The minds behind Northcote's Tinker, Collingwood's Terror Twilight and Smith Street sandwich spot Hi Fi made a foray into the inner-northwest when Convoy — a bright daytime diner overlooking Queens Park. Convoy boasts a retro-leaning, timber-filled fit-out by female-led practices Studio Esteta and My Friend Tom, with a spacious streetside deck and garden and plenty of natural materials used throughout. The cafe is plating up both familiar favourites and new imaginings. It's expectedly creative and considered — you might find smashed avo on toast with pickled carrot and black olive caramel; cinnamon scroll pancakes with cream cheese icing and orange zest; or a steak frites roll with herb butter and mustard mayo. The kitchen's take on eggs benedict is also a fave of ours. It features a toasted Turkish roll topped with ham off the bone and apple and fennel slaw. You've also got the Turkish eggs that have been elevated with sujuk and a bright lemon yoghurt. Along with your usual coffee options, you'll find a range of shakes and smoothies including the enlivening green smoothie with spinach, banana, mango, passionfruit and honey. Or you can amp up your day with something from the cocktail list, where classics like mimosas and bloody marias sit alongside a rose martini and a 'Wake Me Up Before You Coco' with tequila, Aperol, triple sec, coconut milk and lime. Images: My Friend Tom. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023
Malaysian-inspired, this Sydney import smashes the senses with its satay, curry, roti and sambal, and as such, it is bustling with spice-sweaty bodies on a nightly basis. Brave the queue for its BYO privileges, and find yourself reliving your gap year travels with hawker-style delights. A dozen charred satay sticks, teamed with the flaky pastry of fresh roti and a selection of curries — we suggest the kari ikan fish curry with tomato, okra and eggplant — make the wait worth the effort. Other classics include the sambal udang with stir-fried tiger prawns and a fiery sambal sauce that'll hit you for six; the kari kambing with spicy lamb; the kacang panjang belacan with long beans, chillies and shrimps; ayam goreng with stir-fried chicken marinated in an array of herbs and the sambal sotong with stir-fried calamari and that famous sambal sauce. If you're having a sober night, try one of its famous hot drinks, including classic Malaysian sweetened tea; black coffee and hot milos. Cold drinks include ice milk tea; fresh lime with syrup on ice; iced coffee and all the classic soft drinks. Images: Alana Dimou.
Picture this: a cosy, wooden structure somewhere remote, away from the hustle and bustle — and far, far away from mobile phone coverage — of your everyday life, perhaps with a fireplace and/or some kind of heated outdoor bathing fixture. You know the kind of place we're talking about. In fact, you're fantasising about it right now, aren't you? Take a coffee break and take a scroll through some of the world's most dreamy winter cabins that you can actually stay in. We've teamed up with NESCAFÉ to help you take the desk break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. So start planning your worldwide cold weather escape — we promise none of them were featured in a Joss Whedon-written, Chris Hemsworth-starring horror movie. [caption id="attachment_580297" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Justin Muir[/caption] FOSSICKERS HUT, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND Want to go off the grid? Well you've found your place. Fossickers Cottage is located just an hour from Nelson in NZ's Marlborough region, but it feels at least nine hours away from any kind of civilisation. The stunning early settler-style hut is the perfect perch in the middle of the bush right next to the amazingly clear water of the Wakamarina River. Along with a cosy kitchen room and bedroom (with a loft up top for a few extra mates), there's also a fire-heated outdoor bath. It doesn't get much better than that. LAKE O'HARA LODGE, CANADIAN ROCKIES, CANADA If you're looking for an old-school cabin that really does feel like it's in a movie (but sans scares), then Lake O'Hara Lodge is the place to be. This is the type of cabin that Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson would be proud of — well, aside from the fact that it's in the Canadian Rockies. Constructed in 1926, it's the perfect spot for skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and enjoying the serenity of British Columbia's Yoho National Park all year round. Their one-bedroom lakeshore cabins are of the 'no muss, no fuss' variety, boasting little more than a queen bed for sleeping, a day bed for relaxing, and a deck for looking out at the world. It's just what you need after a long day revelling in the splendour of the site's surroundings. UFOGEL, NUSSDORF, AUSTRIA Whichever way you look at it, there's nowhere quite like Austria's unique Ufogel cabin. You can take that literally, given the mountain hideaway's inimitable design, or you can see it as a statement on the once-in-a-lifetime experience you're bound to have in the one-of-a-kind structure in the village of Nussdorf. Inside, expect wood as far as the eye can see; the entire compact building is completely made of it. Bring a few mates — the place can sleep up to five — and don't waste your time wondering about the name. It's a blend of UFO and vogel, the German term for bird, as inspired by the structure's distinctive appearance. CHALET JEJALP, MORZINE, FRANCE Who hasn't fantasised about a snowy sojourn holed up in a chalet? If you like wintry sports, it's the ideal break: you'd hit the slopes when the sun is shining, and then enjoy the facilities inside looking out over the frosty valley of an evening. Chalet Jejalp is the exact place you want to get snowed in; the house includes a double-height glass wine cellar, bar, pool table, gym, sunken jacuzzi, sauna, cinema room, and on-site chef and chauffeur. Yep, this is the kind of place you need to win the lotto to stay in — but you know it'd be totally worth it. MOONBAH HUT, NEAR JINDABYNE, AUSTRALIA If you stay local, prepare to do some driving to get your Aussie cabin fix. But if you're willing to commit, the rewards really are stunning. Moonbah Hut is located on private frontage on the Moonbah River, the Snowy Mountains' cleanest, most unspoilt home for trout. Give your fishing muscle a flex from your front doorstep, while keeping an eye out for wildlife, from wombats to deer to brumbies. Or bunker down inside, with a huge, stone open fireplace for company. Previous guests have taken the experience next level and invited personal chefs along for an evening. Spanish chef Miguel Maestre is among those to have done the honours. LION SANDS GAME RESERVE, SABI SANDS, SOUTH AFRICA Cabins come in all shapes, sizes and heights — and suited to all climates, too. Your idea of a winter cabin might involve snuggling up by the fire; however if you head to Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa, it could involve hanging out in a treehouse, spotting wild animals and gazing at the stars as you nod off to sleep. Constructed out of wood and glass, their Kingston treehouse is designed to welcome visitors all-year-round, so there's no need to worry about any inclement weather. And if that's not enough to tempt you, how about this: it comes complete with a wooden drawbridge. Yes, really. EAGLE BRAE LOG CABINS, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND That ideal image of a wood log cabin you've been dreaming about? Well, that's what you'll find at Eagle Brae. Their seven two-storey open-plan dwellings have been hand-built using massive western redcedar logs sourced from the forests of Canada. And although it's cold, the cabins feature log-burning stoves to keep you warm. Indeed, if there's ever been a place tailor-made for staying indoors and snuggling up, this is it — though there's plenty to see outside, of course. That's where you'll find out just how the Scottish Highlands got their name, spot plenty of wildlife, and maybe even go salmon fishing as well. AZUR LUXURY LODGE, QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND Talk about a room with a view — and a bed and a bath too. If it's a private villa with stunning lake and mountain sights available from every available floor-to-ceiling window that you're after, then Azur Luxury Lodge has you covered. So it's not exactly a 'cabin', but when you're hanging out by the fire with a glass of wine, you're not going to concerned with specifics. Plus, for those who just can't unplug from the outside world completely, the Queenstown resort offers the best of both worlds, with all the mod cons like Wi-Fi in the middle of a gorgeous natural setting. BODRIFTY ROUNDHOUSE, CORNWALL, ENGLAND Centuries ago, in Celtic villages in the Iron Age, chiefs slept in thatched roundhouses. Seeing one is quite a sight, particularly since there's only a handful of replicas littered throughout the world — but spending a night in one? Well, that's something else. At Bodrifty in Cornwall, you can do just that. As well as marvelling at the experimental architecture, you can set up camp inside and stoke the open firebowl as well. And while it might appear as though you're stepping back in time, expect a touch of luxury when it comes to sleeping, as visitors will relish the modern comfort of a four-poster bed. POST RANCH INN, BIG SUR, USA Perched atop the cliffs of Big Sur in California, Post Ranch Inn provides several riffs on the cabin experience. Everyone wants a bit of rustic charm — and you'll get that here in a variety of accommodation types, including circular houses inspired by redwood trees and stand-alone treehouses. Choose from mountain or ocean views, and enjoy a dip in two infinity pools, a spot of fine dining and everything from yoga to nature walks while you're there. Okay, so this one's a modern interpretation of a cabin — but hey, who doesn't want to try that at least once? Words by Sarah Ward with Jasmine Crittenden. Top image: Justin Muir.
Over the past twelve months, Concrete Playground's film critics have watched a truly obscene number of movies. Blockbusters, indie titles and arthouse flicks from around the globe, if it's been projected onto a screen anywhere in this country we've gobbled it up – along with approximately ten truckloads full of popcorn. And while there are certain films we'd much rather forget (looking at you Fantastic Four), there have also been plenty of great ones. Presented in alphabetical order, here are our ten favourite movies of the year. AMY Amy, by director Asif Kapadia, is an overwhelmingly tragic and absorbing portrait of the life (and death) of famed jazz singer Amy Winehouse; a documentary steeped in disquiet because, just as it was with Kapadia's previous film Senna, you know it ends in a crash. With its remarkable catalogue of personal videos, voicemails and recording sessions, Kapadia has crafted an extraordinarily moving tribute to a prodigious talent whose life seemed somehow unavoidably foredoomed. - Tom Glasson Read our full review. BIRDMAN Filmed like a play but choreographed like a dance, Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Birdman is a cinematic ballet, one where the way the story is presented is just as critical as the story itself. Narratively, its chronicle of redemption is a simple one, but like all good tales the simplicity of plot is offset by characters possessed of deep complexity. This is a film that almost commands repeat viewings, if only to marvel at its mechanics – and yet Birdman offers so much more than form. Darkly comedic, intellectually challenging and emotionally confronting, it’s a tantalisingly original piece of cinema that rightfully garnered multiple Oscars, including the top gong, at this year's Academy Awards. - TG Read our full review. EDEN If you're thinking about French electronic music, then you're probably thinking about Daft Punk. Writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve understands this, and doesn't shy away from their success in her portrait of the scene during the early 1990s. In fact, they're the counterpoint to the struggles endured by Eden's main character, Paul (Félix de Givry), as he chases the same dream over the course of two decades. Suffice it to say, he doesn't quite enjoy the same trajectory as his helmet-wearing friends. The film does, however, offer an astute account of trying and not quite succeeding that's equally hopeful and realistic. - Sarah Ward Read our full review. EX MACHINA Before Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson found themselves on opposite sides of the good-versus-evil divide in Star Wars: Episode VII, they battled over something else in the sci-fi realm. In Ex Machina, artificial intelligence and a humanoid robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander) spark a clash between Isaac's tech company CEO and Gleeson's computer programmer, after the former invites the latter to help test his newest creation. One of the best modern appropriations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein ever made, Alex Garland's directorial debut is precise and probing in its themes, visuals and mood. - SW Read our full review. INSIDE OUT Pixar gets back to the top of their game with this wonderfully inventive tale set inside the human mind. Like all the studio's best movies, Inside Out can be enjoyed by just about anyone, with plenty of cerebral grown-up gags mixed in with the animated slapstick. It also features some of the most gorgeous visuals they've ever put up on the screen. But it's the film's emotional intelligence that earns it a spot in the Pixar pantheon alongside Up and Toy Story 3. Not content simply to make us cry, director Pete Docter instead examines why we cry, delivering a poignant life lesson that applies no matter how old you may be. - Tom Clift Read our full review. LOVE It's two and a half hours long, full of graphic sex and the whole thing is shot in 3D. In case you couldn't guess, Gaspar Noe's Love won't appeal to every taste. But even those who hate it would be hard pressed to deny that it's one of the most daring movies released in quite some time. Say what you will about his apparent predilections, but Noe is clearly a master of his craft. And if nothing else, Love is worth seeing just so you can argue about it. Is it a scathing critique of misogyny and male insecurity, or is it guilty of those very issues itself? Ultimately, you need to see it to decide. - TC Read our full review. MACBETH Few filmmakers can take something as distinctive as Shakespeare and turn it into a creation that feels wholly like their own. Justin Kurzel might follow in the footsteps of fellow Australian Baz Luhrmann in achieving this feat, although his Macbeth has little else in common with everyone's favourite version of Romeo + Juliet. In the Snowtown helmer's hands, the tale of an ambitious soldier willing to do whatever it takes to become king is stripped down to its most bleak and brutal elements. Yes, it rages with sound and fury. Yes, it's moody and brooding, both in emotion and in its aesthetic. Yes, Michael Fassbender steals the show in the title role, though Marion Cotillard threatens to do the same in every scene she's in. - SW Read our full review. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD In an era when most blockbusters follow the same predictable path, Mad Max: Fury Road charts a course in a very different direction. A barebones narrative forms the basis for the film, essentially a two-hour car chase through a bizarre desert wasteland, where warlords rule with an iron fist and flamethrowers double as guitars. Director George Miller makes fantastic use of practical effects, crafting action that is both bombastic and possesses a genuine sense of danger – something that films loaded with CGI often struggle to achieve. And that's to say nothing of the movies' unexpected feminist streak, with Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa stealing the whole film right out from under Max's feet. - TC Read our full review. SICARIO Since the beginning of the Mexican Drug War in 2006, it’s estimated more than 100,000 people have been killed in cartel-related violence. Sicario (Spanish for ‘hitman’) is a gritty, confronting and appropriately brutal examination of the US’s complicated and often deleterious engagement with this conflict. While its doleful theme of ‘this is just how things are’ doesn't deliver anything particularly new on the topic, Sicario showcases two powerhouse performances from its leads — Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro — and delivers a relentlessly tense, immaculately constructed piece of cinema from start to finish. - TG Read our full review. THE LOBSTER If you were going to get turned into an animal, which one would you choose? This line of thought pops up in The Lobster, although it's actually one of the least interesting things about the English-language debut of Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. The writer-director behind Dogtooth and Alps, Lanthimos uses a light sci-fi premise and a high-profile cast to ponder society's obsession with pairing people off, maintaining monogamous relationships and adhering to an amorous status quo. The result is a savagely funny yet heartbreakingly tender film that also features what might be the most memorable use of Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's 'Where the Wild Roses Grow' we've ever seen. - SW Read our full review. Honourable Mentions: A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Magic Mike XXL, Mommy, Tehran Taxi.
Sometimes, the semblance of reality can be just as powerful as reality itself. Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich has put this idea to the test (in the prettiest way possible). He’s built an underground swimming pool that looks like it’s filled with water. Built in 2004, the pool is a permanent installation at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan — after a stint at MoMA PS1 in New York. Standing above it, watching the sunlight filter through what seems to be shimmering liquid, viewers are pretty much ready to jump in. But, stepping closer, they soon discover that, what looks like a deep pool is a 10cm-high layer of water, encased in glass, and suspended over an empty space. Visitors can actually step into this empty space and look upwards — it’s a photographer’s dream. Consequently images of fully-clothed toddlers and adults in business suits seemingly submerged have flooded the Internet. The 21st Century Museum site reads, “While undermining our everyday assumptions about what we think to be obvious, the work invites our active involvement in its spaces — once we catch on to its deception — and produces a sense of connection between people looking at each other.” Erlich was born in Buenos Aires in 1973 and still lives there. He has exhibited all over the world, from London’s Barbican to New York’s Sean Kelly Gallery. Via Fubiz. Images: Leandro Erlich.
Located within Hotel Fitzroy, Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya is the kind of Japanese restaurant where the food, which is exceptional, isn't the only star. The restaurant itself is huge, with the stunning courtyard being the jewel in the crown. In summer, there is nowhere better to sit and soak up the ambience over a plate of sashimi with a Japanese beer, while in winter or rainy weather, the glass retractable ceiling spreads across, and the leafy ambience is just as potent. On busy nights, which is most, the place is absolutely humming, but with all its little nooks and crannies, they'll manage to seat you somewhere with an element of intimacy and privacy. The service here is friendly and professional, and you'll never feel hurried along. To start, we recommend the spicy cauliflower covered with homemade hot sauce or some of the crispy Japanese-style tacos — think fillings like lobster salad, slow-cooked pork and salmon tartare. If you're more into baos, look no further than the slow-cooked pork bao served with light and tangy coleslaw. For a main, share a sushi and sashimi platter that comes jam-packed with all the variations you can imagine or get on the freshly grilled yakitori. Wash it all down with a Japanese beer, a few cheeky glasses of sake, or a Japanese-inspired cocktail to make the most of your trip to Fitzroy's Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya. Purely traditional Japanese cuisine this is not. Yeah, the sushi — some of the best in Melbourne — is kept classic, but most of the options err on the side of contemporary. The chefs at Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya (of which there are always many buzzing around the kitchen) play around with unusual flavour combos and mix and match cuisines to create real crowd-pleasing dishes. And while the restaurant is technically only on the ground floor, when the main dining rooms book out, the team sometimes opens up the secret rooftop terrace. This mostly just happens on weekends, so be sure to ask about the rooftop when booking. It is a true Melbourne hidden gem. Appears in: The Best Sushi in Melbourne
For Catalina Fuentes, junior sous chef at Manly's Papi Chulo, getting a career in cooking off the ground comes down to three things: passion, practice and perseverance. At age 22, Catalina has already reached one of the more senior positions in an established professional kitchen, so, is somewhat of an authority when it comes to kick-starting this particular career. Catalina graduated from William Blue College of Hospitality Management, and has also already nabbed the nationwide Nestle Golden Chef's Hat Award, the longest running culinary competition in Australia. "I've never thought I could compete," she says. "So, when I won, it was pretty rewarding." Unrelenting enthusiasts in exactly what makes a kitchen tick, we met up with Catalina to get a few tips on how young cooks can become good chefs. DIVE IN AND MAKE AN ACTUAL GAME PLAN Every culinary dream has to start somewhere, so it's important to nail down that passion for food, and figure out a game plan. For Catalina, following her occupational instincts meant relocating from her native Colombia after high school. "One of my best friends, we both really liked baking, and I really liked doing desserts when I was in high school, so I just thought… I want to be a pastry chef, and I want to study cooking." She enrolled at William Blue at Torrens University, where she studied Culinary Management. The course, while teaching the basics needed to get into the kitchen, also teaches students how to run a kitchen — one of the benefits of the course, Catalina says. "I'll be able to manage my own business in the future." So how does one know if cooking is the right direction for them? What passion already has to be there? "It should be something fun," Catalina says, "it should be something tasty, and it something that you should enjoy and makes you happy." STICK TO YOUR APPRENTICESHIP (HOT TIP: IT WILL BE HARD) Getting into the food business is one thing, but learning the craft and becoming an established chef is a completely different beast. Most newbies take the usual route, through apprenticeship schemes, and for Catalina, it meant half a year on the job after completing her studies. "I had to do it for six months, just as a commis chef," she says. "But for me, it was really good. I was lucky, because the places I worked, everyone was really nice to me — I worked with good chefs." It's not for everyone, however, with the long hours causing a huge number of aspiring chefs to drop out. "It actually shows you how the industry is," Catalina says, "Cooking is pretty tough." The payoff, though, is worthwhile in the end for those who want it badly enough. Once you're in the game, it's essential to keep cracking on, despite how difficult it can become — the big guns did. "If you really like cooking, and that's what you want to do, you will stick to the apprenticeship." REPETITION (AND INCESSANT CHOPPING) WILL MAKE YOU A MASTER Just like with any trade, repetition of an exercise creates a neural shortcut that allows that exercise to be completed to a high standard with minimal conscious brain effort. The same rules apply to cooking, and they apply to everyone. "When I first started, I was really bad with chopping skills," Catalina says, but spending her early days doing the same thing over and over, ad infinitum, helped her to improve. "Even if you're in a job where you're just chopping stuff everyday, you'll see that it's helpful, because at the end, you'll get so much better at it." For Catalina, the practice doesn't seem like such a burden. "Cooking for me is not only a job. It's not something that I wake up and go, 'I don't want to go to work.' It's something that makes me happy." Hot tip? Follow the old 'do what you love and love what you do' mantra and hitting snooze on that alarm will be a thing of the past. ABSORB KNOWLEDGE, THEN CRAFT YOUR OWN SIGNATURE STYLE It might seem intimidating to add your own flavour to the long, long tradition of cooking, but experimentation in the kitchen is just as much part of keeping the drive alive as practice or perseverance. Expose yourself to new foods, new techniques, and especially, new people. "Through cooking, you can learn so much about other people," Catalina says. "Everyone cooks differently and it just shows something about them." Not only is cooking about getting the little things right, it's also about experimenting, and improving. "You have to keep going places, trying and travelling." It's also essential to push yourself, professionally. It's easy to get lulled into the same old same old, so getting amongst new techniques, new styles, and new cuisines in the kitchen is important, too. For Catalina, that might involve a leap into fine dining in the future. "Everything is precise and perfect," she says, "and I think I need to learn some of that." So if you think you might want to dabble professionally in the culinary arts, take advice from someone who has run that gauntlet. "Don't give up," Catalina says. "Keep going, keep practising, keep inspired, keep going out and trying food." Go out and try food? You're really twisting my arm, here. Images: Kimberley Low. William Blue at Torrens University offers courses in Culinary Management, Event Management, Tourism and Hospitality. Find out more about the diverse career options in hospitality, and kick-start your career via the website.
One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks – whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a day out in the sun, heading to the pub after a long day of work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for a friendly barbecue. We love afternoon sessions, and we've partnered with Heineken 3 so you can love them too. Here's a list of five places where you can grab an afternoon beverage and soak up the summer sun. LOOP ROOF Succulents line the edges of this rooftop oasis, located in the middle of Melbourne's CBD. Elbow your way into one of the tight booth seats with a group of friends or pounce on one of the many garden tables and relax in Loop Roof's sunshine. In preparation for Melbourne's classic 'four seasons in a day' weather, this rooftop is fitted with gas heaters and a large awning shielding the seats from possible downpours, making it the perfect rooftop bar for all seasons. When the sun is shining, it's perfect for a drink after work. COLLEGE LAWN Nestled in the terrace-lined backstreets of Prahran, this southside pub and bistro is a dependable local that no doubt gives its neighbours some grief over the weekend. In addition to a main bar, dining area, public bar and bottle shop, the large astro-turf beer garden can house hundreds on hot summer days, and regularly does of an afternoon. Crisp beverages are in easy reach, and during the week College Lawn is a relaxed little hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street. THE EMERSON ROOFTOP This swanky South Yarra establishment is your best bet for rooftop beverages south of the river. With a fully retractable roof, The Emerson is a great destination all year round – and an a la carte dining option Thursday through Sunday only sweetens the deal even further. Pull up a day bed on the full-length deck with Heineken 3 in hand and sunglasses firmly in place, and get ready to watch the afternoon sun sink slowly below the horizon. TEMPERANCE HOTEL Another Chapel Street classic, the Temperance Hotel has long been serving up lunch, dinner and drinks to all those who seek it here. This modern corner pub has a range of street tables, which are definitely hot property come the weekend. You would do well to grab one of them and spend a lazy afternoon here soaking up the sun and chatting. Their food list is comprehensive, and the portions are almost big enough to pass for lunch and dinner. So there's that too. MT ERICA HOTEL Sundays at the Mt Erica Hotel is all about food trucks, Sunday roasts with perfectly crackly potatoes, and live music to round things off from 4pm. In case you weren't already convinced, this spot has a really relaxed vibe and an atmosphere that's pretty special. There's also a huge array of big screen TVs (so you never have to miss a moment of the sports action), a fancy dining room that's pretty delish, and pool tables for clicking some balls around. Perfect. Enjoy your summer afternoons with the new low-carb Heineken 3 – we're helping you make the most of them. Top Image: Loop Roof.
Get food from your favourite restaurant delivered right to your door, courtesy of a premium restaurant delivery service that has just touched down in Melbourne. Suppertime is an online platform with its own fleet of drivers that partners with local restaurants and takes care of home delivery on their behalf. Now excuse us while we delete the Dominos app from our phone. Online takeout services are by no means a new idea, but where Suppertime differs from its competitors such as Menulog or Delivery Hero is that it only partners with restaurants that don't already offer home delivery, using their own drivers to pick up the food from the restaurant and deposit it into your waiting arms. They've been operating in Sydney for some time now, and have already set up partnerships with several dozen Melbourne eateries, including +39 Pizzeria, Nieuw Amsterdam, Thailander, Mr. Big Stuff, Afghan Valley and Mamak. "Melbourne is considered the foodie-hub of Australia," said co-founder Nathan Besser in a statement that accompanied the Melbourne launch. "With so many delicious feeds to be had across this diverse city, launching Suppertime locally is an exciting move for our brand ... We’re continuing to add new partners daily and we’re hoping to further expand our footprint as the business develops a following." For the time being, Suppertime only delivers to the Melbourne CBD, but there are plans to expand into the surrounding suburbs in the near future. To browse the full list of available restaurants, visit the Suppertime website.
Many a poor traveller has ventured to Germany in hope of culinary enlightenment, only to binge on pretzels and bratwurst, thinking that was it. Don't be like those suckas. German cuisine is more than just carbs and cream — it's carbs and cream cooked and combined better than anywhere else in the world. Ignore the recent meat vs. health studies, forget about your fat RDI and jump on the nearest jumbo to Frankfurt and chow down. MAULTASCHEN Imagine a thick pasta skin that's filled with a smoked meat and then fried in butter — kind of ravioli on steroids — and you've got maultaschen. It's a German specialty that tends to be a menu staple in most southern restaurants. The only thing better than how tasty these pockets of flavour are, is the story behind them. The common folklore is that during Lent, when Catholics and other Christians were encouraged to refrain from eating meat, German monks would make the maultaschen. They figured the meat was concealed under the pasta dough and what they couldn't see, neither could God. Where to find it: Some of the best (and most famous) maultaschen in Germany can be found Zum Hasenwirt, a small restaurant in Stuttgart. [caption id="attachment_556573" align="alignnone" width="1280"] conticium via Flickr[/caption] DAMPFNUDEL Dampfnudel is a southern German specialty that you might be hard pressed finding in the big cities. That means your best chances of nabbing one of these fluffy, sweet buns is trekking to some of Germany's quaint little villages. Dampfnudel is a like a sweet unfilled Chinese bun, about the size of a fist, that's steamed in sugared milk and fried in butter to give it a crispy bottom. It's most often served with berries, vanilla sauce and jams. Where to find it: Dampfnudeln-Uli is a Bavarian restaurant in Regensburg that specialises in this sweet buns and have done so for over 70 years. [caption id="attachment_556577" align="alignnone" width="1280"] stu_spivack via Flickr[/caption] SPÄTZLE Spätzle is to the Germans what pasta is to the Italians. Made with eggs and flour and boiled till it firms up, the almost rubbery pasta-like pieces are eaten as is, or fried up in oil or butter. Its texture is similar to that of gnocchi, though its taste is rather bland — so it's best partnered with meat and gravy. It's one of those foods you'll have a little gag over eating the first time, then wake up in cold sweats craving a week later. Where to find it: You'll find the best spätzle in small, German villages as it one of those foods that Oma makes best. But if you're in Berlin, check out Repke Spätzlerei. They're pros at the stuff. [caption id="attachment_556580" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Benjamin Vander Steen via Flickr[/caption] SCHWARZWÄLDER KIRSCHTORTE That's black forest cake to you. We're not talking The Cheesecake Shop variety (no offence) or your lazy one-tiered Coles attempt either (offence intended). Germany pulls out all the stops to make the chocolate cake thick and dense, the cream is fresh from the cow and the cherries just-picked from tree (FYI: cherries grow in Germany like eucalyptus leaves grow in Australia). As such, this cake is quite seasonal, and is best purchased and eaten in the German summer, aka cherry season. Where to find it: If you're going to eat this cake, do it properly at at one of the few cafes that holds the original recipe. We recommend Cafe Schäefer in Triberg, a town in Baden-Württemberg, which is actually located in the literal Black Forest. [caption id="attachment_556612" align="alignnone" width="1280"] jay.tong via Flickr[/caption] SCHWEINSHAXE This is what German dreams are made of. Succulent, slow-roasted porn knuckle with a thick, crispy, drool-inducing layer of crackling around the lot. Done well, the meat should fall of the bone once its crackling cloak has been consumed, and it's best served with something simple like a bread roll to soak up the juices. This is a Bavarian specialty, and makes a popular appearance at Oktoberfest. Where to find it: Munich is home of the schweinshaxe, and is best eaten after consuming two litres of beer at Oktoberfest. For that reason, do yourself a favour and have your first schweinshaxe at one of the many beer tents at Munich's Oktoberfest. [caption id="attachment_550692" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jeremy Keith via Flickr[/caption] FLÄDLE SUPPE On paper, flädle suppe sounds like an absolute nightmare: chopped up pancakes in a beef broth. But somehow — for some absurd reason that only the Germans know — it works. The flädle are plain crepe-style pancakes, tightly wrapped and cut into thin ribbons, while the suppe is the soupy broth. This dish is traditionally served as the first course of a wedding, but as it's so tasty and has quite a German fan-base, it's moved past special occasions and onto mainstream menus. Where to find it: This soup is prevalent in both southern Germany and Austria, so if you're looking for the perfect taste, hover around the border. We suggest Weinstube zur Traube in Stuttgart. [caption id="attachment_552489" align="alignnone" width="1280"] cyclonebill via Flickr[/caption] FLEISCHKÄSE This is one of those nasty, kebab-equivalent foods that for some reason most Germans eat sober, but probably shouldn't. It doesn't take a fool to realise fleischkäse is processed to the nines, as it resembles something that makes spam look like a free-range chicken leg. And for that reason — and probably that reason alone — it's delicious (in a salty, fatty, indigestion-y kind of way). It tastes like hot dog meat, but is served as a thick slice on a bread roll with ketchup and mustard. Try it the day before you leave Germany so you have a geographical barrier between yourself and any more of them. Where to find it: In Germany, a carvery or snack bar is called an Imbiss. Most hot ones will serve fleischkäse mit brötchen (with a bread roll). [caption id="attachment_552488" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Oliver Hallmann via Flickr[/caption] WILDSCHWEIN Game in Germany tends to hit dinner plates towards the beginning of winter, when it's hunting season. Wild boar (a nice way of saying feral pigs), deer, rabbit and pheasant all become a staple for those who can both afford and stomach it. Wildschwein (the aforementioned wild boar) is probably the gateway meat into eating German game. While it tastes like normal pork meat, it's also a lot richer, leaner and has that earthy taste that's common with wild animals. It's the most free-range form of meat you can eat — so regardless of your squirms, give it a shot. Where to find it: Naturally, the culinary crux of Germany, Munich, homes many great traditional German restaurants that specialise in traditional hunting dishes. Restaurant Johannas at Hotel Neumayr is our hot pick. They serve wildschwein year-round, as well as deer, rabbit and pheasant seasonally. [caption id="attachment_550695" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Katrin Morenz via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] MARMORKUCHEN We know what you're thinking. That marmorkuchen is just a rainbow cake without the strawberry bit. Wrong. It's the softest, sweetest, most delicious cake this side of Europe — and lucky children all over Germany get to eat it everyday. Paired perfectly with a tea or coffee, marmorkuchen is kind of a like a butter-heavy tea cake that has the sweet tang of chocolate and, if you're lucky, an aftertaste of rum. It literally translates to marble cake, which every Aussie is probably already well familiar with. But it's different in Germany. It's better. But don't ask questions — just try for yourself. Where to find it: Naturally, Germany homes some of the best bakeries in the world, and it's in these you'll find the best marmorkuchen. If you're in Berlin, Konditorei Buchwald makes undoubtedly one of the best — and have done for over 160 years. [caption id="attachment_550693" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Oliver Hallmann via Flickr[/caption] RINDERROULADE Rinderroulade just screams German farming food. Normally served with potatoes and cabbage, the actual roulade is a thin piece of beef steak that's spread with hot mustard, bacon and pickles, then rolled up and cooked in a thick beef sauce. It's kind of like a really intense burger, minus the bread and cheese. The roulade is cooked in the sauce for a good hour or so to get that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Fillings for rinderroulade are endless, ranging from Asian to Mediterranean varieties, but if you're chasing the best, stick to the original German mustard filling. Where to find it: You'll find this meal at most traditional German restaurants. In Berlin, Kurhaus Korsakow is one of the most authentic, non-touristy German restaurants in trendy Friedrichshain, and happens do do a killer roulade. Top image: Dollar Photo Club
Equal parts delicious and disturbing, Dark Mofo is an immersive celebration of the winter solstice that descends upon Hobart to flaunt the gruesome and the visceral, exploring ancient ritual and ceremony from the past to the present day. Kicking off on June 8, the 14-day festival features a slew of music, food, performance art, light and sound installations alongside exhibits that are beyond the boundaries of regular categorisation. Presented by the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), the festival is the brainchild of the museum's founder David Walsh and creative director Leigh Carmicheal, and 2017 will be its fifth iteration. Mona was built as an extended, underground labyrinth, 11 kilometres north of Hobart — an easy 25-minute ferry ride along the Derwent River — with the private fortune of Walsh. It's explicit and unashamed, and is affectionately referred to as 'the museum of sex and death'. In short, you have to go. And Dark Mofo is the perfect excuse to head down to Tassie and make a weekend of it. Spectacular events (like this one) are worthy of a big trip, and aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing Dark Mofo into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you plan your out-of-the-city trips ahead of time, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. The festival will keep your schedule jam-packed, but you should make some time to explore Hobart too. Here are the best places to eat, drink and stay if you're visiting for Dark Mofo. Pack a coat (and gloves, and a beanie) and bring a palate laced with intrigue — hedonism is the order of the day. [caption id="attachment_619495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, shot by Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] EAT It's no coincidence that Hobart's restaurant scene is undergoing a new wave. Local chefs are giving restaurateurs on the mainland a run for their money, establishing eateries that significantly reduce the time it takes to transport produce from paddock to plate. No visit to Hobart would be complete without a Saturday morning trip to Salamanca Market. Every weekend, the harbourside suburb becomes a bustling marketplace, showcasing a broad and delicious range of local produce, artisanal crafts and food stalls. Be sure to drop by Machine Laundry, a cafe that doubles up as a laundromat serving some of the best coffee in town. Another honourable mention for coffee and brunch is Room for a Pony — it's located up the hill in North Hobart. While Salamanca is an iconic (and necessary) weekend tourist stop, it's worth noting that the market can get very busy, particularly over the festival period. A quieter alternative is the Farm Gate Market, which closes off Bathurst Street every Sunday from 8.30am until 1pm (late enough for you to sleep away the sins of the previous night). Brimming with local farmers, this is the place to source some of Tasmania's best game and fresh meat, as well as fresh-from-the-farm produce, such as pickles and chutneys. Bathurst Street is also a hotspot for brunch options; The Flipped Egg serves a mean breakfast burger, while Bury Me Standing is your go-to for pot-boiled bagels. Tasmania is also said to boast some of the freshest fish outside of Japan and the Farm Gate Market is lucky enough to host Masaaki Koyama's hugely popular sushi stall. And you absolutely need to get a dozen oysters (yes, even for breakfast). If your budget extends beyond market nosh, make time to have a meal at Franklin. David Moyle's ten-tonne Scotch oven warms up the concrete space with a tight but top-notch menu of modern Australian dishes and some prized Tasmanian seafood. It's also totally fine to drop by for a drink and a snack before or after a show, so you can still visit without spending up a full storm. In the evening, Dark Mofo offers two avenues for gluttonous excess. Set along Hobart's waterfront, the Winter Feast is a holy pilgrimage for the hungry. Local and international chefs serve hawker-style hedonism within a medieval-themed banquet hall, lined with naked flames and a diverse range of food outlets. Otherwise, head down to Dark Park at Macquarie Point — this is the free and interactive epicentre of Dark Mofo. The space is an industrial expanse littered with art installations, food trucks and the obligatory fire pit — a must for anyone still fanging for sensory stimulation. [caption id="attachment_619511" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Preachers.[/caption] DRINK If you're looking to make a boozy discovery, Hobart is a bonafide goldmine. Cascade Brewery sits pretty at the foot of Mount Wellington and takes home the trophy for Australia's oldest operating brewery. For a small fee ($25-35), you can tour the 185-year-old building before enjoying a selection of ice-cold, just-pulled beers and ciders from the Cascade portfolio. If whisky's more your thing, Lark has won countless awards for its single malt, a dram that holds its own on the global market. For $75, you can take a tour of the distillery — it's located 15 minutes northeast of the CBD — and discover the intricacies of the production process. Of course, whisky tastings are included in the cost of the ticket, and you'll round off the tour with a well-earned G&T made with their Forty Spotted Gin. And if you've got access to a car, it's worth making the 20-minute drive out to Sullivans Cove. In 2015 they were awarded World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards for their French oak cask — so a dram of their stuff is hard to come by. They do tastings and tours on the hour, Monday to Friday. Back in town, Preachers is your go-to for craft beer (they have 16 on tap), cider and boutique wines. It's a laidback pub with a vibe suited to all seasons — they have open fires to warm you up on cold nights (and the nights are very cold). There's even a vintage school bus parked on the front lawn — a gimmick that doesn't seem to wear off. Keep an eye out for South Seas Cocktail Lounge too, a secretive den for rum-based cocktails and tropical vibes. It's tricky to spot and often bypassed — but be sure to look for the red abstract artwork at the front of the building, located at 13-17 Castray Esplanade. At Dark Mofo's own Dark Park, drop by the Talisker Dark Bar serving hot toddies and Irish coffees, and pairing ten-year-old single malt whisky with blue cheese jaffles — a melty fusion of Tasmanian stilton and mozzarella. DO Dark Mofo's creative director Leigh Carmichael has called this year's program the most ambitious to date. The lineup combines typical plumes of fire, feasting, bacchanalian imagery and challenging performance pieces that are as confronting as they are spectacular. Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch will exhibit 150.Action, a visceral performance piece that is not for the faint-hearted. This performance will feature 500 litres of blood and an animal carcass with the backing of a full orchestra. Heavy. On the lighter end of the spectrum, Crossing invites participants on a 200-kilometre pilgrimage north of Hobart, visiting six different churches across six different nights. Each church will provide a backdrop for soundscapes and light shows. This year, Mona will also host The Museum of Everything for its first Australian showing, a world-wandering exhibition that lays focus on the untrained, the unintentional, the undiscovered and the unclassifiable artists of the last three centuries. The musical lineup is the strongest yet. Scottish post-rock stalwarts Mogwai will perform a vast and soaring soundscape, and German experimental noise art pioneers Einstürzende Neubauten will delve into their portfolio, which spans 37 years. Dark Mofo has also secured a performance from indigenous hip-hop group A.B. Original and Norwegian black metal experimental musicians Ulver. Xiu Xiu will celebrate the music of David Lynch's Twin Peaks. Then there are the Dark Mofo regulars. The Nude Solstice Swim is a communal dip in the ocean on the first sunrise after the winter solstice, and the Ogoh-Ogoh, the traditional Indonesian monster procession, arrives in Hobart in two parts: the purging and the burning. STAY If you're visiting Hobart during Dark Mofo, you'll want to be in the thick of it. Events are scattered across the city, but are centralised around the Salamanca, waterfront and CBD areas. Filling the gap between backpackers and budget chain hotels, the Alabama Hotel offers boutique, budget-friendly accommodation at the centre of Hobart. You won't find elevators, fluffy robes or en-suite bathrooms here — rather, every room has its own decorative style, heaps of character and super-fast WiFi. The bar is well-stocked and serves a good coffee throughout the day. If you're on a higher budget, consider renting a Mona Pavilion. You won't be staying at the museum (you're only allowed to do this if you're dead, the Pavilion website kindly reminds us) but a luxury den sitting on the bank of the River Derwent. Each pavilion is named after an influential Australian architect and is decorated with Mona artworks. It's fancy. Alternatively, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is close to the waterfront and just steps away from Macquarie Point, the site of Dark Park. Rooms are pricier than The Alabama, but tastefully decorated with works from local artists. You'll also wake up to the glorious views of the harbour. Dark Mofo runs from June 8 to 21. Top image: Rémi Chauvin (2014), courtesy of Mona. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
It's the film festival that gives German cinema fans a showcase of the European nation's latest and greatest movies without leaving Australia. It's a way to catch up on highlights from the Berlin International Film Festival from Down Under, too. And, it's where German-language flicks from beyond the obvious nation equally get their time to shine. Here's another description that fits: it's also where one of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's masterpieces is almost always on the bill. The event in question is the German Film Festival, which has a huge 2025 in store even just by the numbers. Making its way around Australia between Wednesday, April 30–Wednesday, May 28, this year's fest has 29 days of movies on offer across eight legs in nine places and 23 cinemas. Cinephiles in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Ballarat, Byron Bay and Ballina, get excited: 20 features, plus 14-part miniseries Berlin Alexanderplatz, are on their way across the festival's tour. Not every title is playing at every location, including the literally biggest of them all for 2025. Fassbinder's addition to this year's program only has dates with Sydney and Melbourne, playing on the silver screen across three weekends — but if you're a movie lover in either city, clearing your diary to see the page-to-screen great that is Berlin Alexanderplatz couldn't be more highly recommended. The German Film Festival's opening-night pick is showing at all legs of the event, however, with romantic comedy Long Story Short kicking off the celebration of cinema — and giving Australia the chance to see one of Germany's recent box-office smashes. Other highlights across the complete program include six flicks that first played at this year's Berlinale, spanning closing night's Mother's Baby, the Nina Hoss (Tár)-starring Cicadas and conspiracy thriller Hysteria, alongside Hildegard Knef-focused documentary I Want It All, comedy of manners What Marielle Knows and the family-friendly Circusboy. That strand of movies also demonstrates the fest's fondness for variety, and for veering from the amusing to the thrilling and the dramatic. Or, attendees can catch Anatomy of a Fall Oscar-nominee Sandra Hüller in heist comedy Two to One, which is based on real-life events in 1990; Lars Eidinger (Babylon Berlin) as an orchestra conductor in Dying; Sam Riley (Widow Clicquot) in biopic John Cranko, about the choreographer; the literary loving The Door-to-Door Bookstore, as fittingly based on the novel; or Winners, which picked up the 2024 German Film Award for Best Children's Film. With Fassbinder, Hoss, Hüller and Eidinger, 2025's GFF is packed with well-known names. Another comes courtesy of doco Riefenstahl. About Leni, the controversial director that shares its moniker, the movie stems from unparalleled access to her private estate as it unpacks the legacy of the helmer of Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will, and the fact that her work contradicts her denial of close ties to the party. German Film Festival 2025 Dates Wednesday, April 30–Wednesday, May 21 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, May 1–Wednesday, May 21 — Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central and Palace Moore Park, Sydney Friday, May 2–Wednesday, May 21 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Friday, May 2–Wednesday, May 21 — Palace Regent Ballarat, Ballarat Wednesday, May 7–Wednesday, May 28 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Wednesday, May 7–Wednesday, May 28 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Thursday, May 8–Wednesday, May 28 — Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square, Perth Thursday, May 8–Wednesday, May 28 — Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Fair Cinemas, Byron Bay and Ballina The 2025 German Film Festival tours Australia from the end of April and throughout May. For more information, visit the festival website.
There's no way you've ever had omakase like that at Ronin. Most Melbourne omakase joints are traditional fine-dining experiences where you delight in multiple courses of artful, meticulously crafted — but seemingly simple — seafood-centric Japanese dishes. The most intimate let you chat with the master omakase chef about the culinary techniques, produce and cultural significance of each dish. It's all about hushed tones and sophistication. At Ronin, Chef Patrick Kwong has no interest in such formality. From the moment you sit down at the ten-seat omakase bar, the young chef will beckon you to "get lit" with him and every other guest. He'll likely join you in shooting some tequila and sake throughout the night while the tunes of Taylor Swift, Natasha Bedingfield and Miley Cyrus play in the background. And word of advice: if you're able to join the second nightly sitting at 8.30pm, it's likely to get pretty rowdy so avoid any early meetings the following day. Vibe-wise, it almost feels like you're at a uni house party. But despite Kwong's friendly laidback attitude when it comes to service, he's incredibly serious about his food. He learned his craft from a Japanese sushi master (who championed the traditional Edo period of omakase) in Malaysia before heading to Sydney, where he worked in several Japanese restaurants. He learned the traditional techniques and customs but had no intention of losing himself within strict codes of how he should behave and what kinds of ingredients he should use. Like Ronin — a type of samurai who had no lord or master — Kwong went on to play by his own rules, deciding when to stick to convention and when to get playful. He started Ronin as a pop-up in Docklands, having to build and dismantle his omakase bar each night. There, he fully honed his rule-breaking style of omakase and became hugely popular. Now Ronin has a permanent location on Little Collins Street (as of December 2023) and it almost immediately books out every time new dining slots are released. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation you'll be treated to 13 courses of outstanding food and, if you're an experienced omakase patron, you'll see how Chef Kwong doesn't just break the rules when it comes to service. He regularly infuses his own Malaysian heritage into dishes — like adding laksa butter to nigiri — while also bringing more contemporary Australian flavours to the experience. For theatrics, he'll even throw glitter on nigiri. But don't let this playful attitude to food fool you. The technique here is next level. And the flavour combos perfectly balanced. Even when he purposely numbs your palate with Sichuan peppers, you'll be keen for more. We could roll through each of the courses and name all the ingredients, but a huge part of the fun at Ronin is just rocking up and going along for the ride, getting a surprise each time Kwong plates up a dish for you. This rising star of Melbourne's food scene takes big swings. And he's absolutely smashing it. If you get the chance to get lit with Kwong, don't miss it.
Gym classes in Melbourne — what a gamble. You’ll fork over your hard-earned cash for a big chain membership, only to be sorely disappointed with their ‘yoga’ offering. Or even worse, you’ll learn the subtle art that is making every excuse to miss class week after week, because burpies and aggressive Body Attack ladies. But imagine if you could handpick your own gym program from Melbourne's best, most novel and most fun classes, without committing to one gym? Bodypass is a new Australian all-encompassing gym pass that launched in Sydney last month – and has just become available in Melbourne – that lets you attend unlimited gym classes at the city’s best studios with one $99-per-month membership. Similar to the US program Classpass, you can book yourself into thousands of indoor and outdoor activities like hip hop dance, spin, yoga, pilates, strength training, martial arts, Barre, HIIT, belly dancing and more at some of Australia’s best fitness studios — all with one card, and no long-term commitment (you can cancel anytime without charge). Exercise scientist Georgia van Tiel and yoga teacher and health food cook Carla McMillan created the program with a aim of breaking the whole ‘gym culture’ stigma associated with fitness and take exercise back to being an accessible, dare we say it, fun part of life. “When some people think of fitness and exercise, they immediately conjure a vision of the ‘dread-mill’ or hitting the gym which can be perceived as boring, repetitive and simply, not very fun,” says Van Tiel. Local Bodypass partners include Blue Sky Fitness, Body Sharp, Chunky Move Dance Company, Fitstrong, Ihana Yoga, Melbourne Salsa, Metafit, Results in Motion, Princess Park Boot Camp and Zumba United, to name but a few. You can only visit the same studio up to three times per monthly cycle, but otherwise, go nuts. For more info, visit www.bodypass.com
Tired of the classic drink and dinner date night combo? Us too. That's why we're always on the hunt for new things to do, scouring the city for not-boring Melbourne activities — ones that are guaranteed to take your next date way beyond done-before beers at the pub. Whether you're taking someone on a second date or doing your 100th with your significant other, we've got some killer (and, yes, cute) ideas for dates to go on this week, no matter how much money you've got to spend. Just think of us as your cultural wingman. You're welcome. FREE ENJOY ARTS, MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE AT FED SQUARE'S BUDDHA'S DAY Keeping things fun and casual in the date department? Head along to Melbourne's incredibly diverse Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival — taking over Federation Square from Friday, May 19 until Sunday, May 21. The event will champion multiculturalism through the arts, music, performances, workshops and Buddhist ceremonies. And for a little extra pageantry this year, there will also be some big fireworks light displays on Friday (7.45pm) and Saturday (8pm). Across the weekend, you and your date can participate in cultural ceremonies, activities and performances — or just watch on from the sidelines. There will be guided meditations, including the popular Ch'an Meditation in the pop-up Lotus Flower Sanctuary. But if that isn't your jam, simply venture into the Mindfulness Forest to find a little inner calm in Melbourne's inner city. UNDER $50 SHOW YOUR ARTISTIC PROWESS AT THIS YOGA CLASS IN A DIGITAL GALLERY If your lover is a lover of art, they're bound to be impressed when you suggest a guided yoga flow class while immersed in large-scale digital art, curated sounds and a bespoke aroma. Multi-sensory art gallery The Lume is currently showcasing the works of Monet and his French impressionist contemporaries via an immersive display of room-sized moving images, aromas and sounds. But head along to one of the bi-weekly yoga sessions and you and your date will get to see the venue in a whole new light (and from a few new angles, too). Running Wednesday evenings (7pm) and Sunday mornings (8am) in conjunction with Happy Melon Studios, the 50-minute guided yoga classes will have you getting centred and zen as immersive large-scale visuals wash over you. The experience for each class will be designed around a different theme (such as Space and Underwater) and will feature corresponding imagery and matching soundscapes. TREAT THEM TO UNLIMITED, FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS AT LILLIAN If you're celebrating something special, or just looking to celebrate your better half — head to Lillian Brasserie this autumn for unlimited oysters. Because a little aphrodisiac never hindered any date. Running every Tuesday to Sunday between 12pm–3pm, this Chris Lucas favourite is serving up bottomless salty molluscs for a bargain $44 per person. Slurp your way into the weekend by digging into as many Pacific oysters as you can handle, all freshly shucked to order. After you've treated yourself to some of the ocean's finest, you can look towards one of Lillian's daily specials, all spiked with European influences and priced at an easy $29.50. There's a confit duck leg with bacon, lentils and crispy kale, or a lighter option that pairs pumpkin, zucchini and ricotta with linguine. UNDER $100 BOND OVER A SEAFOOD TOWER AT ETTA'S NEW SATURDAY LUNCH SERIES The long, lazy weekend lunch is up there among life's greatest pleasures — and it's one that the team at Brunswick East's Etta will be celebrating right through winter. On Saturday, May 20, the renowned eatery kicks off its new Saturday feasting series, dedicated to top-notch seafood and champagne. The food lineup is set to change up weekly, though with shellfish season peaking, you can be sure of some sensational seafood no matter what. Each week's haul will be served as a tantalisingly stacked tower for $70 per person and enjoyed alongside the crackling fire from 12–2pm. And, since seafood and fizz are a match made in culinary heaven, Etta will be pouring out some primo champagne options to complement your lunch. Adding to the regular lineup of by-the-glass gems, there'll be a weekly-rotating champagne special pulled from the cellar just for the occasion. Etta's full wine list will be available, too — perfect in case you're in need of some liquid courage. ONE BIG BLOWOUT SWAP HOME FOR A FANCY MELBOURNE STAYCATION FOR THE WEEKEND If you're looking for a luxe weekend away in Melbourne, you're in luck. Victoria has delivered a swathe of brand spanking new hotels with all the luxe vibes of a southern White Lotus. One such hotel is The Royce, following a two-year renovation of their gorgeous heritage building. The Royce has opened in the most understated way possible – which is perfectly befitting the luxury hotel, formerly a Rolls Royce showroom but now aimed at high-end business clientele and weekend travellers looking for impeccable service, generous rooms and luxe amenities. The Royce is delightfully decadent, but never garishly so – and its spot on St Kilda Road in South Yarra delivers city fringe convenience with excellent location amenity for those keen on a morning run around The Tan or a late night cocktail on Chapel. Their press release may have described the "capacious lounge" adorned with a 2-metre wide chandelier and a 14-metre curved marble fireplace, but this is certainly no Burberry tote housing fold-up ballet flats. Top Image: Lillian, supplied.
If your idea of high tea is all white table cloths, frilly pink serviettes and pretty cakes with extravagant icing, then Yugen Tea Bar is here to challenge you. Located in a dimly lit, dark and metallic space in South Yarra, Yugen is just about as far from a traditional high tea experience you're likely to find. The team here includes culinary director Stephen Nairn, head tea sommelier Thibaut Chuzeville and pastry chef John Demetrios, so you know you're in good hands. Its afternoon high tea offering comes in two courses, the first being savoury and the second being sweet. Savoury options might include puffed forbidden rice with shaved wagyu; parmesan gougere with chives and kombu; spring roll tarts with bonito cream; wagyu pastrami with dill pickles; yellowfin tuna with mayonnaise and avocado with goats chevre. When it comes to sweets, the serving includes a vanilla slice, a matcha and yuzu macaron, a passionfruit bubble tea tart, carrot cake, an orange profiterole, and, of course — fresh scones with cream and jam. Yugen boasts a crew of tea sommeliers who'll guide you through the tea options with skill and knowledge. Highlights include the Yugen Dark, which is a blend of Shou Peur and black tea with hints of chocolate and is best enjoyed with milk. Elsewhere, the roasted Japanese Hojicha green tea is low in caffeine and has hints of nuts and biscuits. The high tea options can come with either a flute of champagne or sparkling or a non-alcoholic option. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find a la carte sandwiches such as the pastrami sandwich with wagyu pastrami and sauerkraut, a yellowfin tuna sandwich with mayonnaise and chives and an egg salad sandwich with seeded mustard. A la carte sweets are available, too, as well as gin cocktails and whiskies. But if you're after more booze and bigger bites, be sure to head downstairs to Yugen Dining — home to incredible cocktails and some of the best Japanese food in Melbourne. Images: Sean McDonald
Sydney's CBD is getting a major dose of the Tokyo-esque practical and compact, with plans to renovate Bar Century, rebrand it as The Century, and fit it out as a three-storey, luxury capsule hotel being announced last week. The George Street institution, which closed earlier this year, has been taken over by developer Walter Guo, who is investing a massive $5 million on a full interior refurb, which will be carried out by interior design consultants Giant Design. The heritage building will retain its vintage fit-out and have a "Soho House vibe", with the bar and hotel running as separate entities. The first two levels will act as The Century's cocktail bar and nightclub, while the top three floors of the building will be dedicated to the Century Capsules. These capsules are certainly more luxe than most you'll find in Asia. Each of the 72 capsules will contain a large LED screen and entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and even 'mood lighting' (whatever that means). Guests can choose from single or deluxe beds with entry from either the side or the end of the capsule. The communal facilities include a kitchen space, breakfast bar, lounge area, rooftop terrace and individual bathrooms. If you're worried about security, don't be — each capsule is fitted with a secure lock and the security desk runs 24-hours. But let's set the record straight — The Century is not going to be a hostel, and it's not aimed at overindulgent locals that can't seem to make it back home. And while the CBD haunt may have closed because of the lockout laws — and been a central part of a huge lockout protest as a result — these new digs are not meant as a lockout solution either. "The accommodation, which is not quite hotel nor hostel, is aimed at solo travellers looking for something more private than a typical backpackers and those who want the designer hotel experience on a budget," says Christopher Wilks, an associate at Giant Design. It's set to sit well within your budget, with prices ranging from 40-60 bucks a night. Which, depending on how far from the CBD you live, could be a lot cheaper than a cab home at 1am. Sounds futuristic (for Sydney, at least), but these aren't some plans for the distant future — The Century is coming soon. Giant Design is looking at a mid to late November opening.
Balmy summer nights in Sydney, bring 'em on. Rooftop wines, twilight beach strolls and a plethora of blockbuster exhibitions opening their doors across the city — not to mention the after-hours parties that come with them. Bringing some of the world's most groundbreaking, celebrated and iconic art to the city for your perusing pleasure, the Sydney International Art Series is currently boasting two world-class exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Of course, Sydney galleries don't just shut up shop after you've soaked up The Greats: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland and Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career, there's a whole bunch of late-night events to see through the evening. Here's a round-up of the must-do cultural programs to catch over the coming months. UP LATE WITH THE GREATS When the sun goes down every Wednesday, the Art Gallery of NSW decks the halls with jam-packed evenings of talks, guided tours, and live music. A super-charged extension of the Gallery's usual Wednesday night Art After Hours program will run on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, dubbed Up Late with The Greats. After the Gallery's usual closing time of 5pm, you can take an extended jaunt through The Greats exhibition — featuring the likes of Titian, Botticelli, Gauguin and Degas, all the way from the National Galleries of Scotland — and partake in a ramped up range of activities. On Wednesday nights, celebrated comedian and SERIOUS art nerd Hannah Gadsby will be unveiling her SERIOUS art history chops and treating gallery-goers to a VERY SERIOUS rundown of different eras of Western art history each week. There'll be salon drawing on Thursday nights, and live music by members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra on Friday nights. On all three nights, Young Henrys will be serving a limited edition masterpiece-inspired brew at the Gallery’s pop-up bar. Up Late With The Greats will run Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from January 6 – 29. MCA ARTBAR The Museum of Contemporary Art’s monthly ARTBAR has become a firm fixture on Sydney’s after-dark cultural calendar. After knocking off work on Friday, head down to Circular Quay for an extra dose of art, a splash of wine and your choice of fun-filled activities — with the added bonus of panoramic views of the harbour from the Sculpture Terrace. Past curators have included the likes of Pip and Pop, Blak Douglas, Haines and Hinterding, and Rebecca Baumann — each building uniquely flavoured late-night events. Wander in on the last Friday night of the month and you can expect a lively conglomeration of art, music, design and performance. It’s an excuse to let loose alongside some of Sydney’s best artistic talent. The next ARTBAR for 2016 will be curated by the supremely colourful Rosie Deacon. Who knows what’s in store for this one, but knowing Deacon, we will likely see something big, crafty and carnivalesque. MCA ARTBAR curated by Rosie Deacon will take place on Friday, January 29, with the following editions of MCA ARTBAR taking place on February 26, April 1 and April 29. DINE AT CHISWICK AT THE GALLERY It makes perfect sense to conclude an art adventure with a culinary adventure, right? Matt Moran’s Chiswick at the Gallery offers a cool and classy dining experience inside the Art Gallery of NSW. The ethos underpinning this restaurant is all about seasonal produce and inventive creations. Hence this season’s lamb comes from Moran’s family farm in the Central Tablelands, while the locally-grown herbs and vegetables come courtesy of Chiswick’s resident gardener. Head along for a bite to eat during summer and you can take advantage of a special dining package developed to complement The Greats. Take your pick of two mains, two desserts, a glass of Ross Hill Estate wine, plus a ticket to the exhibition for $75 per person — pretty great value. After taking in some old world inspiration, you can retreat to Chiswick for a more contemporary and replenishing experience. It's staying open for dinner on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in January as part of the Up Late with The Greats. For bookings, contact Chiswick at the Gallery on (02) 9225 1819. MCA'S GRAYSON PERRY-INSPIRED GIN GARDEN If you haven’t dabbled in a spot of gin drinking, now is the time. Young Henrys, Archie Rose Distillery and the MCA have joined forces to open a pop-up Gin Garden, coinciding with the blockbuster exhibition Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career. Ushering in some English charm for the summer — with the added perk of Australian sunshine — this quirky watering hole ought to be the perfect accompaniment to arty afternoons at the MCA. Archie Rose has set forth on a mission to revive Sydney’s once-thriving passion for spirits with their dedicated Rosebery distillery. The team will offer expertly crafted cocktails incorporating native Australian ingredients, such as blood lime, Dorrigo pepperleaf, lemon myrtle and river mint. If beer is your beverage of choice, Sydney’s star boutique brewers Young Henrys will be pulling a few pints too. Once you’ve had your fill of Grayson Perry, this is the leafy little pop-up is ideal for a refreshing sip of gin and a conversation (or debate) about contemporary art. The MCA Pop-Up Gin Garden will be open Thursday to Sunday from 4pm till late, until February 14, 2016. MCA LIGHTS ON LATER The MCA's late-night program is your go-to inner-city art adventure in Sydney, with this summer's program brimming with activity after hours. Every Thursday evening until 9pm, enjoy late-night access to Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career and other MCA exhibitions. Discover and design your alter ego in a hands-on workshop, listen to MCA curators and guides, watch one of Grayson Perry’s popular TV documentaries, join a Subversive Tour of the exhibition led by a cast of diverse and eclectic guests. Then wind down over a glass of wine, a bit to eat and live music on the MCA’s Sculpture Terrace. Want to go on multiple Sydney art adventures without going broke? You can buy discounted tickets to the Sydney International Art Series by purchasing an Art Pass. It gives you access to both The Greats and Grayson Perry this summer for a discounted rate. Nab one from artpass.com.au.
From its cosy flagship space on Flinders Lane, Dukes Coffee Roasters is championing specialty coffee with a conscience, focused on environmental and social sustainability as much as on the final drink. The team is firm on its commitment to ethically traded and sourced coffee, with each lot of beans traceable back to the farm it came from. The Dukes blends are crafted from mostly organic beans sourced from across Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. And they're showcased through a whole swag of methods, from classic espresso to filter to French press. Nestled on the ground floor of Ross House, the small space has a clean Chris Connell-designed fit-out of natural timber and signature green trim. Though charming and comfy, the space only has a few seats and is better suited to quick drop-ins and takeaways than long, lazy visits. Perch at the counter at Dukes Coffee Roasters and watch the coffee-making magic unfold, and order a Costa Rica pour-over and afternoon pastry. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne's CBD
It's the society wedding of the year, and you're invited. Melbourne socialites Jasper and Jasmine are going to tie the knot at St Kilda's West Beach Bathers Pavilion this May; trotting down the aisle, barking their vows and sniffing each other's butts. Yep, they're pugs. It's a pug wedding. A real life pug wedding. Seems there's a Leslie Knope living in Melbourne. Raising much-needed funds for Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria Inc. (a volunteer-run, foster care-based animal welfare charity with a focus on pugs), this wedding doesn't have the happiest Disney backstory. Jasmine and Jasper came into the care of Pug Rescue in April 2013, after they were found to be so morbidly obese they could hardly breathe. They were taken from their former home by the rescue team and apparently were turning blue on the car ride, poor little things. But just one year later, Pug Rescue have nursed the pair back to health so they can enjoy a newfound pug life with each other and their new family — together. Take a hike, The Notebook; this is a true love story for the ages. Now, let's get these pugs married already. On Sunday, May 17, Pug Rescue are putting on the works for these pups. Get ready for this; Jasmine will wear an exclusive couture bridal gown designed by renowned Australian designer and Project Runway runner-up Craig Braybrook. A pug in couture. As if you're not locking this in already. Jasper's outfit is yet to be confirmed, but we're predicting mini bowtie at the very least. The whole event will be styled by Christian Wagstaff of Melbourne’s famed Creative Production and the venue will be decked out with flowers by Virginia Chorley of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie. Tickets to the Wedding of the Year are $60, which we reckon is a straight-up bargain considering all funds raised go to Pug Rescue; helping to fund future pug psychological and physical rehabilitation along with the vet care and specialty surgery. And apparently they're selling fast, so get on it. If you can't make it, make sure you raise a water bowl to Jasper and Jasmine next Sunday; overcoming terrible odds and living a brand new #puglyf together. Jasper and Jasmine's pug wedding ceremony is happening from 1pm on Sunday, May 17, West Beach Bathers Pavilion, 330A Beaconsville Parade, St Kilda. Tickets are $60 per person from jasperandjasmine.com, or 'virtual tickets' are $19.95 — an invitation-only live video stream of the wedding online. Video of the wedding will also be available online for two weeks post-event for virtual ticket holders. Images: Ragamuffin.
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. Some get up earlier than most, Melbourne's cafe crowd, who continue to cultivate compelling coffee breaks and brunches for locals, building neighbourhood day-to-night warehouse spaces, championing local producers and making an art of vegan nosh. 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 cafes, opened in 2016, have been nominated for Best New Cafe in Concrete Playground's Best of 2016 Awards. Vote for your favourite.
Stalactites is a late-night Melbourne institution that's been owned and operated by the same Greek family since 1978. It is, by legend, the occasional sight of a physical brawl over tables (chairs were thrown in 2014 during an altercation). This, we think, must mean that people over there are serious about their food and where they sit at Stalactites — indeed, 2am gyros is something to be serious about. And while we almost always go for the lamb gyros when visiting, this Melbourne Greek restaurant has stacks more to offer diners in the CBD. For one, there's an extensive menu of dips and breads, meat platters, seafood and specials like moussaka and cabbage rolls to tuck into. Be sure to also order some saganaki while you're at it — you don't need to be drunk to enjoy this huge fried wedge of cheese. And while Stalactites might have a reputation for late-night eats, that's not the only reason why diners head here. The generous portions, kid-friendly meals and proximity to the theatre district also make it a fine spot to drop by for a pre-theatre meal. And come game day, you'll likely see the place flooded with footy fans before and after the match. To top that off, Stalactites also recently introduced an extensive range of gluten-free options — and new cooking and serving processes — that have been certified by Coeliac Australia. That means that everything from the pita bread and souvas to the chips and grilled meats can be done gluten-free. Whatever reason you're heading to Stalactites, everyone in your party is going to find something they'll love on the menu.
If you look hard enough, you'll find INI Studio hidden within what looks like a small garage that's been painted white and decked out with white cube furniture. Minimalism is the name of the game here — that is until you purchase some of its pastries and coffees. The sweets are fairly next-level, with the croffless (part croissant, part waffle) topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup being a crowd favourite. We're also big fans of the tiramisu, made with INI Studio's own coffee. And as these folks roast their own coffee, it's no surprise that they do it damn well. You can go for your usual flat whites, filters and ice lattes, but INI Studio's more experimental coffee drinks are what we love the most about this cafe. The iced citrus long black made with a shot of coffee, a few slices of lemon and a dusting of lemon rind is one of the most refreshing and vibrant caffeinated drinks we have ever tried. The cream iced latte and the honeycomb affogato are also absolutely perfect for summer days — especially if you want something a little richer. Food- and drink-wise, INI Studio doesn't do much more than coffee and pastries, but it doesn't need to when they are this creative. And if you are super keen on getting the perfect shot of these aesthetically pleasing items for Instagram, you can even hire out the upstairs photography studio. Although, we would say that is a bit overkill. The interiors of the cafe are basically a blank cavas anyway. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Melbourne has no shortage of minimalistic spots for breakfast and brunch, but West Melbourne's Japanese gem, 279, has got to be one of our very favourites. Despite some of its similarities to the city's many (many) cafes, 279 owner Kantaro Okada has done a lot to stand out amongst the local crowd. "One of the biggest reasons we chose West Melbourne was because of the lack of Japanese food options in this area," says Okada. "But the area does have a really interesting pocket of cafes — so I feel it will attract people who love food." Although the interior of the cafe is clean and light, the menu is hearty and traditional — and definitely not 'fusion'. "I really don't like doing fusion," says Okada. "We wanted to focus on home cooking and Japanese soul food that has been passed down through generations." The result of that is a menu that centres on onigiri (also called omusubi): triangles of rice wrapped in nori and served with a variety of toppings. Try out the classic miso (shiso-miso, $6), salted salmon (sha-ke, $5.80) or plum (ume, $5) for something on the lighter side. But if you're hungrier, the slow-cooked pork belly with ginger, garlic and spring onion (negi-shio, $14.80) and the smashed tuna with avocado and Japanese mayonnaise (negi-toro, $18) will both knock your socks off. Once you've ordered your onigiri, add some osozai (side dishes) — our top picks are the smashed tofu with shiitake and shimeji mushrooms ($5), the sweet soy glazed potato ($6) and the fried lotus root chips ($4.50). If you don't want rice, you can opt for one of three types of miso soup (kome, mugi and hiyoko mame, $6–6.50), which are individually strained through a specially designed 'pour over-style' machine to ensure each bowl is rich in flavour and smooth in texture, with no grainy mouthfeel. Still peckish? 279 also has a range of Japanese sweets on offer — most notably, its mochinuts ($6). A cross between mochi and doughnuts, these baked goods are made with tapioca and rice flour, which gives them a springy, slightly chewy texture. To get one, though, you'll need to get there early — they're usually sold out by lunchtime. Other sweet options include the roasted matcha tiramisu ($11) and the latte dorayaki pancake ($6.50). Like the food, the coffee is strictly Japanese. Sit at one of the countertops — drowning in morning light — and order a coffee made on Fuglen Tokyo beans, which are imported straight from the capital. 279 might look a little plain from the outside, but this authentic Japanese café serves up a huge spread of alternative brunch options. Don't be overwhelmed by dishes that might seem unfamiliar to you, either. It's all good. Trust us. Pick a bunch to share with your mates and enjoy the ride. If you can't manage to get a table at 279, you can also order many dishes to be delivered here. Appears in: The 13 Best Cafes in Melbourne for 2023
A trip to IKEA doesn't just involve wandering the aisles, looking at cheap furniture and homewares, and deciding that everything in your house could use a facelift. Because all that browsing and buying helps work up an appetite, it also includes a date with the chain's famed meatballs. And, since 2015, that's meant vegetarian meatballs as well — but now the Swedish retailer is introducing another plant-based version of its beloved dish. The new veggie balls will be rolled out (heh) in Australian IKEA store restaurants, excluding Victorian stores, from October 6. Obviously, the original meaty meaty meatballs are going anywhere; however these meatless meatballs, or HUVUDROLL plant balls as they're being called, will be made from a plant-based meat substitute comprised of yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple — and they'll both look and taste like meat. Accordingly, if you don't consume animal products but you've always wanted to know why carnivores are so obsessed with IKEA's meatballs — in-store, whipping up frozen versions at home and following the chain's recipe — you'll now be able to tuck into a vegan variety that's as close as possible to the meat-filled version. They'll cost the same price as their counterparts, and they'll also come in frozen packs, too, ready for you to take home. For vegans, it's worth noting that the plant balls don't contain animal-based ingredients — but they are served with mashed potato and lingonberry jam, so if you're tucking in in-store, the entire dish will include dairy products. Still, this is stellar news for IKEA-lovin' veggos — and everyone eager for more sustainable eating options. As for when Victorians will be able to pop a few plant balls on their fork, IKEA will provide more information in the future. IKEA's plant balls will hit Australia on October 6, at all stores except IKEA Richmond and Springvale.
Melbourne, you asked for it (sort of), and the Victorian government are delivering it (maybe). We're getting five new train stations. In unexpectedly great news, the state government has committed to funding the long-debated Melbourne Metro Rail project in this year's budget, which includes two new tunnels and five underground train stations. These new stations, should the project go ahead, will be located in Parkville, Arden Street, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain and create a new path into the city that doesn't rely on (but connects to) the City Loop. The idea is that it will ease congestion in the City Loop and allow more trains to be getting in and out of the city. It will hopefully help with that peak hour sardines in a carriage issue too. Here's what it will look like: Pretty cool, huh? But as we know, a budget proposal does not a train station make; it's still yet to be seen whether the budget passes in parliament unscathed. However, things are looking promising. The Federal government has just promised to sling Victoria some funds for the project (thanks boys) and this morning Premier Daniels Andrews tweeted the first artist's impression of the Parkville station. It looks super slick (check out all those yo pros making their way in the world, bless). Here's your exclusive first look at what the Metro Tunnel station at Parkville will look like. #springst pic.twitter.com/ZTs0D6jeGF — Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) May 11, 2016 Notice the big sneeze guards protecting the train? Not only will they prevent winter snot getting on train windows, but are also designed to organise passenger flow and prevent accidents. All train stations will feature the guards and — the most exciting news of all — trains will apparently run every two to three minutes, potentially leaving so much more time for activities. It doesn't completely solve the Melbourne east-west transport black hole, but it would sure help. Via The Age. Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.
The Melbourne Festival has hit the big three oh – and what better way to celebrate than with a two and a half week long party. The team behind Melbourne's flagship cultural event have pulled back the curtain on their 30th anniversary program, and it's every bit as exciting as we've come to expect. Clear your calendar and make room for more than 70 events, including 17 Australian premieres, featuring artists, musicians and theatre makers from all around the world. Headlining the event are a number of major theatre productions, including the smash hit West-End adaptation of George Orwell's seminal novel 1984. A nominee for Best New Play at the 2014 Olivier Awards, the timeless tale about the dangers of government surveillance and control will have its exclusive Australian season as part of the Melbourne Festival. Organisers have also programmed a number of supplemental events including a live reading at the Legislative Assembly Chamber in Victoria's Parliament featuring notable politicians, media personalities and actors, as well as a special film program at ACMI entitled Eyes Without a Face: Surveillance in Cinema. Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, meanwhile, has teamed up celebrated opera and theatre director Peter Sellars on Desdemona, a restaging of Shakespeare's classic play Othello, featuring music from award winning Malawi singer-songwriter Rokia Traore, that uses the story of its doomed heroine to explore questions of violence, class, race and gender. Israel's Batsheva Dance Company will take to the stage with a pair of works by preeminent dance maker Ohad Naharin, while Belgian company Peeping Tom present the intensely physical dance theatre show 32 Rue Vandenbranden. Also making its Melbourne premiere is the award-winning Spiegeltent production LIMBO, combining circus, acrobatics and cabaret. Leading the music program is a tribute to Patti Smith's iconic rock album Horses, which will be performed in full by Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Adalita and Gareth Liddiard. UK folk singer Laura Marling will play Hamer Hall for one night only, while Flight Facilities will team up with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a performance at the Myer Music Bowl. Also in the mix is master film composer Clint Mansell and electronic jazz pioneer John McLaughlin. There'll be more music happening at the Foxtel Festival Hub, a cafe/bar/performance venue on the banks of the Yarra. Over the course of the festival, the hub will host the likes of Icelandic techno duo Kiasmos, English post-punk band The Fall, French ten-piece Babylon Circus, local favourites Bombay Royale and Cut Copy, and many, many more. The 2015 Melbourne Festival runs from October 8 – 25. Ticket packages are available from midday today, while the full program goes on sale at 9am on Friday August 7. For more information, visit the festival website.
The humble dimmy will make its glorious and heroic return to Welcome to Thornbury this July, as part of the fifth annual Dimmy and Dumpling festival at the inner-north food truck park. Whether you're partial to a fried wonton or crispy gyoza, piping hot pierogi or spicy mandu, you'll find them at Welcome to Thornbury on Saturday, July 29. From 12–10pm, this inner north favourite is welcoming a lineup of D&D-serving eateries. You can expect classic fish-and-chip shop dimmys, Japanese gyozas, Nepalese and Polish dumplings, as well as a range of vegan and gluten-free options. The food truck lineup includes favourites such as South Melbourne Dim Sims, The Lil Dumpling Van, Woking Amazing and Chef Calamari. Entry is free. And although we don't recommend giving human food to dogs, your pet pupper is welcome to come along while you scoff down all of the dim sims and dumplings you can handle. Top image: Unsplash.
Matsu has just four seats. We'll let that sink in while you keep reading. Owner and chef Hansol Lee spent over a decade in the kitchens of Kenzan — one of the best restaurants in Melbourne — before opening his own tiny venue in Footscray. Matsu offers diners a truly unique experience through the Japanese style of dining known as kaiseki. While similar to omakase, kaiseki, which originated from Japanese tea ceremonies, has slight differences. If omakase is relaxed, kaiseki is more formal. If omakase has a flamboyant chef you can interact with, kaiseki has a more focused chef with limited interaction. If omakase is a free-flowing menu with whatever is fresh that day, kaiseki is a predetermined set menu focusing on traditional structures. What they have in common, however, is a multi-course meal where the dishes are decided for you and watching the chef at work is a huge part of the experience. And when it comes to soy, the chef will let you know whether to add any or not, and it's best you listen to them. The feast at Matsu will include a series of small courses — appetisers, steamed items, nigiri, hassun (which means eight-sun, and this part of the experience includes some of the more visually stunning dishes and is entirely at the chef's discretion), soup, sashimi, a boiled course and dessert. It is a long and enormous feast of spectacular Japanese food, served up like tiny sculptures. It's edible art that tastes incredible. Just remember the restaurant has four seats. So book ahead, if you can, that is.
The word 'mansae' is Korean for 'hip hip hooray', which is appropriate as this is the type of authentic Korean restaurant where the food is a real celebration. The atmosphere here is casual and fun, so bring a group of mates for that upcoming birthday or drag your family along for a much-needed catch-up. This is a destination restaurant in Melbourne, and it is bound to be a dining experience you won't soon forget. Mansae Korean BBQ doesn't take bookings, and there is often a line, so be sure to turn up ready to wait. Then, once inside and seated, quickly start ordering as there is a strict 90-minute limit on seatings. The vibe here is hectic and heaving, with a real market atmosphere to complement the smells and sounds of the sizzling Korean barbecues. The barbecue meat includes wagyu scotch fillets, short ribs and oyster blades, while the striploin is especially lean. There are also more exotic options such as the thinly sliced ox tongue, the prime pork belly as well as prime pork jowl. Pair the barbecue with sides and appetisers including lightly spiced edamame, a healthy serving of school prawns dished up like french fries or a kimchi jeon. The hotpot options are not be missed at Mansae with the seafood feast — haemul doenjang jiggae — the highlight. The mural on the wall shouts 'Go beef or go home', which might scare off vegetarians, but being a barbecue it's hard to get too offended. There is however a veggie platter with zucchini, mushrooms and pumpkin, which can be had on its own or shared between servings of meat. But if this doesn't suffice, you might prefer changing up cuisines and heading around the corner to The Happy Mexican's CBD location — a super veggie-friendly diner.
Hawthorne's Tao Tao House is your classic white linen Chinese restaurant complete with lazy susans, with a strong focus on traditional and aromatic dishes served with just barely the hint of a smile. The menu here is everything you dream of when heading to a Chinese-Australian restaurant. Tao Tao House has an impressive and notably delicious yum cha selection including classics such as prawn dumplings, spare ribs in black bean sauce and mushroom and duck roll. The poultry dishes are also big hits. These include diced chicken in a teriyaki sauce and a succulent sesame duck — stuffed with prawn paste, coated with sesame and served with mushroom sauce. Vegetarians can indulge with the 'typhoon shelter' eggplants that are wok fried with garlic and chilli and a side of Chinese broccoli and fried rice. Wash it all down with a hot a sour soup or a crab meat sweet corn soup. For dessert, get around Tao Tao House's egg custard tarts, a mango pudding or some very charming Cadbury chocolate sesame dumplings. If you're in Hawthorn and haven't tried Tao Tao House, add it to your list right now.
Anzac Day in Australia is a time of reflection, two-up and a few icy pints of Carlton Draught. Of course, whether you're raising a pint on your way home from a march or learning the rules of the national sport for the first time, you'll want to be mindful of the historical significance and commemorative nature of the day between schooners. Here's our round-up of the best things to do in Melbourne this Friday, April 25, as we pause to remember the fallen. Eating Anzac biscuits isn't one of them, but we suggest you do that anyway. [caption id="attachment_818466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Larry Koester[/caption] Wake Up for an Anzac Day Dawn Service Australians have been rising early since 1916 to commemorate both fallen and still-serving military personnel during the annual Dawn Service. And for 2025, the Shrine of Remembrance in the Royal Botanic Gardens will once again play host to its traditional early morning ceremony. It all kicks off at 5.30am before the public is invited to head inside to lay a poppy. Then, the Anzac Day march leaves from Princes Bridge at 9am. After that, you can catch the commemorative service and wreath-laying held in the Shrine of Remembrance forecourt. Of course, with thousands of people set to descend on the area to pay their respects, planning your trip to the Dawn Service is important. Public transport services will be running to public holiday timetables — for any Anzac Day transport information, head to the PTV website. Hungry after the service? In past years, CBD spots like The Kettle Black and Duke's Coffee Roasters have served as the go-to early morning options. For a complete list of RSL club services on the day, head to the RSL website. Head to an Anzac Day March Medals are shone and proudly donned as veterans, their descendants and serving personnel march through Melbourne's CBD for the annual Anzac Day Parade. Commencing at 9am, the parade will begin at Princes Bridge, travel down St Kilda Road and finish at the Shrine of Remembrance in the Royal Botanic Gardens, with prime viewing spots every step of the way. Play a National Sport: Two-Up Take advantage of one of the only days in the year when the national sport of Two-Up is legal and squeeze into a Melbourne pub or RSL hosting this beloved Anzac Day tradition. Convert those notes into gold coins, place your bets and watch those sacred two-up coins fall. We recommend hitting up one of more than 100 RSLs across the city — or one of the pubs below — for a spirited crowd and maybe a few discounted brews. Abbotsford pub The Yarra Hotel kicks off its Anzac Day comp from 1pm, and runs its sausage sizzle throughout the arvo to raise money for Legacy. And over in Fitzroy North, the Terminus Hotel will be hosting two-up in the beer garden with the grudge match on the big screens. Funds raised on the day go towards Hawthorn RSL. Watch a National Sport Apart from the grand final, the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood is the biggest — and busiest — game on the AFL calendar. Some background for the uninitiated (or just some facts to throw at your mates during the ad breaks): the first Anzac Day clash happened back in 1995, and it ended in a draw with both teams on 111; Collingwood has since won 17 matches, while Essendon sits on ten. Even if you don't fancy venturing to the MCG, you'll be hard-pressed to find a pub in Melbourne that's not screening the game. We suggest heading to the Imperial Hotel, where you can reserve a spot in front of one of the 20+ big screens and enjoy some legit pub grub while you're at it. Fellow CBD spots like the newly revamped Duke of Wellington and Garden State Hotel also have some quality dining options for the footy-watching crowd. Or, head Northside to Hotel Collingwood, which is screening the clash live and loud on all screens, and has a very solid beer tap list to match. Tuck Into a Limited-Edition Anzac Day Pastry If you like flaky pastries, the folks at Lune Croissanterie have probably already won over your tastebuds. There's a great reason for that — their regular wares are next-tier, and their special one-offs are even better. For the month of April, Lune has whipped up something particularly enticing in the second category: ANZAK KAs, aka sweet and salty caramelised kouign-amann made with a classic Anzac biscuit dough inside, then tossed in brown sugar. It's available in-store at the brand's Fitzroy and Armadale outposts. [caption id="attachment_923795" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cameron Murray Photography for Visit Victoria[/caption] Enjoy a Much-Deserved Nature Fix Public holidays don't come around every week — and if you'd like to spend this one making the most of the great outdoors, Melbourne certainly isn't short on options. Soak up some nature while stretching your legs on one of these picturesque walking trails in metro Melbourne or hit up one of the best coastal walks in Victoria. Or escape the city buzz altogether, pack some gear and tackle one of these top-notch overnight hikes found across Victoria.
Summer is here, Christmas is coming and everyone's looking for a ticket out of the city — for a few days, when the holidays roll around; or for a longer stay, should an extended getaway be in your future. If enjoying scenic nature sights in comfort sounds like your idea of bliss, Flash Camp has just announced they'll be hosting another pop-up glamping site within Shoalhaven's Coolendel private reserve. It's Flash Camp's second stint on the site, after first enjoying the location's charms earlier in 2017. This time, they're sticking around not only through the Christmas and New Year period, but until May 30, 2018. If you can't make the 2.5-hour drive down the South Coast from Sydney (or thirty minutes from Nowra) this year, start planning next year's Easter vacation or sneaky weekender. The remote location is an easy trip to achieve a true bush experience — well, kind of. As to be expected, the tents look quite luxe. The bell-shaped, premium 'Flash Tents' come with a king-sized mattress, covered in plush bedding and perched on timber pallets. The tents also feature solar lighting, table and chairs, Biology toiletries and a hand-woven Armadillo & Co rug. For groups looking for a slightly (very slightly) more traditional camping experience, Flash Camp also offer their regular bell tents with air beds. Guests also have access to the existing Coolendel amenities, including hot showers and barbecue facilities, as well as a communal Flash Camp tent with seating, fairy lights and a campfire. The glamping site is located within Coolendel's 52 hectares of bushland along the Shoalhaven River. Nature lovers will be keen on this secluded grassy park, which is an ideal location for spotting wombats, goannas, wallabies and native birds. Apart from nature watching and bushwalking, guests can also try a spot of canoeing, biking and fishing. Rates vary from $130 to $240 per night, depending on day of the week and holidays. Food is not provided, though, so campers should make sure to pack the esky full for the duration of the trip. Flash Camp Glamping will pop up at Coolendel from through until May 30. To book, visit the Flash Camp website. For more glamping options, check out our list for the ten best glamping spots near Sydney. By Marissa Ciampi and Sarah Ward.
Bingo. Rave. Two ends of the spectrum of fine holiday fun and finally — finally — together as one. Bongo's Bingo is a games night like you've never seen before. Part club, part rave, and, of course, part bingo night, this unlikely fusion event has been wildly popular in the UK since 2015. Now, they're taking the show on the road and launching in Australia this June. In partnership with Wats On Events, Bongo's Bingo Down Under is throwing a massive bingo rave in Sydney's Paddington Town Hall on June 23, then launching a national tour the following week on June 29 in Melbourne's Collingwood Town Hall. Patrons can expect all of the debauchery of the original British version of Bongo's Bingo, including rave intervals, dancing on tables and a loose kind of bingo that you definitely never played with your nan (well, maybe you have). The victorious players can win everything from big cash prizes to a Hills Hoist, with a range of some absolutely ridiculous surprises on offer. If you're not sure what you're in for, check out this video for a better sense of this crazy night out: The Sydney launch event will be presided over by founder and comic ringleader Jonny Bongo who, as one would expect, is a character in the truest sense of the word and even holds the world record for the biggest ever pub quiz. Australia is the second international location for Bongo's Bingo, which recently launched in Dubai as well and, based on popularity, we imagine the event will continue to expand around the globe. This blowout party will certainly be a different kind of night out and is especially welcomed in Sydney where the lockout law ridden nightlife has taken such a hit in recent years. Venues, guest lineup and DJ hosts will be announced in coming weeks, and tickets will go on sale at 6pm on Wednesday, May 17. Keep an eye on this space for further updates and brush up on those bingo-break down skills in the meantime. Bongo's Bingo will hit Melbourne and Sydney in June. For more information and to buy tickets, visit bongosbingodownunder.com.au. Updated: Monday, May 15, 2017.
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 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).
Gringlish. That's how chef Philip Vakos describes the cuisine at Bahari. A fusion of Greek and English, it's a concept that's certainly drawing crowds to their humble Swan Street restaurant. So don't let the seemingly modest space fool you — the food is anything but. Designed for sharing, the menu is best left in the hands of the staff who will guide you through from start to finish and won't let up until you're happily sinking into a food coma. The chargrilled octopus with ouzo, lemon and oregano is a succulent starter and if you're lucky, the specials for the day might permit a serving of prawn stuffed zucchini flowers: a clear standout. Moving through to the main course, the slow-roasted lamb shoulder with lemon, rosemary and garlic does what any good lamb shoulder should do: it falls apart at the nudge of a fork and then proceeds to melt in your mouth. The fasolakia — traditional Greek beans with onions, dill and tomato — is a welcome and tasty side, while the cauliflower and pomegranate salad is an appropriate nod to currently trending flavours in the Melbourne food scene. Dessert should also be on your radar when visiting Bahari. If you can pronounce it, the traditional galaktoboureko is the way to go. Think creamy semolina custard infused with lemon and vanilla, sandwiched between flaky sheets of filo. It's good, authentic food coupled with service from genuine people who just know that the best way to anyone's heart is through their stomach. The dishes are heavy but in that satisfying, full-to-the-brim way — although, we'll be impressed if you can walk after this kind of Gringlish feast at Bahari.
If ever there were proof of the benefits of giving rent-free spaces to artists, it's Newcastle. A decade ago, the city centre was haunted by more than 150 empty shops — largely thanks to the 1999 closure of BHP's steelworks, which pushed unemployment to 12 percent. Fast-forward ten or so years. You could be mistaken for thinking you were in an inner suburb of Melbourne. Café seating spills onto pavements, where Novocastrians chat over blends roasted just a few blocks away. A sprawling microbrewery buzzes near old Tower Cinema. Brunchers lazily make their way through brekkie bowls. Shoppers browse windows crowded with homemade sculptures and jewellery and millinery. Locals lead visitors through laneways plastered with street art. Luckily, most chain stores are hidden away in big, loud shopping malls. This creative explosion is the work of local Marcus Westbury. In 2008, he returned home to a city that "felt like it was not merely slipping, but accelerating into decay". So, he persuaded a bunch of landlords to lend their vacant buildings to artists, thereby launching a nonprofit called Renew Newcastle. By 2011, Sydney's underrated sister city was one of Lonely Planet's top ten destinations in the world. Not only is it home to a thriving arts scene, it's also surrounded by water. On the northern side, there's the still beauty of the Hunter River and, on the southern, surf beaches and ocean pools and coastal walks — with plenty of shaded picnic tables and beach cabanas to keep locals sun safe. EAT AND DRINK In 2009, a self-described "rogue collective" of Novocastrian caffeine-obsessives dropped their day jobs to pursue a common goal: Newcastle's best and most environmentally-friendly coffee. They nabbed a heritage-listed building, where mad scientist John Winter built a revolutionary, waste-powered roaster, while law grad Chelsea Daoust got busy sourcing Rainforest Alliance certified beans. And so, Sprocket Roasters was born (68 Hunter Street; (02) 4009 1237). Many other premium coffee joints have opened since then, but this idiosyncratic, couch-dotted cafe is still serving some of the finest in town, as well as running a coffee school. In the West End, Silverchair's bassist, Chris Joannou, and barista Chris Johnston, have turned the warehouse that was Joannou's parents' laundry business into The Edwards (148 Parry St; (02) 4965 3845) It's a fun, unpretentious cafe-bar, with beer taps made from steam presses, lights made from tumble dryers and loads of space for ping pong matches, art exhibitions, live music and night markets. Generous, creative dishes are served nearly all day. For breakfast, we tuck into wood-smoked ocean trout with poached egg, zucchini and asparagus salad, labna and toasted quinoa; and French toast with berry compote, ricotta, passionfruit curd and pistachio chocolate crumble. The most summery views in the area are at Merewether Surfhouse (Henderson Parade; (02) 4918 0000). Perched on absolute waterfront, with floor-to-ceiling-windows, this architect-designed masterpiece looks over panoramas of Merewether Beach and beyond. Executive chef Ryan Baird has made fresh seafood king in the top-floor restaurant - from oyster samplers to a posh version of surf and turf (chargrilled pork cutlet, apple and thyme butter, half-lobster mornay, steamed greens, lemon) to pan-fried Daintree barramundi with panzanella salad and chargrilled sourdough. This joint has stolen a bit of thunder from neighbour and longtime rowdy local The Beach Hotel, but for now, the two seem to be enjoying symbiotic success with post-ocean-thirsty locals. Come evening, the buzzing Darby Street Village Precinct gives you a diverse choice of small bars and offbeat restaurants. At The Bowery Boys, executive chef Steven Zielke (Buffalo Dining Club, Chester White, Table for 20) and bartenders Ryan Hawthorne and Ethan Ortlipp (The Ivy, Sticky Bar, Coal & Cedar) are bringing a dose of 19th century New York City to 21st century Newcastle. Named after the notorious 1840s gang who, when not feuding in the streets, worked as butchers, the eatery specialises in all things pickled, smoked and cured. Photographs of New York City line the walls. Sweeney Todd-style cleavers hang alongside meaty delicacies. Cloudy brown bottles hide their contents (hint: top-shelf liquor). Pickles, olives, charcuterie, cheeses, spanner crab with chilli green mango coconut, spiced dutch carrots and ricotta gnocchi arrive on abundant share plates, matched with small-batch cocktails and exotic wines, like rioja, malbec and zinfandel. Also worth visiting if you've got the time: Darby Street's One Two Seven Darby for a kickass brekkie, 5 Sawyers for a tipple, Parry Street Garage for a damn good dinner, MoneyPenny for cocktails, The Lass for a bloody good beer garden, The Happy Wombat for craft beer, The Grain Store for drinks and nibbles, One Penny Black for insane pourovers, Roladoor for vintage-clad brunch, Goldberg's for a tried and true local, and Foghorn Brewhouse for locally-brewed beer. Or just take a picnic to Nobby's or Bar Beach — remember to slip, slop, slap y'all. SEE AND DO Despite having inspired Lonely Planet's admiration, Newcastle is yet to be detected by the mass tourism radar. You won't see glazed-eyed groups straggling behind flag-waving guides and you needn't fear overwhelming crowds — even on weekends. But, if you do want an insider's perspective, there's a handful of quirky tours to choose from. We meet Neroli Foster for an Underground Epicurean adventure. "There are so many great places for foodies in Newcastle," she says. "But they're not always easy to find." Rather than following a box-ticking itinerary, she takes a casual approach - we feel more like we're with a local friend than a tour guide. We sample gourmet doughnuts at Doughheads (where flavours include citrus cheesecake, Turkish rose and caramel toast); work our way through a wine flight curated from hundreds of bottles cellared beneath Reserve Wine Bar; and dessert on gelato overlooking the water at Estabar, among numerous other delicious stops. My favourite is The Tea Project, where tea expert Becci Fowler pours me the finest cuppa I've ever tasted. More than 70 teas are on the menu and they're all premium quality and beautifully blended. Beer and comfort food more your thing? Let One For the Road be your guide. When I say beer and comfort food, I mean a four-hour stroll through town, taking in ten craft beers and ten moreish, moreish bites. At Chook and Broosky, we discover the many ways in which beer and fried chicken can dance together; at Foghorn, we watch Newcastle's only onsite brewery in action, while feasting on pizza; and, at The Hop Factory, we explore a few of the 20 beers on tap, paired with mini-burgers. Along the way, our easy-going, funny guide fills us in on Newcastle's history — from the convicts who dug out the Bogey Hole (New South Wales's first ocean pool) to current disputes over the railway, which, by the way, has been cut at Hamilton for the time-being. Once you're fuelled up (or, in my case, thoroughly stuffed), you'll be ready to work it off. Slip a hat, slop on some sunscreen and meet Simone Sheridan for a street art tour. Former director of This Is Not Art (TINA) and passionate place maker, Simone shows us painting and drawings in the most unexpected of spots, as well as telling us stories behind the city's best known pieces, such as Adnate's portrait of an indigenous boy in Wickham, which was horrifically graffitied with a racist slur just a month after being completed in November 2013. Simone's tours run by foot or bicycle. We save the Newcastle Memorial Walk (aka ANZAC Walk) for sunset. If you're keen to tackle it by day, don't forget some skin-saving protection — the sun can get mighty hot. $4.5 million and 64 tonnes of steel went into this 450-metre-long walkway, which opened in April 2015 and spans the cliff tops between Strzelecki Lookout and Bar Beach, affording 360-degree views. For a more epic journey, make it just one part of a six-kilometre trek, from Merewether Ocean Pools to Nobbys Beach. Speaking of beaches, a trip to Newy's not complete without diving into the ocean. Closer to the city, Newcastle Beach is where you'll find the annual Surfest and the stunningly preserved Ocean Baths, while Nobby's is the big postcard-perfect beach (and home to Horseshoe Beach, the dog-friendly beach). Bar, Dixon and Merewether Beach is one long ocean crawl worth doing to the historic Merewether Baths, and you can even follow this line along to Glenrock Lagoon if you're feeling energetic. Burwood Beach is unpatrolled but great for surfing. If you're keen to venture out of the city centre a little, Redhead Beach is worth the trek, and even further is Caves Beach (which has literal caves on the beach). Meanwhile, for indoor escapades, there's the lively Newcastle Museum. Should you visit before 28 February, you'll find yourself face-to-face with ten tyrannosaurs. And, between 2014 and 2018, the First World War effort is being explored in Shadows of Sacrifice, an exhibition that changes every six months, reflecting how life in Newcastle changed as the war wore on. To check out the latest creations from the city's vibrant arts community, take a wander through the former David Jones store in the CBD, which is now partitioned into independent pop-up shops, or along aforementioned Darby Street (by day, rather than night). STAY After six years hiding behind a facade, The Lucky Country Hotel reemerged in 2014 like a rock star making a glamorous come-back jazz album. The (albeit controversial, ask a Novocastrian) McCloy Group poured six million bucks into giving it a good gutting, but kept the bits that worked, like the raw iron beams and warm, red brick work, and dropped the middle name. These days, the hotel is referred to on a first name basis, as The Lucky. What you notice first will depend on which way you enter. Head into the Drum Bar and an enormous chandelier made of an actual drum kit will be dangling over you. Peer into the courtyard and you'll be mesmerised by vast, dreamy light projections across the back wall, filled with flying birds and dancing figures. Wherever you sit in the 428-capacity pub, you can get stuck into a hearty serving of American barbecue, cooked slow over hickory wood for up to 14 hours; craft beers; and cocktails based on seasonally available ingredients. Upstairs, forty en-suite rooms spread over two floors. We catch the lift to a deluxe suite with a sofa. Ironically, for a hotel where the menu's pretty meaty, the wall art reads: "A rabbit's foot may bring you good luck, but it brought none to the rabbit", a quotation from American satirist Ambrose Bierce's 'Epigrams'. Each room shares a different philosophy on luck and fortune. Large windows let in plenty of sun, making the most of the bright, white walls. They're softened by dark carpet and furnishings in muted tones: gentle greys, charcoals, mustards, beiges and browns. The straight-forward, white-tiled bathroom is sparkling clean and the l'Occitane toiletries are a luxurious touch. Despite the positioning, close to the main road, sound proofing keeps out traffic noise. All in all, The Lucky makes for a comfortable sleep, in a neatly composed, refreshing space — just what you need before another day of sun, surf, art and feasting in Newcastle. LET'S DO THIS; GIVE ME THE DETAILS By car: Newcastle is about 160 kilometres, or two hours' drive, along the Pacific Motorway north of Sydney, or about ten hours' drive from Melbourne. By plane: Rex flies to Newcastle from Sydney at least once a day, with the flight taking 45 minutes. Both Jetstar and Virgin fly from Melbourne, taking 90 minutes. By bus/train: Sydney Trains travel direct from Sydney to Broadmeadow, taking about 2 1/2 hours. From Broadmeadow, connecting buses take you to Newcastle central. From Melbourne, it's a 14 1/2 hour ride. Jasmine Crittenden travelled to Newcastle as a guest of Destination NSW. Top image: Flickr. All other images Peter Saw.
The humble icy poles is the star of childhood memories the world over, reminiscent of tuck shop visits, beachside jaunts, and those sticky days of summers past. Even when we're trying our hardest to adult, getting stuck into an icy treat is still up there with our favourite summer pastimes. And while Paddle Pops and Splices will always hold a place in our hearts and freezers, these days, you're just as likely to find us getting our kicks with some hand-crafted, locally-produced, artisan version. Yup, there's all sorts of fun things happening in the world of frozen treats right now — here's what we'll be ripping into this summer. [caption id="attachment_602909" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pure Pops.[/caption] PURE POPS When two besties share an extreme love of frozen treats-on-a-stick, there's only one logical thing to do: start your own mini icy pole empire! That's the story behind Sydney company, Pure Pops, which has blossomed from a couple of farmers market stalls to a well-known brand, found at grocers, cafés, stores, and events across NSW. And these gals sure know how to make crowdpleasing icy poles. They've kept the sugary stuff to a minimum, going heavy on the natural fruit goodness, with most of the pops clocking in at under 80 calories. Expect summer-worthy flavours like banana caramel, blood orange, and pine-lime coconut splice. Check the website for your nearest stockist. [caption id="attachment_602934" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marissa Fleming (The Simple Things Studio) for Liana Raine.[/caption] LIANA RAINE Liana Raine creations are kind of like the 'It Girls' of the frozen treats world — they're sophisticated, pop up on countless glossy magazine pages, and have even made it onto the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. That said, when it comes to the important stuff, this family-run biz likes to keep things simple. Their all-natural, all-Aussie, artisan icy poles are crafted with the best seasonal fruit on offer, with clever new flavours added as quickly as they can be dreamt up — peach, moscato, and raspberry, anyone? Liana Raine is keeping summer retail plans under wraps for now, but in the meantime, jump on the website to order yourself a box. [caption id="attachment_602942" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Delish Ice.[/caption] DELISH ICE Old-school icy poles, served out of gorgeous vintage caravans – just try and match that for a nostalgia-tinged summer experience. These palate-pleasers from Perth-based Delish Ice are sure to win over young and old, what with the cute-as-pie retro styling and the downright tasty artisan pops. Flavours change regularly, but are sure to impress – expect combos like basil and elderflower; raspberry lemonade; and lychee, pineapple and lime. Buy them online, or catch one of their caravans or carts around Perth, Mandurah, Dunsborough, and Margaret River. They can even customise something special for your next summer shindig. [caption id="attachment_602937" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Frozen Sunshine.[/caption] FROZEN SUNSHINE With all that sunshine and humidity, it's a safe bet Queenslanders know a thing or two about icy poles. So, your tastebuds are in excellent hands with Frozen Sunshine Iceblocks, which are handcrafted in Maroochydore, using top-notch local ingredients and zero nasty flavourings or preservatives. These cool little characters are all free of dairy and made with either a fruit or creamy coconut milk base. At any time, there are at least 12 varieties on offer, so you might find yourself blissing out on a coconut and candied ginger creation; or maybe a pineapple, mango and passionfruit number. Pick up a box from the factory, or find them at markets, cafés and food stores across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_602945" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pop Shop.[/caption] POP SHOP SYDNEY Pop Shop Sydney's icy treats might just be the prettiest popsicles you ever did see. These locally-made beauties have been tricked out with everything from juicy fruit chunks, to edible flowers, and even gummy bears. Although with flavours like choc banana, Pimms, and Japanese lemonade with kiwi and orange, you probably won't be spending too long admiring the aesthetics. While these guys supply to a tight selection of cafés and stores around Sydney, their main jam is custom orders for parties, weddings, and other events. Get in touch and let them whip you up something special. [caption id="attachment_602946" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mountain Pops (Falls Festival).[/caption] MOUNTAIN POPS Turns out, wine isn't the only Yarra Valley creation we'll be cooling down with this summer. The folks at Mountain Pops handcraft their cracking small batch ice blocks out of a kitchen in the Yarra Valley, pulling together fresh, locally-grown fruit to star in their lineup of inventive flavour combos. They've even had a play with some boozy pop varieties, which we suspect would go down a treat at your next backyard party. These thirst-quenchers are fast becoming a favourite on the festival circuit, making their way into many a hot little hand at the likes of Strawberry Fields, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Falls Festival and Yemaya. You'll also spy them at markets and events across town, and can keep tabs on their whereabouts at Where the Truck At. [caption id="attachment_602908" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flyin' Fox.[/caption] FLYIN' FOX If you fancy keeping those food miles to a minimum, then Flyin' Fox ice blocks are sure to have you smiling. This NSW-based company handcrafts its fruit-packed icy poles in Murwillumbah, with mostly organic ingredients sourced carefully from local farms. These guys are pretty proud of our Aussie fruit, and they make it sing, in flavour combos like pomegranate and blueberry, lime and mint, and coconut and milk. You'll find them gracing the freezer section of stores and cafés across NSW and QLD, as well as in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Alice Springs. [caption id="attachment_602943" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Pop Co.[/caption] THE POP CO We guarantee this summer will see plenty of Melbourne ice block fans beating the heat with treats from The Pop Co. These guys sling handmade, gourmet popsicles out of a cheery little food cart, offering fruity flavours for all ages, alongside a range of signature, booze-infused creations. Kick it old-school with a strawberries and cream number, or embrace adulthood with a rum-laced Mojito pop. Customised flavour combinations are also on offer. The Pop Co. cart will be doing the rounds of Melbourne's markets, beaches, and outdoor events this summer, but you can always organise a special appearance, or bumper pop package for your own party. [caption id="attachment_602935" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Paleta.[/caption] PALETA This Melbourne brand pulls its name from the Spanish word for 'icy pole' and whips up its frosty treats based on authentic Mexican recipes. And indeed, these handmade sorbet icy poles, which feature an all-natural ingredient list, zero dairy or gluten, and stacks of fresh fruit, will prompt a mini fiesta in your mouth. Expect tropical flavours, like coconut, hibiscus, and your old mate watermelon, available in packs of 10 or 25, at stockists all across Melbourne. Try Aunt Maggie's in Fitzroy, The Prahran Grocer, and Market Espresso and Trolley Hire at the Queen Vic Markets. HONOURABLE EXPAT MENTION: POPS Icy poles and booze — they're the two staples of a long, hot Aussie summer. Back in October, we told you that the two had finally come together as one. Now, those Calippo-style Champagne icy poles we've all been hankering for since are finally on sale in Australia. The genius creation from POPS, a UK brand that has been keeping folks stylishly cool since 2014, have started popping up around Melbourne. Head to online alcohol delivery service tipple.com.au to order one of four flavours: the Champagne pop (called The Classic) contains half a glass of Champers (wahee!), while the Bellini blends hibiscus flowers, blood orange juice, peach Schnapps, and half a glass of Prosecco. Plus, there are a couple of all-ages products too, which see the alcohol swapped out for real fruit combinations (apple and elderflower, plus strawberry and mint). The timing couldn't be better, with the frozen delights arriving in our eskies just in time to be eaten in front of the fan (or, y'know, in the sun) this summer. As part of the Melbourne-first launch, they'll also be available at Arbory Bar and Eatery — and showering festival attendees with lickable icy alcohol goodness, including at The Pleasure Garden, Let Them Eat Cake and the Inverloch Sound of Summer. The POPS website also teases POPScycle bikes, so keep your eyes peeled.
While we were pushing through our first autumn Monday — fittingly caffeinated to the nines — the best actors, directors, cinematographers and costume-makers were walking the red carpet leading to Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. And they were collecting a slew of well-deserved gold statues on stage, too. At the 90th Academy Awards, host Jimmy Kimmel didn't shy away from discussing #MeToo, Weinstein and last year's Best Picture fiasco, Jodie Foster took the stage on crutches (and blamed Meryl Streep) and Frances McDormand made a rousing speech, encouraging the telling (and funding) of more women's stories in Hollywood. On the awards front, some hot favourites battled it out for the 2018 titles. There were big winners — The Shape of Water, going in with a massive 13 nominations, took home four — and others you may believe were cheated (Timothée Chalamet is a winner in our hearts), but, regardless, this year's Oscar winners make for a stellar must-watch list. Here's who took home the gongs, and who you should be watching on the big (or little) screen. Some are still in cinemas, so hop to it tout de suite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFYWazblaUA THE SHAPE OF WATER Won: Best Picture, Directing (Guillermo del Toro), Original Score (Alexandre Desplat), Production Design (Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin) What our critic said: "Equally vivid and violent as it jumps between matters of the heart and moments of espionage, the film entrances with its sweet, soulful, delicate approach while never shying away from weighty themes of persecution or oppression." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZ3r-84EQc THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI Won: Actress in a Leading Role (Frances McDormand), Actor in a Supporting Role (Sam Rockwell) What our critic said: "Packed with dark, hilarious, nigh-unprintable dialogue, McDonagh's script mightn't be subtle, but it is teeming with complexity... Taking his cues from gunslinging revenge tales gone by, the filmmaker crafts a complicated rumination on humanity's contradictions." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpKvpSr7p1g DARKEST HOUR Won: Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Oldman), Makeup and Hairstyling (Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Mlinowski and Lucy Sibbick) What our critic said: "While both Churchill and Dunkirk are clearly no strangers to cinemas of late, Darkest Hour has one particular weapon all of its own: recent Golden Globe winner Oldman. The veteran actor gives a captivating performance, even coming hot on the heels of Brian Cox's excellent work in Churchill just months ago."— Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9J1FgA0A8 DUNKIRK Won: Film Editing (Lee Smith), Sound Editing (Richard King and Alex Gibson), Sound Mixing (Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landarker, and Gary A. Rizzo) What our critic said: "Unrelenting from start to finish, there's never a moment that's easy to watch, but there's never one devoid of hope either. This is an astonishing feat of storytelling, aesthetics and emotion, one from which you will not be able to look away."— Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIm1PyBSwc COCO Won: Animated Feature Film, Original Song ('Remember Me') What our critic said: "Coco enchants with warmth and authenticity from start to finish. In fact, as bright as its images shine, as high as its heartfelt emotions soar, and as perfectly as its voice cast fill their roles — including Gael García Bernal stealing scenes as a dead prankster — it's the film's embrace of its setting and culture that truly makes it sing." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYB28iknIM PHANTOM THREAD Won: Costume Design (Mark Bridges) What our critic said: "Every textile metaphor you can think of applies to Phantom Thread. It's a film that's carefully woven from the fabric of human urges, teeming with hidden layers and positively bursting at the seams with emotional detail. It's also one made by the finest possible craftspeople, with Anderson and his three stars fashioning the cinematic equivalent of haute couture." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas (but the run is almost over). Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA A FANTASTIC WOMAN Won: Foreign Language Film What our critic said: "It can't be overstated how wonderful it is to see transgender representation on the big screen (no offence Eddie Redmayne, but this is how it should be). Vega's performance as Marina feels authentic, in no small part because it is authentic. Every movement, every delivery is subtle, considered and real." — Imogen Baker Where to watch it: In selected cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGa3M0hfTCo BLADE RUNNER 2049 Won: Visual Effects, Cinematography (Roger A. Deakins) What our critic said: "For a film that overwhelms with its extraordinary sights and echoing sounds, Blade Runner 2049 revels in the little things, and in the potent cumulative toll that they can have...Villeneuve achieves the cinematic equivalent, making each moment resound with meaning while honouring the legacy of the original." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=AHEl7Pji0f8 GET OUT Won: Original Screenplay (Jordan Peele) What our critic said: "One of the most assured, astute, entertaining and intelligent horror movies to creep out cinemas in years." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0UgXrhCPHo CALL ME BY YOUR NAME Won: Adapted Screenplay (James Ivory) What our critic said: "Weaved from quiet, tender, everyday encounters that pepper every love story, it swells and surges, taking both its characters and its viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Think of it as perhaps the greatest example of cinematic show and tell there is: to watch it is to experience the same heady, heated feelings as its central couple." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In selected cinemas (but the run is almost over). Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXZQ5DfSAAc I, TONYA Won: Actress in a Supporting Role (Allison Janney) What our critic said: "I, Tonya seems intent on reversing the popular consensus around its title character. The real Harding appeared at premieres of the film in the US, standing alongside Margot Robbie on the red carpet. But while she might finally have gotten the chance to prove she's not just the butt of a joke, you can't help but feel that the filmmakers – intentionally or not – treat her abuse as exactly that." — Kat Hayes Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review.
When opening Kissaten, owner Adam Wright sought to create a venue that reflected his partner's Japanese heritage while simultaneously acknowledging his own Australian background. This fusion of food cultures has created this gem of a cafe in Alphington. The space itself is light and airy, with simple furnishings and an ambient Japanese garden out the back for those sunny Melbourne days. Kissaten is dog-friendly, too, so don't be afraid to bring the pooch down for a puppycino. The menu here is long, so give yourself plenty of time to peruse before you order. If you're after pastry or a simple muffin, everything here is made in-house and is out-of-this-world tasty. There is, of course, the humble croissant, banana bread and chocolate brownie (all delicious), but it's hard to overlook the more indulgent cake options — think coconut and passionfruit polenta cake, matcha and white chocolate brownies and raspberry and pear teacakes. When it comes to its breakfast menu, treat yourself to anything from eggs on rice, porridge with cinnamon and coconut yoghurt, panco-crumbed milk toast or avocado and edamame on toast. For something richer, Kissaten offers up golden curries with carrot, peas and potato with your choice of protein, as well as breakfast ramens, bento bowls, karaage chicken burgers and a big breakfast with pork sausage, bacon, roast mushrooms, sautéed kale, roast tomato, croquettes and two eggs. There's a range of toasties and rolls, too, so literally everyone is covered. The katsu chicken toastie comes with tasty cheese, spinach and pickled onion, while the roast pumpkin toastie is packed full of pumpkin, shredded cabbage, pickled cucumber and red onion. Options abound at Kissaten as the team seamlessly blends Japanese flavours with contemporary Australian cafe culture.
If you plan to head to Shira Nui, be sure to book ahead, as this place often has a waiting list a month in advance. Opened twenty years ago by chef and owner Hiro Nishikura, Shira Nui is the type of restaurant where looks can be deceiving. Consistently considered in the top two or three Japanese restaurants in all of Melbourne, the humble interior of the restaurant serves to highlight the quality of the food while not overwhelming it. This place is serious about food yet fun and charming, with chef Hiro the life of the party. It's famous for its grilled oysters, and the bento boxes are favourites among locals, but you really can't go past the sushi and sashimi. The sushi selection includes salad rolls for vegetarians, California rolls, pan-fried salmon and even oyster sushi on request. But if you're after something more substantial, try the seared salmons served with a powerful shichimi powder, which is only lightly seared so the middle is still raw. Alternatively, the yakiniku beef with rice, scallions, and sauce is a delight. Be sure to follow the soya or no soya rules here, as the chefs have put a lot of thought into how the meals should be eaten, and remember each piece of sashimi is cut just to size to be the perfect mouthful. Pair it all with a few rounds of sake, and you'll be in for a delightful night out at Shira Nui — that is if you can get a seat. You can only book by phone so make sure you plan accordingly.
There's a reason Sydneysiders love their city so much. Beneath the reputation that our lovely lockout laws have un-wilfully bestowed on us, there's an unbeatable combination of food, drink, beaches and atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else in Australia. The trick is that you just have to know where to look for it. That's why we're here. If you're in the mood to treat yourself, book yourself a flight, then book yourself a room at Pullman Hyde Park (try and get the suite that's designed by Matt Blatt) then indulge in the luxury that Sydney has to offer. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we've created a guide so you can make sure you're getting the best of the best in a limited time frame. When you're in the mood for some sunshine — what's better than a spontaneous weekend trip? [caption id="attachment_587798" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Kepos Street Kitchen. Image: @stillsbyrash via Instagram.[/caption] SATURDAY On a quiet, leafy corner in Redfern, you'll find a laid back cafe serving some of the best brunches in town. It goes by the name of Kepos Street Kitchen, and it's the perfect place to start your weekend in Sydney. Israeli-born chef Michael Rantissi has earned a Good Food hat for his creative Middle Eastern dishes. Try the warm hummus with burnt butter, poached egg and taboon bread, or granola with berries and halva yoghurt. Whatever you order, the plates are designed for sharing, so get into sampling as many flavours as possible. From there, it's a half-hour stroll westwards through Redfern's park-dotted streets to Carriageworks. This left-of-field arts centre is housed inside the huge spaces of a former rail yard. At any given hour, you'll see art installations, dance experiments and live gigs. Saturday, though, is always farmer's market day, an event overseen by chef Mike McEnearney. More than 70 growers and producers congregate to peddle their organic and biodynamic wares. Try handmade sweet treats from The Dessert Makers, truffles from Hartley, the latest bakes from the Bread and Butter Project, goat's cheese from Willowbrae and loads more. You can coffee and dine on the spot, as there's plenty of freshly-cooked fare available, or stock up on picnic supplies. [caption id="attachment_587145" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Chowder Bay walking track.[/caption] Speaking of which, your next stop takes you to the harbour, where a good portion of any Sydney weekend should be spent. Jump on a ferry at Circular Quay bound for Taronga Zoo. Walk east and you'll soon find yourself on a track surrounded by bush, and weaving in and out of secret harbour beaches and lookouts. Keep an eye out for water dragons and kookaburras, as you continue for four kilometres, eventually landing in Chowder Bay. If the weather's nice (which it will be, it's Sydney), pack your swimmers because there's a harbour pool. A fine glass of red is on offer afterwards in the East Coast Lounge, alongside hand-stuffed olives with almond, lemon and chilli. Come evening, make your way to Potts Point, where a string of small bars and eateries have popped up over the past few months. A favourite with the locals for pre- (and post-) dinner cocktails is Jangling Jacks, opened in January this year by artist Orlan Erin Raleigh and her partner Jon Ruttan, founder and former owner of Mojo Record Bar. The walls are covered in classic rock 'n' roll posters — from Tom Waits to David Bowie — and the signature cocktail list features classics with a creative twist, like the Tiki's Hummingbird, which is margarita, with the addition of a homemade sherbet rim and a dash of orange blossom. [caption id="attachment_587146" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Powder Keg.[/caption] Just a stumble down the road, you'll arrive at The Powder Keg. This 17th century inspired hideaway owns the biggest collection of gin in the Southern Hemisphere. Take your pick with your tonic of choice or go for a cocktail, like the Honeymead Sour (vodka, apple liqueur, honeymead and organic cider). The quirky menu includes quail scotch egg with smoked potato, crispy pancetta and mushrooms, as well as oysters with gin and tonic sorbet. [caption id="attachment_587154" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Rose Bay.[/caption] SUNDAY There's no brighter way to start a Sydney Sunday than with a trip to Bondi Beach for brunch overlooking the ocean at Jo and Willys Depot Cafe. You can expect high standards — it's owned by a former Olympic sprinter by the name of Heather Turland and her son Guy, who's CV includes Icebergs. Tuck into the ultimate hippie breakfast: poached eggs on red rice and organic quinoa, piled with toasted seeds, hummus and kale chips. For the least interrupted views, grab a seat on the pavement. Once you're fuelled up, you'll be ready for a paddling adventure. Pop over to Rose Bay and hire a kayak from Rose Bay Aquatic Hire or Point Piper Kayak Centre. If you feel like playing it safe, keep to the shore, following it towards Point Piper or Vaucluse. Otherwise, get brave and paddle out to Shark Island, which lies about a kilometre from the shore. With its sandy beaches and grassy slopes, it's one of the prettiest islands in the harbour. Before landing, call (02) 9253 0888 to buy a national park entry ticket or, should you have a spare $3300 on you, hire the entire place for your own private use for the day. [caption id="attachment_587156" align="alignnone" width="1280"] 10 William St.[/caption] Next up, you're heading into town for a spot of lunch. In Paddington, swing by 10 William Street. Owned by the team behind Fratelli Paradiso, this pocket-sized bar is a simple, stripped-back and has excellent food and wine. On the international drinks list, you'll find drops from Italy, Portugal, France and Switzerland, while the tapas-style menu features dishes like citrus with white radicchio and black olives, and quail with sesame and daikon. Post boozy lunch, leave time for a casual stroll around Paddington. William Street is home to a handful of super-cute boutiques, selling everything from antiques to hair cuts to fancy clothes. Wander to Oxford Street, heading towards the city, to visit Parlour X, an extraordinary collection of designer fashion handpicked by Eva Galambos and occupying St Johns Church. Just down the hill, you'll come across Paddington Reservoir. Once Paddington's main water supply, it's now a sunken garden, inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. For the grand finale, you're heading to Circular Quay to visit the Pullman's newly opened Hacienda. This Cuban-inspired bar calls itself a 'botanical oasis'. Garden trestles and luxe pastel furniture are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, looking over Sydney Harbour and the city. The folks behind the design — Applejack Hospitality - have also taken care of Bondi Hardware, The Butler and Della Hyde. As you might've guessed, you'll be sipping on Cuban-influenced cocktails, like the Old Smoked Presidente (aged rum, orange curacao, dry vermouth, house-spiced raspberry syrup and Angostura bitter). Meanwhile, the menu represents a Cuban-American reunion, with fusions like yuka fries, buttermilk fried chicken and pork neck mojo. You also have the option to finish off your weekend with a drink at Mobius Bar and Grill — it's a convenient 500 metres away from the terminal at Sydney airport. Pullman Hotels and Resorts make a great base to explore Sydney for a weekend.
Born back in 2008, when Melbourne was just discovering its burgeoning coffee scene, Padre Coffee now has four locations across Australia including two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and another in Noosa. It's the Brunswick store that started it all, though, and to this day it retains the excitement and heady atmosphere of those early days of coffee explorations. The interior is fresh, light and airy with plenty of indoor plants offering up a welcome splash of green here and there. The vibe is bustling in, as its reputation stretches far and wide, and sitting back watching the coffee roasters and baristas work their magic is a big part of the charm. In terms of the coffee, there is a lot to choose from at Padre, with blends including its Golden Rule Espresso Blend with beans from Guatemala and Papua New Guinea and flavours of plum, dark chocolate, peach, macadamia, apricot and maple syrup. Another blend worth discovering is its Daddy's Girl espresso blend from Columbia and Brazil with notes of mellow caramel and sweet milk chocolate. If filtered coffee is more our thing there is a wide range here including the Hey Buddy blend with origins in Brazil and Ethiopia and hints of berries, apricot, caramel and hazelnut in the cup, as well as Gachatha AB Single Origin from Kenya, with intricate acidity and flavours of lemon, blueberry, brown sugar and blackberry. Padre Coffee also has a weekly Espresso 101 course, which runs for three hours and teaches you an understanding of espresso recipes, as well as a working familiarity with the equipment involved in making the perfect espresso. By the end of the day, you'll have expanded your knowledge of coffee and gained the skills to make it at home. Its website is also a handy resource for all things coffee, with special attention given to the sustainability and ethical side of the industry. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
If you've ever fancied a freshly cut and grilled steak at 3am on a Tuesday, Butchers Diner is one to add to your late-night list. The CBD diner serves up a full menu right up until midnight five days a week. Beginning as a storage space and deboning room for owner Con Christopoulos' nearby restaurant The European, the venue quickly realised its potential. The menu is made up of diner classics heavy on the meat, both because of the diner's initial purpose and the fact that both chefs are also butchers. Take the Coney Island chilli dog, the steak and eggs or the house-made blood sausage and devilled egg roll. If you're walking past and can't hack a full meal, grab a duck heart skewers to take away or a see vine of poutine. It also does dessert, making it a prime spot for post-dinner pop-in, including a sticky date pudding and tiramisu. It's a simple concept, but it's been well thought out — and it fills a gap for late night dining at the top end of the CBD.
Ronnie's prides itself as a vibrant Italian diner suited to any occasion and a place that exudes warmth and congeniality. Located inside a heritage brick facade in the heart of Melbourne, the interior is warm and airy with a relaxed and welcoming vibe. The staff here will serve you with a smile on their face while guiding you through the long list of pasta and unforgettable desserts. The starter menu includes dishes such as marinated olives, whipped cod and pickled mussels, while a serving of Adelaide Hills pork and fennel salami is not to be missed. For vegetarians, there's a roasted pumpkin salad with stracciatella and pumpkin seed dressing or their famous fermented potato focaccia. Pasta dishes include classics such as the spaghetti carbonara served with pancetta and the spicy fusilli alla vodka with whipped ricotta — this one is extra special. If you're after something more substantial then look towards the Southern Ranges eye fillet served with duck fat potato bake and green peppercorn jus. The dessert menu is especially impressive with choices including a baked cheesecake, chocolate torte, an affogato with Frangelico or Amaretto and limoncello float served with vanilla ice cream and lemonade. The wine list is another standout and easy to navigate, with a healthy list of wines by the glass including a Tuscan sangiovese, a Sicilian nero d'avola and some local favourites such as a Yarra Valley chardonnay. Images: Pete Dillon
