixtures include Hawkers Beer Pilsner and Napoleone & Co. Pear Cider, while others specialty options will rotate through. Located at 560 Chapel Street, South Yarra (the former location of Cafe Greco), Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew South Yarra boasts a small courtyard out front, and an interior decorated with an eclectic mix of pre-loved items including more than 800 antique meat grinders. Everyone's got their niche. For more info about Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew South Yarra, including operating hours, visit their website.
It goes without saying, Melbourne's characteristically buzzing cultural ecosystem has thrived this year, with the city's most innovative, forward-thinking residents taking bold risks in their field. More inventive, forward-thinking and experimental than ever, Melbourne's newest bars and pubs have been upping the city's already renowned libation reputation. Our new (or renewed) pubs that have the biggest hurdle to face — history. Pub renovations in 2016 remained strong, moving into more contemporary, fine dining-focused territory with some of the city's best design teams at hand. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Melbourne to be a better, braver city. And so, these six new(ish) pubs, opened or revamped in 2016, have been nominated for Best New Pub in Concrete Playground's Best of 2016 Awards. Vote for your favourite.
The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular returns to Melbourne for its sixth year in 2016. After humble beginnings, it's now expanded to cover three cities; it's going to Sydney for the second time this year, and is making its first appearance in Auckland. Melbourne continues to distinguish itself, though. This year, the Australian Beer Co. and Yenda have joined forces with do-gooders Brewmanity to construct a giant Ferris wheel, with proceeds going to motor neurone disease research. This mouthful of a festival — which is now considered one of the best beer festivals in the world — doesn't just bring you the best in craft beer anymore, either. Creators Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone (The Local Taphouse, Stomping Ground Brewing Co.) are now representing cider and food at this behemoth as well. GABS is best known for its 120 'festival beers': specialty brews created just for the event. It gives attendees the rare chance to try brand spanking new beers while meeting the teams behind them. Really loving one brew or brewer? The People's Choice Awards allow you to have a say. In previous years, this segment has been known to launch some of the best and brightest into the craft beer scene.
From the same minds behind The B.East, Globe Alley is an inclusive dive bar with a rock 'n' roll edge, free live music, good times till late and a solid spread of vegan eats across its menu. And, suitably, it's celebrating its first birthday with a lot of all three. After 365 days in the Chinatown space, the venue is throwing a huge free party on Friday, February 28. Expect tunes from the likes of Byron Bay's Dicklord, trio Bitch Diesel, pop glamers Smooth and heavy metal band Atomic Riot. There'll be DJ sets from Joegia Maq and DJ Ruari, too. If you get there early, and we suggest you do, you'll find $2 sliders and $5 Jack Daniel's and cokes, frozen margaritas and pots from 4–6pm. Oh, and free burgers, too. Yep, 100 free vegan and meat burgers will be available from 4pm — so, rock up early if you want one. Updated February 28, 2020
Longtime gaming and beering aficionado, America has a booming barcade scene. From Portland's Ground Kontrol to New York City's Barcade and Two-Bit's Retro Arcade, dive bars are popping up left right and centre; brimming with retro arcade games, pinball machines and Daytona set-ups. Melbourne's been getting in on the arcade action with the likes of Forgotten Worlds and Beta Bar, but now even more so with the opening of Pixel Alley — from the crew behind Mr Wow's Emporium. After an eye-opening trip through America's flourishing barcade landscape, the Mr Wow's crew decided to level up their Fitzroy location. Setting up shop on Smith Street right next to Mr Wow's, Pixel Alley will be an '80s-style retro arcade meant for grown ups. The crew have landed their hands on the likes of Donkey Kong, Street Fighter II, Pac-Man, Daytona and Tapper for a start; all housed amongst original pixelated art by Sketchet Illustration artist Justine McAllister. With lego shot glasses, pixelated Link decorations and Mario-style hearts on the beer glasses, this newbie overall looks a lot like a bar version on Footscray's Eat8bit burger joint. Of course, we're going to need some liquid courage to really tap into our expert Street Fighter skills. Adorably themed cocktails like the Konkey Dong (a barrel-aged rum banana milkshake) and the Pac-Man Bubble Tea should get your head in the right space, and the bar will be stocked with local and American tinnies. Plus, we hear Little Smith Brewing will be providing Bastard Son Pale Ale on tap (with a free game token every time). Just look at this adorable menu: Pixel Alley is set to open in late May at 95 Smith Street, Fitzroy, right next door to Mr Wow's Emporium. Here's the Facebook page for more info.
The toastie has really come into its own in the last few years — it's increasingly becoming the star and namesake of countless pop-ups, permanent venues and even drive-throughs. What can we say? Ain't nothin' wrong with bread, cheese and meat. So we're happy to announce that The Bridge Hotel agrees with the toastie life too. So much so that they're launching their own toasted sandwich pop-up that'll serve fat stacks of toasties to satisfy your midday cheese cravings. From Monday, February 27, the Richmond pub will set up Toast'd. The menu will consist of four types of toasties: sticky chicken (with red onion and American cheese), pulled beef (with American cheese), three cheese (the cheese lineup includes parmesan, brie and mozzarella) and veggie patch (in-season veggie mix with goats' cheese). So hope you like cheese. Either way, they'll be served with a side of pickles to cut through the cheese if it's too much for you. The toasties will be available for ten bucks a pop between noon and 3pm, five days a week from the pub's internal laneway. Toast'd will pop-up from February 27 at The Bridge Hotel, 642 Bridge Road, Richmond.
Peanut butter and blueberry jam. Vanilla creme and chocolate ganache. Lime curd with toasted meringue. These are just a few of the diabetes-inducing flavours that have earned Doughboys a reputation as one of the best doughnut outfits in town. For the past couple of years, Will McKenzie and his team of dough-fiends have popped-up in shared spaces, coffee shops and markets around Melbourne, spreading joy and tooth decay wherever they go. Now, in a piece of news that has us drooling over our keyboard, they've finally cut the ribbon on their first official store. Located towards the Southern Cross end of Bourke Street in the CBD, Doughboys HQ has been a long time in the making, with McKenzie teasing plans for a permanent storefront all the way back in May. Still, we have a suspicion that it'll all be worth the wait. Following a successful trial run on Christmas Eve, they'll be open for realsies on January 4. We might start camping out now though, to make sure we're first through the door. Designed by Studio Esteta, the store boasts tiled floors, high ceilings and ample display cases, so sugar-obsessed doughnut-lovers can press their noses against the glass. Small Batch Roasting Co. will be providing the coffee, and hopefully they'll keep up their partnership with Gelato Messina as well. Because if there's one thing better than a doughnut, it's a doughnut stuffed with chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. Doughboys Donuts is located at 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne and will be open for business from Monday January 4. For more information visit them on Facebook or at their website. Via Good Food.
Move over, Dark Mofo. Victoria's Apollo Bay is getting an after dark arts festival of its very own. Creeping into the coastal shire on the eastern side of Cape Otway, WinterWild will take place on select Saturday nights in July and early August. Each evening will begin with a ceremonial bonfire on the beach, before branching out to the Mechanics Hall and beyond. Standout events on the program include a performance of Tosca by local opera company Cut Opera, a screening of the '90s cult surf film Litmus, sets by Sand Pebbles and Dirty Three's Mick Turner, and talks by Michael Leunig, Clementine Ford and Arnold Zable. Local cafes and restaurants will also get involved with the festival. Steve Earl's acclaimed La Bimba will devise a special festival menu, and provide a place for revellers to recover as the sun rises on Sunday morning. "This festival won't be for the faint-hearted," said festival director Roderick Poole. "It is very much aimed at adventurous spirits ready to take on a challenge; to embrace the harsh environment and celebrate the beauty of the elements at their extremes. WINTERWILD 2017 DATES: Water (July 1-2): Mick Turner (Dirty Three), Sand Pebbles, screening of Litmus with soundtrack performance by director Andrew Kidman. Earth (July 15-16): Butoh performer Yumi Umiumare, Tek Tek Ensemble, Tosca by Cut Opera. Air (July 29-30): Programmed by the Apollo Bay Writer's Festival, including Michael Leunig, Clementine Ford, Arnold Zable and Emilie Zoey Baker. Fire (Aug 12-13): Massed choir of 100 singers, ritual burning of festival sculpture, live music.
In the latest addition to the ever-growing trend toward themed wine festivals, Oinofilia will hit Melbourne's Meat Market on June 24 as Australia's newest event entirely focused on Greek wine. The festival is brought to you by Bottle Shop Concepts, the crew behind wine events Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and will celebrate all things Greek wine, food and culture. The name appropriately comes from the Greek term for "a love of wine". As the oldest wine-producing region in Europe, the festival will showcase 80 wines from 20 of the country's best producers, with wines made everywhere from the Aegean and Ionian Islands to Crete. To accompany the drinks, sister restaurants Elyros and Epocha will join forces with Prahran Market's Sweet Greek and Collingwood's Meatsmith to curate an authentic feast of spit-roasted meats, grilled seafood, pickles, breads, cheese and pastries, among other Greek delicacies. The location is ideal as Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. Bottle Shop Concepts' wine festival empire will also continue to expand, with the company recently announcing a new Barossa Valley event, launching this July.
Songwriting legend Paul Kelly's Making Gravy tour is becoming a bit of an Aussie Christmas tradition. Back for a third year, the outdoor concert is kind of the perfect opener to the festive season — time to start thinking about getting the tinsel and ugly jumpers out of storage. As in 2018, you can expect to hear a stack of songs from Kelly's four-decade long career. Listen out for all the hits, from 'Dumb Things', from the album Live, May 1992, to 'Love Never Runs On Time' from Wanted Man (1994). Of course, the Christmas classic 'How To Make Gravy', first released in 1996 on an eponymous EP, is on the menu, too. The tour will coincide with the release of Kelly's new greatest hits album Songs From The South (1985–2019), his collaborative avian-inspired album 13 Ways To Look At Birds and a book of poetry he's curated, called Love Is Strong As Death. Kelly won't be hitting the road alone, either — he's inviting a bunch of special guests. He'll be joined by ARIA Award-winning rocker Courtney Barnett, Aussie Eurovison finalist Kate Miller-Heidke and NZ singer Marlon Williams. Image: Cybele Malinowski.
It's been a great 12 months for queer-themed cinema. Moonlight won last year's best picture Oscar, Call Me By Your Name had everyone swooning and transgender drama A Fantastic Woman not only wowed festival crowds, but also picked up this year's best foreign-language Academy Award. They're just the big players, however. There's plenty of other top LGBTIQ+ cinema where they came from. And, in even better news, much of it is heading to Melbourne for the 2018 Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Running through the numbers, it's shaping up to be another impressive fest when MQFF hits up ACMI, Kino Cinemas and Cinema Nova from March 15 to 26. Across its 12 days and 85 sessions, film buffs can expect 38 features, 14 documentaries and 72 shorts. That includes two world premieres, 12 Australian premieres and 21 Melbourne premieres — and, from all of that, we've selected our five best picks of the bunch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIqwrEtTw-A IDEAL HOME What happens when a couple suddenly meets the grandson they never knew they had? Plenty — and when that hard-partying pair is played by Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd, expect plenty more to occur as well. It's not the first time they've starred together, nor the first time they've shared the screen and pondered the meaning of family, with 2011's Our Idiot Brother also featuring on their respective resumes. Here, however, expect a warm queer comedy about the the connections of kin (be it of blood or of choice) of all shapes and sizes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h6Zwdi86Nw THE CAKEMAKER A sensitive, involving and exceptionally acted German drama that'll tempt your tastebuds and touch your heart, The Cakemaker explores the aftermath of a chance meeting, a passionate affair and a tragic accident — all while acknowledging the many complexities that exist when it comes to love. Berlin-based pastry chef Tomas (Tim Kalkhof) not only falls head-over-heels for Israel businessman Oren (Roy Miller), but is driven to act when their romance is cut short. Tracking down Oren's widow Anat (Sarah Adler) in Jerusalem, Tomas finds a new bond forming over unspoken grief and appetising baked goods. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBGLipbSi_M MANSFIELD 66/67 Never far from the headlines in both life and death, '50s and '60s star Jayne Mansfield was an actress, Golden Globe winner and Playboy playmate. She was also accused of being a Satanist, and became the subject of a persistent myth that she was decapitated in the car accident that claimed her life. Focusing on her final years, Mansfield 66/67 touches on all of the above — and includes interpretative dance sequences in its camp compilation, because why not? John Waters, Kenneth Anger, Peaches Christ and Tippi Hedren rank among the interviewees in a documentary that definitely isn't your standard behind-the-scenes effort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuIpb6Z6Tuo TORREY PINES From its style of stop-motion animation to its heartfelt true coming-of-age tale, every inch of Torrey Pines should feel hand- and homemade. That's because it is. An autobiographical effort from trans animator Clyde Petersen, the film dives into his '90s upbringing as a Star Trek fan with a schizophrenic mother, takes viewers on their road trip across the US, and explores everything that arises when you're with grappling with identity and sexuality. It's also stuffed full of pop culture references, including pop to Australia's own Crocodile Dundee. SO LONG Enjoying its world premiere at MQFF, So Long has a stronger Aussie connection — made in Melbourne by filmmakers Caitlin Farrugia and Michael Jones, it adds lesbian mumblecore to the country's cinematic output. You might recognise the general story of two just-single twentysomethings navigating life and love might, and there's no doubting that we've all seen that scenario many times before. Familiarity doesn't always breed contempt, however, particularly when it's both realistic and relatable. Keen on more MQFF highlights? Check out Freak Show, A Moment in the Reeds, Signature Move and Sensitivity Training from our 2018 Mardi Gras Film Festival picks, and Desert Hearts, Love, Simon, The Feels and After Louie from our 2018 Brisbane Queer Film Festival selections. There's also I Dream in Another Language from our 2017 Sundance Film Festival list, and BPM (Beats Per Minute) from our Alliance Francaise Film Festival rundown. Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2018 runs from March 15 to 26 at ACMI, Kino Cinemas and Cinema Nova . For more information, visit the festival website.
Aussie documentary Punks For West Papua has no intentions of turning the noise down. Following April's craft beer screening at Sydney's Wayward Brewing Co., this must-see doco has been gaining volume over the last few weeks and will begin a tour of screenings (and paired live gigs) across Australia's bars this month. Never heard of Punks For West Papua? No sweat, we'll clue you in. PFWP is an Australia-wide movement organised by Jody Bartolo and his band Diggers with Attitude. Released earlier this year, the movement's documentary follows the Australian punk scene's fight for people in West Papua, who've experienced genocide at the hands of the Indonesian government since the 1960s. "Punks are used to raising their voice against the government, so this is a natural cause for them," says the doco's Australian director Ash Brennan. The documentary uncovers some shocking truths, including the seemingly deliberate blind eye-turning by the US, UK and Australian governments, who co-own the world's largest gold mine in West Papua (that casually makes a profit in the billions each year). The West Papuan peace protests against the devastation of their land and natural resources have been repeatedly met with massacre by their Indonesian occupiers, who have been systematically stripping the West Papuan identity for over 50 years. This tragic story has been kept quiet by the ban on journalists and foreign aid in the region, so the film aims to raise money and awareness for the Free West Papua cause. "It's happening right next to us and people know nothing about it, but once they do we find they really want to take action," says Brennan. The doco, which has already won the 2016 Documentary Feature Award of Merit at the IndieFest Film Festival in San Diego, features an interview with two time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and long time WP political prisoner Benny Wenda. The Nelson Mandela of the WP cause, Wenda will introduce each screening, most of which are followed by a live punk gig. This punk cause won't stop there, with an annual, global concert planned for the end of June. "The point was to raise real awareness, and seeing the cause go international is a victory, says Brennan. "The film has done its purpose," he adds. What started as one gig back in 2015 is now spanning five countries, including US, UK, Australia, South Africa, Spain and Japan. That's going to be one loud roar for injustice. PUNKS FOR WEST PAPUA SCREENING TOUR DATES: May 4: The Rosemount Hotel, Perth May 11: The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Melbourne May 24: Law Faculty at University of Sydney May 25: Crowbar, Brisbane May 26: Italo Club, Lismore May 27: Pighouse Flicks, Byron Bay (presented by five-time AFI winner and two-time Academy Award nominee David Bradbury) Can't make the screenings? You can rent or buy the film here, which includes the complete Benny Wenda interview. Proceeds from the rental of P4WP go to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
It's no secret that we Melburnians love our good food, so you can only imagine the culinary delights in store for us throughout November, as The Age plates up its annual Good Food Month. From wallet-friendly eats and drinks to illuminating degustation dinners, here's our festival hit list.
It's that time of year where you should probably start getting your New Year's Eve plans in order. To help you out, Beyond the Valley has just announced the lineup for their celebrated four-day festival in Lardner, Victoria and it's pretty.bloody.good. Just two years old, the Victorian festival is fresh on the New Year's circuit, starting out in 2014. Despite this, they've managed to secure a rather colossal lineup featuring Hudson Mohawke, Phantogram and ZHU among plenty of others. The lineup has some solid Australian flavours, including festival favourites Sticky Fingers, Safia, Dune Rats and Alex Lahey, who absolutely killed it when she opened up Splendour in the Grass last month. We think DZ Deathrays summed it up nicely with this post: Enough chat, here's what you're after. BEYOND THE VALLEY 2016 LINEUP: Alex Lahey Bag Raiders Bakermat Chance The Rapper Dena Amy DUNE RATS DZ Deathrays Eats Everything Emma Louise Giraffage GoldLink Harts Hermitude Highasakite Hot Chip Hudson Mohawke Japanese Wallpaper Jarryd James Jme Kllo Kölsch Ladyhawke Lastlings LUNICE Montaigne Motez MSTRKRFT Oliver Huntemann Paces Pachanga Boys Hippie Dance Phantogram Running Touch Ryan Hemsworth Safia Skream Slumberjack Sonny Fodera Sticky Fingers Thundamentals TOKiMONSTA Total Giovanni Vera Blue Wafia What So Not ZHU Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 11 at 9am from beyondthevalley.com. Images: Beyond the Valley.
Debauched banquets from Bompas and Parr, giant industrial fire organs and all the demon purging and ceremonial death dances you could want in a festival. Now in its third year, Dark Mofo continues to evolve to be darker, weirder and wilder than before. Aligned with the winter solstice and run from June 12-22, MONA’s annual June festival celebrated the Neolithic tradition over ten hedonistic days of eclectic and unpredictable art, performance, music and happenings around Hobart, concluding with the annual nude solstice swim at dawn after the longest night in Australia— yep, people actually swim nude in the bloody freezing Derwent River. Programming for Dark Mofo seems to be a deliberate descent from free-spirited, easily digestible art to uncontrolled, freakish insanity — from loveable Sydney fivesome The Preatures to Japanese eight-laptop conductor EYE. This year's citywide festival had thousands huddled ritualistically around fire bins in the waterfront arts precinct Dark Park, roasting giant marshmallows, chowing down on Pacha Mama wallaby burritos, Quiet Deeds Lamington Ale and Bruny Island oyster-garnished Bloody Marys at the Winter Feast and absorbing all the doom sludge metal, splintered electronic feedback ambience and Marina Abramovic performance art they could guzzle. We put our hands into mystery boxes at Hendrick's Gin's pop-up Parlour of Curiosities (which was wonderfully Sleep No More meets The Blair Witch Project), we made forcefields out of Anthony McCall's stunning Solid Light Works, avoided bodily injury by skipping Byron J Scullin and Supple Fox's Bass Bath and inhaled Aesop's olfactory soap-mist room — all while artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's beam of light towered over the city, pulsing with punter heartbeats. And then there's the event with a safe word (it was 'bananas'). Creative team Supple Fox created the mysterious, epic Blacklist party, a heaving, nightly end-of-the-world art rave taking over Hobart Town Hall until the wee hours. While most might want to abide by the rule 'what happens at Blacklist stays at Blacklist', we can divulge that there was more revolving pink Christmas trees made out of plastic bodies, silent drag shows, star sign-based floor huddles, melancholy poetry readings, Retrosweat-style dance demonstrations, silver balloon drops and car engine bonfires than we've seen at other, less apocalyptic parties. But the best bit about Dark Mofo? For an incredibly niche, dark and avant-garde festival that should be overwhelmingly pretentious, it's probably the most accessible and widely-attended (demographically) festival we've seen in many a day. Toddlers, nannas, teenagers, twenty-somethings, older humans; they all show up and have a grand ol' time. Maybe it's a Hobartian thing. Or maybe there's something about the end of the world that makes us lose our inhibitions and just run with it. Images: Andy Fraser. Words: Shannon Connellan.
It's 3pm. All you want right now is another a coffee. Or maybe a cronut. Or a freakshake, dammit. Or maybe, like, ten Arnott’s biscuits. Nope, can’t do that. Already had five. Is that the post-3pm slump blues whispering – nay, bellowing – in your ear? Really, by now, you should be kicking back at some secret swimming spot or under a waterfall. Especially in this hectic summer weather. We know. We know! But capitalism dictates you’ve another two hours to go before your boss is going to lay down that whip. So, you have to find a way to keep going. All that sweet, sugary, deliciousness might be looking like your only job-quitting-preventative-measure right now, but it’s a bad, bad idea. So, we’re riding to your rescue with five jack-jumping, healthy, healthy snacks. And it’s not all gustatory doom and gloom. We’ve picked these babies for their tastiness, not just their nutrition information panels. BANANA AND TAHINI This God-sent duo has all the creaminess and sweetness of ice cream but none of the refined sugar or saturated fat. Spread it across a piece of toast, throw it in the blender to make a smoothie or just eat it straight, dipping the banana in the jar. Tahini's got more goodness than Mother Teresa (go with it) — from calcium, magnesium, lecithin, potassium, protein and iron to Vitamins E, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and B15. If you've had a big night out, it'll help you liver to cope better, thanks to the detoxifying powers of methionine. And everyone knows bananas make you happy. PROTEIN BALLS Available in stacks of different flavours, the mighty protein ball can give any conventional, packeted treat a run for its money, taste-wise. And it also comes with a big ol' dose of protein, which does heaps of good stuff. Like building and repairing muscles, making enzymes, producing hormones and making sure your hair and nails grow (in fact, they're nearly all protein). YouFoodz makes an especially lip-smacking version, a salted caramel version that's actually good for you. It's packed with apricot, sultanas, dates and dark chocolate and coated in crispy bits of waffle wafer. FROZEN FRUIT Regular, room temperature fruit is an excellent substitute for lollies and biscuits. But, with a freezer, you can take things to a whole new, more satisfying, longer-lasting level. That said, you have to make sure you're freezing the right kinds. Grapes are a winner — they become firmer on the outside, yet stay relatively soft in the middle (depending on the temperature of your freezer). So, eating one's a bit like biting into a soft-centred jube or toffee. Bananas, oranges and mangoes are crackers, too. Apples and strawberries don't go so well, as they to get too hard, all the way through. Raspberries can work if left to thaw for a while. DIY TRAIL MIX Plenty of peanut-heavy, packeted trail mixes aren't too appetising — even if they are salutary. Others are peppered with sugary bits and bobs, like choc buds. So, go ahead and make your own. That way, you can tailor it to suit you and, at the same time, make sure there's nothing in there undoing your healthy intentions. Don't forget to add some seeds — sunflower ones give you Vitamin E, B1 and B6, copper, selenium and manganese, while in teeny-tiny sesame seeds, there's CoQ10, which helps keep your heart working and your energy levels booming. No time to DIY? Have a stash of pre-made bars ready to go — Youfoodz does a pretty top notch Supa Food Bar. KALE CHIPS Potato chips one of your go-to snacks? Break that salty, fatty habit with kale chips. You can even make them yourself, without too much hassle: toss a bunch of kale in a minimal amount of olive oil and pop it in the oven till it's crispy. Unless you've been under the Rock of Gibraltar, you'll know this superfood's many benefits by now. There's bucket loads of beta-carotene to help your eyesight, Vitamin C to fight bugs, Vitamin K to make sure your blood clots and Vitamin E, an antioxidant. Images: YouFoodz and Dollar Photo Club.
The Flaming Lips are the very definition of a band that has too much creativity to quit. Their unique psychedelic rock has been around since 1983, but they're not the type of band who'd sign, seal and deliver the same hits over and over. Having said that, you (or someone in close proximity) probably have their greatest tunes perpetually on high rotation, from ‘Do You Realise??’, ‘The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’, to ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1’ and ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’. Listening to these psychedelic ditties is a joyous trip of an experience in itself, but seeing them live is something else entirely. The Flaming Lips' undeniably brilliant album, Clouds Taste Metallic, is currently enjoying its 20th anniversary and to celebrate, The Flaming Lips are off on tour yet again. Ahead of their Sydney Festival and Palais Theatre shows, we managed to catch up with the very chatty Wayne Coyne and asked him about giving new life to a 20-year-old record, his next-level live shows, and of course, his work with Miley. [caption id="attachment_554895" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: George Salisbury.[/caption] WHERE CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC AND HEADY NUGGS ROAM The Flaming Lips have released a whopping 16 studio albums since 1983, with the beloved seventh album Clouds Taste Metallic hitting shelves in 1995. Over a decade later, how does Coyne feel about the album now? "Some of those songs are just really great, dynamic, freaky songs to play. It’s one of those records that is never that far away from us.” The reissued vinyl, titled Heady Nuggs: Clouds Taste Metallic 20 Years Later, comes with quite a few extra goodies, including a live Seattle set from 1996. “We’re a very lucky group that virtually everything that we’ve ever recorded, we really do have absolute say over what we can reissue.” At first, the live vinyl was not going to cut it. “We never liked the quality. Even though we liked the show, it never sounded very good.” After a little playing around with plug-ins, the band was able to recreate the “crazy, freaky, exciting show" they knew they had on their hands. “I think when people listen to that they get a sense of that very amped-up punk-rock meets psychedelic rock, meets prog-rock weirdo group that we were," says Coyne. With track names such as ‘Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles’, it's hard not to ask for the story behind the album title Clouds Taste Metallic. Turns out Sydney had a hand in it. About 20-odd years ago The Flaming Lips were hanging out with Tool in Sydney. Tool’s then bassist, Paul D’Amour was taking a ride in a four-seater airplane (as you do) and asked the pilot to fly through a cloud (because Paul D'Amour). “He opened his mouth because he thought, 'How often do you get to go through a cloud?' I asked him, what did it taste like? And he said, 'You know, it tasted kind of metallic.' That’s an absolutely true story." ON FINDING A KINDRED SPIRIT IN MILEY The Flaming Lips are no strangers to collaboration; just check out their 15th studio album With a Little Help From My Fwends; a star-studded cover album of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. One creative partnership stands out amongst them: Coyne and Miley Cyrus. “The way that we live our lives is very similar,” Coyne explains, “She’s so on it. She has so much shit to say and songs to sing. I think that’s why we like each other. I’m always going and she’s always going, and so we meet up and we’ve got 20 things we want to do.” According to Coyne, the writing and recording process is more impulsive and natural rather than scheduled and labored. Coyne may start working on something at his studio in Oklahoma, then brings it to Cyrus, where sometimes all they’ll need is one take. “Usually even though we would say we’d start recording at noon, we usually wouldn’t start until 2am,” says Coyne, “She always has a lot of stuff going on. She can be in her house with 50 people and there can be a crazy party going on, and I’ll go in and say ‘Let’s go out and we’ll do some stuff for 20 minutes’. There’s five to six tracks we did together where it’s literally one take and I went into the house, got her, she came out, sang, and that will be the song.” [caption id="attachment_545696" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Todd Spoth.[/caption] LIVE SHOWS AND THE VIEW FROM INSIDE A HUMAN-SIZED BUBBLE There's a good reason why The Flaming Lips have been declared by Q Magazine as one of the 'Top 50 Bands to See Before You Die'. If you're fortunate enough to have witnessed them live already you’ll be familiar with confetti guns, crazy light shows, costumes, and of course, Wayne Coyne rolling over the crowd in a human-sized bubble. So what’s it like to literally walk on your audience? “I’ve done it so much now that it’s not an utter freak-out surprise,” he says. “I have a certain control over where it’s going to go, I can get a sense of how freaky and exciting it is for the audience. It’s one of those cool moments that we embrace, we’re glad we get to do something like that, and that the audience gets to play along with it.” The only thing that Coyne worries about in the bubble is potentially breaking a nose or a pair of glasses. Bless. For Coyne, the live show experience is a chance to bring everybody into their colourful world. “The things that we do with the lights and the volume, it includes everybody. Even if they don’t know the songs, it brings everybody together. That’s why we want it to be so dynamic. You want everyone to get the most out of it.” The Flaming Lips are most at home in a festival atmosphere, as Coyne explains, “I think it works well with our type of optimistic message. The things we really love to sing, those really do communicate at festivals pretty well.” Coyne believes there could be a new Flaming Lips record ready by April or May this year, but depending on their future work with Cyrus, no plans have been set in stone. “But that’s the great thing about always creating, sometimes by shear accident you stumble across this great song that you didn’t even know that you were going to do. That’s what we want to happen, that’s the reason to always be doing stuff. Some special moment may accidentally happen.” See The Flaming Lips perform live at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Friday, January 8 and at Sydney Festival on Saturday, January 9 for free in the Domain. More details on The Flaming Lips' website. Top image: George Salisbury (WB).
Here at Concrete Playground, we travel a lot. And because we travel a lot, we have a lot of handy little tips that can take going on an aeroplane from a chore to a delightful, exciting experience that you go through before heading off on the holiday of a lifetime. After extensive research, we're proud to say that none of these travel hacks are as simple or obvious as roll your clothes in your suitcase. In partnership with Expedia, here are ten tips to make your travel process easier this summer. We're going on holiday. 1. PICK AN AIRLINE AND STICK WITH IT If you finally find an airline that has comfortable seats, suitable prices and good service — stick with it. Most airlines have their own frequent flyer program, which despite any preconceptions you might have, are actually really easy to join and get rewards from. Flying with the same airline every time makes your flight choice easier, and even when you're booking through online travel agents you can still enter your frequent flyer number. It might cost you a little more to fly Qantas, but the extra money you fork out will end up in your pocket (in the form of business class flights, members only prices and free upgrades). Virgin Australia use Velocity, and Qantas have their own Frequent Flyer program. 2. CLEAR YOUR BROWSER COOKIE HISTORY IF YOU'VE BEEN FLIGHT HUNTING The incognito window is your best friend. Often if you're returning to a website every day to check the price of the same flight, the company knows and can potentially adjust prices accordingly so you hit that 'buy now' button. Maybe you procrastinate on booking and the next day go back to your flight and find it has gone through a significant price rise. At that point you're likely to book before it gets any more expensive. Nice one, corporations. Combat this by opening an incognito window and hiding your cookies. Sometimes cookies can work in your favour (by saving your shopping cart, sending through deals to flights you've searched for), but they can potentially be used for evil too. Best be safe and clear your browser history. 3. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THINK AHEAD AND AVOID BAGGAGE FEES For reasons unknown to us and the rest of world, most Australian airlines now have a measly 7kg cabin baggage allowance. That's barely enough for a laptop, phone, charger(s), bottle of water and change of clothes. It's true that airlines don't always weigh your carry on before you get on the plane, but they MIGHT. Which means you could be charged $60 for packing that extra pair of shoes you didn't really need. Be smart and pack light. If you know you have more than 7kg, check in a bag. On most airlines it costs about $20, and it will save you the stress of pleading with airline attendants and crying at the terminal. Virgin and Qantas included checked bags in the ticket price, which in peak times is often worth the extra money. Travel with a duffle bag rather than a suitcase — heavy roller bags will do you no favours. 4. SEAT CHOICE TACTICS When choosing your seat on the plane, don't choose the empty row. Instead, choose the row that has one other person in it, because the next person that comes along won't want to squeeze between the two of you, will they? Another tactic is to wait with your seat selection until the very last minute (before check-in closes), then you'll easily be able to see what's been taken and what's still available. For shorter flights, sitting at the front of the plane means you'll likely get off the plane 10-15 minutes earlier. [caption id="attachment_580107" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Levi Morsy.[/caption] 5. BOOK AT THE RIGHT TIME The best time to book an international flight is four to six months before you fly — that's when the airlines have a better idea of how quickly, or slowly, a flight will start to sell out. For domestic tickets, book between one to two months. Travel on off days and seasons, typically Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Red eyes, the New Year period and flights that leave just after work are a no-go. Keep an eye out for sales — the best ones happen around Boxing Day, January and the mid-year period. 6. AND IN THE RIGHT PLACE Everyone hates booking fees. This unexpected surprise is particularly bad when booking direct through airlines — there's often a booking fee of up to $14.95 just for using your credit card. Avoid this by simply using a debit card instead, or booking through an online travel agent (like Expedia) that doesn't charge booking fees. If you're organised enough, book your flights and accommodation at the same time and you'll often get special deals so you can save yourself a bunch of money. 7. ALL THE REWARDS PROGRAMS It seems like every airline and website is trying to make you sign up to their own loyalty program. As annoying as email spam can be, if you're a frequent traveler (or daydreamer) these programs are often worth it. You'll often get members only flights, VIP hotel bookings, double frequent flyer points and the ability to pay with your rewards points. That means potentially free flights and accommodation, and access to the best deals as soon as they become available. The more you use the same website, the more rewards you'll accumulate. So just like we mentioned above about airlines — stick to the same website. 8. THINK BEFORE YOU BOOK Nothing is more disheartening to a holiday than being slammed by unnecessary airline fees. Changing the time, or name on your ticket can attract a fee up $175 per ticket in Australia. Put more thought into that ticket you're about to buy — are you sure this is exactly when you want to fly? If you're unsure about dates but need to book, look into travel insurance. It's the only thing that will save you in this situation. Put a few dollars aside for a good policy that covers you for change fees and you'll be sort of sorted. 9. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND PRICE MATCH Most airlines, booking websites and online travel agents have some form of price matching function which can often be of great benefit to you and your wallet. Do some hunting around for flights, accomodation and packages on different websites, and then do some hunting around for price match policies. Jetstar use Price Beat Guarantee — they'll beat the price of any flight on the same day within the same time frame by ten per cent. Expedia will price match hotels and packages (flights and hotels booked together), and you'll get a $50 voucher for the trouble. 10. CREDIT CARDS CAN ENABLE YOUR TRAVEL HABITS If you've been brave enough to get yourself a credit card, you may as well get one that really helps you out and saves you some money when it comes time to travel. Most credit cards come with benefits, but some come with travel specific benefits — like travel insurance and special deals that practically pay for the annual fee attached to it. The American Express Explorer card partners with Qantas. It's a little pricier ($395 annual fee), but you get $400 travel credit to spend on the American Express travel website, travel insurance and smart phone screen repair insurance included. Virgin Australia have their own credit card and you get a $129 voucher every year, and the 28 Degrees credit card is particularly good for international travel (no fees on overseas purchases). If you're a regular traveller, the annual fee on a travel credit card pays for itself. Become an Expedia+ member and book your summer holiday in the January sale — you'll have access to prices that others don't see.
It's a longstanding qualm some people have with female comedians that they're always talking about their genitalia. Those people might not enjoy this show. Returning to Australia for one-night-only after sold-out performances and seriously high praise, US comedian, performance artist and one half of the Wau Wau Sisters Adrienne Truscott is quite literally baring all in her critically-acclaimed, one-woman show about rape culture. Dressed only from the waist up, Truscott is taking aim at the likes of Daniel Tosh and his controversial comments of last year, and is dragging the art of the 'rape joke' to breaking point. After five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, Adrienne Truscott's Asking for It is one the most-talked about shows of the past year (for better or worse).
The NGV is pretty practiced in juxtaposing the classical and the contemporary, and the gallery is set to do it again with its summer exhibition celebrating Dutch artist M.C. Escher and Japanese design studio Nendo. And, as is now custom, with a seasonal blockbuster, so comes a brand new season of NGV Friday Nights. The gig series is now a quintessential way to end a steamy summer week in Melbourne. And, thanks to a partnership with Bombay Sapphire, you'll get to enjoy this after-dark art excursion with a suitably quirky cocktail in hand. It'll kick off on December 7 with a set from Andy Bull and run all the way through to a Friday-Saturday finale with infectious duo Confidence Man on April 5 and a Saturday party with San Cisco on April 6. As always, you'll get after-hours access to the gallery as well as the gigs. Rove between the current exhibitions, Between Two Worlds and Julian Opie, and, out in the garden, explore this year's NGV Architecture Commission to the soundtrack of local DJs, who will rotate on a monthly basis. There'll also be an aural installation called Bach x Reimagined, a piece that references the influence that Bach's compositions had on Escher's art, as well as the lots of food and a couple of pop-up bars from Bombay Sapphire. The bars will be slinging Bombay Twists, a summery spritz-like cocktail, for you to sip before you roam the gallery's many goings on — take your pick between a classic gin and tonic, raspberry and basil, lemon and thyme or mint and ginger. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SUMMER 2018 LINEUP December 7 — Andy Bull (DJ Set) December 14 — Hoodlem (DJ Set) December 21 — Fantastic Man (DJ Set) December 28 — Nicole Millar (DJ Set) January 4 — Andy Hart January 11 — KLP (DJ Set) January 18 — Film School Collective January 25 — Zuri Akoko February 1 — Chela (DJ Set) February 8 — Harvey Sutherland (DJ Set) February 15 — Alice Ivy (DJ Set) February 22 — OJ KUSH March 1 —Gold Fields (DJ Set) March 8 — Dappled Cities (DJ Set) March 15 (Melbourne Art Book Fair X Design Week Edition) — Jonti (DJ Set) March 22 — Japanese Wallpaper (DJ Set) March 29 — Woodes (DJ Set) April 5 — Confidence Man (DJ Set) April 6 (special Saturday event) — San Cisco (DJ Set)
You can walk to the shops. You can walk to work. But no walk will feed your soul like a walk by the water. And if you're travelling to Sydney soon, your soul should be pizza-party-level full with the number of walks around town featuring stellar water views. These ten coastal walks have it all — wild scrub, picturesque paths, yacht clubs and war ruins. Bar stops right where you need them. Parts of the Bondi to Coogee you can blitz in an hour, while the Bundeena to Otford track is an overnighter. Here's your next ten weekends' worth of active leisure. BEST HARBOUR VIEWS: BRADLEY'S HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY WALK For the yoga-posing enthusiast, this leisurely five-kilometre walk begins over the bridge from the CBD at Taronga Zoo and extends to the deliciously charming Chowder Bay. The trail hugs the coast tightly and its proximity to Sydney Harbour allows for completely unobstructed views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline. Once you work up an appetite, plan to have a well-deserved lunch at one of the bay's many seafood restaurants. BEST FOR YACHT-WATCHING: CHINAMANS BEACH TO BALMORAL BEACH While this trek can be walked in either direction, the best course is down through the overgrown Parriwi Lighthouse Walking Track. The steep steps lead to sudden views of Middle Harbour, and the trek becomes an unexpectedly rocky adventure as the path to Chinamans Beach is only available at low tide. Once arriving at the tiny and peaceful Chinamans, the short one-kilometre walk to Balmoral includes exquisite beachfront properties that line the shores and views of the yachts that often dock along the way. MOST CHALLENGING TREK: BUNDEENA TO OTFORD COASTAL TRACK If you're looking for more than a day trip, this 26-kilometre track around the Royal National Park boasts a combination of rugged bushwalks with Cliffs of Moher-type views across the Tasman Sea. For those who are not incredibly fit, it is best to spend a night camping at North Era campground, but make sure to wake up in time for the stunning sunrise over the ocean. BEST COASTAL BUSHWALK: NORTH HEAD While this historical, 9.5-kilometre walk does contain a driving path, the true beauty of this trail is seen through the dirt road bushwalk. Take the ferry from Circular Quay towards Manly and begin this trek at North Head Sanctuary. Walk through the former North Head Army Barracks before heading out to the bush to potentially spot an echidna or bandicoot lurking in the burnt orange and yellow brush. The wild path then opens suddenly to a mix of coastal views; the best are located at the Third Quarantine Station Cemetery, which looks across to Middle Head and Manly, and the Fairfax Walk, which looks far out over the Tasman Sea. From here, it's easy to end your afternoon at Manly Beach, stopping at the petite Collins and Little Manly beaches along the way. BEST TREK TO THE CBD: ANZAC BRIDGE TO PYRMONT BRIDGE This seafood frenzy of a walk is the most scenic way to head into the CBD from the city's inner west. Begin by crossing the austere-looking Anzac Bridge over to Blackwattle Bay, where you should settle in for a bayside lunch at the iconic Sydney Fish Market. Continue on through Darling Harbour and cross into the CBD over the Pyrmont Bridge, which offers the best views of Cockle Bay. This four-kilometre bridge hike merits a cocktail and some nibbles at one of the restaurants and bars at nearby Barangaroo. MOST ICONIC STROLL: MANLY TO SPIT BRIDGE SCENIC WALK This ten-kilometre walk, combined with the ferry ride to Manly Beach, is one of the best and most easily accessible treks in Sydney — and comes highly endorsed for a reason. This varying coastal walk of bush, ocean views and even rock engravings by the Gai-mariagal people make the entire trip compelling and a true Sydney experience that shouldn't be missed by even the most seasoned veterans. BEST PANORAMIC VIEWS: MIDDLE HEAD While the multiple WWII batteries located at Middle Head certainly set this walk apart, it is the expansive views of the eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly that really make this trek worthwhile. Still, climbing through underground tunnels and gun pits on the edge of the coast is a big part of the thrill. Don't miss the Vietnamese 'Tiger Cages', where trained military men simulated prisoner of war conditions. You'll find these ruins throughout the Middle Head Fortifications, but the surrounding sheer cliffs are what give the remnants their eerie and significant effect. BEST HISTORIC SIGHTS: COCKATOO ISLAND A UNESCO world heritage site, Cockatoo Island has an illustrious history. Once a convict colony and industrial island, it has 360-degree views of the water, including the surrounding bays and the Parramatta River. Tours, events and daily talks focus on environmental and historical issues related to the island, and regular art exhibitions run throughout the year. Spend a leisurely afternoon playing tennis on some of Sydney's most scenic courts then hire a barbecue and show off your grill-skills. If you still want more, Cockatoo can easily be turned into a getaway for your getaway with campgrounds and holiday houses available. BEST FOR PICNICKING: BALLS HEAD RESERVE The reserve affords exceptional views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the north and is a great place to have a short walk and picnic on the rocks overlooking the CBD. The bushwalk tracks open up to a secluded park where barbecues stand at the ready. Once you finish grilling up your sausages, head back over to the rocky area to have your picnic while watching the harbour boats mosey by. This is a proper lazy man's trek and should be enjoyed at a slow pace. MOST QUINTESSENTIALLY SYDNEY: BONDI TO COOGEE No list is complete without including this six-kilometre trail, which gives visitors and locals alike a true sense of Sydney's coastal beauty. The trek's steep gradients are well spaced between the city's most loved beaches, making this trip part-workout, part-beach bum afternoon. While the walk could be completed in as little as two hours, it's best enjoyed with long breaks by the ocean. Come in the spring and parts of the trail become extra majestic (and extra crowded) for iconic art event Sculpture by the Sea. Ready to get away and experience Sydney? Book with Qantas for great fares to Sydney and NSW until 24 September. Terms and conditions apply. Images: Marissa Ciampi and Grant Bates.
Last February, we lost our collective shit over these adorable little souls. Now, because it's spring and dreams can come true, dumpling monarchs Din Tai Fung have gone ahead and brought back those cute, cute little morsels — the sweet lamb buns are back. Available from throughout Sydney and Melbourne from September 26 – November 30, Din Tai Fung's sweet little buns are limited edition, Instagrammable goodness. Just LOOK AT THEM. They're called 'Baa Buns' because sometimes life just gets it right. Good news, you don't have to connect the dots between the lamb inside and out of the bun — they're desserty little blighters. Baa buns come steamed-to-order with a formidable filling of molten dark chocolate and taro, $3.80 each. The little edible lambies will be available in Sydney at World Square, Central Park, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, and in Melbourne at their Emporium chapter. There'll be limited quantities at each venue, available daily. But if you visit on the same day as us, we take no prisoners. Din Tai Fung's limited edition spring sweet lamb buns are available from throughout Sydney and Melbourne from September 26 – November 30 (not available at Din Tai Fung cafe court venues).
The stage has been set and the battlelines drawn. People of Melbourne, prepare yourself for war. This Saturday, hundreds of combatants will descend upon Flemington Racecourse for an afternoon of drinking, dancing and tomato-hurling mayhem. It's our very own version of Spain’s La Tomatina, with a little bit of Oktoberfest thrown in. Participants in Melbourne's inaugural Tomato Battle will pelt each other with upwards of one hundred thousand kilograms of over-ripe Roma tomatoes, in an event that will probably end up being marginally less messy than the Spring Racing Carnival. Everyone involved will be expected to play by the rules, which explicitly forbid profanity, unsportsmanlike behaviour and nudity. You'd think that last one would go without saying, but we suppose it's better to be safe than sorry. Gates open at noon for preregistration, while the fruit starts flying at 4pm sharp. The main event will be preceded by a lineup of live music, headlined by local favourite Some Blonde DJ.
Lately we feel like we've been the bearer of bad news when it comes to the fate of festivals, but this time we've got the complete opposite. The cats behind Falls Festival have created a brand new two-day festival over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. They're calling it The Lost Lands, a name which has enough mystery (and a vague enough reference to Jurassic Park) to have us very intrigued. The two-day camping festival will not only feature heaps of music, but will centre around art, theatre, comedy and outdoor activities as well. It'll be held over the Saturday and Sunday of the October long weekend just outside of Melbourne at Werribee Mansion, the luxe AF mansion and grounds that has played host to So Frenchy So Chic and the late Harvest Festival (RIP). But the real point of difference for The Lost Lands is that it's designed to be hella family friendly. Festival organiser and Falls founder Simon Daly has a family of five, and he recognised the need for a more European style of festival in Australia that not only lets kids attend, but actually involves them in the festival's activities. "The Lost Lands will give parents the chance to reconnect with the festival experience while instilling in kids a love and appreciation of music, arts and adventure," said Daly. "I think there's an appetite for more experiences crafted with parents and kids in mind and it's exciting for the industry." The festival will be focused around "shared experiences" that can be enjoyed by everyone — be that parents, kids, friends, and anyone who rocks up — and it looks set to incorporate so many activities, such as bushwalks, bike rides and even day trips to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. They're also offering a range of workshops to expand the mind (such as cooking and songwriting) or lengthen the legs (like circus play and yoga). Um, sign us up for everything. But just because there's kids around doesn't mean that the menu is limited to chicken nuggets and juice boxes. The Lost Lands is promising a huge range of festival eats and drinks, including a curated range of Mummy and Daddy drinks such as craft beer, wine, organic spirits and even an on-site distillery. All this will be happening with a backdrop of classic Italianate-style architecture amongst the sprawling formal mansion gardens (designed by W.R. Guilfoyle, the man behind the Royal Botanic Gardens) and a chill but fun musical line-up. Expect to be swaying along to The Waifs, Harts, The Grates, Ozomatli, Missy Higgins, CW Stoneking, Architecture in Helsinki, The Bamboos with Tim Rogers, Mariachi El Bronx, Tash Sultana, Olympia, Ali Barter, The Little Stevies, Pounded By The Surf, The Royal Jellies, Nicky Bonba, Ainslie Wills, and Alex Lahey. As it's a three-day, two-night festival, camping (and glamping) will be available, but with Melbourne only half an hour away by car or train, it's not a necessity like most festivals. However, if you want to feel like Marie Antoinette for a weekend, you can even rent accommodation in the actual mansion and live like damn kings.
Andrew McConnell is a busy, busy man who apparently wants to feed the entirety of Melbourne city. At the same time as bringing fancy meats and cheeses to the good people of Smith Street with his new speciality deli Meatsmith, he’s also been orchestrating a new wine bar on Gertrude Street. All hail McConnell, bringer of glorious meats, wine and cheeses to Fitzroy. The wine bar, named Marion, is slated to open to the public on October 23, right next door to its accomplished culinary big brother Cutler & Co. The two have been designed to work in tandem, with Marion as the perfect destination for post-dinner kick-ons or pre-dinner aperitifs. If you just want to skip dinner and guzzle wine, Marion is as a self-contained dinner venue in its own right. Marion is a little less formal than Cutler & Co. however the two establishments share a wine cellar and sommelier, Liam O’Brien, for maximum synergy points and wine expertise rolled into one. We’re expecting amazing things from this place, as it’s the product of years and years of experimenting and expertise. Most of the team have been working with McConnell in his various establishments for decades so know they know a thing or two about hospitality — and of course, wine. And McConnell himself is an old hand in the restaurant game, with the likes of Cumulus Inc., Supernormal and Moon Under Water all under his belt. It goes without saying, the bar is set pretty high. Bring it on. Marion opens 23 October at 51-53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
Your days of stealing liberating those tiny IKEA pencils may soon be coming to an end. According to reports, the Australian arm of the Swedish furniture giant will launch its online store by the end of 2016, ahead of a global e-commerce platform in the next two years. About damn time. Now here's hoping it's less stressful to navigate than their actual physical locations. Due to go live in the next six months, the online store will let shoppers order IKEA's unpronounceable furniture from the comfort of their MALM bed frames. The company plans to trial various pick-up methods, including smaller physical stores that double as pick-up points, as well as the use of third party depots. IKEA Australia hopes the web initiative will help boost profits, which, as it stands, are expected to pass the $1 billion mark for the first time later this year. Their online store in the UK is the most popular IKEA outlet in the country, presumably because you don't need to pack a week's worth of provisions to make it to the checkout. Speaking of provisions, it is currently unclear whether you'll be able to use the online store to order IKEA's meatballs. Fingers crossed though. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
Sydney's multi-faceted arts precinct Carriageworks has released their 2017 program — and, as we've come to expect by now, it's killer. Director Lisa Havilah last night revealed the line-up at the Eveleigh space, saying "the stories we tell through our collaborations and our programs is the story of contemporary life, contemporary urban Sydney of an imagined future driven by always remembering and acknowledging our shared histories". It's a poetic summary of the 2017 program, which is an interesting mix of 67 forward thinking and retrospective pieces. The big ticket item is the inaugural year of the huge citywide The National: New Australian Art, which will launch on March 30. It's the first exhibition of the six-year partnership between Carriageworks, the Art Gallery of NSW and the MCA that was announced earlier this year. Aussie artists included in next year's exhibit include Archie Moore, Justene Williams and Richard Lewer, but about the structure and content of the exhibition, they're remaining tight-lipped. Carriageworks is also collaborating with the City of Sydney to present a show based on the industrial strike in 1917, which happened on the current site of the precinct. With a mix of historical objects and new commissions to be included in the exhibition, artists include are Sarah Contos, Franck Gohier, Will French, Tom Nicholson and Raquel Ormella. They'll also continue their commitment to indigenous projects, bringing back Klub Koori and extending their Solid Ground partnership with Blacktown Arts Centre. For January's Sydney Festival events (of which they are hosting 12), they'll once again bringing the wildly successful Night Market back, this time in collaboration with chef Kylie Kwong. As it will coincide with the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival, this one will be inspired by the streets of Harajuku in Tokyo, Hongdae in Seoul, and AnFu Lu in Shanghai. Other shows include large-scale performance Lady Eats Apple from Back to Back Theatre, a Bangarra triple-bill called Ones Country – the Spine of our Stories, and MDLSX, a show that's part performance art, part DJ set from Italian company Motus. The space will once again host Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and Semi Permanent in May. Music events include Open Frame — curated by Lawrence English and featuring Xiu Xiu Plays the Music of Twin Peaks, Elysia Crampton, Klara Lewis and Alessandro Cortini — and an operatic performance of The Rape of Lucretia by Sydney Chamber Opera under the direction of new artistic director Kip Williams. We could go on. But in the interest of keeping this short, we'll just point you to the full program and let you get excited for 2017. Image: MDLSX, by Diane Ilariascarpa.
From shark-infested waters to the catacombs of Paris, Airbnb isn't short of peculiar places where you can spend the night. But for anyone who grew up in the late eighties or early nineties, their latest listing might be their most exciting yet. As part of the marketing push for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, visitors to New York can crash in an apartment inspired by the turtles' secret lair. Located in lower Manhattan, the three bedroom apartment has been decked out with all the amenities a turtle fan could desire. We're talking retro arcade games, bunk beds and a glow in the dark basketball court, as well as free swag on departure and pizza delivery free of charge. Of course if this was a true TMNT experience it'd be located in a sewer... but we suppose we can forgive them for playing fast and loose with the mythology under the circumstances. Best of all, for every guest that makes a booking, the half-shell hosts will make a donation to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Now the bad news: the lair has already been completely booked up. Bummer bros. Bummer.
If your main quibble with dumplings is that they're gone in a brief slurpy chomp, this New York restaurant's giant xiao long bao is the big ass dump you've been waiting for. Obviously, xiao long bao dumplings (or 'XLB dump dumps') are the best kind of dumplings (wo)mankind has yet imagined. Pot stickers are great, gyoza are fantastic and steamed dump dumps are just fine but really there's no better feeling than sucking down a brothy pocket of XLB. East Village newcomer Drunken Dumpling recognises this and has supersized the XLB to monstrous proportions. The XL XLB (right on) is the size of a bamboo steamer (a god damn bamboo steamer) and served with a straw (a straw!) to suck up all the delicious broth. They've got mathematics-professor-turned-dumpling-expert Qihui Guan at the helm of the XL XLB project, to ensure the physics of the bulbous dumplings are all up to code, so don't try this one at home. Via Gothamist. Image: Josh Brusin.
Shane Delia’s newest venture is going to delight the ever living crap out of fans of old school hip hop. Aptly named Biggie Smalls, the joint blends '90s hip hop with a classic New York diner setting and is built around an ethos of authenticity. You might remember Delia from his recent SBS series Shane Delia’s Spice Journey or one of his top drawer, fine dining venues, which makes his urban diner eatery in Collingwood seem like an odd choice. Being a massive Notorious B.I.G. fan as a kid, he's finally realised a lifelong love of hip hop and food in one establishment. That’s not to say it’ll be like any old kebab joint. We can’t forget that Maha, Delia’s most well-known enterprise, has received a chef's hat for the last six years, so Biggie Smalls is definitely in capable hands. Delia says the restaurant will be a 'KBab joint' and the offerings will be simple, non-traditional but will stay loyal to his Middle Eastern heritage. Delia's years of expertise really shine through in the menu, which features kebabs as mains with a basic list of sides, desserts and drinks to accompany. You can take your pick of some of the tastiest kebab options we've ever heard: there's the C. Wallace (flaxseed falafel, herbs, pickles, onions and smoked hummus). Yep, enjoy obliterating one of those. Then there's the West Coast (fried shrimps, harissa and almond mayo, herbs and pickled onion), the East Coast (maple glazed pork belly, crackling, (peanut butter hummus, herbs and pickles) and the Dirty South (fried chicken, pumpkin pie hummus, herbs, pickles and onion) to name a few. Did we mention there's a peanut butter caramel injected pretzel for dessert? Because there is. That's a real thing. That you can soon eat. Oh and the official venue hashtag? #readytodine. Classic. Biggie Smalls, located at 86 Smith Street, Collingwood, will open at 11am on Thursday, December 10. Find out more on their website.
Di and Will Keser are the proud owners of four very excellent things: two beagles, Moesley and Snoopy and two Melbourne cafes, Hardware Societe and Bowery to Williamsburg. And they’re soon to be adding another excellent thing to their rapidly growing set: a 50-seat restaurant at the steps of the Sacre Coeur cathedral in the beating heart of Paris. The Kesers have only recently arrived in Paris and are setting up shop in the suburb of Montmartre, the artists’ quarter, an appropriate choice for the prolific cafe mogul pair. Hardware Societe Paris is set to open in January 2016, so adjust your flights accordingly. We had a chat with Di about the practicalities of moving two beagles and a business to a bureaucratic country and the challenges that come with living between well-loved two places. While a lot of Aussie cafes head over to the US to make their international debut, you guys have chosen Paris. What inspired the choice? Actually, it was simply a personal decision. We own an apartment in the second arrondissement and really wanted an excuse to spend more time here, which is difficult when we have our roots truly planted in Melbourne with family, businesses and dogs (they come over early next year). But we adore Paris. The city has such life, no matter what time of the year it is. We just wanted to be part of that more permanently, rather than hoping off a plane every few months and living like tourists in our home here. I think we possibly picked the most difficult and bureaucratic country to open in. Nothing is easy, but I guess that is all part of the challenge right? Once we’ve pulled this off, I am pretty sure opening a cafe on the moon would be easier. Are you and Will living over in Paris to look after the cafe? Yes, we are here now. There is a lot to organise, particularly for a girl that speaks little French — partially because I am so embarrassed when I open my mouth, partially because I talk to Will all the time in English and partially because most people speak English. Our intention is to spend the next 12 months over here after opening, and then reassess things after that. Whether that is three months here, three months in Melbourne, time will tell. But it is difficult with our beagles, as Moesley and Snoopy are the main priority when it comes to returning home more permanently. I mean imagine if they prefer it here, then I guess we stay. Coffee, come to me #hardwaresocieteparis #parislife #obladi A photo posted by The Hardware Societe (@hardwaresociete) on Aug 26, 2015 at 12:57am PDT How do you think the Aussie flat white will land with espresso lovin’ Parisians? I think Parisians are very open to new things but why can’t they have a short black, if that’s what they want? It will just be a Melbourne bean on offer [Padre Coffee]. We’ll be appealing to a few different markets: Parisians seeking out brunch, the Australian tourist yearning for something beyond a humble but delicious croissant for breakfast, and of course, the expat community (I am one now, after all), and a surprisingly global Hardware Societe following. Would you believe I have had people say they will take the Eurostar over to Paris for brunch? That absolutely astounded me. Are you taking any other Aussie standards over with you or sticking with the French fusion fare? We are so excited to be bring Padre Coffee along for the ride, they are a huge part of who we are and it wouldn't have been the same if we couldn't offer Padre here. But apart from Padre coffee, no. Everyone knows Hardware Societe and knows what we do. What is interesting is that we are bringing our interpretation of a French brunch to Paris — think eggs en cocotte (our baked eggs), breakfast cassoulet (traditional bean stew with lyonnaise sausage, confit duck and pork belly), riz au lait (rice pudding), our infamous fried brioche (French toast) and of course our lobster benedict. Hardware Societe Paris will be no different to Melbourne, save for the staff. What's to become of Melbourne’s Hardware Societe and Bowery to Williamsburg while you’re away? Truthfully, apart from the friendships we have formed through running Hardware, most customers don’t know who we are and the Hardware team have been with us a very long time. The smiling and dedicated team crew are Hardware Societe, so nothing will change. As for Bowery, we have two awesome business partners, Shaun Williams and Gary Xue, (who is also our head chef at Hardware). They have been very generous, allowing us to take time out, and do this. Is this possibly the street that Hardware Societe Paris will call home? #parislife #hardwaresocieteparis A photo posted by The Hardware Societe (@hardwaresociete) on Aug 26, 2015 at 7:57am PDT Hardware Societe Paris will open in 2016, opposite Sacre Coeur, Montmartre. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Confetti cannons up, we've got something bloody huge to celebrate. Announced this morning, Concrete Playground has been nominated for a 2016 Webby Award, in the category of General Website - Cultural Blog/Website. Look, we're not pulling your leg, here we are, with fellow nominees VICE, Nowness, Jazz at Lincoln Centre and Polygraph. So we're drinking prosecco for morning tea, what of it? Celebrating their 20th year, The Webbys have seen the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences handing out top tier awards since 1996, celebrating "excellence on the internet including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video and mobile content." Along with our mates and website designers Canvas Group, Concrete Playground is now celebrating our first ever Webby nomination. Concrete Playground founder and director Rich Fogarty was understandably excited. "FUUUUUUUUUCK!" he said in a statement this morning. Fellow Australian/NZ nominees include triple j's Hottest 100 site for Music (they're up against Beyonce's official site, kudos), and Trusted Housesitters — based in Australia as well as globally — for the Community category. Best part of the Webbys? Once the nominations have been announced, the winners are internet-voted. So you can give us a hand! Used CP to find your never-fail date spot (with BYO)? Chase more waterfalls nowadays? Look, we told you what nap desks are, so show us some love and vote for us. How about some ol' fashioned incentive? We're giving readers the chance to win a cheeky $1000 from your good mates at CP. To enter, all you have to do is vote for us on the Webby's website, email us a screenshot of the vote confirmation screen to cpftw@concreteplayground.com. That's it. Get on it. VOTE FOR CONCRETE PLAYGROUND HERE
By now, we thought we'd seen it all by way of food pop-ups. In the last year alone, Melbourne has hosted a pop-up whisky bar in a jail, a floating pop-up bar on the Yarra and a pop-up entirely dedicated to lobster rolls. But nope, there’s still something we haven’t seen before, and that's an immersive, post-apocalyptic themed food and drink pop-up. The Richmond Yard will see a humble Cremorne carpark transformed each Saturday into a creative installation that explores a post-apocalyptic world — presumably one that ensues after Melbourne implodes from one too many food pop-ups. The zany idea comes from creative production team The Seven, who were behind epic Melbourne Music Week venues Where?House and Kubik. The post-apocalyptic theme will be played out with multiple installations in The Garden, and a mock-trailer park in the Residential zone. Here they'll have eight trailers stationed for public use — you'll be able to book them out for two hours so you can sit back with some food, booze and your mates and avoid the hustle for seating space. The outdoor dining area, The Commons, is where everyone else will be hanging out though. Each week, five food vendors will join the party; Easey's, Mamasita and Burn City Smokers have already been locked in, with more to be announced. The bar, which will operate out of a vintage Airstream-style trailer, will stock the likes of Handpicked Wines, Flying Brick cider, Quiet Deeds beer, and a selection of summer cocktails. Things kick off at 4pm and will kick on until midnight, with DJs playing throughout the night. The Richmond Yard is also super sustainable (hurrah!), making use of renewable energy, food composting, an onsite vineyard display and no disposable food service wares. The pop-up is the first in a series of activations from the creative team, so expect to see more things like this in the future. A post-post-apocalyptic food installation, anyone? The Richmond Yard launches this weekend, and will pop up every Saturday from 4pm - midnight until February 20, 2016. It is located in the carpark at 55-67 Cremorne Street, Cremorne. To be the first to check it out on opening night, you can book a free preview ticket here. Image: Steve Walser, Flickr CC.
There's nothing better than treating your grumbling stomach with greasy cuisine after a late night of shenanigans. While a liquid diet is enough for some, for many a night on the town is not complete without tucking into something on the way home. The only criteria? Deep fried and crunchy. But where can you go after midnight without resorting to a soggy 7/11 sausage roll in desperation? Thankfully, a host of greasy do-gooders keep their doors open and deep-fryers switched on long past midnight. You'll never have to go to McDonald's again. CHILLI CHEESE FRIES AT LE BON TON A touch of class in Melbourne's late night greasies, this New Orleans-style eatery offers beautifully candlelit shelter from the night, complete with an oyster saloon, smokehouse, cocktail bar and an absinthe den. Fully licensed around the clock, the Collingwood favourite runs a limited menu until 6am — thankfully including all the deep fried snacks you desire. Try their legendary Texas-style chilli cheese fries, crisped to perfection with a very excellent cheddar dipping sauce that will definitely hit the spot. PICKLE DOG AT MASSIVE WEINERS After a 12 or a six-inch? Or perhaps you can only manage a three-inch Little Pecker? For some late night schoolboy humour, hot dog style, Massive Weiners is a crowd-pleaser — and they're open until 4am Fridays and 4.30am on Saturdays. The delicious hot dogs come with a range of extras such as sauerkraut, cheddar cheese, beef and bean chilli sauce and jalapenos. And while size isn't important, Massive Weiner does care for its non-meat inclined eaters and offers soy hot dog options as well MARGHERITA PIZZA AT CAFE ROMANTICA On the Brunswick end of Lygon Street, this late-night haven serves delicious and traditional pizzas right 'round the clock — in fact, the only time they close is between 5pm Monday and 5am Tuesday. Styled like an Italian version of an American diner, it's a family-run business that — perhaps unlike your own family — will welcome you with open arms regardless of the ungodly hour you decide to waltz in. For a token greasy meal, try one of their 27 homemade pizzas with plenty of toppings and a whole lot of stringy cheese. LAMB GIROS SOUVLAKI AT STALACTITES Some things taste better in the wee hours of the morning, and the humble souvlaki is one of the foods that transform into a magical sensation for your tastebuds when consumed past midnight. For a top melt-your-mouth souva, Stalactites is a 24/7 Greek institution that has been making a many late-night reveller happy since 1978. Expect a generous portion of Greek goodness, enriched in good ol' Vitamin G (that is, grease). PAN FRIED DUMPLINGS AND PORK BUNS AT CHINA BAR While other Chinatown restaurants sadly shut-up shop by 11pm, this bustling franchise continue to cater to your fried dumpling and pork bun needs until the after-clubbing hours of 5am. This enormous buffet-style eatery has every Chinese culinary delight to poke a chopstick at, from steaming plates of curry chicken or deep-fried dim sims. While the dumplings may not be as cheap as hidden-alley dumpling joints, they are still hot, fried and delicious. CHICKEN POPS AT BAM SAE NIGHTBIRDS With a menu section titled 'fried' you already know you can't go wrong here with your selection of oily noms. This aptly named 'Night Birds' Korean restaurant continues serving masses of night owls until 4.30am in laid-back surrounds, mixing fried treats with house-special cocktails. Chicken Pops proves a popular snack: deep fried chicken complete with a mixed salad dripping in sweet chilli and chilli mayo sauce. If a simple snack won’t cut it, the $29 all-you-can-eat buffet promises the ultimate greasy feast from spicy octopus, LA beef ribs and spicy chicken with cheese. CHARCOAL CHICKEN AT BELLEVILLE For a hot chicken hankering that no KFC outlet can ever fill, venture to Belleville, hidden upstairs in Chinatown. Cooked traditionally on a huge Brazilian-style rotisserie, this high-quality chicken will raise the bar on your bird expectations. Enjoy a quarter, half or full chook smothered with a delicious sauces in the bar and restaurant until 1am. MIXED KEBAB AT TOWN HALL KEBAB Perfectly located between the best drinking holes in Brunswick, this semi-permanent kebab stand offers a no-frills and no-nonsense approach to the delicious kebab. The one-manned hole-in-the-wall knows how to make a tasty kebab, pleasing late night stragglers with wrapped up salad and slow-cooked meats until 2am. As well as being enough to make your heart sing in delight, the obvious signage (reading 'Kebab & Coffee') is also a bonus for your tired eyes. Plus, Bordain went there. PIZZA AT LUCKY COQ After late night frivolities southside, duck into the cheap and cheerful Lucky Coq for an equally as cheap and cheerful pizza. With dim-lighting, electronic tunes and kitsch furniture, it's a pleasant venue to stop and recharge the batteries by hoeing into some greasy tucker. While the pizzas triple in price from their dirt cheap $4 price tag earlier in the evening, it's still the best place in Prahran for a vegetarian, meaty or seafood pizza right up until 2.30am. THE CLASSIC BURGER AT EMBASSY CAFE Park yourself in a plastic seat alongside cabbies, ravers and shift workers, and get your late night burger fix in this 24-hour retro-style burger joint. Praised widely for being a hangover cure, their burgers are also believed to be a hangover preventer — on par with water and Panadol. Treat yourself to the classic with the lot, topped with tomato, delectable beef patties, and rashers of bacon that are the perfect mix between sweet and salty. Images: Dollar Photo Club, Alpha via Flickr, kelami via Instagram, fatboo via Instagram.
Learn how to make the perfect Sri Lankan curry or produce Persian pickles like a pro, at a series of pop-up cooking classes taught by asylum seekers and refugees. Held at a number of Melbourne venues throughout June and early July, the Free to Feed project aims to empower and enrich the local community by providing jobs and opportunities for its newest and most vulnerable members – while keeping the rest of us happy with insanely tasty food. The initiative will welcome instructors from Iran, Pakistan, Kenya and Sri Lanka – and for many of them, it represents their first employment opportunity since arriving in Australia. Students can learn the secret to mouthwatering lentil dhal, try their hand at making rose petal jam, or cook up hotdogs (yes, hotdogs) like they do on the streets of Tehran. Free to Feed classes are currently being held on select Saturdays and Sundays at venues including Crunch Cafe in Northcote, Grub Food Van in Fitzroy and The Neff Market Kitchen at the South Melbourne Cooking School. For more information visit the website.
If molecular fine dining is your thing, add this one to the diary. Spice-based legends AANYA from The Hotel Windsor are running a very exclusive pop-up series at Ray Capaldi's Chef's Table at Wonder Pies. Tickets will set you back $285 per person, which is on the pricey side, but AANYA chefs Nishant Arora and Janos Roman aren't serving up ordinary food. The AANYA kitchen specialises in spice-based, experimental molecular gastronomy and their meticulously crafted dishes resemble abstract works of art. The meal also includes matched cocktails curated by Lynden Barnes of Little Lon Distilling Co. If you've been looking for a special occasion meal, this might be the ticket. It's certainly unlike anything you'll find elsewhere in the city. There are only three seatings with a strict cap of 12 diners per event: Friday July 28, Saturday July 29, and a special lunch event on Sunday July 30. That's it. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. Book your spot here or follow AANYA's socials for more information. Images: Supplied
Binge-watching back episodes of all those TV shows you meant to catch up with is about to become easier than ever. Telstra have just announced a partnership with American digital set top box manufacturers Roku on an Australian platform that will be compatible with rival video-on-demand services Netflix, Stan and Presto, as well as free-to-air catch-up players and BigPond Movies. Telstra will launch the service, named Telstra TV, in September, at which point it will become the first device on the local market that offers easy access to all three competing streaming services – although you can technically get all three through a Chromecast. A Telstra spokesperson told news.com.au that Netflix and Presto would be available from the launch date, with Stan jumping on board soon after. The device will also support certain TV catch-up services, although Telstra has not yet specified which ones, and could not confirm whether Foxtel Play would be among them. A full list of supported apps will become available closer to the launch. Likewise, the pricing for Telstra TV is yet to be finalised, although the company is reportedly trying to negotiate a subscription package that includes all three major streaming options for under $30 a month. The device itself is expected to retail for $109 flat out, or $89 when included as part of a Telstra broadband plan. Via news.com.au
The freaking fabulous lot at Hessian Magazine not only produce a fine publication, but the ladies know how to throw down an excellent party. The purpose of the shindig is to raise funds for their second issue, and as you can see from the first, they are doing some pretty great work. As if you wouldn't want to get down with these conscientious folk, especially when it’s all happening at The Shadow Electric. Musical stylings for the night is a brilliant mix of Melbourne artists, including The Harpoons (DJ set), HABITS, HTML Flowers and Young Hysteria. To sweeten the deal further, there's going to be plenty of excellent giveaways — largely in the form of movie passes — for those who snag a ticket early. Tickets are only $8 for presale, or nab a ticket and copy of Hessian's first issue for $15. Learn five lessons in sustainable fashion with Hessian Magazine over here.
Long-time creative collaborators, Virginia Martin of Melbourne fashion label búl and photographer Kate Ballis have done it again. The quintessentially Melburnian team has come together anew, this time tempting us with easy, refined style and otherworldly prints for Autumn/Winter 2017. Ballis is renowned for her ability to transport you to surreal landscapes through her dramatic lighting and moody aesthetic. So, using the photographer's striking prints of mythical Icelandic landscapes, Martin and Ballis have gifted us with a capsule collection of wearable art and travel inspo in the form of five covetable pieces. Ballis' mossy mountains sloping into hazy waters create geometric effects across a simple búl shift. Her icy glaciers evolve into subtle motifs that ripple over a jacket, top and skirt worn all together or separate. The collaboration also yields a cushion capturing búl's understated sophistication and Ballis' ethereal landscapes. As a whole, the minimalist capsule is a dreamy, subdued mix of muted hues, clean lines and pared-back style, and we're ready to whip out our wallets to shop every piece. You may just find us packing our bags to go and become one with the mystical surrounds of Kate Ballis' Iceland like some immaculately dressed ice deity. Or you know, just donning fresh threads around the office like some immaculately dressed writer who's spent her last paycheck well. The búl x Kate Ballis capsule collection drops in store and online on March 17.
OK Go, that band whose music videos consistently outperform their music, would find it hard not to be impressed by Birdman. That's because the film features one remarkable, continuous shot that goes for 119 minutes and is called Birdman. It's a cheat, of course. Like Timecode before it, there are cuts amid the long takes, but much of director Alejandro González Iñárritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's remarkable achievement is how seamlessly they’re all pieced together. Filmed like a play but choreographed like a dance, Birdman is cinematic ballet where the way the story is presented is just as critical to its telling as the story itself. And what of that story? It’s a simple one, but like all good tales, the simplicity of plot is offset by characters possessed of deep complexity. None more so than Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a washed-up movie star whose career faded into obscurity after turning down the lead in ‘Birdman 3’ (allusions to Keaton’s career post Batmans 1 and 2 are clearly — and gleefully — embraced by all). Thomson has gambled everything on one final shot at restoring his credibility: a Broadway adaptation of a Raymond Carver story that he has singlehandedly adapted, directed and is starring in. There's a matryoshka doll feeling to it all: the movie, filmed like a play, about the movie star putting on a play. The effect is at once mesmerising and unbalanced, neatly reflecting Thomson’s own tortured subconscious. When narration sporadically occurs, it is not in the voice of Thomson, but Thomson ‘doing’ Birdman — the same gravelly exercise in duality that defines the Bruce Wayne/Batman dichotomy. Then there’s the supporting cast, albeit one where ‘support’ is a giant misnomer since Keaton needs no assistance and each of the supporting actors puts in a lead-worthy performance of their own. As Thomson’s friend and agent, Zach Galifianakis shows remarkable, understated reserve, while Emma Stone is refreshingly dark as Thomson’s recovering drug addict daughter Sam. Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough both demonstrate incredible depth as Thomson’s on-stage co-stars, but the standout is unquestionably Edward Norton. He plays Mike Shiner, an unspeakable egotist and critical darling whose dedication to method seemingly knows no bounds. Norton's scenes with Keaton showcase two of the finest performances of the year, and are spectacularly — most notably in their self-aware jibes at actors and critics. This is a film that almost commands repeat viewings, if only to marvel at its mechanics. Yet Birdman offers so much more than form. Darkly comedic, intellectually challenging and emotionally confronting, Iñárritu's film is a tantalisingly original piece of cinema that belongs on everyone’s must-see list for 2015.
When Kevin Bacon stood up in Footloose and said, “This is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life,” what he didn’t say was “but only for skinny people”. And yet, that seems to be what we mean these days. 'Fat' dancers and performers aren’t often seen, and so many people seem to have so many opinions on fatness and how fat people move through our society. We look at fat people and assume things — that the person is lazy, slovenly, unhappy and definitely, definitely ungraceful and unconnected to their bodily wellbeing. Now fat activist and artist Kelli Jean Drinkwater and resigning Force Majeure artistic director Kate Champion are working together to broaden our outlook on the body and the act of dancing. Their show Nothing to Lose was a viral and sold-out hit of the Sydney Festival in January, and now it's coming to Melbourne for a longer season at the Malthouse. The work is highly topical, audacious and — coming from dance-theatre masters Force Majeure (Never Did Me Any Harm, Food) — sure to be a powerful watch. Challenging as it is to our prejudices, it might even be the most important work you see at the theatre this year. We spoke to Drinkwater and Champion about the thinking behind the provocative project. What troubles and interests you about the way our society views fatness? Kelli-Jean Drinkwater: As an artist and a fat woman, what I find fascinating and intensely frustrating is the one-dimensional view of fat people and the lives we lead. Fat is usually seen as something to be deeply ashamed of and avoided at all costs. The mainstream culture here in Australia still has an incredibly narrow view of fat people, our capabilities, our health, our relationships. There is so much more to our lives as individuals that is rarely given a platform to be explored. I think we need to engage in critical thinking about our relationships to our own bodies and why most people, regardless of their size, are unhappy with how they are physically. Let’s also investigate how this impacts our view of other people and their bodies. Hopefully then we can start to be more accepting and, dare I say, even celebratory of the many ways there are to have a body. What are we missing if we only see athletically built people dance? Kate Champion: Well it seems to me we’re missing out on about 95 percent of the population being represented on stage as dancers! Obviously there’s a certain athleticism that lends itself to achieving technically difficult physical feats and certain styles of choreography. I can certainly appreciate that for what it is, but there is so much more to dance and what dance can be than that. It can be quirky, soulful, intriguing, captivating and intoxicating when performed by a person with a less ‘typical’ dancer’s body who really owns their movement. What is it like to be a fat person in an un-fat-friendly world? KJD: I can only speak from my experience, but being a person of size in our relentlessly body-shaming culture is tough. We are constantly judged, mocked, berated, pathologised, patronised and silenced in really obvious but also often insidious and subtle ways. The flip side of that is you have to learn to have a thick skin and a strong sense of your self-worth to hold your head up. I just try and use any negativity that comes my way to fuel the fat activist fire. It feels like fat activists are making some positive strides, particularly on the internet through memes such as #fatkini. Do you agree? KJD: I do believe that there is a noticeable groundswell in body positivity and fat activism here in Australia, much more than there was ten or even five years ago, and it's long overdue! And for sure social media is playing a huge part in that by creating access to communities that encourage each other to critique dominant cultural ideas around fatness. It’s like this collective tipping point and I think people regardless of their size are sick of feeling pressured by a prescribed standard of 'physical perfection', whatever that means. I believe audiences are eager to see a broader scope of bodies on stage. That’s what is so refreshing about Nothing to Lose. It’s a really timely work. What aspects of fatness do you explore through Nothing to Lose? KJD: [We're aiming] to explore the often overlooked aspects of the fat experience as well as give a fresh perspective on the more obvious ones. We explore the strength, capability and complexity, both physically and intellectually, that our cast live every day. We are also not shying away from the controversial issues but are instead seeing this as an opportunity to present a different side of the story. Our fearless cast are as interested in going to the more unexplored places in this work, as Kate and I are. Nothing to Lose has been in development from an open call-out. What surprised you or went differently than you thought it would over the course of this development? KC: Through both the auditions and ... the relatively brief periods of development so far — two weeks in 2013 and the same this year — we have focused on developing our level of trust with each other in order to see just how far we can go with material both physically and psychologically. This is sensitive subject matter but we need to make sure we’re not tiptoeing around any important issues. If we can’t approach the work with a no-holds-barred attitude amongst ourselves, then we’ll miss out on the full extent of the cast’s movement capacity and the full impact and levels of complexity that the subject matter contains. It’s been refreshingly honest and extremely illuminating so far! I'm amazed by the range these performers possess. They have filled us with inspiration to create a truly original, thought-provoking performance. Why should people watch this show? KC: People should watch this show to broaden their appreciation of who should dance on stage and what dance can be. To my mind all good shows have elements that are unexpected, confronting, joyful, insightful, confusing and liberating. This show aims to realign conditioned response in order to see and value the dancing body afresh. Nothing to Lose is on at the Malthouse Merlyn Theatre from March 11-21. Head to the Malthouse website for more info and to book. This article was originally published in Sydney as Why Fat Dancers Might Be the Most Important Thing You See at Sydney Festival.
On September 23 and November 4, The Astor Theatre will become the most magical place in Melbourne, as all nine films grace the St Kilda cinema's screens for 20 hours of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to stay awake. Nine films, you say? Yep, this really is a celebration of every Potter-related flick there is, which means the eight movie versions of J.K. Rowling's original seven books, plus the film adaptation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as well. Watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and co. spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. And, then jump back several decades earlier to explore the exploits behind one of their textbooks — as presented in glorious 70mm, too. With no new Potter-related films due until the Fantastic Beasts sequel next year, this will help you get your big screen spellbinding fix — and, let's face it, you've already watched your DVDs hundreds of times. Kicking off at 11am and screening through until the following morning, Potterfest — A Harry Potter Marathon will also include plenty of other Potter fun, with dressing up in costume as highly recommended as a pint of butterbeer.
Asylum seekers, drone warfare, women's rights and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its main arm returning to ACMI in Melbourne, along with condensed programs for cities including Sydney and Brisbane, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up. The festival begins with the Australian premier of Chasing Asylum, a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Prison Songs, Australia's first ever musical documentary about the inmates of the Northern Territory's notorious Berrimah prison. Audiences in Melbourne will also get the chance to catch a whole heap of special screenings, ranging from a selection of African heritage cinema curated by the Melbourne Cinematheque, to a special screening of The Pearl Button with a live original score by Dirty Three guitarist Mick Turner. For those of you having a tough time narrowing down what to see, here are five standout titles you can't afford to miss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So7iA9xFrB4 CHASING ASYLUM This year's opening night film tears back the curtain on Australia's brutal immigration policies. Directed by Eva Orner, the Oscar-winning producer of Taxi to the Darkside, this confronting documentary explores the human cost of mandatory detention, combining interviews with whistleblowers — who risked jail to speak out — and sickening hidden camera footage from inside detention centres on Manus and Nauru. With Australia having been repeatedly condemned for its inhumane treatment of asylum seekers, Chasing Asylum could hardly be a better opening film, or more vital viewing in the lead-up the federal election. Opening night has already sold out, but there are multiple encore screenings scheduled with tickets still available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSkQa3Ieps THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST: MALIAN MUSIC IN EXILE When Islamic extremists took control of Northern Mali in 2012, they introduced a law banning all forms of music. This documentary — which has been selected as the spotlight film at HRAFF — tells the story of the people who refused to fall into line. Featuring a number of Mali musicians including international breakouts Songhoy Blues, as well as Brian Eno and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, They Will Have to Kill Us First explores music both as a form of cultural expression and a powerful weapon of resistance. And of course, the soundtrack is sure to be great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXbq-VpFbxc DRONE Winner of the Amnesty International Award at the San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival, this English-language doco from Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei examines one of the murkiest issues in the arena of modern warfare. From the floors of video game conventions, where the U.S. military hunts for new recruits, to the streets of Pakistan, where the impact of drone strikes is felt first hand, Drone explores the morality of combat technology that allows us to snatch someone's life from halfway around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5wO664P4A HOOLIGAN SPARROW Anyone who caught the recent Ai Weiwei exhibition at the NGV should make a concerted effort to see this covert doco about his fellow dissident, Chinese human rights activist Ye Haiyan, aka Hooligan Sparrow. Shot guerrilla style over three months by first time filmmaker Nanfu Wang, the film follows Sparrow as she campaigns for justice on behalf of six elementary school girls who were sexually abused by their principal. Rather than aid them, the government labelled the activists enemies of the state. So intense was the attention of the authorities that the footage had to be smuggled out of the country. Nanfu Wang will appear via Skype for a post-film Q&A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnjGKyEJTBw THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT A rare narrative film on the documentary-heavy lineup, this dramatisation of the notorious psychological experiment won the Best Screenplay award at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Featuring the likes of Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Thomas Mann and Billy Crudup, The Stanford Prison Experiment concerns the attempts of Stanford University researchers to examine the causes of violence within the prison system. In order to do so, they recruited two dozen student volunteers, placed them in a makeshift jail, and randomly assigned them roles as either prisoners or guards. The results live in infamy even to this day. Want more film? Check out our guide to what's in cinemas this month.
Every month, Sydneysiders chuck out more than 500,000 disposable coffee cups. Given how much cheering’s been going on in reaction to the COP21 climate change agreement to transform the planet’s fossil fuel-driven economy, it feels like it’s about time we killed our trash habit, too. The good news is that a visionary company by the name of Frank Green wants to help us along. Founded in Melbourne, they’ve just expanded to Sydney and their business is the design creation and sale of SmartCups, which are quite possibly the most beautiful, well-conceived, reusable coffee cups you’ve ever seen. It’s not just us who are impressed, either – the SmartCup won the 2015 Good Design Award. The vessel is 100 percent Australian-made – every step of the way, from design to engineering to manufacturing – and an array of features puts it a cut above its competitors. It's made of premium, BPA-free, non-toxic materials, which are resistant to stain and odours, so you won’t get any weird tastes mixing with your Single Origin or Toby’s Estate. You only need one hand to open and close it, allowing for endless multitasking. And the lid is completely spill-proof. Add to that a double-walled, thermo layer to keep your brew hot; a non-slip grip; a flow-optimised drinking hole; the capacity to take regular and large coffee sizes; and loads of choices in terms of colours. Last but not least, you can actually pay for your coffee with your SmartCup. Frank Green and CafePay have got together to make this little slice of magic happen – the cup itself can facilitate secure cashless payments; keep track of your progress in loyalty programmes; help you find your favourite beans, café or barista; allow you to pre-order; and get you access to special discounts. Check out Frank Green's website for more info.
For many, Healesville Sanctuary is simply a school trip destination or a fun spot to take international visitors to so that they can hug a wombat. But for one weekend, the rural animal sanctuary is changing things up by hosting a massive food and wine festival. On Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, more than 20 local wineries, breweries and distilleries will take over the site's lush nature trail, each with their own pop-up cellar door. Sutherland Estate, Four Pillars, Steels Gate Wines, Zonzo Estate, De Bortoli, Hop Hen Brewing, Tokar Estate and Stag Lane Distillers are some of the drinks producers taking part this year — each offering a range of tastings. While the booze is the main attraction (as well as the Aussie animals), you'll also find plenty of food stalls along the trail. Little Yarra Creperie, The Greatest Doughman, Babaji's Kitchen and Lady Paella will cook up a bunch of sweet and savoury eats, while Healesville Sanctuary's three cafes will also be open as usual. Either nosh on these while you wander, or stop and sit by some of the bonfires and teepees dotted along the walk to rest and snack. You can also follow the sound of music to find live gigs. The entire property will only be open to Wine & Wildlife ticketholders across the two days, so be sure to plan ahead. Tickets cost $60 for average punters, $48 for zoo members, and kids go free. The ticket includes access to the sanctuary, a reusable wine glass, and free reign of the drinks tastings. As an added bonus, you'll be glad to know that money from ticket sales will help fund a dedicated team at the wildlife hospital, which treats thousands of animals every year, in addition to caring for the animals at Healesville Sanctuary.
Looking for a little bit of renovation inspiration? In that case, you've come to the right place. Bestowed this week by a jury of respected Australian architects and designers, the House Awards celebrate the latest innovations in contemporary architecture. Reckon if we all pooled our money we could buy one of these? The top prize, Australian House of the Year, went to a wood-paneled apartment in Darling Point, Sydney – the very same apartment that took home the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design at the Australian Interior Design Awards just last month. It also won the House Awards' gong for Best Apartment or Unit, with the jury commending the "refined and surprising design" that contrasted "floating American oak and painted white steel joinery." The awards for Best New House Over and Under 200m² went to houses in NSW and Queensland, respectively, while a property on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra won prizes for Sustainability and Best Outdoor Design. Check out the full list of House Award winners, below. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE OF THE YEAR – Darling Point Apartment by Chenchow Little NEW HOUSE UNDER 200m² – Naranga Avenue House by James Russel Architect NEW HOUSE OVER 200m² – Deepwater by Tobias Partners HOUSE ALTERATION AND ADDITION UNDER 200m² – Baffle House by Claire Cousins Architects HOUSE ALTERATION AND ADDITION OVER 200m² – Project Zero by BVN APARTMENT OR UNIT – Darling Point Apartment by Chenchow Little OUTDOOR – Fairfield House by Kennedy Nolan HOUSE IN A HERITAGE CONTEXT – Bayside Fire Station by Owen Architecture SUSTAINABILITY – Fairfield House by Kennedy Nolan EMERGING ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE – Rob Kennon Architects
Summing up the year is always reflective. But summing up a year of food? It's stomach rumbling stuff. In the last 365 days we've seen scores of restaurant openings, new seasonal menus and pop-ups, eaten around 1,095 square meals and squeezed in approximately 1 billion snacks. It's a lot to consider. But when we threw the question open to the Concrete Playground team, we got some swift responses. Because that's what it's all about, right? It's about those meals that stick in your sensory memory all year-round. The moment that melt-in-your mouth wagyu touched your tongue; the crack of a perfect creme brulee. So here they are, the tastes we've been thinking about all year and the dishes we dream about ordering again: our favourite meals of 2014. PEANUT BUTTER TOFU BAO AT KONG Did they say 2014 the year of the burger? Or the bibimbap? If you ask us, it was all about the bao. No matter what you wedge between those sweet fluffy bun pillows, with a little hoisin and coriander, it always tastes good. There are plenty of places to get them, but the best we've had this year would have to be at Kong. Taking leave from more traditional pork belly and brisket buns, these peanut butter crusted salt and pepper tofu buns take tofu out of bland territory and into the land of holy wow. These aren't cheap at $6 a pop and you'll have burnt chilli mayo running down to your elbows, but you'll still want a few more once you're done. GRADE 7 WAGYU BEEF AT LUCY LIU This dish is the not-so-silent hero of Melbourne CBD's new modern Asian eatery. Whispers of this succulent meat dish have been heard whistling through the wind since Lucy Liu opened its doors. Strips of juicy wagyu are accompanied by a delicious honey-soy BBQ dipping sauce (yakiniku) and fluffy, clear-your-nostrils mustard horseradish (which, if you're not careful, you might mistake for a perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream, it looks so smooth and creamy). The textures and flavours come together in such beauty and balance it's like a sophisticated BBQ-slash-wild party-slash-yoga session in your mouth. If such a thing was possible. CRAB SPAGHETTINI AT FATTO Arriving at your table perfectly twirled and perched in the centre of the plate, this spaghettini is that perfectly balanced dish that will win you over from the first mouthful. The sweetness of the crab is offset by a lemony tang and finishes with a touch of fresh chilli. Fatto Bar & Cantina is the cibarious diamond in the rough of Melbourne's theatre precinct, and this dish makes a perfect encore to a show or holds its own as the main event. CREMA CATALANA AT BOMBA A creme brulee is a creme brulee right? Nothing too fancy about it — not worth the hype? Wrong. A creme brulee can be done one of two ways: badly, or well. Like most things really. Bomba does it well. Very well. They also call it a Crema Catalana as they're using Spanish influences. Cream, milk, sugar, and egg yolks are a good start. The cinnamon, orange, and lemon really make it. Perfectly crisp on top and light, fluffy, sweet, and slightly tangy underneath. We'd be lying if we said we were able to hold a real conversation while eating this. TRUFFLED POLENTA AT STAGGER LEES We never thought polenta would make it onto a 'best-of' list, but here we are. In 2014 Melbourne, European peasant food is on the menu — and it's good. In fact, one of our favourite breakfasts this year was all about polenta: Stagger Lee's Shrooms 'n' Truffles. A big bowl of creamy, rich polenta, served with pine mushrooms, pecorino and topped with an egg yolk is the ultimate remedy for a chilly morning. We don't quite know how they get polenta to taste this good — all we know is we want to lick the bowl clean. WHIPPED COD ROE AT CUTLER & CO. Classified more as an appetiser but no less a memorable piece amongst the varied magic of Andrew McConnell, the whipped cod roe at Cutler & Co. lingers in our minds for its elusive flavour and moreish texture. Perfect slathered over crudites and bread, yet not too overpowering that it ruins the palette. We'd take it home with us if we could. Image credit: Delanie at And So I Don't Forget... SOUTHERN STYLE PORK BELLY CHOPS AT NIEUW AMSTERDAM It felt like Melbourne was moving on from their obsession with pork belly but, luckily, Nieuw Amsterdam kept the train rolling — and we guarantee this’ll be one of the most memorable dishes you'll eat. The Southern Style Pork Belly Chops are put together in a slightly deconstructed way with the melt in your mouth pork belly sitting beneath perfectly-crisped sheets of crackling. The dish is also served with a fresh sauerkraut that alleviates the all too common heaviness that can come with pork belly dishes. Nieuw Amsterdam has the 'wow' factor but is grounded in honest and comforting dishes like this one. Combined with the ambience of their Hardware Lane digs, it's definitely worth the trip. DUCK IN CHOCOLATE AT DUNORD On our visit to DuNord this year, the duck in chocolate had us immediately intrigued, as did the potato 'stones' that came with it. What we got was a large piece of juicy duck in chocolate covered with lingonberry and blood jus, and accompanied with boiled potatoes covered in a grey substance, making them look like little boulders — the presentation was gorgeous and incredibly detailed. Everything about this meal was magnificent: the flavour, the presentation, and the generous size. SLOW COOKED LAMB SHOULDER BASTILLA AT TALL TIMBER When it comes to a lunch break, Tall Timber is an oasis from the slim pickings on St. Kilda Road. The slow cooked lamb shoulder and caramelised onion parcel is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The pomegranate yogurt dressing rounds the juicy flavours of the lamb out with a refreshing finish, making this dish a perfect selection for an autumn or spring day alike. Coffee isn't the most obvious beverage to complement, but we'd suggest you go for it anyway. It's the perfect meal to savour through the long afternoon of meetings ahead. Image credit: chefryan85 via Instagram. PEANUT BUTTER PARFAIT AT SUPERNORMAL This one's been around for a while. It's Andrew McConnell's Eureka moment. Well, it certainly was when Golden Fields was still sitting in St Kilda. But since moving the operation to the city and calling it Supernormal, he's had a few more of those moments. Admittedly, dessert is our preferred course of choice here — the miso and Pink Lady soft serve came extremely close to making this list — and you absolutely cannot go past the infamous peanut butter parfait. Topped with salted caramel, peanuts and a ball of soft chocolate ganache, this is the sweet course of choice for anyone that loves a rich finish. It's so good that, even after ordering it for the third time, it still sticks out as one of the best. Just like this list, it's the note you want to end on. Tried, tested and compiled by the Concrete Playground team.
