Tents at the ready: when 2023 ends and 2024 begins, there are few better ways to spend it than dancing and camping at southeast Queensland's Woodford Folk Festival. This isn't just a fest. It's a pop-up Moreton Bay village filled with live music, arts and culture. And it's returning for another year with a heap of well-known Australian — and Brisbane — names. Throwing back to the late 90s and early 00s, Regurgitator, Custard and Resin Dogs will all take to the Woodford stage between Wednesday, December 27, 2023–Monday, January 1, 2024 at Woodfordia on the Sunshine Coast. Also hailing from Brissie, along with plenty of the festival's attendees each year: Kate Miller-Heidke. Woodford 2023–24's roster of talent includes Ben Lee, Gretta Ray, Isaiah Firebrace and Kasey Chambers as well, on a list that spans more than 400 acts and 1834 shows. So, across the fest's 27 performance spaces, there'll be no shortage of things for the expected 120,000 people attending to see at Woodfordia's 500-acre parklands space (which now boasts a lake) — whether they're among the 25,000 folks who can stay onsite or just hitting up the event for the day. Accordingly, whoever piques your interest, or even if you're just keen on a Woodford experience — for the first time, tenth or 36th, because that's how many fests the event has notched up now — prepare to catch a heap of bands, wander between arts performances and get a little muddy, all around 90 minutes north of Brisbane. As always, the fest's lineup also features circus, cabaret, yoga, dance, comedy, spoken word, poetry, comedy, films, workshops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Keen to have a chat while your clothes was at The Blak Laundry? Learn to weave baskets with Kris Martin? Get giggling to talents curated by Sandeep Totlani? Hit up the Queer Ball's third year? They're some of the other standouts. Tickets are already on sale, and you can check out the full list of acts and activities on the Woodford website. WOODFORD 2023–24 LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Regurgitator Custard Resin Dogs Ben Lee Kate Miller-Heidke Isaiah Firebrace Kasey Chambers Mo'Ju Gretta Ra Odette Yirrmal A.Girl AFRO DIZZI ACT Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham The East Pointers Haiku Hands Leah Flanagan Borroloola Cultural Songwomen featuring Dr Shellie Morris AO Bumpy FourPlay String Quartet Yirinda Charlie Needs Braces Mitch King DancingWater ALPHAMAMA Jack Davies & the Bush Chooks Charm of Finches Dougie Maclean Assynt Ryan Young Hannah Rarity Dallahan Lisa O'Neill Andy Irvine Making Movies Rizo Božo Vrečo Images: Woodford Folk Festival via Flickr.
Surry Hills mainstay Bitter Phew is bringing you the classier side of craft beer this year for Sydney Craft Beer Week. The tap list for this event will include barrel-aged beers from an international powerhouse of brewers including the Netherlands' Brouwerij de Molen, Norway's Nøgne and a smoked saison collab between Nomad and US-based Jester King that we're especially keen to try. From whiskey to bourbon and shiraz to chardonnay, you'll surely feel spoilt for decadence at this one.
Misschu is back. Well, almost. Queen of rice paper rolls Nahji Chu, with a big leg-up from the Mawson Group, has rescued misschu from administration. "I've got a small equity share, which is better than nothing," Ms Chu told Good Food. Dealing as MissChu Holdings, Chu and the Mawson Group plan to open fifty misschu stores across Australia over the next five years. Yep, fifty. Meanwhile, all six eateries currently operating in New South Wales will stay on track, meaning 110 employees will hang onto their jobs. Win. While Mawson will provide expertise in business admin and expansion, Chu will take care of creative direction and continue to work full-time as catering manager. According to Good Food, there have also been initial chats about expanding beyond tuck shops. For a start, Sydney might be gaining a misschu Vietnamese restaurant that caters to the mid-range market. "Relieved and exhausted are two understatements running through my veins as I deliver this news," Chu announced on the MissChu Facebook page. "Quality control of the products and getting back to the heart of the business is my main focus. It's important to me that misschu has consistency across the brand. "I will continue misschu as a platform for public discussion about the real issues that confront our collective future; the plight of the world’s dispossessed, the delivery of affordable nutritious food, creativity and innovation — because without it we will not socially, economically or politically evolve in a progressive way. I stride, a little wiser, into the second chapter of the misschu story with honest and professional help in tow." MissChu, which, at its most profitable, turned over $20 million a year, went into voluntary administration in December 2014, with Rahul Goyal and Janna Robertson of Korda Mentha taking charge of the books. In January 2015, the London tuck shop closed and sixty workers lost their jobs. "In hindsight, I wouldn’t have opened in London," MissChu told Good Food. Ms Chu fought passionately to save her business, gaining traction with a #weneedchu campaign across social media. More than sixty expressions of interest were received. Looks like Chu's out of the woods. Via Good Food and Smart Company.
Heading to Byron Bay this July to flail around to The Cure, be obliterated by sound of The Avalanches and burl the words to The Strokes? You can't do all that without a little pre-game with your mates, preferably at a stunning beach house right on the ocean, with some of Australia's best upcoming artists playing sets just for you. Luckily for you, Concrete Playground has teamed up with Sonos to throw one heck of a beach party — and you could be on the guest list. We're putting on an intimate pre-festival gathering at one of Byron Bay's most iconic locations. It's called Beach Break (because you need one, we need one, everyone needs one). You could be joining mates CP and Sonos for a big ol' warm-up on Saturday, July 23, to be held at a secret location which only the guest list will know. You'll be kicking back at our Byron beach house with a cocktail, catching sets from Australia's one-to-watch artists Kllo and Banoffee, and listening to Sonos-curated party playlists. Register your interest and we could be seeing you at our pretty little beach house. ENTER HERE. This event is independently presented by Concrete Playground and Sonos, and is not associated with Splendour in the Grass or Secret Sounds.
When you have hair as thick and lush as I do, you don't think about hair all that much. But, for those less blessed in the follicles, this show is exactly what you need. Featuring Australia's Prince of Polyester, Bob Downe, The Big Hair Show and Catalunyan hair wizards Osadia, the festival village plays home to curlers, straighteners, a healthy dose of matte-finish styling clay, and a solid helping of hilarity. A strange, hands on mixture of art, performance and extreme barbery, The Hair Salon will be begging you to not leave your hat on. This program is one of ten Sydney Festival events happening in unexpected places. Check out the whole list.
First, the bad news. The Hi-Fi, as patrons in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane currently know and love, is no more. The saga that started with the company behind all three locations going into administration back in February will see the familiar name disappear. But the good news? You don't need to mourn the loss of another music venue. Boasting new owners as well as new management, the Hi-Fi is changing its name. Fans of live bands and casually excellent nights out can now head to Max Watt's. The new moniker comes from Max Watt's Operating Pty Ltd, the knight in shining armour that swooped in to stop the three music-scene mainstays from permanently closing their doors. In a new business model, bookings for future gigs and all online marketing activities will be handled by The Venue Collective. The experienced team already manages the music lineups for Melbourne's the Corner, 170 Russell, Northcote Social Club, and Shebeen, Sydney's Newtown Social Club and Brisbane's Woolly Mammoth. It might take some time to get used to calling the Hi-Fi something different, but it's a better outcome than looked likely just over a month ago. Rebranding will take place on site over the next few weeks, and in terms of shows, it's business as usual. Now, music lovers can breathe a sigh of relief. Via The Music.
Vivid Sydney is returning for another year — the perfect opportunity to once again get out and discover how great Sydney can be in winter. This year, instead of fighting the crowds at obvious viewing spots like Circular Quay and Opera Bar, consider going on an adventure and seeing the lights from an alternative vantage point. Vivid's boundary-obliterating light shows are so vivid they can be seen from all over Sydney. In partnership with BridgeClimb, who have a sky-high Vivid Sydney experience running during the festival, we've rounded up some great, alternative places to see the lights. Within this list, there's a sky-high pub, a ferris wheel, a ferry deck, an island and a relatively far-flung reserve. Remember, the lights switch on at 6pm and off at 11pm each night — plan your viewing accordingly. FROM THE TOP FLOOR OF THE HOTEL PALISADE You'd be hard pressed to find a spot with better views, comfier couches and more alcohol than Henry Deane — a two-floor cocktail lounge that sprawls the top floor of Hotel Palisade at 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point. Wherever you're sitting, there are extraordinary panoramas of the city and Sydney Harbour, visible through floor-to-ceiling windows. Designer Sibella Court took care of the interior, bringing with her pink leather sofas, splashes of greenery and swirls of marble. Take your Vivid experience up a notch with a signature cocktail like the Sun-Kissed Spritz, made with Plymouth Gin, Regal Rogue White, Suze, honey, basil and soda, or delve into the "Food Between A Few" menu, which offers snacks and share plates like spicy blue swimmer crab rolls, sesame-crusted tataki and mussels with white wine, tomato, garlic and chilli. FROM THE TOP OF THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE A magical way to view the entirety of Vivid Sydney from one vantage point is to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Get a group of friends together and spend three and a half hours climbing one of our most recognisable symbols, then throw a wicked, incandescent dance party at the summit. During the festival BridgeClimb are installing an illuminated dance floor which can welcome up to 14 people at a time. This rave that's literally on another level is happening exclusively during Vivid Sydney — from Friday, May 26 to Saturday, June 17. Head here to grab a ticket and get your glow sticks ready, because all of these climbs are happening at night. FROM THE FERRIS WHEEL AT LUNA PARK An oldie, but definitely still a goodie, a spin on Luna Park's ferris wheel will take your Vivid Sydney experience to new heights. Entry to Luna Park is free, all you have to do is grab a ticket for the wheel itself. Hitting 40 metres at its peak, the ferris wheel will give you epic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city at a slow and dreamy pace. This year, the bridge will form part of Dreamscape, an interactive light display created by 32 Hundred Lighting in collaboration with Iain Reed. A one kilometre-long line of light will dazzle the Cahill Expressway, connecting it seamlessly with Circular Quay. Note: Luna Park's ferris wheel is closed for the first few days of Vivid, but after that it's more than open for business and great views. [caption id="attachment_620077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bernard Spragg via Flickr.[/caption] FROM THE DECK OF A SYDNEY FERRY Don't stay on the shoreline, stuck on land and removed from the action. Instead, get amongst Vivid properly and take a ferry ride. Hanging out on the deck, with the Harbour's inky mysteries passing beneath you (it's as deep as 45 metres in some parts), you'll see the festival from a continually changing angle. You'd struggle to find a better perspective of both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Harbour Lights, a display of light and movement created by the synchronised motion of vessels on the harbour. Your trusty Opal card is all you need for this up-close experience. [caption id="attachment_620074" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Martin7d2 via Flickr.[/caption] FROM THE QUIET SURROUNDS OF CREMORNE If you like seeing Vivid, but you also like your personal space and your sanity, then get yourself to Cremorne Reserve. Located on the northern side of the harbour, at the end of Cremorne Point, this haven of greenery and tranquility gives you light-filled views without the chaos that tends to reign on the southern side. Pack yourself a good bottle of sparkling along with a picnic and claim your own patch of grass in time for sunset. Sure, you'll be seeing things from a distance, but you'll still get an excellent, uninterrupted view of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the city skyline and the boats coming and going across the harbour. You can travel by ferry, as there's a wharf on the western side of the reserve. While you're in the area, think about checking out Lights for the Wild, Taronga Zoo's contribution to Vivid 2017. FROM AN ISOLATED HARBOUR ISLAND A nocturnal visit to Shark Island means you can combine the festival with a quick island getaway. Lying one kilometre off Rose Bay, this tiny isle is just one-and-a-half hectares in size and dotted with sandy beaches and grassy picnic areas. Views from the western shoreline take in the skyline, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. As at Cremorne Reserve, you'll be watching from a distance, which means you get to see the big picture and escape the hordes. EORA - Bennelong, an installation created by Bangarra Dance Theatre, will be projected onto the bridge's southern pylon — it's likely to look pretty damn incredible. Getting to Shark Island isn't particularly easy as Sydney ferrys don't do the run, but there are private operators like Captain Cook Cruises and water taxis that will do the job. The view, and the serenity, will be worth it. Get a bunch of mates together and take a watery adventure. Head over to BridgeClimb to book your tickets to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge during Vivid Sydney. By Jasmine Crittenden and James Whitton.
Things are set to get feisty and fearless at the Opera House when the fourth All About Women Festival takes over on Sunday, March 6. Leading the prodigious, 30-speaker-strong program? None other than the inimitable Miranda July, Sleater Kinney's Carrie Brownstein, Orange Is the New Black memoir author Piper Kerman and former US State Department director of policy planning Anne-Marie Slaughter. If you’ve ever wondered what makes July tick, here’s your chance. The celebrated writer, filmmaker, actor, artist, app maker, handbag wizard and bona fide enigma will be presenting an epic, autobiographical journey through her inner world, combining readings, film and interactive performance. July’s debut novel, The First Bad Man, was published in January this year. Sleater Kinney and Portlandia's legendary Brownstein will be talking about her October-released book Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl, a candid look at life and music — and if you're a super fan, Sleater Kinney are playing the same night at the Opera House. Kerman, whose memoir inspired the insanely popular TV series Orange Is the New Black, will be chatting about women she’s met in American prisons and her ongoing battle to increase prisoners’ rights. And Anne-Marie Slaughter, who worked as the director of policy planning at the US State Department when Hillary Clinton was running the show, will be arguing that we can’t have it all — well, at least not all at once, anyway. Meanwhile, Amelia Telford, the Indigenous coordinator of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, will be talking about climate change and resource extraction with Crystal Lameman, a climate change activist living in Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Canada. Other speakers on the lineup include Hyeonso Lee, a refugee from North Korea whose memoir, The Girl With Seven Names, was published in July 2015 in more than 20 nations; Masha Gessen, an American-Russian journalist, writer and LGBT activist; Jennifer Clement, an American-Mexican journalist, who’ll be covering her investigation of the impact of the drug war on thousands of stolen Mexican women and girls; and French novelist Muriel Barbery, who’s just published her first book in nine years. Multipack tickets will go on sale on Monday, December 7, with single tickets becoming available on Wednesday, December 9. Find them and rest of the program on the website.
As the taxi industry and Uber continue to trade blows, a new app targeted exclusively at women and children could prove safer and more comfortable than either. Mum's Taxi is the brainchild of comedian and single mother George McEnroe, and is currently seeking backers via the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe. Assuming it gets over the line, the service would only be available to women and children, while also providing female drivers employment opportunities in an industry dominated by men. Speaking to The Age, McEnroe said she came up with the idea while weighing up the potential dangers of driving for Uber. ""I registered a couple of times and realised I was just too scared, there are too many risks," she said. "I thought of the name Mum's Taxi, which is a bit daggy, but who else do you want to pick you up?" In addition to offering a safe environment for passengers, the service would provide employment opportunities to female drivers. McEnroe points out that only 12 per cent of rideshare drivers are women, despite the fact that women make up more than half of the casual workforce. The plan is to launch the service in Sydney in October, before eventually rolling-out nationwide. Drivers would be expected to complete police and working with children checks, and in return get to keep 85 per cent of each fare. Once Mum's Taxi is national, McEnroe intends to donate a further one per cent of every fare to a charity that improves the lives of women and children. For more information or to donate to Mum's Taxi, check out their GoFundMe campaign. Via The Age. Image: Splitshire.
Trying to stay healthy while eating the food you love can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility. Basically, we want to have our cake, and eat it too, but to also have that cake not ruin any chance at being healthy as blazes. Luckily, the good folk at food delivery service Youfoodz have put together a couple of recipes that offer unexpectedly healthy takes on some of our all time culinary favourites. Say goodbye to the grease-sodden offerings from your local fish and chip shop because, for dinner, they suggest a healthy, homemade alternative, that subs out those deep-fried chippies for baked roast veggie chips and a good-for-you superseed crust instead of batter. Alternatively, if you've got a hectic sweet tooth, they've got the perfect protein packed recipe for blueberry pancakes with a light honey ricotta that looks every bit as good as it sounds. Add some extra berries on top for added antioxidants and deliciousness. Healthy eating ain't so bad after all. Check 'em out and enjoy the spoils. FISH AND CHIPS Ingredients (fish) 120g cod 1tbs almond meal 1tbs slivered almonds 1tbs quinoa 5g chia seeds 5g sesame seeds Lemon wedges Salt Ingredients (chips) 60g sweet potato 60g carrot 60g potato Paprika Ingredients (tartare sauce) 2-3 tbs of your favourite prepared aioli 2 large Gherkins (chopped) 1tbs Capers (chopped) Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon 2tbs fresh dill (chopped) 2tbs continental Parsley (chopped) Method 1) Pre heat oven to 180 degrees. 2) Cut vegetables into chip shapes and sizes and combine with some paprika. Bake in oven until roasted and delicious. 3) Combine almond meal, nuts and seeds and mix well, sprinkle heavily on top of cod and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked. 4) Add chopped gherkins, capers, dill, lemon juice and zest and parsley to prepared aioli and mix well. 5) Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of sea salt. BLUEBERRY BAKED PANCAKES AND HONEY RICOTTA Ingredients (pancake mix) 4 eggs 1 cup almond meal Half cup gluten free flour 100g protein powder Lemon zest of 2 lemons 1.5 cups natural yoghurt Quarter cup white sugar 1tsp bi carb soda 1 cup blueberries Ingredients (ricotta and honey mix) Ricotta cheese Honey Method 1) Lightly beat eggs with sugar till combined well. 2) Add almond meal, gluten free flour, protein powder and bi carb soda and mix well. 3) Add yoghurt, blueberries and lemon zest, combine all ingredients and cook in medium hot non stick fry pan till risen and golden. Combine ricotta and honey, spoon over cooked pancakes with additional berries and honey. Want someone else to cook these for you? Youfoodz will bring them right to your door. To view the full menu, head to youfoodz.com.
Young Henrys is the household name of Sydney craft breweries, an impressive feat for the staunchly independent brew house that has been operating for over a decade. These guys went from being one of Sydney's first in craft to a nationally celebrated company — and they've somehow managed this feat without selling out. The YH brews aren't only well-represented across Sydney's craft brew pubs but are a regular facet of the beer scene across the country — including heaps of unassuming pubs that otherwise only have the likes of Tooheys and Carlton on draught. From launching their very own festival to their endless artistic collaborations to sponsoring events like NourishTalks, Young Henrys just seems to be everywhere these days. The story has worked out well for the Newtowners, who almost set up shop in Surry Hills. Luckily, the space in Newtown saved Young Henrys from the lockout laws and put them smack dab in the middle of an incredibly creative community. Part brewery, part gallery space, the tasting bar is a super laidback (but always busy) hangout where music blares and beer's a-flowing. Young Henrys' collaboration game also remains strong — think chef-inspired beers, restaurant collaborations, promoting band tours and community contests and events. A lot has changed over the years — from going solar-powered to successfully trying its hand at distilling. Young Henrys has now expanded to ten brewers and is launching a dedicated brewer's tank that will allow the team to try out their own recipes. The Newtonian masterminds haven't just limited themselves to beer — their cider and spirits game is strong as well, with their Noble Cut Gin awarded the Gold Medal from the World Spirit Awards. Now both brewery and distillery, YH plans to continue to develop in the spirits direction. Young Henrys has been a driving force across the craft beer scene and opened the gates for many of the newer guys. It may be local craft, but YH is a big player in the Australian beer industry as a whole and we can't wait to see what's next. Images: Marissa Ciampi. Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
Get off the mainland and pay a trip to Tasmania, whose brand new music festival is just around the corner. Held on the remnants of a pink crystal beach two hours west of Hobart, the inaugural Rose Quartz Music & Arts Festival is being sold as a "sensory escape to the wilderness", and is due to go down during the first weekend in April. You'd best get in quick though, since there are just 500 tickets available – and if their newly released lineup is anything to go by, they might not last very long. Music acts tapped for the festival include Andras, Roland Tings, Wax'o Paradiso, Bronze Savage, Michael Ozone and Jennifer Loveless. There'll be food available from a selection of Tasmanian food vendors. Ditto booze from local brewers, served in recyclable cups in order to cut down on waste. Rose Quartz will be held at the picturesque Lake Pedders, whose crystalline shores were submerged in the 1970s by the damming of the Serpentine and Huon Rivers. 200 festival-goers will be housed at Lake Pedder Wilderness lodge, while the remaining 300 will have to make do with camping. The latter option is currently available at $200 a head. There are limited car spots on site, but the festival will be running a shuttle bus service between Hobart and Lake Pedders. Rose Quartz Music & Arts Festival runs from April 1-2. For more information and to secure tickets visit www.rosequartzfestival.com.au. Via AWOL.
Brasserie 1930, a lavish European-influenced brasserie swung open its doors in Sydney's CBD in early 2023, calling the luxury hotel Capella Sydney home. The acclaimed hospitality crew behind Bentley Restaurant and Bar, Monopole, Yellow and Cirrus have brought an elegant dining room, next-level eats and a meticulously curated wine program to the expansive inner-city hotel. Named after the year the Young Street section of the building was completed, Brasserie 1930 takes the idea of an elevated French diner and injects it with local Australian produce and Sydney-favourite dishes. Kick off your meal with Sydney rock or Tasmanian pacific oysters as well as prawns paired with fermented chilli mayonnaise. Highlights from the starters section of the menu include a seasonal veg tart, bluefin tuna with buttermilk and horseradish and spanner crab alla chitarra with sea urchin sauce. Then there's the mains. This portion of the offerings is full of no-holds-barred luxury. The seafood selections, for example, include raw snapper with blackberry, almond and oxalis, woodfired rainbow trout with trout roe and pepperberry, and crumbed swordfish with pistachio, brown butter and black olives. There are three steaks on offer, if that's what you're craving. Take your pick from the Black Opal rump cap, O'Connor's bone-in sirloin or Coppertree Farms 600-gram rib eye. And rounding out the mains is the whole-roasted duck, which you can order for the table. This shared dish comes accompanied by duck-neck sausage, baby beetroot, fennel and spinach. Bentley Restaurant Group's co-owner and sommelier, Nick Hildebrandt, has pulled together a massive wine list to complement the elegant menu. Hundreds of producers from across Australia and Europe are on show, with the by-the-glass menu set to evolve and change over time, spotlighting picks from the hospitality group's wine vault. All of this is housed within an equally grand dining space. Original architectural features of the nearly century-old building have been restored, then complemented with sleek modern furnishings and light fixtures. Brasserie 1930 joins the McRae Bar in the 192-room, eight-storey Capella Sydney hotel. The luxury accommodation is Australia's first Capella, offering guests an elevated inner-city stay featuring swimming and vitality pools, a fitness centre and a spa alongside the impressive dining options. Images: Kris Paulsen Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steaks in Sydney
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and put on that festival you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of ten bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. As Katharine Butler Hathaway once said, "If you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, your life will be safe, expedient and thin," and never have her words rang truer. In our safe modern world, full of concrete, cushy comfort, our deeper instincts are all too often quashed. The only antidote to a safe, expedient and thin world is to seek out risk. For Brett Louis, co-founder and curator of Melbourne's ambitious festival Sugar Mountain, a 'Sine Metu' way of life is the only way. Thanks to Brett's meticulous curation and the team's unique penchant for collaboration over the years, Sugar Mountain has broken new ground with its blend of music, art and food — redefining what a festival can be (without fearing it won't work). RETHINK WHAT A FESTIVAL 'SHOULD' BE A change has been a-brewin' in Australia's festival scene for years. The exorbitant prices, cookie-cutter lineups and disappointing food so characteristic of the bigger festivals has worn thin and a counter-culture of boutique festivals has emerged. Enter Sugar Mountain, the brainchild of Brett and his equally groundbreaking team Tig Huggins, Pete Keen and Nicci Reid. It debuted in 2011, a small festival with a niche lineup of hungry musicians and artists. In the years since, SM has grown into an annual mainstay for foodies, visual art and music lovers across the country. Growing a festival from the ground up is no easy feat and harder still is maintaining momentum. The culmination of 18 months of planning comes together in one make-or-break day, and punters walk into the Victorian College of the Arts site brimming with expectation. Brett says the aim of the festival is to feed off this, to anticipate assumptions and shatter them on purpose. Instead of pandering to the common denominator, the Sugar Mountain music and art lineup pushes audiences out of their comfort zone and promises something different — something Brett and his hardworking collaborators value first and foremost. "We never want to be pigeonholed," says Brett. "Each year, we look for ways to expand creatively, it's about creating a cultural event. People go because they want to have a great day, be challenged a little bit and enjoy something that only happens once a year and really can't be recreated." At Sugar Mountain, it's best to leave all your preconceived notions of what a festival should be at the gate. OBLITERATE YOUR COMFORT ZONE (AND YOUR PUNTERS') Sugar Mountain is a place for creativity to be absorbed and celebrated; this is the antithesis to a safe, expedient and thin life. The ethos behind curating a festival that pushes boundaries is for people to have complete faith in Brett and his hardworking team, and understand that although the festival might differ from year to year, the quality will never falter. "We only book it if we love it and believe in it. Booking buzzy bands creates an expectation that every year you have to put on a buzz lineup," he says. Sugar Mountain has never been about validating people's taste, but about discovering new things and new favourites. Getting comfortable is a trap for musicians and artists too and Brett believes that the lineup should work as for itself as well as the audience. Blending a lineup of interconnected acts works because they respect and push each other; when the musicians know each other, like each other, work well together and vibe off each other's sets it changes from being a lineup of separate acts and becomes about the bigger picture. "When we put the lineup together, it's always a gamble because pretty much everything's put on the table," says Brett. "There's a team of us who are continually putting together booking options and our tastes and formative influences are incredibly broad." However for Brett, the food and drink offerings are the highest priority because, as a coeliac, he's had more than his fair share of terrible festival food, but also because sharing good food and drink is such an important social ritual that can elevate a festival from good to God-tier. In 2016, Sugar Mountain premiered Sensory, an immersive dining experience collaboratively crafted by experimental foodies Bomba, themed by visual artists Tin and Ed and soundtracked by Cut Copy. A risky venture (who's ever chanced a four-course sit-down tapas meal at a festival before?) but it paid off and brokered the completely novel idea that, if it's your bag, you can go to a music festival for the food alone. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO WHAT'S ALREADY OUT THERE When punters walk through the gates into Sugar Mountain, they see a slick, well-oiled machine. It's success incarnate; a well-planned, thoughtful and smooth event that flows seamlessly with no hiccups or clashes. What they don't see is the struggle. "People walking in aren't aware of what you faced only days earlier, problems that come about through so many different things, the weather, logistical problems, artist related issues… but when you do get put in the shit, the most rewarding feeling is when you get the outcome that you intended," says Brett. The idea that success is the absence of hardship is, as Brett points out, ridiculous but common. Often the assumption is that if something is meant to be, it's meant to be easy and people conflate a smooth ride with success. "The five or six days leading up to show day… that's my favourite time of the year," Brett explains "Everyone's constantly knee-deep all week and you're forced to make decisions and problem solve as you go." Planning, rather than hoping for a cosmic alignment, is the key to overcoming the hurdles. Brett believes level-headed decision making and quick reaction times are all you need to turn a crisis into an opportunity (a crisitunity). "Just do it. Dive into it. There's no harm in starting small, just make sure you do everything in your own way because you want to make sure you're doing something different to what's out there. If you believe in it and you really want it the only thing that can stop you is your self-doubt." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website.
Fancy spending some time in Latin America? Don't we all. It's not quite the same as a holiday but, thanks to the brand new Cine Latino Film Festival, getting immersed in the sights, sounds and stories of everywhere from Mexico to Puerto Rico is as easy as heading to the movies. Throughout August, the latest addition to Palace Cinemas' ever-growing festival calendar brings the best films from the region to Australian screens, celebrating not just excellence but variety. Come for cinematic poetry from master filmmakers and stay for Peruvian horror efforts — they're just a few of our five must-see pics of the festival. Plus, if you scroll down to the bottom, you can go in the draw to win a double pass to see one of them. NERUDA Curbing one's excitement for Pablo Larraín's latest feature is close to impossible. The Chilean filmmaker hasn't even reached the age of 40 yet, and he already has a number of features under his belt that any writer/director would be envious of. After wowing the Aussie festival circuit with his first collaboration with Gael Garcia Bernal in 2012's political drama No, Larraín tasks the charismatic actor with once again exploring the difficulties of restrictive societies — this time through an examination of the life the poet that gives the movie its name. That Neruda has been called gripping won't surprise anyone, in yet another stellar work from a director on the rise. ENDLESS POETRY When it comes to Endless Poetry, knowing that it is directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky should be more than enough motivation to send you rushing towards your nearest Palace Cinema. After breaking a 23-year directing drought with 2013's The Dance of Reality, the 87-year-old filmmaker behind such brazen, mind-bending cult classics as El Topo and The Holy Mountain offers up another cinematic memoir. In the second of a planned five-feature series, he moves from his youth to the formative experiences of his 20s, chronicling his efforts to become a poet against the wishes of his family. THE WOMB If sitting in a darkened room, staring at a big screen and getting scared is your idea of a good time at the movies, then The Womb should be your type of film. If the fact that it is being billed as Peru's first bona fide horror flick doesn't get your pulse racing, then perhaps its unsettling tale of several layers of motherhood struggles will. Sure, you've probably seen plenty of frightening fare about being a parent lately, but there's a reason filmmakers keep returning to this tried and tested topic. HOW TO WIN ENEMIES You can never have too many offbeat comedies, right? Finding amusement in the quirks of everyday life is always going to strike a chord, with How to Win Enemies the latest Argentinian effort to give it a shot. Focusing on a young lawyer with a fondness for detective stories, it's a love story, a family drama and a mystery all in one. Yes, the sleuthing angle has seen Gabriel Lichtmann's film compared to TV's Bored to Death — so if you're a fan of that show, it can only be a good thing. I PROMISE YOU EVERYTHING Combine a skater film, a crime drama and a queer love story all into one, and the result is I Promise You Everything. Weaving through the streets of modern-day Mexico City, the feature tells the tale of Miguel and Johnny, their stumbling upon a get-rich-quick scheme supplying blood to drug traffickers, and the tumultuous results. If it sounds a little like the early work of Oscar-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu, that's not a bad thing. One review has even mentioned the film in the same breath as The Godfather — and while they're awfully big shoes to fill, discovering how it tries to achieve that feat should be intriguing at the very least. The Cine Latino Film Festival screens at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Verona from August 9 to 24, Brisbane's Palace Centro and Barracks from August 11 to 24, and Melbourne's Palace Como and Westgarth from August 17 to 31. For more information, visit the festival website. [competition]583085[/competition]
For 19 years, Sydney Design Festival has been putting you face-to-face with the latest developments in architecture, fashion, technology, food and art. Gear up for yet another nine mind-blowing days, coming up on September 2. This time around, you'll be seeing the Goods Line in a whole new light, discovering the latest innovations from Indigenous designers, hearing from creatives about the fine line between success and failure, exploring artists' responses to the impact of digital manufacturing and cutting up bamboo bicycles. And that's just the beginning. Get amongst it.
When the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards descended on Australia earlier in the year, we were lucky enough to not only have the world's best chefs on our shores, but also the world's best sommeliers. Over April, Wine Australia took 50 talented wine professionals on a tour of our best wine bars, restaurants and wine regions — starting in Sydney before moving on to Melbourne and visiting bars including Embla and Bar Liberty, then stopping to experience wine regions in Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra, South Australia and Western Australia. For one of their first stops at Newtown's Continental Deli, established wine writer Mike Bennie took the sommeliers on a wine-tasting journey. We couldn't lose an opportunity to get all patriotic, so we asked them for their thoughts on Australian wine. A pattern appeared in their answers: Australia, once known only to produce bulk, heavy wine varieties like Chardonnay and Shiraz, is going through a renaissance of sorts. A new generation of winemakers are jumping in and producing unique vintages with a true expression of the Australian terroir. All that small-batch, natural wine you've been hearing about is finally garnering the interest it deserves from international sorts. Sitting at the table was Alessandro Perricone of Copenhagen's relaxed, fine dining establishment Relae, Heidi Nam Knudsen, a wine buyer who works closely with Yotam Ottolenghi in the UK, Fahara Zamorano, head sommelier at Curtis Stone's restaurant Gwen in Los Angeles, Ambrose Chiang, of Australia's own Momofuku Seiobo, and Hiroshi Ishida, a multi award-winning sommelier from L'aube (an established restaurant in Tokyo with little online presence). Over the morning, each of them tasted around ten different Australian wines — they remained controlled and professional at all times, but make no mistake, they were drunk. [caption id="attachment_619886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fahara Zamorano.[/caption] What did you know about the Australian wine industry before coming to Australia? Alessandro Perricone: I knew little. While working in Italy at the beginning of my career, I came across some famous Australian brands which, in my opinion, speak more for themselves rather than talking about a territory. Now in Copenhagen, some of the new-generation winemakers are getting more and more popular, but my knowledge was quite confused before I arrived. Hiroshi Ishida: I know quite a lot about Australian wine as I've visited before. Australian wine is really diverse, it honestly offers the A-to-Z. I am more familiar with established regions such as the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, Barossa, Clare Valley and Margaret River. These are all sophisticated and sustainable wine growing regions, with well-known large wineries that we are familiar with in Japan. Fahara Zamorano: My knowledge about the Australian wine industry was limited to the wines I had been shown in the US. I do have the privilege to taste some beautiful Aussie wines in California, but the selection is quite limited in comparison to everything that's happening in Australia right now. Heidi Nam Knudsen: To be honest I didn't know a lot. I stopped paying attention a few years back because I felt that all the wines I tried were too big and heavy. It was all about Shiraz and Chardonnay, but without much terroir-driven personality. Only recently did I start taking notice again, when I tried the wines from a new generation of winemakers in the Adelaide Hills. [caption id="attachment_619884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hiroshi Ishida.[/caption] How has your perception of Australian wine changed? Ambrose Chiang: This program has shown me how physically big Australia is — Portugal to Poland is almost as far as Perth to Sydney. Imagine the different micro and macro-climates! The Australian wine industry has seen tremendous growth in the past decade. From internationally recognised as a single wine region for big, bold, alcoholic Shiraz and cloying, toasted Chardonnay, to establishing a country with a diverse range of terroirs which produce wines not only reflective of place, but good farming, skilled winemaking and dedication toward quality wines. FZ: My perception changed immensely, I was extremely surprised in the best possible way to find a renaissance happening in Australian wine right now. The energy is contagious, the collaboration between winemakers within regions is inspiring, and the unification of the country to elevate the world's perception of Australian wine is just a wonderful thing to witness. AP: Yes! I certainly went deeper regarding some territories. I see a change in style with the last vintages and in general a much better approach to winemaking with less intervention. Different to what my thoughts of Australian wines were. Many of the wines in Australia have a hard time talking about a terroir, as the approach to agriculture and viticulture is wrong, but this new wave of producers makes me hope for a better future. HI: On this trip to Australia I felt dynamism. There is much more diversity in the styles that winemakers are crafting, from conventional to funky. It's obvious there is some great talent within the new generation. There are new, emerging regions and I saw a lot of potential. [caption id="attachment_619905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessandro Perricone.[/caption] Describe Australian wine in one sentence. AP: Australian wine is a total lack of rules and pure freedom. It can easily turn into something marvellous, or just as easily, into a mess! FZ: Renaissance. HNK: There's more history to Australian wine than one might think, and judging from what I've seen on this trip there's a big, bright future ahead of it. I guess the biggest difference is that Australia is such a large country and almost every climate and soil type can be found. That means Australia can produce all of the major wine types from red, white, fortified to sparkling wines. AC: I believe that it's almost impossible to describe Australian wine in one sentence. Our freedom of viticulture and vilification and the dedication of so many producers, along with the multiplicity of terroirs, drives us to be one of the most diverse and innovative wine industries in the world. [caption id="attachment_619888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heidi Nam Knudsen.[/caption] What were you looking forward to seeing the most, and did it live up to your expectations? HI: I wanted to see the potential in new regions and explore the Victorian High Country and Tasmania. Absolutely, this trip lived up to more than I expected. All the sparkling wine from Tasmania was fantastic. We tried sparkling wines from House of Arras, Josef Chromy, Pipers Brook. FZ: I was very excited to visit Tasmania because not much of their wine makes it out of Australia (thanks Melbourne and Sydney). The little exposure I had prior to this trip left me wanting more. Tasmania lived up to and surpassed my expectations. For such a young wine growing region, there's some serious talent that's 'put all their eggs in that one basket' as we say in America. That alone is an indication of the potential of the region. Now they just need to make more juice so we can get some too! HNK: I was really excited about visiting Adelaide Hills and visit some of the vineyards there. On my last day I went to Manon Farm up in Forest Range. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Spending time with Tim and Monique on their beautiful farm was very special indeed and their approach to farming really inspired me. [caption id="attachment_619907" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ambrose Chiang.[/caption] What was the most notable wine you've tasted, or thing you've seen on the tour? FZ: The wine that left me speechless was Henschke Hill of Grace. There's a lot of high end/expensive wines out there and I've been fortunate enough to taste many, but not many have the soul that wine has. Every vintage I tasted, from 1986 to current vintage was absolutely stunning. That kind of depth is only developed with the wisdom of time and those vines have attained it and pass it along in their fruit. It's hard to describe in technical notes. Like I said, it left me speechless. AC: Out of the 1000-plus wines tasted, the most notable wines were 2014 Si Vintners Halcyon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Yarra Yerring Chardonnay and 1996 Henschke 'Hill of Grace' Shiraz. They were wines that displayed incredible flavour. One of the best trips in the program was visiting Western Australia. The sunset at the White Elephant Cafe was out of this world. What are you taking back home? AP: The passion of the people, organisers and winemakers who worked so hard and beautifully showed me their jobs, their produce and their land. I'm taking home Australia, as it deeply touched my heart. I will start importing some of the young and small producers I met during my trip. I look forward to coming back to Australia. FZ: Love. HI: I'll be taking a huge amount home. I use Australian wine very often in wine pairings in my restaurant, and I'd really like to showcase more Australian wine so Japanese diners can recognise its diversity. HNK: The energy and excitement of the new generation of winemakers in the Adelaide Hills and Basket Range and the outstanding quality of food on display everywhere we went. Celebrate Australian wine by attending Aussie Wine Month over May — there are events and tasting opportunities happening across the country. Images: Kimberley Low.
Obelisk Beach has great views and not just because it's one of the only legal nude beaches in Sydney. While the walk down to this Mosman beach is not for the faint of heart — you'll have to scramble down a rocky track and down a long set of stairs — it's more than worth it for the stunning views over Sydney Harbour. Despite its cult status, Obelisk is usually rather tranquil, so it's a great spot to head for a quiet little skinny dip.
"Joey, there's no living with...with a killing" explains Alan Ladd's character in the 1953 cowboy epic Shane. "There's no going back from it. Right or wrong, it's a brand, a brand that sticks. There's no going back. Now you run on home to your mother and tell her...tell her everything's alright, and there aren't any more guns in the valley". Twice in Logan we hear this same passage, and it sets the theme for the entire film. Hugh Jackman's Logan, aka Wolverine, is one of modern cinema's greatest tortured souls: a near-invincible soldier of fortune forever seeking memories of better days lost to amnesia, whilst drinking to forget the ones even amnesia refuses to ensnare. Time has been no friend to the man unburdened by it, with lovers long since dead and buried, friends gone the same way, and no new mutants, we learn, born for the past twenty five years. Even his own body is at last breaking down, like an old turbine with grinding parts and blunt, malfunctioning blades. The immortal man is somehow dying, and he can't welcome it quickly enough. If it's not already obvious, Logan represents something of a seismic shift for the X-Men franchise – a billion dollar film series that has, until now, consisted largely of family-friendly crowd-pleasers. Ultra-violent and with Scorsese level foul language, Logan at long last unleashes the true, brutal fury of the eponymous beast whose gruesome deeds have, for the past seventeen years, only ever been teased out or implied. Limbs are severed and skulls are skewered with bloody repetition, yet neither the frequency nor the intensity of the violence ever feels gratuitous. This is a dark, gritty and yet soulful production that finally honours the character behind so much of the X-Men saga's enduring popularity. In the lead roll, Jackman imbues Logan with all the rage, self-loathing and pain befitting a man who's literally seen it all. With greying hair and a weathered face hidden beneath a wild, bushy beard, the actor limps and heaves his way through every scene with palpable discomfort. Alongside him, Patrick Stewart returns as the wheelchair-bound Professor Charles Xavier, now a prisoner to his own failing (yet terrifyingly powerful) mind, the implications of which are brilliantly woven into the script. Stephen Merchant, too, joins the franchise in a wonderfully soulful turn, whilst the film's villains are this time embodied by Narcos' Boyd Holbrook and the ever-reliable Richard E Grant. Then, finally, there's newcomer Dafne Keen as a young mutant named Laura, and if you've seen the film's trailer you'll likely have already guessed her connection to both this story and its key characters. In the interest of preserving what surprises we can, the less said about Keen the better, except to note that her performance is outstanding and her scenes with Jackman ground the film in a deeply personal way. This is a bold offering from director James Mangold and an extraordinary conclusion to an otherwise ho-hum trilogy of Wolverine-centric spinoffs (see also: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine). In an age of unending sequels and computer-generated chaos, Logan is a timely reminder that for all of their spectacle, the best superhero films can begin and end with human-driven stories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH3OxVFvTeg
Turning a novel into a play is no easy feat — the laws of written fiction can be very different to those of onstage drama. But Andrew Bovell's adaptation of Kate Grenville's hit novel, The Secret River, was so popular when it debuted in 2013 that it's back for an encore. Not only did the production sell out, it won a slew of awards, including six Helpmanns — Best Play, Best Direction and Best New Australian Work among them. With Neil Armfield in the director's chair, the play tells the story of two families and one landscape. The first is that of William Thornhill. A convict from the dark, crowded, desperately poor slums of London, he thinks he has found a home for himself and his family on the Hawkesbury River. And he can't believe his luck. The other family is one of the Dharug people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years and whose survival — physical and spiritual — depends on their surroundings. Unable or unwilling to relinquish his hold on the land, Thornhill makes a horrific decision, which he carries with him for the rest of his life.
For anyone who's struggled with the monotony of the black line, the North Sydney Olympic Pool provides an antidote. Keep yourself motivated by rewarding yourself at the end of each lap — you couldn't get a better perspective on the mighty Harbour Bridge. What's more, Luna Park is just next door, so, you can wrap up your session with a ferris wheel ride. Go hard enough at your training and you might add to the 86 records set at the pool since it opened in 1936. Along with the pool, there's a gym, sauna and spa.
Clear your culinary calendar, Merivale’s epic food and wine festival March into Merivale is back for the eighth year in a row. From February 14, for five glorious weeks, you’ll be treated to pop-up feasts, international DJs, festivals-within-the-festival, dining specials, masterclasses and mystery banquets. Altogether, it’s more deliciousness and fun than we can handle — but we'll try. The extravaganza kicks off on Wednesday, February 10 with a huge launch party invading every nook and cranny of the Ivy – and spilling over into nearby laneways. Sample nearly all of Merivale’s creations in one spot, with pop-ups from Mr. Wong, The Paddington, Coogee Pavilion, est. and Papi Chulo, alongside Enmore’s soon-to-open Queen Victoria Enmore, The Newport and Fred's. In between grazing, keep your eyes peeled for live acts and roaming performers. An easy 45 bucks buys you eight food and drink tokens, which you can top up to your heart’s content all night long. When the festival starts proper on Sunday, February 14, each night of the week will be devoted to a different activity. On Fridays, the UK’s fabulous homage to pop, Guilty Pleasures, will take over Palings Kitchen and Bar with DJs, cabaret and Chandon’s Unplanned Band. Tix are $20 a pop. Meanwhile, every Saturday, Pacha will be presenting Absolut Nights, stacked with international DJs, including Trance Nation feat. EXIS (February 20), Thomas Jack (February 27), Yolanda Be Cool and Nicky Night Time (March 5), DJ Fresh (March 11) and Robin Schulz (March 26). Sundays are all about festivals. If you find yourself strapped for cash on March 6, the Coogee Rooftop will have you covered with live music and a free DJ set from Yahtzel. 20 bucks to spare? Head to the Ivy Pool Club, where L D R U will be manning the decks. Two weeks later, on March 20, it’ll be more of a family affair, when the Coogee Foreshore Festival hits the Coogee Pavilion with live music, roaming performers, games and food from Coogee Pavilion, Papi Chulo, El Loco, sushi e and Mr. Wong. Swap $25 for three food and drink tokens or $45 for six. Meanwhile, to get you through hump day, Wednesdays will be giving Merivale’s venues permission to ‘show-off’. The stand-out on this part of the program is The Establishment’s epic festival-within-the-festival, happening on March 9. All sixteen rooms of the luxurious hotel will be taken over with cocktails, theatre and tasty, tasty morsels ($75). The Wednesday before will see a return of The Establishment’s popular ‘Wok On’, combining Asian food, cocktails and hip hop beats ($45). Before that, on February 17, Palings will hold an epic ‘burger-off’ – you get to sample the work of six finalists and vote ($45); on February 24, Ash St. Cellar will transform its laneway into an outdoor European-style market, featuring stalls from from Felix, Ash St, Bistrode CBD, Lorraine’s Patisserie, The Paddington, Uccello and Palings ($45); and on March 16, Hemmesphere will be opening more than 20 top-shelf champagnes for you to work your way through ($85). For a quiet meal with a friend, look to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays are dedicated to ‘Friends with Benefits’. Take a mate to Ash St. Cellar, Ms. G’s or Papi Chulo, and score a two-course meal, and a drink of your choice, as well as some unexpected happenings, for $45 a head. A bit more cash to splash? Do the same at Felix, Uccello, Bistrode CBD, The Paddington and sushi e for $55 or at est. for $75. Things get fancier on Thursdays with ‘Chef Signature’. If you’re willing and able to hand over anywhere between $150 and $300, you’ll be amply rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime banquet, be it a sneaker exhibition and curated Asian feast at Ms. G’s on 18 February or a five-course dinner, hosted by seven hatted chefs, in est.’s extraordinary dining room on 10 March. To get an education, check out Mondays, when ‘Show and Tell’ master classes will happen every week. Wondering why your Instagram posts aren’t going viral? Let social media stars DJ Dumpling, Dan Hong and Patrick Friesen show you how it’s done on 29 February for $45. Want to know why Merivale’s venues all look so damn good? Spend a night with the company’s designers on 7 March. On 15 February and 14 March, dessert chef Lorraine Godsmark will be talking – and eating – chocolate ($75), while on February 2, Villa Maria’s Josh Hammond and Merivale’s Franck Moreau will be cracking open a bunch of limited edition reserves for your sampling pleasure ($45). If, at any time during the festival, you’re feeling the need for an adventure, book yourself a Mystery Feast. For 75 bucks, score three courses with matching wines, or, for $35, one course with one glass of wine. You could end up at any of Merivale’s restaurants – from Ms. G’s to est. Can’t make up your mind? Grab a $150 Chandon Unplanned Pass, which seals you a Mystery Feast plus your choice of any two events. Head to the March Into Merivale website for more info and to lock down tickets (they go fast).
Design Twins, the pair whose unique concrete homewares went from a startup to an everybody-must-have sensation within months, have teamed up with St Peters's Precinct 75 to run a monthly market. From 9am every second Saturday since November 2015, lovers of all things creative have been heading there to get their fix. There are no rules or boundaries. The market is, quite simply, about celebrating the things that people like to make, grow and gather. So, you can expect as much diversity as there are stallholders. Sample fresh, delicious food grown and cooked with a focus on seasonal produce. Explore unique art works, fashion and accessories designed and made by locals. Rummage through diverse collections of second-hand books. Try on vintage pieces you're unlikely to find anywhere else. Have wares to peddle? Get in touch with rachel@designtwins.com to book a stall.
Playwright Kate Mulvany has adapted Craig Silvey's 2009 Indie Book of the Year, Jasper Jones, for the stage — and scored a 2015 Nick Enright Prize nomination in the process. It's Western Australia in the 1960s. Charlie Bucktin is a clever 14-year-old whose ambition is writing The Great Australian Novel. But he's faced with a moral dilemma when Jasper Jones, an indigenous boy who serves as the town's scapegoat, turns up at the window asking for help. Jasper has unwittingly come across a crime scene. But he's too scared to tell anyone, because he knows he'll cop the blame, without question or fair trial. So he asks Charlie for help in solving the mystery. In the suspenseful story that develops, Jasper Jones explores race relations, the Vietnam War and small-town Australian culture, alongside teenage friendships, word play and the complexities of growing up. Mulvany deftly adapts Silvey's words for the stage, keeping the right balance of tension and humour. At Belvoir, her script is directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, with Guy Simon playing Jasper Jones and Tom Conroy in the role of Charles Bucktin.
Christmas shopping needn't be a chore. It's your chance to think about a person you care about, think about what element you and only you bring to their lives, mix it all up, and then pop a bow on that beautiful creation. Or, at the very least, make sure it's a good scented candle. Need some inspiration to start you off? Here's a leg up from the Concrete Playground team. It's only the products we've been eyeing off all year. These are the gifts we'd want under our tree, and to leave under others'. For the style savants A maximally minimal watch from The Horse No one does a wrist-dwarfing yet understated watch quite like The Horse. Japanese quartz movement meets gently grainy Italian leather at their Sydney studio, resulting in 12 highly Instagrammable timepieces. $129 from www.thehorse.com.au. Karen Walker's bold gold sunnies To mark ten unconventional years in the eyewear game, NZ designer Karen Walker has released the 'Celebrate' collection, entirely done in gold. This is for loved ones comfortable taking risks on their faces. NZ$399 at www.karenwalkereyewear.com. A reworked vintage Eames chair It's the kind of chair you get and then keep for life, and few do them better than Cast + Crew, who keep the classic shell and upholstery and add new custom legs in neon colours. From $395 at castandcrew.bigcartel.com/products (only some products ship to Australia). This completely perfect water bottle Ignore the gushy high-fashion crap all over the BKR website; these are just the best water bottles, period. They feel good to hold, they feel good to drink from, they're dishwashable and (since they're made of glass with a silicon sleeve) BPA free. US$30 at www.mybkr.com. The Lucy Folk 'Aphrodisiac' necklace It's a pearl. In its natural home. Much harmony, so wow. $750-$850 at lucyfolk.com/shop/. A custom wood keyboard by Oree For the design nerd who has it all: wooden tech. This portable wireless keyboard is made from single piece of wood (maple, walnut or wild cherry), and is customisable down to the key font. £150 from oreeartisans.com. For the food fiends The tiny woodfired pizza oven Yes, this is a legitimate option available to you. Tiny oven, full-size woodfired pizza. Just imagine the camping trip. The Uuni 2 oven is $399 from au.uuni.net. The Thug Kitchen cookbook If only all health food advocates were this sweary. We might be well detoxed by now. The Thug Kitchen cookbook is the perfect gift for friends, lovers, relatives, anyone in the MA15+ bracket. $23.95 at booktopia.com.au. Eau de Vie's small batch cocktails The only acceptable premix to put under someone's tree, from the cocktail masters at Sydney and Melbourne's Eau de Vie. $15 each from www.experimentalspiritsco.com.au. Cornersmith Hamper Hampers can be old hat, but not when they're full of goodies from Sydney's home of pickling, baking and cheese making. If you get the Workshop Wonder hamper, which comes with a class voucher, your giftee can learn to make the whole lot themselves. $40-195 at www.cornersmith.com.au. For the culture munchers The beautiful hardcover Wes Anderson Collection Film critic Matt Zoller Seitz dissects Anderson's aesthetic and idiosyncratic characters over 335 whimsical pages. If you think your giftee already has this one, there are 54 pages of lovingly made Wes Anderson tchotchkes on Etsy. $38.25 at www.booktopia.com.au. A dancing baby Groot Marvel is finally officially licensing these babies — the possible best thing from their possible best movie, Guardians of the Galaxy. The dancing baby Groot boogies in its pot while Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back' plays from the speaker. Stockists are as yet unknown, but Mashable says they'll be on shelves by Christmas. Tickets to one wild outdoor concert The new bookers at Taronga and Melbourne Zoos are magicians; they've got the likes of Bright Eyes' soul-searching dreamboat Conor Oberst, twee monarchs Belle and Sebastian and the one and only Rufus Wainwright playing their summer Twilight series. Tickets from $69 at twilightattaronga.org.au and www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/twilights. This portable speaker that looks like a big iPhone Portable speakers are almost as ubiquitous as soy candles this time of year, but the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A2 speaker stands out for its omnidirectional sound, 24-hour battery life and crazy-good looks. For the fidelity geek $479 at www.beoplay.com. Sydney Festival tickets If your giftee is in Sydney, give them the gift of a dazzlingly cultured January. We've rounded up some of our favourite and most giftable shows over here. From $29 at www.sydneyfestival.org.au. For the sun junkies This meta picnic blanket The seagulls are dive-bombing for your chips forever on this genius 'Mine Mine' picnic blanket. Trust Gorman. $99 at www.gormanshop.com.au A very clever beach bag Beach bags full of stray sand are just a summer reality, right? Wrong. The Shake Tote has a little flap that opens out to ditch those little grains, easy. US$29.99 from www.quirky.com. This semi-sensible rash vest Safety up top, party down the bottom with this cute rashie from new swimwear brand Neon Cactus. Octopus print and maroon are a sincerely underrated combo. $145 from www.neoncactus.com.au. These thongs with built-in bottle opener Look, this isn't the handsomest shoe, even among that dubious category know as 'mandals'. But that moment when your giftee takes off their thong and uses it to open a beer? That will make it all worth it. $69.99 at www.reef.com/au The Phantom 2 camera drone Twenty years ago, a camcorder was a cool thing to take on holiday. Now it's this: a rugged little quadcopter designed for videography whose flight path you can precisely program from your iPad. US$959 at store.dji.com For the stocking Underwater Puppies: The Book Is your giftee the Grinch? Because only the Grinch would fail to enjoy 128 pages of underwater puppy photos. Everyone else: loves them, loves you, loves everything forevermore. $23.95 from www.booktopia.com.au. The Sunscreen Flask Suddenly that extended family gathering is looking a lot more survivable, thanks to this innocuous-looking flask. US$16.99 at www.thisiswhyimbroke.com. The World's Largest Gummi Bear 24cm and 2kg of pure gummi, this is the perfect gift for that friend in your life (rightly) bemoaning the new reduced size of Killer Pythons. US$29.95 from giantgummybears.com. A mould to turn hard-boiled eggs into tiny skulls Who doesn't need this in their life? There's also one for giftees who prefer their eggs sunny side up. US$9.99 at www.amazon.com. Super Soakers Give someone in your life the gift of a very Leo DiCaprio summer by sticking a Nerf Super Soaker in their stocking. Hint to self: make sure you have one of your own to fire back at them. From $7.99 at www.toysrus.com.au.
Maverick music family UNDR ctrl love a vast number of things. Two of those are quality beats and Christmas, and this year, they're curating a glorious mashup to spread the cheer. The Xmas All-Dayer kicks off on the roof at the Captain Cook Hotel, and continues at Freda's, with the shindig aiming to go all night. In that spirit, UNDR ctrl are pledging all the proceeds of the event to Keep Sydney Open, our resident saviours of nightlife. The sunny portion of the party features sets from Shantan Wantan Ichiban, Set Mo and a sneaky Shannon Noll tribute from yeah sure DJs, and acts including Kato, LUEN and World Champion DJs will keep the tunes flowing until the wee small hours. Tickets are $25 online for both events, or $15 a pop at the door. Celebrate Christmas, help out our nightlife and get down like nobody's business? See you there. Image: World Champion, who'll be manning the decks at Freda's.
Was one of your New Year's Resolutions to 'see more art'? There's no time like the first month of the year to get started. Sydney's galleries are kicking off 2016 with some hard-hitters, large-scale installation shows and local collaborations. From the first major Australian exhibition of one of Ghana's most prolific artists to a huge group show teasing out Australia's complicated national identity, these five shows aren't for idly cruising through. Switch that brain on and make a note of the gallery's nearest pub for post-exhibition beery debates.
You can throw out your gym routine. On the lower north shore, keeping fit doesn't have to be a chore. If you don't want to spend a cent, there's a massive array of outdoor spaces — from national parks to beaches — where you can walk, run, cycle or paddle. With a few bucks to splash around, you can get moving in places like North Sydney's harbourside olympic pool, or Taronga Zoo's famous Tarzan course. In partnership with luxury Australian property development company Aqualand and its new Blue at Lavender Bay development, here are the top ten ways to train, tone and transform yourself on the lower north shore. [caption id="attachment_617827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NSW National Parks[/caption] BRADLEY HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY WALK If you don't mind cracking harbour views with your workout, then set off on the Bradley Head to Chowder Bay Walk. This beauty starts at Taronga Zoo and follows the shoreline for four kilometres, winding up at Chowder Bay, where you can celebrate with a dip in a harbour pool or a glass of wine at East Coast Lounge. Along the way, don't be surprised to find yourself sharing the path with Eastern water dragons. To extend your adventure carry on to the Spit Bridge, or if you're going the other way, the Harbour Bridge. NORTH SYDNEY OLYMPIC POOL For anyone who's struggled with the monotony of the black line, the North Sydney Olympic Pool provides an antidote. Keep motivated by rewarding yourself at the end of each lap — you couldn't get a better perspective on the mighty Harbour Bridge. What's more, Luna Park is just next door, so you can wrap up your session with a ferris wheel ride. Go hard enough at your training and you might add to the 86 records set at the pool since it opened in 1936. Along with the pool, there's a gym, sauna and spa. [caption id="attachment_617801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @hkogekar[/caption] CYCLE LANE COVE NATIONAL PARK With its trails, steep concreted drops and sealed sections, the Lane Cove National Park has cycling options for everyone. If you're after something mid-range, go for the Pennant Hills West Fire Trail, a three-kilometre journey through gum trees. There's plenty of easy rolling, as well as a scattering of hilly bits. To turn the ride into a loop, return along the Comenarra Parkway. Lane Cove National Park gives you 372 hectares of bush, waterways and fresh air. On top of the cycle paths, there are loads of walks and picnic areas. [caption id="attachment_617742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Just Run Lah[/caption] HARBOUR BRIDGE RUN Knock over your workout and your sightseeing in one go with this run. It's a ten-kilometre circuit that connects both sides of the Harbour via the Bridge, taking in McMahons Point, Lavender Bay, Luna Park and Observatory Hill along the way. You'll hug the coast most of the time and get cracking views of the Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. With all that beauty around you, you won't even know you're getting fit. Once a year, in September, expect to share the path with thousands of others when the Sydney Running Festival hits town. NORTH SYDNEY YOGA When the weather turns — or if you prefer to get flexible when there's a roof over your head — there's North Sydney Yoga. The focus is Ashtanga Vinyasa and the school is one of the oldest in Sydney. It's been running since 1985, with Angelika Knoerzer in charge since 1987. A bunch of classes are available, for everyone from school kids and beginners, to yoga junkies. If you've never done Ashtanga Yoga before, an excellent place to start is the Essentials Intensive course. You'll go to class twice a week and learn all the basics. North Sydney Yoga is at 144 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point — not far from the water for a post-class stroll. LANE COVE BOWLING CLUB Combine your workout with mates and a couple of beers at Lane Cove Bowling Club, founded in 1952. Barefoot bowls are a steal at ten dollars per person — including gear and tips from the club's handy onsite experts. On Sunday, the social games kick off from midday. Should you work up an appetite, pop into the bistro. PILATES INTERNATIONAL Pilates International isn't limited to the North Shore, of course, but it's an excellent choice for a workout because the standard of teaching is so high. Since opening in 2000, the organisation has pretty much stuck to teachers with at least a decade's experience. The North Shore studio is in Pymble and you can count on shiny floors, lots of light and air, splashes of greenery and top-notch gear. There are classes of all types and sizes, from one-on-ones and duet lessons to sessions dedicated to the Pilates mat and pregnancy. [caption id="attachment_617810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anton Leddin[/caption] KAYAKING BALMORAL Balmoral and surrounds offer some of the most beautiful paddling scenery you'll find on Sydney Harbour. If you're serious about building up some strength and endurance, then join Sydney Kayaks on their Group Fitness sessions. There are mixed classes, high intensity triathlon classes that include running and swimming, and sessions that combine paddling and yoga. If you prefer to take things at a slower pace, then all you have to do is hire a kayak and set off on an adventure of your own making. After conquering Balmoral, check out these sparkling spots. TARONGA ZOO ROPES COURSE Since opening in April 2016, Taronga Zoo's Wild Ropes has been inundated with would-be Tarzans. It's difficult to think of a more fun way to tone up. All in all, there are 40 obstacles, including bridges, tunnels, aerial rock walls and a hover board. While you're proving your mettle, soak up new perspectives of the water, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and expect to meet koalas, kangaroos, emus and wallabies. The obstacles are divided into four courses, so you can start off easy and work your way up to the scary, challenging stuff. It's a good idea to book ahead online. Surround yourself with everything the lower north shore has to offer at Aqualand's Blue at Lavender Bay development. The best restaurants, cafes, bars and activities are all on your doorstep.
Trade in your rollerskates for a knife and fork and your protective pads for a napkin. The old Majestic Roller Rink on New Canterbury Road in Petersham is set to be reborn as the latest hotspot for Sydney gourmets. According to Good Food, owners Warren Landsman, Carlos Ascencao and Tim and Cheryl Reen plan to transform the ground floor of the heritage-listed building into a full-blown gastronomic hub, starting with a European-style market complete with fresh fruit and veggies as well as a deli, a baker and a florist. The grocers is set to open next week, with a Mediterranean restaurant and separate wine bar tentatively slated to begin trading in July. Originally opening in the 1920s, the historic venue has undergone numerous overhauls in the past nine decades, enjoying stints as a cinema, a nightclub and a roller rink before sadly slipping into disuse. The current owners acquired the building a few years back, working with Hill Thalis to transform the upper levels to accommodate 27 one- and two-bedroom apartments while keeping the art deco exterior intact. The ground floor was also developed for potential retail opportunities at the time. The Majestic building is located at 49 New Canterbury Road, Petersham. Via Good Food. Images: Hill Thalis.
American music legend Prince has just dropped word that he'll be touring around Australia and New Zealand in February. That's right, February. As in the month we're currently in. The shock announcement was made earlier today, with the recording artist sharing the news with fans via his Twitter account. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/WiOKCZtdw8 — Prince3EG (@Prince3EG) February 5, 2016 The 57-year-old recently serenaded audiences in Minnesota with a series of intimate shows dubbed 'Piano and a Microphone', a name that has been adopted for his tour of the southern hemisphere. He was originally meant to perform in Europe in December, but cancelled those plans in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. We're yet to see any details regarding exact dates or locations – the last time Prince visited Australia was in 2012, when he played shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. This will be his first visit to New Zealand. Whatever the plan is, presumably we'll find out soon. UPDATE – The dates and locations for the tour have been revealed. Prince will play four shows at Melbourne State Theatre on February 16 and 17, two shows at the Sydney Opera House on February 20, two shows at Sydney State Theatre on February 21, and one show at Auckland's ASB Theatre on February 24. Tickets for his Australian shows go on sale at midday (AEDT) on February 9, and for his New Zealand show at midday (NZDT) on February 11. For more info, go here.
Find true love without ever lifting a finger. A brand new smart watch app is eliminating the most physically arduous part of Tinder by selecting your matches for you based on the beating of your heart. Yep, it swipes right for you. This is isn't just like putting your Tinder profile on auto-swipe (actual thing). Developed by American creative agency T3, Hands-Free Tinder works by measuring your pulse rate. According to T3, "The heart doesn't lie." The display on your smartwatch will show you a potential date’s profile picture and then gauges your physiological reaction. If your heartbeat quickens, it may well be true love/casual sex time. If it slows, it clearly wasn’t meant to be. Check out their classy, classy promotional video, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkVLJiJj7qQ We’re not buying the whole ‘always listen to your heart’ shtick, but you’ve got to give the company credit for really boiling Tinder down to its bare essentials. You literally have to press one button, and everything else is taken care of. This is especially great news for frequent and/or desperate Tinder users, many of whom have begun to experience the symptoms of repetitive strain injury as a result of too much right swiping. The hands-free functionality also has the added benefit of removing any lingering traces of guilt you might feel for snap-judging a potential match based solely on their physical appearance. After all, it’s not like you can control your heart rate. Just don’t use the app while you’re on the treadmill. Could lead to some pretty awkward, terribly-matched first dates. While the concept video makes specific mention of the Apple Watch, the agency claims the app will be available via both Google Play and the Apple App Store, although no word yet as to when. It’s also worth pointing out that the app isn’t actually affiliated with the creators of Tinder, so there may be some rebranding before it hits stores. In the meantime, we’ll be huddled around our phones, swiping like a bunch of soulmate-seeking Neanderthals. Via Mashable. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
They say daylight savings stole an hour, but it feels like it robbed us of three months because it's already October and the Night Noodle Markets are back for another year. If you haven't already marked it in your diary, the markets will run for a whopping 18 nights from Thursday, October 5. Over 40 stalls will converge on Hyde Park, bringing all manner of noodles, dumplings and other delights with them. Favourites like Mr Bao, House of Crabs and Gelato Messina will be among the diverse team of chefs, restaurateurs and entrepreneurial cooks setting up shop every weeknight from 5pm and 4pm on weekends. And just in case you're starting to get palpitations remembering the huge array of choice (and crowds) from last year, fear not. We've put together our top picks of the eats pushing conventional flavour boundaries — in addition to suggested drink pairings from Beer The Beautiful Truth — to make your Night Noodle Markets trip simply spectacular. Prepare yourself for deep-fried panko-crumbed ice cream 'katsu' sandwiches and cheesy waffle cones filled with bulgogi beef. GELATO MESSINA'S KAMIKAZE KATSU WITH HAHN SUPERDRY Just when you thought Gelato Messina couldn't possibly think up another weird and wacky flavour combo they come out with the Kamikaze Katsu. This deep-fried gelato creation is posing as a savoury sandwich, but is indeed a mish-mash of sweet flavours. Sudachi lime gelato is coated in red velvet cake and panko crumbs before being sandwiched in fluffy white bread with yuzu sauce and deep fried for a truly unique dessert. This sticky, sweet exploding mess will dribble down your chin and get stuck between your fingers so we suggest cleaning it up with a Hahn Superdry. The crisp beer will reset your tastebuds — so you're free to take a second bite/lick/slurp of your erupting Kamikaze Katsu. POKLOL'S CHICHI FRIES WITH LITTLE CREATURES PILSNER Who knew that when the original snack-pack came into the Australian food encyclopedia it would transform into such a versatile cuisine? Poklol has been a frontrunner of this trend with its Chichi fries, which will be served up at the Night Noodle Markets. The team has perfected the art of making their beer-battered fries super crunchy and are topping them with cheese, kimchi, shallots, Japanese mayo and sweet Korean BBQ sauce to fuse what seems like an uncountable number of cuisines into one beautiful bowl of goodness. Just to make sure you cover every taste category, grab a Little Creatures Pilsner. Its crisp bitterness and lightness pairs well with the explosion of flavours in the fries. LITTLE KYOTO'S PHORRITO WITH XXXX GOLD Two of the freshest summer go-to cuisines — Vietnamese and Mexican — have been combined to produce a knockout creation: the 'phorrito'. As the name suggests, classic flour tortillas are stuffed with thinly-sliced rib eye, bean sprouts, cilantro, onion, Thai basil, jalapeño, lime juice and pho noodles and served with Sriracha and hoisin. You'll be able to get your little mitts around this happy (albeit unusual) union from the team behind Little Kyoto. To make a meal out of it, we suggest you go for a XXXX GOLD. The mild hoppy taste with the subtly sweet flavour of the beer works well with the fresh basil and lime without overpowering the crisp pho flavours. PUFFLE'S BULGOGI BEEF AND PHILLY CHEESESTEAK WITH TOOHEYS NEW Before this week, if someone had asked us what a puffle was, we would have said a bird. Turns out it's a kind of waffle cone made from cheese and the guys behind it are educating the masses about their namesake's deliciousness. They'll be showcasing this indulgent savoury cone at the markets by filling the cheesy waffle with Korean marinated bulgogi beef and Philly cheesesteak, topping it with Japanese mayo and shallots. This is sure to be a messy handful of crunchy, gooey goodness, so it'd be best to opt for an easy-drinking, smooth malt lager to help wash it down. Tooheys New is the one, as its balanced body will cut through the cheesy, meaty mess of the puffle so you can lick every finger clean and even think about seconds. ONE TEA LOUNGE'S SLIDER SET WITH JAMES SQUIRE ONE FIFTY LASHES Sometimes choosing what to eat at the Night Noodle Markets is the hardest task you'll face all week — and it only gets harder when there is a toss-up between two types of mini burgers. One Tea Lounge has taken action to remedy this issue by creating a slider set. Instead of choosing between the ramen burger (with a noodle bun and beef patty) and a pillowy matcha 'boager', One Tea Lounge has combined the two in a three-slider set. And if you have an obsession with making things even, you can ask for miso tofu in the third slider — just so you have one of each. With these burgs waiting to meet your lips, don't opt for a boring beer. Go for James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale — its fruity tones and crisp finish makes this beverage a cracking refreshment to pair with your sliders. INDU'S SMOKED GOAT DOSA WITH JAMES SQUIRE ONE FIFTY LASHES We know Sydney's Asian food like the back of our hands, but on rare occasions someone will present a dish that stands out from the rest. Indu is one such restaurant and their smoked goat's leg dosa is one such dish. An increasingly popular offering at the Night Noodle Markets, the morsel involves a pancake-style dosa loaded with marinated smoked goat, zucchini ribbon raita, pomegranate, chilli and bacon jam. Smoky, sweet, tangy, smooth and crunchy with a little bit of heat, you'd be best to pair this morsel with a James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. The light fruitiness and crisp finish will balance the complexity of the dosa's rich filling. HOUSE OF CRABS' LOADED FRIES WITH JAMES SQUIRE ONE FIFTY LASHES Chippies, fries, crisps, wedges — there are many names attributed to the stalwart favourite of the cooked potato category. But when 'loaded' is the chosen adjective to describe the House of Crabs chip offering, you know you're in for a good time. The House of Crabs version is a conglomeration of crunchy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside potato fries topped with crispy bacon, gooey cheese, sweet corn and rich lobster gravy. A mouthful of adjectives never sounds so appetising. Crack open a cold James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale and let the citrus and passionfruit flavours complete your contentedness. WATERMAN'S LOBSTER CO.'S WASA-BAE WITH KIRIN MEGUMI Ahh the versatility of 'bae'. Spanning across cuisines the enigmatic 'bae' has found a home at Waterman's Lobster Co. The Wasa-Bae is a brioche roll filled with lobster, wasabi, mayo, celery, pickled ginger and black sesame. The team will be serving this up at the markets and we suggest setting it up with another bae: Kirin Megumi. This Japanese lager is made with a unique brewing method called First Press which ensures only the purest liquid is extracted from the malt and that the lager complements the Wasa-Bae in the way all good partners do. Plus, Waterman's closed its Potts Point shop in May, so it'll be a good chance to get your hands on one of their lobster rolls. POKLOL'S KOREAN BARBECUE TACOS WITH JAMES SQUIRE ONE FIFTY LASHES All good things come in threes, right? In the case of Poklol's barbecue tacos that is certainly the case. The Poklol team will be offering an almighty trio of bulgogi beef, chilli chicken and chilli pork tacos with pickled carrots, kimchi slaw, cucumbers, shallots topped with their secret Pokky sauce at this year's markets. To make things clear, bulgogi means 'fire meat' and is a style of Korean cooking in which the meat is marinated and then barbecued. Not everything has to be clear though, and that's why we suggest you pair this trio with a cloudy James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. The mild bitterness and fruity aroma works well with the smokiness of the meat. HARAJUKU GYOZA'S RAINDROP CAKE WITH HAHN SUPERDRY It took Sydney's Asian dessert scene a little while to catch up to it's savoury counterpart but, boy, is it making up for it now. The raindrop cake is a famed Japanese dessert and Harajuku Gyoza will be championing the little blob of sweet clear jelly at this year's markets. This gelatin-like cake will be served with soybean powder, black sugar syrup, and green tea cream. An interesting mix of flavours to say the least, but we suggest you add just one more: Hahn Superdry. The sticky sweetness of the dessert benefits from the crisp lightness of the easy-drinking beer. And don't worry, Hahn Superdry has a long fermentation process that breaks down natural sugars so you won't be getting a sugar high from this duo. Hungry for more? Feed all your cravings at the Sydney Night Noodle Markets with expert beer pairings presented by Beer The Beautiful Truth from October 5–22. It will be open Monday and Tuesday 5–9pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5–10pm, Friday 5–11pm, Saturday 4–10pm, and Sunday 4–9pm. Entry is free.
Dining institution Mejico has been serving Sydney-siders some of the finest Mexican cuisine and tequila for over a decade now — and has been slinging some of the greatest tacos from its Melbourne restaurant since 2020. The Mejico space in Sydney remains much the same after so many years — lofty industrial ceiling, exposed brick walls and distressed concrete beams brightened by vivacious colours and bold geometric patterns. A sizeable bar that greets you upon entry is indicative of imminent revelry, and impressively offers one of the largest tequila selections in the city. The venue is buzzing with tables of young people in the mood for a fiesta of flavours and flowing tequila. The tequila at Mejico is all 100 per cent agave, with none of the nasty additives that give you a headache. We recommend treating the experience like you would a single malt whisky, where you sip, roll the tipple over the tongue and savour its unique flavour. For connoisseurs, a nip of the elite varieties, such as the Gran Centenario Gran Reserve, could set you back over $100. Choosing from over 250 tequila options is a daunting task. That's why Mejico introduced an ingenious invention: the Tequila Wheel. This nifty wooden contraption provides a tailored tequila recommendation as you turn the wheel to your preference for price, intensity and flavour. Let the fates decide what you'll be sipping on when visiting this haunt. But if shooting tequilas isn't your jam, there are a heap of variations on the classic margarita — with the team slinging $10 margaritas every Monday — as well as plenty of beers and wines. Food-wise, the signature guacamole adds some theatre to your meal, as the ingredients are smashed together tableside in a molcajete (Mexican pestle and mortar), with long, golden plantain chips as the perfect vehicle for dipping. Additional starters come in the form of corn ribs slathered in a chipotle lime glaze and dusted with pecorino cheese popcorn, as well as spicy jalapeño poppers. Regarding tacos, you can expect wagyu-, jackfruit-, tempura lobster- and salmon-filled delights alongside weekly specials. Larger dishes made to share include the lamb rump topped with gremolata salsa and yellow mole; barramundi with vera cruz salsa and capers; and succulent wagyu rump steak served with a guajillo puree and asparagus. The fresh, seasonal produce and modern yet authentic dishes at Mejico will challenge your expectations of Mexican food. And who knows, after experiencing tequila like a connoisseur, you might reconsider its wicked reputation.
When every new year starts, we all have our favourite ongoing shows. They're the series that have already earned both a place in our hearts and a permanent spot on our viewing schedules — and, each time they come back with new episodes, we eagerly look forward to spending time with again. In 2019, think Game of Thrones, The Handmaid's Tale and Big Little Lies, plus Stranger Things, Mindhunter, Wellington Paranormal and Rick and Morty too. They're the known quantities and the established heavy hitters; however each and every year also serves up a whole heap of new programs to enjoy as well. This year's slate of newcomers didn't disappoint, whether you're a fan of absurdist comedies, quirky Australian dramas or US spin-offs of existing favourites. Grim recreations of real-life events, thought-provoking police procedurals and mind-bending animation also made an appearance. They're the new favourites — the shows that, now you know that they exist, you'll either be awaiting new episodes (if they're ongoing) or revisiting again (if they're a one-off affair). With 2019 coming to a close, here's our rundown of the new TV series that top the pile for the year. An added bonus: they're all available to stream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uWCNHQgfnc UNDONE It's co-created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, tells its tale through vivid animation, grapples with mental illness and saddles its protagonist with an existential crisis; however, Undone is worlds away from BoJack Horseman. That's not a criticism of the talking horse comedy, but a reflection of how firmly Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy's series charts it own path and makes its own imprint. Rendered using exceptionally fluid and expressive rotoscoped animation that often flows into surreal territory, and anchored by impressive voice work by Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel) and Bob Odenkirk, the series spends its time with the struggling Alma — who, after a near-fatal car accident, starts experiencing time and her memories differently. Inventive, smart, funny, tender, gorgeous to look at and always devastatingly astute, it's a worthy addition to the growing canon of great shows pondering the meaning of life of late, such as The Good Place, Russian Doll, Forever and Maniac. The first season of Undone is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8 CHERNOBYL When it comes to sheer horror of the bone-chilling kind, not to mention the kind of soul-crushing dismay that can only stem from the bleakest of tales, nothing compares to Chernobyl. The five-part show explores the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear disaster, which saw the reactor inside the Ukrainian facility explode. The fallout, unsurprisingly, was catastrophic, with the incident considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history as well one of the worst man-made events ever. While the dramatisation begins with the fiery explosion, it's what happens next that earns the show's focus — the initial salvage attempts by workers condemned to suffer and die just for doing their jobs; the arrogant cover-ups, including by stubborn plant supervisors who refuse to believe what's happened; the clean-up and rescue missions, sacrificing more lives to the incident; and the inevitable investigation. Every aspect of the series is detailed, thorough, and even more relentless and unnerving than you'd expect given the real-life situation, with creator and writer Craig Mazin drawing upon meticulous research, interviews with nuclear scientists, chats with former Soviet residents and first-person accounts from those who were there. All five episodes of Chernobyl are available to stream on Foxtel. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTIkUzkbzQk UNBELIEVABLE Content warning: sexual assault Based on real-life crimes, and instantly becoming one of the most talked-about shows of the year, Unbelievable steps inside a series of rape cases between 2008–11. When Washington teenager Marie Adler (Booksmart's Kaitlyn Dever) reports her sexual assault to the police, authority figures begin to question her story almost from the outset — not just law enforcement, but two of her ex-foster mothers. She's forced to sign a statement saying that she made a false report; however, over in Colorado, detectives Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) and Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) are on the trail of similar attacks. More than just the latest true-crime tale to hit the screen, the series explores the mistrust experienced by female victims of violent crimes, serving up a powerful account of weathering, surviving and investigating multiple horrors. It also features exceptional performances from its three leads, with Dever in heartbreaking form as a girl shattered by her ordeal, Wever in empathetic and thoughtful mode, and Collette proving a force to be reckoned with. All eight episodes of Unbelievable are available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrZkGgoVSFk I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON You don't even need two hours to get through all six episodes of this sketch comedy show but, once you're done, you'll wish that it went for at least twice as long. Social awkwardness is satirised with absurd precision in I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and the results are as offbeat and hilarious as a house completely filled with Garfield items and furniture (trust us). If he seems familiar, Robinson was the star of Detroiters and also spent a couple of seasons on Saturday Night Live. He has plenty of recognisable co-stars on his new show, which he also wrote and produced — talents such as Will Forte, Steven Yeun, Tim Heidecker and Vanessa Bayer. And, like fellow ace new 2019 comedy PEN15, the series boasts some big names off-screen too, with The Lonely Island (aka Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) its executive producers. It's also another of this year's big debutants that's coming back for a second season. The entire first season I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUeDkU7HyTs THE OTHER TWO You're in your 20s, trying to make it in New York and struggling to chase your dreams. The only thing that's making you feel better is the knowledge that your sibling is doing the exact same thing. Then your kid brother comes up with a throwaway pop hit, adopts the stage name ChaseDreams and becomes a YouTube sensation — and the world's next Justin Bieber. That's the premise of sitcom The Other Two, which follows struggling actor Cary (Drew Tarver) and his ex-dancer sister Brooke (Helene York) as they come to terms with their new situation. Also starring Molly Shannon, Ken Marino and Wanda Sykes, the show's ten-episode first season is constantly hilarious and acerbically perceptive, especially when it comes to today's celebrity-obsessed, influencer-heavy society. An instant classic, thankfully it's due to come back for a second season. The first season of The Other Two is available to stream on iTunes and Google Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHcKoAMGGvY RUSSIAN DOLL Netflix and smart existential laughs continued to go hand-in-hand with Russian Doll, with the streaming platform once again tasking one its protagonists with wondering what this whole life business is all about. Here, however, New Yorker Nadia (Natasha Lyonne, Orange Is the New Black) is forced to relive her 36th birthday shindig over and over again. And while getting stuck at a celebration in your own honour will sound like a literal party to most folks, that's not Nadia's path. Co-created and co-written by Lyonne, Amy Poehler and filmmaker Leslye Headland (Bachelorette, Sleeping with Other People), this eight-episode show takes its misanthropic lead character through all kinds of twists and turns, examining fate, logic, life's loops and wading through limbo in a clever and compelling way. This is a dark, heartfelt, uproariously humorous and inventive series all at once, and, although the do-over premise has become a well-established trope on both the big and small screens, Russian Doll never feels like it's relying on a gimmick. Unsurprisingly, Netflix has renewed it for a second season. The entire first season of Russian Doll is available to stream on Netflix. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBbSwX6kEk WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS A bunch of vampires. One share house. Ample undead hijinks. It worked swimmingly in 2005 short film What We Do In the Shadows. Next, it worked hilariously in 2014 mockumentary movie What We Do In the Shadows. And it works mighty fine in TV spinoff that's also called What We Do In the Shadows, too. Adapted for television by original creators and stars Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi (with the first episode written by the former and directed by the latter), this Staten Island-set version focuses on a new set of vamps and new supernatural problems, and the laughs keep coming. Unsurprisingly, Matt Berry's English bloodsucker Laszlo is a highlight, but this is a great ensemble effort, complete with ace turns from Kayvan Novak as Ottoman Empire-era soldier Nandor the Relentless, Natasia Demetriou as Romani vamp Nadja, Mark Proksch as 'energy vampire' Colin Robinson and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein as a live-action role-play fan who falls in with the undead crowd. Also keep an eye out for some absolutely killer high-profile cameos — and for more episodes next year. The entire first season of What We Do In the Shadows is available to stream on Foxtel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU9SVg5i0WA ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA The American Dream — aka the idea that any US citizen can achieve all the success they've ever hoped for if they just toil hard enough — gets a very darkly funny spin in On Becoming a God in Central Florida. Anchored by a fantastic Kirsten Dunst, the show focuses on Krystal Stubbs, who works at a water park, earns minimum wage and has a baby that she often takes to her job. She's also immersed in a cult-like pyramid scheme. Founders American Merchandise sells household products, pushes its sales people beyond their limits and wraps up its mania in patriotism, with Krystal becoming involved through her husband Travis (Alexander Skarsgård). He's as devoted to the multi-level marketing cause as anyone can get, so the series charts the Stubbs' path after their fortunes take a turn. Set in the early 90s and sporting pitch-perfect costuming and production design, the show was originally planned as a TV project for The Lobster and The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos — and while the Greek filmmaker is no longer involved, it's easy to see how this savvy satirical comedy would fit into his wheelhouse. The first five episodes of On Becoming a God in Central Florida are available to stream on SBS On Demand. Episodes will drop weekly on Thursdays afterwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_0_fG9-CQ LAMBS OF GOD On a remote island that's difficult to access, in a dilapidated convent that time seems to have forgotten, three women (Essie Davis, Ann Dowd and Jessica Barden) remain true to their faith by adhering to their routines and rituals. Then, an uncaring priest (Sam Reid) arrives with a message: their home is due to be sold off by the Catholic Church, for profit, and turned into a luxury hotel for the wealthy. More than just a fight against gentrification and corruption, the plight of Lambs of God's three nuns spans mysteries, murder, divine beliefs and otherworldly deeds, all based on the novel of the same name by Australian author Marele Day. Directed by Ali's Wedding's Jeffrey Walker and lensed by acclaimed Australian cinematographer Don McAlpine, the four-part mini-series proves a lush and twisty gothic drama — aka the best kind — that takes aim at both gender and class inequality. All four episodes of Lambs of God is available to stream on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSOo4_7Pccg YEARS AND YEARS If Black Mirror weaved its dystopian visions of the future into an ongoing narrative, rather than doled out its horror stories in standalone instalments, it might look like Years and Years. Focusing on the Lyons family — which spans Muriel (Anne Reid), her grandchildren Edith (Jessica Hynes), Stephen (Rory Kinnear), Daniel (Russell Tovey) and Rosie (Ruth Madeley), plus their partners and children — the six-part British drama ponders their lives from 2019 onwards. So, all of the usual events happen, such as births, deaths and marriages. Here, they're all filtered through the possible political and technological landscape that could await us all, with wars, embeddable technology, climate change, the gig economy and nationalist politics (with Emma Thompson playing an increasingly popular Pauline Hanson-style politician) all part of the story. Created by Russell T. Davies (Queer as Folk and Doctor Who), Years and Years isn't just a must-watch portrait of what may come, but a smartly written, engagingly performed and absolutely fascinating series that's purposefully designed to intrigue, and to stress viewers out about the current and future state of the world. All six episodes of Years and Years are available to stream on SBS On Demand. Looking for more viewing highlights? Check out our list of film and TV streaming recommendations, which is updated monthly.
There are just two certainties in life, so the saying goes. However, David Spanton — Kings Cross hospo maven and owner of The Hook — would argue that there are actually three: death, taxes … and oysters. It's a shrewd observation. Found in shallow seas all over the world, the ubiquity of bivalves once made them a dietary staple for countless cultures, from the Romans and native Americans to Australia's First Nations. But it's not just the deep past that has inspired Spanton's love of the oyster — more recent history has been an equally potent muse. Kings Cross was once famed for the calibre of its oyster bars. Notably, The Bayswater Brasserie shucked endless supplies of the briny morsels for Sydney's glitterati between the early 80s and its closure in 2010. "It was the hottest cocktail bar and restaurant in Australia, with a dedicated oyster bar right in the middle of the dining room,'' Spanton says, gesturing through The Hook's front window towards The Bayz's former address, 50 metres down the street. "That's why I knew I had to open an oyster bar here." The Hook — a delightfully kitsch, nautically themed oyster and piano bar in the former digs of the Izgara Turkish grill — is at once an homage to Bayswater Road's former glory, a love letter to the eternal oyster and a trip down Spanton's personal memory lane. His decades of travel across the United States, including to San Francisco's Swan Oyster Depot ("the greatest seafood diner in the world," according to Spanton) and the oyster restaurants of New Orleans and Boston, have been distilled into The Hook's quirky personality and yesteryear menu. To realise the venue's singular style, Spanton once again tapped Michael Delany, the artist and designer who oversaw Spanton's restoration of Kings Cross stalwart Piccolo Bar in 2021 and his refit of Cafe Hernandez, rebooted as Vermuteria in 2023. Much like those two venues, there's a whimsy to The Hook that somehow magically summons a sense of nostalgia for an era you've never lived in. Almost cartoonish with its tropes, there are maritime winks aplenty, such as the oyster shell-clad bar, the mooring ropes and sailor trinkets hung from the walls, and a shucking station styled to look like the bow of a fishing trawler. If a salty sea dog with a peg leg and a sou'wester were to walk through the door, he wouldn't look out of place. Far from feeling gimmicky, however, this immersive decor provides the ideal stage for Spanton's retro high-low dining and beverage concept. Of course, oysters are the star attraction — the variety depends on the best available at the fish market week to week. Heavy rain on the New South Wales coast might take Merimbula's Sydney rocks off the menu but Pacifics from South Australia will still do nicely. Shucked to order, you can enjoy them fresh on the half shell, served with a classic shallot vinaigrette or with a few drops of ten-year-old Laphroaig single malt, supplied via a handy pipette. The French 75 — a sprightly mix of champagne, gin, lemon juice and sugar — makes for the perfect chaser, as the sharp-edged sweetness of the cocktail teases the tip of the tongue before the earthy smoke and salt of the whisky-spiked oyster blooms at the hilt of the throat. Or you can slurp your shuck like they do in the Big Easy: with a slug of house-made sazerac, aged in a port barrel for a pleasantly fruity finish. Purists may wince, but the grilled oysters are just as moreish. There are four different spins to sample: kilpatrick, with crispy hunks of bacon and a punch of tabasco; mornay, with a bubbly topping of cheese sourced from Potts Point's legendary Penny's Cheese Shop; French Quarter, Spanton's take on escargot, served in a slick of garlic butter; and Rockefeller, with a toasted hat of breadcrumbs and an aniseed lick of Pernod liqueur. In these times of tightened belts and soaring living costs, oysters and cocktails may not seem like a fiscally responsible dinner choice. However, while The Hook's vibe may hail from another time, its menu has today's economics in mind. Humble bar snacks and cheap eats for $30 or less share the spotlight with their luxury counterparts, including an excellent smashed cheeseburger, a classic Frankfurt dive dog by Marrickville's LP's Quality Meats and even a Golden Gaytime, just like the ones from the servo freezer. Plus, the jazz piano music that drifts through the room from the baby grand at the front of the bar comes at no extra charge. Spanton has already proved himself a serial saviour, after rescuing two Kings Cross icons — Piccolo Bar and Cafe Hernandez, aka Vermuteria — from closure. Now, he's also out to save your wallet. Images: Christopher Pearce.
And now, the end is near. And so we face the final curtain... My, what a ride it's been. 22 films, more than a dozen TV series, 80-odd main characters, $4 billion spent and close to $20 billion made. But as Tony Stark, the man whose original Iron Man film kicked this whole crazy thing off, says: "part of the journey is the end". In Avengers: Endgame, we're given an end worthy of that extraordinary journey. In the simplest sense, Endgame is a sequel to 2018's Infinity War, and the 22nd film in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yet, there's very little that's simple about this picture, marking as it does the extraordinary culmination of several dozen intricate and intertwined story arcs that extend all the way back to 2008. It's also, if you'll forgive the pun, a stark counterpoint in both style and content to Infinity War, presenting very much like an out-and-out drama instead of the traditional comic book spectacle. Where Infinity War was all bombast, Endgame offers reserve. Where Infinity War wrought intergalactic devastation and destruction, Endgame delivers intimacy and an examination of grief, loss and very private regret. It's comfortably the Marvel film in which the least happens, yet it never for one moment feels dull or lags — even with its 3 hour run time. Despite Disney's best efforts, spoilers are abounding online, so in the interests of preserving secrecy for those who've managed to silo themselves away from revelations, we'll keep any plot discussion to a minimum. The shock of Infinity War's conclusion, in which 50 per cent of all living things in the universe were snapped into dust by Thanos (Josh Brolin), looms large over those left behind. Survivor guilt affects everyone, most notably the remaining superheroes burdened with the additional feelings of failure, blame and empty vengeance. In one of the film's best scenes, Captain America (Chris Evans) sits in an AA-style support group, telling those in attendance it's up to them to move on, rebuild and make something of earth again. It's a beautiful speech and entirely true, but the hollowness behind Cap's eyes betrays his own failure to practice what he preaches. So too the rest of the Avengers. Thanks to the trailers, it's safe to say Ant Man (the ever-appealing Paul Rudd) plays a pivotol role in kick-starting Endgame's plan to rectify the devastation of Thanos's genocide, employing what he playfully terms "a time heist". Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely gleefully unpack some of the persistent myths of that particular device, ripping apart the plotholes of iconic chrono-cinema stories like Back to the Future and The Terminator. In Endgame, there's some impressive backtracking through the MCU's own history, which doubles as the launch pad for most of the film's lighter moments (a discussion about Cap's butt being chief amongst them). The humour, though, doesn't always land, and the main offender in Endgame, we're sad to say, is Chris Hemsworth's Thor. He's taken the failure to prevent Thanos' snap particularly badly, but save for a solid sight gag early on, Hemsworth's performance feels at odds with everything else in the film. Only when he abandons the attempted comedy does he again sizzle on screen, be it in one of the rare moments of action or in a tender moment with a key character from his past. And there are a lot of those, with Endgame drawing its cast list from the entire MCU catalogue. Most appearances are fleeting, but rather than feel like mere fan service, they serve to reinforce the scale of the franchise's achievement. With each new face we're reminded of another moment within another film from somewhere in our own past; an opportunity to engage in some time-travelling of our own as we revisit the experience of watching these films throughout the last decade. When the inevitable culmination arrives at the film's conclusion, it's so much more than a roll call. It's at once a reunion, a rectification, a resurgence and a cathartic, tearful farewell. Yes, tearful. There are deaths here, and having spent so long in the company of these characters, the emotional resonance of their departures isn't easily absorbed. Technically, the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home is pegged as the official end to Phase 3 of the MCU, but emotionally there's no question Endgame lives up to its name. When the dust finally (and literally) settles, the payoff is thoroughly earned and the emotions are heartfelt and raw. But goodbye doesn't necessarily mean gone here, and in certain cases a character's departure simply means their baton is passed on to others. A few of these are shown; others, merely hinted at. Phase 4 will mark a significant reset for Marvel, and with the recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the path now lies open for drawing in the X-Men franchise to the growing MCU roster. According to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, however, it'll be a while before we see the likes of Magneto and Professor X alongside Captain America. Til then, Marvel's challenge will be to build, develop and deliver the same level of complexity and pathos into its next generation of heroes as with those we've just farewelled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6hldpSTF8
Step into the shoes of a post-war spy with Sydney's new immersive problem-solving game. Opening late August on King Street in Newtown, The Cipher Room is the creation of David Vella and Marise Watson, a husband and wife team who have channeled their love of puzzles into their very own escape room. Suitable for groups of two to six people, The Cipher Room will offer two unique scenarios. The first is espionage themed, and asks players to track down the location of the mysterious Agent M. The second, which will launch later in the year, is more of a detective story, with participants snooping for clues in a serial killer's cabin. In both scenarios, players will have an hour to make it out. Otherwise, it's game over. Watson and Vella have spent plenty of time on the project, crafting all of the wooden, electronic and graphic puzzles themselves, sourcing props and material from local vintage and second hand shops, and making use of recycled material wherever possible. Until then, give this Sydney escape room a try. Find The Cipher Room at 640 King Street, Newtown from August 23. For more information visit www.cipherroom.com.au.
Looking for a way to keep warm and dramatically relaxed this winter? We think we've stumbled upon just the novelty thing you're looking for. A savvy American inventor has taken the concept of relaxation to unprecedented heights, with the creation of a hammock that is also a hot tub. Commence applauding. Conceived and designed by Oregonian Benjamin Frederick, The Hydro Hammock is made from a durable synthetic material, and is capable of holding the weight of more than 185 litres of water plus two adult bathers. The water, from sea, lake or garden hose, is then heated via propane gas heater and circulated via pump (battery and solar-powered hammocks are also currently in the works). The hammock can be suspended between two points like a regular hammock, but also functions as a portable hot tub liner in the sand or snow. Yep, you can build a hot tub right into the snow. Frederick is currently looking to secure additional funding via Kickstarter, and has so far raised US$35,000 of his US$50,000 goal. A pledge of US$260 will get you the basic, single-layer hammock including installation straps and carabiners, while US$390 gets you the double layer hammock with extra insulation. However, we should point out that neither of those options actually includes the heater and pump — for that you'll have to fork out US$1180 for the single layer version, or US$1310 for the double. But while that may sound like a lot of money for a hammock, it's still likely a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a regular hot tub installed. And the good news is that Frederick ships his invention worldwide. Just make sure you tie both ends to something secure and unbending, otherwise you're likely to end up bruised, wet and cold. For more information about the Hydro Hammock, visit their Kickstarter page.
Bar Mammoni was the final piece to join Circular Quay's expansive multi-storey venue Hinchcliff House. Located one street over from the flagship venue, Mammoni is a 30-seat cafe and bar hidden within the Quay Quarter Lanes precinct. Offering coffee in the morning, cocktails in the afternoon and snacks throughout the day, it's a day-long winner. Tucked away on Loftus Lane, Bar Mammoni offers a more casual way of sampling the next-level pastries from Grana or the cocktail creations cooked up over at Apollonia. Items like pain au chocolat and almond croissants are baked overnight at Grana and walked across to the laneway venue each morning, where they're offered alongside breakfast options like toasted gingerbread, bacon and egg rolls and toast made with Grana's signature bread. Grana and all of the Hinchcliff House venues offer up sourdough milled in-house using the building's combi mill. Once the morning dew has settled, the lunchtime menu features pizza by the slice. The enticing toppings are always changing but have included pork, king prawn, octopus and roast fennel or stracciatella with golden bay baby beetroot and caramelised fennel. Alongside the pizza, you'll find daily salads and a whole heap of snacks. Think chicken liver parfait with pickles and charred ciabatta, Sydney rock oysters with mignonette and the Sicilian arancini of the day. All the available eats are available for takeaway or to be enjoyed with a drink on-site, including negronis, americanos, sbagliatos, boulevardiers and spritzes. Want to go in the opposite direction of Bar Mammoni's casual dining experience? Hit up Lana at the top floor of Hinchcliff House for Italian-influenced degustations and cocktails aplenty. Images: Steven Woodburn Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
Uber drivers may want to start thinking about a change of career. The ridesharing giant, whose relationship with its drivers has been turbulent in recent times, may soon have reached the point where it no longer has any need for them. After all, why spend millions settling lawsuits when you can get the cars to operate themselves? That seems to be the thinking as the company officially begins testing on its very first self-driving car. The modified Ford Fusion Hybrid, complete with roof mounted cameras and radar, took its first public outing on the streets of Pittsburgh last week. "While Uber is still in the early days of our self-driving efforts, every day of testing leads to improvements," said the company via a statement on their website. "Right now we're focused on getting the technology right and ensuring it's safe for everyone on the road — pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers." "In the future we believe this technology will mean less congestion, more affordable and accessible transportation, and far fewer lives lost in car accidents." That's all well and good, but will these self driving cars be offering their passengers complimentary mints? Where are we on that technology, exactly? Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
You've probably nibbled and tippled in the venues of one of Sydney's top hospitality groups — but you might not have known it was theirs. Started in 1976 in The Rocks with the Löwenbräu Keller, one of Sydney’s most profitable hospitality companies now serves up almost 40,000 meal a week across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. We're talking about UPG. Urban Purveyor Group has been one of Sydney's leading restaurant groups for over four decades. They've brought 20 venues to life across the country, from Sake to The Argyle, and they don't appear to be slowing down any time soon. We chatted with the group’s director of sales and events Julie van der Weegen to see just what makes this company stand out from the crowd, and what must-see events we need to add to our calendars this Christmas. SO WHAT BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE ACTUALLY UPG? If the UPG name doesn’t ring familiar, you've probably been a patron in one of their venues without knowing it. From Sake to The Argyle, Urban Purveyor Group are the hardworking crew behind some of Sydney’s premier restaurants, bars and event spaces. "Sake offers a taste of Tokyo, Ananas Bar & Brasserie delivers a touch of Parisian chic, Lowenbrau Keller offers a neverending Oktoberfest celebration, along with the Bavarian Bier Cafe's across the country. The Cut Bar & Grill gives a taste of an underground New York-inspired steak house, and of course The Argyle is the place to go if you want to party into the night," van der Weegen explains. One of Sydney's most celebrated contemporary sushi restaurants, Sake, nabs all the big names, counting the likes of Richard Branson, Chris Hemsworth and Justin Bieber as guest. They also just announced a new Italian concept to be named Stella along with a convenient on-the-go Sake sibling, aptly named Sake Jnr — both opening mid-2016 in George Street's redevelopment of Grosvenor Place. NIGHTS YOU'D WANT TO REMEMBER Over the years, UPG has thrown some pretty spectacular shingdigs, from The Argyle's Star Wars-themed dance party during Vivid to Sake's beloved annual Cherry Blossom festival. But they've also done some private events they're pretty proud of. "I think our recent event with Moet Hennessy was most certainly a memorable highlight, launching Moet Hennessy Private Events, a partnership with our catering division, Urban Events Venues & Catering,” says van der Weegen. "Guests were chauffeured to an opulent private home in Gordons Bay to experience the paired food and beverage offer including The Moet Ice White Party, Moet & Chandon So Bubbly Bath featuring a gold claw leg bath filled with 50 magnums right through to a Belvedere Vodka 'Know your Martini Masterclass'." WHAT'S NEXT FOR UPG? With the silly season fast approaching, UPG will be hosting "everything from small office gatherings with tailored degustation and matched wines, to sushi masterclasses with a whiskey tasting, right through to a grand celebration for over 2000 guests here in The Rocks," according to van der Weegen. The insider tip: get along to Sake for their festive ‘Pink Blossom’ cocktail (complete with choya umeshu, fresh strawberries, passionfruit, cranberry and freshly squeezed lime juice) and keep an eye out for their upcoming sushi making classes (guaranteed to give you skills that’ll really impress your pals and co-workers). There's also a Christmas brunch coming up for Ananas, The Argyle is starting its own openair cinema in the historic courtyard (lounges and popcorn provided), alongside Femme Fatales fashion nights every Thursday. Suffice to say, UPG will be pretty busy over the festive season.
Lovers of cinema and hummus-fuelled picnics rejoice: this year's Moonlight Cinema season has finally arrived and it’s looking mighty good. The lineup features some of this year’s biggest new Hollywood releases alongside more demure titles, family favourites and age-old classics, so you can guarantee you’ll find something that piques your interest. Let’s start with the bigwigs. What better way to see the big releases of summer than outdoors on a balmy night? Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two and SPECTRE are all showing and (we’d imagine) best viewed under the stars. We’re also thrilled to see a fair whack of female-centric films in the lineup too, as well as an array of movies that cover hitherto taboo topics in the popular cinema circuit. Joy, starring everyone’s favourite human Jennifer Lawrence, follows the unconventional story of a mother of three as she builds a business empire in the ’90s; Suffragette is an important historical period drama about women’s fight for the vote in pre-war Britain and appropriately features a dreamy cast of unique and unapologetic women including Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter. We’ve also got The Danish Girl, featuring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, which explores the life of transgender artist Lili Elbe. Closer to home on Australia Day, we’ve got The Dressmaker, a montage of Kate Winslet looking hot and Liam Hemsworth looking filthy hot (maybe other things happen in the plot too but why would they bother?). And at the other end of the spectrum is the lighthearted comedy Sisters, featuring unstoppable duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But don’t think the gentlemen miss out. The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest Oscar bid, was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (of Birdman fame) so you can guarantee it’ll be equally beautiful, dramatic and weird. And if you miss The Martian or missed Jurassic World in cinemas, you can catch them at Moonlight sessions too. As always Moonlight Cinema will be throwing back to classics: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing andGrease. Tickets are on sale now for the summer sessions so get booking lest you get stuck in front of Dirty Grandpa(yes, a film where you can see Robert Deniro making out with April Ludgate while Zac Efron wears a vast array of golfing sweaters — that is apparently showing too :/).
Hitting New Zealand for the weekend isn't as much of a faraway adventure as it seems — the flight's just over three hours from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. That's almost similar to visiting Canberra or Byron, and there's better wine at the end. New Zealand's capital is brimming with more contemporary, creative restaurants, microroasteries, buzzing cafes and of course, craft breweries than you can poke a wizard's staff at. Every (outrageously friendly) taxi driver will tell you that that city has more cafes, bars and restaurants per capita than New York City — and they're on the money. Hop an easy flight from Melbourne/Sydney to the Harbour Capital and spend an easy weekend on the waterfront, wandering through street art-filled laneways, tasting the world's most gloriously creative craft beer, learning up on ever-fascinating Māori history, and feasting on some serious food. EAT You'd have to try pretty hard to find a bad coffee in Wellington. The city runs rife with microroasteries and no-nonsense baristas churning out killer coffees by the minute. Wander down the street art-plastered areas of Eva Street and Hannah's Factory Laneway in search of a freshly brewed cup o' joe. Stop by Leeds Street Bakery, a teeny tiny glass-and-brick-walled joint for a piccolo from their mates Red Rabbit Coffee Co., and do not leave here without snapping up one of their famously insane salted caramel cookies. They're not pretty but they'll make you involuntarily make noises at strangers. Look at this: Locals will constantly send you to a formerly dreary multi-car garage that's now a bustling corner cafe, dubbed The Hangar. Run by local coffee roasters Flight Coffee, The Hangar serves up kickass coffee made from Costa Rican beans from the family-run Herbazu estate. Huddle over your own cup of joe and take in the ahmbiahnce, or get pesky and ask the crew about the roasting process. Ghuznee Street's Milk Crate and Customs Brew Bar are also worth visiting, as are our six favourite coffee bars on Concrete Playground Wellington. Now you're well caffeinated, let's head for something a little more hearty. Wellington has one heck of a dining scene, a combination of perpetually high quality produce and young, dynamic restaurateurs. Try your luck and wait for a table at Charley Noble in Post Office Square. A seafood bar and steak specialist with a penchant for woodfired cooking ('Charley Noble' was the sailors' name for the ship's galley chimney), this busy, busy restaurant has been the talk of the town since opening in 2014 — and features New Zealand's first Zesti woodfired chargrill and rotisserie. Looking for something a little more modern and fusion-based? Head for Egmont Street Eatery. Tucked down a regular ol' laneway off Dixon Street, this former carpark space does modern New Zealand/Asian fusion with a fresh, seasonal approach and casually excellent service — and they won Wellington on a Plate's highly coveted Burger Wellington comp in 2015. They'll happily match your lunch with one of Wellington's top notch craft beers or a slam dunk of a New Zealand wine. Try the miso salmon salad with cos, nam jim (a traditional Thai sauce) and herbs ($25), and wash it down with 'The Don', a hefty, sediment-filled white that your waiter will probably recommend you try before you buy. The Don doesn't suit every palate. Also worth visiting? Mark Keddell and chef Sean Marshall's The Matterhorn on buzzy Cuba Street, seasonally-focused (and wine-happy) restaurant Floraditas, wholesome, hearty brunch spot Loretta, award-winning chef Mark Limacher's Ortega fish shack, the Boon brothers' beloved Manners Street cafe/bar Crumpet, New York-inspired deli/diner Five Boroughs, and Eastern Asian modern dining spot and cocktail bar Ancestral. Eating on a budget? Check out our feature on seven days of cheap eats in Wellington. DRINK Let's test out that theory, the big bragging right that the city has more bars per capita than New York City. If you head into the city's nightlife/entertainment district, Courtenay Place on a Friday night, you'll find the area packed with young'uns heading to the area's rowdy Irish pubs, rock and roll bars and licensed late-night eateries. But Wellington's not just serving up any ol' tipples in its plethora of watering holes. Let's start with something for the beer lovers — Wellington is New Zealand's craft beer capital after all. Find your way to an old petrol station in Aro Valley that's now brimming with award-winning beer. You've found one of Wellington's very best craft breweries, The Garage Project. Since 2011, this well-publicised crew have gained the rep as the rock stars of the NZ craft beer scene. They gained quite the hype early on when they released 24 beers in 24 weeks, and have been working just as boldly and experimentally since. They opened their own cellar door within the brewery in March 2013, where you can have a mad chat and taste the latest batches on tap — everything from the best-selling (and bloody delicious) Garagista, to the out-there Umami Monster, Cereal Milk Stout and Ziggy's Carrot Cake. They've even just opened their own bar, GP 91 Aro, just down the road. To keep on the craft beer trail, head for the Parrotdog and Black Dog Brew Co. breweries or head for craft beer bars like Fork & Brewer, Little Beer Quarter, Golding's Free Dive, The Rogue and Vagabond, Bebemos, Hop Garden, The Malthouse or Hashigo Zake. [caption id="attachment_572288" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hawthorn Lounge.[/caption] Finished your beer? Let's get a little more botanical with your next beverage. Wellington's home to one heck of a mixologist population, with some of the best cocktail bars in the global game. Head to Hawthorn Lounge if you really want to get straight to the good stuff. Managed by all round legend Peter Lowry, this cosy little '30s-style speakeasy is hidden away from rowdy Courtenay Place. Snuggle into a Chesterfield lounge by the fireplace, or pull up a pew at the dimly lit bar and choose from one of the bar's staples — up high for a Chocolate Negroni — or roll the dice on a special edition experiment — bar wizard Jamie co-curates this with Peter. If you're a cocktail fiend, also worth checking out are cocktail bar/alchemist den CGR (Cocktails Gin Rum) on Courtenay Place, Te Aro's award-winning Cuban bar and tapas hideaway Havana Bar, Tory Street's Spanish-inspired Poquito, and beloved Leeds Street cocktail haven Hanging Ditch. Wine runs rampant in Wellington, thanks to the world-famous wine regions surrounding the city — you'll find most Wellington restaurants brimming with local drops on the menu. If you're looking for something entirely non-alcoholic though, pay Six Barrel Soda Co. a visit in Hannah's Laneway. Want more? Check out our round-up of Wellington's best secret bars or best craft beer bars. DO Wellington's a highly walkable city, so lace up your booties and let's go 'sploring. Wandering along Wellington's straight-up beautiful waterfront is a must for first-timers, a stroll you can pair with a visit to the city's mighty Te Papa Tongarewa museum. It's been named one of Lonely Planet's 'Top 500 Places on the Planet' and for good reason. Over six floors, you can get a real sense of New Zealand's past, present and future, through gloriously well-curated exhibitions and a seriously epic collection. Follow NZ's passion for art around the city — there's a smorgasbord of street art and laneway murals around town (you just have to be ready to follow a boring looking backstreet every so often). For film fans, obviously New Zealand has its fair share of pop culture-related tourist Meccas. Let's face it, Wellington airport is home to giant, giant hanging statues of Gollum and Gandalf, so for Lord of the Rings fans, New Zealand is still the damn king of must-visit locations. Before you visit the home of the One Ring in Nelson, no self-respecting movie buff would leave Wellington without a visit to the Weta Cave and Workshop. One of the must-do film studio tours in the world, Weta will put you right up close to the props, costumes and hallowed halls of creativity behind The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Mad Max: Fury Road, District 9, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar, District 9 and more. You might hold an alien assault rifle from District 9, swing an orc mace from The Hobbit, or hold incredibly detailed chain mail worn by Frodo Baggins. Shell out for a Prancing Pony fridge magnet and head back to the city with a hobbity spring in your step. If we told you that you could spend an afternoon in Wellington cuddling up to, say, four red pandas, would you pop this on your to-do list? Worth every dime of a on-holiday splurge, Wellington Zoo offers some pretty kickass 'Animal Encounters'. Being red panda enthusiasts, we skipped the cheetahs and the meerkats to snuggle up to the zoo's four straight-up adorable pandas. You can pat them. And feed them grapes. Because they're gods amongst men. Also recommended is a stroll around the Botanic Garden, and if you're looking for one of the best views in town, set aside $7.50 for a return trip on the Wellington Cable Car. [caption id="attachment_572305" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Intercontinetal.[/caption] STAY Depending on your budget, Wellington's got a pretty wide range of accommodation options. If you've got a little dosh to burn on your well-earned weekend away, we stayed right in the city at the Intercontinental Wellington. Sitting right near the harbour waterfront and a very easy walk to Wellington's main galleries and Te Papa, Courtenay Place, Cuba Street and Hannah's Laneway, this slick inner city hotel will make a Kevin Macallister out of you in minutes. Don a fluffy white robe and make yourself at home in one of 232 contemporary guest rooms, equipped with extra large towels, giant, giant shower heads and — wait for it — a pillow menu. For something equally opulent, check out the award-winning ten-room boutique hotel Ohtel, sitting in the swanky seaside neighbourhood of Oriental Bay. Each room looks straight out of a design magazine shoot, decked out by owner/designer Alan Blundell with his own collected treasures, clocks, ceramics and individual chairs. It's pretty close to Wellington's main entertainment precinct too. Rooms come equipped with two-person baths, podcast facilities, natural toiletries, free wifi and oversized showers. There's plenty of budget accommodation and B&Bs in Wellington too, check out WellingtonNZ.com for a bunch of great options. LET'S DO THIS, HOW DO I GET THERE? Flights to Wellington from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around 3.5 hours on average. Jetstar have just launched a direct route from Melbourne to Wellington (from $159) and Queenslanders can fly direct from the Gold Coast (from $169). Air New Zealand fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Wellington (from $297). Next weekend, we hop on a 45 minute flight out of Wellington to the pretty city of Nelson for some of New Zealand's best contemporary art, insanely good (and globally renowned) wine region and some of the world's most beautiful outdoor adventuring.> Shannon Connellan travelled as a guest of WellingtonNZ.com. Top image: Egmont Street Eatery. All other images SC unless otherwise specified.
You could trawl every art gallery and every private collection on the planet and you'd only find 800 paintings signed by Vincent Van Gogh. That's the sum total of what remains of the Dutch genius's output. So, it's insanely, insanely exciting that 60 of his masterpieces will be travelling to the National Gallery of Victoria in 2017. Set to open on April 28, the blockbuster exhibition will be titled Van Gogh and the Seasons and is expected by NGV to draw one of the gallery's biggest audiences yet. You can expect around 40 painting and 25 drawings, collected from some of the world's top-shelf galleries, including Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum and Otterlo's Kröller-Müller Museum. The curating is being taken care of by Sjraar Van Heugten, author of a genuine bucketload of books about Van Gogh and ex-head of the Van Gogh Museum's collections section. What's more, you'll also get to see a bunch of Van Gogh's letters, as well as some of the artworks he collected during his 37 years on Earth. These will be arranged to give some insight into how various artists have responded to the seasons. "It's a huge coup for the NGV and another reason why Victoria is the creative state," said Martin Foley, Victoria's Minister for Creative Industries, when announcing the exhibition on Friday 16 September. "Van Gogh is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable and famous names in art history. His incredible work laid the foundation for modern art and influences artists to this day." Van Gogh and The Seasons is the 22nd exhibition in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, which the former Labor Government set up in 2004, to treat Melburnians to the best art in the world at least once a year. Also in the 2017 series will be the NGV's inaugural Festival of Photography, featuring works from William Eggelston (US) and Melbourne's own Zoë Croggon. Van Gogh and the Seasons opens on April 28 at NGV International. It's part of the gallery's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition for 2017. Image: Vincent van Gogh, Dutch 1853–90, Orchard in Blossom, Bordered by Cypresses (1888), oil on canvas, 64.9 x 81.2 cm, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, © Kröller-Müller Museum.
Good food doesn't have to be fancy. Sure, it can be fun dining out on ingredients that you can't spell. But, sometimes, all you want to do is sit down in front of a familiar dish, cooked with love. At March Into Merivale's The Kitchen Table, chef Danielle Alvarez and author/cook Nadine Levy Redzepi, will be bringing dinner back to basics — and to what the season says is right. There's every chance you're familiar with one half or the other of this dynamic duo. Alvarez, who's sharpening her knives in preparation for taking on head chef position at Fred's, Merivale's new Paddington destination, has cut her teeth at San Francisco’s Chez Panisse and Napa Valley’s three-Michelin-starred French Laundry. Meanwhile, Levy Redzepi is a celebrated home cook and writer (who happens to be married to Noma's René Redzepi). These two have chosen the lovely, open venue of Uccello for their feast, where they'll be serving fresh, Australian produce, turned into simple, generous dishes.
Locked in to return to all three levels at Manning Bar in the University of Sydney, the boutique music festival cooked up by Sydney touring and management agency Astral People and record label Yes Please returns for its fourth instalment on Saturday, September 26. Forecast to sell out like its previous events, OutsideIn will spread its super solid lineup over three stages. Enough chatskies, who's on the bill? Headlining the bunch, Philadelphia's neo-soul gem and Common/Dilla/Kendrick Lamar collaborator Bilal will bring a full eight-piece band to the main stage. Then you'll be getting a big ol' dose of Southern rap with Big K.R.I.T and Devin The Dude, while Manchester producer Star Slinger brings new EP goodness to the table. Vancouver multi-instrumentalist producer Pomo will be there, alongside Mood Hut co-founders and progressive jazz soul beatsmiths Pender Street Steppers, while Sydney's own twin duo Cosmo's Midnight make their live set debut. The local love doesn't stop there, with dance-inducing crew Total Giovanni, Perth's electro-pop enigma KU KA and Melbourne's Harvey Sutherland cranking out an improvised show dubbed "equal parts 808 rattle and double disco". There's still over 20 international and local artists still to be announced, but just roll around in this first release for now. OUTSIDE IN 2015 LINEUP (FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT): Bilal Big K.R.I.T Devin The Dude Cosmo’s Midnight Star Slinger Pomo Total Giovanni Pender Street Steppers KU KA Harvey Sutherland OutsideIn 2015 will be held at Manning House, Sydney on Saturday, September 26, 2015. Early bird tickets have sold out. General admission tickets available from first announce at $85 +bf. Tickets over here.
We're living on borrowed time. If it's not the climate that wipes humans out, it'll be our over-inflated desire for financial growth. Given that almost every nation in the world runs on a bloated economy of debt and speculative trading — the prayers of a banker religion — imagine the horror when it all falls apart. How is life, both the barest form of it, not to mention the healthy quality of it, able to flourish in the dusty aftermath? This is the question asked by Perth's tactical media art renegades pvi collective in their new work, blackmarket, presented by Performance Space, which premieres in May at Alaska Projects. Audiences are invited to a future version of Kings Cross, a postcode scorched by riots and the eating of the rich, where a grassroots, underground economy has sprung up based on ancient traditions of barter and gifts. It seems a bleak setting, but there is scope for great humanity in this raw marketplace. Playing the role of post-apocalyptic survivors, known as “hustlers”, audiences arrive at the blackmarket with objects to trade in order to flourish. It may not require dollars, but some sense will help hustlers go far, so we spoke with pvi collective's Kelli McCluskey for her advice on how to thrive in a world after the banks come crashing down.
Parramatta has always had lots of good places to eat, but things are getting more and more refined. Just this year, modern Australian diner Husk & Vine recently arrived in the neighbourhood, the Speakeasy Group will open a much-anticipated rooftop bar, and big names Rockpool and Sake have announced they'll be part of the exciting development at 8 Phillip Street. Also keen for a piece of the Parramatta pie is the Aslan Hospitality Group, which last week opened its ambitious new all-day venue, ALEX&Co. beneath Church Street's Meriton Altitude Towers. And it's a monster. The 600-square-metre, $2.5 million, 350-seat space is a restaurant, cafe and cocktail bar in one, featuring three separate menus, function spaces, sweeping river views and seating options for all occasions. It's open almost all the time — from morning till midnight every single night of the week. Fresh from the pans at NOLA Smokehouse in Barangaroo, executive chef Kyle Quy's delivering a menu of familiar favourites, cleverly executed and crafted around local produce and modern techniques. There's coddled eggs with blue swimmer crab in the morning, freshly shucked oysters and salt and vinegar calamari to scoff alongside after-work drinks, and the likes of oxtail tortellini and a three-hour braised lamb shoulder to see you through the evening. Meanwhile, Vasco's Max Greco lends his award-winning talents to the drinks list, across a range of bespoke cocktails designed to complement Quy's plates. Highlights include sips like the Riverside — made on dill-infused Bombay Sapphire, chamomile, fresh citrus, white chocolate and an absinthe mist — alongside a tight, yet wide-roaming list of wines and a solid little spirits selection. The opening is huge for the area — both literally and figuratively. It shows that developers are ready to invest in hospitality in the mini CBD and — along with the other impending restaurant openings, developments and the light rail — we expect to see more and more money thrown at venues nearby. ALEX&Co. is now open seven days a week at 330 Church Street, Parramatta. For more info, visit alexandco.com.au.
Fans of Roald Dahl who find themselves in London are in for a gloriumptious surprise. To mark the release of Steven Spielberg's adaptation of The BFG, giant six foot dream jars are popping up around the city, filled with the hopes and aspirations of famous human beans. The jars will appear at iconic landmarks around the British capital, from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul's Cathedral to the Tower of London. Inside, you'll find the childhood dreams of prominent artists and celebrities, including director Steven Spielberg, paralympian David Weir, Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams and The BFG illustrator Quentin Blake. The jars will be on display from July 8 until August 31, after which time they'll be sold at auction. Proceeds from the sale will go to Save the Children and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, which provides specialist nurses to seriously ill children. "I'm excited to join The BFG Dream Jar Trail so we can all share our dreams together," said Spielberg. "The best part of this project is its support of the valuable work that Save the Children does in giving kids across the world their own chances to dream big." For more information about The BFG Dream Jar Trail, go here. The BFG hits cinemas on June 30. https://youtu.be/VG5MtenlP-A
