We've all been there. It's 6pm on a Wednesday. You've just commuted home from a long day at the office, and all you want is to switch your brain off with a good doom scroll. The temptation to tap your trusty delivery app in this moment is high. What could be easier than having a takeaway arrive straight to your door? But we all know the truth. From missing items to cold meals and soggy cardboard, the dream of a takeaway is often tastier than the reality. That's why we've partnered with MasterFoods™ to give you three quick and easy midweek dinner ideas that'll curb your cravings and save some precious dollars (and time) without compromising on flavour. Keep reading (and save this article) to have some easy mid-week meals in your kitchen arsenal. [caption id="attachment_1027005" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Zesty Chicken Wrap Rather than ordering a Greek wrap via delivery (which, realistically, will end up a soggy, mushy mess), this 25-minute dish will have you eating a fresh and flavoursome meal before the delivery driver has even left the restaurant. Ingredients: 500 grams of chicken breast MasterFoods™ Lemon and Pepper Seasoning 1 tbsp of olive oil 4 pitas or flatbreads Sliced red onion Sliced tomato Shredded Lettuce Crumbed Feta (optional) MasterFoods™ Zesty Lemon & Herb No Rules Sauce Method: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breast and MasterFoods™ Lemon and Pepper Seasoning. Cook until cooked through. Heat the pita in a dry pan or wrap in foil and warm in the oven for a couple of minutes. To serve, spread a generous spoonful of MasterFoods™ Zesty Lemon & Herb No Rules Sauce onto the warm pita, add your chicken, then top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and feta. Fold, serve and enjoy. [caption id="attachment_1027006" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Smokey BBQ Beef Burger Is there anything worse than a cold burger after a long day? (And dropping $30 for the privilege?) This Smokey BBQ Beef Burger takes just 30 minutes, makes four serves, and guarantees a hot, mouth-watering meal. Ingredients: 500g regular minced beef 1 tbsp MasterFoods™ All Purpose Seasoning 1 tbsp MasterFoods™ Smokey Barbecue Sauce ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 2 white onions, thinly sliced 1 egg 2 tbsp of olive oil 1 large tomato Iceberg lettuce Pickles Method: Add the minced beef, MasterFoods™ All Purpose Seasoning, egg and panko breadcrumbs into a bowl and mix until combined. Thinly slice the onions and squeeze out excess moisture to ensure extra crispiness. Divide the seasoned mince into four balls and set aside while you preheat the barbecue — no need to chill. Turn your barbecue flat plate or griddle to high and place the meatballs down, ensuring you have space between each to smash flat. Each meatball should be loaded with a generous handful of sliced onion before being smashed as flat as possible into the pan or barbecue plate. Cook for 3-4 minutes and flip. After another one to two minutes, add cheese, let it melt and remove from the heat. Toast your buns and load up with salad: tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, pickles, etc. Don't forget the MasterFoods™ Smokey Barbecue Sauce to top it off. Hot tip: If you're a huge fan of sauce, why not also add a squeeze of MasterFoods™ No Rules Zesty Lemon & Herb Sauce as well? [caption id="attachment_1030078" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] Chipotle Mushroom Tacos A guaranteed crowd pleaser, this vegan recipe will spice up your midweek dinner rotation. Featuring MasterFoods™ Taco Seasoning Mix of paprika, oregano and cumin, this four-serve recipe packs a punch and will be on your plate in just 30 minutes. Avoid the takeaway tax (and time) and turn your week around with these delicious mushroom tacos. Ingredients: 400g king oyster mushrooms 4 tbsp MasterFoods™ Taco Seasoning Mix 1 small white onion, finely diced 1 tsp tomato paste 2-3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for GF version) ¼ cup water 3 tbsp olive oil 1 ripe avocado MasterFoods™ Smokey Chipotle No Rules Sauce 2 limes, halved Pickled red onion Vine-ripened tomatoes, diced Lettuce Vegan sour cream 8 tortillas (flour or corn) Method: Rinse the mushrooms and remove and finely slice the caps. For the stems, make incisions with a fork and pull them apart with your fingers to resemble pulled pork. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan, add the chopped onion, and cook gently for about 10 minutes until translucent and lightly browned. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2-4 minutes until fragrant. Stir in four tablespoons of MasterFoods™ Taco Seasoning Mix and cook for one minute. Mix in the mushrooms, soy sauce, and water, cooking until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Season with pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Spread the pulled mushrooms on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 15 minutes to add a nice crunch. Assemble the tacos with pulled mushrooms, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickled onions, and add lime and vegan sour cream or MasterFoods™ Smokey Chipotle No Rules Sauce as a topping. Craving more flavour-packed ideas? Head to MasterFoods™ for inspiration. MasterFoods™ — You Made It. Lead image: Getty Images
If your wardrobe is looking a little tired and you're well overdue for a vintage shopping session, then Melbourne, this weekend is your time to shine. From 10am–4pm on Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, a group of the inner north's best-loved vintage and retro stores are joining forces for a huge celebration of pre-loved wares. Meet the Smith Street Vintage Trail. Dotted along the Smith Street strip, you'll find traders throwing open their doors for some great shopping, lively tunes and other activities. Sally's Retro Fashion is running mini styling sessions, Monkey Jar will host a runway show dedicated to retro threads and sequins, and Shappere Vintage Clothing is handing out free drinks and discounts. Nearby, Recycled Delightful has planned a vintage market and treasure hunt, while Memorabilia on Smith is set to host a garage sale, complete with giveaways for the kids. And at Plug Seven Records, you'll be able to shop new and pre-loved vinyl while enjoying live tunes courtesy of The Psychedelic Freaks. More entertainment will be dished up by the likes of Jack Lynch and What The Funk Brass Band, plus there'll be plenty of slick vintage cars to check out, too. Images: Monkey Jar
When Arelhe Urrperle walks the earth, people will take notice. Spying a six-metre-tall puppet that weighs 600 kilograms wandering around is bound to draw attention. Seeing it mosey through Alice Springs Desert Park, sharing Arrernte stories and language, will be a main attraction at 2024's Parrtjima — A Festival in Light, in fact — and just one of the reasons that this Indigenous arts festival should be on your itinerary this autumn as well. Erth, which has also brought dinosaurs and sharks to life around the country in the past — and held prehistoric picnics featuring puppets — is behind Arelhe Urrperle. In New South Wales, Marri Dyin, which also reaches six metres in height, has taken a stroll at Vivid Sydney 2018 and 2019, plus at the Nights on Crown Festival in Wollongong in 2019. Arelhe Urrperle will be specific to the Red Centre, however, and see Erth's puppeteers train local Indigenous performers to operate the roving puppet for Parrtjima's 2024 run. The dates to head along: Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21. Representing Arelhe matriarchs, Arelhe Urrperle is one of this year's signature installations — and a new addition to Parrtjima for 2024. Fancy feasting your eyes on illuminated cars that form a collage of work celebrating Eastern, Western and Central language groups? Walking through an immersive passageway that pays tribute to late Arrernte leader Dr MK Turner? Thanks to fellow installations Arrernte and Honouring, they're also on the festival's just-announced program. One of the Northern Territory's annual highlights — and one of its dazzling sights, alongside natural features Uluru, the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon, plus nightly light show Wintjiri Wiru, as well as Bruce Munro's Field of Light and Light Towers — this First Nations arts, culture and storytelling festival takes place against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. Comine that setting with art, music, talks, workshops and more, and a unique festival awaits. 2024 marks the ninth Parrtjima, with its ten-night lineup focusing on the importance of interconnectedness across First Nations culture for this year. That'll partly happen through two things that are always on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. The Ranges Light Show will take over additional projection space in 2024, while Grounded will become more interactive. From there, the program includes a three-night marketplace for the first time in the fest's history. The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) Buy Blak Market will feature both food and other products from local Aboriginal businesses. On the music roster, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shellie Morris, Miiesha and Mulga Bore Hard Rock will take to the stage. Cassar-Daley and Morris are also on the talks lineup, alongside Floyd Doyle and Dr Josie Douglas. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will return from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21, 2024, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light / Arelhe Urrperle images by Steven Woodburn. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
The owners of Hawthorn's Nevermind Bar really outdid themselves when they opened a sophisticated wine bar around the block. Gone are the dive bar-esque stylings of the former — in their place is a classed-up affair of polished cement, hanging greenery and high ceilings, all of which centre on a wrap-around marble bar. Luton Lane is a European-style wine bar through and through. Behind that bar (and in the fully stocked wine fridge) there are over 100 bottles of wine, with a whopping 17 by the glass ($10–14). Those focus on natural drops and span labels from France, Spain and Argentina, along with quite a few from Victoria's wine regions. At the moment, the must-try is the natural fermentation sparkling by French winemaker Varichon & Clerc. Other than wine, there are two beer taps and batched classic cocktails by Melbourne's Everleigh Bottling Co. — including the martini, negroni, manhattan and old-fashioned. Grab a seat at that bar or in the leafy outdoor balcony and get to sipping. The kitchen does Spanish-style bar snacks that change regularly. Think crumbed and fried cherry bocconcini with rosemary ($12), and dutch carrots and chick peas topped with a buckwheat crumble ($10). There's also a trio of charred skewers on offer, including aged wagyu rump with green sauce, shallot and cider chorizo and paprika and oregano chicken ($18 each). As with any great wine bar, the cheese and charcuterie game is strong — the latter includes specialties like chicken and black truffle terrine ($16) and Spanish tinned stuffed squid in ink ($12). If you've gathered a big group, you can nab the four-course tasting menu for $39 per person, with matched natural wines for an additional $40.
Established in 2009 to discuss difficult issues, push boundaries and inspire debate, Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas has spent a decade exploring provocative topics — and it's celebrating its tenth anniversary in the same fashion. This year's event will tackle the theme 'dangerous realities', focusing specifically on racism, surveillance and climate change. After postponing its weekend-long Town Hall event in April due to the government's ban on non-essential gatherings over 500 people, FODI has decided to return next month with a succinct digital program for 2020. It's called FODI Digital, aptly — and fans will be happy to hear that headliner Edward Snowden is still on the docket. The whistleblower will — of course — examine the reality of mass governmental surveillance system. As expected, he was always planned to appear via livestream rather than in person, so not much has changed. The one-hour conversation will take place on Thursday, September 24 from 7pm. Alongside Snowden, the program features Professor Marcia Langton AM on Thursday, September 10 and Journalist David Wallace-Wells on Saturday, October 11. Langton will discuss the truth about racism in relation to Australia's Indigenous people, as well as our society's resistance to accepting our racist past. Meanwhile, Wallace-Wells will dissect the climate crisis in a conversation titled The Uninhabitable Earth. As all events will be live-streamed, tickets will cost just $10 for Langton and Wallace-Wells and just $15 for Snowden — or nab tickets to all three for $30. FODI is presented by The Ethics Centre, who co-founded the fest with the Sydney Opera House, then partnered with UNSW for the 2018 version of the event on Cockatoo Island. While this year's digital season is decidedly different from past iterations, it still boasts the fest's usual high-calibre range of speakers — so another eyeopening FODI season awaits. FODI Digital will take place across three separate online conversations on Thursday, September 10; Thursday, September, 24; and Saturday, October 11. For tickets, visit the festival's website. Top image: Jodie Barker
Fifty years, oh-so-many epic campaigns, and everything from movies to video games, too: that's the Dungeons & Dragons story. 2024 marks half a century since the tabletop roleplaying game first had its players rolling the dice and spinning fantasy tales, a milestone that's being celebrated Down Under with the Australasian premiere of Dungeons & Dragons' leap to the stage. Get ready for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Normally a trip to the theatre means engaging via watching, not by playing a part; however, that fittingly isn't the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern experience. Audience members don't simply view this version of the game, which is also currently running off-Broadway — they also play along, choosing the characters and helping shape the story. Here's how it works, as Australians will discover when DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern hits the Sydney Opera House Studio from Sunday, December 15, 2024: when you take your seat, you're a key aspect of the show. Entering the Forgotten Realms, you also pick the experiences and other elements of the performance using Gamiotics software, with more than 30 playable characters, 34 backgrounds and 28 combat effects involved. Still on numbers, the production also features 40-plus custom character illustrations, 40 item cards and over 300 individual pieces of content. Five actors take to the stage to bring all of the above to life, including via games, combat, puzzles and riddles — and, because of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern's interactive nature, they're not just performing the same roles each time. Shaking things up for the audience and the cast alike, this experience is never the same twice. "As passionate gamers and D&D players, the creators of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern set off on a quest to explore what a live interactive experience of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS could look like. What started as a D&D-style RPG onstage with folding tables and a box of props has grown beyond our wildest imagination — it's now an experience that has allowed us to forge a deep connection with gamers and non-gamers alike, with each night seeing the story play out in a way unique to that audience," explains co-creator and producer David Carpenter. "Dungeons & Dragons has an enduring and near-mythic appeal across generations, with so many adaptations and features in pop-culture moments over the past 50 years. But it's safe to say, no one has done anything like DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern before – and we're thrilled to be giving audiences the first chance to see it outside the US," adds Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance Ebony Bott. "This theatrical production captures the imagination, inviting everyone to join the adventure and interact with a new world from the moment they walk in the door." DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern will play the Sydney Opera House Studio from Sunday, December 15, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more details — and for pre-sale tickets from 9am on Tuesday, September 10 and general sales from 9am on Thursday, September 12. Images: Bronwen Sharp.
Sleek and chic, Shadowboxer makes for a pretty fine post-work destination. It has a succinct list of local wines by the glass, fancy cocktails — including negronis aged in French oak — and refined bar snacks. Settle in with rabbit and pork terrine, kangaroo tartare and charcuterie. Or, head in between 3-6pm to catch the daily aperitivo hour.
On Tuesday, December 17, Chef Keisuke Kita (ex-Nobu and Sushi Baby) quietly opened his 28-seat omakase-style restaurant Nori Maki in Melbourne's CBD. Here, Kita and his crew are combining traditional Japanese cuisine and culinary techniques with contemporary Californian and Melburnian style — placing made-to-order handrolls at the very core of the dining experience. But don't expect your big Aussie-style sushi rolls. These are significantly more classic in their delivery, although Kita has played a little with the recipe, crafting them with a higher nori to rice ratio — really driving that umami flavour home. And while it isn't strictly an omakase restaurant, it is giving real omakase energy. Twenty-three of the 28 seats are overlooking the kitchen, giving you the opportunity to watch the chefs create each of the dishes before serving you directly. Price-wise, you'll also be pleasantly surprised to see a less-than-daunting bill grace the table after experiencing a proper feed at Nori Maki. Its generous set menu omakase experience only costs $69, and it comes with a sashimi plate, four handrolls, a signature roll, chawanmushi and a dessert. That's a damn good price for these eats, especially considering Kita's impressive experience. Not only has he worked as the Head Sushi Chef at Nobu in Melbourne and helped open Atlantic Group's Sushi Baby, but his entire family has a long tradition of working in this field. His family's culinary heritage spans over 180 years and is associated with the highly prestigious Shijoryu cooking tradition. By striking out on his own, he now has a lot more space to play with the art of sushi-making, putting his own contemporary twist on handrolls. Just make sure you get in early as it looks like this small fine-diner is going to fill up fast. You'll find Nori Maki at 7/235 Bourke St, Melbourne (within the newly redeveloped Tivoli Arcade), open 11.30am–9pm from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, you can check out the venue's Instagram.
Beach season might be done and dusted, but you've just scored a whole bunch of new reasons to keep the Mornington Peninsula on your radar this winter. And they're all sitting under the one roof, within the newly revamped Continental Sorrento. The hotly anticipated redevelopment is finally complete, with the doors now open to its suite of food and drink venues helmed by Scott Pickett (Estelle, Matilda) and Craig Shearer (The Terminus Fitzroy North, Brisbane's The Plough). And in its latest incarnation, the 150-year-old limestone pub truly has something for every palate. First up, there's luxe speakeasy Barlow, with its dapper old-world interiors, wide-ranging entertainment program and drinks offering led by the Speakeasy Group (Eau de Vie, Nick & Nora's, Mjolner). It's serving masterful cocktails alongside Pickett's menu of New York-style pizzas and elegant late-night snacks. [caption id="attachment_848433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barlow, by Gareth Sobey[/caption] Taking a more casual bent are the terrazzo-floored public bar and lofty, glass-ceilinged beer garden, with its abundance of greenery. A large open kitchen services both, plating up a menu of contemporary seaside pub grub alongside a selection of modern Asian dishes you'll recognise from Pickett's Melbourne restaurant Longrain. Snacks here might include the likes of spanner crab and prawn spring rolls, a heart of palms taco, or beef skewers with ume furikake and sesame miso; while a seafood platter stars goodies like scallop ceviche and Moreton Bay bug. Elsewhere, there's a range of meaty things cooked on the Josper grill, a lineup of burgers and pizzas, a lively salmon salad featuring ruby grapefruit, a wagyu bolognese rigatoni and an ode to the classic parma. And in the Longrain corner, expect plates like the lamb Penang curry, a punchy green papaya salad and a pad Thai loaded with tiger prawns. You'll be washing it down with a solid range of craft brews, a slew of signature cocktails and a Victorian-focused wine offering. [caption id="attachment_852415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The public bar, by Greg Elms Photography[/caption] Meanwhile, the Atrium is your light-filled destination for chic all-day wining and dining, complete with its own caviar service. Breeze in for freshly shucked oysters, a club sandwich, spanner crab farfalle or the aforementioned seafood platter. And if you're aiming even higher, look no further than resident fine diner, Audrey's, which takes its name from Pickett's own grandmother and cooking muse. It's an elegant set menu affair, with a $150 per person offering that heroes plenty of fresh seafood to complement the sweeping bay views. Here, you're in for plates like barbecued abalone, local squid done with shiitake XO and roquette flowers, and King George whiting paired with yellow beans and roast onion. Rounding out the fun is a series of stunning function spaces, as well as cocktail bar Coppin's Lounge, which is slated to open soon. Find The Continental Sorrento at 1-21 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. For opening hours of each of the venues, see the website. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen and Greg Elms Photography
Repeated lockdowns might have given you a newfound passion for cooking. Or, maybe it saw you burn right through your repertoire of go-to recipes and left you in desperate need of some fresh inspiration. Either way, there's always a spot on your cookbook shelf for a new title full of recipes from a celebrated local chef. Here, we've rounded up a tidy pick of books penned by homegrown kitchen heroes, including the talent behind some of Melbourne's favourite restaurants. Learn to whip up proper Italian comfort food with Guy Grossi, cook an authentic Vietnamese feast under the guidance of Jerry Mai, or let Shannon Martinez show you the secrets of knock-their-socks-off vegan cooking. Your kitchen skills will get a timely refresh, dinnertime will be loads more exciting and we reckon you'll score some serious brownie points from your housemates or boo, too. SICILIANO, BY JOE VARGETTO Melbourne is no stranger to Joe Vargetto's contemporary Southern Italian cooking, which has been showcased for many years at his two dining institutions, Mister Bianco and Massi. But now, you can recreate the award-winning chef's signature flavours at home, thanks to his cookbook release Siciliano: Contemporary Sicilian. Like the menus in his restaurants, the dishes in this black leather-bound cookbook were influenced by Vargetto's own heritage, while nodding to both traditional flavours and modern technique. Admire the glossy food photographs and childhood flashback shots, in between whipping up dishes like squid ink risotto, handmade cavatelli with lemon verbena, parmesan-crusted veal sirloin and a watermelon jelly cake. STREET FOOD VIETNAM, BY JERRY MAI If you've visited her CBD restaurant Annam or her Glen Waverley beer hall Bia Hoi, you'll have already fallen in love with Jerry Mai's fun, flavour-packed take on Vietnamese food. And you can continue that love affair by getting your hands on the chef-restaurateur's 70-recipe book, Street Food: Vietnam. Packed with colourful imagery and approachable instructions, it'll have you recreating your favourite Viet dishes, as well as inspiring a few new culinary acquaintances. Trip through the cuisine's many regional nuances, while mastering creations like prawn dumplings, a classic banh mi, and the grilled pork and vermicelli dish known as bun thit nuong. And of course, this one's got some pho-nomenal soup recipes to have a crack at, too. [caption id="attachment_815087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Bec Hudson and Emily Weaving, taken from 'Beatrix Bakes', Natalie Paull (Hardie Grant Books 2020).[/caption] BEATRIX BAKES, BY NATALIE PAULL If you've ever found yourself salivating at the stunning handmade treats beckoning from the counter of North Melbourne bakery Beatrix, this one's for you. Founder and all-around baking queen Natalie Paull released her first cookbook last year, sharing tips, tricks and other general cake-related goodness in one 256-page sugar-dusted bible. Beatrix Bakes is a complete sweet tooth's delight, guiding readers through the basics of baking, while also offering advice for turning things around when projects don't come out quite as planned. It's brimming with signature Beatrix recipes that'll level up your afternoon tea game and leave your kitchen smelling heavenly. Plus, the photographs of freshly baked treats will surely have you swooning. VEGAN WITH BITE, BY SHANNON MARTINEZ As the chef behind Melbourne plant-based icons Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli, Shannon Martinez is renowned for pushing the envelope when it comes to innovative vegan eats. Her clever dishes are adored by vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike, turning preconceptions about plant-based dining completely on its head. Martinez's latest cookbook Vegan With Bite is a beautifully presented study on how to make food that's sustainable, adventurous and lip-smackingly good. In between tips on limiting waste and secrets to a slew of handy homemade condiments, you'll find recipes for elevated everyday dishes like a laksa made from scratch, a radicchio and peach salad, and the legendary Smith & Daughters French toast. IGNI: A RESTAURANT'S FIRST YEAR, BY AARON TURNER Geelong's tiny fine diner Igni might have space for little more than 26 guests, but it's earned itself one very big reputation, widely considered to be one of Victoria's top regional restaurants. The man behind it, chef Aaron Turner, opened the doors in 2016 and in his cookbook Igni: A Restaurant's First Year he invites readers along for some of that ride. It's not only a compelling deep-dive into the Igni backstory — highs and lows, included — but shares insight into Turner's recipe development and features exceptional photos by the award-winning Julian Kingma. Try dishes like the warm charred cabbage salad, the hay-smoked duck or the salt and vinegar saltbush, and bring a little fine diner magic to your own kitchen. [caption id="attachment_616735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Colin Page[/caption] BRAE: RECIPES AND STORIES FROM THE RESTAURANT, BY DAN HUNTER One of the country's most lauded restaurants and a regular on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, Dan Hunter's Brae is a true Aussie culinary icon. But of course, the Birregurra fine diner's $300 set menu isn't quite within everyone's budget. While the experience is well worth the splurge, you can get a much more wallet-friendly taste by picking up a copy of Brae: Recipes and Stories From the Restaurant. In it, you'll read Hunter's thoughts on how the concept of place has impacted his cooking and made Brae what it is today. Compelling stories are interspersed with vibrant imagery by photographer Colin Page, and recipes for signature creations like the prawns with finger lime and nasturtium, and the tomatoes 'in seawater'. [caption id="attachment_815286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Jo McGann[/caption] SUPERNORMAL, BY ANDREW MCCONNELL Andrew McConnell's mod-Asian concept Supernormal has become a staple of Flinders Lane's dining scene since opening there in 2014. And it can become a fixture of your cookbook shelf, too. Namesake book Supernormal is a 260-page homage to the renowned restaurant, offering both a behind-the-scenes glimpse and a collection of recipes plucked from its menu archives. Treat your eyes to captivating shots by Earl Carter, while you decide what to make for dinner next. Will it be the pork tonkatsu sandwiches, the XO pipis with fried bread, or maybe the spicy pork and eggplant noodles with Sichuan sauce? Or perhaps the legendary kewpie-laced lobster roll? CELLAR BAR, BY GUY GROSSI Melbourne culinary legend Guy Grossi (Grossi Florentino, Ombra, Arlechin) has penned a whole swag of cookbooks nodding firmly to his Italian heritage and cooking style. The latest, titled Cellar Bar, is a tribute to Florentino's own iconic Cellar Bar — something of a guidebook for home cooks wanting to capture the essence of Italian hospitality and European comfort food. Between its covers, you'll find 80 simple, yet satisfying recipes, sure to delight all your future Italophile dinner guests. Think: oysters with a cucumber shallot dressing, homemade brioche buns stuffed with pistachio gelato, and of course, plenty of primo pasta dishes. [caption id="attachment_815486" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Ben Dearnley[/caption] IN PRAISE OF VEG, BY ALICE ZASLAVSKY MasterChef alum, food writer and presenter Alice Zaslavsky (aka Alice in Frames) is championing the humble vegetable in her 2020 book In Praise of Veg. It's a fun, colourful celebration of plant-based ingredients that promises to shake up your side dishes and take your meat-free Mondays to a whole new level. Embark on an in-depth exploration of 50 different common vegetable varieties and see them brought to life across more than 150 approachable recipes. Impress your housemates by whipping up the likes of salt-baked butterflied celeriac cheese, Sichuan-style sticky eggplant and a 'no tears' onion soup. Plus, you'll discover plenty of other tips, tricks and tasty shortcuts that'll promote your veggie crisper to the best-loved compartment of your fridge. CHIN CHIN: THE BOOK, WITH RECIPES BY BENJAMIN COOPER It's no secret Chin Chin is one of Melbourne's best-known restaurants, famed for its no-bookings policy and the constant queues of eager diners trailing from its door. But you won't have to line up to sink your teeth into Chin Chin: The Book at home. More than simply a cookbook, this one digs right into the Chin Chin story, exploring how it came to be the icon it is today. The pages also play host to a graphically illustrated backstory by illustrator Sacha Bryning, along with plenty of dreamy food photos by Adrian Lander. And the recipes by Head Chef Benjamin Cooper include a stack of tried-and-true Chin Chin classics — think, kingfish sashimi, chicken and prawn Vietnamese slaw, beef pad seuw, coconut panna cotta and more. Top Images: Imagery by Hi Sylvia, taken from 'Siciliano', Joe Vargetto; and 'Supernormal' captured by Jo McGann
Peanut butter and whiskey may not be your first choice of flavour combinations. But once you take that first sip, you'll realise it opens up a whole different way to drink. Skrewball is the first brand to blend American whiskey with peanut butter, which has lead to a nutty sweet creation with just enough salt to keep things balanced. This innovative whiskey has incited a flavour revolution globally and opened up endless possibilities for creative cocktail variations. But unlike most novelty spirits, it doesn't need a full bar setup to be useful. You can drink it straight, mix it with one ingredient or take it a step further. Here are five ways to give it a proper go, starting simple, then building up from there. Let's dive in. The Salty Nuts Shot This one's as simple as it gets: just pour a shot of Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey in a salt-rimmed glass. It's probably the best way to taste the whisky on its own and the salt helps bring out the roasted flavour and tone down the sweetness. It's not subtle, but it is fun. And once you try it, it'll probably make more sense why this whisky has taken off. Get the recipe Nutty Cola Whiskey and cola has always been a classic, and Skrewball slides into the combo pretty comfortably. The caramel in the cola blends with the peanut butter flavour to give you something sweet, a little nutty and very easy to drink. Add a squeeze of lime if you like it sharp. This one's good for people who want to try something different without overthinking it. Get the recipe Nutty Transfusion This is where things start to get a bit more interesting. Known as the Nutty Transfusion, this combo pairs Skrewball with grapefruit juice, lime juice and a splash of ginger ale. It's bright and bitter, which cuts through the richness of the whiskey. It's also easy to adjust to your taste. Just add more grapefruit for extra bite, more ginger ale for fizz, or more Skrewball if you're into the sweeter side. Get the recipe Skrewball Ice Cream Less cocktail, more dessert in disguise. To nail this recipe, all you have to do is drop a scoop of coffee ice cream into a glass of Skrewball, add a couple of coffee-infused ice cubes and call it a day. It's cold, creamy and just boozy enough. If you're craving an affogato after dinner, this will do the trick. Get the recipe Try it With… Basically Anything Once you've had a taste of peanut butter whiskey, it's not hard to start experimenting. Skrewball works surprisingly well with ingredients you might already have on hand, like soda water, coconut milk, sour mix, iced coffee, and other flavoured liqueurs. It doesn't always need to be complicated, sometimes it's just about swapping it in where you'd usually use a regular whiskey, and seeing what happens. Get more ideas Whether you're a whiskey fanatic or just want to mix something that tastes good and impresses your guests, now you've got five excuses to try that bottle. Just don't be surprised if it ends up being your new favourite. Explore more Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey recipes on the website.
Self-described "Larry Bird of pubs", the Prince Alfred Hotel is committed to doing simple things really well by mastering the fundamentals of what makes a good pub experience. It promises a wide wine list with vinos that are interesting but not intimidating, crisp cold beer — there are 12 rotating taps of independent craft beer alongside Carlton Draft of course — and food that looks as good as it tastes served by a welcoming and efficient team. The kitchen is open every day of the week from 12–9pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Like any good neighbourhood gastropub, they have a schedule of events to suit everyone. Join them for Happy Hour from Monday—Friday from 3–6pm. Tuesday is burger day, Wednesday is steak night, Thursday is Parma Disco with $20 parmas and disco tunes from 6–9pm, and Sunday is roast lunch day from 12–9pm (or until sold out) where you're served beautifully cooked roast (cut rotates weekly) served with seasonal sides and house-made gravy. Not to be outdone, there's also live acoustic music every Sunday from 3.30–6.30pm, line up a roast dinner and you've got an ideal Sunday arvo in Port Melbourne. During the winter months, Prince Alfred Hotel opening hours vary during winter: Monday–Thursday 12–10pm, Friday–Saturday 12–1am, Sunday 12–10pm
Abbotsford bar and bistro Molli comes courtesy of the Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine, Liminal, Common Ground Project and Heide Kitchen). Each of Mulberry's venues is bucket list-worthy, and Molli seems to be no exception. Former Hazel Head Chef and Abbotsford resident Aleksis Kalnins is running the kitchen here, plating up contemporary Australian fare. Plenty of produce is sourced from the building's own rooftop garden, as well as the group's regenerative farm in Freshwater Creek. The menu features snacking plates like pork neck skewers with date pûrée, smoked eggplant with chickpea miso and seaweed crackers with mushroom ketchup. You can come in for a little sip and snack session with these or dive into the more substantial dishes. A rotating selection of two pastas — made fresh onsite every morning — will always feature on the menu, complementing permanent mains like wagyu rump steak, whole alpine trout with horseradish and pork crackling and spatchcock with preserved lemon. Kalnins is big on technique but is keeping things deceptively simple at Molli. Instead of overloading a dish with ingredients, only a few thoughtfully selected ingredients will feature in each playful but approachable dish. Kayla Saito — the brains behind Hazel's and Dessous' ever-changing beverage lineup — has designed a drinks list that's described as "relaxed but thoughtful" and with a deep sustainability ethos. Saito collaborates closely with the kitchen when formulating the funky tipples, which celebrate small-batch, local spirits. The cocktail menu includes a rotating offer of seven cocktails in core styles — such as a spritz, a sour and a martini — as well as seven zero-proof alternatives like water kefir and kombucha. Punches served in vintage bowls are also available for groups. The wine list, which comes courtesy of Andre Magneklint (ex-Bahama Gold and Old Palm Liquor), showcases a broad yet accessible selection of vinos. You'll find familiar varietals from well-known regions, as well as plenty of hidden gems that you're unlikely to have tried before. Craft spirits and draught beer from Clayton's Two Rupees round out the drinks lineup. And to set the vibe within the bistro and bar, the team has enlisted the help of local record store Dutch Vinyl to curate a monthly-changing vinyl soundtrack. Molli also boasts a private dining room, as well as a large rooftop space that can be booked for private events. The rooftop has its own bar and kitchen, making it primed for summertime parties in Abbotsford.
As the state capital and one of the region's most vibrant cities, Sydney is bursting at the seams with diverse cultural happenings. Luckily, we're here to guide you. We've rounded up a trifecta of the most thrilling and culturally important experiences over the coming months.
With a cafe, food store and classroom — all with a firm focus on formaggio — That's Amore is a veritable haven for cheese lovers. Founded by a Sicilian cheesemaker and now main cheese supplier for top eateries all across Melbourne, this award-winning producer sure knows its stuff. The retail space at the Thomastown headquarters is a one-stop shop for dairy delights, boasting a broad-ranging deli selection that heroes That's Amore's own famed mozzarella and ricotta varieties, alongside both Italian and local grocery staples. An expert selection of cured meats, antipasti items and fresh bread is the stuff of seriously enviable cheese boards. The newly minted That's Amore Gelato range is also on show, featuring dreamy artisan gelato and gelato-based desserts. As for the cafe, it's a cheery spot for settling in over a coffee and some cheese-infused fare. The new weekend brunch menu (available from 8am–3pm) makes a star of the house cheese creations, with the likes of bagels loaded with crumbed caciotta cheese, rocket and fried egg, the fresh burrata teamed with smashed avo and a homemade potato rosti, and ricotta scrambled eggs starring pork and fennel sausage. The stuffed porchetta rolls and oozy cannoli prove ever-popular, or you can go the whole hog with one of the cheese platters.
Soaring 55 storeys above Melbourne's CBD in the Rialto building, Vue de Monde does what it says on the tin — and that's offer world-class views. But you'd be wrong to think the vistas are the drawcard. Headed up by celebrated Australian chef Shannon Bennett, Vue de Monde is one of the top restaurants in the country and known for its theatrical approach to fine dining. First up, the interiors, designed by local architecture firm Elenberg Fraser, are inspired by the Australian landscape — think black basalt bars, bespoke kangaroo fur chairs and corrugated iron walls. The Australiana theme carries through to the food, with its Chef's Tasting Menu championing native Australian ingredients thanks to Executive Chef Hugh Allen. The menu changes regularly but, to give you an idea, you could be sitting down to dishes like oysters with native citrus, Western Australian marron curry, and cantaloupe and green ants. It's one of the finest degustations in town — and one that'll set you back $310 per person. If you're keen to hit up the famed fine diner but without the commitment to the pricey degustation, head to Lui Bar. The Lui Bar menu takes the concept of drinking snacks to new heights, showcasing clever technique as it reimagines classic Aussie flavours. Think, seafood rolls, handmade beef sausage rolls with a spicy ketchup and the chocolate lamington filled with raspberry gel. Alongside some exceptional cocktails, a standout wine list and incredible views, no less.
Something is simmering in Collingwood. Pincho Disco is Collingwood's latest hot spot, set to open its doors on Friday, November 17. Expect passion, flavour and a whole lot of fun from this modern take on Latin American cuisine. Head Chef Diego Cardenas brings a wealth of experience from his travels working in kitchens across Colombia, Peru and Spain. He's worked with big names like Harry Sasson and honed his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens. Now, Cardenas is pouring his expertise into Pincho Disco's dishes — and, let's just say, Bogotá's loss is Melbourne's gain. Cardenas' menu is a homage to the diversity of Latin American cuisine, with a nod to Nikkei-style dishes that artfully blend Japanese techniques with Peruvian flavours and creations that reflect the Italian influence in Argentina. Some standout dishes include the tostada with octopus and Peruvian olive, the Argentinean-style woodfired provoleta and a range of ceviche that takes you on a seafood odyssey across South America. And for those with a sweet tooth, there'll be a soft serve of the day with a twist, with the first being a nod to a classic Peruvian beverage, chicha morada. Expect live music and performers, DJs, Brazilian drummers and saxophone players creating a rhythmic backdrop to your dining experience. Every meal will be a party. The interiors by Studio Tate are playful yet moody, with textured walls, coloured tiles and an eclectic mix of South American influences. Each space across the two floors offers a distinct vibe, with a bustling open kitchen and bar and lounge area downstairs and a second bar and dining area upstairs overlooking the fun below. Pincho Disco opens its doors on Friday, November 17. Find it at 59 Cambridge Street, Collingwood.
Before Union House was Union House, it was neighbourhood favourite Union Dining. As with many good things, it came to an end, and in February this year Nicky Riemer and Adam Cash closed the doors to the Swan Street space. But now the crew from Marquis of Lorne has Fitzroy moved in. It can be daunting taking over a venue that was already a favourite. But the re-fit has been done tastefully and the food and drink offerings are so good, Union House looks set to become one in its own right. What about the old adage that you can't please all the people all the time? Yeah, nah — out the window at Union House. This place has drawcards coming out its ears. First and foremost it's a pub — so if you're after a couple of pints of local craft beer and a burger, you can get some great versions of those. The rockling burger ($19) is made up of a well-crumbed rockling (a saltwater fish, for the uninitiated), chilli and cos on a brioche bun. It's the perfect size to get your mouth around and fills a sizeable gap. If you're after more bistro-style fare, they have that too — snacks, starters, mains and steaks. The only reason you'll be frowning here is because choosing is hard. Will you have the roast chicken breast and confit leg ($29)? Or the grilled pork loin with braised beans and gravy ($26)? Vegetarians are well catered for as well, with several interesting options. The smoked eggplant with tahini labneh ($14) has a lovely lemon twist and it's melt-in-your-mouth delicious, especially when scooped up with toasted flatbread. Combining healthy and tasty, the ricotta and semolina dumplings in broccoli broth ($22) are a lighter, smoother take on traditional gnocchi. As well as beer, there's a beautiful French-inflected wine list. If there are a few of you, and you're in for the long haul, there's a menu just for magnums and they're available in fizz, pink, orange and red. Depending on your mood, and the weather, you can enjoy the open bar area downstairs — with its booths and high tables — or head up the stairs to the dining room made cosy by the Cheminees Philippe fireplace. For sunny days, or just because you like rooftops, there's an upstairs terrace with a bar, lots of wooden furniture and plants. Union House is casual and unpretentious. You can wheel in your pram and park it next to a booth, bring a date here on a Friday night or meet up with some friends and work your way through a magnum and the menu. Images: Letícia Almeida.
If you frequent the city centre it's likely that you walked past the boarded up, Bourke Street shopfront of Tim Ho Wan at some point. It's felt like years since the announcement that the lauded dumpling den was coming to Melbourne, and after what turned out to a trying journey to turn a retail space into a hospitality venue, the restaurant has finally pulled down it's cladding. And now that it's open, it's set to be a surefire hit for the Melbourne food scene. From its humble beginnings as a 20-seater outpost in Hong Kong's Mong Kok, the restaurant now has 24 restaurants across South East Asia and Australia (including four in Sydney). Possessing a Michelin star, Tim Ho Wan is one of very few, affordable starred restaurants. And as a result of this badge of honour, the menu presents a few options that aren't the norm in Australia's dim sum circles. Turnip cakes (fish maw — we had to Google it), and steamed egg cakes are some of the not-so often encountered menu items on offer at Tim Ho Wan. Some other interesting dishes included the wasabi salad prawn dumpling ($7.80 for three), the crispy spring rolls filled with egg white ($6 for three) and the spinach dumplings with prawns ($7.80 for three). By the way, the pan-fried turnip cake ($6) left the table divided, but it's worth giving it a go if you're ok with a soggy hash brown texture. On the other hand, the not-quite-savoury, not-quite-sweet steamed egg cake ($5.80) was a definite crowd pleaser. The famous baked barbecue pork buns ($7.80 for three) are a must-have, and are worth waiting for on their own. As everything is made to order, the menu is on the smaller side, but a few more substantial items do feature, including congee and rice dishes. Unfortunately, there's a noticeable lack of vegetarian options. In all though, it's a tailored experience with great service — bells sit on every table to call your waiter when required — and the experience left us with a reinvigorated view of dim sum and what can be done with this most delicious of eating rituals. Tim Ho Wan seems to nail the precise energy that feels very typical of Hong Kong's dim sum haunts. Everything feels well-crafted but delivered without pretension, and the bill at the end of your meal won't deter you from a return visit. It's also one of our favourite places to get dumplings in Melbourne. Unfortunately, this place will have lines snaking around corners for the next few months, but what's an hour when you know it'll be worth it?
The long, lazy days of summer bring opportunities to hit up some of the best beaches in and around Melbourne. These spots are great for days of relaxing in the sun and cooling off in the calm waters, hanging out with a bunch of mates and getting the dusty boogie boards out for a little more adventure. We've teamed up with Jim Beam to pick out everything from popular bayside stretches just a quick drive from the city to secluded coves worth making a day trip for. Here's where to take your crew this summer for an adventure best enjoyed together. Recommended Reads: The Best Outdoor Pools in Melbourne The Best Swimming Holes in Melbourne The Best Waterfalls That You Can Swim Under in Victoria The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Summer [caption id="attachment_923234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ain Raadik for Visit Victoria[/caption] St Kilda Beach Ever-bustling and never boring, St Kilda Beach is one of Melbourne's most beloved coastal spots, pulling a solid crowd of tourists and locals alike. Ideal for beach trippers after a little more than just sea, sand and sun, St Kilda Foreshore is peppered with options for eating, drinking and people-watching, and all the buzz of Acland Street lies just a short stroll from the water. Mostly flat and sheltered from ocean swell, it's a prime spot for activities like windsurfing or waterskiing, or those days when you just feel like floating around in a big sunny bathtub. [caption id="attachment_879792" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Titus Aparici (Unsplash)[/caption] Dendy Street Beach, Brighton Famed for its iconic row of brightly hued bathing boxes, Brighton's Dendy Street Beach is a picture-perfect beachscape parked just 14 kilometres from the CBD. Boasting minimal swell and a wide stretch of sandy foreshore, it attracts an eclectic mix of families, tourists and locals. It's dog-friendly too, with pups allowed on-leash at certain times of morning and night. In between dips, you'll find plenty to explore, eat and drink along the beach's namesake street, while a quick hike up nearby Green's Point will score you some excellent bayside views. [caption id="attachment_651717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] Lorne Beach, Great Ocean Road Torn between getting in a great surfing session and playing around on the sand with your pup? Enjoy the best of both worlds with a trip down to the famed surf spot Lorne. About two hours from Melbourne down the Great Ocean Road, this area's got a beach situation for just about everyone. There's a dog-friendly northern stretch where pooches are allowed off-leash at all times, while the swimming beach further south sits just metres from the town's main splay of cafes, restaurants and shops. What's more, there's a variety of surf breaks up and down the coast, so you'll easily find a spot to suit your skill level. Check out the best places to stay along the Great Ocean Road while you're at it. [caption id="attachment_923230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hisco for Visit Victoria[/caption] Sorrento Front Beach, Mornington Peninsula If you don't mind sharing the beach with a hefty crowd of holiday-makers, then the ever-popular Sorrento Beach should be high up on your coastal hit list. Located by one of the Mornington Peninsula's biggest and most popular tourist towns, this one comes with no shortage of wining, dining and post-swim options. Take a stroll along the 200-metre-long jetty, enjoy a leisurely swim in the protected waters, or try your luck with a spot of sea kayaking. Williamstown Beach For a beach day that doesn't require too much in the way of car time, head 20 minutes southwest of the CBD and land yourself on the sandy shores of Williamstown. Williamstown Beach, one of the best beaches in Melbourne, is sparkling clean and patrolled, with minimal waves to wrangle, though a balmy day will likely find you battling the crowds for a prime spot on the sand. When it's time for a feed, there are picnic facilities close to the esplanade, or you can nip up to the main drag to take advantage of one of the area's top-notch fish and chip shops. The Basque-inspired Sebastian is also ideally located right on the beach itself, perfect for long lunches and dinners overlooking the beach. [caption id="attachment_651724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Cochrane via Flickr[/caption] Half Moon Bay, Black Rock An idyllic patch of coastline, located just south of Sandringham, Black Rock's Half Moon Bay deserves a spot on high rotation this beach season. The secluded, crescent-shaped bay stays nice and protected from the weather, so it's perfect for some laidback paddling or an easy jaunt out on the boat. The HMVS Cerberus has been sunk as a breakwater about 220 metres offshore, which means you'll also find plenty of great spots here for snorkelling. In fact, it's one of the best snorkelling spots in Melbourne. For that post-swim feed, treat yourself to a table at Cerberus Beach House, or opt for a classic fish and chips fix from the downstairs beach kiosk. [caption id="attachment_651725" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lin Padgham via Flickr[/caption] Waratah Bay, South Gippsland If you're making a weekend of your beach getaway, you'll find a picture-perfect paradise in Waratah Bay, a 15-kilometre sandy expanse along the South Gippsland coastline. The exposed beach cops all sorts of waves and breaks, making it a popular spot for surfers of all experience levels. It's a fairly chilled-out corner of the world, with the namesake town boasting little more than a caravan park, proving the perfect antidote to city life. While you're there, be sure to take a stroll along the bush fire walking track and revel in some sweeping coastal views. [caption id="attachment_651727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Carson via Flickr[/caption] Somers Beach, Mornington Peninsula A holiday family favourite, Somers is a picturesque beach spot stretching three kilometres along the Mornington Peninsula's southeast edge. It's a little more low-key than its Portsea and Sorrento counterparts, with sleepier surrounds and a swell that's usually pretty kid-friendly. While there's not a whole lot in the way of nearby food and drink options, it's gold if you fancy catching a feed of your own, with great fishing off the beach or the surrounding rocks during high tide. Home to the Somers Yacht Club, this one's also a popular sailing destination. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll likely spot a frolicking dolphin or two. [caption id="attachment_923236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn for Visit Victoria[/caption] Anglesea Beach, Great Ocean Road A popular pit-stop along the Great Ocean Road, the small surf town of Anglesea feels far removed from the city hustle and bustle (as well as the increasingly busy Torquay), though you can knock out the journey in an hour and a half by car. The adjacent river mouth makes for an excellent fishing spot, while the easy conditions offshore prove popular with beginner surfers. It's fairly safe and patrolled throughout the summer, and the town centre plays host to a tidy array of restaurants, shops and cafes, located just a short stroll from the sand. It's an easy addition to this list of the best beaches in and around Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_651726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Russell Street via Flickr[/caption] Flinders Beach, Mornington Peninsula A white sandy strip along the bottom of the Mornington Peninsula, Kennon Cove in Flinders is guaranteed to charm your socks off with its quaint, seaside feel. Here, you can do it all — get some air with a dive off the old-school pier, explore the assortment of critter-filled rock pools, enjoy a spot of snorkelling through the reefs, or take to the calm waters for a cruisy swimming session. There are loads of great spots here to fish from, or you can leave dinner to the professionals and buy ocean-fresh mussels directly from the fishermen at the pier. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top image: St Kilda Beach by Ain Raadik for Visit Victoria
It isn't called the big screen for nothing — and, when you head to the pictures, that's typically what you spend a couple of hours peering at. But you won't just be staring at a giant rectangle at Wonderdome, Australia's new pop-up cinema experience. In a blend of film, music and art that takes its cues from planetariums, you'll be sat in a dome watching movies that've been specifically designed to take up the whole 360-degree space that's towering above you. Melbourne Planetarium's regular fulldome sessions, the Melbourne International Film Festival's own fulldome programming and the Brisbane International Film Festival's foray into the same space a decade back have all served up this same kind of immersive view, if the overall concept sounds familiar. But when Wonderdome hits Sydney's Entertainment Quarter between Saturday, December 4–Sunday, January 30, it'll also be following in the footsteps of Coachella and Burning Man by creating a dedicated fulldome space that's all about this type of cinema-going. It'll also offer Australia's largest-ever 360-degree projection cinema. The structure itself is a geodesic steel dome that spans 21 metres in diameter, and is filled with multiple projectors, as well as a 7.2 surround sound system. To watch, you'll recline on throne-style beanbags and stare up at the movie. Given that the projection sprawls all around you, it's been likened to virtual reality — but without the goggles. During Wonderdome's debut run in Sydney, it'll screen a lineup of 22 films — including the dazzling Coral Rekindling Venus, about fluorescent coral reefs, bioluminescent sea creatures and rare marine life, from Emmy Award-wining Australian filmmaker Lynette Wallworth. Other highlights include National Geographic's Flying Monsters, about flying dinosaurs, which is narrated by the one and only David Attenborough; the climate-focused Dynamic Earth, which benefits from Liam Neeson's vocal work; and Carriberrie, which focuses on Indigenous Australian dance and song. Fulldome cinema is also known for its psychedelic and eye-popping visual displays, which is where Samskara, from artist Android Jones, comes in — plus Labyrinth, which is filled with squares, streets, passages, corridors and rooms; and Luminokaya, which lets you explore Cambodian temple complex Angkor Wat. The rest of the program also features the architecture-focused Urban Levitation; Distant Life: Alien Worlds, about whether humanity is alone in the universe; Flight of Fancy, which recreates a space jump at 120,000 feet; and other space-centric titles such as From Earth to the Universe and Journey to the Centre of the Milky Way. There's a lineup of fulldome movies for kids, too, because this is an all-ages space. Snacks-wise, you'll be able to grab something to eat and drink either before or after each Wonderdome session, with the menu including jaffles, chips, slushies, chocolates and ice creams. Plus, there'll be a gin bar, as well as a lineup of craft beers. Wonderdome's Entertainment Quarter season will also accept New South Wales' Dine & Discover vouchers, if you have some left — or you're eager to get your hands on more when two extra vouchers become available for NSW residents over the age of 18 sometime this summer. And if you won't be in Sydney this summer, cross your fingers that Wonderdome will plan stops in other cities. The fact that it's is pop-up dome obviously makes that easier. Wonderdome will pop-up at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter from Saturday, December 4 –Sunday, January 30. For more information, or for tickets from 11am AEST on Wednesday, November 17, head to the Wonderdome website.
At a time when Melbourne's hospitality scene was doing it tough, Thornbury welcomed a new kid onto its block: Prior. With owner Ahmed Mekawy's vision to make Prior a go-to neighbourhood spot, the cafe is inviting and comfortable, somewhere you'll want to linger over bottomless cups of coffee (yes, bottomless). Head inside and you'll first gawk at the sleek minimalist interior, decked out with timber finishings and designed by local architecture firm Ritz & Ghougassian. Once you've settled in into the pastel-hued light-filled space, you'll want to check out the menu. Headed up by chef Nick Korceba, the food here focuses on fresh produce. If you're a sweet tooth, the decadent salted chocolate crumpets ($21) are served with chocolate custard, berries, manuka honey flakes and peanut crumble. For those who prefer savoury, there's the steak sandwich ($26) with horseradish and beetroot relish, cheese and mustard greens; the Nourish Bowl ($20) with quinoa, broccoli rice, fried cauliflower, snow pea tendrils, whipped avocado purée and a poached egg; and the Eggs Benedict ($22) with brown butter emulsion, air-dried wagyu beef and watercress. To drink, there are smoothies ($10), juices ($6–7), Two Boys Brew kombucha ($7.5) and, of course, coffee. For the latter, you can go the standard espresso ($4), a coconut milk flat white ($5–5.5) or, if you're planning to stick around for a little while, the bottomless batch brew for just $5. Images: Pete Dillon
This is a review of the first run of Songs for the Fallen, which ran at Sydney's Old Fitz from December 5-16, 2012. Songs for the Fallen is one of those excellent finds that gives you faith in human ingenuity. It is one of many artistic imaginings of the life of Marie Duplessis, the 19th-century Parisian courtesan best known as the protagonist of Moulin Rouge. Sheridan Harbridge has devised the original piece with fellow actors Ben Gerrard and Garth Holcombe, director Shane Anthony, and composer/musican Basil Hogios. The team is obviously dynamite together as the result is a hilarious, self-aware piece of sophisticated debauchery. We enter the dinky Old Fitz Theatre to find designer Michael Hankin has decked it out with a luscious, satin-covered bed of sin in front of a gorgeous red velvet backdrop and theatrical 19th-century music hall facade. There is of course also a fourth wall, but this is taken down pretty quickly, as Harbridge declares to delighted audience member Linda that she's "taken it down and it's not going up again!" Self-reference in theatre can sometimes be painful and indulgent, but here any references to the show itself are pointed and funny. For example, as Harbridge switches from a French accent to posh Australian, she tells us she simply can't be bothered keeping the French up. Fair enough, she has a lot else keeping her busy. Men, in particular — many men. Gerrard takes the lion's share of playing the gentleman customers, while Holcombe narrates nobly from upstage, translating the words pomme and frites ad infinitum. This farrago of a show has pop tunes galore, most of which have been composed by Hogios with Harbridge's lyrical input. Using a microphone bound in pink velvet and white satin ribbon, Harbridge bursts into song in many awkward positions and is supported royally by Hogios at his little musical station in the corner. His opening sequence is particularly clever, as he morphs his way seamlessly between baroque interpretations of Nirvana and Blondie on what sounds like an electronic harpsichord. Like the burlesque master Meow Meow, Harbridge has a gift for being at once vulgar, intelligent, and elegant. It's a rare thing. She and her gang of bohemians have produced a triumph of indie theatre.
Tokyo might be filled with dotty creations thanks to its Yayoi Kusama museum, not to mention gorgeous animation at its Studio Ghibli museum; however that's just the beginning of the Japanese capital's immersive creativity. From June 21, it'll become home to a new digital art museum — the city's first, and one that'll dedicate its more than 10,000-square-metre space to interactive, kaleidoscopic artistry. While one-off Tokyo events have combined multi-course dinners with multi-sensory projections and turned a greenhouse into a light and music-filled garden patch, Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless will offer up those kind of attractions all year round. In fact, it's a collaboration between interdisciplinary art collective teamLab, aka the folks responsible for the aforementioned animated meal, and urban developer Mori Building, whose sky-high gallery in the city's Roppongi district hosted a giant game of Space Invaders 52 storeys above the ground last year. Set to feature more than 50 works, the museum will be split into five different areas — but, as the site's name indicates, there won't be any walls or borders between each space. Instead, visitors will roam from through a gallery where art works blend into each other, communicate with each other, move across installation rooms and even fuse with other pieces. Highlights include installations that'll make you feel like you're wandering through lily pads, sliding through fruit and sitting in an aquarium; a tea party that pairs real-life cuppas with virtually blooming flowers; and a forest of lamps that respond to human interaction, spreading their light as people approach each bulb. Still on the garden theme, the museum will also feature an 'athletics forest' complete with spaces for jumping, hanging on swinging bars, navigating a weightless space and climbing on gradients of different elevations, bridging the gap between the artistic and the physical. Plus, the site is located in Odaiba — which means travelling over the city's famous Rainbow Bridge to get there, and adding some extra brightness to your visit. Due to open on June 21, the museum will operate seven days a week, all year round. For more information, visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless website.
If it's all in a name, then the new Clifton Hill cafe, Open House, says all you need to know about this warm and welcoming spot. At the heart of this cosy space is a focus on community and creating an inviting space for all. Open House is a dream brought to life for India Anderson and Diego Leon, who have always wanted to build "their own little corner of Melbourne…to welcome everybody." They've taken all they learnt from their many years working together at Heartattack and Vine, backed with the support of investor Nathen Doyle, and created a cafe that is both deeply personal to them and inclusive to all. India brings her warmth to the space by ensuring everyone is looked after and taken care of. Her personality is evident even on the walls — she created the wallpaper from original art from vintage wallpaper. Diego's domain is the kitchen, where he draws inspiration from his travels and Colombian heritage to craft high-quality, yet simple and accessible dishes. As part of their welcoming and inclusive ethos, he wants everyone to find something they love to eat, regardless of any dietary needs. The menu is concise — Diego wants to focus on quality rather than quantity. On toast, choose between folded eggs with pickles, braised mushrooms with goat's cheese, or avocado with nori and tahini cream. The miso egg sandwich with Japanese pickles has quickly become a house favourite, alongside the roast chicken version with sesame mayo and cabbage. If you're skipping the bread, consider a braised beef brisket bowl with bok choy and rice, zucchini fritters with couscous and harissa, or smoked trout with pickled ginger and miso mayo. Open House is quickly becoming a community hub for the neighbourhood, with its laidback atmosphere and sunlit space, and this is just the start. The team are working to get their liquor license approved, which will then enable them to open for service on weekend evenings, with plans for comforting classics such as burgers and lasagne. Come one, come all, from early morning coffees to last drinks, make yourself at home at Open House. Images: Supplied.
Tasmania is home to brilliant restaurants and cafes that rival the mainland's best. And if you're looking to get a richer understanding of where phenomenal food actually comes from, there really is no better place. With the island's inland farms and coastal regions bursting with remarkable produce, Tassie is full of growers ready to guide you through an enlightening, hands-on adventure that will give you a unique culinary and agrarian perspective (not to mention the very likely chance that they'll feed you very, very well indeed). Here, we've teamed up with Tourism Tasmania to highlight a selection of experiences that offer hands-on foodie encounters to seek out and savour. [caption id="attachment_865676" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] 41 DEGREES SOUTH Set a 40-minute drive west of Launceston on the outskirts of Deloraine, 41 Degrees South is a salmon farm, wetland and ginseng plantation. Featuring 20 freshwater ponds filled with water sourced from nearby Montana Falls, the farm invites you to take a self-guided tour to explore the sustainable processes that support this world-class producer of salmon. The property's owners, Ziggy and Angelika Pyka, also make the most of Tasmania's cooler climate with a thriving grove of Korean and American ginseng. Wander through the crops before making a purchase at the on-site store and stopping by the cafe to enjoy a dish made with the freshest salmon washed down with a local wine or beer. [caption id="attachment_866893" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] TWAMLEY FARM Twamley Farm is a picturesque working farm spread across 7000 acres flanking the Tea Tree Rivulet near the charming village of Buckland. The property offers farmyard activities, accommodation and cooking classes that provide an opportunity to level up your skills in Italian and French cooking. Hosted by the gourmet catering business, Gert and Ted, the classes — fronted by the eponymous Gert — will show you how to prepare a range of dishes before you sit down for a long lunch with your fellow attendees. With several classes to choose from, including spring harvest feasts and festive season treats, Twamley Farm's stunning setting is the ideal place for a countryside culinary escape. [caption id="attachment_866852" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pure Foods[/caption] PURE FOODS EGG FARM Head to a top-notch cafe in Tassie and there's a good chance it's using Pure Foods Eggs in the kitchen. Experience what goes into this superior product via a 'Pure Tour' a foodie experience touted as the "ultimate eggspedition" that'll take you on a journey through the company's scenic property in the Northern Midlands region and the largest free-range egg farm in Tasmania. Throughout the 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour, you'll explore the custom-built facilities and see how its high-tech production methods set a new industry standard. After seeing the happy hens in action, you'll receive a dozen free-range eggs to take home so you can whip up your favourite dish with the finest eggs on the island. [caption id="attachment_866851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sirocco South Forage and Feast[/caption] SIROCCO SOUTH FORAGE AND FEAST Mic Giuliani, the man behind Sirocco South, is a local foraging master with over 50 years of experience. So yes, Mic was doing it before it was cool. You can catch him serving delicious Tassie-inspired Italian cuisine at Hobart's Farm Gate Market every Sunday or on one of his Sirocco South foraging trips where he'll show you how to find food in the wild. Once you've collected enough seasonal ingredients, Mic goes to work producing a six-course lunch featuring quality meat and seafood paired with award-winning wines from Bream Creek Vineyard. Overlooking the spectacular Frederick Henry Bay, Sirocco South is a deluxe foraging experience in an idyllic location that helps guests appreciate the wonders of wild food. In short: it's heaven on earth for foodies. [caption id="attachment_866889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] UNEARTHED CHEFS TOUR Get a rare glimpse into the operations of some of Tasmania's top growers and producers via an Unearthed Chefs Tour. This morning or afternoon adventure sees you transported from your accommodation to the seriously delicious Tasting Trail Cradle to Coast to meet some of the North-West's finest culinary creators. The tour will take you around a saffron farm, to search for truffles and then on to a luxurious wine tasting at Lake Barrington Estate, with a stop to admire the coastline along the way. A heavenly lunch prepared by chef Naomi Parker is also on the agenda, as is a wander through Sheffield — the Town of Murals — before arriving back at your accommodation. [caption id="attachment_865666" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] FORK N FARM HOMESTEAD The ForknFarm Homestead is a striking 24-acre property set in the scenic surrounds of the West Tamar Valley. It's a popular destination for farm-stays thanks to its charming cabins and it also hosts artisan cooking workshops where you can level up your talents with owners Cassie and Aaron "Lob" Lobley. Over the years, this enterprising duo has mastered a host of agrarian culinary skills, ranging from cheesemaking and open-fire cooking to pickling and preserving. There's a host of one-day and two-day sessions to consider or you can create a personalised experience if you attend in a group of four or more. [caption id="attachment_865674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] BLUE HILLS HONEY Blue Hills Honey's distinctly Tasmanian product comes from 2000 beehives hidden deep within the lush takayna/Tarkine rainforest. While this award-winning apiary specialises in leatherwood honey, the honey house also offers a selection of other varieties like manuka, blackberry and meadow. This craft honey farm has been in operation for over 60 years and you can see how it all works on its rural property in the community of Mawbanna. Alongside a factory for touring and a tasting room, there's a cafe overlooking the surrounding farmland that serves everything from honey-baked brie to Thai beef salad. [caption id="attachment_865672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] OYSTER BAY TOURS AT FREYCINET MARINE FARM Freycinet Marine Farm is beloved for its Pacific Oysters and Tasmanian Blue Mussels. Owned by Giles and Julia Fisher since 2005, the cafe makes for the perfect pitstop if you want to sample the region's famed cuisine. You can discover how the product arrives in the shop with a fantastically hands-on (and knees-in) Oyster Bay Tour. With the help of an expert guide, the tour will see you wade into shallow waters to harvest oysters straight out of the sea and show you how to shuck 'em like a pro. To finish, you'll get to enjoy your freshly claimed oysters and mussels with a glass of local riesling. [caption id="attachment_865678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania[/caption] CURRINGA FARM In Hamilton, about a one-hour drive from Hobart, Curringa Farm presents an idyllic chance to experience life on a Tasmanian working farm. Spanning 750 acres, this sheep and cropping property has won numerous awards for its charming cottage accommodation. Whether you're heading along for the day or staying overnight, Curringa Farm has two immersive tours on offer to suit your travel plans. The 'Shearers Smoko' is a two-hour walking tour of the farm where you'll meet and greet sheep and farm dogs alongside a morning or afternoon tea. Meanwhile, the 'BBQ Lunch & Farm Tour' presents an outstanding paddock-to-plate experience. [caption id="attachment_866894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jamie Roberts[/caption] THE TRUFFLEDORE On the foothills of Cradle Mountain is where you'll find this truffle-filled farm, accommodation and shop. From October till April, The Truffledore is open for tastings and tours on Fridays and Sundays from 9am–4pm. Head off on the 45-minute tour to feed the farm animals and discover where the delicious winter truffles are grown. During the winter months, you can hunt and harvest truffles for yourself on Saturdays. Just make sure you book ahead of time to secure a spot. If one day on the farm isn't enough, book into one of the charming cottages for a delightful overnight stay. Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Tourism Australia
Not every horror movie changes the way that its audience thinks, even if it conjures up haunting, engaging and entertaining bumps, jumps, spooks and scares. Since it first made its way to cinemas in 2000 after starting its life as an unsolicited and unproduced script for The X-Files, Final Destination and the franchise that it has spawned has indeed had that viewpoint-altering impact. For viewers, watching along with any of the saga's six films so far can get you seeing the deadly potential of every situation. That's the whole premise, after all: death's inevitability, plus how mortality stalks and creates fatal danger, including by taking everyday anxieties and fears to their worst and grisliest cause and effect-style possible outcomes. HBO's Six Feet Under, which arrived on the small screen the year after the first Final Destination movie, also played a little in this terrain, beginning most of its episodes with someone shuffling off this mortal coil, sometimes via accidents and misfortunes. But where it was a thoughtful and moving prestige TV drama, the Final Destination movies embrace their place in the horror genre, as well as blood and gore. After the OG flick, Final Destination 2 followed in 2003, then Final Destination 3 in 2006, fourth effort The Final Destination in 2009 and Final Destination 5 in 2011. Now Final Destination Bloodlines has following after a 14-year gap — and with a new twist, sending the end that awaits us all slaying its way through families. Is spying death lingering around every corner one of the side effects of directing a Final Destination movie, too? For filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein (who also co-helmed Freaks and Kim Possible), the answer is yes. "Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I think we've always been fans of how Final Destination really brings anxiety to life. And definitely when we're working with the writers and producers on all the things we could ruin for people in this movie, you really have to mind your own anxieties and your own fears to figure all that out," Stein tells Concrete Playground. "But we also had the fun of basically becoming death for this movie, because in Final Destination there's no killer with a knife coming after you. It's the filmmaking that comes for the characters. It's all the little close-up shots edited together that come for the character. So we got to be death in this movie, also." "I was driving down the highway just a few weeks ago," Lipovsky shares, "and a garbage bin came flying out of the back of the truck and kind of bounced down the road. And I saw it coming a mile away, because I was like 'ohh, here we go. I've seen this movie'. And I was able to pull out of the way." Pipes in Stein immediately: "Final Destination could save your life." In Final Destination Bloodlines, a huge scene-setting setpiece again establishes the story, this time harking back to 1968, to the opening of a sky-high restaurant in a new tower where young couple Iris (Brec Bassinger, Stargirl) and Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones, The Irrational) are excited to be in attendance. Premonitions have their part in the narrative, but this is a killer opening in more ways than one. From there, the film jumps to the present day, with college student Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana, The Friendship Game) and her loved ones learning that they're the next in death's grasp. Her younger brother Charlie (Teo Briones, Chucky) and estranged mother Darlene (Rya Kihlstedt, Orphan Black: Echoes), plus cousins Erik (Richard Harmon, The Flash), Bobby (Owen Patrick Joyner, Julie and the Phantoms) and Julia (Anna Lore, Gotham Knights), then start discovering what it's like to live your days attempting to outsmart eternal rest. Does spotting lethal peril IRL carry over to a Final Destination movie's cast, too? Bloodlines' lineup of actors vary in their answers when asked. "I feel like I've always been a little psychic. I'm not kidding. I have really great intuition. I'm so good at it. I mean, not as far as predicting that somebody's going to die. I have a really strong gut feeling and I feel like I can sense things around me," says Santa Juana, who, as Stefani, is the sleuth of the picture — the character who is definitely discerning everywhere that death might pop up. "Accident-wise?" Kihlstedt, her on-screen mum, poses in return. "Yeah. That's why I'm so afraid of power chords, because I know that those things are pesky little buggers, and they will, if you get some water on them, they'll explode." Kihlstedt doesn't think that way. Nor does Briones: "I just sort of stumble around life, no care in the world". And Harmon believes that "life's too short to be worried". Lore, though, advises that "I think that watching it, being in it, being around a Final Destination film, yeah, makes you very makes you a little paranoid". Notes Joyner: "it's a little spooky". They're all now part of not only Final Destination's comeback, but also of a wave of 90s and 00s horror becoming new again. Scream returned in 2022, dropped another sequel in 2023 and has Scream 7 on the way in 2026. The fourth I Know What You Did Last Summer film, also just called I Know What You Did Last Summer, hits cinemas in July 2025. News of more Urban Legend with Until Dawn's Gary Dauberman penning the script is mere weeks old as Final Destination Bloodlines releases. Bloodlines' stars and filmmakers also worked alongside a Final Destination original, with genre and franchise great Tony Todd (Candyman), who passed away in November 2024, making his final appearance in the saga. We spoke with Lipovsky, Stein, Santa Juana, Briones, Kihlstedt, Harmon, Joyner and Lore about what it means to step into a beloved franchise like this one, too, alongside Todd's involvement, shifting the way that audiences think, the family connection in Bloodlines, intergenerational trauma, great deaths in the saga, the fun of dying on-screen and other topics. On What Makes a Great Final Destination Death Setup Zach: "I think the key thing is what Adam was talking about, which is ruining something. Meaning it's something very relatable that we all experience, we all can run into in the rest of our lives, and figuring out a way to just dement that in a way that is incredibly scary and graphic and anxiety-inducing. And then figuring out all the different ways that you can make that ultimate death surprising. And so creating all sorts of misdirects around it with other relatable, realistic things that could theoretically happen — so that it's a sequence that is relatable, that is surprising, and ultimately incredibly graphic and gory." On Knowing You've Had a Part in Making People Think Differently About Everyday Objects and Situations Adam: "We hope people still go get their necessary MRIs. Let's just say that." Zach: "Even safer than they would have before." Adam: "But I think that's what's made Final Destination so iconic, that things just stick with you. Logging trucks — 20 years later, nobody can take it. We just hope that we can live up to the logging truck — and maybe when you have a frosty glass full of ice or you hear the song 'Shout', you think of our movie 20 years from now." Anna: "Very proud. Yeah, very proud. I mean, the goal of these movies is to ruin things for people." Richard: "Yes." Anna: "And the more everyday the thing, the better." Owen: "That's the number-one ambition." Anna: "The number one." Owen: "Not to entertain." Anna: "Even before making a movie of any kind or filming it or …" Owen: "How can we traumatise people?" Anna: "How can we traumatise?" Richard: "And I hope we did our jobs." On Whether the Cast Tap Into a Seize-the-Day Perspective While Making a Movie Where Death Can Be Anywhere Kaitlyn: "I think for this one it's a little bit different, because it's about a family. And when I think about what I would do to protect my family, I don't really think risk for myself is involved. I love my family and Stefani also loves her family, even though they are a little bit distant off the top. So I can only imagine that she would pretty much do anything and risk her safety to make sure that the others are safe, too, because that's what I would do." Rya: "I mean, the truth is if we could all carry that a little more into our day-to-day lives, it would be really great." Owen: "I guess that helps, right? That's a great tip. Maybe I should have used that. It could have helped. But, I don't know, it was such a weird flip-flop where you go through some traumatic moment with a family member, and then the next scene you're supposed to take the audience through a light-hearted scene and allow everyone to relax before you get into the next big scary murder plot. So, for me, it was really just taking it scene by scene, and trusting the writers and the directors of knowing how to transition out of different moments to lead the audience through a fun time." Richard: "Yeah. Hey, that's well-put." On Adding a Focus on Families as Death's Target to the Franchise for the First Time Zach: "That was the best part of hearing that they were making a new Final Destination movie, as we heard that it was about a family tree — because it does so many different things at once. Right away, it allows for the structure of Final Destination to be a little bit different, which freshens the franchise. Because now you have a whole group of people that are related but are different ages — and that creates a lot higher stakes because they really, really love each other. And we have this beautiful element of this family that starts with a rift and they're kind of apart from each other, having to come together as death comes for them one by one. And it really enriches each of the characters, because they can all have family secrets and grudges and alliances and history. And that allows for a Final Destination movie that I think people will be surprised has a lot more heart and depth to it on the character side — and all that comes from that bloodlines idea." Adam: "I heard the cast talking about it earlier today, and what they settled on as their tagline is: 'bigger heart, bigger stakes'." Zach: "Nice." On Playing Bloodlines' Sleuth, and Trying to Solve the Puzzle of What's Happening — and How to Save Stefani's Loved Ones Kaitlyn: "I have really strong family morals, so just thinking about what I would do to protect them. I would do all of these things to protect the people that I love. Another thing is, throughout the film with my acting coach, I worked on the three different people that Stefani is in this movie. And in the first little bit, she's the detective. Like you said, she's trying to figure out what's going on. In the middle sequence, she's what I would deem as a protector. And in the end sequence, she's a survivor. You shoot everything out of sequence, and just grounding myself and remembering 'who am I right now?' and 'what would I do in this scenario?' was what helped me stay true to my character arc." On Digging Into Intergenerational Trauma When Death Starts Stalking Families Rya: "I was really intrigued by and am very interested in the idea of family constellations and carried trauma — I feel like most of us carry some kind of trauma that maybe does not belong to us, that's been carried down for generations, that's not ours to own. And I think that's Darlene. That sums her up. She is carrying trauma from her mother, and suddenly realises that her daughter is now carrying this. She thought she left in the hopes that she was going to save her daughter from the same trauma. Exactly what she did is exactly what she didn't want to do. And I love that idea." On What It Meant to Be Able to Bring Tony Todd Back to the Franchise for the Final Time Adam: "He's an absolute legend. We were really grateful to be able to work with him, and it was so important to have him in this movie. We weren't sure if he would be able to do the movie, because we knew he was sick. And he kept telling us 'do not write me out of this movie, I have to be in this movie'. It was very important to him to be in the movie, and to do a couple of things. One, to give Bludworth a bit more of a backstory, a bit more of a human character to this character who, in the other movies, has been a bit mysterious and undefined. And it's led to a lot of fan theories about 'is he an angel? Is he death itself?'. And Tony was very excited to be able to bring a bit more of a backstory on a human level to the character, so he would have that explanation to why he is the way he is. And, to give him not just a proper beginning but a proper goodbye, because we were pretty sure this would be his last Final Destination movie — just because they take years to make and we knew he was sick. We didn't realise it would be his last movie overall, which is, of course, very tragic. And he was very excited, though, to say goodbye to the fans of Final Destination — to the point that on set, we asked him if he would be willing to put the script aside and speak directly to the fans in that final goodbye moment. 'Is there anything he wants to say? Is there anything he wants to leave the fans with?'. And the final lines he says in the movie were just spoken off-script, from the heart, of what he wanted to leave the fans with as a final message, and I think that's why it's so emotionally powerful." On What You Draw Upon to Convey the Fear That Clearly Has to Sink in for Bloodlines' Characters Richard: "Well, the acting went out of the window when they lit the fire underneath me. I think the acting just ... " Owen: "You went method right there." Richard: "You no longer act. You're just like 'I don't want to burn to death'. So yeah, I feel like that Final Destination does such a good job of that, even with like the fake blood and everything, where the acting just goes out of the window and you just do it." On the Fun of Playing Death Scenes Teo: "This might just be me, but I've died a few times at this point on-screen — I love filming those scenes. They're the most fun things to film. It's awesome." Rya: "I was going to say the same thing. They're really fun." Teo: "They're really fun." Rya: "They're hard work. It depends on how you die. it depends on the situation." Kaitlyn: "It's so epic. There's something so epic about doing it." Rya: "Particularly in this, because they're so heightened and so dramatic." Kaitlyn: "I know, it's beautiful." Rya: "It's bloody, gory." Kaitlyn: "It's honestly beautiful. It's so romantic. There's a romance to it." Richard: "It's some of the most fun I've ever had in my career, for sure." Owen: "It's the honour of the whole experience." On Adding a New Standout Opening Sequence to the Franchise Zach: "I think knowing that you're doing a Final Destination movie, the first thing you think is 'oh boy, that means that we're going to have to make an iconic opening', because these movies are known for their openings. And to even be given the torch to add one more to that pantheon is quite a weight to bear. And so we spent years, we were working on that opening setpiece to try and make it worthy of being in a Final Destination movie. We tried to give it a huge amount of scope. We tried to give it a huge amount of heart. We tried to prey on all sorts of relatable fears. Adam has a fear of heights, and so we really tried to bring a fear of heights into it and play with that in creative new ways. We didn't want to just do the standard push-pull vertigo shot. We wanted to try experimental other ideas to really create a sense of vertigo when you're that high up — and give people something that's also really beautiful and touching at the same time that it's horrifying. And we were really inspired by like movies like Titanic that balance all of those things — of being epic and beautiful and personal, but also just horrifying and stick with you forever so that you always think about them. And we're really glad to see that people are responding to that setpiece, because we spent years trying to make it worthy of that title." On Why the Final Destination Films Have Enjoyed Such a Following Over a Quarter of a Century — and Being Tasked with Carrying on That Legacy Zach: "I think that everyone has some amount of anxiety and has that little voice in their head saying 'you know what, this feels a little off — aaah, it's probably fine'. And in Final Destination, you see that 'no, it's not fine and it's actually horrible'. And so I think there's something that's kind of delightful about that. I also think that Final Destination is really unique as far as being an experience where you can have a lot of fun with how people are dying, I think that's quite unique. A lot of films that are gory end up being really dark in a non-fun way — and I think Final Destination strikes this perfect balance where you can kind of cheer and root for death, because death is so clever, but also root for the characters to escape and hope that they're okay. And it gives you all the different emotions that you can have in a movie theatre. And it just sticks with you — from the moment you leave that theatre, all the different things that are in a Final Destination movie, you'll never be able to look at the same way again. And every little weird accident or something that happens in your real life, even if it's not in a Final Destination movie, you'll think that it could be in a Final Destination movie, and that's just a testament to these films' staying power." Anna: "I think we all felt the pressure of it." Owen: "The thing that helped me was, there was plenty of pressure in terms of making sure that we made millions of fans happy, but we had an amazing team that really understood what the fans wanted and the fabric of the franchise, and what was important in each of them. But it did help that the real stars of the movie are the deaths, right? So as long as you can execute on those, I don't think you have to dig deep and bring out some riveting performance — just try to have fun with the audience." Richard: "Make it enjoyable. Make it entertaining." On the Significance and Fun of Joining the Franchise for the Cast Rya: "I think it's really finally hitting us. I guess I'll speak for myself, but I think we've been talking about this a little bit — I think it's finally hitting us how much this movie and this franchise means to its fans. So we're really aware of what an honour it is and how lucky we are." Kaitlyn: "Absolutely." Teo: "Something that was always on my mind while we were filming is making a movie that, because I'm a huge fan of this franchise — I just wanted to make sure that we were making a film that the fans would love, and the fans would love to watch over and over and over again. Because that's what these movies are for me. They're movies that you watch — I watched these a couple times a year, honestly. And I was just hoping that we'd be able to recreate that. And I think we really did." Kaitlyn: "I think so, too." Teo: "And I think the fans are going to really love it. And the fans are already loving it." Richard: "I was 11 when the second one came out, and I saw the second one at a friend's sleepover that we were having — and we got it and were were like 'we shouldn't be watching this'. And I just fell in love with it. Then I went back and watched one, and then I watched all of them when they came out after that. I've been a massive fan of the franchise since then — and this was, I literally cried on the phone when they told me that I booked this role, because I get to bring my dreams to reality by being a part of horror royalty. I'm not saying I'm horror royalty. I'm just saying Final Destination is horror royalty." Owen: "We are. We're saying it." Richard: "We're all horror royalty." Anna: "My first memory of Final Destination, I didn't see it, but I remember I think being in sixth grade or something and everyone talking about the rollercoaster. And they were like 'oh yeah, there's a rollercoaster, there's an accident with a rollercoaster'. And I was like 'what, that sounds really scary'. But I didn't watch the movies until actually after I auditioned for this, because, I was like 'I'm going to watch them all the way through before I go shoot it'. So I just started with one — and my boyfriend was a huge fan. He changed my name in his phone to 'Anna Final Destination' when I auditioned for it. I'm still to this day in his phone: 'Anna Final Destination'. And so while we're watching them, I was just like 'these movies are awesome'." Richard: "Fun." Anna: "Like 'these are so great'." Owen: "I think for me, I was at the age where it was just already such a big part of our pop culture, so I feel like it's just always been this thing for me. I was never like 'I woke up one day and I saw the film and there was like an explosion for me' — it's just always been huge." Richard: "It's been lingering over the top of you your entire life." Owen: "It's been lingering, sprinkling trauma." Anna: "Omnipresent." Owen: "And feeding my anxiety for years." On Everyone's Favourite Death Setups — in Bloodlines and in the Rest of Franchise Adam: "If we had to pick one individual death, the MRI sequence, usually it gets the biggest reaction from audiences — except for one death in the opening where a little boy gets killed. That really, I still remember the first screening we had for audiences while we were editing. When the audience cheered when that boy was killed, I realised 'okay, we're on to something here. This is a real audience movie'. And that was — it's just so much fun, every time." Rya: "The piano's a good one." Teo: "The piano's good. MRI machine is my favourite." Kailtyn: "I like the piano one, because I love music." Rya: "And I've got to say I like the Reese's peanut butter cups." Kailtyn: "Yeah, I like those too." Teo: "Those are good." Owen: "If Richard were to die. If Richard were to play a character named Erik, and that character were to die." Anna: "If he died." Owen: "I think that would be my favourite." Richard: "I'm emotional." Anna: "I really like all of them. It's hard to think what I don't like. But first thing comes to my mind is in the fourth one, this guy gets squished through a chain-link fence. That one was really gross. Because when you see him up against the chain-link fence, just standing there, you're like 'they're not going to squish him through the chain-link fence, right?'." Owen: "I thought a really smart one was the gymnastics one." Richard: "It's brutal." Owen: "Because I feel like if you're not involved in gymnastics and you see people do that, I feel like you naturally think that that's just going to kind of happen." Richard: "It's inevitable." Anna: "And that's a great swerve, too, the gymnastics one, because you're like 'what's going to happen' — and then it's so simple." Richard: "And then it's just the chalk up — and then it's so good." Anna: "Yeah, exactly." Richard: "I like Timmy in the second one getting squished by a pane of glass. I like that one." Final Destination Bloodlines opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Lobster has long been the fancy champagne of the seafood world. For most of us, it's the kind of dish that you can only justify having when you really feel like going all out and treating yo'self — but, this month, the indulgent crustacean-based meal is gracing Betty's Burgers' menu. Combining fresh lobster meat, the chain's special mayonnaise, shallots, chives, lemon and spice, Betty's new lobster roll will be on offer at all of its 22 Australian stores from Thursday, February 13. If your stomach is already rumbling, you can tuck into one for a reasonable $23 (which includes a side of fries). You'll need to get in quickly, though, as the lobster roll only available for a couple of weeks — or until sold out. It's worth noting that last time the roll was on the menu, it only lasted less than a week. So if you're particularly keen, it's best to go sooner, rather than later. Known for its Shake Shack-style burgs and frozen custard desserts (called concretes), Betty's is making a foray into lobster to celebrate its beachy roots. While you can now grab a Betty's burger at nine Sydney outlets, four Melbourne spots, five Brisbane outposts, one Toowoomba eatery and one location in Adelaide, the company first began in Noosa, and then expanded to the Gold Coast. Betty's Burgers' lobster roll is available at all 27 Australian stores from Thursday, February 13. For more information and to find your nearest store, visit Betty's Burgers' website.
St Kilda, quite simply, wouldn't be St Kilda without The Prince. Set on the corner of Fitzroy and Acland Streets, the venue previously known as The Prince of Wales Hotel has been a mainstay of the suburb since the mid-1800s. Rebuilt in 1936 into the instantly recognisable art deco structure that stands today, its history in many ways mirrors that of its surrounding streets. Following an extensive makeover in 2019, the multi-venue site is perhaps best known for its street-level bar, Prince Public Bar. The sprawling space has been reimagined at the hands of IF Architecture's Iva Foschia, while still respecting the building's art deco roots. Expect a series of light-filled, spacious zones, with a hefty oval bar taking pride of place at the heart and a staircase offering access to the hotel lobby and Prince Dining Room above. [caption id="attachment_758269" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] While it's best known as a spot for sinking beers, a kitchen expansion means Prince Public Bar now has those appetites sorted as well, serving breakfast through dinner daily. Roll in from 7am to fuel up with the likes of chilli and cheese scrambled eggs, mushroom shakshuka, or perhaps the honeycomb and vanilla hotcakes teamed with vanilla mascarpone and lemon balm. A range of Niccolo coffee, superfood smoothies and fresh juices paints a very different picture to the late-night visits of old. Elsewhere, the kitchen's slinging a hefty offering of bar snacks — think, sweet and sour fried cauliflower, or homemade sausage rolls — and classic counter meals including the likes of chicken schnitzel and wagyu sausages on polenta. [caption id="attachment_758265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Of course, the booze situation hasn't taken a backseat — you'll find a diverse spread of brews on tap, classic cocktails like negronis and old fashioneds, and a largely Aussie wine list featuring plenty of options by the glass. Happy hour runs from 5–7pm weeknights, delivering $8 schooners, basics and glasses of wine. Top images: Kristoffer Paulsen
For TV fans, 2022 was the year of finally. After a couple of years of hefty pandemic delays, so many stellar television shows finally returned. In 2023 so far, it's been the year of farewells. Again, plenty of ace programs have added extra episodes — but some of them, such as Succession, Barry, The Other Two, Servant and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, dropped back in for their final runs, then said goodbye. Revelling in the last glimpses of feuding families, actors-turned-hitmen, stardom-chasing siblings, eerie nannies and comedians — and maybe AFC Richmond, too — has only been part of the viewing landscape among returning TV shows this year, though. Thankfully, when our screens delivered more time with high schoolers lost in the woods, for instance, it did so with the promise of more to follow. Elsewhere, the lineup of already-great series offering more instalments spanned everything from decade-plus comebacks to ridiculously brilliant sketches — plus shows about comebacks, dinosaurs, twisted technology, being trapped in a musical and more. Now that 2023 has passed its halfway point, we've rounded up the 15 best TV series that released another season between January and June. Binge them now if you haven't already. SUCCESSION Endings have always been a part of Succession. Since it premiered in 2018, the bulk of the HBO drama's feuding figures have been waiting for a big farewell. The reason is right there in the title, because for any of the Roy clan's adult children to scale the family company's greatest heights and remain there — be it initial heir apparent Kendall (Jeremy Strong, Armageddon Time), his inappropriate photo-sending brother Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move), their political-fixer sister Siobhan (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman), or eldest sibling and now-presidential candidate Connor (Alan Ruck, The Dropout) — their father Logan's (Brian Cox, Remember Me) tenure needed to wrap up. The latter was always stubborn. Proud, too, of what he'd achieved and the power it's brought. And whenever Logan seemed nearly ready to leave the business behind, he held on. If he's challenged or threatened, as happened again and again in the Emmy-winning series, he fixed his grasp even tighter. Succession was always been waiting for Logan's last stint at global media outfit Waystar RoyCo, but it had never been about finales quite the way it was in its stunning fourth season. This time, there was ticking clock not just for the show's characters, but for the stellar series itself, given that this is its last go-around — and didn't it make the most of it. Nothing can last forever, not even widely acclaimed hit shows that are a rarity in today's TV climate: genuine appointment-viewing. So, this went out at the height of its greatness, complete with unhappy birthday parties, big business deals, plenty of scheming and backstabbing, and both Shiv's husband Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat) and family cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun, Zola) in vintage form — plus an early shock, at least two of the best episodes of any show that've ever aired on television, one of the worst drinks, a phenomenal acting masterclass, a The Sopranos-level final shot and the reality that money really can't buy happiness. Succession streams via Binge. Read our full review. BARRY Since HBO first introduced the world to Barry Berkman, the contract killer played and co-created by Saturday Night Live great Bill Hader wanted to be something other than a gun for hire. An ex-military sniper, he was always skilled at his highly illicit post-service line of work; however, moving on from that past was a bubbling dream even before he found his way to a Los Angeles acting class while on a job. Barry laid bare its namesake's biggest wish in its 2018 premiere episode. Then, it kept unpacking his pursuit of a life less lethal across the show's Emmy-winning first and second seasons, plus its even-more-astounding third season in 2022. Season four, the series' final outing, was no anomaly, but it also realised that wanting to be someone different and genuinely overcoming your worst impulses aren't the same. Barry grappled with this fact since the beginning, of course, with the grim truth beating at the show's heart whether it's at its most darkly comedic, action-packed or dramatic — and, given that its namesake was surrounded by people who similarly yearn for an alternative to their current lot in life, yet also can't shake their most damaging behaviour, it did so beyond its antihero protagonist. Are Barry, his girlfriend Sally Reid (Sarah Goldberg, The Night House), acting teacher Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, Black Adam), handler Monroe Fuches (Stephen Root, Succession) and Chechen gangster NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan, Bill & Ted Face the Music) all that different from who they were when Barry started? Have they processed their troubles? Have they stopped taking out their struggles not just on themselves, but on those around them? Hader and his fellow Barry co-creator Alec Berg (Silicon Valley, Curb Your Enthusiasm) kept asking those questions in season four to marvellous results, including after making a massive jump, and right up to the jaw-dropping yet pitch-perfect finale. Barry being Barry, posing such queries and seeing its central figures for who they are was an ambitious, thrilling and risk-taking ride. When season three ended, it was with Barry behind bars, which is where he was when the show's new go-around kicked off. He wasn't coping, unsurprisingly, hallucinating Sally running lines in the prison yard and rejecting a guard's attempt to tell him that he's not a bad person. With the latter, there's a moment of clarity about what he's done and who he is, but Barry's key players have rarely been that honest with themselves for long. Barry streams via Binge. Read our full review. THE OTHER TWO Swapping Saturday Night Live for an entertainment-parodying sitcom worked swimmingly for Tina Fey. Since 2019, it also went hilariously for Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. Not just former SNL writers but the veteran sketch comedy's ex-head writers, Kelly and Schneider gave the world their own 30 Rock with the sharp, smart and sidesplitting The Other Two. Their angle: focusing on the adult siblings of a Justin Bieber-style teen popstar who've always had their own showbiz aspirations — he's an actor, she was a ballerina — who then find themselves the overlooked children of a momager-turned-daytime television host as well. Cary (Drew Tarver, History of the World: Part II) and Brooke (Heléne York, Katy Keene) Dubek were happy for Chase (Case Walker, Monster High: The Movie). And when their mother Pat (Molly Shannon, I Love That for You) gets her own time in the spotlight, becoming Oprah-level famous, they were equally thrilled for her. But ChaseDreams, their little brother's stage name, was always a constant reminder that their own ambitions keep being outshone. In a first season that proved one of the best new shows of 2019, a second season in 2021 that was just as much of a delight and now a stellar third go-around, Cary and Brooke were never above getting petty and messy about being the titular pair. In season three, however, they didn't just hang around with stars in their eyes and resentment in their hearts. How did they cope? They spent the past few years constantly comparing themselves to Chase, then to Pat, but then they were successful on their own — and still chaotic, and completely unable to change their engrained thinking. Forget the whole "the grass is always greener" adage. No matter if they were faking it or making it, nothing was ever perfectly verdant for this pair or anyone in their orbit. Still, as Brooke wondered whether her dream manager gig is trivial after living through a pandemic, she started contemplating if she should be doing more meaningful work like her fashion designer-turned-nurse boyfriend Lance (Josh Segarra, The Big Door Prize). And with Cary's big breaks never quite panning out as planned, he got envious of his fellow-actor BFF Curtis (Brandon Scott Jones, Ghosts). The Other Two streams via Binge. Read our full review. PARTY DOWN Sometimes, dreams do come true. More often than not, they don't. The bulk of life is what dwells in-between, as we all cope with the inescapable truth that we won't get everything that we've ever fantasised about, and we mightn't even score more than just a few things we want. This is the space that Party Down has always made its own, asking "are we having fun yet?" about life's disappointments while focusing on Los Angeles-based hopefuls played by Adam Scott (Severance), Ken Marino (The Other Two), Ryan Hansen (A Million Little Things), Martin Starr (Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities) and more. They'd all rather be doing something other than being cater waiters at an array of California functions, and most have stars in their eyes. In the cult comedy's first two seasons back in 2009–10, the majority of its characters had their sights set on show business, slinging hors d'oeuvres while trying to make acting, screenwriting or comedy happen. Bringing most of the original gang back together — including Jane Lynch (Only Murders in the Building) and Megan Mullally (Reservation Dogs) — Party Down keeps its shindig-by-shindig setup in its 13-years-later third season. Across its first 20 instalments as well as its new six, each episode sends the titular crew to a different soirée. This time, setting the scene for what's still one of the all-time comedy greats in its latest go-around, the opening get-together is thrown by one of their own. Kyle Bradway (Hansen) has just scored the lead part in a massive superhero franchise, and he's celebrating. Ex-actor Henry Pollard (Scott) is among the attendees, as are now-heiress Constance Carmell (Lynch) and perennial stage mum Lydia Dunfree (Mullally). Hard sci-fi obsessive Roman DeBeers (Starr) and the eager-to-please Ron Donald (Marino) are present as well, in a catering capacity. By the time episode two hits, then the rest of the season, more of the above will be donning pastel pink bow ties, the series keeps unpacking what it means to dream but never succeed, and the cast — especially Scott and the ever-committed Marino — are in their element. Party Down streams via Stan. Read our full review of season three. YELLOWJACKETS For Shauna (Melanie Lynskey, The Last of Us), Natalie (Juliette Lewis, Welcome to Chippendales), Taissa (Tawny Cypress, Billions), Misty (Christina Ricci, Wednesday), Lottie (Simone Kessell, Muru) and Van (Lauren Ambrose, Servant), 1996 will always be the year that their plane plunged into the Canadian wilderness, stranding them for 19 tough months — as season one of 2021–2022 standout Yellowjackets grippingly established. As teenagers (as played by The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse, The Boogeyman's Sophie Thatcher, Scream VI's Jasmin Savoy, Shameless' Samantha Hanratty, Mad Max: Fury Road's Courtney Eaton and Santa Clarita Diet's Liv Hewson), they were members of the show's titular high-school soccer squad, travelling from their New Jersey home town to Seattle for a national tournament, when the worst eventuated. Cue Lost-meets-Lord of the Flies with an Alive twist, as that first season was understandably pegged. All isn't always what it seems as Shauna and company endeavour to endure in the elements. Also, tearing into each other occurs more than just metaphorically. Plus, literally sinking one's teeth in was teased and flirted with since episode one, too. But Yellowjackets will always be about what it means to face something so difficult that it forever colours and changes who you are — and constantly leaves a reminder of who you might've been. So, when Yellowjackets ended its first season, it was with as many questions as answers. Naturally, it tore into season two in the same way. In the present, mere days have elapsed — and Shauna and her husband Jeff (Warren Kole, Shades of Blue) are trying to avoid drawing any attention over the disappearance of Shauna's artist lover Adam (Peter Gadiot, Queen of the South). Tai has been elected as a state senator, but her nocturnal activities have seen her wife Simone (Rukiya Bernard, Van Helsing) move out with their son Sammy (Aiden Stoxx, Supergirl). Thanks to purple-wearing kidnappers, Nat has been spirited off, leaving Misty desperate to find her — even enlisting fellow citizen detective Walter (Elijah Wood, Come to Daddy) to help. And, in the past, winter is setting in, making searching for food and staying warm an immense feat. Yellowjackets streams via Paramount+. Read our full review. I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON Eat-the-rich stories are delicious, and also everywhere; however, Succession, Triangle of Sadness and the like aren't the only on-screen sources of terrible but terribly entertaining people. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson has been filling streaming queues with assholes since 2019, as usually played by the eponymous Detroiters star, and long may it continue. In season three, the show takes its premise literally in the most ridiculous and unexpected way, so much so that no one could ever dream of predicting what happens. That's still the sketch comedy's not-so-secret power. Each of its skits is about someone being the worst in some way, doubling down on being the worst and refusing to admit that they're the worst (or that they're wrong) — and while everyone around them might wish they'd leave, they're never going to, and nothing ever ends smoothly. In a show that's previously worked in hot dog costumes and reality TV series about bodies dropping out of coffins to hilarious effect, anything can genuinely happen to its gallery of the insufferable. In fact, the more absurd and chaotic I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson gets, the better. No description can do I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson's sketches justice, and almost every one is a comedic marvel, as again delivered in six 15-minute episodes in the series' third run. The usual complaint applies: for a show about people overstaying their welcome, the program itself flies by too quickly, always leaving viewers wanting more. Everything from dog doors and designated drivers to HR training and street parking is in Robinson's sights this time, and people who won't stop talking about their kids, wedding photos and group-think party behaviour as well. Game shows get parodied again and again, an I Think You Should Leave staple, and gloriously. More often than in past seasons, Robinson lets his guest stars play the asshole, too, including the returning Will Forte (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), regular Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), and perennial pop-ups Fred Armisen (Barry) and Tim Meadows (Poker Face). And when Jason Schwartzman (I Love That for You) and Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) drop in, they're also on the pitch-perfect wavelength. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson streams via Netflix. Read our full review. I HATE SUZIE TOO Watching I Hate Suzie Too isn't easy. Watching I Hate Suzie, the show's first season, wasn't either back in 2020. A warts-and-all dance through the chaotic life, emotions and mind of a celebrity, both instalments of this compelling British series have spun as far away from the glitz and glamour of being famous as possible. Capturing carefully constructed social-media content to sell the fiction of stardom's perfection is part of the story, as it has to be three decades into the 21st century; however, consider this show from Succession writer Lucy Prebble and actor/singer/co-creator Billie Piper, and its blood pressure-raising tension and stress, the anti-Instagram. The unfiltered focus: teen pop sensation-turned-actor Suzie Pickles, as played with a canny sense of knowing by Piper given that the 'Honey to the Bee' and Penny Dreadful talent has charted the same course. That said, the show's IRL star hasn't been the subject of a traumatic phone hack that exposed sensitive photos from an extramarital affair to the public, turning her existence and career upside down, as Suzie was in season one. Forget The Idol — this is the best show about being a famous singer that you can watch right now. In I Hate Suzie Too, plenty has changed for the series' namesake over a six-month period. She's no longer with her professor husband Cob (Daniel Ings, Sex Education), and is battling for custody of their young son Frank (debutant Matthew Jordan-Caws), who is deaf — and her manager and lifelong friend Naomi (Leila Farzad, Avenue 5) is off the books, replaced by the no-nonsense Sian (Anastasia Hille, A Spy Among Friends). Also, in a new chance to win back fans, Suzie has returned to reality TV after it helped thrust her into the spotlight as a child star to begin with. Dance Crazee Xmas is exactly what it sounds like, and sees her compete against soccer heroes (Blake Harrison, The Inbetweeners), musicians (Douglas Hodge, The Great) and more. But when I Hate Suzie Too kicks off with a ferocious, clearly cathartic solo dance in sad-clown getup, the viewers aren't charmed. Well, Dance Crazee Xmas' audience, that is — because anyone watching I Hate Suzie Too is in for another stunner that's fearless, audacious, honest, dripping with anxiety, staggering in its intensity, absolutely heart-wrenching and always unflinching. I Hate Suzie Too streams via Stan. Read our full review. THE GREAT Television perfection is watching Elle Fanning (The Girl From Plainville) and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) trying to run 18th-century Russia while scheming, fighting and heatedly reuniting in a historical period comedy The Great. Since 2020, they've each been in career-best form — her as the series' ambitious namesake, him as the emperor who loses his throne to his wife — while turning in two of the best performances on streaming in one of the medium's most hilarious shows. Both former child actors now enjoying excellent careers as adults, they make such a marvellous pair that it's easy to imagine this series being built around them. It wasn't and, now three seasons, The Great has never thrived on their casting alone. Still, shouting "huzzah!" at the duo's bickering, burning passion and bloodshed-sparking feuding flows as freely as all the vodka downed in the Emmy-winner's frames under Australian creator Tony McNamara's watch (and after he initially unleashed its winning havoc upon Sydney Theatre Company in 2008, then adapted it for television following a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination for co-penning The Favourite). In this latest batch of instalments, all either written or co-written by McNamara, Catherine (Fanning) and Peter (Hoult) begin the third season sure about their love for each other, but just as flummoxed as ever about making their nuptials work. She's attempting to reform the nation, he's the primary caregiver to their infant son Paul, her efforts are meeting resistance, he's doting but also bored playing stay-out-of-politics dad, and couples counselling is called for. There's also the matter of the royal court's most prominent members, many of whom were rounded up and arrested under Catherine's orders at the end of season two. From Sweden, exiled King Hugo (Freddie Fox, House of the Dragon) and Queen Agnes (Grace Molony, Mary, Queen of Scots) are hanging around after being run out of their own country due to democracy's arrival. And, Peter's lookalike Pugachev (also Hoult) is agitating for a serf-powered revolution. The Great streams via Stan. Read our full review. PREHISTORIC PLANET When it initially arrived in 2022, becoming one of the year's best new shows and giving nature doco fans the five-episode series they didn't know they'd always wanted — and simultaneously couldn't believe hadn't been made until now — Prehistoric Planet followed the David Attenborough nature documentary formula perfectly. And it is a formula. In a genre that's frequently spying the wealth of patterns at the heart of the animal realm, docos such as The Living Planet, State of the Planet, Frozen Planet, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet, Green Planet and the like all build from the same basic elements. Jumping back 66 million years, capitalising upon advancements in special effects but committing to making a program just like anything that peers at the earth today was never going to feel like the easy product of a template, though. Indeed, Prehistoric Planet's first season was stunning, and its second is just as staggering. The catch, in both season one and this return trip backwards: while breathtaking landscape footage brings the planet's terrain to the Prehistoric Planet series, the critters stalking, swimming, flying and tumbling across it are purely pixels. Filmmaker Jon Favreau remains among the show's executive producers, and the technology that brought his photorealistic versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King to cinemas couldn't be more pivotal. Seeing needs to be believing while watching, because the big-screen gloss of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World sagas, the puppets of 90s sitcom Dinosaurs, and the animatronics of Walking with Dinosaurs — or anything in-between — were never going to suit a program with Attenborough as a guide. Accordingly, to sit down to Prehistoric Planet is to experience cognitive dissonance: viewers are well-aware that what they're spying isn't real because the animals seen no longer exist, but it truly looks that authentic. Prehistoric Planet season streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. SERVANT When M Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin) earned global attention and two Oscar nominations back in 1999 for The Sixth Sense, it was with a film about a boy who sees dead people. After ten more features that include highs (the trilogy that is Unbreakable, Split and Glass) and lows (Lady in the Water and The Happening), in 2019 he turned his attention to a TV tale of a nanny who revives a dead baby. Or did he? That's how Servant commenced its first instantly eerie, anxious and dread-filled season, a storyline it has followed in its second season in 2021, third in 2022, and then fourth and final batch of episodes in 2023. But as with all Shyamalan works, this meticulously made series bubbles with the clear feeling that all isn't as it seems. What happens if a caregiver sweeps in exactly when needed and changes a family's life, Mary Poppins-style, but she's a teenager rather than a woman, disquieting instead of comforting, and accompanied by strange events, forceful cults and unsettlingly conspiracies rather than sweet songs, breezy winds and spoonfuls of sugar? That's Servant's basic premise. Set in Shyamalan's beloved Philadelphia, and created by Tony Basgallop (The Consultant), the puzzle-box series spends most of its time in a lavish brownstone inhabited by TV news reporter Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose, Yellowjackets), her celebrity-chef husband Sean (Toby Kebbell, Bloodshot), their baby Jericho and 18-year-old nanny Leanne Grayson (Nell Tiger Free, Too Old to Die Young) — and where Dorothy's recovering-alcoholic brother Julian (Grint, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities) is a frequent visitor. That's still the dynamic in season four, which slowly and powerfully moves towards its big farewell. Dorothy is more determined than ever to be rid of Leanne, Leanne is more sure of herself and her abilities than she's ever been — in childminding, and all the other spooky occurrences that've been haunting the family — and Sean and Julian are again caught in the middle. Wrapping up with one helluva ending, Servant has gifted viewers four seasons of spectacular duelling caregivers and gripping domestic tension, and one of streaming's horror greats. Servant streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review of season four. THE MARVELOUS MRS MAISEL Here's how The Marvelous Mrs Maisel started: in New York City in 1958, Miriam 'Midge' Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan, I'm Your Woman) had become accustomed to waiting in the wings while her husband Joel (Michael Zegen, The Stand In) tried his hand at stand-up comedy. Then she took to the stage herself, and this blend of comedy and drama followed the revolutionary aftermath. Sometimes, that's brought highlights, including having her talent recognised by Gaslight Cafe manager Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein, Family Guy), taking her sets on the road and working her way up the comedy ladder. Sometimes, there have been costs, especially in her relationships. And always, right up to the show's fifth and final season that featured jumps forward to the 21st century, there was a battle that still sadly remains oh-so-relevant IRL: for women in comedy to be treated and seen equally. Hailing from Gilmore Girls and Bunheads mastermind Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel's cast has always proven a dream — Tony Shalhoub (Flamin' Hot), Marin Hinkle (Jumanji: The Next Level), Kevin Pollak (Willow) and Caroline Aaron (Ghosts) also feature, and Jane Lynch (Party Down), Luke Kirby (Boston Strangler) and Stephanie Hsu (Joy Ride) as well — and, unsurprisingly, its writing, too. Indeed, there's nothing quite like Sherman-Palladino-penned dialogue, which Brosnahan especially is a natural at nailing its rhythms. The period detail has consistently been impeccable, but this wouldn't be the hit it is (or have Golden Globes and Emmys to its name) if it didn't also mean something. It should come as no astonishment that Joan Rivers was one of the inspirations for the series, and that it is equally hilarious, heartfelt and finely observed, with its guiding writer, director and producer's charms in abundance. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel streams via Prime Video. TED LASSO It wasn't simply debuting during the pandemic's first year, in a life-changing period when everyone was doing it tough, that made Ted Lasso's first season a hit in 2020. It wasn't just the Apple TV+ sitcom's unshakeable warmth, giving its characters and viewers alike a big warm hug episode after episode, either. Both play a key part, however, because this Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live)-starring soccer series is about everyone pitching in and playing a part. It's a team endeavour that champions team endeavours — hailing from a quartet of creators (Sudeikis, co-star Brendan Hunt, Detroiters' Joe Kelly and Scrubs' Bill Lawrence), boasting a killer cast in both major and supporting roles, and understanding how important it is to support one another on- and off-screen (plus in the fictional world that the show has created, and while making that realm so beloved with audiences). Ted Lasso has always believed in the individual players as well as the team they're in, though. It is named after its eponymous American football coach-turned-inexperienced soccer manager, after all. But in building an entire sitcom around a character that started as a sketch in two popular US television ads for NBC's Premier League coverage — around two characters, because Hunt's (Bless This Mess) laconic Coach Beard began in those commercials as well — Ted Lasso has always understood that everyone is only a fraction of who they can be when they're alone. That's an idea that kept gathering momentum in the show's long-awaited third season, which gave much to engagingly dive into. It starts with Ted left solo when he desperately doesn't want to be, with AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham, Hocus Pocus 2) desperate to beat her ex Rupert Mannion (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head) new team, and with the Greyhounds' former assistant Nathan 'Nate' Shelley (Nick Mohammed, Intelligence) now coaching said opposition — and with changes galore around the club. It ends with more big moves after another astute look at the game of life, whether or not it returns for season four. Ted Lasso streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. SCHMIGADOON! For fans of Key & Peele, the fact that Keegan-Michael Key can do anything won't come as a surprise. In 2023, proving that statement true has seen the comedian and actor voice Toad in The Super Mario Bros Movie, and also return to the realm of singing and dancing in Schmigadoon!. What would it be like to live in a musical? That's been this Apple TV+'s central question since it first premiered in 2021. Key stars opposite the also ever-versatile Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live) as a couple, Josh Skinner and Melissa Gimble, who are simply backpacking when they suddenly find themselves in the wondrous titular town. The duo were hoping to fix their struggling relationship with a stint in nature, but instead step into a 24/7 Golden Age-style show — a parody of Brigadoon, clearly — that helps them work through their feelings, discover what they truly want and see a different side of life. That was season one. In season two, Josh and Melissa start back in the real world, married, in their medical jobs and going through the motions. In their malaise, a return trip to Schmigadoon! beckons; however, when they stumble upon it again, the place isn't quite the same. Instead, they're now in Schmicago. And, instead of 40s and 50s musicals, 60s and 70s shows are in the spotlight — including the razzle dazzle of Chicago, obviously. What a ball this series has, including with a jam-packed cast that includes Dove Cameron (Vengeance), Kristin Chenoweth (Bros), Alan Cumming (The Good Fight), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Jane Krakowski (Dickinson), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building) and Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) — and with ample thanks to creators Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (the Despicable Me films). Schmigadoon! streams via Apple TV+. BLACK MIRROR When Ron Swanson discovered digital music, the tech-phobic Parks and Recreation favourite was uncharacteristically full of praise. Played by Nick Offerman (The Last of Us) at his most giddily exuberant, he badged the iPod filled with his favourite records an "excellent rectangle". In Black Mirror, the same shape is everywhere. The Netflix series' moniker even stems from the screens and gadgets that we all now filter life through daily and unthinkingly. In Charlie Brooker's (Cunk on Earth) eyes since 2011, however, those ever-present boxes and the technology behind them are far from ace. Instead, befitting a dystopian anthology show that has dripped with existential dread from episode one, and continues to do so in its long-awaited sixth season, those rectangles keep reflecting humanity at its bleakest. Black Mirror as a title has always been devastatingly astute: when we stare at a TV, smartphone, computer or tablet, we access the world yet also reveal ourselves. It might've taken four years to return after 2019's season five, but Brooker's hit still smartly and sharply focuses on the same concern. Indeed, this new must-binge batch of nightmares begins with exactly the satirical hellscape that today's times were bound to inspire. Opening chapter Joan Is Awful, with its AI- and deepfake-fuelled mining of everyday existence for content, almost feels too prescient — a charge a show that's dived into digital resurrections, social scoring systems, killer VR and constant surveillance knows well. Brooker isn't afraid to think bigger and probe deeper in season six, though; to eschew obvious targets like ChatGPT and the pandemic; and to see clearly and unflinchingly that our worst impulses aren't tied to the latest widgets. Black Mirror streams via Netflix. Read our full review. HUNTERS Call it a conspiracy thriller. Call it an alternative history. Call it a revenge fantasy. Call it another savage exploration of race relations with Jordan Peele's fingerprints all over it. When it comes to Hunters, they all fit. This 70s-set Nazi-slaying series first arrived in 2020, following a ragtag group determined to do two things: avenge the Holocaust, with many among their number Jewish survivors or relatives of survivors; and stop escaped Third Reich figures who've secretly slipped into the US from their plan of starting a Fourth Reich. The cast was stellar — Al Pacino (House of Gucci), Logan Lerman (Bullet Train), Tiffany Boone (Nine Perfect Strangers), Jeannie Berlin (Succession), Carol Kane (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Lena Olin (Mindhunter) and Australia's own Kate Mulvany (The Clearing) among them — and Get Out and Us filmmaker Peele executive produced a gem as he also did that same year with Lovecraft Country. And, when it wrapped up its first season, it did so with one mighty massive cliffhanger: the fact that Adolf Hitler (Udo Kier, Swan Song) was still alive in 1977. Returning for its second and final batch of episodes three years later, but largely moving its action to 1979, season two of Hunters sees its central gang initially doing their own things — but unsurprisingly reteaming to go after the obvious target. Jonah Heidelbaum (Lerman) is living a double life, with his new fiancee Clara (Emily Rudd, Fear Street) in the dark about his Nazi-hunting ways, but crossing paths with the ruthless and determined Chava Apfelbaum (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Possessor) ramps up his and the crew's efforts. Knowing this is the final go-around, the stylishly shot series wasn't afraid of embracing its OTT leanings, tonal jumps and frenetic camerawork, and always proved entertaining as it hurtles towards its last hurrah. The best episode of the season, however, is one that jumps back to World War II, doesn't focus on any of its main stars and is as clever, moving and well-executed as Hunters has ever been. If the show ever gets revived in the future, which it easily could, more of that would make a great series even better. Hunters streams via Prime Video. Looking for more viewing highlights? We picked the 15 best new TV shows of 2023, too. We also keep a running list of must-stream TV from across the year so far, complete with full reviews. And, you can check out our list of film and TV streaming recommendations, which is updated monthly.
Potterheads, prepare to lose your gosh darn minds. To celebrate Harry Potter's birthday on July 31, a newly established group named Peeves' Gang are hosting three parties across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide (so you can expect a lot of silly wand waving). Just leave Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks at home. It's dress-up (obviously) and Butterbeer, Fire Whiskey and Polyjuice Potion will be served up en masse so make sure you book a ticket on the Knight Bus to get you home safe. The parties are being held in some pretty big locations, including the King Cross Hotel in Sydney (July 1), the Castle of Brown Alley in Melbourne (July 29) and the Castle of Sugar in Adelaide (May 27). If you're feeling especially in the spirit, you might want to bring a cake: The HP fan world is more stupefied and damn well excited than usual lately (if you listen closely you can hear old sheets being cut up and crafted into dress robes). It could be because Brisbane held an entire Harry Potter market last month. It could be because every morning we still hopefully open the mailbox expecting a belated Hogwarts letter, or maybe because the official trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them just came out and we're feeling that familiar excitement building. There's also the West End play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II (the epilogue we all wanted); a sanctioned eighth 'book' has been announced based on the play and the Universal Studios Harry Potter World have just thrown their doors wide. It's a Harry Potter smorgasboard worldwide and we are damn sure going to feast. FYI this year we celebrate Harry's 36th birthday. We know this because HP nerds investigated, argued and deduced that JK Rowling began writing the series in 1990, when Harry was 10, so he was born 1980 and turns 36 in 2016. If you're looking for dress-up ideas, check in with Madam Malkin or borrow some mad swag from the staff: Grab your tickets to the Melbourne party here, the Sydney party here and the Adelaide party here. UPDATE APRIL 26, 2016: Sydney has added an extra date on Saturday, July 2, as the first party sold out quicker than the Basilisk petrified Colin Creevey. Get on it.
When Studio Ghibli opened its own theme park outside of Tokyo at the beginning of November, it took a leaf out of Disney's book, gifting the world the new happiest place on earth. Now, it's actually joining forces with the Mouse House on a surprise collaboration. If you've ever wondered what the cutest figure in a galaxy far, far away might look like if it was given the hand-drawn Ghibli treatment — complete with Spirited Away's susuwatari in tow — then wonder no more, because short film Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies has the answers. Two pop culture favourites, one epic collaboration, and your delightful weekend viewing all sorted: that's the recipe here. Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies will drop on Saturday, November 12 in the US — which usually means 6pm AEST/7pm AEDT in Australia and 9pm in New Zealand — all to celebrate three years since The Mandalorian first hit screens. pic.twitter.com/RZ74q04w7J — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) November 10, 2022 pic.twitter.com/31jDkRIXTL — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) November 11, 2022 The just-announced news comes after a few days of teasing on social media, including Studio Ghibli posting a short video featuring both the Lucasfilm and Ghibli logos — and another image featuring a statue of Baby Yoda, aka Grogu, with Studio Ghibli icon and founder Hayao Miyazaki in the background. Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies hails from director Katsuya Kondo (an animator on Earwig and the Witch, When Marnie Was There, The Wind Rises and more), and will feature music by Oscar- and Emmy-winning composer Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian). Further details, other than the fact that you'll need to head to Disney's streaming service Disney+ to see it, haven't been revealed. The anniversary also marks three years of Disney+ itself, and the short precedes the long-awaited third season of The Mandalorian — which dropped a trailer back in September, but won't hit streaming until sometime in 2023. Of course, Andor is filling the Star Wars TV gap quite nicely in the interim — and now Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies, aka a dream team-up, will help as well. Discover Zen - Grogu and Dust Bunnies, a hand-drawn animation by Studio Ghibli, is streaming tomorrow on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/ODqHrgIwnB — Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) November 12, 2022 Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies will be available to stream via Disney+ from Saturday, November 12.
To celebrate a momentous 50 years since the very first appearance of LEGO bricks in Australia, the Danish toymaker is putting on a Festival of Play throughout the year. LEGO is the number one toy in Australia, with each Aussie owning an average of 70 LEGO bricks. This influential product has changed many of our childhoods and reconstructed our perceptions of inspiration, creativity and play. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming competitions, like the 50 from 50, where your creativity is put to the test for brickvention, art displays like the one appearing at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum showcasing unique mosaics of Lego brick art, or the exciting new Build with Chrome innovation, which allows you to explore and build a world of 3D LEGO creations online anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. Here, we take a look at some of the most spectacular giant LEGO creations around the world in recent times. LEGO Colosseum, Nicholson Museum Tiny Romans and architecture at this exhibition on the ancient world at the University of Sydney, which runs until early 2013. LEGO Forest, Martin Place For those who missed this spectacular surprise forest appearing in Sydney's CBD, the set of 15 LEGO flower and pine tree structures are an exact replica of the original pieces, only 66 times bigger. LEGO Forest, Broken Hill Going on tour, the forest next appeared against the vibrant backdrop of outback Australia's red dust plains in Broken Hill. Who knows where the gigantic LEGO pieces will appear next? LEGO Staircase, New York This dazzling staircase and railing in a Chelsea Loft is fashioned from an enormous 20,000 LEGO bricks, designed by artist Melissa Marks and interface designer Vicente Caride. LEGO Skyscraper, Seoul This phenomenal structure, built solely out of LEGO bricks, set the new world record for the highest LEGO building ever. The Skyscraper took 4,000 children 5 days to construct using 50,000 bricks. LEGO House, Surrey 1,000 volunteers collaborated together for BBC 2 show, Toy Stories, to create this enormous 32-million brick, two-storey house. Despite designer James May's best attempts to sell the structure to Legoland in Windsor, the house was demolished in 2009. LEGO Furniture by Lunablocks Release your inner decorator and inner kid simultaneously with these soft and stackable LEGO furniture items. They come in an array of shapes and sizes that offer endless opportunities to design and reconfigure your lounge room. LEGO Dispatchwork Using LEGO as dispatchwork is a movement launched by German artist Jan Vormann a few years ago. What started as a fun, colourful and creative way to patch old walls at the contemporary art festival in Boccignano, Italy, has now become an ongoing project spreading worldwide. LEGO Church, The Netherlands The 20 metre Church of the Holy Brick, called Abondantus Gigantus, was built last year in the town of Enschede for the Grenswerk Festival. It was designed as a venue for town meetings, raves, LEGO building contests and even a mass at one stage. LEGO Bridge, Wuppertal It took German Street-artist Megz four weeks to transform this drab bridge into a wonderment of colour and vibrance, resembling giant LEGO bricks. LEGO Car, Munich 800 kids + four days + 165,000 Lego bricks + German Automakers = Life-size replica of a BMW X1 made out of lego.
A pub has stood on the corner of Hawthorn's Church Street and Barkers Road (formerly Beehive Road) since the 1800s. It's had a few different names during that time — most recently, Serafina — but it's been called The Beehive throughout most of its life. And though Serafina is no longer, Julien Moussi and Tony Pantano from Only Hospitality (Hotel Collingwood, Hobsons Bay Hotel) have taken over the 300-seat pub and given it a major makeover, renaming it The Beehive in the process. By.Underwood was brought on to restore rather than renovate the building, and has worked hard to keep plenty of the pub's heritage features. The famed beehive sculpture that crowns the pub remains, as does the old-school ceiling plasterwork, restored flooring and large arch windows. A warm, bee-inspired yellow and brown colour palette flows throughout the venue, while playful beehive lights sit above banquette seats. It's a fun nod to the pub's name, but you'll still be hanging out in a pub, not a bee-themed bar. Chef Chris Rendell has designed The Beehive's new menu, delivering contemporary gastropub fare with a particular focus on woodfired cooking. Flame-kissed proteins now feature at The Beehive alongside pub classics like chicken and eggplant parmas and fish and chips, as well as a rotating selection of pastas and share plates. As another little nod to its name, local honey by Pure Peninsula is sprinkled throughout the food and drinks offerings, from a honeycomb-starring cheeseboard to honey-based desserts and a hot honey cocktail. Harrison Young (Milton Wine Shop) has been enlisted to create the wine list, which showcases both local and international drops. The team is pouring an impressive 17 by the glass and another 120 by the bottle. The old-school pub vibes live on at the front bar, which boasts a 12-strong selection of beers on tap and plenty of classic and signature cocktails. Here, you'll also find screens streaming sports matches, a roaring fireplace and plenty of sporting memorabilia. Images: David Green.
Melbourne's ever evolving Japanese dining scene has left us totally spoilt for choice — and with standout omakase menus to suit every kind of palate. But if wagyu is the way to your heart, there's one of these degustation adventures that'll especially impress. In addition to its yakitori-focused casual eatery, South Yarra's Yakikami is home to a stellar chef's table experience, which unfolds behind a curtain in the ten-seat Josper Room. This intimate dining space celebrates some of the world's finest wagyu while heroing its Josper grill, via the 12-course Niku Kappo Wagyu Omakase ($285). The hospitality crew behind it, Wagyu Ya Group, have the only Japanese restaurants in the state that are certified to serve Kobe wagyu beef, while Yakikami is plating up the city's only dedicated wagyu omakase. [caption id="attachment_901125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Pascoe[/caption] The menu here is rich, packed with flavour and brimming with clever technique. And the latter is even more impressive as you see it deftly executed by the team in front of your eyes, while Head Chef Hirokazu Sasaki explains various elements and charmingly chats diners through the premium meat cuts. Expect memorable dishes like the Josper-grilled tenderloin, an indulgent wagyu katsu sando with truffle butter, slow-poached rib finger stew served atop parsnip puree, truffled carpaccio and wagyu sirloin sukiyaki. There's an expertly curated wine and sake pairing available for $150, or you can match your feast with a lineup of mocktails for $75. [caption id="attachment_859426" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Griffin Simm[/caption] Meanwhile, the main dining room is your go-to for a more casual feed, heroing yakitori cooked on a binchotan grill, alongside a slew of other Japanese classics. Here, the love for primo wagyu continues, though top-notch seafood and pasture-raised chicken are also given plenty of airtime. Kick things off with the likes of a silky prawn chawanmushi ($22), or various seafood carpaccio and sashimi, before moving onto plates like chicken skin rice ($32), an array of wagyu steak cuts and skewers, and bowls of signature ramen ($29). [caption id="attachment_901126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Pascoe[/caption] [caption id="attachment_901124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Pascoe[/caption]
Though one of the smallest, Brother Baba Budan has to be one of the most frequented coffee shops in the CBD. The Little Bourke Street cafe has just 15 seats inside, so if you're heading in at coffee peak hour, you'll have to be lucky to snag a spot. Even getting a take away cup tends to be a cosy experience. But it's worth it for an expertly made Seven Seeds brew, either as an espresso, filter or nitro brew. A small selection of pastries and cakes are available on the counter as well. Appears in: The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne's CBD
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your text trip. In this instalment, we take you to Hanging Gardens of Bali where guests stay in luxury villas overlooking some of Indonesia's untamed jungle. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This Balinese resort sits far away from the crowds, up in the lush rainforest surrounded by local wildlife and charming rice terraces. Hanging Gardens of Bali has also won so many international accommodation awards thanks to the breathtaking views, super luxurious villas and gracious service. THE ROOMS This high-end resort is made up of 44 private villas, each perched high atop wooden pillars overlooking the valley below. Wake up and enjoy this view from your extra-large canopy bed before rolling out into your own private plunge pool — it's paradise on stilts. And each villa is full of character. The villas combine contemporary and Balinese décor with signature hand-crafted furniture, exotic fabrics, open-air dining areas and epic master bathrooms. We see no reason why you'd ever need to leave your villa. FOOD AND DRINK Keeping with the 'never leave your villa' life, these guys will make and deliver an enormous breakfast to your room, made to be eaten in your private pool. It's all served in a bespoke wooden boat that sits out in the water with you. A dining experience that, due to your location, is quite literally next-level. But, if you do want to get out of your villa for dining, they have stacks of other options available. Either head to the main pool area for cocktails and snacks or dine in their Three Elements Restaurant. The restaurant has won separate awards for their cuisine and dining experience so shouldn't be missed. And that's just the start. Hanging Gardens of Bali also offers a wide range of other dining experiences. Spread throughout the valley are a series of cosy private dining spaces. Have a gourmet picnic on their riverside Bale, be served a romantic dinner within an ancient temple and eat some traditional afternoon tea around the rice fields. [caption id="attachment_872752" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Niklas Weiss (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA This luxury resort is located near Payangan, a small village north of Ubud. Zip around the winding roads of the area on a quad bike (or just get a taxi if you dare not undertake this feat) to explore the nearby temples, holistic centres, yoga studios, rice fields and stacks of local markets. Explore this area to see why Bali is still on the top of so many people's travel bucket list destinations. You can also visit Canggu and Uluwatu to find the best surf or temporarily leave the serenity and hit Kuta and Seminyak for those famous Bali party vibes. Choose your own Bali adventure — it's all pretty easy to do from this location. THE EXTRAS Now we've already mentioned all of the extra dining options available at Hanging Gardens of Bali, but these guys don't stop there. The team here has created an impressive smorgasbord of additional pampering activities. First off, there is the spa — yes, this has won a handful of awards too. It's truly luxurious treatments combine natural, local ingredients and ancient techniques, to create beauty therapies and treatments that soothe the mind, rejuvenate the body and energise that poor old soul of yours. Of course, these treatments also come with a view of the Balinese jungle so you'll feel surrounded by nature even when you're technically inside. We are also big fans of their guided morning walks. Take off on a journey through the local villages, led by their resort guide before reaching one of the local rice fields. Here, the guide will serve a few refreshing drinks while talking a little bit about rural life in this part of Indonesia. It's a really delightful way to start the day. Get 30% off your stay at The Hanging Gardens of Bali here (with daily breakfast, sunset yoga and a couple's massage included). You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Being houseproud is the new social. Whether you're an avid viewer of Grand Designs and invest hours lusting over interior design accounts on Instagram, or you're just feeling ambivalent towards your living space after having spent so much time in it recently, there's one thing worth remembering: even the subtlest of changes can make a big difference to how a room looks and feels. In partnership with Samsung, we have curated eight effortlessly stylish objects from makers in Australia and further afield. These homewares and furniture pieces will seamlessly complement the room of your choice while elevating it to new design heights. PERCY FLOOR LAMP, MCMULLIN AND CO ($449) McMullin and Co has a focus on simplicity in its creations, as well as a love for elegant scalloped edges and serpentine lines. The Percy Floor Lamp's powder-coated black stem is an example of the meandering curve that's been admired throughout art history for what it signifies: liveliness, activity and something of interest for the eye. Complete with a linen shade, this floor lamp casts a beautiful light and is just one of the many striking pieces of furniture and design wares offered by the Sydney-based design studio. We love imagining it next to one of McMullin and Co's bed heads as a floor or table lamp, or placed in the corner of the living room to bring an unimposing glow — perfect for mood lighting during a late-night movie marathon. THE SERIF, SAMSUNG (FROM $1249) Gone are the days where you need to hide your eyesore TV set or find some way to make a large black screen (and its many cables) work with your living room aesthetic. Stylish from any angle, Samsung's The Serif is an innovative format for home televisions that harkens back to the days of freestanding TVs, but with a modern update. Celebrated industrial designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are behind The Serif's unique design, and it is fast building a cult following. What we love most about The Serif is its versatility — its 360-degree design, with a unique 'I'-shaped profile and removable legs means it looks great no matter where in the room you place it. But it's not only for the interior aesthetes. The visual harmony of the Bouroullec brothers' design is complemented by Samsung's QLED picture quality. It includes features like smart connectivity and Ambient Mode, where you can display your own photos and images (or one of the exclusive patterns from the Bouroullec brothers) on the screen, which also auto-adjusts to surrounding light settings. Plus, through NFC technology, you can place your compatible phone on the top shelf and play tunes through the TV speakers*. ECLIPSE #2098 RUG, PAMPA ($3260) This year's long winter stuck indoors really brought rugs and floor coverings into focus. Now, as we head into summer, a flatweave wool rug is an appealing addition to the floor of nearly any room in your house — and it's perfect to layer with heavier rugs as the cooler months return. This hand-woven piece from Pampa is made using the traditional practice by Argentinian weavers, where the looms used are the arm span of the weaver. The textile panels are then joined together to create the finished rugs, giving a lovely handmade touch to this investment purchase. Pampa's interest in colour theory is evident in this rug: the creamy beige becomes almost pink next to its complementary moss green. ANNA VARENDORFF, SMALL 'EDGING OVER' THICK TUBE VASE, ACV STUDIO ($290) We've seen vases in cylindrical form popping up in designer feeds recently. But this one by award-winning Melbourne-based artist Anna Varendorff is a little different. Each vase is individually handmade and has a buffed matte finish, bringing interest and imperfection to the smooth stainless steel. No two are exactly the same. The tube is wide enough to hold medium- and thick-stemmed fresh foliage and dried flowers. As you can tell from the image above, it will be a unique focal point in any room for you (and guests) to marvel at. OLIO ARMCHAIR, DESIGN BY THEM (FROM $3658) This chair is the work of three designers: Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis (who work together under Gibson Karlo and are co-founders of Design by Them), and Melbourne School of Design lecturer, Christina Bricknell. The Olio Armchair brings together the talents and interests of the Australian design trio in sculptural form, material and tactility to create this modern addition to your furniture collection. The piece features curved and cylindrical elements to create an inviting seat in which to rest, read and watch. It's available in a variety of coverings including a beautiful ivory bouclé, lush navy velvet and several leather options. CUSHION, VEIKKANEN ($225) If you're looking for a beautiful, graphic-print cushion to bring some colour to your interior ensemble, look no further than Veikkanen. The Melbourne-based brand offers a series of one-of-a-kind cushions with patterns, graphics and colours informed by its founder's training in both textiles and graphic design. Veikannen chooses natural and recycled materials wherever possible, and custom-makes each cushion using the process of hand-tufting. Watch out for each drop of limited-edition products on Instagram — they sell out fast. And if you're interested in taking these funky vibrant visuals to your wall, art and hangings are also available in limited releases or by commission. DREAMWEAVER LIGHT, POP & SCOTT ($890) With a steel frame hand-woven with organic cotton yarn and dipped in colour at its base, this lamp shade beautifully demonstrates strong elements coming together in harmony with a focus on function and form. Choose from a colour palette of rust, oatmeal, chartreuse, blush and navy to design your ideal lighting to suit your space. Pop & Scott has a passion for contemporary Australian design, and places a focus on sourcing quality materials and using ethical means of production to create timeless pieces. These shades are made to order by the family business, and a tree is planted for each purchase via Carbon Neutral. J4 TABLES, JAMES HOWE (ENQUIRE) Furniture and lighting designer James Howe has created a table that invites us to pay attention to light and shadow, and how they interact. Crafted with timber and acrylic, the varied surfaces speak to Howe's interest in materials and minimalism. The J4 table's name is perhaps a nod to Danish designer Børge Mogensen's J39 chair that Howe cites as his inspiration to become a furniture designer. To find out more about The Serif, visit the Samsung website. * Only supported by Android OS-based smartphones that support Near Field Communication (NFC) wireless information sharing.
The minds behind Terror Twilight, Convoy, Tinker and Hi Fi — Ben Argentino, Bec Moore and Kieran Spiteri — know how to cafe. They've figured out the magic algorithm to make a successful breakfast and lunch spot, and are now taking it one step further with Ophelia. Here, right on the Westgarth end of Northcote's High Street, the team runs Ophelia as a somewhat classic cafe in the morning before switching things up as the day goes on — becoming more of a wine bar and long lunch destination. In the morning, you'll find Euro-leaning dishes like the savoury buckwheat galette layered with roast zucchini, buffalo milk ricotta, rocket pepita pesto, aleppo pepper and nigella seeds; staropolska sausage served with mustard-braised cabbage, relish, pickled wildwood fennel and a fried egg; and a caramelised milk loaf sitting on a bed of citrus curd and topped with spiced cardamom sugar, orange and mint. You can also keep it super simple by just getting two eggs on Iris toast, served with relish, cultured butter and dressed salad leaves. As 11am rolls around, a few more dishes join the fold. These include a barramundi rillette with rye toast, smoked mustard and pickles, and a panko chicken thigh with caper honey mustard, radicchio, endive, manchego and charred leek salt. There's also a ploughman's platter that comes with pickles, market cheese and cold cuts from Savour and Grace. A cabinet full of takeaway goodies also features throughout the day, full of cakes, pastries, salads and sandwiches. The team describes the menu as not quite being a classic breakfast nor your usual lunch, but instead filling the space between these mealtimes. You can mix and match dishes from both sections of the menu to create something that more closely resembles whatever dining situation you prefer — either pairing it with coffee, house sodas, cocktails, mocktails or wine. Much like its siblings, Ophelia also has a strong focus on vinyl. Music is chosen from the floor-to-ceiling record wall, and is played from open to close. Right now, the doors shut at 4pm every vday of the week, but the crew is planning to launch a nighttime offering in summer — leaning even further into those wine bar vibes. Co-Director Keiran Spiteri shares, "We want Ophelia to feel like the warm neighbour who always has a record playing and bottle opener handy. "While she's new to the village, we hope people get the sense they've known her for years. To feel comfortable to stay a while, and make the space their own." You'll find Ophelia at 85 High Street, Northcote, open from 7am–4pm every day of the week. For more information, you can check out the venue's website.
Following a big night out, scrolling through your snaps may be part of your morning-after routine, letting you bask in the glory of all those photos immortalising all that fun. Or, hitting up a gig, bar or party just mightn't be complete unless you're filling your socials while you're there. Whether one or both of the above apply to you, neither is out of the ordinary — so much so that heading to a shindig without being able to access your phone is now a novelty. That's exactly the kind of situation that Lane 8's record label This Never Happened is embracing, however, when it tours Australia's east coast with for a series of gatherings. At This Never Happens Presents, you won't have a screen in your hand — or face. You won't be swiping, texting or doing anything else with the gadget we're all addicted to, either. Attendees will have their phones taped upon arrival, because these dance music get-togethers are all about connecting IRL and in the moment. The tour has three stops over one July weekend, starting on Friday, July 14 at 170 Russell in Melbourne, then moving to Sydney's Metro Theatre on Saturday, July 15, before wrapping up at Brightside Outdoors in Brisbane on Sunday, July 16. In each city, you'll enjoy tunes from Le Youth, Sultan & Shepard and PARIS on the dance floor — and you'll just have to rely upon your noggin to remember all the highlights afterwards. These will be This Never Happen's first shows in this part of the world, after launching in 2016, signing artists who've toured with producer and DJ Lane 8, and first hosting parties in 2017 and 2019 elsewhere around the globe. Pics or it didn't happen? Not here. THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRESENTS 2023 DATES: Friday, July 14 — 170 Russell, Melbourne Saturday, July 15 — Metro Theatre, Sydney Sunday, July 16 — Brightside Outdoors, Brisbane THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRESENTS 2023 LINEUP: Le Youth Sultan & Shepard PARIS This Never Happened Presents tours Australia's east coast in July, with ticket pre-sales from 12pm AEST on Wednesday, May 10 and general sales from 12pm on Thursday, May 11.
Wednesday nights in Melbourne mean one thing: hitting up the Queen Victoria Market's usual midweek — and after-dark — offering. During winter, it celebrates the frosty season with an appropriate spread. Across spring this year, it's been oozing Euro vibes. Now, with the warm weather upon us for another year, QVM is bringing back its legendary Summer Night Market. Just like last year's Summer Night Market, the event is returning every Wednesday from late November till the middle of March: from November 22–March 13, to be exact. That means that Melburnians can look forward to a fresh 16-week run, and to a heap of places to browse, buy from, eat at and sip drinks from, with more than 100 different shops, stalls and bars on the lineup. Each week, the Summer Night Market will feature a mouthwatering lineup of food vendors slinging street eats from every corner of the globe. We're talking Mozzaburgers (they're burgers made with mozzarella cheese buns) from That's Amore Cheese, sticky chicken and beef ribs from Rib-a-licious, authentic Filipino street eats from HOY PINOY and Black Forest pavs from Pavlova. It's Off Tap is also making its Summer Night Market debut, serving up its chocolate-coated strawberries to the Melbourne masses. To wash it all down and quench your summer thirst, you'll find no less than six dedicated festival bars — one focusing on mojitos, another doing sangria and a Brick Lane Beer Garden all included. As always, there'll be a program of live, local tunes to soundtrack your food-focused wanderings, including DJ sets and roving performers. From November 22–December 20, the Queen Vic Market's Summer Night Market will also be going full Christmas with carollers, roaming Santas and a Christmas tree forest. DJs will also be blasting Christmas classics during this period — for better or worse, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is sure to be featured while you eat and drink under the stars. And, for a little midweek shopping action, see: the diverse range of artisan maker stalls, which will be brimming with an array of handmade gifts, homewares, fashion and more. The Queen Victoria Market 2023–24 Summer Night Market will run from 5–10pm every Wednesday from November 22–March 13 (excluding December 27). Find it at the Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne. More info can be found at the venue's website.
True Detective started with Matthew McConaughey (The Rivals of Amziah King) and Woody Harrelson (Last Breath) as its leads. Next came Taylor Kitsch (American Primeval), Colin Farrell (The Penguin) and Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret). Mahershala Ali (Jurassic World Rebirth) and Stephen Dorff (Bride Hard) did the honours, too, followed by Jodie Foster (Nyad) and Kali Reis (Rebuilding). And if the world is lucky, Nicolas Cage (The Surfer) could join that list. Variety is reporting that Cage is in talks to star in True Detective's fifth season — which The Hollywood Reporter notes is expected to arrive in 2027. So far, the only details confirmed include that the new episodes will be set in New York's Jamaica Bay area, and that Tigers Are Not Afraid filmmaker Issa López, who wrote and directed every one episode of True Detective: Night Country, is due to return. [caption id="attachment_793116" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jim Bridges/HBO[/caption] Cage can and has played everyone from Dracula, a man who thinks he's a vampire, himself, a heartbroken lumberjack and an alpaca-milking dad to black-and-white film noir-style Spider-Man, twins, an Elvis obsessive, a terrorist switching faces with an FBI agent, a man everyone dreams about, a serial killer and an Aussie expat who just wants to hit the waves at his childhood beach (and much, much more). A cop on the case in True Detective? It'd be dream casting. The series was renewed for season five after its fourth season dropped in January 2024 and became the most-watched season of the show ever. Across the show's run, it's always been a case of new batch of episodes, new police officers, new case, as the series has been delivering since 2014. "Issa Lopez is that one-of-a-kind, rare talent that speaks directly to HBO's creative spirit. She helmed True Detective: Night Country from start to finish, never once faltering from her own commendable vision, and inspiring us with her resilience both on the page and behind the camera," said Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, back when season five was revealed. "From conception to release, Night Country has been the most beautiful collaboration and adventure of my entire creative life. HBO trusted my vision all the way, and the idea of bringing to life a new incarnation of True Detective with Casey, Francesca and the whole team is a dream come true. I can't wait to go again," added Lopez. There's obviously no trailer yet for True Detective season five, but check out the full trailer for True Detective: Night Country below: Season five of True Detective doesn't yet have a release date, but we'll update you when more details are announced. True Detective: Night Country streams via Max in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review. Via Variety/The Hollywood Reporter. Top image: Jason Bollenbacher/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images.
In the near future, Australians will be able to send emoji-filled messages featuring boomerangs, the Aboriginal flag and other visual representations of the country's Indigenous culture. Developed for both Android and iOS platforms, Ingenous Studios has created a set of Indigenous images that'll be rolled out across both platforms this year, marking the first such collection of emojis that celebrate the nation's first peoples. Called Indigemoji, the 19-emoji set was developed on Arrernte land in Mparntwe, aka Alice Springs, by Central Australia's young Aboriginal people. The Northern Territory residents were asked to design new emojis that were relevant to their culture and lives, with symbols that feature the Aboriginal flag on crowns, hands, cups and hearts all included, alongside animals, vehicles and a starry image of Uluru by night. https://www.facebook.com/ingeousstudios/photos/a.130308987038833/2242845069118537/?type=3&theater Announcing the set on Facebook, Ingenous hasn't yet revealed a specific release date; however the emojis will be made available for free via an app this year. They won't officially feature in your phone's inbuilt emoji keyboard, but you'll be able to use them in messages and posts by copying and pasting from the Indigemoji app. For further details, visit the Indigemoji website or Facebook page. Image: Ingeous Studios.
Abbotsford-born brewing company Moon Dog's Preston digs bring a whole new meaning to the words "go big, or go home". The aptly named Moon Dog World is a mammoth brewery, bar and beer garden, making good on the grand plans the team announced back in March 2019. Clocking in at 12,000 square metres, the multi-warehouse site is supposedly longer than the MCG end-to-end, and has room for a huge 725 punters. The name hints at a theme park or adventure land and, between the jungle of greenery, the tiki-style bar, the indoor waterfall and the illuminated rainforest lagoon flowing right through the centre, that's basically what awaits. Blue and white-striped deck chairs perched right by the water promise to be prime real estate in any season. Over to one side presides an elevated DJ booth and VIP terrace, while opposite, a two-level conglomeration of shipping containers has been transformed into a series of cosy rooms, hidden booths and open balconies. You'll even find a mini pinball arcade tucked away somewhere inside. A hefty central bar is pouring one heck of a beer list, decked out with no less than 72 taps — never has there been this many Moon Dog brews offered in one spot. True to form, it's a diverse collection featuring label favourites, including the Old Mate pale ale and Cake Hole black forest stout, alongside seasonal releases like the Cherry Seinfeld sour ale. A rotation of guest drops rounds out the beer offering, though there's also an all-Aussie wine lineup, classic tap cocktails and a few signature concoctions, for those after something different. It's a space for all occasions, with a food offering to match, featuring burgers, share plates and charcoal dishes. Grab a beer and settle in with some sticky buffalo chicken ribs, cheese-filled jalapeno croquettes, or maybe the pulled pork tacos. Burgers run from the likes of a crispy chicken number loaded with pineapple jam and spicy mayo, to a vegan creation starring a sweet potato and kimchi patty. You can even grab a whole free-range chook, hot off the kitchen's charcoal rotisserie and served with gravy, chilli oil or spicy za'atar oil. Perfect Sunday session food. Add to all that the handful of sports screens and a sunny outdoor beer garden, and this is one boozy theme park you'll never want to leave. Images: Kate Shanasy.
UPDATE, Wednesday, May 15, 2024: After two new Olivia Rodrigo shows for October were added at midday today, another two have been announced at 4pm. This article has been updated to reflect all four new gigs — two each in Sydney and Melbourne. Great news if you're a fan of Olivia Rodrigo and the first four tour dates announced for her first-ever Down Under visit didn't suit: four more shows have just been added to the singer and former Disney talent's Australian itinerary. She's still only playing Sydney and Melbourne, adding a third and fourth gig in both cities — and doing so before punters can even buy general tickets, which starts on Thursday, May 16. Big-name acts have a habit of doing this; see also: Taylor Swift, blink-182, Lizzo and The Weeknd, for some recent examples. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise — but it will give you more chances to head along to Rodrigo's huge GUTS world tour Rodrigo has a date with Australia in October, and will now take to the stage at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena from Wednesday, October 9–Thursday, October 10, and also from Sunday, October 13–Monday, October 14. In Sydney, you can catch her at Qudos Bank Arena dates from Thursday, October 17–Friday, October 18, and also from Monday, October 21–Tuesday, October 22. When we say that this tour is big, we mean it. With the Aussie dates alongside gigs in Bangkok, Thailand, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, the tour spans more than 80 concerts around the globe. Fans Down Under who aren't in Sydney and Melbourne, however, you'll be needing to travel. In support of her second studio album that's also called GUTS, this marks three-time Grammy-winner Rodrigo's first arena tour. The 'Drivers License', 'Good 4 U' and 'Vampire' singer will have her debut album SOUR to work through as well. The GUTS tour started in Palm Springs in February, saw Rodrigo do four shows at Madison Square Garden in April, and is currently making its way around the UK before heading to Europe, back to the US, then to Asia and Australia. Olivia Rodrigo GUTS World Tour 2024 Australian Dates: Wednesday, October 9–Thursday, October 10 + Sunday, October 13–Monday, October 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, October 17–Friday, October 18 + Monday, October 21–Tuesday, October 22 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olivia Rodrigo is touring Australia in October 2024. Ticket presales start at 1pm on Wednesday, May 15, and general sales at 1pm on Thursday, May 16 — head to the tour website for further details. Images: Chris Polk, Polk Imaging.
If you're on the hunt for some new-school fun to make the impending frosty months go faster, you can stop searching right now. Someone, somewhere, has dreamed up the impressive combination of bumper cars and ice-skating — and is bringing the concept Down Under. In an Aussie first, Bumper Cars on Ice will hit both Melbourne and Sydney this August, and promises to yank you right out of winter hibernation mode. Not a whole lot of info has dropped just yet, though from the photos, it looks like this unique activity will have you pinballing around an ice rink in a bubble-shaped bumper car, slipping and sliding into mates. We assume the cars will head to one of Sydney's six long-running pop-up ice rinks — or the newly saved Macquarie Ice Rink — and maybe Melbourne's pop-up Eastland Shopping Centre rink. But, we'll update you as soon as we know more. [caption id="attachment_706065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Macquarie Ice Rink.[/caption] If this sounds like your kind of icy jam, you can sign up for ticket info at the website. Bumper Cars on Ice will pop-up at yet-to-be-announced locations in Melbourne and Sydney this August.
The Hardware Lane site that previously held Campari House has been completely overhauled and transformed into a huge new Mexican restaurant and bar. Hotel Nacional comes from a crew of hospo veterans — including Taylor Granchi and Alex Greco (Repeat Offender and Rufio) — and is an enormous undertaking. Hotel Nacional is pumping out Mexican-inspired eats that are entirely gluten-free across all five of its floors, including the impressive rooftop bar. Head Chef Sergio Tourn (ex-The Vale and Tino) is responsible for the menu, which combines traditional Mexican elements with plenty of European, Australian and South American influences. This all comes together in dishes like birria beef tacos with pickled onions and consommé, the slow-cooked barbacoa lamb with a Mexican-style barbecue sauce and watercress, cauliflower tofu escabeche with wakame, peanuts and salsa macha, and corn husk meringue with corn-infused cream and persimmon. Those up on the rooftop can also tuck into tostadas and other bar snacks. Tourn and his team are getting creative in the kitchen, especially as everything is 100-percent gluten-free. There are also stacks of vegan options. When it comes to bevs, there's a ten-strong margarita menu, a selection of signature and classic cocktails, Aussie and international beers on tap — including some that are gluten-free — a stacked lineup of local and European wines, and an even more impressive collection of tequila, mezcal and raicilla. Hotel Nacional is also working hard to draw in new diners with a smorgasbord of deals. This includes its three regular banquets (one of which is completely plant-based), a selection of express lunch menus for city workers, half-priced margaritas every Monday and a $30 steaks on Wednesdays. Right now, these goodies are available across all floors, except for the late-night bar, which has yet to open. Design-wise, the team hasn't leaned too hard into Mexican-themed cliches, instead opting for a lighter touch. Hotel Nacional has an almost breezy, beachy feel, thanks to the sand-textured walls, rattan furniture, terracotta and beige hues and the odd cactus or two. "We wanted to create a venue unlike anything else in the city. You walk up the stairs, and you are transported to another location across the globe. The earthy tones, the arches, the shapes, the crazy pavers, the textured walls, the cacti — there is so much Mexican feel. "Being five levels, there are so many aspects to our venue. We wanted something you could explore to create a new memory every time," shares Managing Director Taylor Granchi. You'll find Hotel Nacional at 23–25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, open 12pm–late every day of the week. For more info and to book a table, visit the venue's website.
Melbourne's north has a new go-to for those wanting to make authentic Italian at home. Gnoccheria is a takeaway pasta shop with handmade gnocchi, as well as other pastas, lasagne, pizza bases and more. It's located in Coburg and run by the folk behind Take Me Home, which has been selling its wares to gourmet delis, supermarkets and local farmers markets (where they regularly sell out by 11am) for over ten years. With its new brick-and-mortar store, the team is making fresh gnocchi all day long. There are up to 20 different gnocchi flavours available at a time, spanning classics such as potato, three cheese and spinach and ricotta to varieties like truffle honey, saffron and burnt butter, and carrot and turmeric. Some even more left-of-centre flavours include pepperberry and parmesan, wild nettle and an activated charcoal number. The shop has all of the fixings for creating your very own Italian feast, too. Sauces, flavoured butters for gnocchi frying (think confit garlic, fennel and sage) and passata are all on offer — the latter is made using San Marzano tomatoes and basil from the family's organic Gippsland farm. Apart from all the gnocchi, there are other freshly made, organic pastas up for grabs, including pappardelle, cavatelli and orrechiette, as well as a whole heap of lasagne varieties. Expect Moroccan lamb, organic beef and pumpkin and sage, with gluten free and vegan options available, too. Pizza doughs, flours, oils and specialty salts also make the menu. And, if the gnocchi-making and huge display counter don't inspire you to make a hearty Italian dinner, the portrait of co-owner Felicity Giuliani's big Italian family tucking into a pasta feast will surely do the trick.
Melbourne has never been short on culture. While Sydney boasts beaches, Brisbane boasts the heat, Adelaide boasts churches and The Fringe and Perth boasts isolation, Melbourne has always had culture. And it's because of venues like Lido Cinema that this reputation exists. It may not be high culture but it really is a place to get the wheels of the mind turning, where curiosity is encouraged and the imagination is unleashed. It has cinemas showing cult classes such as Singin' in the Rain, Hello Dolly, Goodfellas, The Shining and Y Tu Mama Tambien. It has festivals, such as the Jewish International Film Festival and the Children's International Film Festival. It has an underground jazz bar inspired by the jazz bars of New York City, which, every Saturday night from eight until ten, presents the best jazz acts that Melbourne has to offer. There's even a rooftop bar (which is high culture as far as we're concerned), which serves up classic cocktails such as Dark & Stormys espresso martinis. Come summer, Lido even host rooftop cinema nights up here. Another highlight of the venue, though, is the Lido Comedy Club, which brings some of the most exciting comedians in Melbourne, from up-and-comers to established stars, onto the stage every Tuesday from 7pm. If you're down for dinner and a show, grab a cheese plate from Milk the Cow at the bar or a cheese toast. Or, considering it's a cinema, a box of popcorn is never a bad idea.
With international travel set to be off the cards until mid 2021, many Aussies are looking to explore their own backyards a bit more. One of the ways we're doing that is by hitting the trails and mountain paths. While your regular trainers and favourite leggings are probably all good for a one-day hike (depending on terrain), if you're looking to do something a bit longer — like a multi-day adventure across NSW, Victoria of Queensland — you might want to invest in some slightly more serious hiking gear. This can usually cost a pretty penny, but, thankfully, good ol' Aldi is about to drop a heap of adventure gear that won't empty your bank account. Available at stores across the country from Saturday, July 4, the gear includes everything from down jackets to hiking shoes and backpacks. You can snag headlamps for just $4.99, wool hiking socks for $11.99, $12.99 gloves , shoes for $29.99, a $34.99 30-litre backpack, merino thermals from $26.99 and a waterproof jacket starting at $39.99. There's also an Ultralight down jacket, which is water repellent, insulated and can be packed into a easy-to-carry pocket, is on offer for just $49.99 — still less than a pineapple — as well as some outdoor-appropriate technology such as binoculars ($39.99), handheld radios ($49.99) and GPS watches ($79.99). Once you're all kitted out, it's time to start planning your adventure. We suggest you aim high (literally) and tick off these ten epic mountain walks across Australia. The Aldi Adventure Range is available from Aldi stores nationally from Saturday, July 4. From 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 1, until at least Wednesday, July 29, stay-at-home orders have been reintroduced in ten Melbourne postcodes, which means their residents can only leave for one of four reasons: work or school, care or care giving, daily exercise or food and other essentials. For more information, head to the DHHS website.
