A new star is born in Windsor. It's called Normandy Wine & Grill. Spearheaded by the seasoned chef Azem Dzevlan, he brings his deep roots in French cuisine to the new establishment, promising a cool dining experience that marries traditional French cooking with innovative twists. Azem Dzevlan is a name that might ring a bell for those familiar with Bistro Thierry — an institution where Azem spent 13 years honing his craft. His 20-year culinary journey has also taken him through various other kitchens, including stints at Maha and Le Bouchon. And now, Azem's love affair with French cuisine has culminated in the opening of his dream venue. It's not just any French joint; it's a tribute to his enduring passion for French flavours. The setting is minimalist yet warm, creating a classic bistro mood. The window bench perches offer dinner with a show — the hustle and bustle and beautiful chaos of Winsdor's High Street. While the outdoor street tables are perfect with summer creeping up, when winter comes so too will the outdoor heaters. Al fresco all year round. Now for the food. At its heart is steak frites, a testament to Azem's love for beef, featuring premium cuts from Cape Grim. Snacks include chargrilled Skull Island tiger prawns with garlic butter; a refreshing zucchini flower with goat's cheese and heirloom tomato; and anchovy toast that will leave you begging for more. As for the confit duck, it's a work of art. Normandy's wine list is another highlight, crafted under the expertise of manager and sommelier Jeremy Letur. It's a well-thought-out collection featuring French, Australian, New Zealand and Italian wines. Letur aims to cater to all, from budget-conscious choices to lesser-known varieties for the adventurous. Open from 4.30pm, Normandy Wine & Grill is the perfect place to not only have a good meal, but to ditch work early for, and indulge in some classic European escapism — sit on the window-facing bench, order an anchovy toast, sip some wine, take it all in. Normandy Wine & Grill is open Tuesday–Wednesday, 2pm–9pm, and Thursday–Saturday, 5pm–10pm. Find it at 162–164 High St, Windsor.
Despite its sleek exterior, Circl Wine House has a warmth that makes it actually feel like home. It opened last year with the goal of making wines accessible to Melburnians and delivers a range of 150 by-the-glass wines. This August, the kitchen serves nostalgic comfort food from the childhoods of its team every Wednesday. Executive Chef Elias Salomonsson usually steers the menu with a Scandinavian focus, but the team members have been adding diverse flair from their heritages all month long. Past weeks have nodded to a Welsh-style Sunday roast, a Hong Kong staple of steamed barramundi and a wintry Swedish plate of braised cabbage and roast pork. [caption id="attachment_1018835" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Pete Dillon[/caption] This week's special turns to Italy: a risotto alla milanese from section waitress Anna Ludovica Miller's childhood in Milan. Expect a sunny, saffron-infused dish that gets its depth of rich and creamy flavours from bone marrow. It's the last of the series for August, but Circl will be releasing September's dishes soon. [caption id="attachment_1018832" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image supplied[/caption]
If you're a drinker of coffee, it's likely you're already familiar with Joseph Haddad's work. After all, he's the brains behind renowned specialty roaster Code Black, which launched in 2012 and has blossomed to encompass six local outposts. But for his latest project, Haddad's swapped beans for vino, opening the doors to an all-day wine bar and eatery on Flinders Lane. Simply named No. 100, it's drawing on a blend of Euro and Aussie influence, landing somewhere between dining room, deli and drinking destination. Hospitality design studio We Are Humble have worked their magic on the two-part venue, which greets you with a minimalist deli-style space that's primed for perching, then flows through into a chic 20-seat dining area filled with elegant timber panelling and metallic finishes. Drop by the former for a coffee (Code Black, of course), a sweet treat or one of the weekly changing sangas — perhaps starring chicken, stracciatella and rosemary lemon mayo, or porchetta with figs, ricotta and pistachio cream. The adjoining restaurant is plating up an oft-rotating menu celebrating simplicity and seasonality, which works just as well for lunch and dinner as for those in-between grazing sessions. You'll find small plates like baked fig done with honeycomb and mountain pepper ricotta, kingfish pastrami sided with crème fraiche, a chicken paté, and house focaccia served with whipped feta. Duck breast might be paired with pepitas and leek, squid noodles done with silverbeet and a hit of 'nduja, and a Basque cheesecake married with flavours of peach and thyme. There's also a $75 Feed Me option for when you're feeling indecisive. Meanwhile, wine-sippers are in expert hands with a list by Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier Ellen Reinhardt, who brings experience from her time training at Le Cordon Bleu. Hitting a little differently to your usual wine lineup, this one's championing alternative Aussie varietals as well as spotlighting sustainable producers and a few international gems. A handful of cocktails sits alongside, including the Silver Fox, blending Code Black Coffee Liqueur with rye whisky and hazelnut. Find No. 100 at 100 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. The deli is open from 11am–2pm Tuesday to Saturday, while the restaurant is open 11am–late the same days. Images: Guy Lavoipierre
Melbourne's growing thirst for craft beer has spawned plenty of local microbreweries, though it's clearly not an easy gig. The second incarnation of Brunswick East's Temple Brewing seems to be sailing a whole lot more smoothly than the first, which came to its unfortunate demise in 2012, after only one year of operation. Reopening in late 2013 under new ownership, Temple Take Two has a few solid favourites to its name, including the ever-popular Bicycle Beer and Anytime IPA. While the venue, housed in an industrial stretch off the Brunswick end of Lygon Street, ticks plenty of boxes for craft beer lovers, it holds much broader appeal than other brewery bars you might have frequented. Sure, the decor is concrete-heavy. Sure, the view of shiny steel brewing equipment is used as a design feature. And sure, there's beer — and plenty of it. But don't expect your standard-issue pub grub or basic drinking snacks here. Instead, you'll find a collection of considered, intelligent dishes (including a few beer-infused creations), each with a suggested pairing to one of Temple's own tap brews. Charcuterie and cheese boards are a mix-and-match affair, featuring both local and international produce. Team them with a tasting rack of five beers ($15), and your afternoon is set. If a proper meal is on the cards, start by sharing some of the well-sized starter plates — perhaps the crispy soft-shell crab that's been crumbed, ingeniously, in spent brew grain ($15), or a silky pile of steak tartare, studded with crispy rounds of purple potato ($15). An ancient grain salad features quinoa, faro and pearled barley, laced with shaved veggies and tarragon vinaigrette ($10), and topped with optional dollops of Meredith goats' curd ($4). Larger plates continue in that Modern Australian style, from steaks ($35-70) and Port Arlington mussels ($15), to a ragu of chef-foraged forest mushrooms ($25). The dish on everyone's lips, though, is the signature Midnight burger. As the name hints, the bun is a charcoal brioche, and it's filled with a fat, juicy wagyu beef patty, jack cheddar, bacon, salad, zucchini pickle and house-made tomato relish, served along with chunky hand-cut fries ($19). It's a mouth-watering creation that surely deserves a place on any list of Melbourne's most notable burgers. A selection of generously sized sliders ($7) offers the ideal choice for the indecisive. There's a smaller version of the Midnight, a veggie-friendly mushroom number and one with brisket, but the Colonel's Clone takes the cake. The chicken, soaked in buttermilk, dredged in a winning combination of secret spices and fried until perfectly crispy, is well deserving of the name. There's an upstairs bar and function space for busy evenings and the front car-park area has been recently transformed into an astro-turfed beer garden with sunny Sunday session written all over it. Yes, Temple's a must-visit if you love a local craft brew — but don't forget that there's much more on offer here than just great beer. Image credit: Simon Shiff
Once you've tried a Turkish-style ice cream sandwich, you may never go back to a "regular" one. Using stretchy Maras ice cream (the stuff can be eaten with a knife and fork) Northcote cafe Cuppa Turca serves the icy treat between two slices of crispy hand-rolled baklava. It's then topped with hot pink Persian fairy floss. For those who are after something a little less extra, there's a more tame version served between two thin wafers. Or you can just have a scoop on its own. Whatever you pick, order it with a cup of coffee made on hot sand.
Abbotsford Convent has welcomed a new member to its culinary family. Introducing Julie, a seasonal garden restaurant that seamlessly blends elevated bistro vibes with the rustic charm of its historic surroundings. Run by the minds behind Cam's Kiosk, and led by chef and namesake Julieanne Blum, Julie is well worth adding to your must-try list on vibe alone. With six years as Head Chef at Cam's Kiosk under her belt, Blum brings her passion for quality ingredients and simple yet delicious food to the ever-changing menu. The atmosphere at Julie is a relaxing blend of a dinner party buzz and a cosy country pub. With seating for 50 indoors and an additional 30 outdoors, it's intimate without feeling cramped. Anna Clifford, a familiar face from Cam's Kiosk and Public Wine Shop, takes the lead in front of house, while the kitchen sees new Head Chef Stephannie Liu bringing her international expertise from stints in Copenhagen and Paris. Let's talk wine. Curated by Claudelle Savannah, the list is an ode to the team's favourite producers, both local and international — from easy-drinking options for the wine novice to rare finds for the aficionado. A big part of Julie's charm is its commitment to seasonality and sustainability, showcased by its vegetable garden within the Convent, as well as its relationship with the nearby Collingwood Children's Farm, from which it also sources ingredients. A sip of orange wine, a plate of octopus ragu and the idyllic setting of Abbotsford Convent — it's the simple things. See you at Julie. Julie is open Thursday–Saturday from 12pm–10pm and Sunday from 12pm–6pm. Find it at 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford.
Streaming platforms have become one of modern life's certainties, with new instances continuing to pop up all over the place. In fact, this year along will see two huge players giving Netflix, Amazon and the like a run for their money — not only Apple, which will release Apple TV+ in the second half of 2019, but Disney as well. First revealed last year, Disney+ will boast a swathe of high-profile content, including new Star Wars and Marvel TV shows, plus all of your favourite Disney animated movies in one place. Now the service has announced a US launch date of November 12, as well as "plans to be in nearly all major regions of the world within the next two years." Just how long viewers Down Under will have to wait is yet to be seen; however given the array of titles heading to the platform, here's hoping it's sooner rather than later. With Disney recently merging with competitor Fox, Disney+'s US range is hefty — not only spanning Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar, but National Geographic and the entirety of The Simpsons, too. During its first year of operation, it's due to release more than 25 original series and 10 original films, documentaries and specials. And, to make its catalogue available from US$6.99 per month, in both HD and 4K, and "on a wide range of mobile and connected devices, including gaming consoles, streaming media players and smart TVs". [caption id="attachment_689920" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marvel Studios[/caption] In the Marvel sphere post-Avengers: Endgame, new series Loki, WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will all focus on their eponymous characters — Tom Hiddleston's trickster Loki, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany's Vision, and Anthony Mackie's Falcon and Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier, with all of the actors retaining their roles. A Hawkeye series with Jeremy Renner is also in the works, as is animated program Marvel's What If…, which'll take inspiration from the comics of the same name, asking the titular question about important Marvel Cinematic Universe moments. Fans of Star Wars can not only look forward to the $100 million live-action series The Mandalorian from The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Iron Man and Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau (and with Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi helming an episode), but look forward to it soon — it'll launch when the platform does in the US. Also zooming to screens from a galaxy far, far away is a spinoff from Rogue One about Diego Luna's Rebel spy Cassian Andor. Set before the events of the film, it — like all of Disney+'s big-name series — will also feature the star reprising the character. Elsewhere, two new Toy Story-based projects — animated short series Forky Asks a Question and one-off short film Lamp Life — are on their way, well-timed to hit after the release of Toy Story 4. If you just can't let it go, a Frozen 2 making-of special will also feature, about the sequel headed to cinemas later this year. And, because everyone loves Jeff Goldblum, National Geographic's The World According to Jeff Goldblum will involve the actor delving into the fascinating stories, science and facts behind seemingly familiar objects. Going big when it comes to bringing the company's well-known properties to the new streaming platform, a High School Musical TV series, another show based on Monsters, Inc. and a live-action Lady and the Tramp movie will also be on the bill. On the classic front, Fox titles like The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride and Malcolm in the Middle have been named as part of a lineup of more than 7500 television episodes and 500 films — alongside "the entire Disney motion picture library" according to CEO Bob Iger, which should be available "at some point fairly soon after launch". Viewers can also likely expect Disney and Fox's recent flicks to be made available on Disney+, and for subsequent cinema releases due to hit the service within a year of their big-screen release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXNtj84owc Disney is also reportedly contemplating buying a bigger stake in existing streamer Hulu according to Variety, which would give it full control over that platform. Like the timing of Disney+'s international rollout, just how the purchase might affect the company's new service hasn't been revealed. In Australia, a big batch of the aforementioned existing Disney content is currently available on Stan, spanning both movies and TV series — but you can reasonably expect that that arrangement will be impacted by Disney+, whenever it does finally hit locally. Top image: Marvel Studios.
After the mild let down of last year's supermoon, you could be forgiven for not engaging in the hype of major celestial movements. But last night's total solar eclipse didn't disappoint astronomers, token stargazers and brazen US presidents alike. The eclipse wasn't visible from our part of the world, instead passing over the the US — starting over Oregon in the west and finishing over South Carolina on the east coast. As the name suggests, a total eclipse is when the sun is completely obscured by the moon. This is a pretty rare event — Time and Date says that, on average, it takes about 375 years for a total solar eclipse to happen again in the same place — so, naturally, everyone turned out to catch a glimpse. NASA live streamed the event, The Weather Channel live tweeted the lead-up to totality, and even Donald Trump stepped out of the White House to look directly at the sun. Yes, he did that. Someone: don't look into the ec- Donald trump: pic.twitter.com/71wpDiwPr1 — sarah (@sarahburhans_) August 21, 2017 So while we wait for a solar eclipse to pass over Australia — the ABC reports that the next one will take place in 2028 and will pass directly over Sydney — here's some of the most epic images from last night's total solar eclipse. Only 11 years to go. A post shared by Getty Images (@gettyimages) on Aug 21, 2017 at 11:51am PDT A post shared by Reuters (@reuters) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on Aug 21, 2017 at 2:03pm PDT Amazing composite images capture the moon during a previous total solar eclipse, shot by Czech photographer Miloslav Druckmüller #Eclipse pic.twitter.com/LAHenYm2Qi — sobore (@sobore) August 21, 2017 PHOTO: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017 from Green River Lake, WY. I truly think I had the most beautiful spot in the whole path. More photos soon. pic.twitter.com/jLDBMHJJU4 — Ben Cooper (@LaunchPhoto) August 21, 2017 Timelapse: Total solar eclipse brings darkness to Oregon. https://t.co/q3jBRYgob2 pic.twitter.com/MgESS6odoW — ABC News (@ABC) August 21, 2017 A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on Aug 21, 2017 at 3:57pm PDT Top image: Wikimedia Commons.
Young South Korean artist JeeYoung Lee is generating quite a buzz for herself in the art world these days, and it's not hard to see why. A recent graduate of Seoul's Hongik University, the artist's dreamy, highly imaginative work surpasses our traditional expectations of photography. Plus, it's totally spectacular to look at. It's hard to believe it, but Lee's images aren't Photoshopped. Instead, displaying admirable patience, she spends weeks and often months turning her tiny little studio (only 3 x 6 metres) into an unimaginably intricate, detailed set. Once she's captured the essence of the particular dream, desire, nightmare, hope or conflict she had in mind, she places herself within the image, never facing the camera directly — in fact, often with her back to it. The result is a strangely beautiful kind of reality. JeeYoung Lee is considered an up-and-coming artist in her native South Korea. She won last year's Sovereign Art Prize and has exhibited at Seoul's OCI Museum, the Incheon Foundation for Art and Culture, the Kyoto Photographic Museum in Japan and early next year will open her first European exhibition at France's Opiom Gallery with this ongoing series of self-portraits, entitled Stage of Mind. Broken Heart Black Birds Nightmare The Little Match Girl Maiden Voyage Last Supper Treasure Hunt Top image: Resurrection. Story via Colossal.
Sitting pretty on the main stretch of Mornington, Store Fifteen is full of coastal cafe charm. The space itself has a home-spun industrial feel, all polished concrete, reclaimed timber and foliage hung from the ceiling — a setting primed for laidback weekend visits. But it's the natural-leaning menu — full of wholefoods, raw dishes and preservative-free fare — that's designed to really put a spring in your step. Here, you'll find a swag of healthy creations, from thyme-infused mushrooms on toast, matched with house-made cashew cheese and pepita basil pesto, to a sprouted black rice coconut porridge, starring maple toasted coconut chips and caramelised banana. Espresso comes courtesy of Melbourne roasters Dukes, though a hefty collection of alternative lattes might just sway you away from coffee and towards turmeric, matcha or beetroot. Smoothie fan? Store Fifteen's lineup is downright impressive, with blends like the Pumpkin Spice: a mix of roast almond butter with almond milk, pumpkin, maple syrup and dates.
Patient Wolf's name might refer to a cheeky quote from Hollywood screen siren Lana Turner — she famously said "a gentleman is simply a patient wolf" — but it's also fitting given how many of the gin label's fans have been waiting (perhaps not so) patiently for it to open a tasting bar of its own. Having launched the business in 2016, Matt Argus and Dave Irwin have been operating out of a cosy Brunswick distillery, only open to the public on a handful of celebratory occasions. But now, the wait is finally over — and just in time for gin season, no less. The team has just opened the doors to its new, much grander, Southbank digs, which come complete with a cellar door, cocktail bar and plenty of room for future growth spurts. In fact, once running on all cylinders, it'll be Victoria's largest independent gin distillery (now that Four Pillars is half-owned by Lion). The distillery's entire operations have relocated here, with the boys' original 220-litre Müller copper still to be joined next year by another sleek German-made edition with five times the capacity as output amps up big-time. [caption id="attachment_753566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dean Schmideg[/caption] At the front of the warehouse space, you'll find a warm, contemporary 30-seat tasting bar, where you can camp out, sipping gin with a direct view of where it was crafted. Further out the back is a larger lounge with leather banquettes, soft blue tones that reference the juniper berry, exposed brick walls and a few polished-up industrial elements. Brand ambassador Blake Hall (Jasper's, The Store Room, Fall From Grace) is heading things up front of house. With the bar team, he'll be gently pushing the knowledge side of things and offering fun workshops and tastings along with top-notch Patient Wolf cocktails. You'll spy Patient Wolf's three gins available neat ($12–16), as part of a flight ($20) or as an "ultimate G&T" ($18–20) made with Capi tonic and garnishes. There's also a selection of drops from other local craft booze producers including wines from SA's Unico Zelo, vodka from Sydney's Archie Rose, beers from fellow Victorian Wolf of the Willows and liqueurs by Marionette. And — off the back of some successful collaborations and barrel-ageing adventures with Cheltenham brewery Wolf of the Willows — you can expect plenty more small-batch experimental stuff to come, much of which will be exclusive to the bar. [caption id="attachment_753565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dean Schmideg[/caption] An oft-changing cocktail list pays homage to the classics, without being afraid to get a little creative. Settle in with a vibrant snow pea collins ($20), a white miso sour ($20) or perhaps a a tropical OK Tiki Arr' ($22) with tonka bean, Campari and pineapple. You can pair all these with a small lineup of snacks, such as tinned seafood from MoVida ($14), chicken pâté from Theo's ($15). To celebrate its opening (and the silly season) Patient Wolf will have extended opening hours until December 30, 2019, staying open till 10pm Thursday–Friday and 10pm Saturday–Sunday. Images: Julia Sansone and Dean Schmideg
It was the early 1950s when the world got its first glimpse of Andrew Geller's holiday home designs. On the beach and full of light, Geller's unique homes were created to serve one purpose: an escape. Nicknamed 'the architect of happiness', Geller left behind a legacy of beautiful beach-dwelling designs. Holiday houses hold a special place in the heart of peace-seekers and sun-worshippers. Andrew Geller dedicated most of his career to making that place of relaxation and sunshine just right. His homes are considered modest but distinctive. Popping out of dune grass in interesting wooden shapes, Geller's work reflects his creativity and desire to create useful designs. Many of his designs have fallen victim to reconstruction and the test of time. And though he passed recently, Geller's iconic designs live on through memories and photographs of homes once filled with laugher and sandy feet.
Even the most adventurous of foodies have their limits, don't they? New documentary Bugs aims to put that idea to the test — and to make audiences squirm in the process. You don't make a film about two researchers from René Redzepi's experimental Nordic Food Lab exploring the culinary value and environmental benefits of eating insects without causing a reaction, after all. The eye-opening doco is one of 10 titles set to screen at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival when it tours to Melbourne from November 2-6. Regardless of how experimental your eating habits are, the flicks unveiled should whet the appetite of factual cinema fans thanks to a wealth of thought-provoking content. When the fest isn't trying to get viewers pondering their next meal, it'll be inspiring discussions about everything from a ladies man living with HIV to the impact of nuclear waste in a small Russian town. The former comes courtesy of moving opening night film The Charro of Toluquilla, while the latter informs documentary City 40, which examines the people trying to survive in one of the most contaminated places on earth. Aussie effort A Mother and A Gun, which has its world premiere at the festival, is also certain to get attendees talking as it explores the life of Shelly Rubin, the woman who fell in love with the leader of the Jewish Defense League. Elsewhere, environmental effort The Islands and the Whales and the latest chronicle of Bobby Sands and his famous hunger strike — as previously brought to the screen in Steve McQueen-Michael Fassbender collaboration Hunger — also feature among Antenna's list of films. The fest's 2016 lineup looks as varied as it is interesting. Images: Lloyd Dirks, Tom Truong.
Experience impeccable taste in fashion and cocktails, as a special collaboration sees menswear designer Christian Kimber and Carlton's Bar Bellamy team up with Woodford Reserve on an imaginative drinks lineup. Launching the Most Fashionable Old Fashioned cocktail collection during the Melbourne Fashion Festival, this chic meeting of the minds sees the classic Old Fashioned cocktail given a spruce up. With a duo of inventive twists to sip on, Kimber's uncompromising approach to craftsmanship is the ideal pairing with Bar Bellamy's award-winning creativity. Once you add Woodford Reserve's fruit-forward whisky — produced in the bluegrass fields of Kentucky — to the mix, the results speak for themselves. This brace of cocktails shaped by Australian style plays on classic and contemporary blends to offer an original drinking experience. First up, the Amber Stitch reflects Australia's fondness for nonchalant tailoring, fusing Woodford Reserve with a fragrant corn silk tea and an earthy corn stock alongside wattleseed and citrus soda. With more than a few warm summer nights ahead, this long take on an Old Fashioned is ideal for cooling off, with complex floral flavours rounded out with a flourish of beetroot paint and bitters. Next, the Silken Sprig takes a more adventurous approach, with mountain marigold leaf-infused Woodford Reserve, low-waste pineapple syrup, Zucca Rabarbaro amaro, calendula and toasted milk powder. Topped with a sweet treat, a nostalgic caramelised milk chocolate and malt cream adorns this cocktail before a light dusting of pepperberry and rosella salt levels up the sophistication and style. "Effortless style relies on incredibly thoughtful design – applying classic craftsmanship to concepts that deliver a sense of ease and modernity. That's what we set out to achieve with my favourite cocktail, the Old Fashioned. It was a pleasure working with Woodford Reserve and Bar Bellamy to come up with two drinks that reflect my design philosophy and aesthetic, blending the smoothest and beautifully crafted whiskey with uniquely local ingredients to celebrate both craftsmanship and Australian taste in a very contemporary way," says Kimber. With Melbourne Fashion Festival happening from now until March 8, you'll find these cocktails served at the Woodford Reserve Fashion Bar in the Royal Exhibition Building. Meanwhile, you'll also find them served exclusively at Bar Bellamy from March 3-8. With these Old Fashioned cocktails made like never before, it's your chance to explore fashion, heritage and sumptuous flavours in a pair of beverages. The Most Fashionable Old Fashioned cocktail collection is available at the Woodford Reserve Fashion Bar at the Royal Exhibition Building until March 8, and at Bar Bellamy from March 3-8. Head to the website for more information.
From Houseparty birthday bashes to Zoom weddings, celebrations have been looking a little different lately. But one thing is clear: not even a pandemic can stand between us and a good ol' party. And that includes marking World Whisky Day on May 16. We may not be able to head to a cosy bar and celebrate the legendary amber liquor in style, so Glenmorangie has partnered with Boozebud to bring the festivities to your living room via a virtual whisky masterclass. At 6pm on Boozebud's Facebook page, Glenmorangie's Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks Dr Bill Lumsden will be guiding you through a tasting from the Scottish distillery's core range of single malts. You'll start with the classic Glenmorangie Original Aged 10 Years, then move through the Lasanta Sherry Cask Aged 12 Years, Quinta Ruban Port Cask Aged 12 Years and Nectar d'Or Sauternes Cask Aged 12 Years. The masterclass is free to stream but, to make the most of it, you'll want to snag one of the taster packs from Boozebud beforehand, which has the four smooth spirits in 100-millilitre measures — enough for you and a housemate to have a nip each. The pack costs $64.99 and first-time Boozebud customers will score 10-percent off and free shipping by using the code BESTBUD (terms and conditions apply). Purchase your Glenmorangie Scotch Whisky Taster Pack here, then head to Boozebud's Facebook page at 6pm on May 16 to take part in the virtual masterclass.
No pool of your own to splash about in at your leisure as those temperatures finally start creeping upwards? No worries — sleek Flinders Lane hotel W Melbourne has you sorted. For the first time, it's opening up its glam 14th-floor pool precinct WET to non-guests for midweek daytime dips, in all its gold-ceilinged, marble-clad glory. Thanks to the new Swim Club sessions, everyday folk can score 12-hour access to the luxurious pool zone, including its steam room and gym, without having to book a room. [caption id="attachment_870065" align="alignnone" width="1920"] C.Hawks[/caption] Ideal for those cheeky weekdays off work, or even for working poolside like a baller, Swim Club sessions are running from 8am–8pm weekdays. For $98, you'll enjoy access for the whole day, plus a fruit platter and mocktail on arrival, and all the amenities you could ask for — towels, showers, lockers and change rooms, included. Bookings are a must — you can nab one online here.
Across the last two months of 2023, most folks will celebrate festive season. Here's something else to mark this year: Godzilla season. New streaming series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters arrives in mid-November, combining kaiju with both Kurt (Fast and Furious 9) and Wyatt Russell (Under the Banner of Heaven). Then, the unrelated Godzilla Minus One will stomp onto the big screen Down Under to kick off December. This film marks a big return, and not just because Godzilla as a creature is huge in size (even though exactly how large the critter is varies between on-screen appearances). To the delight of fans of Zilly's rampages through its homeland's cinema, Godzilla Minus One is the first live-action Japanese Godzilla release about its namesake since 2016's excellent Shin Godzilla. When Godzilla first crawled out of the ocean and into cinemas, the famous movie monster made its debut appearance in the shadow of the Second World War. The link between the film's fears of nuclear holocaust and what Japan had just experienced wasn't an accident, in a picture that isn't just an excellent creature feature — the franchise-starting flick is stellar all round, including its glorious score. It was back in 1954 that Godzilla initially greeted the world. Now, almost seven decades later, 37 other movies have followed. The latest: Godzilla Minus One, which gives Zilly aficionados a long-awaited new Japanese Godzilla movie and takes its titular figure back to the country's postwar era. As seen in the both the first trailer for Godzilla Minus One and its just-dropped latest sneak peek, Japan is still coping with the aftermath of WWII's atomic bombings when the kaiju appears. The question: in a place that's already rebuilding, how will everyone both endure and battle against this towering critter? In a feature written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Lupin III: The First, Ghost Book), cue plenty of rampaging through the streets by Godzilla, plus fleeing by the film's humans. Cue buildings levelled, the ground both rumbling and crumbling, and explosions wreaking more havoc, too. Referencing going backwards from zero in its moniker, cue a film that follows people trying to survive and fight — all back in the time that gave birth to all things Godzilla. Already in cinemas in Japan since early November, Godzilla Minus One will hit the big screen Down Under from Friday, December 1. It follows three animated streaming efforts since Shin Godzilla: 2017's Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, and 2018's Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle and Godzilla: The Planet Eater. Of course, the broader franchise also includes America's take on Godzilla, starting with a low in 1998, then including another try in 2014, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong. After TV's Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, a sequel to Godzilla vs Kong, is due in 2024. Check out the latest trailer for Godzilla Minus One below: Godzilla Minus One will hit cinemas Down Under on Friday, December 1.
Doughnut purists will be familiar with this one. This family-run business has been kneading and frying dough since the 1950s. The iconic blue and white van has long been a necessary pit stop during a visit to the Queen Victoria Markets to stock up on a paper bag of the fresh, fried delights. Sometimes simplicity rules and this is definitely the case here: the unchanged recipe involves a quick fry of the yeasted dough in sizzling oil following by a generous dusting of sugar. The final step is an injection of hot red jam into the doughnuts core which explodes into your mouth (and onto your clothes if you're not careful) on first bite.
Obelix & Co is where all your cheese, meats and condiment dreams can come true — in Fitzroy North, at least. Uniting French classics with Australian produce, chefs Lachie McCallum and Kirsty Laird have created a space for all those who know they're a cut above a Bunnings snag on a Sunday; the pair impressively makes is own range of charcuterie, sausages terrines and pâtés. The shop is a larder, too, and sells crispy baguettes, cheeses and some lush tangy relish to top them off with. Perfect for when you need snacks to tide your guests over while you cook up an ambitiously fancy meal for them.
Located in Avoca, Blue Pyrenees Estate boasts a hefty history, dating back to 1963. A pioneer in cool-climate viticulture since it first started out, it's long been one of the area's mainstays — with its 150-hectare property featuring plenty of vines, eye-catching gardens and a lake, and surrounded by a forest and mountains. Blue Pyrenees not only grows and picks its own grapes, but also makes its wine solely from said fruit, then packages it and sells it onsite. Taking a few cues from French-style vino, its range spans reds, whites, sparkling and rosé. Can't choose? Blue Pyrenees Estate's cabernet sauvignon was a double gold medal-winner at the 2020 China Wine and Spirits Awards, and features blackberry, leafy and oaky tastes. For those in the region, Blue Pyrenees' cellar door does tastings for $5, serves up quite the view and also lets patrons borrow a complimentary picnic rug. And, you can grab lunch, coffee or dessert from the cafe as well.
Ned's Bake and Bistro has been kicking around South Melbourne since 2017, pumping out fresh sourdough loaves, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and brunch bites. It's since expanded to Middle Park Armadale and Albert Park — making Melbourne's southeast its home. Earlier this year, the Middle Park venue experimented with opening for dinner service, and it's clearly been a success because the team is set to do the same with its South Yarra spot. From Thursday, October 10, the team will be extending Ned's opening hours, delivering a new bar menu from 3–5pm and a dinner menu from 5pm–late (Tuesday–Saturday). Leaning into its Mediterranean roots, Ned's evening offerings will be very similar to those at Middle Park, focusing on classic European comfort food served in a semi-casual setting. You can expect a selection of handmade pasta dishes, including the pappardelle with lamb ragu and pecorino cheese, and the tagliolini packed with spanner crab, chilli and lemon. A classic steak frites with Montpellier butter, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled octopus and lobster-loaded croissant will also feature on the spring dinner menu. These are all set to be paired with local and European wines, plus a smattering of cocktails. Ned's Armadale and Ned's Albert Park will soon follow with their own dinner service, as the team plans to transform each of the venues into an all-day diner. These changes are all a part of the the Valarc Group's (The Meatball & Wine Bar, Tartine Bistro and Ines Wine Bar) ambitious plans for expansion. Not only did they recently acquire Ned's, but they also plan to open more Ned's sites soon, plus a slew of new venues — including a cocktail bar above Ines, a European restaurant in Middle Park Village, an Italian deli in Kyneton and a boutique winery in the Macedon Ranges. It's full steam ahead for these hospo heavyweights. Ned's South Yarra — found at 134 Toorak Road — will open for dinner service on Thursday, October 10, open 5pm–late from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.
Sometimes it can hard to get through the working week. Even if you love your job, it always helps to add a little mid-week joviality to get you through to Friday afternoon. Concrete Playground, with help from Debit MasterCard, are giving you the chance to win a night out that will keep you grinning all week at your desk (if you make it to work at all the next day). One lucky person will win a priceless Sydney night out with three of their best mates, dolled up in a brand new outfit from free-spirited Sydney fashion label, Strummer. Your night will start at the The Norfolk where you can sit in the leafy courtyard and sip beers or one of their cooling cocktail jugs to get warmed up before you head off to The Carrington, one of our favourite new venues, for a fab meal. Once you're well-fed and merry, you will head to the Seymour Centre with your VIP tickets in hand to see Florence + the Machine, whose powerful pop songs have won them fans all over the world, debut their new album, Ceremonials. Then, while still on a post-gig high, you and your friends will head for an after-party at the The Flinders to continue your night of dancing. The sold out gig is is part of Debit Mastercard's Priceless Music series, which has commissioned previous shows by other awesome bands like Birds of Tokyo at Cockatoo Island and Kasabian at Melbourne's Docklands, and is set to take place on November 15. For your chance to win the perfect night out, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then leave your email address in the box below. The winner will be notified by email on November 11, 2011. Note: Entries for this competition have now closed. [email_capture] https://youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs
At the 2024 British Film Festival, when you're not watching movies starring Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh and Barry Keoghan, you'll be catching the latest performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. There's never any lack of big-name talents gracing the screen at Australia's annual celebration of the UK's latest and greatest contributions to cinema, but this year's is particularly jam-packed — so much so that there's not just one feature boasting Ronan among its cast, but two. Blitz, which sees the Foe, Little Women and Ammonite actor team up with 12 Years a Slave, Widows and Small Axe filmmaker Steve McQueen, is the British Film Festival's 2024 opening-night film. Playing Down Under fresh from also launching the London Film Festival, the period drama heads back to World War II, and starts the fest's month-long run from Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 with one of the year's must-see movies. At the other end of the festival, the also highly anticipated We Live in Time will close out the event's seasons in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and Ballarat. Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven) lead the romance from Brooklyn filmmaker John Crowley, which follows a couple's relationship across a decade. The second Ronan-led flick on the full 2024 British Film Festival comes courtesy of page-to-screen adaptation The Outrun, where the four-time Oscar-nominee plays a recovering addict — and there's plenty more highlights on the program from there. Hard Truths sits in the fest's centrepiece slot, reuniting iconic director Mike Leigh (Peterloo) with his Academy Award-nominated Secrets & Lies star Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Surface). Also boasting the coveted pairing of an impressive helmer and an exceptional on-screen talent: Bird from Andrea Arnold (American Honey), which is where Keoghan (Saltburn) pops up. As for Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), he stars with Juliette Binoche (The New Look) in The Return, a British spin on Homer's Odyssey — and also in papal thriller Conclave with Citadel's Stanley Tucci, Killers of the Flower Moon's John Lithgow and Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini. Law (Peter Pan & Wendy) plays King Henry VIII opposite Alicia Vikander (Irma Vep) as Katherine Parr in Firebrand, while Brosnan (The Last Rifleman) and Bonham Carter (One Life) feature in romance Four Letters of Love. Other standouts include the century-hopping dark comedy Timestalker from Garth Marenghi's Darkplace alum Alice Lowe, the Gillian Anderson (Scoop)- and Jason Isaacs (Archie)-led The Salt Path, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (You Hurt My Feelings) facing death in Tuesday, and Kelly Macdonald (Operation Mincemeat) and Damian Lewis (Billions) in vampire comedy The Radleys. For music fans, there's a dedicated themed sidebar featuring both Blur: To the End and Blur: Live at Wembley Stadium — one about the band's most-recent chapter, the other a two-hour concert film — as well as the Led Zeppelin-focused The Song Remains the Same and The Rolling Stones-centric The Stones and Brian Jones. This year's British Film Festival is also peering backwards via retrospective sessions of Ratcatcher, the debut feature from You Were Never Really Here's Lynne Ramsay; the Bonham Carter- and Dame Maggie Smith (The Miracle Club)-starring A Room with a View; and classic British historical dramas such as A Man for All Seasons, Heat and Dust, The Lion in Winter and Kenneth Branagh's (A Haunting in Venice) Henry V. British Film Festival 2024 Dates and Venues Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Regent Ballarat Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor, Perth Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Byron Bay Thursday, November 7–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema and Palace Central, Sydney The 2024 British Film Festival tours Australia in November and December. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Belles Hot Chicken has flirted with all sorts of chook-centric creations over the years, but there's one classic Aussie chicken dish that it's left untouched. Until now. Head chef and co-founder Morgan McGlone has just gone and dropped the group's first ever chicken parma sandwich, as part of Belles' new limited-edition Italian menu, Parma di Bella. This star sanga ($13) teams a garlic-brushed Italian bun with crumbed chicken tenders, rich napoli sauce, melted pecorino and a shaved fennel and rocket slaw. And it's got a worthy accompaniment in the new chicken skin mac 'n' cheese ($6), featuring McGlone's classic macaroni side topped with crispy fried chicken skin, smoked paprika and a dusting of Italian seasoning. On offer at all Belles outposts from May 29 to June 19, the pop-up menu also showcases a couple of fittingly Italian booze matches. You'll find crisp tinnies of Peroni Red ($6), along with a special pull from the cellar: the unique Sicilian red, Frank Cornelissen Contadino ($16 a glass). Parma di Bella is available at Belles Hot Chicken Fitzroy, Collins Square and Elizabeth Street.
It's time to shake off those thick coats, unleash the pale winter skin from beneath layers of black and stop worrying that you don't have your umbrella every time you leave the house — because summer is here. Melbourne may be the city of three seasons in a day, but at the first sign of summer sun we flock to the beach, parks, pools and amazing rooftop bars to enjoy a nice refreshing beverage. With so many great drinking options around the city, here are a few top recommendations for a summer tipple to get you in the spirit. Mojito, Los Barbudos Bringing Melbourne one-step closer to the colours and flavours of the vibrant Caribbean country, Los Barbudos are known for their traditional Cuban classics with great daiquiris, the El Presidente and — our top pick — a mojito ($10). Nothing could be more of a classic summer drink. Los Barbudos' version is full of white rum, lime, sugar, sparkling water and mint. You will be shocked at how fast these tasty treats disappear but, with prices this low, why not treat yourself to another one? 95 Smith Street, Fitzroy, (03) 9416 0079, losbarbudos.com.au Hard Iced Tea, Loop Roof A brand new rooftop bar has opened up above the cities favourite video bar, Loop. Officially named Loop Roof it has quickly been affectionately dubbed Looptop (see what we did there?). Looptop's menu features a huge range of top-notch cocktails, though it’s the hard iced tea selection that really shouts summer. Our pick for the best hard iced tea is the awkwardly named, but delicious tasting, Sunset Sparkle ($19) – Wyborowa vodka, pomme verte, T2 lychee sunrise tea syrup, fresh lemon, grapefruit peel and edible gold. Though we had the drink at night and were unable to see any sparkle, we have been told that under sunlight the edible golden spray used over the drink is quite a sight. Each hand-crafted tea syrup is created in house using tea from T2 and features a different ice cube full of delicious ingredients that are designed to melt and release more flavour into your drink as you go. On a side note, make sure you try the alcoholic snow cones (yes, really) with Ketel One vodka, watermelon shrub and lime. It's childhood nostalgia with an adult twist. 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne, (03) 9654 0500, looponline.com.au Red or White sangria, The Night Market We all love the Queen Victoria Night Markets. Sure, it's always overcrowded, but if you're after some of the tastiest food from around the world and free live entertainment — not to mention the people watching opportunities — then this is an event that can't be missed. With so many different multicultural hawker-style street food options available, there is no way anyone could try everything in one night alone (challenge accepted). Luckily for our aching bellies the markets will be operating every Wednesday night over summer. Wash down all that amazing food with a tasty (and huge) glass of sangria ($8). Served out of giant steel drums this is sangria made for the masses. There are two options, red or white and both are delicious. Grab yourself a huge glass, find a comfortable people watching spot near the bands and settle in for a warm summers night. Queen Victoria Market, cnr Victoria & Elizabeth Streets, every Wednesday night 5-10pm, qvm.com.au Vida Fiasco, Loch and Key Hidden above bushranger themed bar and restaurant Captain Melville, Loch and Key may be new but it's quickly making a name for itself as a great late night lounge bar. The space has been fitted out with lots of nooks to hide away in with a cheeky beverage and some good company. If you feel like you need a bit of private space then duck into one of their confessional booths. Our pick for a warm night however is to make your way onto their huge balcony overlooking Franklin Street with a cocktail in hand. Try the smoky Vida Fiasco: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, fresh passionfruit, agave nectar and lime ($18). Mezcal is such an underrated spirit and gives this drink a lovely smoky flavour, perfectly balanced with the sweet passionfruit and agave. Above Captain Melville, via rear laneway, Level 1, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne, captainmelville.com.au Campari Spritz, Carlton Espresso Walking down the Italian side of Lygon Street on a warm summers day, it's hard not to see the hordes of cafe-goers staking out prime people watching spots in front of Carlton Espresso. Also known as D.O.C Espresso, this Carlton landmark cafe knows how to make a great coffee — but on warm days all you should think about ordering is a refreshingly chilled Campari Spritz ($10). Served in a deep wine glass you have the fantastically bitter orange liqueur mixed perfectly with sweet Italian sparkling prosecco, a dash of soda and thinly sliced orange. Bellissimo. 326 Lygon Street, Carlton, (03) 9347 8482, docgroup.net Communist Manifesto, Double Happiness If you are after something a little unusual why not head to one of the original hidden laneway bars, Double Happiness. Tucked away down a side street off Chinatown, Double Happiness likes to infuse all their cocktail creations with some Asian-inspired flavour. Imagine chilli, coriander, ginger or lychee mixed with exotic fruits or even added to bubble cup tea cocktails. For the perfect summer drink on a hot day, try their Asian twist on a margarita. The Communist Manifesto – Tromba blanco tequila, tamarind, mandarin, lime and Szechuan salt ($17) has a perfect balance of sweet and salty with a delicious citrus tang that will make it hard to stop at just one. 21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne, (03) 9650 4488, double-happiness.org Pimm's #1 Jug, Madame Brussels Sharing is caring and who can say no to just one more delicious drink? Why not grab a group of friends and make your way up the stairs to Madame Brussels’ revered rooftop garden. Described by the Madame herself (well, the publican at least) as 'a rather fancy terrace and public house', it's hard not to get into the vibe at Madame Brussels. Do yourself — and your friends a favour — and let the lovely bartenders bring you some cucumber sandwiches and a large jug of Pims #1 ($35) to share. Full to the brim with tasty dark-tea colored Pimms, lemonade and an entire green grocers shop of fruits — strawberry, apple, orange, lemons, mint and the all-important cucumber — you can happily sip on it in the sunshine all afternoon. Level 3, 59-63 Bourke St, Melbourne, (03) 9662 2775, madamebrussels.com Pina Colada, Eau de Vie As you would expect from one of the top cocktail bars in the country, this is not your standard pina colada. Literally meaning 'water of life' in French, Eau de Vie have gone all out in reinventing this classic summer cocktail for a more discerning audience. Thoroughly shaken, the delicious chargrilled pineapple-infused Gosling's rum with citrus is then energised with house made pineapple soda and coconut syrup — and the the entire concoction is placed in a great big tiki mug for you to enjoy ($19). Add the stunning atmosphere and some of the top bartenders in Melbourne and you know you’re in good hands. 1 Malthouse lane, Melbourne, 0412 825 441, eaudevie.com.au Top image courtesy of Stewart, Sangria image courtesy of Anita Dabrowski, Campari Spritz image courtesy of Simon Aughton, Pimm's Jug image courtesy of Jessie Owen.
Take a trip along the Frankston line to the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, where the curators have locked in a pair of summer exhibitions. Housed in the gallery from December 13 through to February 21, Uncommon Australians and Talking to Shadows both present work by prominent Australian artists – albeit in very different forms. Arriving in Victoria courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Uncommon Australians: The Vision of Gordon and Marilyn Darling pays tribute to the couple whose generosity and foresight helped bring the aforementioned gallery into being. The exhibition will feature portraits of various Australian icons, from Nick Cave to Elisabeth Murdoch. Running in tandem, Talking to Shadow showcases the material work from sculpture Tim Silver. The latest in a career that spans two plus decades, the exhibition consists of a video piece alongside steel and bronze sculptures cast from trees ravaged by bushfires in Tasmania.
UPDATE, October 2, 2020: Official Secrets is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. When Keira Knightley came to fame kicking a soccer ball in Bend It Like Beckham, her steely determination played a considerable part. The English actor does purposeful and plucky with aplomb — earning Oscar nominations in Pride & Prejudice and The Imitation Game — and they're traits that keep serving her well nearly two decades after her big break. In fact, they're perfect for her latest role. Stepping into Katharine Gun's shoes in Official Secrets, Knightley is the epitome of dedicated and purposeful, as a British security services agent-turned-whistleblower needs to be. That focus keeps shining, too, as her version of Gun weathers the personal, professional and legal repercussions for her actions in trying to thwart the 2003 invasion of Iraq, including breaching the United Kingdom's Official Secrets Act. Yes, there's no doubting where Official Secrets found its title. Even if you weren't across this fairly recent incident, there's no guessing where the film is headed, either. But, working in the same tense mode as he did with 2015's Eye in the Sky, director/co-writer Gavin Hood still treats Gun's rousing true tale like a thriller with good reason — the ins and outs are stirring and gripping. His clear-eyed procedural also proves riveting because it remains immensely relevant, as do the reasons behind Gun's leak of classified documents to start with. While it was once rightfully considered scandalous, politicians, governments and leaders routinely lying to the public has become a regular part of life today; but daring to speak truth to power — and to force those in power to speak the truth — is still rare. It's an ordinary day for Gun when, during her usual translation and analysis duties for British intelligence, she receives an extraordinary email. Sent from a National Security Agency chief, the communication requests help gathering information about United Nations diplomats, in the hope of convincing the seven non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to vote for military action. Her superiors say that nothing is amiss, but using blackmail to send the world to war doesn't sit well with Gun. Once she sends the document to a friend, who then passes it on to a journalist, it doesn't sit well with Observer reporter Martin Bright (Matt Smith) either. After his front-page story hits newsstands, global outrage naturally follows. So does a spiteful investigation by Britain's powers-that-be, who'd rather attack Gun than admit any wrongdoing. As pieced together with workmanlike precision by Hood, who clearly understands the significance of the story, Gun's plight has many moving parts. Her Turkish husband Yasar (Adam Bakri) is seeking asylum in England, something that's unsurprisingly used against her. After she enlists a veteran human rights lawyer (Ralph Fiennes), she's told that she's not allowed to discuss her work with anyone, including legal counsel, or she'll face further charges. When Bright convinces his pro-war Observer editors to run with the story, an innocent internal error gets conspiracy theorists on the attack as well. Gun is an average Brit calling out wrongdoing in her workplace — wrongdoing with worldwide consequences — and she faces her government's wrath for doing so, but she's steadfast in standing by her actions. Gun is tenacious, courageous and committed — and yet, crucially, she's just a regular person. That's another reason that Official Secrets resonates so strongly. The film's subject is employed by British security services to gather intelligence, so on paper she's a spy, but she's really just someone sitting behind a computer, doing her job, and daring to challenge the status quo when it conflicts with her sense of right and wrong. Indeed, for all of Knightley's skill at playing insistent, dogged and earnest, she also captures this truth, as does Hood's polished yet never slick direction (a Bourne or Bond-style flick, this isn't). Official Secrets lurks in nondescript offices and watches everyday folks go about their work, while managing a delicate balancing act in the process, ensuring that Gun is a flesh-and-blood figure rather than a simplified martyr. This is also a movie with a clear outcome in mind and an overt emotional path, although that comes both with the territory and with telling this tale today. Many of the film's supporting players are tasked with underscoring the story's importance — Smith, Fiennes, Matthew Goodes and Rhys Ifans as other journalists, and Jeremy Northam as the public prosecutor eager to put Gun in her place — however Knightley utters the line that couldn't sum up Official Secrets better. Her character is yelling at the TV while watching the news and, yes, it feels relatable as it sounds. "Just because you're the Prime Minister, it doesn't mean you get to make up your own facts," she notes as Tony Blair talks about Iraq. Try not to injure yourself nodding forcefully in agreement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IVuxnXFrl8
Sometimes, the whole sit-down dinner thing is just a bit too much. When you're settled in with a few after-work wines, battling some serious snack cravings, or scouting out a memorable late-night feed, it's the bar menu that becomes your best mate. Luckily, Melbourne's got that whole caper nailed, with top-notch culinary lineups to suit any kind of appetite. We teamed up with Samsung to find the best bar menus that'll have you snacking in style this winter. We also brought along the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ with its tip-top low light camera to get some snaps of said bar menus to show you what's in store. NATURAL HISTORY, CBD One of the most anticipated openings of 2018 gave us the taxidermy-filled Natural History. Here, Morgane McGlone has put together a hefty menu of US-style steakhouse fare to match the 350-seat space — although it's certainly not a case of "go large, or go home". Those after instant gratification or a late-night fix will find plenty to like about the bar menu, a smooth-talking assembly that runs from freshly shucked oysters and chicken liver parfait to a hearty cajun fish sandwich. If beef's your craving, you'll even spy a minute steak, teamed with cafe de Paris butter and shoestring fries, and available (like the rest) until 1am. BUILDERS ARMS, FITZROY While the main restaurant at The Builders Arms made the leap into Chinese territory (as Ricky & Pinky) a couple of years back, the public bar offering's stayed true to its roots — refined pub fare with a slight British accent. It's just as perfect for snack-happy pub sessions as for that lazy lunch feed, with a price tag that'll keep you coming back. Here you can graze your way through small plates like the addictive whipped cod roe dip and a crunchy serve of school prawns, or fill up the tank with a lamb and tarragon pie or generous veal cutlet parma. MAYFAIR, CBD When your midnight snack leanings call for sophisticated French bistro fare over greasy kebabs, Mayfair dishes up the goods. Here, while white-clothed tables and twinkling chandeliers pull an elegant sort of dinner crowd, the supper menu proves just as well suited to a laidback session in the moodily-lit bar, midnight Negroni in hand. On offer from 10:30pm–12:30am, this 'night owl' selection boasts a handful of gems from the regular lineup; some dainty, some hearty, all chic. Knockback fresh oysters in a mignonette dressing, share a serve of smoked duck liver parfait or battle a wild midnight appetite with the classic steak frites. ARLECHIN, CBD The Grossi family's crack at the laneway small bar has proven an instant hit, what with its Insta-worthy designer digs, dazzling wine selection and menu of clever drinking fare. When dinner's off the cards or the snack cravings take hold, Arlechin's culinary lineup is a doozy, especially given it's up for grabs until as late as 3am. Head in, pull up a seat and get acquainted with the now iconic 'midnight spaghetti' — pasta tumbled with tomato, chilli and capers. Other hits include lightly fried calamari with squid ink and an almost-too-pretty-to-eat Clarence River King prawn. LONGSONG, CBD At Little Bourke Street's hot new addition Longsong, the acclaimed David Moyle is making magic with his custom-built woodfire stove and grill. To enjoy the spoils, you could nab a spot in the no-bookings dining space, but it's even more fun settling in at one of the funky resin-topped bar tables, as you amble your way through both wine list and snack menu. The bar food here is big on flavour and primed for sharing – its main stars are the wood-fired skewers, rocking flavours like beef with smoked peanut satay. Round a few of those out with small bites like the native pepper kangaroo jerky or Wapengo Rocks oysters, and who even needs dinner? Instead of spending your winter nights on the couch this year, hit all the after-dark happenings in your city here — and don't forget to document it all on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light. Images: Cole Bennetts.
In a glorious era where phones can be unlocked using facial recognition, what are we still doing slumming it with pesky plug-in chargers? Well, chaining your smartphone to a power point and fumbling with tangled cords could soon be a thing of the past, when San Francisco company Pi releases what it says is the world's first ever contactless, wireless charger. The brainchild of a pair of MIT alumni, this little guy does away with the cords, the charging pads and even the need for your phone or tablet to be touching anything at all. Instead, Pi harnesses groundbreaking electromagnetic charging technology developed by the founders, John MacDonald and Lixin Shi, over more than three years. That's a whole lotta math problems. The cone-shaped Pi can simultaneously charge four devices within around 30cm, at full speed. It can charge additional devices on top of that, albeit at a slower pace. Perhaps most enticing, you can use your phone and move it around while it's juicing up. Of course, this kind of modern day witchery doesn't come easy. As MacDonald explains, "creating this technology required solving one of the most difficult mathematical problems in electromagnetics, and that's why no one has done it before." It sounds like Pi will be available sometime next year, although you can reserve yours right away. MacDonald and Shi believe it will retail for under US$200. The first 314 people in the world to order will score a $50 discount.
You don’t have to be a science fiction fan to know that Doctor Who is having a moment right now. The 50th anniversary episode in December last year was a global event, and 2014 brings in the twelfth Doctor, to be played by Peter Capaldi. But while you wait for season eight to kick off, the MSO will be tiding your over with a performance of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular at the Plenary. Back by popular demand, the MSO will perform music from the hit series composed by Murray Gold. The show will feature edited footage of the eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, as well as looking back at some of the past Doctors. The concert hall will also be overrun by the Silence, Daleks and Cybermen, so park the Tardis close by if you need to make a quick escape. Intergalactic adventures await you, so don’t forget to pack your sonic screwdriver.
Anyone can pour orange juice and vodka into a glass and call it a screwdriver. But if you're after a cocktail more sophisticated and complicated than that, that's where top-notch bartenders come in. They're the folks who mix up drinks that you definitely don't feel like you can make at home — or know you have (again, see that OJ and vodka combo) — and they're as crucial a part of hitting a bar as the menu, vibe and company. Australia isn't short on fine folks whipping up brilliant beverages; however, if you're after the best of the best, there's now a rundown naming the country's top 100 bartenders. Consider it your next excuse to work through a boozy list, if you already started 2022 sipping the 100 best brews. Created by global bartending competition Diageo World Class, the Top 100 Australian Bartenders for 2022 list spans every state and territory — with New South Wales particularly well-represented, and Victoria and Queensland as well. Here's another way to think of it: you now have a list of bartenders to seek out on your next few holidays. [caption id="attachment_714471" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cantina OK![/caption] Standouts include folks from Sydney favourites such as Maybe Sammy and Cantina OK!, Melbourne's Nick and Nora's and Black Pearl, and Brisbane's The Gresham and Agnes. This is just part one of the contest, though. From here, these 100 bartenders will compete by mixing up impressive, boundary-pushing tipples at their venues, which'll be available for patrons to sip from Monday, May 30–Monday, June 13. Then, a top five will be announced — also on Monday, June 13 — before finals in July. The winner will be deemed the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year for 2022, and fly the flag for Aussies at the comp's global final, which is happening here for the first time, in Sydney, between Monday, September 12–Friday, September 16. [caption id="attachment_795641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gresham, Millie Tang[/caption] Whoever emerges victorious will take over the title from Evan Stroeve from Sydney's no-waste bar Re, 2021's winner. Here's 2022's full top 100 rundown: DIEGO WORLD CLASS TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN BARTENDERS FOR 2022: NEW SOUTH WALES: Alex Gondzioulis, The Rover Behzad Vaziri, The Star Elisa Rodgrigues, Paloma Wine Bar Hunter Gregory, Maybe Sammy Matthew Dale, Re Ryan Bickley, Cantina OK Siôn Roberts, Re Storm Evans, Cantina OK Sanghyun Park, Will's Wen Wang, Maybe Sammy Albert Rust, Eileen's Bar - Four Pillars Andrew McCorquodale, Charlie Parker's Beaux Donelan, Charlie Parker's Ashley Miller, Blue Kahunas Ben Hardy, Bar Planet Brianna Aboud, Ramblin' Rascal Tavern Chloe Natterer, The Lobo Claudio Bedini, Sammy Junior Daniel Hilton, The Lobo Eduardo Conde, NO 92 GPR Dominic Causley-Todd, Dead Ringer Emma Bernardi, Bar Planet Eoin Kenny, Long Chim Hamish Mitchell, Charlie Parker's Harrison Kenney, Bar Planet Helen Yu, The Lobo James Russell, Apollonia Jenna Hemsworth, The Gidley Koby Harris, Dean and Nancy on 22 Krisztian Csigo, Dean and Nancy on 22 Sara Rinaldo, Dean and Nancy on 22 Sarah Proietti, Maybe Sammy Judith Zhu, KittyHawk Kalisha Glover, Apollonia Kat Scibiorski, Long Chim Kate Gale-Re, The Gidley Michal Wowak, The Gidley Kiaran Bryant, Earl's Juke Joint Liam Gavin, Door Knock Marco Rosati, Grain Bar Samuel McWilliams, The Lobo Thomas Opie, Births and Deaths VICTORIA: Aiden Rodriquez, EDV Melbourne Alejandro Archibald, NOMAD Melbourne Kane Smith, Nick and Nora's Melbourne Darren Leaney, Aru Cameron Parish, Gimlet Elisabetta Luppi, LUI Bar Francesca Camilli, Beneath Driver's Lane James Armstrong, The Cloakroom Bar Josephe Kourmouzis, Above Board Julien Wurtlin, LUI Bar Kayla Saito, Black Pearl Nicola Dean, Black Pearl Max Allison, Good Measure Miriam Wahlhütter, LOVER Nick Tesar, Bar Liberty Olivia Devlin, Capitano Tioni Naslund, LUI Bar Taylor Matthews, Frederic Tom McHugh, Hazel Restaurant QUEENSLAND: Dino Francia, Rosella's Bar Jack Connor, Rosella's Bar Aidan Perkins, Agnes Restaurant Daniella Darakis, The Gresham Edward Quartermass, Maker Ellery Low, Maker Jamie Fleming, Alba Bar & Deli Jenny Wang, Sono Japanese Restaurant Joe Steadman, Alba Bar & Deli Kate Bartlett, Cobbler Bar Liam Murphy, Frogs Hollow Saloon Liam Shepherd, Bar Brutus Martin McConnell, Frogs Hollow Saloon Peter Hollands, Frogs Hollow Saloon WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Dyllan Balm, Foxtrot Unicorn Max Guidice, Republic of Fremantle Nicola Herbert, Foxtrot Unicorn Shirley Yeung, Foxtrot Unicorn Samuel Cocks, Bar Rogue SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Al Simmons, Maybe Mae Alfonso Lizana, Maybe Mae Anabel Rowe, Long Story Short Georgia Edmonds, Maybe Mae Grace Rawlins, Memphis Slim's House of Blues Jack Somers, Memphis Slim's House of Blues Talis Heggart, Memphis Slim's House of Blues Michael Keogh, Memphis Slim's House of Blues Lachlan Gunner, Long Story Short Oscar Butler, Maybe Mae TASMANIA: Rachel Mynczywor, Rude Boy Rohan Massie, Rude Boy Hobart Jack Turner, Void Bar at Mona Mateo Ortiz, The Den Salamanca NORTHERN TERRITORY: Anneliese Grazioli, Hanky Panky Lounge Katerina Kosta, Hanky Panky Lounge Matt Zarimis, Smoke and Oak Darwin ACT: Cameron Abercrombie, Zaab Street Food Jack Sandeman, Zaab Street Food Liv Kelly, Bar Rochford For more information about Diego World Class, head to the competition's website. Top image: Maybe Sammy, Paolo Maffietti.
North Geelong is home to this Palm Springs-inspired local favourite. Helmed by friendly owners Bek and Sev, this spot in the Geelong Vintage Markets serves up colourful and clever brunch plates with a focus on local produce. Sweet tooths will love the vegan and gluten-free breakfast panna cotta ($17) with housemade granola, poached rhubarb, seasonal berries, candied orange and milk of choice. The Pickers Union might also do one of the best breakfast burgers ($16) in town, which sees bacon, avo, crumbed feta, spinach, cheese and a free-range fried egg sandwiched in a bun from excellent local bakery La Madre. Coffee lovers will be impressed with the Cartel Coffee made in the cafe's Slayer Steam X machine, as well as the selection of house-label beans, available to purchase by the bag. Images: Julia Sansone.
In a place like Sydney where the state of our public transport system is constantly being debated and criticised, the Subway Etiquette Posters by NYC artist Jason Shelowitz, or Jay Shells, could provide some relief to regular commuters. Despite NYC being in a different hemisphere, it's good to know that Sydneysiders are not the only commuters who experience run-ins with nail clippers and subway polluters. Jay Shells' Subway Etiquette posters are the product of a survey of 100 commuters and their pet peeves, poking fun at things like eating on public transport, noise pollution, seating priority and physical contact. [via Trendhunter]
Last month, McDonald's spread some lockdown cheer for a few days, offering burger-loving customers free delivery for an entire weekend. From now until the end of June, it's doing the same. Sharing the fast food love, the huge chain is doing free home delivery on orders over $25 via UberEats — every single weekend. If you're craving a Quarter Pounder or a box of chicken McNuggets and you don't fancy leaving the house, that's obviously great news. To get your hands on a burg, some fries, a Happy Meal, McFlurry or a hot fudge sundae — or anything else on the chain's regular menu — with no extra delivery cost, head to UberEats' website or use the UberEats app and enter the weekly code. This week's code, valid until Sunday, May 11, is MACCAS2U; however it will change each week. To get the new details every Friday, you'll need to head to Macca's Facebook page. The entire transaction will be contact-free, including when it hits your doorstep. And, if you're after a few household staples, Macca's is also delivering milk, plus six-packs of English muffins and its gourmet buns. Or, of course, you can ignore whatever time of day it is and go straight for a McMuffin, hash brown and some hot cakes. McDonalds is offering free delivery across Australia on orders over $25 made via UberEats, with the special available every weekend until the end of June. To order, head here and use the weekly code. Until Sunday, May 11, the code is MACCAS2U, with new codes announced every Friday via the Macca's Facebook page. Images: McDonald's.
Leading Aussie winemaker Handpicked uses grapes sourced from across the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley, Tasmania and more to create its diverse stable of drops. But, its most recent project has made a home right in the heart of the city: a glam cellar door located within the new 80 Collins precinct. It's a grand affair, too, with three floors encompassing a premium cheese, charcuterie and wine bar, as well as a retail space complete with 'tasting pods' and an experience room. Open daily for breakfast through to those after-dinner vino sessions, the cellar door has fare for any time of the day, but also works as an elegant tasting bar where you can dig into Handpicked's varied portfolio of sustainably-made wines. Inside, celebrated architectural and interior design firm Design Office has created a stately space that's heavy on the American oak and filled with locally made and designed furniture pieces. If wine is on the agenda, you can sample some of Handpicked's latest and greatest with a tailored wine tasting or wine flight, or one of the expert-led wine workshops that'll be taking over the experience room on the regular. And, with an extensive range of both regional and single-vineyard wines, there's a drop here for just about everyone, whether you're enjoying in or picking up something for home. [caption id="attachment_803633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nastia Gladushchenko[/caption] Like the vinous delights, the food offering boasts a strong focus on regionality, headlined by a cheese selection to impress even the most avid of dairy fiends. Expect everything from Tassie's Pyengana clothbound cheddar, to a truffle-infused brillat-savarin out of Burgundy. The charcuterie situation is also one to write home about, with a global array of cured meats available sliced to order, alongside additions like cornichons, olives and quince paste. Lunchtimes and snacking sessions call for a mix-and-match spread of the gourmet deli goodies; maybe some Ortiz anchovy fillets and Espinaler canned mussels served with artisan sourdough, or olive bread slices topped with combinations like scorched heirloom tomato, buffalo yoghurt and basil. Drop by for breakfast and you'll find small-batch Merna crumpets finished with the likes of lemon curd and crème fraîche, or smoked trout with Meredith goat's cheese and Beechworth honey. And if you want to get really fancy, pre-order yourself something from the impressive caviar selection to level-up that after-work wine tasting session. Images: Tony Mott and Nastia Gladushchenko
Before Barbenheimer became the biggest thing in cinema in 2023, moviegoers flocked to a film that featured a blonde wearing plenty of pink, and also clouds and mushrooms, all in the one flick. That feature: The Super Mario Bros Movie. It was a hit. It was a smash, in fact. At the global box office, the first-ever animated movie based on the Nintendo favourite came in right in the middle of both Barbie and Oppenheimer for the year — notching up more than $1.3 billion in takings. That an animated Mario movie would get audiences saying "let's go" to cinemas is hardly a surprise. Neither is the next piece of news: that a sequel to The Super Mario Bros Movie is on the way. The folks at Nintendo and animation studio Illumination are back doing the filmmaking equivalent of hitting blocks to unveil power-ups — aka crafting a second picture that's due to hit cinemas in 2026. The exact date in the US: April 3, 2026. Expect audiences in Australia and New Zealand to see the film at around the same time. Nintendo and Illumination announced the sequel as part of the annual MAR10 celebrations on March 10 — which would also make a great movie release date, but features don't usually hit the big screen on Tuesdays, which is when the occasion will fall in 2026. "By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone's faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible," said the company in a statement. In a video, Shigeru Miyamoto from Nintendo and Chris Meledandri from Illumination also chatted about the news — but without going into much detail regarding what'll be in store in the film, other than the return trip to the Mushroom Kingdom. "This time, we're thinking about broadening Mario's world further, and it'll have a bright and fun story," said Miyamoto. The 2023 The Super Mario Bros Movie enlisted Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) to voice the Italian plumber, plus Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Luigi, Jack Black (Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu) as Princess Peach, Seth Rogen (Dumb Money) as Donkey Kong, Keegan- Michael Key (Wonka) as Toad and Fred Armisen (Wednesday) as Cranky Kong. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) will return from the first film, as will screenwriter Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru). Check out the trailer forThe Super Mario Bros Movie below: The sequel to The Super Mario Bros Movie is set to release in cinemas in the US on April 3, 2026 — we'll update you with Down Under release dates when they're announced. Read our review of the first film.
Calling all companions, Whovians and Time Lords: the TARDIS has materialised in Melbourne. Again Thats right, a Totally Awesome Radical Doctor Who Impromptu Shop has opened up on Little Collins Street, allowing you to purchase all of your favourite Doctor Who memorabilia and necessities to fight Daleks. The pop-up shop is touring this time to promote the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, and the launch of series eight on ABC TV in August. It will allow Australians to purchase exclusive merchandise never before made available to them. This includes replica props and coats from the UK and Canada, as well as the Doctor Who Home range, allowing you to pour your tea from a TARDIS themed pot and pour your emotions over the deaths of past and present companions into a Dalek-themed diary. Traditional merch items will also be on sale, including DVDs, books and toys. Oh, by the way, you can get your photo taken in-store in the TARDIS photo booth. The store is open 9am-6pm daily (except Friday when it's open 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm).
Set in the heart of Hawthorn, Lulo Bar & Grill is quietly one of Melbourne's best late-night dining spots. Chef Matt Waldron named the space for his Colombian-born wife Michelle (Lulo is Colombian slang for an attractive woman) and the menu also reflects his love. South American flavours feature in all of the large and small share plates, with notable highlights including the melt-in-your-mouth ceviche and the crispy skin pork belly with mushroom ponzu, guava and hibiscus — although we're also pretty partial to the sweet and salty Colombian churros filled with quince jam and dulce de leche being served up for dessert.
The latest cure for festival FOMO is here: for the first time ever, two of Glastonbury's headline performances are being livestreamed around the globe for everyone to watch. Won't be in the UK during the fest? Always wanted to see big names take to the event's famed Pyramid Stage? A fan of Dua Lipa and/or Coldplay? Thanks to the BBC, you're now in luck. When Coachella rolls around each year, it's not just an exciting time for folks fortunate enough to be on the ground in California, but for audiences worldwide via the fest's arrangement with YouTube. Glastonbury and the BBC might only be streaming two sets across the planet and not the majority of the British event, but it's still a welcome development. [caption id="attachment_926976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] Your destination: the BBC's Glastonbury website, where you can catch Dua Lipa's set on the morning of Saturday, June 29, then Coldplay's — before the Chris Martin-fronted group returns to Australia and New Zealand later in 2024 — on the morning of Sunday, June 30. Dua Lipa's stint in the high-profile slot also marks her first-ever time on the Pyramid Stage. As for Coldplay, they're headlining the fest for the fifth time, albeit in their first visit since 2016. [caption id="attachment_963580" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Raph_PH[/caption] "The Glastonbury Festival is an icon of British culture, and this livestream will give fans around the globe a front row seat to headline performances like never before. This is just the latest example of our focus on bringing more cultural-defining moments like Glastonbury to fans on our platforms outside the UK so users can experience the best of British culture wherever they may be," said BBC Studios' Chief Commercial Officer Tara Maitra, announcing the global livestreams. "From this exciting live music experience from two of the biggest names in music, to the BBC News channel livestream that is coming soon in Australia, our digital platforms offer immediate, unrestricted and tailored access for all audiences," added BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand General Manager Fiona Lang. Also on the Glastonbury 2024 bill across Wednesday, June 26–Sunday, June 30 UK time but not being beamed to the world, sadly: SZA, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Cyndi Lauper, Janelle Monae, Shania Twain, Disclosure, The Streets, Camilla Cabello, Bloc Party, The National, Avril Lavigne, Jessie Ware, Sugababes, Jamie XX, Kim Gordon, James Blake, Sleafod Mods, Orbital, The Breeders, Peggy Gou, The Cat Empire, Eric Prydz and a whole heap more. Glastonbury 2024 Livestream: Saturday, June 29 — Dua Lipa, 7–8.45am AEST / 6.30–8.15am ACST / 5–6.45am AWST / 9–10.45am NZST Sunday, June 30 — Coldplay, 6.45–8.45am AEST / 6.15–8.15am ACST / 4.45–6.45am AWST / 8.45–19.45am NZST [caption id="attachment_963582" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Raph_PH[/caption] [caption id="attachment_926978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] Glastonbury's 2024 livestream will broadcast Dua Lipa's set globally on the morning of Saturday, June 29 Down Under, and Coldplay's show on the morning of Sunday, June 30 — head to the BBC's Glastonbury website to watch. Dua Lipa images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
World, say hello to the ultimate marriage of fashion and fine dining: a Gucci restaurant helmed by none other than Massimo Bottura, chef and owner of three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana. That's right, the internationally renowned high fashion label has forayed into the world of food, yesterday opening Gucci Osteria in the heart of Florence, Italy. Just as you'd expect, the 50 seater is a study in luxury, housed in the centuries-old Palazzo della Mercanzia building and with views across Piazza della Signoria. It forms part of the just-revealed lavish Gucci Garden, which also features a cinema room, a bazaar-style fashion boutique and exhibition spaces curated by fashion critic Maria Luisa Frisa. Diners at the all-day restaurant can expect to sit down to globally-inspired dishes like pork belly buns, Peruvian-style tostadas and Parmigiano Reggiano tortellini, dropping about €20–30 ($30–46 AUD) per plate. While it's hard to say how much he will be on the pans at this new location, Bottura says he drew inspiration from his travels when developing the lineup, mixing classic Italian flavours with clever, new-school twists. "Travelling the world, our kitchen interacts with everything we see, hear and taste," the chef explained. Gucci Osteria is the latest in a string of luxury fashion house food ventures, following the opening of Tiffany & Co's Blue Box Cafe in New York, and the announcement of parent company LMVH's plans for a second outpost of its gourmet Parisian grocery store La Grande Epicerie.
Like most major cities, there are some well-known must-dos when you visit Canberra for the first time. The Australian War Memorial? Check. The National Gallery of Australia? Obviously. A paddleboat on Lake Burley Griffin? Of course. But once all those major attractions are ticked off the list, what's next? Well, there is more to Canberra than meets the eye. The capital is teeming with hidden gems — think social enterprise cafes, farmers markets and teeny tiny galleries — that locals love to frequent on their days off. And now you can, too. Make the most of your next Canberra adventure with this list of lesser-known spots. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
We had a feeling this might happen. Off the back of an appearance at an already sold-out Splendour in the Grass, Kendrick Lamar will also headline six Australian shows in support of his fourth album DAMN.. Lamar is one of the most critically acclaimed and successful hip hop artists of our generation. The Compton rapper most recently became the first ever artist to take out the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for contemporary music. He's also the beholder of 12 Grammys, has clocked up more than six million album sales worldwide, and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. Lamar will return to our shores for Splendour on the weekend of July 20–22 and six headline shows: one in Perth on July 10, two in Melbourne on July 13 and 14, one in Adelaide on July 15 and two in Sydney on July 24 and 25. Having recently taken the DAMN. tour across the UK and Europe, set lists included his extensive catalogue, including good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), To Pimp A Butterfly (2015) and his most recent effort DAMN..
As I settled down in Event Cinemas to see Once Chance, I didn't realise I'd also be seeing my mother's cinematic debut. But more on that later. A British film directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) and written by Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), One Chance is based on the true story of Paul Potts, a shop assistant and amateur opera singer who won Britain's Got Talent in 2007. It's a kind of hero's journey meets love story, with Potts' marriage to wife Julie-Ann (Alexandra Roach) at the core. Her patience and loyalty sustains him through a seemingly unending amount of bad luck. As does his love of opera. The film opens with Potts' troubled childhood and ends with his first audition for Britain's Got Talent, now a YouTube favourite, where he sang Nessun Dorma so beautifully he received a standing ovation, judges cried and even Simon Cowell beamed. Before we get to the happy ending, things get pretty dark. There's his bully-ridden childhood. Then there's his dysfunctional relationship with his father, his financial struggles, his chronic self-doubt (enforced by no less than Pavarotti in one of the film's most painful scenes) and his ill health, from bicycle accidents to appendicitis to cancer. Even the setting of Port Talbot is depressing. But without depicting the struggle, the film's final scenes wouldn't be quite as moving. We wouldn't appreciate how glorious a victory this was for Potts, the eternal underdog. I just wish we could have had a bit longer to bask in it before the credits started rolling. James Corden was an unusual casting choice. He's known for his cheeky, brash confidence, and at times you can almost feel him holding back. But for the most part he succeeded in giving a believable performance as the shy, self-effacing Potts. (And before you ask, no that's not him singing; he is lip-synching to Potts' voice.) Sometimes the plot and dialogue feel a tad schmaltzy, a bit 'Hollywood', potentially because it's a British story with British actors but in the hands of American filmmakers. The film could use a splash more irreverence, but there are real moments of humour, often thanks to the comedic timing of Corden, Julie Walters (as Potts' mum) and Mackenzie Crook (as his friend and inefficient manager at the Carphone Warehouse). One Chance is entertaining and tells a genuinely inspiring story. It's not the most well-written script, but if you like stories about self-belief and pursuing your dreams no matter how many obstacles life throws at you, then you should see it. Or if you want to see my mum's unwitting extra-work. She's the tourist in the white trousers in the final scene, standing in the middle of Piazza San Marco and staring straight at the camera. Hi mum. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1wtq5hN2eOE
Art galleries don't just showcase great works by renowned talents on their own walls. They also loan out their collections, touring them to other sites around the globe. That's great news for Australians, who've been able to check out pieces from London's Tate Britain and New York's Museum of Modern Art in recent years, all without leaving the country. Come 2021, you'll also be able to feast your eyes on two big collections of European masterpieces from two different overseas institutions: from New York's The Met, which is heading to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, and from London's National Gallery, which'll take over the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. The latter, called Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, has just been announced — and will hit the Australian Capital Territory from March 5–June 14, 2021. If you were looking for a reason to take a local holiday interstate next year, the NGA has not just one but 60, because that's how many works this huge exhibition will feature. The gallery isn't joking about the showcase's title, either. When you'll be exhibiting Van Gogh's Sunflowers, you can throw around the word 'masterpiece' as much as you like. Other high-profile works include Rembrandt's Self Portrait at the Age of 34, plus Vermeer's A Young Woman seated at a Virginal. And, artist-wise, Titian, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Renoir, Cézanne, Botticelli, El Greco, Constable, Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Gauguin are all also on the bill. [caption id="attachment_792837" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers 1888, National Gallery, London, Image courtesy the National Gallery, London[/caption] When peering at the exhibition's pieces, art aficionados will be taken through seven important periods in Western European art history, from a range that spans 450 years. That means exploring work from the Italian Renaissance, checking out the Dutch painting of the Golden Age, and feasting your eyes on British portraiture — as well as scoping out pieces from the 17th- and 18th-century Grand Tour, Spanish art from the 17th century, works that focus on landscape and the picturesque, and examining the birth of modern art. When Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London hits our shores, it'll mark a big milestone, too — as the largest batch of works to venture beyond the United Kingdom in National Gallery's 192-year history. Announcing the exhibition, National Gallery of Australia Director Nick Mitzevich mentioned exactly what you're probably now thinking — that is, that the showcase is a nifty way to see the world in a period when we can't venture far physically. "At a time when Australian audiences are unable to travel overseas, we are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors to Canberra to see this exclusive showcase of world-class art," he said. Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from March 5–June 14, 2021, with tickets on sale now. Top images: Installation view, Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Anthony van Dyck, Lady Elizabeth Thimbelby and Dorothy, Viscountess, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Giovanni Giralomo Savoldo, Mary Magdalene (far left), The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London.
Melbourne's inner north is set to score another new independent brewery, only this one's got Brunswick in its sights. Local label CoConspirators has announced plans to build a 195-seater pub and full 12-hectolitre brewery. Set to launch by mid-2020, it'll be the brand's first permanent brewery, after three years spent contract brewing out of various other local breweries. Known for the bold, playful portraits adorning its cans, CoConspirators is the work of two couples: Maggie and Deon Smit, and Jacqui Sacco and Tim Martin. Launched back in 2016 and now with a slew of familiar core beers under its belt, the label is taking the next big step with plans to create and collaborate on even more unique brews in the future. Fan favourites including The Matriarch New England IPA, The Salesman XPA and The Editor passionfruit and guava sour will all be available onsite, along with new release drops and even a few exclusive brews you won't be able to get your hands on anywhere else. Full details about the new Victoria Street venue are yet to drop, although we do know it's being imagined by the crew at architect studio Humble and will align with CoConspirators' environmentally conscious leanings. Not only is the team looking into incorporating both solar energy and thermal dynamic insulation, but it's also keen to pull a Melbourne-first move by installing aerobic digestion technology to process the brewery and food waste into grey water. CoConspirators is slated to open at 377 Victoria Street, Brunswick, by mid-2020.
Before he’d even set foot in Australia, Tim Crouch’s work had played to rapturous audiences throughout the country, from Belvoir Street to the Perth, Melbourne and Sydney Festivals. Crouch is an internationally acclaimed theatremaker based in the UK, where he creates his own work as well as directing for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and it’s Shakespeare that’s the subject of his latest show. In his one-man piece at Arts Centre, I, Malvolio, Crouch drags the “notoriously wronged” steward from Twelfth Night out into the limelight. When I, Malvolio first opened in a Brighton school as part of that city’s festival, Crouch was also asked to make an “adult” version of the same work — now he adapts the piece on the fly in every show, depending on who’s in the house. “If there’s lots of adults the level of interaction becomes more mature and complex, with a younger audience the text changes slightly," he says. "There’s quite a lot of improvisation in this piece, but there’s also quite a lot of strictly scripted words, and it’s in the spaces where the improvisation exists that the piece changes depending on the audience.” His plays for older audiences typically have a strong ideological bent, pushing against the boundaries of theatre’s capabilities. But he’s found that younger audiences are often more attuned, present and receptive. In this respect, he characterises children and teenagers in a similar way to audiences at festivals, where most if not all of his international work is produced. “Festivals are melting pots,” says Crouch, “They are meeting points, because work from around the world gathers in those places. Everyone is much more porous — the audience come back at you more deeply.” I, Malvolio is the fourth in a sequence of five works that began in 2003 with I, Caliban, but Crouch never set out to make a “series”. In these pieces, he liberates characters like Caliban, Banquo and Cinna from the margins of Shakespeare’s plots, letting them take centre stage in their own fluid, transfigured adaptations. He’s keenly aware of the responsibility these works owe to their “host plays”, but each one is still a freestanding work in its own right. “It’s important that they don’t sit in the shadow of the Shakespeare play they come from; they have to be pieces with their own integrity.” Crouch believes that this kind of balance allows an Elizabethan playwright’s distinctive voice to resonate with a modern audience, invoking Harold Bloom’s belief in Shakespeare as the inventor of understanding of what it means to be human. “A character like Malvolio is still an archetype that exists in contemporary consciousness,” he says, “and it’s good for a young audience to understand there’s a continuum from that time to now, and how we think about ourselves as human beings. We can still trace our way back.”
Victoria's alpine region is only a few hours' drive from Melbourne, making it ideal for a quick getaway. Its craggy mountains, sprawling vineyards and countless bushwalking trails offer stunning scenery to take in year-round. But it's not all about the natural landscape. From Bright and Beechworth to Mansfield and Mount Buller, the mountainous region boasts phenomenal wineries, pubs, cafes and farm-to-table fine diners. So, if you consider yourself a foodie, it's time to start planning your next food-fuelled adventure. Don't know where to start? To help point you in the right direction, we've partnered with Victoria's High Country to bring you eight road-trip worthy dining and drinking spots. [caption id="attachment_805160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Roberto Seba[/caption] PROVENANCE Set in a former Bank of Australasia building, Provenance Restaurant is a cult favourite for both Beechworth locals and visitors to the old gold rush town. Here, foraged and locally grown produce is used to create an 18-dish, four-course set menu of Japanese-influenced fare, priced at $150 per person. So, you'll want to come hungry. While the menu often changes, you can expect dishes like oysters with cherry blossom dressing, asparagus tempura with fish eggs, grilled beef with smoked miso butter and a candied grapefruit and green tea mousse dessert. To drink, pick from co-owner Jeanette Henderson's fine sake and wine list. You can also drop by the Provenance Grocer to pick up house-made sauces, jams, pickled vegetables and jerky. [caption id="attachment_805171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Rob Blackburn[/caption] TOMAHAWKS At Bright's much-loved Tomahawks, the ambience is as vibrant and punchy as the menu, which features flavour-bombs like sticky lamb ribs served with gochujang caramel; prawn and ginger dumplings; cauliflower and mozzarella fritters; and selection of burgers. End your meal on a sugar high and order the decadent white chocolate blondie with salted caramel and ice cream, too. If you're just stopping in for a tipple you won't be disappointed on that front either. The drinks list is a love letter to local breweries and wineries, and the bar always has a few surprises on rotation, so things don't get boring for the regular bar flies. The Tomahawks team has just opened up a pizza shop in town, too, if you were in search of cheesy slices. [caption id="attachment_805174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Georgie James Photography[/caption] TERRACE RESTAURANT One thing you'll notice in Victoria's High Country is that there's no shortage of fine diners. With that said, the award-winning Terrace Restaurant, just outside Rutherglen, is one of the spots we can't pass up when talking about the region's finer food offerings. Located on the All Saints Estate in a 19th century castle-like building overlooking vineyards and stately gardens, the restaurant certainly impresses. Food-wise, expect European-inspired indulgence from Chef Simon Arkless's menu, jam-packed with seasonal produce. The menu changes weekly, but you can always expect lamb, pork and fresh eggs sourced from the on-site farm. It's open for lunch every Wednesday to Sunday, with a feed starting from $65 per head for a two-course meal. MANSFIELD COFFEE MERCHANT Melbourne's coffee culture has spread to the North East with go-to cafe Mansfield Coffee Merchant. Owner Mat Picone took his bean roasting skills from the city to the country around six years ago and has been caffeinating locals ever since. Try one of the in-house roasted single origins or blends for a cup of joe or, if you're more of a tea person, the cafe also offers a selection of brews from local company Mad Hatter Tea Co. Breakfast here is also a good shout, with classics like pancakes with mixed berries; chorizo and feta omelettes; and porchetta eggs hitting the spot on a cold autumn morning. [caption id="attachment_807305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beechworth Photographers[/caption] PROJECT FORTY NINE Project Forty Nine, located in historic Beechworth, is a boutique grocer and cafe that champions goods from the region's small-scale producers and farmers. So, like many High Country foodie havens, seasonal produce is the hero here. Over at the deli counter, you'll find top-quality charcuterie, stinky cheeses and many tasty-looking baked goods. Plus, it also stocks oils, pastas, preserves and other pantry staples. But, really, you're here for its impressive wine selection of local drops. If you don't have time to pop by, you can also have one of Project Forty Nine's platters — which showcase some of the store's favourite items — delivered straight to your doorstep. [caption id="attachment_805161" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Rob Blackburn[/caption] DAL ZOTTO Nothing can prepare you for the positive energy that comes with a visit to the prosecco pioneers of King Valley. Established in 1987 by Otto and Elena Dal Zotto, Dal Zotto Wines is a full-on family affair that has a penchant for the simple things in life. Start at the cellar door to sip glasses of prosecco. Then, kick back in the sun in the dog-friendly garden complete with picnic tables and wooden wine barrels substituting high tables. And be sure to check out Elena's veggie garden. You'll want to book a table in at the winery's trattoria, too, which serves up everything from antipasto boards to fresh homemade pasta and pizzas. [caption id="attachment_805167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Rob Blackburn[/caption] SIXPENCE COFFEE Sixpence Coffee is the small giant of the High Country's bean scene. Located in the alpine foothills of Bright, the family-owned and -run venue shares Reed & Co Distillery's airy warehouse-style space. So, on a rainy day, you could easily spend a few hours at the coffee bar before moving on to something stronger. Make sure to try Sixpence's popular 3741 blend, which is roasted in small batches on site and has a reputation that precedes itself not only in Bright but also much further afield. TEMPLAR LODGE Surrounded by cattle farms and overlooking Victoria's highest peak, Mount Bogong, Templar Lodge is an unexpected gem in Tawonga. Chef-Owner Emma Handley has transformed the former 1950s Masonic Hall into an intimate paddock-to-plate restaurant. The contemporary Australian menu makes use of top-notch local produce — including fruits and veggies grown on Handley's farm — and changes with the seasons. To give an idea of what you'll be tucking in to, though, expect warming dishes like smoked eel rillette, house-made gnocchi, grilled ribeye and tonkotsu ramen. If it's not too chilly, nab a spot on the wide verandah for epic alpine views. Discover more and plan your next food-fuelled adventure at Victoria's High Country. Top image: Sixpence Coffee, Visit Victoria / Rob Blackburn
