If you'd like to tuck into a burger created by famed chef Heston Blumenthal, you'd usually need to head to one of his restaurants. But that's no longer the case thanks to a new collaboration with Grill'd, with the British culinary whiz whipping up two new plant-based burgs for the chain. These combinations of bread, salad and mushroom-based meat use Fable, the brand that turns shiitake mushrooms into a meat alternative (and a product that's obviously gotten Blumenthal's tick of approval). And, because there's a couple of options, burger lovers also have the chance to sink their teeth into a limited-edition version that's only available for two weeks this August in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth — and after lockdown in Sydney. The special burg in question? That'd be the Heston Fable Burger, which is made with a Fable patty, tofu, cucumber, fresh slaw and hoisin sauce, and then topped with Fable's plant-based version of crispy beef — and served on a brioche bun. Only 4000 are available, and one will set you back $35. That said, that price includes a serving of Grill'd's chips with white miso mayonnaise, as well as choice of pinot noir, chenin blanc, a local beer or a non-alcoholic drink. If your tastebuds are now well and truly tempted, the Heston Fable Burger is only available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — with Sydney details to be announced post-lockdown. You can book now, though, with reservations available online from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online. If you're keen to take a bite of a second Blumenthal-created burger — and to do so whenever you like — that's where the Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston comes in. It too is made with a Fable patty, as paired with aged cheddar, Spanish onion, dijon mustard, dill pickles, egg mayonnaise and Heston's fire roasted spicy tomato sauce. And, this one is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu at all stores — and for $14.50 — from Tuesday, August 3. The collaboration between Blumenthal and Grill'd is part of the latter's broader range of Fable burgs, with two more varieties also joining the menu. The Fable Truffle features a Fable patty, aged cheddar, cos lettuce, fresh basil and truffle mayonnaise, while the Fable Southern BBQ features a Fable patty, cabbage slaw, shredded carrot, Spanish onion, egg mayonnaise, dill pickles and native Davidson plum barbecue sauce — and they're both available now on the regular lineup as well. Heston Fable Burgers are available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — from Sunday, August 8–Sunday, August 22, with bookings available from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online, with the burgers set to become available in Sydney after lockdown. The Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu from Tuesday, August 3.
After the hard fought battle and eventual closure of the Palace in May, Melbourne has been crying out for a replacement venue. Thankfully, Melbourne music fans could have a solution to this problem sooner than anticipated. The Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington will undergo a major refit and find new life under the name Pavilion Live. While Melbourne has plenty of top notch smaller venues, bandrooms and bars in the CBD, the need for larger venues for touring international and prominent Australian musicians is undeniable. "Melbourne is well served by a brilliant collection of well-operated small venues and venues of the 900-1500 capacity," says spokesperson for the Pavilion Live, Andrew Watt. "But there is a definite need for a venue that is the next step up from there – a venue that is large enough to accommodate national level touring bands but still offers a more intimate experience than a stadium-type venue." Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, also sees the Pavilion Live as a necessity. "While Melbourne has a rich tradition of live music venues we cannot afford to take that for granted," he says. "It’s great news when a venue decides to open its doors to live music — especially one the size of Melbourne Pavilion, which will fill a gaping hole left by the closure of the much loved Palace. I’m sure the industry and Melbourne’s legions of music lovers will embrace the venue with open arms." The Melbourne Pavilion is a heritage-listed art-deco building currently used for weddings and corporate events, with a capacity of up to 1500. The owners are looking to increase the capacity to 2250, hoping to relaunch the venue as Pavilion Live by the end of September. The first bands to be booked to play the revamped venue could be as early as late October, with the first shows likely to begin early 2015. The opening of a new medium-sized venue is great news for lovers of live music in Melbourne. The announcement has timed itself alongside the Melbourne City Council’s approval of the Melbourne Music Strategy. It’s very possible this is just the first step of many to improve Melbourne’s live music scene and strengthen the reputation of Melbourne as Australia’s music capital. Or it could just be a new place to party. Either way, it’s a win for touring musicians and fans alike. Via Beat, Tone Deaf and SF Media.
When Baz Luhrmann's Australia hit the big screen in 2008, it debuted right here on home soil. Now that it has been reworked as a TV show, the exact same thing is happening. That series: Faraway Downs, a six-parter that was first announced in 2022 and is destined for Disney+ Down Under from November. For its big premiere, it'll make a splash at the first-ever SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, joining the program as its closing-night screening. Before streaming from Sunday, November 26, Faraway Downs will first be seen by audiences on Saturday, October 21, complete with Luhrmann in attendance. Nicole Kidman also just recently joined the SXSW Sydney bill for a discussion about her production company, which has been behind Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and more, but hasn't been announced as a guest at Faraway Downs' big unveiling. For 15 years, Australia has inspired a particular line of thought when it comes to Luhrmann's movies: they can't all be good ones, even if almost all of them are. Australia is the one outlier on his resume — the one film that doesn't live up to the spectacular Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby and Elvis — so it's been given some tinkering and reimagining to return as Faraway Downs. "I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia to create Faraway Downs because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world," said Baz Luhrmann. "With over two-million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work." "I am honoured to world-premiere Faraway Downs in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognises the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling," Luhrmann continued. [caption id="attachment_921555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hugh Stewart[/caption] Combining two of the nation's biggest actors with one of its biggest filmmakers, Faraway Downs still stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, of course. If you need a refresher on Australia's plot — and therefore the new episodic version's plot, too — it follows English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman, The Northman) after she comes into possession of an Aussie cattle ranch. To save it from cattle barons, she enlists the help of a drover (Jackman, The Son). That's just the overall gist, however, given that the sprawling movie also spans World War II and its impact, as well as the country's historical treatment of Indigenous Australians. Fittingly given the OG name — and as usually proves the case with Luhrmann's flicks — the cast includes a who's who of homegrown talent. As well as Kidman and Jackman, plus Brandon Walters (Mystery Road) as Nullah, everyone from Essie Davis (Nitram) and Bryan Brown (Hungry Ghosts) to Ben Mendelsohn (Secret Invasion), Jack Thompson (High Ground) and David Wenham (Elvis) features, as does the now-late David Gulpilil (Storm Boy) and Bill Hunter (The Cup). There's no sneak peek at Faraway Downs as yet, but you can check out original trailer for Australia below: Faraway Downs will close the 2023 SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on Saturday, October 21, then stream Down Under via Disney+ from Sunday, November 26, 2023. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Somewhere in the Australian wilderness there's a spot with tall trees, lizards sunning themselves on rocks, the sound of total solitude — and a really expensive tent. We don't know where it is, but if you can find it, it's yours to keep. The tent — along with some $3k kitty of camping goods — has been hidden in a secret campsite somewhere in Australia. It's been put there by outdoor mega brand Kathmandu as part of a new scavenger hunt that leads entrants to the location — if you can find it, you score the whole lot. So how will you find it? Clues to the Hidden Retreat will be released across the brand's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from Wednesday, February 14 up until Saturday, February 24. The clues are said to be cryptic and will specifically test competitors' knowledge of Australian wildlife through the use of images, videos and — randomly enough — poetry. Unfortunately, there's no worm for the early bird in this case — if you do discover the secret location before February 24, you still need to wait and get to the campsite first on that day to win. You'll also have to arrive during the designated 'prize winning window', which is from 7am–12pm. The first to arrive during this window will go home with the gold, winning a seriously decked out campsite package, which will include this three-person tent, a connectable living space and two down sleeping bags, plus a bunch of extra gadgets. Sure, it's a big promo for Kathmandu and it requires a lot of commitment, but if you've got some spare time up your sleeve, the prize will be a big asset for avid (or aspiring) campers. Handy if you want to tick off these beach camping spots this year. The four runners-up will win a smaller campsite package, each valued at over $2000. For anyone else who shows (up to 200 people), you won't go home empty-handed, but will only nab a BPA-free water bottle for your efforts. To be eligible, you must first RSVP to the Facebook event page. Happy hunting.
This year's pandemic might have thrown some terrible things our way, but it's also gifted Australia with a few silver lining-style gems. And perhaps the most significant is Melbourne's new-found obsession — or, shall we say, thirst — for a certain Victorian Chief Health Officer. Yep, the state is crushing, hard, as locals flood social media with declarations of admiration for our health expert hero, Professor Brett Sutton. And now, you can also get a cushion, throw blanket or even socks adorned with his cherished mug. It's a face that's fast become a very familiar one, what with all the daily press conferences and updates ensuring plenty of Sutton air-time. There's even a photo of his 22-year-old self doing the rounds on the internet, complete with flowing locks and charming grin. https://twitter.com/VictorianCHO/status/1251316902598594560 But if all that's not enough, you can get an even more regular Sutton fix, with a new series of digitally printed designs from local artist Ashley Ellis. Available online via her Red Bubble store, you'll now find a whole range of products emblazoned with the CHO's face, from phone covers and mugs, through to journals and throw cushions. There's even a printed face mask, which we're sure would be Sutton's own pick of the bunch. If your COVID-19 heart lies elsewhere, Ellis has also created designs in honour of Victoria's Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos, and Premier Daniel Andrews decked out in his favourite North Face jacket. We're told that portraits of Andrews' trusty AUSLAN interpreters are on their way, too. Snap up some Brett Sutton-inspired goodies from Ashley Ellis's Red Bubble store and see more of her designs over on Instagram.
Summer might be gone, but that doesn't mean the coastline can't spring to life with vibrant happenings. Enter Elwood's Riviera Beach Club, who's transforming its sunny seaside spot into something a little more snowy for the Riviera Winter Wonderland. Presented in partnership with the Happen Group until Sunday, August 3, this immersive family-friendly experience features a full spectrum of activities bound to brighten up winter. By day, fascinating entertainment — including a custom-made ice-skating rink complete with real ice, snow blizzards and skate aids — takes over the space. Plus, private igloos paired with catering packages are primed for kids' birthday celebrations, while a fully stocked market will present festive snacks, from popcorn to snow cones. However, the mood switches up once darkness descends, as the space transforms again into an adult-only winter escape, featuring DJs and disco skating. Meanwhile, the private igloos will trade in the kids' food for premium alcohol packages, just as the market comes to life with mulled wine and cocktail stalls. Perched on a charming stretch of beachfront with stellar views of Port Phillip Bay, the day might not be as warm or sunny as the location demands. However, expect the Riviera Winter Wonderland's cosy atmosphere to make the cool weather worth celebrating. "We are really excited to transform this iconic venue into a winter wonderland experience," says Happen Group Director Daniel McFadyen. "We have ensured that we have catered to both families with young children and the adults so that everyone can enjoy this event by the bay in Melbourne." The Riviera Winter Wonderland is on now until Sunday, August 3 at Riviera Beach Club, 42B Marine Parade, Elwood. Head to the website for tickets and more information.
If the words "stair climbing challenge" fill you with excitement instead of dread, read on. The MCG will again play host to Stadium Stomp, a fun-filled romp for your calves which involves climbing up and down the thousands of stairs (there are 100,024 seats, so there are also a lot of stairs.) As part of the challenge, you can climb up and down the stairs in the full course (7600 stairs), or the short course (a mere 2200). There's also a Stomp Unlimited option, which is stairs until the end of time or you collapse — although that has sold out There will be rest stops and drink stations to help ease the pain, and music playing to distract from the burn. Also, the rules are no skipping stairs, so no doing three at a time and calling it a day. The first wave kicks off at 7.45am, with waves following every 15 minutes after. Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick.
Ice skating is one of those idyllic winter time activities that goes hand in hand with hot chocolates, sitting around a fireplace, and rugging up in coats, gloves and scarves until you're feeling like a big walking ball of wool. With all of that in mind, you can hit a ten on the winter feels scale these cold months with Winter Fest, a fiesta of coldness coming to Moonee Valley in June. First up, take a spin on the Moonee Ponds ice skating rink, which runs from June 29 to July 14. It'll be open from 10am–8pm daily and bookings are necessary, and each session will run for 45 minutes — and when you leave the ring, you'll feel like an ice dancer ready for the 2022 Winter Olympics. There's a whole host more on offer too, like a giant ice slide in Essendon North from July 6–13, free knitting workshops, a moving five-course winter feast on July 10 and a pop-up after-dark light show. Bright Lights Winter Nights will takeover Pridham Plaza from July 5–7 with nightly neon art installations, fire twirlers and roving performers. There'll also be a coinciding winter marketplace, so you can explore the art with a hot chocolate or jam doughnut in hand.
If you agree that one of the best ways to deal with just about anything is to eat dumplings until you feel better, Oriental Teahouse has you covered. After a sold-out dumpling degustation earlier this year, the restaurant is dipping its toe back into the pool of soupy feasts for World Dumpling Day with a night of non-stop dumplings. The feast that awaits you at both the South Yarra and CBD locations will include Oriental Teahouse's wide variety of dumplings. It won't just be your average fried pork and chive, either (though they do a great version of the classic) — new creations will include crab and asparagus together in one parcel, and a kimchi pork and black bean beef parcel. The kicker is that the dumplings will keep on coming until you can no longer lift a chopstick to your lips or the two-hour sitting is up — whichever comes first. It's all going down for $45 per person, which is quite reasonable, although not quite as cheap as the $22.50 all-you-can-eat dumpling dinner happening at POW Kitchen every Thursday in September. There will be two sittings — at 6pm and 8pm — at South Yarra and one at 6.30pm at the Little Collins Street location, and you can book a table through the website or over the phone.
The Pleasure Garden returns for its sophomore run on December 9, painting St Kilda's Catani Gardens with colour, art installations, roving performers and, of course, some huge beats. A heady mix of Rainbow Serpent, Glastonbury and every other time you've had an impromptu sweaty day dance party with your mates (costumes mandatory), the festival, though only in its second year, knows exactly what it's doing. The brainchild of organisers who've worked the festival circuit both here and overseas for years, for starters, their line-up is solid: Remi, Montaigne, Baker Boy and Fat Freddy's Drop are part of the eclectic mix. Think dub and bass with a smattering of pop. And once you've flailed around to Remi and itched in your costume for a while, there'll be plenty to revive your sweaty self; Toasta, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks and Franklin's Classic American Hotdogs (plus vego options) are on the menu, so you can roam around and check out the art installations and hula hoop performers while thinking about what you want to line your tummy with. FYI, there's also a kombucha truck if you're feeling like you've overindulged and want to regain a bit of body equilibrium (we guess).
Scienceworks' new exhibition Museum of the Moon takes a close-up look at the moon. It features a seven-metre sculpture of the celestial body, complete with NASA imagery on its surface. While it's technically designed for teenagers, you'll still find it fun if you're into the cool stuff that science Even more adult-friendly is the accompanying Party Beyond event that is happening on Saturday, April 27. With Scienceworks open late and the event only open to those over the age of 18, attendees can get a hit of adult science along with their glass of adult drinks (suck it, kids). Food and drinks will be available to purchase, and you won't be mulling over whatever you've just learnt about the moon — performances by singer and activist Mama Alto, afro-futurist Cumbia Cosmonauts, electro-pop artist Geryon and keyboardist Waterfall Person will be featured throughout the six exhibition spaces. Take a look at the unseen (like gravitational waves) in the Beyond Perception installation while Rebel Yell performs her industrial techno tunes — or party inside the Planetarium with multi-instrumental musician Synthotronica. Plus, DJ Biscotti will be spinning everything from 70s French boogie to Nigerian disco at the Admissions counter. Image: Museums Victoria/Benjamin Healley.
If you've ever had a sneaky little go with some small person's Lego blocks once they're all tucked up in bed, LEGOLAND sees you, tips you their hat… and raises you an adults-only night at its Melbourne Discovery Centre. With no children to get in the way (or outdo your creations), you'll be able to have free reign of LEGOLAND to check out the 4D cinema and rides, take a factory tour, and build to your heart's content in the brick pits. Challenge yourself by taking on the master builder or a speed build and vie for the prizes up for grabs — there'll even be a scavenger hunt so you can go full inner child mode. It all takes place from 7pm on Saturday, January 19 — and BYO shameless excitement, taste for glory, and creativity to enter the model of the month competition. It'll be a fierce one. This adults-only evening also doubles as an after party for Brickvention 2019. Yep, that's a fan convention dedicated to your favourite plastic blocks.
Garlic bread — representing the holy trinity of bread, garlic, and butter — is something created by the gluten gods to make us mortals (sans coeliacs) very, very happy. Welcome to Thornbury is aware of this, as demonstrated by its whole day devoted to your fave carbohydrate situation: the Garlic Bread Festival. But Saturday, April 6 is not just for standard garlic bread, as you'll also find genius hybrids such as garlic bread burgers and garlic bread gozleme as the High Street digs. So prepare thy tummy — appearances from Mr Burger, Chef Calamari, Dr Sous, Pizza Pony, Gozleme Station and the Nothin' but Garlic Bread truck are also on the cards. So are garlic ice cream and savoury cocktails. There is an ATM on-site for emergency carb top-ups. Kids are welcome from noon until 8pm, doggos are welcome all day and all night, and both will probably lose their minds over the tasty scraps. Praise be to wheat.
During winter, it's mighty tempting to rid your after-work agenda of anything that involves leaving your blanket fort. But this season, we're on a mission to make sure you make the most of the bonus nighttime hours, so we've teamed up with Samsung Galaxy S9 to bring you the After Dark Guide — a series dedicated to the best things to eat, see and do in Melbourne when the sun goes down. To celebrate this partnership, we hosted the ultimate winter party and invited a bunch of you along to join in on the after-dark fun. The nighttime shindig at Ferdydurke featured an epic spread from Plentiful Catering and signature concoctions by the Ferdydurke team. Throughout the night, resident DJs provided the tunes that made the dancefloor too irresistible to ignore. The dim, poster-lined Ferdydurke, with its pink-tinted lights, put the Samsung Galaxy S9's Super Low Light Camera to the test. Cole Bennetts (photographer for the Samsung x Concrete Playground campaign) was on-deck to share his knowledge on all things photography, helping our party-goers capture these epic moments for the chance to win their own Samsung Galaxy S9 and a restaurant voucher. All the evening antics were photographed by Sarah Chav on a Samsung Galaxy S9, as seen in this gallery. Feeling inspired to get out and about this season? Check out our guide of the best things to do this winter after dark.
Huge news, food lovers — especially if you've ever had a steak at Rockpool Bar & Grill, a pink blossom cocktail at Saké, some meat and bread at the Burger Project, a parma pizza at Fratelli Fresh or a stein at Munich Brauhaus. Until this week, some of those eateries were owned by Urban Purveyor Group, and some by Rockpool Group. Now, they've joined forces, pulled them all under one umbrella, and created the epic hospitality venture that is Rockpool Dining Group. Yep, all of your favourite restaurants are now part of the same company, including Spice Temple, The Cut Steakhouse, Rosetta, Bavarian Bier Cafe, El Camino Cantina, Fratelli Famous, Café Ananas and Saké Jr as well. The group's portfolio spans 47 places and 15 restaurant brands across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth, and features Tex-Mex and Asian-fusion venues, plus everything in between. Sounds pretty epic — and if you're a fan of Rockpool's Neil Perry, don't worry' he's the head of culinary for the combined outfit. His most recent venture, the more casual Eleven Bridge in Sydney, isn't part of the merger. Creating a tasty Frankenstein's monster of the culinary and dining world comes with added resources, obviously, which all us hungry folks will enjoy in the form of new must-eat destinations. Rockpool Dining Group expects their portfolio to grow to more than 80 eateries over the next 12 months. And, if that's not enough, they plan to expand to more than 200 over the next few years. We already knew that Brisbane is going to get on the Munich Brauhaus train; however other new projects such as a second Rosetta at Grosvenor Place in Sydney, a smaller-format Spice Temple and a Rockpool Bar Series are also slated. And they're looking abroad as well, with the group in early discussions to open first venues in both London and Los Angeles.
If Moor's Head's Middle Eastern-meets-Italian pizza is one of your staples, but you wish you didn't have to trek to Thornbury for a fix, then we have some good news — especially if you live in Carlton. The popular pizza joint has opened the doors to a new outpost on Drummond Street. "People living closer to, and in, the city will now find it easier and more convenient to drop in or grab takeaway pizzas," says co-owner Joseph Abboud. "We particularly love that it is a stone's throw from Cinema Nova." The kitchen's bigger than the one at Thornbury, which brings a few new surprises to the menu, including haloumi fries with pomegranate-pepper sauce and 'turkamisu', a Middle Eastern take on tiramisu, with cardamom coffee, pistachio and green walnut liqueur. On the drinks list, look out for a bunch of local craft beers, boutique wines and arak, an anise-based spirit popular in the Middle East. Moor's Head has taken over the Drummond Street space once home to Markov and it's a location Abboud had been eyeing for quite a while. At one point, he was in talks with Markov's owners, Joseph and Guy David, about moving in next door. "We've been friends for a long time and often discussed how we could work together, so this opportunity seemed like a right fit at the right time," said Guy. Moor's Head Carlton is now open daily from 6pm till late at the rear of 350 Drummond Street, Carlton. For more info, visit themoorshead.com.
The former PM most closely associated with the love of a cold one has today launched his own brewery, Hawke's Brewing. Yes, Bob Hawke has taken the only logical step post-the SCG skulling session of 2012, launching his maiden beverage this afternoon in Sydney. Hawke's Brewing has been established in conjunction with Hawke and David Gibson and Nathan Lennon. As well as producing a brew or two, the brand is also committed to furthering free market solutions to environmental issues, with a cut of all the profits going towards Landcare, a non-profit organisation that Hawke helped establish during his time as Prime Minister. "Mr. Hawke played an important role in the establishment of Landcare nationally almost 30 years ago," Tessa Jakszewicz, Landcare Australia's CEO said. "And it's really great to see his continued support of the movement today." The first drop out of the brewery, Hawke's Lager, is also crafted from 100 percent Australian ingredients, and Mr. Hawke won't take a penny from the profits — every cent of his share is going straight to Landcare. It will be available at 11 select venues, including Surry Hills' The Clock, Petersham Public House, Manly's New Brighton Hotel and The Courthouse in Newtown, across Sydney as of April 20. Cans of the lager will be available to buy from Camperdown Cellars from April 25, before rolling out across other bottle shops, restaurants and bars across the country. Gibson and Lennon came up with the idea for the brew during a frosty Australia Day in New York. They floated the proposal to Mr. Hawke, who took to it like a polly to a yard glass. Just over two and a half years later, the brew is set to hit our shelves. When asked how it felt to have his own beer, he said it felt "bloody good".
Melbourne isn't short on Mexican joints — we've got a heap of good 'uns already on high rotation. But, still, it's set to get a dose of unapologetic neon-lit Tex-Mex when El Camino Cantina opens in the old Fitzroy Social (and Little Creatures) space on Brunswick Street next month. El Camino comes from Sydney where is has two outposts, along with another in Brisbane, and is part of Rockpool Dining Group, which also owns Sake, Rosetta, Munich Brauhaus, Burger Project and, of course, Rockpool Bar & Grill. This loud venue is made for casual dining, but it's also and over-the-top with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, lively Tex-Mex fare and sprawling 400-seat dining room and bar. Slushie machines signal big nights and brain freezes. El Camino's margaritas come in many renditions, including a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a collection of over 100 mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. It'll all rounded out with a solid selection of daily specials, including 10-cent chicken wings on Wednesdays (when you buy a drink), $2 tacos on Tuesdays, brunch on weekends and a weekday happy hour from 4–6pm. The venue will launch on Friday, June 14 with free tequila shots on arrival and $7.50 giant margaritas and 'chalices' of beer continuing throughout the whole weekend. El Camino Cantina will open at 222 Brunswick Street on Friday, June 14. Images: El Camino Cantina Manly by Tom Ferguson. CORRECTION: JUNE 13, 2019 — This article previously incorrectly stated that 10-cent wings were available on Tuesdays and $2 tacos on Wednesdays, it's the other way round. We've updated the piece to reflect this.
How does Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) fare against airport security screenings? Why is she willingly returning to a school for the first time ever? What happens when she plays with dolls? How has Tim Burton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) worked Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) into Wednesday's cast for the series' second season? Some of that has been revealed in the just-dropped teaser trailer for the Netflix hit show's long-awaited comeback — and any other questions you have will begin receiving answers soon. Wednesday has not only unveiled its first season two sneak peek, but also announced its return dates. There's two, because the streaming platform is going with a split release this time around. Part one arrives on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, then part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Conjuring up another spot in your streaming queue three years after its first season released, Wednesday again follows its namesake to Nevermore Academy in its second season — and again features a fresh mystery for her to solve, amid navigating a new round of other woes. The initial trailer also spans her reunion with roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie), Wednesday likening her second trip to Nevermore to "returning to the scene of the crime", bees, pink mist, creepy and kooky playthings, swinging axes and a few truths. "Wherever there's murder and mayhem, you will always find an Addams," Wednesday notes — followed by "I do my best work in the dark". Season two will also feature more of Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago, all getting meatier parts than in season one. Among its new cast members, not only Lumley, Buscemi, Piper and Newton are onboard, but also Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, however — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's talk of a spinoff about the character. In its first season, Wednesday unsurprisingly proved a smash, breaking the Netflix record for most hours viewed in a single week, then doing so again — notching up 341.23-million hours viewed in its first week, then 411.29-million hours viewed in its second. All things Addams Family have always found an audience, with the Ricci-led 90s films beloved for decades for good reason, and the 1960s TV show and 1930s The New Yorker comics before that. Check out the first teaser trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025.
Ah, Sriracha. Possibly the only condiment with a true cult following. From ramen to lollies, it can be used on and in anything, literally. Devotes can’t live without that so hot but so good burn that leaves mouths on fire, noses runny and eyes watery. Well, people, there’s some bad news. The major Sriracha factory in California is partially shutting down. All because the citizens of Irwindale couldn’t take a little heat. Residents complained of heartburn, inflamed asthma and even nosebleeds that were caused by a "spicy odour" coming from the factory. They took Huy Fong Foods to court, where a local judge ordered the manufacturer to stop doing, er, whatever they were doing to cause the stench. The ruling does not order the company to stop operating entirely, nor specify the types of actions that are required. Basically, they can go back to making their spicy sauce once they get that damn smell under wraps. The best part: the judge conceded to the "lack of credible evidence" linking the apparent health problems to the odour, but said that it seems to be "extremely annoying, irritating and offensive to the senses warranting consideration as a public nuisance." Weeeak. So what does this mean for Sriracha lovers? Well, because Huy Fong uses only the freshest chillies in its secret recipe, the fiery little guys must be ground within days of harvest. This process, which happens only two or three months out of the year, has fortunately been completed. The bottling process goes on year round, but a partial shutdown of this factory, the largest of two, could leave the sauce to spoil. Since the company already struggles to keep up with its growing global demand, this is no bueno. Huy Fong’s founder, David Tran, claims he’s never raised the wholesale price for the sauce in over 30 years, but that might have to change. So you might want to think about making a supermarket trip or two, like soon. Image via ilovememphis. Story via Quartz.
When you've scored the gig of playing Karate Kid: Legends' new titular character — the first part of the movie's moniker, not the second — stepping into shoes previously worn by Ralph Macchio (The Deuce) in three 80s films, then by Hilary Swank (Yellowjackets) in the 90s and Jaden Smith (Entergalactic) in 2010, is indeed a daunting prospect. That's the reality for American Born Chinese and Mean Girls star Ben Wang, and he's well-aware of what putting on the gi in the Miyagiverse means. "It's terrifying," he tells Concrete Playground. "I know how many people love these movies, so I want to make sure that we get it right." Wang isn't just merely familiar with the fact that people are fond of 1984's The Karate Kid and its four other follow-ups before his film (on the small screen, streaming series Cobra Kai also amassed a devoted following across its six-season run between 2018–25). His journey with a saga that made "wax on, wax off" one of cinema's most-famous phrases, then added "jacket on, jacket off" in the 21st century, actually commenced as a fan himself. Securing the part of Karate Kid: Legends' fresh-faced martial-arts prodigy Li Fong involved being up for a battle to begin with, given that he was among more than 10,000 actors who auditioned. It also required someone with existing fighting skills, which Wang boasts after being inspired by The Karate Kid circa 2010. As Li, he's following in iconic footsteps, clearly. He's also entering a film and TV universe with personal significance to him. And, he's doing all of that while starring beside The Karate Kid's OG teen in Macchio — and also alongside Jackie Chan (A Legend), who debuted as kung fu shifu Mr Han opposite Smith in the flick that Wang grew up with. There's an extra layer to his casting, too, that can now be called a theme across his career. For Wang, Karate Kid: Legends is another project that partly connects to his own experience. His role in American Born Chinese with Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winners Michelle Yeoh (Wicked) and Ke Huy Quan (The Electric State) reflected his own childhood as the only Asian kid in his class for years. Now, Li mirrors the move that he made from China to America when he was young. While Wang relocated from Shanghai to Minnesota, his Karate Kid: Legends character is whisked from Beijing to New York when his mother (Ming-Na Wen, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) accepts a new job. [caption id="attachment_1008321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Allocca/StarPix for Sony Pictures[/caption] Viewers know going in that karate kids tend to find themselves training for a showdown. Thanks to the Five Boroughs Tournament, Li is no different. Also a recognisable staple that's present here: a nemesis that needs facing with flying fists and feet. Consequently, Karate Kid: Legends pits its protagonist against Conor Day (Aramis Knight, Ms Marvel), the aggressive ex-boyfriend of Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley, Cruel Summer), one of Li's new NYC friends. Yes, Han's expertise is called upon as his former student prepares. Macchio's Daniel LaRusso is also enlisted to assist, making the trip from California. Their job: to help Li combine kung fu and karate. That said, Karate Kid: Legends recognises that its main character already has skills by getting him doing his own teaching first, showing Mia's pizzeria-proprietor dad Victor (Joshua Jackson, Doctor Odyssey) — a former boxer — some moves so that he can try to hop back into the ring to settle his debts. Six years since his first-ever screen role in The Untamed, after also popping up in MacGyver and The Last OG — plus episodes of Launchpad and Search Party as well, and also featuring in movies Sex Appeal, Chang Can Dunk, Sight, Good Egg and Isle Child — Wang is on both sides of the Karate Kid Universe's beloved sensei-student dynamic, then. In a likeable addition to the franchise that knows how to hits its marks, he's visibly getting a kick out of everything that portraying Li demands. The thrill of being cast, the links to his own experiences, mentorship off-screen, shaking up who's doing the guiding: when we chatted with Wang, we also discussed all of the above. On the Excitement of Becoming the New Karate Kid (and Kung Fu Kid) While Starring Alongside the OG in Ralph Macchio The joys of being chosen to play Li are many for Wang. "I mean, I feel like if you tell any kid that he's going to get to fight Jackie Chan, they'd get pretty excited about it," he notes. "These are movies that I've been a fan of myself since I was a kid. I saw the Jackie Chan remake — that came out when I was in elementary school, and I saw it in a theatre. And I loved it. It's one of the reasons why I started doing martial arts in the first place." "And Ralph's films were passed down to me by my aunt. They were her favourite films. So I understand how much love there is for this franchise and for these characters." "So getting to be a part of it, after I've been a fan of it for so long, is a bit surreal. But it's fun." And yes, facing off against Chan is both enjoyable and tough, Wang advises. "Fighting, doing a fight scene with Jackie Chan, is as fun and as hard as you think it is." On the Personal Links with Wang's Experiences and Both Karate Kid: Legends and American Born Chinese A three-year stretch that spans scoring a lead TV role and then becoming the next Karate Kid star is a fantasy for an actor. Wang's gleaming current run looks set to continue via Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk opposite Mark Hamill (The King of Kings), reuniting with that film's director Frances Lawrence for 2026's The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, plus a Jon Hamm (Your Neighbours and Friends)-starring and David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer)-directed comedy. The type of affinity with his characters and their experiences that he's been finding in Karate Kid: Legends and American Born Chinese are also dream — and rare — developments. That's purely been good fortune. "I mean, I've just been lucky," Wang reflects. "Both American Born Chinese and this film, and a lot of other films I did, I'm not for this and for that. I wasn't at a point in my career yet where I was able to make choices about what I was taking." "I just got lucky that the projects that existed and wanted me to be a part of them also had in them these great characters that so reflected my own experience. So it's a point of luck and it's also a point of pride for me to have been able to bring these characters to life." On How the Film's Theme of Mentorship Translated Off-Screen with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan When learning from experienced veterans and guiding new generations is a core component of a film or TV show's plot, does it translate among the cast when the cameras aren't rolling? In streaming's new Owen Wilson (Loki)-led golfing comedy Stick, the answer was yes according to its cast, for instance. For Wang with Macchio and Chan on Karate Kid: Legends, he describes it as "kind of a watch-and-learn sort of thing". "These guys are, they're amazing at what they do. Jackie has been making movies since he was six-and-a-half years old. He's made, I think, somewhere around 20 million films," Wang continues. "And Ralph has been the karate kid — this character, he's been dedicated to this character in this storyline, for 40 years. So he's the Pliny the Elder of Karate Kid. He keeps the books." "So it's really just as long as you're open, you're going to absorb some things, and that's just what I tried to do." On What It Means That Wang's Karate Kid Isn't Just Soaking in Wisdom From Everyone Else, But Is Also Passing on His Own Skills Under director Jonathan Entwistle (I Am Not Okay with This) and screenwriter Rob Lieber (Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween), that Karate Kid: Legends lets Li instruct as well as absorb isn't a minor detail — and its importance isn't lost on Wang, either. "Yeah, it's a great play on the formula of the franchise. I think it's a great way to expand the theme that you're talking about, of mentorship," he says. "What does it mean to be a good teacher? What does it mean to have a good teacher? And who can be a teacher and who can be a student?": for Wang, they're the movie's thoughtful questions as a result. Karate Kid: Legends opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, June 5, 2025 and opens in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Have you ever been casually scoffing a big tub of rocky road ice cream — the kind with the hulking big chunks of chocolate and marshmallow that may just slip right into your heart valves, killing you right then and there — and thought, man, I wish there were some carrots up in this mix? I doubt it. Because no one has ever, or should ever have thought that. Enter Haagen-Dazs' new Japanese offerings: Carrot Orange and Tomato Cherry; the ice cream flavours that have just usurped vanilla as the dull person's ice cream of choice. Set to launch on May 12, the veggie flavours make up a new line of products appetisingly named Spoon Vege (you can't accuse them of being coy about it). "Carrot Orange [will] take the gentle flavour of carrot and add to it the fresh citrus taste and scent of orange, giving the carrot a sophisticated and refreshing twist," reads the translated press release that is astonishingly not satire. "Tomato Cherry [will] combine the natural sweetness of tomato with the fruity flavour of cherry, which should accentuate the rich taste of the tomato." Now, Carrot Orange is clearly the winner of the two — carrot cake is a thing that exists, orange sorbet is acceptable. At the very least Carrot Orange can be a thing that annoying Gym People eat with half-guilty expressions. After all, these ice creams will be somewhat healthy; containing about half the amount of milk fat found in their sweeter counterparts. But in any circumstances, Tomato Cherry: not okay. Chow down on some Cherry Garcia instead. Via RocketNews and PSFK.
There are a whole lot of bands that make you want to dance, but none have done it quite so well in the past few years as The Wombats. Shooting to global recognition in 2007 with 'Let's Dance To Joy Division' and 'Moving To New York', staples of indie dance-floors everywhere, the pressure was on for the Liverpool three-piece to follow up with something that went above and beyond their debut. With last month's release of This Modern Glitch they look set to eclipse themselves, and are back in Australia to begin an intense year of touring. Sporting a very fine hat, the Wombats' drummer Dan Haggis sat down to chat with Madeleine Watts ahead of their Sydney gig. I'm sure every Australian asks this, but how did you get to be called the Wombats? It was completely random. We've made up stories in the past, but actually we just needed something for the poster for our first gig. Me and Murph called each other 'silly goats' or 'wombats' sometimes. But it stuck, and now we can't get away from it. How was Groovin' The Moo over the weekend? It was amazing. We didn't know what to expect, but it's just insane. Even though it was freezing last night, people still had their tops off, just going for it and having a great time. To be honest we've never really had a bad experience in Australia, except one where we were jet lagged and broken from touring too much. What did you guys do differently with the new album? We were really happy with the first album, but we played for so long that we needed something completely different. The first album was right up in your face, non-stop high energy, which probably reflected how we were at the time. But this album is more thought through. So we had ninety percent of the songs mapped out but then we could mess around in the studio and get excited and geek out with knob twiddling. What kind of bands were you listening to when you were recording? We're all fans of Depeche Mode, New Order, Joy Division, obviously, and Kraftwerk as well. We had a couple of really grungy new songs. Then we did some DJ sets for a bit of pocket money one weekend and we were absolutely annihilated. And me and Murph were in the hotel room dancing around to Kraftwerk, still pissed I think. So we bought a Moog right after that. I think we wanted to challenge ourselves to be octopuses. Was it just you, or all of you, who had near death experiences before recording? It was me and Murph. Murph was in a car going really fast and ended up in a bush by the side of the motorway. Then we were in Dubai, and I was on a dune buggy - just, you know, a day off in the desert, normal day - and my girlfriend was on the back and I got a bit over-excited, as you do, and went too fast and she went flying off the back. I tried to keep on but I couldn't, so I fell off and it landed next to me. But things like that wake you up a bit. It shakes you and you go "oh fuck it, we're not immortal." You guys all met at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Did you meet Paul McCartney while you were there as well? Yeah, we've met him a couple of times actually. At LIPA Paul McCartney does one-on-one song-writing classes. Then we met him again at the European Music Awards. We passed him and said, "oh, Sir Paul, congratulations on your award." And he said, "Oh yeah. Thanks for your album, really liked that 'New York' song," And we said, "OK, thanks a lot, take care," and then walked off and all screamed wildly for ten minutes and generally shat ourselves. Then we ended up doing an interview with him on Radio One. Which was even more nerve-wracking because we were the presenters. Imagine if your first interview was live on Radio One with Paul McCartney. That's what we did. It was fucking horrendous. But it went really well. Talked about tea with him for a while. Finally, after all this time can you still dance to Joy Division? I think we can, yeah. We just have to be really shitfaced. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DRhUIJextp8
[Via Mashable]
Whether robots will inherit the earth is yet to be seen, although science fiction keeps telling us they will. Until that becomes a reality, they're going to keep pitching in to help make our lives scarier easier. Take food deliveries, for example. Here we were, just getting used to UberEATS helping us eat from a wider arrange of restaurants without leaving home — aka ferrying meals from places without their own delivery service — and now machines are taking over. Welcome to the future. Yelp and robotics company Marble have joined forces to start delivering food orders on the streets of San Francisco, with a small number of four-wheeled bots transporting meals in the city's Mission and Potrero Hill neighbourhoods. The robots "use advanced sensors and high-resolution 3D city maps to efficiently and politely navigate busy urban environments", in case you were wondering. Yep, they'll bring you your food and they'll be nice about it. If you saw Marble's machines in person, you'd definitely notice. Built from the base of an electric wheelchair, and featuring swappable cargo bays to ensure that goods of various sizes can be stored and moved in the most efficient manner possible, they measure just over four metres in height and travel at a pace of three to four miles per hour. For the current trial, they'll venture short distances of around one mile over a six to eight-hour shift, accompanied by living, breathing people to make sure everything runs smoothly. Good to see that humanity still has a use. As for those doing the ordering, they'll simply sit back and wait — and, after receiving a text message with a customised code, unlock the bot when it gets to their door. Expect more robotic food delivery to follow. It was just last year that Dominos unveiled an autonomous vehicle built for the sole purpose of delivering pizza. And, shortly afterwards, the company completed the world's first-ever pizza deliver drone. Via CNet. Images: Marble.
Italy, eat your heart out. According to the experts, our fair city is home to the best pizza in the world. To get your hands on the faultless stuff, make your way to 400 Gradi, where the man who won the 2014 World Pizza Championships serves up his award-winning fare to the Melbourne masses. Expect light, yeasty bases cooked to perfection and topped with delights like creamy buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, or marzano tomato. Simplicity is king here, though, with the margherita coming out tops. Follow up your feast with gelato at sister spot Zero Gradi, where classic flavours like pistachio and espresso are served alongside seasonal options. Produced in store daily and topped with whipped cream, this is Italian gelato at some of its most delicious.
If you've ever braved the winding line for a Persa party in the cold, you're probably aware that the pub knows how to throw one. Because, once you've persevered, you're in for a real doozy at Fitzroy's Perseverance Hotel. And, this Queen's Birthday long weekend, the pub is holding a 'Yas Queen!' party in honour of our dear monarch Lizzy. Head along on Sunday, June 9, and royally indulge with two hours of bottomless beverages, between 8–10pm, including house beer, wine and vodka for $30 per person. And snacks are sorted, too. The pub will be serving up $10 jaffles all night. God save the Queen, indeed (and us from partying without proper sustenance). Plus, to celebrate in proper fashion, The Persa will be playing banging tunes all night long. Tickets are likely to be snapped up quick so grab 'em early. Celebrate our reigning monarch and her 93 years on earth (and the extended weekend) with bottomless beverages and a solid night of dancing tunes. Yas Queen Long Weekend Party will kick off at 7pm on Sunday, June 9. To purchase tickets, head this way.
The world is in chaos. Violent confrontations, atrocities, nations teetering both politically and economically: that's the situation. On a luxe snowy getaway, four presidents of tech watch on. What could the US President have to say when he calls, then? "That your platform's inflamed a volatile situation, circulating unfalsifiable deepfakes, massive fraud, market instability," is one prediction in the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Mountainhead. The new movie is the latest project from Jesse Armstrong, who both writes and directs — and is making his return to the screen after Succession wrapped up in 2023. Based on the scenario seen in the sneak peek, aka a group of billionaires showing little care for the state of the globe while they live it up on holiday, Armstrong is still in eat-the-rich mode. Steve Carell (Despicable Me 4), Jason Schwartzman (The Last Showgirl), Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) and Ramy Youssef (Poor Things) play cashed-up group, aka Randall, Souper, Venis and Jeff — and when Venis arrives, the fact that he's the richest guy in the world earns a callout. Cue ribbing and riffing between the four, including about platforms that are "racist and shitty", as well as poker and catering seeming to be more of a concern than an international crisis. Mountainhead might be Armstrong's first feature as a director, but it's a straight-to-streaming flick, hitting Max in Australia on Sunday, 1 June, 2025. Co-starring alongside Carell, Schwartzman, Smith and Youssef: Hadley Robinson (Anyone But You), Andy Daly (Night Court), Ali Kinkade (Lessons in Chemistry), Daniel Oreskes (A Real Pain), David Thompson (It's What's Inside), Ami MacKenzie (Pulse) and Ava Kostia (Love Across Time). Although Armstrong is best-known for Succession — understandably so given that it has earned him seven Emmys — he's an Oscar-nominee for In the Loop's screenplay, also co-created Peep Show, was a writer on The Thick of It and Veep, co-penned Four Lions and wrote a season-one episode of Black Mirror, among other credits. Check out the trailer for Mountainhead below: Mountainhead streams via Max from Sunday, June 1, 2025. Images: Macall Polay/HBO.
Since 1989, Sweden's Icehotel has given travellers a decidedly cool place to stay each winter. December hits, and the site reveals its new super-chilled rooms — the kind that are carved out of ice and only around for a short time, as they'll melt once the weather gets warmer. They're not just any old slabs of ice and snow in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, however. As part of its annual tradition, the accommodation provider calls for designers and artists to unleash their chilly ideas — then unveils their wondrous creations to travellers. In the 2019–20 crop? A pride of lions chiselled out of cold substances, an icy depiction of Santorini, a frozen cabin in the woods and a space that resembles a grand theatre. Or, perhaps you'd like to climb into a cat's lair, sleep in a room filled with giant ice bones, stare at a frosty version of a kaleidoscope, be watched over by huge hands or curl up in a book in a more literal sense than usual. The 'Golden Ice' room certainly stands out among the new additions, too — it shimmers with its titular hue. [caption id="attachment_755983" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ICEHOTEL 30 | Art Suite The 6th Feeling | Design Ekaterina Barsukova and Vladimir Barsukov | Photo Asaf Kliger | © ICEHOTEL[/caption] Now open until April 2019, the fresh blend of ice and creativity features 35 one-of-a-kind rooms in total, as crafted by 33 artists from 16 different countries. They're made from more than 30,000 cubic metres of snice — that's a mix of snow and ice — from the local Torne River. As well as places to sleep, the new iteration also includes an ice bar, a 75-metre-long ice ceremony hall, a four-metre-tall outdoor ice sculpture that people can enter and an icy observation deck with views of the northern lights. [caption id="attachment_755986" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ICEHOTEL 30 | Icebar by Icehotel Torneland | Design Mathieu Brison & Luc Voisin | Photo Asaf Kliger | © ICEHOTEL[/caption] If you're a fan of the kind of coldness that the southern hemisphere doesn't see at this time of the year (especially at the moment), but you can't make it to Icehotel's cold climes during the northern winter, don't worry — in addition to its annual slate of artistic suites, Icehotel is open all year round. It includes 20 permanent suites, an ice bar, plus private saunas and spas for an added touch of warmth in such cold surroundings. Icehotel 30 runs until April 14, 2020. For further information, visit www.icehotel.com. Images: Asaf Kliger.
Good Food Month's 2021 comeback edition got a little sidetracked due to Melbourne's latest COVID-19 outbreak (thanks again, COVID). But now, with the snap lockdown done and dusted, it's kicking on to deliver a few tasty weeks of lunch feasts, chef-led dinners, wine-fuelled parties and more. The perfect post-lockdown treat for food-lovers, really, and an excellent way to give some love to Victoria's hospitality scene. Expect edible cocktails at a low-waste tiki party, indulge in a Turkish long lunch at Yagiz, or celebrate the return of Rocco's Bologna Discoteca with an evening of meatball subs and Italian wines. Here's our pick of all the Good Food Month 2021 events that promise to warm up your winter. Spots are limited, so book in now for a top-notch feed and leave the memory of lockdown cooking far behind you.
Get ready to say buona sera to Melbourne's latest Italian joint, Torino Aperitivo, a fresh Italian aperitivo bar tucked in the nooks of Driver Lane. Brought to you by the team behind Beneath Driver Lane which just so happens to be next door, Torino Aperitivo rises from the ashes of old Penny Blue into a reimagining of the space where the negroni flows like water — literally. The bar boasts a fountain that serves up negronis and spritzes directly from its mouth. Looks like there is a God. As for the space, picture enough white and green and brass to make you feel you're in Turin, with a laidback energy that's perfect for a catch-up with amici at all times of day. It's like your cool friend's house — if your friend was a rich bartender with a penchant for Italian decor. Head Chef David Rios is the maestro behind the menu, dishing out Italian classics with a twist, and changing frequently to champion seasonal ingredients. Picture a selection of around a dozen piccolo plates, each a vignette of Italian life. Of course, there will be Calabrian favourite warm 'nduja, focaccia with stracciatella, burrata topped with pangrattato and anchovy. While the mains include house-made pasta and 500g scotch fillets. And to sweeten the affair, brioche con gelato will take you straight to Sicilia with every bite. Drinks-wise, Kealan Brady and Mark Brooks are the captains of the ship with a drinks menu designed to celebrate aperitif culture. Expect a curated wine list, spritz and negroni options, and a compact yet comprehensive cocktail and amaro offering. And of course, that negroni fountain. Bellissimo. Torino Aperetivo is open 4pm–midnight on Tuesday–Thursday and 2pm–midnight on Friday and Saturday. Find it at 2 Driver Lane, Melbourne.
Everyone loves Jamie's Italian. Or at least that's what we discovered when, back in November 2016, we reported that the Jamie Oliver had officially bought back his Australian restaurant chain after its parent company, the Keystone Group, went into receivership. People were excited — and the man himself even came to town to relaunch the venues. But now, a year on, things have taken a bit of a turn. The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group will cease to manage its Australian restaurants, effective immediately. Last night, The Australian Financial Review reported that the group had gone into administration, and this morning it released an official statement announcing "a new operating partner for its Australian business". This partner is the Brisbane-based Hallmark Group, and it will take over the management of Australia's Jamie's Italian restaurants. What does that mean for your dinner plans? Well, the Sydney, Brisbane, Parramatta, Perth and Adelaide venues will continue to operate as usual, but, sadly, the Canberra outpost has already closed. "We'll be working closely with Jamie and the UK team, staff and local suppliers to keep driving the business forward and delivering exceptional experiences across the country," said a Hallmark representative. "Hallmark are actively seeking new suitable locations for the next Jamie's Italian." The news isn't that surprising considering the group has been in a spot of trouble in the UK — The Sun has reported that Oliver's group is in £71.5 million of debt, and will soon close 12 of his 27 restaurants. It'll be interesting to see if this changes much for Jamie's Italian. Will it bring back its $10 pasta deals? Will it finally expand to Melbourne? We'll keep you posted.
A European beach club-inspired pop-up has arrived in QV Melbourne, offering up two temporary bars throughout summer. QV Club will run until March, offering visitors the option to unwind with a drink in hand or swing by on weekends for live music and DJ sets. The two pop-up bars that have made their home at QV Club are run by Father's Office who will deliver food over to you in the QV club if you're looking for a bite to eat. The shipping container bar is pouring beers, while those looking for something a bit stronger can head over to the cocktail caravan to try out its special Aboslut Watermelon cocktail the QV Club Watermelon Smash. Also on offer: Aperol spritzes, frozen margs, pina coladas, a selection of beer and wine, and 750ml bottles of Mumm champagne for $69. Those heading to the CBD for weekend drinks can start at QV Club, which will host DJ sets every Friday and Saturday from 5pm, with live bands making appearances on select weekends.
One of the main events of Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year festivities, the Dragon Parade is truly a sight to behold. At 11.30am on Sunday, February 14, the Dai Loong ("big dragon") will emerge from its home at the Chinese Museum and make its way through the streets of Melbourne, heralding the New Year and the beginning of the Spring Festival. There'll be dancing and drumming and colourful costumes as far as the eye can see. And if all the parading leaves you feeling peckish — well, you'll be in Chinatown now, won't you? Image: Chris Phutully via Flickr.
Your favourite summertime dessert is about to get a wild revamp at the hands of some talented, innovative local chefs. For the next eight weeks, the much-loved Piccolina Gelateria is handing over the reins, inviting a group of kitchen heroes to take over the specials board and deliver their own signature gelato creations. The Piccolina Gelato Project will see eight chefs from Melbourne and Geelong each have a crack at impressing the masses with their gelato game. A different name will step up to the plate each week, teaming up with Piccolina's Sandra Foti to create three special flavours that capture the spirit of their respective restaurant — along with a healthy dose of personal flair, of course. From Wednesday, February 10 until Tuesday, April 6, roll into any Piccolina outpost to find inventive desserts from the likes of Andreas Papadakis (Tipo 00), Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters), Tom Sarafian (Bar Saracen), Dave Verheul (Embla), Sam Stafford (Mono-XO), Zoe Birch (Greasy Zoes) and Aaron Turner (Igni, The Hot Chicken Project). Kicking things off is Lee Ho Fook's Victor Liong, who for the next week will be serving up a Lunar New Year-inspired menu featuring flavours like Jasmine tea custard with burnt caramel. Following Liong's stint, Sarafian will churn out a goat's feta gelato with crushed maamoul (an Arabic cookie); Verheul will scoop up porcini mushroom gelato with chocolate, thyme and sour apple; Martinez will transform her famed cardamom and cinnamon doughnut into a gelato; Birch will cook up a spiced pumpkin pie flavour; and Papadakis will push the boundaries (and Melburnians' tastebuds) with a fior de latte, caramelised radicchio, balsamic and chocolate number. And that's just a taster of what's to come. [caption id="attachment_799719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Verheul[/caption] 8 Chefs in 8 Weeks flavours will be available at all six Piccolina locations.
There's nothing like watching a film at the planetarium, but it's something most of us don't do all that often. Daytime sessions cater to school groups — and in the years that the Melbourne International Film Festival has hosted a fulldome program, it's only been for a few sessions. Thankfully, Scienceworks' late-night series changes that. Every Friday evening, once the planetarium's usual working day is done, adults can have some after-hours fun in the venue's impressive space. That means sitting in the reclining chairs, looking up at the 16-metre domed ceiling, listening to the 7.1 surround-sound system and soaking in the best the fulldome video projection system has to offer. In November, the Planetarium's Friday night program will be exploring where water can be found in our solar system during the 7.30pm session, thanks to a fulldome film called Where's the Water. Then, at 9pm, Particle/Wave will serve up a multimedia exploration of gravitational waves. Making things even better is the fact that the whole thing is boozy, so you can grab a drink from the bar, take it into the auditorium and sip while you watch.
If you haven't yet had a chance to sit on a bean bed under the night sky while feasting your eyes on the big screen and filling your stomach with a picnic, aka the annual Moonlight Cinema experience and an Australian summer staple, here's your next round of motivation: the outdoor picture palace's January lineup, plus a few other highlights for the next few months. This cinephile heaven drops its program in parts, so its December bill arrived in November, and now it's time to see what'll be kicking off 2024. On the way: a heap of upcoming releases getting sneak peeks at Moonlight Cinema before they hit general release, plus old-school throwbacks aplenty. So, whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth, you have much to look forward to in scenic surroundings. The preview list includes Adam Driver (65) stepping into Enzo Ferrari's shoes in Ferrari, which is also filmmaker Michael Mann's first feature 2015's Blackhat; the new musical silver-screen version of Mean Girls, as based on the stage show adapted from the OG flick; and Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley, plus Australian Euphoria and Saltburn star Jacob Elordi as Elvis, in Sofia Coppola's Priscilla. Moonlight audiences around the country can also grapple with wrestling biopic The Iron Claw, which features Zac Efron (Gold) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as part of the Von Erich family — and then check out spy action-comedy Argylle. In Sydney and Melbourne only, the haunting and swoonworthy All of Us Strangers with the internet's boyfriends Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (Fleabag) will also get a spin. Films that are or will already be in cinemas everywhere will also grace Moonlight's screens, such as Wonka, Saltburn and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. For blasts from the past, The Mighty Ducks, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, She's The Man, The Parent Trap and Clueless will welcome in audiences nationwide, as will Hocus Pocus, The Devil Wears Prada, A Cinderella Story and The Princess Diaries. Sydney scores a date with Mamma Mia!, while the Harbour City as well as Melbourne and Perth will watch The Goonies and The Princess Bride, too. The lineup always varies per city, and the films and the setting are just two parts of the Moonlight Cinema setup. Also on offer: an official Aperol spritz bar, which is new for 2023–24. Nosh-wise, the event lets you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds. There's also a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, plus a platinum section that levels up a night at the movies even further in Sydney and Melbourne. A beauty cart is handing out samples, too. And, dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2023–24 DATES: Brisbane: until Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Roma Street Parklands Sydney: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Centennial Parklands Perth: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: until Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in Botanic Park Melbourne: until Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema runs through until March 2024, with dates varying per city. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
After collaborating with The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, nabbing a Coachella spot and spinning her way to international success over the past year, Sydney's Alison Wonderland is embarking on her second tour of industrial warehouse parties. Wonderland Warehouse Project 2.0 is set to hit the road nationwide from late May, the highly anticipated sequel to her wildly successful 2014 tour of the same name. Armed with a fresh set of tracks from debut album RUN, Wonderland will be popping up in secret locations across the country for what's pinned to be some seriously huge shows. Bringing electronica out of the clubs and into a string of mystery warehouses, this powerhouse Sydney DJ is going to run some rather unconventional, mega-scale dancefloors. Set to make her first appearance at Coachella in the States in April, off the back of casually working with Wayne Coyne for her latest record, Wonderland appears to have quite the 2015 in store. After last year's sell-out tour, get in quick to secure your spot at these epic warehouse shindigs. Tickets are only $40-45, so they sell quicker than you can fall down a rabbit hole. WONDERLAND WAREHOUSE PROJECT 2.0 DATES Brisbane — Friday May 22 Melbourne — Saturday May 30 Sydney — Saturday June 6 For tickets and more info, head to wonderlandwarehouseproject.com.
Printhie Wines, run by brothers Ed and Dave Swift, has also taken its cellar door experience into the online realm, cracking the top off a new weekly virtual wine tasting series. The Molong-based winemakers are hitting screens from 4pm AEST every Friday, to help you wind down and kick-start the weekend in style. Or at least, in some good, wine-loving company. Via Facebook, the guys will guide viewers through a double tasting each week, showcasing a range of drops from their own label and answering plenty of audience questions along the way. To get you in the zone, Printhie is currently slinging a virtual tasting pack via its online store, starring six of the wines featured across the next few weeks' live streams. Get one delivered to your door so you can taste along with the guys and discuss your favourites as the camera rolls.
Like the scent of jasmine in the air or the overwhelming urge to Marie Kondo your home, the promise of Arbory Afloat reopening is a signifier that spring is well and truly approaching. The Yarra River's floating bar and restaurant has become a Melbourne summer staple, and as of September it will return for its eighth iteration, this time sporting a whole new persona as the newly minted 'Afloat Viva Mexico'. After having drawn inspiration from the Balearic Islands last year and Turkey's Turquoise Coast in 2021, the Arbory team has now spun the compass in the direction of Mexico, with nods to Oaxaca, Tulum, and Mexico City that will bloom to life across the interiors, the food and drinks menus, and music and entertainment throughout the warmer seasons. While the full program for Afloat Viva Mexico is still under wraps, Executive Chef James Gibson promises a menu that "will be fun, fresh and spice centric, curated with bold and complex flavours from across Mexico." Meanwhile, the drinks list promises an extensive selection of cocktails highlighting mezcal and tequila, all designed to match with the menu or simply refresh your parched throat in the summer sun. An exact opening date is yet to be announced but will be revealed in the coming weeks. Find Arbory Afloat at 2 Flinders Walk, Melbourne. Keep an eye on upcoming activities via Instagram.
If you heard the name 'Funland' in Australia, you'd think it was one of two things: an offshoot of Dreamworld where you'd be surrounded by obnoxious tourists, or an offshoot of Sexyland where you'd be harangued by middle-aged sex pests. Neither sound all that desirable. But in New York this week, Funland is an 'erotic playground' designed by British artists Bompas and Parr at the Museum of Sex — a bizarre combination of both Dreamworld and Sexyland that's infinitely better than either. One of the most obviously titillating (lol) attractions at the frisky fairground is an enormous bouncy castle full of giant protruding breasts. Appropriately titled, Jump for Joy this artwork is for those of us constantly frustrated by the absence of adult playground equipment, and also for lovers of big squishy Skywhale-scale boobies. In addition to this absolutely amazing thing which might be worth booking a flight for on its own, Bompas and Parr are also presenting four other fairground attractions with a sexual bent. There's an R-rated cinema, The Tunnel of Love — a mirrored labyrinth where patrons must go in search of the Gräfenberg (G) Spot, a mechanical horse-riding game where the animal is replaced by a certain male appendage, and a climbing wall made out of body parts knowingly titled Grope Mountain. The artists behind this utter excellence actually have quite the reputation outside of giant grope-able genitals too. Known for their extraordinary culinary innovations, they were responsible for London's NYE celebrations last year creating the world's first edible fireworks display. They also make the most incredible artisan jellies you've ever seen. What a life, eh? The entire Funland installation is of course a great celebration of sex positivity — an important principle of the NY institution in which it will be held. But the artists also claim they're responding to the erotic nature of fairgrounds themselves. Bompas explained to Wired this week that fairgrounds were a place to "hold hands and have a snog"; they're a place of thrills, pleasure and climaxes. Gives you a whole new perspective on the Royal Easter Show, right? Via Wired and Gothamist.
It's time again for one of the most indulgent events on the cultural calendar. Launching Friday, March 21, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is bringing together a who's who of local and international chefs for a jam-packed schedule featuring over 200 events across the state. Covering just about every cuisine, venue type and culinary philosophy imaginable, diners are spoilt for choice no matter their tastes or interests. While there's an incredible range of happenings to consider, one of the headline events sees plant-based pioneers Shannon Martinez and Philip Khoury join forces for a special pop-up bakery event at Smith + Deli on Thursday, March 22. Having generated a huge amount of global buzz for their approach to vegan cuisine – specifically pastries in Khoury's case – their trailblazing delights include maple cakes, apple pies, strawberry tarts and chocolate mousse cake. If you're a racing fan, the hallowed turf of Flemington Racecourse is the place to be, as some of Melbourne's most beloved restaurants pop up with special race-day menus for Feast – a marquee meeting of sport and dining. Here, Chinese fine-diner Lee Ho Fook, Latino firebrand San Telmo, Spanish maverick MoVida and pasta stars Tipo 00 will set up shop on the Flemington front lawn over three weekends in March. Expect haute snacks that rise high above the usual carnival fare. Meanwhile, the inner north will play host to Michelin-starred chef Konstantin Filippou and his latest offering at Fitzroy's Bar Liberty. While Filippou is typically known for his award-winning fine-dining creations, he's taking a more casual approach to his Greek heritage as he presents a vibrant late-afternoon gyros session with the help of his mum, Manuela. Joined by renowned Austrian winemaker Gut Oggau, this easygoing feast on Sunday, March 23 is not to be missed. [caption id="attachment_991435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hendrik Gergen[/caption] Then, head to the CBD on Wednesday, March 26, for a free cross-cultural experiment at Wesley Place. Taco Truck founder Raph Rashid will team up with the unofficial hummus king of Australia, Tom Sarafian, to mix and match two grand culinary traditions. Dining on tacos with a Lebanese accent and Mexico's answer to kibbeh, just some of the creative combinations include tacos de canasta with prawn, potato, toum and salsa verde, and goat kibbeh with Oaxacan cheese, labne and sumac. Of course, this year's Global Dining Series is another chance to catch the most exciting culinary talent in action. On the agenda is SoCal to South Yarra: Gracias Madre x Lona Misa, where a leading plant-based Mexican restaurant hailing from Los Angeles collabs with our own vegan champs to explore the best of sustainable Latin cuisine. Plus, cult-Austrian winemakers Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe, aka Gut Oggau, appear at the Abbotsford Convent for a chat about biodynamics, better farming, better living and wine with meaning. The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival runs from 21-30 March. Head to the website for more information. Top image: Ben Clement
Want to drink wine and support a great cause while you do it? The team at Vinomofo has you covered. The online wine cellar has just launched its limited edition Homeless Grapes Project Yarra Valley chardonnay, and it's donating 100 percent of proceeds to Australians who are sleeping rough. The mineral-rich drop comes courtesy of De Bortoli Wines, Rochford Wines and TarraWarra Estate, who all donated grapes to the project. It goes on sale on Monday, February 4 at $25 per bottle, sold in a case of six, with only few hundred cases available. All proceeds from the sales will go to St Mary's House of Welcome, which provides food, shelter, showers and emergency assistance to Melburnians doing it tough. Last year, the sale of 200 cases of Homeless Grapes Project shiraz raised more than $50,000 and was able to provide housing for 570 clients, over 40,000 meals and 3000 appointments with nurses. The Homeless Grapes initiative has been running since 2015 and has already raised more than $150,000 for charity. "Homelessness is a community issue that can be solved by the community and initiatives like Homeless Grapes," said Vinomofo co-founder Andre Eikmeier. "We can raise money for the front line to help make a real difference. And importantly, we change our attitudes." The Homeless Grapes Project Yarra Valley chardonnay is available from Monday, February 4. To find out more about the Homeless Grapes initiative and to buy a couple of bottles, head to vinomofo.com.
In case there was still anyone out there who thought donning a Native American style headdress was a totally appropriate, acceptable, fun-loving thing to do, one of the world's biggest music festivals has just laid down the law. Glastonbury has officially banned the sale of these offensive accessories from their 2015 festival. The decision announced today comes after a well-researched Change.org petition was submitted to the festival's organisers. Though it only gained a humble 65 signatures, the petition made some salient arguments that have been echoed by most of the world for the last few years. "[Wearing these headdresses] is an offensive and disrespectful form of cultural appropriation," the petition read. "It homogenises diverse indigenous peoples, and perpetuates damaging, archaic and racist stereotypes." Amen. Though cultural appropriation is still a contentious topic with no hard and fast answers (see: bindis/everything to do with Miley Cyrus), most people are on the same page in regards to headdresses — well, everyone except Harry Styles. And, if the thought of being on the same side of this debate as One Direction didn't irk you out enough, trust us, there are a lot of other reasons to stand against it. Though a couple of other festivals around the world (including Australia's own "no dickheads" darling Meredith) have banned these headdresses from being worn at all, the new ban at Glastonbury will only relate to their sale. Though we'd obviously rather they get rid of them completely, it's a great step in the right direction. Last month, Glastonbury was declared "the most influential festival on the planet" after a survey conducted by Spotify. Here's hoping this policy proves as popular as their headline acts. Via Music Feeds. Photo credit: Shell Daruwala via photopin cc and Hipsters in Headresses.
We all know Melbourne boasts a world-class bar scene with skilled bartenders shaking up the cocktail game at top-notch venues all across town. Granted, weeks into lockdown 2.0, that's all starting to feel like a distant memory. But, if you're thirsting hard for boozy times past, you can now give yourself a quick refresher course, by way of a new at-home cocktail pack featuring an all-star Melbourne lineup. The folks at The Everleigh Bottling Co have joined forces with some of the city's finest drinking institutions to create the liquid care package of your lockdown dreams. Aptly dubbed the Melbourne Mixtape, it's a lineup of seven bottled cocktails, each handmade in-house at their respective bar while the doors are closed to the public. In this lineup of libations, you'll find such hits as Byrdi's wattleseed negroni, the tiramisu milk punch from Capitano, Mjølner's rum-infused Battle Axe, a tequila blend known as The Proposition from Collingwood's Above Board, a Black Pearl Shower Martini, and a classic americano courtesy of Bar Americano. Of course, there's an Everleigh creation in there, too: the caffeine-spiked sip they call Coffee House. Each of the single-serve cocktails comes with specific serving instructions, ready to chill, pour and devour. What's more, you can have the pack sent directly to your home, with nationwide shipping available for $14.99. All proceeds go back to the participating bars, which will help raise some much-needed funds while restrictions continue. The Melbourne Mixtape is available to buy for $130 from The Everleigh Bottling Co website.
Love hanging in your local park and patting all the good boys that run past? Do you find the cool demeanour of cats cute? And don't get you started about rabbits doing zoomies, right? If you've answered yes to all of the above, we're guessing you're a big animal lover. Or, even if you wouldn't say you love animals, we're guessing you don't want to cause them harm. That's why factoring critters, both great and small, into your daily decisions is important, from the clothes on your back to what you eat. To help you out, we've teamed up with the animal-loving folks at nutritious plant-based meal delivery service Soulara to bring you five simple swaps to introduce to your daily life. Because you shouldn't have to choose between yourself and adorable animals. SIGN UP TO A PLANT-BASED MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE As they say, you are what you eat — and a plant-based diet is just one way you can live your best animal-loving life. It also has a bunch of health benefits and is one of the biggest ways you can lower your environmental impact. So, really, it's a win-win-win. But, whether you're all in or trying it out a few days a week, making the switch to plant-based can be tricky. One way to cut out the guesswork is by signing up to an animal product-free meal delivery service like Soulara. Every meal is designed by nutritionists and prepared by chefs, packed with vital nutrients and delivered fresh, not frozen, so you can simply pop it in the microwave when you're ready to eat. You'll enjoy the likes of choc hazelnut and chia seed pudding for brekkie, tofu laksa for lunch, and shiitake mushroom carbonara for dinner. It's got bliss balls, kombucha and cold-pressed juice packs that you can tack onto your order, too. There are plenty of dietary requirement-friendly options, too, as well as for the calorie conscious. If you're worried about not getting enough protein, don't be; Soulara's high protein range offers veg-based meals with 25-plus grams of protein in each serve. To top it off, it's a pretty affordable option, with meals starting from $8.50 and, right now, you can also nab $60 off your first order, too — just sign up here. GO CRUELTY-FREE WITH YOUR BEAUTY REGIME Breaking into labs and freeing rabbits isn't something Hollywood made up. Yep, the world of beauty has an ugly side. So, if you want to go cruelty-free with your daily beauty regime, it's important to know what brands to opt for. One thing to remember is that vegan and cruelty-free products are not one and the same. Vegan means no animal products or animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, are used in the product, whereas cruelty-free means no animal testing was carried out in the making of your face mask, perfume, moisturiser or body scrub. If you're a hardcore animal fan, you want to be buying beauty brands that do both. The good news is more and more companies are shifting to creating more ethical products. Natural skincare brand Sukin is a great go-to as it's good for your skin, animals, the environment and, for the most part, your wallet. Otherwise, Aussie beauty retail giant Mecca stocks a bunch of vegan and/or cruelty-free products, from brands such as Frank Body, Josie Maran, Korres, Stila and its own Mecca Max — just be sure to check the label. Animal welfare organisation PETA Australia has a handy guide, too, which you can check out here. ADOPT OR FOSTER AN ADORABLE ANIMAL While more of us are working from home — or, at least, spending more time at home — it makes sense that we're increasingly wanting a furry, four-legged friend by our sides. So, if you've been thinking about adding a pet to your fam (and have considered it thoroughly), now might just be the time. Rescue organisations such as the RSPCA and Petbarn adoption centres work to find permanent and foster homes for pups, cats, bunnies and guinea pigs surrendered into their care. In 2019, the RSPCA found new homes for 2654 pets Australia-wide, and we can only assume this year the numbers will be even more impressive. If you can't commit to taking a pet in permanently (but still think you'd make a great fur parent), fostering is also a great way to help out animals in need. Rest assured that the usual procedures and standards still apply, so every furry and feathered friend ends up in a happy home — whether it's forever or just for a little while. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY We're not suggesting you follow Fido into a mud puddle, but there are ways you can directly help out animals that aren't fostering or adopting. For one, you can get to work on your green thumb. If you haven't already heard, bees play a pretty big part in how the world goes round; however, due to things like land development and pesticides used in farming, the global bee population is in danger. Just by getting a little garden growing in your backyard, you can help bees to do their work transferring pollen, which aids the growth of certain fruits, plants and, in turn, provides sources of food for much wildlife. Or, you could skip the dirt and get yourself this nifty Bee Pollination Grow Kit. Another way you can help is through animal conservation work. After last summer's devastating fires, there are a lot of native critters that need your help, which can involve everything from volunteering in national parks and joining WIRES to simply putting water out for distressed animals. [caption id="attachment_779786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] LEVEL UP YOUR WARDROBE WITH ETHICAL LABELS No one ever said fashion had to be all fur, leather and feathers, but according to PETA, more than one billion animals are killed each year for their fur and leather alone. It's 2020 and we're a far cry from medieval times. On top of that, now it's easier than ever to pick up ethical threads — so why wouldn't you? While ethical is a broad-stroke term, when talking about animal-friendly fashion specifically, you don't have to look too far. Global retailers such as Zara, Uniqlo, Dr Martens and Topshop sell a bunch of 'vegan' leather goods, as well as alternative animal-free materials. You'll find some Aussie labels doing that, too, including Nico, Kowtow and Tasi Travels. For a one-stop ethical clothing shop, head to Well Made Clothes, which has a wide range of vegan clothing and accessories. And leading the charge of animal welfare in the high-end industry is Stella McCartney, which uses alternatives for everything from leather to fur, silk, feathers and wool. One of the biggest ways you can care for animals is to switch to a plant-based diet. To help make that part easy and fuss-free, Soulara delivers nutrition-packed meals straight to your door. And, if you need to, you can also pause or skip a week of your subscription at no extra cost. Better yet, Soulara is currently offering $60 off your first four deliveries — just sign up here.
Street art already has a magical quality about it. It pops up in laneways, on buildings, and on forgotten street corners every night; in a single sleep your city can be transformed. But now, one artist has taken things a step further. Spanish photographer and motion designer A.L. Crego enriches these creations with even more intrigue — he brings them to life. Utilising the almighty power of the GIF, Crego expertly animates the street art he finds on his daily travels. In an attempt to boost the meaning of each work, he spends between a couple of hours and two days creating each animation. "Some of them are easier than others because the painting was made with a few elements, but other ones were made with a lot of techniques and elements," he told Pixable. Though GIFs are usually there to be laughed at or shared in addictive listicles, over the past few years they've really taken off as a legitimate art form. There are a number of artists using the medium in incredible and unexpected ways. Far from their most common use as vehicles for Lena Dunham quotes, GIFs (or cinemagraphs, if we're being fancy) can actually be quite beautiful. Take a stroll through A.L. Crego's collection below. Your imagination will thank you for it. Via My Modern Met and Pixable.. All images: A.L. Crego.
Late last year, Taco Bell quietly opened a test store in Annerley, Brisbane. And today — fittingly, International Taco Day — the US Tex-Mex chain has announced plans to open 50 new stores across Australia in the next three years. While its expansion will begin in Queensland — with stores already confirmed for Robina, Cleveland and North Lakes — the chain has confirmed that it will also be expanding interstate. Taco Bell, whose parent company is Collins Foods — which also operates 28 Aussie KFC restaurants and the 13 remaining Sizzler venues — announced today that after receiving positive feedback from its test store, it would be rolling out 50 new Taco Bell outposts over the next three years. Managing Director Taco Bell Asia Pacific Ankush Tuli suggested locals have embraced the brand. "We have had an overwhelming response to the launch of Taco Bell in Brisbane," Tuli explained. This is, however, Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market. The chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997 — but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew. It was speculated earlier this year that as part of the brand's expansion, Collins Foods would be rebranding its Sizzler restaurants as Taco Bells; however, this has not yet been confirmed. You can currently find Taco Bell at 594 Ipswich Road, Annerley, with the Robina store slated to open this year.
