For so long, rotisserie chickens and their ilk have been associated with grim supermarkets and thought of as last-minute dinner options when you just can’t be bothered to adult. Well, not any more. The latest in a cornucopia of recent openings, from whisky bars to pool club revamps, Merivale has just announced the opening of The Paddington — a dining establishment focusing on rotisserie-style fare. The venue will be headed by Ben Greeno and sits next door to his other rotisserie chicken venture, The Chicken Shop (the man loves his slowly rotating chooks, it seems). The menu at the Paddington is a little more expansive however, venturing so far as lamb rump with red peppers and almonds, wagyu beef with artichokes, pickled mustard seed and watercress, whole fish stuffed with olives, lemon and time. Of course, Greeno's signature roast chicken and French fries will be the cornerstone of the whole thing. It seems that if you can stick it on a spit and stuff it with something tasty, you’ll find it on this menu. And if anyone can bring world class flavour to the humble rotisserie chook, it’s Greeno. His resume includes Momofuku Seiobo, Sat Bans and Noma, so you can rest assured he’ll do rotisserie justice. The booze (because what is a rotisserie chicken without booze?) is being supplied in bulk by Sam Edgerton and Toby Marshall of Palmer & Co, who are setting up a cocktail bar within the pub, boasting a specially curated cocktail list. They blind taste-tested over 600 cocktails to craft the final menu, which is really not a bad job if you ask us but we certainly appreciate their effort. The Paddington opens on November 24 at 384 Oxford Street, Paddington. Open Sunday to Thursday 12pm - 12am, Fri and Sat 12pm - 3am.
The Plot is back. And this time, it’s heading for Parramatta Park. For those unfamiliar with the name, The Plot is a new music festival that first happened back in 2013 – in Sydney at Luna Park’s Big Top and in Melbourne at the Palace Theatre and Ding Dong Lounge. And this afternoon, the lineup has dropped. Locked in for Saturday, December 5 at Parramatta Park it’ll be an epic, summery, outdoor affair, with gorgeous Old Government House at its centre, and the beautifully revived Parramatta River alongside. There’ll be three stages, an abundance of locally-made food featuring local produce, craft beers, boutique wines and an eclectic mix of music from both Australia and overseas. Expect purveyors of Jerusalem street food Knafeh alongside Parramatta’s The Emporium, fusion sandwiches Sundweesh, local brewhouse Riverside Brewery, Hillybilly Cider, Bella Vista Hotel’s Bella Shack’s Burgers, lemonade cocktail lovers Citrus Factory, award-winning brother brewers The Australian Brewery, dumpling experts Yan’s Asian and plenty more. Plus, The Plot is promising to celebrate the diversity and community spirit associated with Sydney’s Greater West. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9am on Thursday, October 8 at $69 (+bf). But if you’re a Past Plotter, you’ll score the 2013 price of $45 (+BF). Just keep an eye on your inbox for a unique link that’ll allow you to take advantage of this bargain — it’ll arrive around 9am on Thursday, October 1 and will remain valid until midnight, Wednesday, October 7. After that, you’ll be paying full price. THE PLOT 2015 LINEUP: ANDY GARVEY ART VS SCIENCE ASTA BASENJI BOO SEEKA B WISE CROOKED COLOURS E^ST FRIEND WITHIN (UK) FUTURE LOVE HANGOVER THE GRISWOLDS JAWZ L-FRESH THE LION LUEN LUKE MILLION MATOMA (NOR) THE MEETING TREE NGAIIRE PACES SAFIA SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN SPIT SYNDICATE STONEY ROADS DJS TKAY MAIDZA TUKA URTHBOY UV BOI YOUNG FRANCO triple j Unearthed winner to be announced
This is the dinner party you've been dreaming about since you were six. Enter an abandoned garage and get set to dig into three courses. But, prepare yourself for a slew of surprises because you'll be doing a whole lot more than simply looking at your food, before eating it. In fact, Don't Play With Your Food is more like a Bompas + Parr-like multi-sensory journey. Creative duo Harry + Matt will be bringing you a team of performers, architects, chefs and set-designers, including experiential chef Jordan McKenzie from Oar and Anchor and architect-turned-jellyologist, Jessica Mentis from Mentis Studios.
Like food, wine and good conversation? You'll find all three at Rootstock Sydney when it returns to Carriageworks this November. One of the largest events of its kinds anywhere in Australia, this annual celebration of artisan food and natural wine will once again bring together top farmers, chefs, producers and winemakers with hungry, thirsty members of the public. "We're excited to present the return of Rootstock Sydney at Carriageworks for its third year," said Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah. "This world-class event is an opportunity for visitors to engage first-hand with some of the best chefs and creative leaders in the food and wine industry." It all goes down on the last weekend of November. Partnering up with the regular Carriageworks Farmers Market, the free-to-attend Rootstock Sydney Food Market will focus on native food and produce. A showcase of ethnic-Australian food and pop-up bars serving orange wine, sake and wild ferment beers will also be on offer. Running alongside the market will be the Rootstock Wine Festival. The ticketed event will highlight naturally farmed wines, with more than 200 varieties available to taste. On top of all the eating and drinking you'll be doing, there'll also be ample opportunity to feed your brain. Rootstock Sydney 2016 will feature talks by producers, chefs, educators, sommeliers and more. No more two minute noodle dinners for us! Rootstock Sydney 2016 will be held at Carriageworks on November 25-26. For more information visit the Rootstock website.
Lower north shore residents won't have to head into the city for Sydney's latest opening. Brand new, modern Scandinavian-style, Mediterranean-menued bar and restaurant The Public has opened its doors in Cammeray. Joining the local foodie strip of Miller Street in the space where Belgian Beer Cafe sat for 15 years, The Public is a big, breezy, modern space made for long lazy brunches and intimate catch-ups alike. Think marine-grade plywood, aquas, blues, whites, and 3D installation art. The brainchild of North shore brothers James and Will Christopher, The Public is nothing short of a labour of love. Not their first time at the Sydney hospitality rodeo, this new bar marks the third venue for the Christopher brothers, following their long-loved local cafe The Laneway and their Spanish tapas joint Ms Miller (right next door). They've also launched start-ups, cheffed here and there, and Will feeds the entire team at the celebrated Secret Garden Festival every year — production team meals you have to taste to believe. Seriously. Next level. Aiming to give Cammeray a foodie identity of its own and steal some limelight from burgeoning eastern suburbs like Double Bay or western hubs like Marrickville, the Christopher brothers teamed up with business manager and superyacht seller (actual thing) Damian Barrow to swing the spotlight to the lower north shore. Alright, alright, now we know who's behind the joint, what can we expect to chow down on? The Christopher brothers have brought over Ms Miller head chef James Featherstone to create pub classic-meets-Euro-style dishes for The Public. Think Greek and Mediterranean food with house-made olive butter, taramasalata and hummus, with family-style platters of lamb kleftiko and barbecued chicken. Then there's the burgers, like this double beef, double bacon, double cheese wagyu beef burger: With all this hummus and barbecued chicken afoot, we're going to need some bevs here. Drinks-wise, you can expect an Australian, New Zealand, Italian and French-focused wine list, and ten beers on tap including Young Henry’s, Two Birds, Rocks Brewing, Endeavour and Mountain Goat. The Public's set to become a Cammeray staple if it plays its cards right. And with monthly markets and beer and wine events planned for the future, it looks like this by-locals-for-locals newbie holds all the aces. Find The Public at 429 Miller Street, Cammeray.
Until last year, Nick Murphy was better known by his stage name, Chet Faker. Since dropping the moniker, Murphy has reinvented his ARIA-winning style, opting for a sharply produced cacophony of low tempo piano and his signature understated vocals, juxtaposed with upbeat synth melodies. After testing the waters with a live band at Laneway Festival, Murphy is making things a little more intimate for his Vivid Sydney show. Murphy is taking on theatre in the round for this Vivid performance, premiering new tracks performance in 360 degrees. It's a triumphant return for Murphy, who played to 12,000 people over two sold-out nights in the Opera House forecourt as Chet Faker in 2015.
For four days, when the 2016 Architecture Festival comes to town, Sydney will do nothing but talk, walk and breathe buildings. The packed-out program includes chats, tours, workshops, installations and exhibitions. Internationally renowned architect and Wikihouse founder Indy Johar will headline the festival with a keynote speech. Big World Homes founder Alexander Symes is bringing Australia's first flat-packed 'tiny home' that's entirely off-grid. On Thursday, September 29, Symes and a bunch of vollies will put the house together in just 2.5 hours, using only a hammer and a drill. Then, they'll drive it to the Festival Hub in Central Park, where it'll stay on display until October 3 in Pod Life. This installation will reveal how architects are getting us off the grid, saving space and bringing us more affordable housing. If you're keen on your feet, you'll want to get on board the Chippendale Walking Tour, which will take you behind the scenes of Chippo's transformation from 19th century impoverished, crime-ravaged 'hood to 21st century artsy enclave. Reckon you've got an architectural idea that could change the future? Apply to The (sh)ArchTank and pitch it. While you're there, meet fellow pitchers and find out all about the power of underground thinkers to influence. And these are just the top level of the tower. Check out the rest of the festival program over here.
Summer has come to Sydney Harbour, with the return of the Sydney Opera House's Summer Playground. For the fourth year in a row, the sun-soaked western forecourt and foyers will play host to a range of activities and pop-up dining experiences, all inspired by the sights, sounds and flavours of an Italian Riviera. Open 9am until late, seven days a week, from now through to the very last day of January, this year's Summer Playground has been christened 'Salsedine,' an Italian word that describes the feeling of salt on your skin. There'll be free afternoon sessions featuring locals DJs and acoustic acts, plus on-site activations including a pop-up Chandon bar. Veteran chef Lauren Murdoch has taken care of the summer menu, which includes a number of salads, paninis and antipasto plates, as well as pizzas, grilled calamari and oysters with lemon. In the beverage department you can sip on a variety of beers, wines, bubbles and digestifs, along with a handful of classic and custom made cocktails. On top of all that, Bennelong Restaurant are currently operating a pop-up balcony bar, while Opera Bar are running twice weekly breakfast and yoga sessions – although all the spots to the latter have already sold out. Taking full advantage of the summer sun, The Opera House has also extended its tour hours for January, giving you some extra time to explore what's going on back stage. For more information about summer happenings at The Opera House, go here.
Gin! Whimsy! Harbour views! These exclamations and crisp local gin cocktails can be yours this summer, as the Museum of Contemporary Art and Archie Rose open a Grayson Perry-inspired pop-up gin garden. The Gin Garden will be a shady oasis with harbour views from December 4, coinciding with the MCA’s Sydney International Art Series huge exhibition Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career. Dubbed "the ultimate celebration of British eccentricity with a twist of Antipodean flair" by the MCA team, the Gin Garden will see a range of innovative cocktails and jugs made with native ingredients and the Signature Dry Gin by Rosebery's Archie Rose — Sydney's first distillery in 160 years. Keep it simple with The Ultimate G&T (gin and Fever-tree Indian tonic) or get a little more British with The Rose Garden (gin, Earl Grey tea, ginger beer & Roses English marmalade), Channel Enid Blyton with The Faraway Tree (gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and wattleseed cola) or keep it real with a Straight-Laced Lemonade (gin or Archie Rose Original Vodka, smoked lemonade, lemon myrtle and soda water). Young Henrys also launched their own Noble Cut gin this year, but they'll be bringing more of their beloved craft beers to the table — in tinny form — and there's a solid wine menu of Australian and New Zealand slam-dunks. They'll be paired with a garden-friendly menu, from South Coast rock oysters with gin, tonic and cucumber to zucchini and haloumi fritters with juniper pangritata and all the ploughmans platters in between, so prepare your palate for new and glorious adventures in taste. In addition to snacking and slurping in the garden, of course, you should check out Grayson Perry's highly anticipated exhibition, the first major survey in the southern hemisphere of the works of one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary artists. It'll run from December 10 to May 1. The Gin Garden opens at MCA from December 4 to early February. Open Thursdays to Sundays, 4pm to late. Free entry.
It's beginning to look a lot like summer — or, as we may as well call it in Sydney, outdoor movie-watching season. One of Sydney's favourite (and most dramatically panoramic) outdoor movie events, St George Openair Cinema, has just revealed its full 21st season. If you like watching homegrown films under the stars, get excited. Already announced, the 2017 program will kick off with a preview of Lion, starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, David Wenham and eight-year-old newcomer Sunny Pawar. Based on a true story you might've seen splashed across the local media over the past few years, it tells the tale of Saroo Brierley. He became separated from his older brother at the age of five, first ended up nearly 1,500 kilometres away from home, and then forged a new life in Australia — before taking to Google Earth more than two decades later in an attempt to find his long-lost family. This year's a 39-night season, running between January 7 and February 17, and featuring 20 premieres and preview screenings and a selection of 2017 Oscar contenders including Jackie, Manchester by the Sea, Loving, Gold, Hidden Figures and the long-awaited sequel T2 Trainspotting. This summer's anticipated new releases are on the bill too, including La La Land, Why Him?, A United Kingdom and Passengers, as well as 2016 highlights like Nocturnal Animals, Arrival, The Founder, Allied, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Plus, on Australia Day, you can catch a preview of David Stratton's Stories of Australian Cinema. More than 1500 patrons per evening are expected to flock to Mrs Macquaries Point adjacent to Royal Botanic Gardens, so get your tickets locked down. St George Openair Cinema 2017 runs January 7 to February 17. Tickets are on sale at 9am on Monday, December 12, 2016. Visit the website for updates, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
After a day listening and wining and thinking and wining at the Sydney Writers' Festival, the last thing you'll want to do is go home early. So don't. Stick around for some clever, clever company — and sunset views — at Nights At The Wharf. Starting from 6pm on May 19, 20 and 21, this year's series is promising robot experts, gold medallists, yoga instructors, philosophers, live music and poetry. Creative couple Peggy Frew and Mick Turner (of The Dirty Three) will chat about living in an art-ing, music-ing, drawing, painting household — and play you a few tunes while they're at it. International stars Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye will perform the spoken word blitzes that have turned them into modern Lord Byrons, and Chicago-based singer and poet Jamila Woods will jump on stage. Kick-on from 9.30pm each night, as the formidable Chaser team will take over the Hemingway Bar. Chris Taylor will be hosting a bunch of chats, featuring the likes of Midnight Oil frontman-turned-politician-turned-memoirist Peter Garrett, artist Ken Done, robot expert Richard Watson and gold medallist Leisel Jones, among others. And while not necessarily on the wharf, Nights at the Wharf sprawls to over the road at Roslyn Packer Theatre, with a special doubler header from Magda Szubanski and George Megalogenis, and Adam Spencer's Night of the Nerds. Image: Prudence Upton.
There's only a handful of sleeps until Splendour in the Grass once again blows our wee minds, and we've been whiling away the hours by bingeing on live clips in anticipation. And who better to YouTube stalk than one of our favourite artists, English bedroom producer (with pipes to back it all up) James Blake. Blake's music is made to be performed live — all the better to feel shivers up your spine. He's performing at Splendour over the weekend and a string of official sideshows — Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, July 26 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday, July 27 — thereafter so no doubt we can expect to add a few more classics to this list. Have your phone camera (and tissues) at the ready. 'I NEED A FOREST FIRE' - GLASTONBURY 2016 It's not news to anyone that Justin Vernon (better known as Bon Iver) and James Blake are good mates. Of course they are — they probably bonded over their soaring, soulful singing voices and create music that generates All The Feels. So when Vernon made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury last month, jumping up on stage to perform 'I Need a Forest Fire' from Blake's most recent album The Colour in Anything, it was pure, ethereal magic. The pair collaborated closely on the album and their chemistry shows on stage when those two unmistakable voices harmonise perfectly. GLASTONBURY 2016 'TIMELESS' During the same performance at this year's Glastonbury, Blake was joined on stage by rapper Vince Staples during his rendition of 'Timeless', also from The Colour In Anything. Staples raps, Blake plays the piano, tension builds and together they bring a whole new flavour to the song and FOMO to the streaming townspeople. It's like 'Timeless' was made for a collaboration that never materialised, but during this performance it's made whole. And it's only the start of a beautiful (and musically fertile) friendship, as Staples has enlisted Blake to produce his upcoming album. 'RETROGRADE' - DAVID LETTERMAN 2013 'Retrograde', off Blake's second album Overgrown, has to be the pinnacle of 'Blake-ism' — the otherworldly, richly melancholic style for which he's become renown — and his performance on Letterman in 2013 is still one of the most captivating renditions of it to this day. So many bedroom producers struggle to translate well to the stage, but Blake nails this performance without dropping a single note. It's no wonder America sat up and paid attention after this slam dunk. 'CMYK' — MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2011 'CMYK' is the title track from one of Blake's earlier EPs, the 2010 release of the same name. It's an album that's categorised as soft dubstep and samples heavily from '90s R&B staples (like Aliyah's 'Are You That Somebody'), so while it's not exactly the James Blake you know and love today, damn is it good. He performed it at the 2011 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and even watching the video makes us want to get up to get down. As a side note, the video editing is on point, turning what could have been a static video of the stage into a visual feast that captures the feeling of being at an electric gig. Snaps all round for this one. 'LIMIT TO YOUR LOVE — MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013 Here's another from the Montreux Jazz Festival, where Blake performed again in 2013. The set is more intimate, more demure, but fizzling with emotion and his performance of 'Limit to Your Love' is arguably the crown jewel. While he hits every note perfectly, there's a rough quality to 'Limit to your Love' (so different from his normally silky songs) that, in tandem with the sparse but elegant production, makes for a fascinating performance. It's also great to see the whole band enjoying themselves. You can catch the whole performance here. Geared up for a live set IRL from James Blake? He'll be here for the very sold-out Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay, as well as two official sideshows before the festival — Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, July 26 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday, July 27. Tickets here.
Big changes are coming to The Newington on Stanmore Road, with the familiar local set for extensive renovations before reopening under a brand new moniker in October. To be henceforth known as Public House Petersham, the venue will overhaul its traditional pub decor, transforming the space into a 'local cultural hub,' inspired by the vibe of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The rebranding is the idea of hospitality group Solotel, who purchased the venue last year and also operate the likes of Opera Bar, Paddington Inn and Goros. While precise details on the changes are still a little sketchy, we do know that they'll include street art designs, new booth seating, a community herb garden and a shipping container beer garden. The menu and drinks list will also be getting a facelift with a focus on craft beers, wine and share food, as well as pizzas cooked in a brand new wood-fire oven. With the renovations already underway, Public House Petersham is expected to be open by early next month, with a launch party set for Saturday October 24. The owners will also be encouraging local community groups and clubs to use the venue as a place to meet and host activities. Licensee Amanda Veratti said in a statement that the owners "are thrilled to be able to give the old Hotel a new lease of life, where people can meet and socialise over a fantastic range of beverages and food that is made to be shared." The Newington Public House Petersham is located at 292 Stanmore Rad, Petersham.
Flying Lotus has quite the hefty portfolio. Between collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock and Thundercat, the LA producer's five albums experiment with every last genre from hip hop to jazz. In between his own work, FlyLo has produced music for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, film scores and even has a radio station dedicated to his work on the video game Grand Theft Auto V. He also casually raps every now and again under the alias Captain Murphy. Heading our way for Laneway Festival, FlyLo will break out his 3D visual show Layer 3 — fully improvised live by his own graphics team — as part of Sydney Opera House's Music at the House summer program. FlyLo's visit down under will support the release of his 2014 album You’re Dead!, so things will inevitably get pretty frantic.
In the week before the launch of Chin Chin Sydney, the lofty, white-walled space in the Griffith Teas building in Surry Hills (take a closer look here) is buzzing with chefs, waitstaff, builders and three women of wine, calmly ready to take on one of Sydney's most anticipated openings in years. And with the crackerjack credentials of sommeliers at the top of their game, it's easy to see why they remain tranquil amid the whir of energy around them. Leading the team is Head Sommelier Jacq Turner, who cut her teeth at Melbourne faves Gertrude Street Enoteca and Bellota Wine Bar, before helping to bring the acclaimed Prince Wine Store to Sydney. Joining her as assistant manager of wine and beverage is Brooklyn native Lilly Polanco, fresh from curating the wine list at Mjølner, but also from Woolloomooloo's Otto Ristorante, not to mention Michelin star fine dining establishments in the USA such as Restaurant Daniel. And as if that is not enough professional prowess, Lauren Norman will add top-notch experience from Rockpool Bar & Grill, London's The Ledbury, Porteño and most recently as head somm at The Dolphin Hotel. And while Chin Chin has built this team of kickass wine women, it's certainly not the norm — men still very much dominate the industry. "When I went to masterclasses there were no other women there, but me," says Turner. And Polanco can relate: "I was one girl in a very famous New York restaurant. One." But things are slowly changing, she says, adding that "then we were two. And then we were three". "I'm just fucking sick of seeing the restaurant opening with four white dudes," says Turner. "It's fucking boring. It's like, what is that offering? I think it's really just lazy." "[Having a women-led wine team is] really powerful and I feel like it's a really great mentorship for us to all to be together," says Norman. "We can support other girls too, but we can also support boys and I think it's really exciting." The overarching plan is to empower all the staff — regardless of gender and role — to be confident and knowledgeable when it comes to the drinks on offer. But it's not just the waitstaff they plan to educate about the wines, it's the Sydney public, as they prepare to introduce a controversial program of tap wines to the menu. The ladies are unanimously pumped about this; some of Australia's best producers — such as Brokenwood, Yabby Lake and Jim Barry Wines — are creating bespoke tap wines specifically delicious when paired with the chilli, sour, sweet and salty flavours on the Chin Chin menu. Venues have been slowly switching to tap wines, but Chin Chin is taking the concept and running with it. A similar reaction to when screw tops were introduced 20 years ago is expected, but the team stand behind what Polanko calls "a revolution". "It's much less expensive to run, it stays fresher longer — it just is all-around better," she says. "[But] it's not perceived that way, which is the sad part. I want to see people's faces when they come in and they are like, 'tap wine — what?'" The fact that these wines cost only $11 per glass, $29 for a half-litre and $49 for a whole litre might just add to the bewilderment. The tap program is not the only way Chin Chin Sydney will differentiate itself from its much-adored Melbourne sibling — it has a more seafood-focused menu, a pork belly rotisserie and a celebration of New South Wales wines. Add to that the regeneration of the iconic Griffiths Teas building, which has lain dormant for 37 years, a 100 seat cocktail bar called GoGo and the soon-to-open basement event space Chii Town, and there is plenty to give the Sydney outpost an edge. "I think a lot of people will be coming in thinking that it's going to be Melbourne," says Norman. "But it's going to be a lot more — this is Chin Chin Sydney." THREE DISH AND WINE PAIRINGS TO TRY AT CHIN CHIN SYDNEY So what should you order when you do visit? We asked the wine team to recommend some tasty drops to try with the new Chin Chin Sydney menu. JACQ'S PAIRING: SQUID SALAD AND SEMILLON The dish: Squid, green mango salad with cashews and coconut. Best paired with: "Our Brokenwood Semillon 2017 from our tap wine selection. Brokenwood has been a long standing supporter and friend of the Chin Chin group. This Semillon is a cracking vintage, bright, early picked and textural — made to battle with the Thai spices." LILLY'S PAIRING: PORK BELLY AND PINOT NOIR The dish: Rotisserie pork belly with fennel, plum pickle and scud chilli death sauce. Best paired with: "Our Tom Carson Pinot Noir 2015, another one of our tap wines. Tom Carson (of Yabby Lake) has long been a friend and supporter of the Chin Chin group. His single vineyard Pinot Noir from the Mornington Peninsula has fleshy red fruits and undergrowth with notes of anise with silky tannins — perfect for the fiery sauce accompaniment." LAUREN'S PAIRING: GREEN CURRY AND RIESLING The dish: Green curry with grilled fish wing, pea, eggplant and baby corn. Best paired with: "Our 2015 Cotier Riesling. This fragrant green curry is perfect for 2015 Cotier Riesling, a spicy, textured wine that is pithy but fresh, with skin contact and barrel ferment adding a base note to this grapefruit and ginger spice-driven wine." Chin Chin Sydney is set to open at 69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, on Monday, October 2. To make a booking visit chinchinrestautant.com.au Images: Letícia Almeida.
Everyone's starting to look for a ticket out of the city — whether that be for a couple of nights, or for a well-deserved extended break. If enjoying scenic nature sights in comfort sounds like your idea of bliss, you're in luck: Flash Camp has just announced it'll be hosting another pop-up glamping site within Shoalhaven's Coolendel private reserve. It's Flash Camp's third stint on the site, after enjoying the location's charms twice in 2017. This time, it's sticking around not only through the Christmas and New Year period, but until Monday, June 10 (the Queen's Birthday long weekend). If you can't make the 2.5-hour drive down the South Coast from Sydney (or thirty minutes from Nowra) this year, start planning next year's Easter vacation or sneaky weekender. The remote location is an easy trip to achieve a true bush experience — well, kind of. As to be expected, the tents look quite luxe. The bell-shaped, premium 'Flash Tents' come with a king-sized mattress, covered in plush bedding and perched on timber pallets. The tents also feature solar lighting, table and chairs, Biology toiletries, a hand-woven Armadillo & Co rug and individual campfire braziers. Guests also have access to the existing Coolendel amenities, including hot showers and barbecue facilities, as well as a communal Flash Camp tent with seating, fairy lights and a campfire. This year, for the first time, Flash Camp has opened up a second camp just for group bookings — with six bell tents decked out with all the luxuries — so if you're looking for ideas for that upcoming milestone birthday, this might be a good option. The glamping site is located within Coolendel's 52 hectares of bushland along the Shoalhaven River. Nature lovers will be keen on this secluded grassy park, which is an ideal location for spotting wombats, goannas, wallabies and native birds. Apart from nature watching and bushwalking, guests can also try a spot of canoeing, biking and fishing. Rates start from $179 per couple, per night, depending on day of the week and holidays. Rates for the new group-specific site start at $1440 for 12 people, which is $120 a head. Food is not provided, though, so campers should make sure to pack the esky full for the duration of the trip. Flash Camp Glamping will pop up at Coolendel from Friday, August 31, until Monday, June 16, 2019. To book, visit the Flash Camp website. For more glamping options, check out our list for the ten best glamping spots near Sydney. By Marissa Ciampi and Sarah Ward.
First, there was Laurel and Hardy. Then, there was Abbott and Costello. And now, there’s Morrow and Keneally. That’s Julian Morrow and Kristina Keneally. Yep, they’re now a showbiz duo. The Chaser comedian and the former NSW premier are hitting the stage to present a new live event at Redfern's Giant Dwarf. Titled Photo Opp — Snapshots of a Public Life, it takes a look at the lives and careers of Australian politicians, as focalised through photographs brought by the pollie — or sent in by you. The first session, happening on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm, will feature special guest Tony Windsor, former state and federal MP. He was an independent in not one but two hung parliaments, so you can expect some insight into both the Liberal State Government, as led by Nick Greiner, and the Federal Labor Government under Julia Gillard. "Photo Opp will be like a slide night for politics junkies," said Keneally and Morrow in a media statement. "We’re looking forward to taking a trip down political memory lane with significant political figures like Tony Windsor. Photo Opp will provide a thought-provoking and fun look at the role of image and perception in public life, for better and worse. And we’'ll find out what was really going on behind the scenes in some famous political moments captured in photographs." Photo Opp – Snapshots of a Public Life kicks off on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm at Giant Dwarf, 199 Cleveland Street, Redfern. Anyone can submit photos of Photo Opp guests via email to photo.opp@giantdwarf.com.au. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen, BRW.
Hungry musicians doing it tough on tour, prepare to satisfy your appetites. All it takes is a stopover in Brisbane for a gig, and a trip to a certain Fortitude Valley café. That'd be LostBoys, the new saviour of starving artists visiting sunny climates. The Ann Street establishment isn't just largely staffed by those handy with a guitar, drum kit or microphone, but wants to support them too. That's why they've taken it upon themselves to offer a solution to the scourge of musos everywhere: barely making enough money to eat while they're away from home. Travelling around the country playing live shows might seem like a fun life, but the thrill of taking to the stage is tempered by the not-so-glamorous, not-so-financially-lucrative reality. At LostBoys, musical talent dropping by Brisbane can treat themselves to whatever takes their fancy from the cafe's lineup of 100 percent natural, locally-sourced options. Vegetarians, vegans, dairy free foodies and gluten intolerants, there's something on the menu for you, too. The initiative is a brand new addition to what has fast become one of the area's favourite hangouts — which is no mean feat given that LostBoys only opened in October 2014. Of course, their magic all stems from their name. Trust a Peter Pan-inspired eatery to come up with a wondrous way to help creatives' dreams come true. Via The Music. Visit LostBoys at 694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, or check out their website.
Prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Casual summer weekendery. The ever-popular So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is waltzing back to Sydney for its fifth year running , returning to its 2017 venue of Bicentennial Park on the Glebe waterfront. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties — think gourmet picnic hampers, tartlets and terrines, offensively good wine, furious outdoor chess, casual gypsy beats. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists you may be yet to meet. Or maybe you have, if you went along in 2012 or 2014 and enjoyed Féfé's beats. Elsewhere, Juniore brings their retro meets modern sound, General Elektriks his keyboard and L.E.J their percussive, harmonic pop covers. Last, but in no way, shape or form least, there's Frànçois & the Atlas Mountains — they will be belting out their unique blend of poetry-infused guitar pop to get everyone up off their picnic rugs. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with their beloved picnic boxes and cheese plates from Ed Dixon. Filled with stuffed baguettes, nicoise salad and goose egg meringue, the picnic boxes are one to preorder if you don't want to miss out. But So Frenchy won't let you go hungry; there'll be a huge banquet of seafood, crepes and more available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, and rosé, red and whites whines as well. Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi.
Art and food combine at a new bespoke dining series featuring some of Sydney's most talented dancers, painters, photographers, performance artists and chefs. Hosted at Carriageworks as part of Vivid Sydney, Sydney Table will showcase the best the city's creative and culinary communities have to offer, dazzling your eyes and ears as well as your tastebuds. The series will feature seven dinners over three weeks, each of which will pair a different chef with an artist or performer. It begins on Friday, May 27 with ACME's Mitch Orr in the kitchen, while choreographer Amrita Hepi, host of Sydney's epic Beyonce and Rihanna dance classes, shows off her latest moves. Other pairings include Silvereye's Sam Miller with environmental artist Lisa Madigan; Marque's Mark Best with photographer Petrina Tinslay; and Ester's Matt Lindsay with ceramicist and designer Ion Fukazawa. "I wanted to bring the best of food and art together in one room, providing a meeting of the minds," said Carriageworks Farmers Market creative director Mike McEnearney. "Seasonal produce sourced from the Carriageworks Farmers Market will be the canvas for a compelling dining experience, enabling the diners to enjoy an intimate dinner and be able to ask questions they haven't been able to ask before. It's like eating in the green room with your favourite chef/creative." Tickets can be booked via Ticketmaster, and will run you up a bill of $150 per head. Each ticket includes dinner as well as drinks by Archie Rose, Cake Wines and Asahi. There are only 50 spots available at each sitting though, so best get in quick. SYDNEY TABLE LINEUP: Friday, May 27, 7pm — Mitch Orr, ACME with Amrita Hepi, Dancer and FBi Radio Friday, June 3, 7pm — Sam Miller, Silvereye and Artist Lisa Madigan Saturday, June 4, 7pm — Hamish Ingham, Bar H and Designer Vince Frost Thursday, June 9, 7pm — Mark Best, Marque and Photographer Petrina Tinslay Friday, June 10, 7pm — Claire van Vuuren & Mitchell Grady, Bloodwood and Floral Artist Anna McMahon Friday, June 17, 7pm — Mat Lindsay, Ester and Ceramicist Ion Fukazawa Saturday, June 18, 7pm — Alex Herbert, Bird Cow Fish and Artist Thomas Jackson Image: Zan Wemberley.
If you've just finished a blood vessel-bursting pub rant about how Sydney parties are dead and this city's nightlife is in the bin, consider the rug beneath your feet pretty damn precarious. EMCPlay, the more partying public-focused program of Sydney's annual Electronic Music Conference, is back for its fifth year, and essentially means you'll be hopping between big heaving hootenannies and showcases run by the country's favourite party crews, featuring 65 artists in four venues — with one $35 ticket. Curated parties from labels, collectives and agencies including Pilerats, Nuff Said, Sidechains, etcetc, UNDR ctrl, Nap Girls, Purple Sneakers and more will take over Oxford Art Factory, World Bar, Hudson Ballroom and Oxford Circus on Wednesday, November 30 because apparently the Australian music industry is a-ok with letting us all do Thursday with a thumping bass head. Official hub OAF is putting on the headline event with Lastlings, Nutrition, Dena Amy and Paces, while World Bar sees a showcase from management company Nuff Said and label etcetc. Audiopaxx, Kosher, Pilerats and Sidechains will bring a showcase to former Goodgod space Hudson Ballroom, while UNDR Ctrl, Purple Sneakers, Nap Girls and Deeper Than House invade the multiple floors of Oxford Circus.
Pyrmont Festival turns six this year, and they're marking the occasion with one of their best programs yet. It's a whopping ten-day festival of wine, food and art, running from May 13-22. The annually beloved event promises a pretty well jam-packed program of live music, unique dining experiences, exhibitions and sculpture installations featured all around Pyrmont. Every day of the festival program is different — ranging from Persian feasts, five-star dining experiences to wine tasting. The whole festival's an appreciation of local fare, but also a particular ode to the tasty food and wine being produced by our friends up in Mudgee. The festival's kicking off with a free two-day headliner event in Pirrama Park on Saturday, May 14, with live music, art and rides. Be aware, it is a family event, but to counterbalance any possibility of delightfully vocal children is the existence of 100 food and wine stalls scattered around the park. You can chat to local producers and sample delicious local goodies. As well as food stalls, there are also wine testing packages available, with prices starting at $20. The Pyrmont Festival opens on May 15 at 11am for a two-day headliner event at Pirrama Park. Various events will be held throughout the week — the lineup can be accessed here.
If you're a hacker, tinkerer or bike builder, then this one's for you. Join Indonesian designer Singgih Kartono (Spedagi and Magno) for six excellent hours of experimentation with bamboo bicycles. Starting with a Spedagi bike, you'll be free to come up with ideas as crazy as you like and give them an actual go. No one will be holding you back or heeding caution. You're encouraged to dream up some brave concepts in advance and even take your own bike along with you. Should your imaginings prove to be winners, you might find yourself scoring a spot at Cementa 2017.
Marrickville favourite Baba's Place loves to throw a party. Before opening the bustling warehouse eatery, the Baba's team started off with a series of pop-ups. This energy has been maintained over on Sloane Street, with art exhibitions, street parties and everything in between popping up since the venue first opened in 2021. The latest exciting addition to the Baba's Place roster of events is a bottomless brunch that the crew is hosting in collaboration with the team over at Delinquente Wine Co on Sunday, September 10. At the centre of this boozy get-together will be Delinquente's range of Bizzarro canned drinks. For $100, guests will be treated to a Baba's Place and DNA Distillery Rakija and Tonic on arrival, followed by a set menu lunch and 2.5 hours of bottomless Bizzarro drinks. This includes the Bizzarro Tonic, Bizzaro Australiano and the Bizzarro x PS40 Strawberry and Yuzu Sprtizes. Food-wise, expect a classic Baba's Place lunch, with the kitchen known for its playful homages to the culinary pallet of southwest Sydney. There will be Baba's Place's beloved tarama on toast, plus lamb breast with corn and leek; garam masala rice cakes; house focaccia; chickpea, garlic chive oil, almond and pita crumb-topped yoghurt; and baby endive with blood orange, pomegranate and chevrette. Bookings are essential so to lock in your spot, head to the Baba's Place website.
After Sydney Contemporary's massive opening night shindig, don't head straight home. Instead, come party with us. In partnership with Sydney Contemporary, we've organised an epic opening night afterparty – and we want you to join us. As soon as the arty shenanigans wind up at Carriageworks, make your way to Newtown's Earl's Juke Joint — one of Sydney's most loved and hard-to-find late-night haunts. Hosted by Campari and yours truly, alongside Sydney Contemporary, the kick-ons will begin from 8pm. And you can bet Earl's won't be holding back on the party, either. If you're a regular at the cocktail bar, expect to see it as you haven't before: transformed into a creative wonderland. Plus, the evening will be soundtracked by a steady stream of beats provided by local DJ Soup, with the action kicking on till midnight. Best of all? Campari will be slinging 100 free Campari and sodas between 9–10pm*. The folks behind the bar will be shaking up a bunch of Campari-based cocktails on the night, too. Entry to our Sydney Contemporary Afterparty is free. All you have to do is RSVP over here, so we know to expect you. *Limit of one complimentary Campari and soda per person.
Chef Clayton Wells has won over many a Chippendale foodie's heart since opening Automata on the ground floor of the Old Clare Hotel in 2015. And now he's set to extend his reach with the opening of a casual all-day eatery, just 20 metres away. To be called A1 Canteen, the venue will take over the ground floor of The Old Rum Store on Kensington Street — the same building that houses Olio, Bistrot Gavroche and Eastside Kitchen. Whatever the time of day — and whatever the nature of your hunger — you'll be able to satisfy it. A1 will be open for brekkie, lunch, dinner and snacks, including pastries and sandwiches, so you can sit down and take your time or grab a tasty morsel and run. "I've been working on a casual concept for well over a year now," Wells said. "We tested it out last year with auto.lab and we've been waiting for the right space to open something permanent. Finding a site directly across the road from Automata is a dream. A1 will be much simpler and more casual than Automata." Wells will be joined by chef Scott Eddington in the kitchen, while in the role of restaurant manager will be Rachael Trewin, who's the current assistant manager at Automata. Meanwhile, Matt Darwon is overseeing the design. Dishes will range from scrambled eggs and sausages from LP's Quality Meats to fried eggplant sandwiches to a whole roasted flounder. Wells has just returned to Australia after spending some time in Singapore, where he opened Blackwattle, his first venture in Asia. A1 Canteen is scheduled to open in 2018 on the ground floor of The Old Rum Store, Kensington Street, Chippendale. We'll keep you updated when we know more.
FBi Radio not only play you free music every day, now they're giving you free live music. Legends. Teaming up with Jack Daniel's for a brand new permanent live space inside the station, FBi are set to host events and live-to-air showcases with emerging and established, local and international artists in a new series called Local Live at FBi. The team have picked emerging Australian artists to kick things off over February and March, following on from the stage's christening by Sydney Festival dreamboat How to Dress Well in January. First off the bat for the Aussie contingent, Adelaide's pint-sized rapper Tkay Maidza will front up a set on Thursday, February 19. Then Future Classic's latest steal, George Maple, will perform tracks from her debut EP 'Vacant Space' on Friday, February 20. Then solid Sydney favourites Cloud Control will drop by on Wednesday, March 4 for an exclusive show. The new live space has been a long time coming for FBi, whose in-studio sets and live music broadcasts are integral to the station's on-air programming. “FBi is committed to playing 50 percent Australian music, with half of that from Sydney," says Stephen Goodhew, FBi's music director. "Now with FBi Live, we’ll be able to open our doors to more music fans and local talent than ever before. It's the next exciting chapter in the 12 year history of the station as we look to be able to offer more exclusive content on-air and on-demand." The live sets don't stop here, however. With more events to be announced in the coming weeks, there's plenty of love coming FBi's way — from audiences and creative collaborators alike. The new set-up is the result of Jack Daniel's Future Legends campaign, a commission which saw the likes of Bob Barton (Golden Age Cinema and Bar, The Commons Local Eating House, Melbourne's Rooftop Cinema), Dave Frankel, Little May's Annie Hamilton, emerging filmmaker Callum Van De Mortel and of course, FBi's epic, 200-strong team of vols, come together to create the permanent live space. LOCAL LIVE AT FBi RADIO LINEUP: TKAY MAIDZA — Thursday, February 19, 5.30pm GEORGE MAPLE — Friday February 20, 5.30pm CLOUD CONTROL — Wednesday, March 4, 5.30pm To register for free tickets to Local Live at FBi, email your preferred artist choice to live@fbiradio.com along with your name and date of birth (it's a JD event). For more info, head here.
Vivid Sydney is almost here — which means the city is about to explode with art, music and entertainment (enough to keep you warm over winter). Instead of spending all your time looking at the lights and crowds at Opera Bar, head over to Kings Cross Hotel, because the venue is teaming up with Vivid once again and throwing a number of parties throughout the festival. The celebrations kick off on Saturday, May 27, when a whole bunch of Sydney's best DJs will each take over a level of the Kings Cross Hotel for the opening weekend of Vivid. Sydney's best party crews and DJs will be there — Flexmami, Rhythm of the Night, Bad Deep, Body Type and Levins included. This one-night-only party will be one to remember, so head to the Kings Cross Hotel and prepare to dance up a storm. Tickets are $5 online and $10 on the door.
Australia’s first ever eatery dedicated to vegan superfood sushi has opened in Newtown. Vegan. Superfood. Sushi. That’s a whole lot of goodness rolled into one: delicious looks, cracking taste and insane levels of healthiness — plus no little critters had to lose life over your meal. Opened in a heritage-listed space at 69-77 King Street, Newtown, opposite fellow vegan retailers Suzy Spoon, Superfood Sushi is the first of its kind in the country. To turn this culinary utopia into a reality, the team behind the operation ran a highly successful Pozible campaign, raising a total of $9441. This team is made up of mother and son duo and Superfood Sushi founders Pepe Marshall and Guy Renner. Pepe trained as a chef and owned a cafe in Auckland before moving to Australia a decade ago. She and Guy are already vegan superfood sushi experts, and have been serving up their creations at markets and special events for the past six months. “We developed the concept when we couldn’t find any plant-based sushi around, except for the boring, unhealthy, white rice rolls filled with avocado or cucumber,” says Pepe. “So we decided to make our own. Our main aim is to try and seduce people with food. Many people are under the misconception vegan food is boring; it is anything but boring. In fact, I think some of the most creative recipes I have followed and created have been plant-based.” Proof of that is Superfood Sushi’s menu. Examples include Saigon Pickle (forbidden black rice, Vietnamese pickled carrot, daikon — a mild winter radish — baby corn and avocado) and Magic Mushroom (forbidden black rice with Portobello, enoki, oyster and shitake mushrooms roasted with garlic, balsamic and rosemary). But the favourite of Kym Staton, founder of the Sydney Vegan Club, is Mango Chick (eleven grain rice, asparagus, red capsicum, cucumber and rocket, topped with a mix of mango, chick peas, chilli and chives). “The flavours are to die for,” he said, “except no one had to die for it”. Pepe is continually experimenting with new flavour combinations, so diners can expect an evolving menu. “Cooking and food constantly consume me,” she said. “Whether I am reading, travelling or researching, I am trialling new ideas... Really, the possibilities are limitless in terms of variety.” The only boundaries are her insistence on seasonal produce — organic and locally sourced wherever possible — and her aversion to mock meats. “Personally, I am not a fan,” she said. “So I’ve steered away from them, focusing on flavoursome combinations of vegetables only.” Superfood Sushi will join more than thirty vegan eateries in Sydney. “It’s great,” Kym said, “as it gives Sydneysiders another way to make kinder, greener and healthier choices via what they put on their plate.” Find Superfood Sushi at 69-77 King Street, Newtown, (02) 9519 0100, superfoodsushi.com.au. Open Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm. View all Sydney Cafes.
As you must know by now, you'll be sending at least one part of your summer with Grayson Perry's work at the Museum of Contemporary Art. And if you want to learn more about the cross-dressing icon, former YBA and Turner Prize winner, turn up to the Sydney Opera House on Sunday, December 13, where he'll be spilling the beans in a talk titled 'How to be an artist just like me'. Part of the Opera House's Ideas at the House program, the chat will focus on what it takes to make it in the art world. You can expect to hear about Perry's quest to draw attention to contemporary art and his struggles with self-belief, identity, power and recognition. Along the way, broader cultural and social issues, like sex, class and religion, will be canvassed. And you can bet your bottom dollar there'll be witty asides aplenty.
Redfern's new watering hole, Moya's Juniper Lounge, takes a reverent approach to all things gin. Since opening on Regent Street, the little hole-in-the-wall venue has been generating industry buzz, and it's not hard to see why. It's not flashy or elaborate – forget extensive menus that cater to your every whim. Instead, the Moya's team are single-mindedly interested in perfection. The mainstay of the operation is the sassy gin-centric cocktail list, each garnished with the words of great drinkers and thinkers of the ages – including the Queen Mother, Robert Downey Jr. and George Costanza. "All the drinks are classics," says co-owner and operator Charles Casben. "We're not doing anything new but we're trying to do traditionalism well." The bar currently serves a small but well paired menu, featuring pickle plates, cured meats sliced to order, and a ham and cheese sandwich on a brioche bun. Perfectly sophisticated, dahhling. The interior of the venue hints at traditionalism, and that's fitting. The history of gin reaches back over two hundred years and has appealed to completely polar identities during that time. When gin was introduced in England in the early 1700s, it was thought an unethical and wicked vice of the lower classes. After doing battle with prohibition and alcohol reform and emerging as a gentleman's drink, gin production became more refined, more like the gin we know (and love) today. Moya's Juniper Lounge references the gin palaces of old with a cosy but plush atmosphere, mismatched velvet lounges, long runner rugs and old fashioned decoration. Still, while they may serve cocktails and delicate sandwiches, there's nothing snooty about this place, which is gunning to become your new local. "We really wanted it to be a local, friendly little cocktail bar," says Casben. "When I was working at Ester, the community around Chippendale/Redfern had a really local, genuine, friendly atmosphere and it was really enticing; we wanted to be a part of it." Moya's Juniper Lounge, 101 Regent Street, Redfern. For more information visit www.moyasgin.com.
With the launch of a brand new Japanese-style menu, Manly Wine is transforming into a cherry blossom garden for spring and summer from Saturday, October 31. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of hanami, which translates to 'seeing flowers', the bar has launched a dining experience that is aesthetically pleasing all around. As you walk through its doors, you'll discover a world of pastel pink flowers, artful cocktails and dumplings — all while being surrounded by wonderful views of Manly Beach. Some must-try bites include its green tea soba noodle salad ($23), ebi katsu roll ($25) and matcha panna cotta for dessert ($12). Plus, there's a menu of seven different $18 spritzes to choose from, including the You're No Matcha with pistachio fairy floss and the yuzu vermouth-spiked Ginger Ninja. Manly Wine is also offering a bottomless dumpling special on Wednesdays from 5pm. For $30 (or $59 with bottomless tap beer, cider and wine), you can eat as many dumplings as your heart desires for two hours. If you prefer your bottomless meal with spritzes on weekends, the bar also is also offering boozy brunches for $79, which include all-you-can-drink spritzes and a set brunch menu. Bookings are available from 11–1pm and 2–4pm every Saturday. Images: Jasper Ave
In 2016, Secret Garden Festival will see 50 bands and DJs, 30 actors, dancers and comedians, 18 pop-up performances, 10 drag queens, eight d-floors, six stages, two days of fancy dress and one overtly busy kissing booth. For the first time this year, the SG team announced the expansion of the festival into a full two-day program, but they've also decided to let 'Gardeners' choose their own adventure, with a limited release of one-day tickets on sale from 8am AEDT this Friday, November 27. Of course, Secret Garden are keeping their 2016 lineup under wraps — you won't see any skerrick of it until tickets are sold out. So we asked the SG team for some of their favourite music moments from the last eight years, to give you an idea of what to expect. PETER COMBE SINGING 'WASH YOUR FACE WITH ORANGE JUICE' ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE STAGE "In 2015, Gardeners were invited to celebrate Secret Garden’s 7th birthday slumber party. We hosted a full blown seven-year-old's birthday party, complete with a ball pit, fairy glen, crafternoon, pillow fort and of course Peter Combe belting out some old familiar tunes we used to sing along to as kids. As the sun set, Combe brought the magic, with two thousand adults singing ‘wash your face in orange juice’ [to] a stage dressed as a birthday cake — quickly followed by a mass pillow fight, of course." EGDAR THE FARMER FINDING HIMSELF STAR OF THE DRAG SHOW "In 2011, we really began to transform the festival into a creative melting pot of crowd participation, a place to discover foreign worlds and mass choreographed dance routines. It was the year farmer Edgar [the Secret Garden farm owner] got up on stage with the Secret Garden resident drags, who all exclaimed, 'Oh my god ladies and gentleman, a real live farmer is in the house,’ and to Edgar’s (and his wife's) surprise, he was given a big kiss." THE SURPRISE FLEETWOOD MAC COVER BAND "In 2011... It was the surprise cover act that really has stood out in our minds. The Fleetwood Mac cover band opened their set with 'Go Your Own way'. Bananas, superheroes and pot plants wrapped arms around each other as they sang in unison." DEEP SEA ARCADE GETTIN' NAKED (SORTA) "Bands jumping up on our stages in full fancy dress is a common occurrence at Secret Garden. In years gone by we have seen The Griswolds dress as Kiss and Total Giovanni dressed at Greek Gods. However it was Deep Sea Arcade, our first band to ever dress up, who came on stage in naked suits that really stands out as one of our favourite Secret Garden memories. Caught up in the excitement, we encouraged everyone to join the band on the stage. About 300 patrons crammed on the stage, who all dance and sung along to a significant smaller audience of 250." https://vimeo.com/21684727 Secret Garden's limited release of one-day tickets are on sale from 8am AEDT this Friday, November 27. Secret Garden Festival returns to its (sort of) secret location on February 26 and 27, 2016. Images: Tim Da Rin, Voena, Jack Toohey.
Think about an album or song that helped you in hard times — soothed you through a break-up, got you through you first year of uni, soundtracked your first love. Imagine if you could have a chat to the musician that made that music. That's where Giant Dwarf comes in. Chippendale's beloved performance venue is starting a new acoustic music series by the name of My Tunes. Once a month, a prominent Australian will pick an Australian artist whose music meant something to them, and invite said artist for a live mini-set and chat onstage. To kickstart the series in October, triple j’s Zan Rowe has invited Something for Kate’s Paul Dempsey on Wednesday, October 21. Audiences will get the chance to hear frontman and chief songwriter for Something For Kate play a few of his songs live in an intimate context. There's a lot to choose from, Dempsey has released six platinum and gold albums. In between tunes, he and triple j Mornings presenter and producer Rowe will discuss Dempsey’s own songs in an informal conversation. Dempsey will delve into his influences, experiences and everything between his first ever song to his upcoming second solo LP, and Rowe will get the chance to talk about how and why his music has affected her. The Q&A will be interlaced with memories shared by listeners and audience members, so if Dempsey's music is your thing too, get along and meet the guy. My Tunes kicks off at Giant Dwarf on Wednesday, October 21. Nab your tix to the first incarnation of My Tunes here.
Some people are just born with a penchant for spirits. The Australian genius of a distiller behind Mr Black cold drip coffee liqueur has come up with a perfect gin — one he's calling 'garden grown' gin. It’s called Distillery Botanica and to be honest, drinking it feels like strolling merrily through a summer garden. There’s a good reason for that. Philip Moore, the brains behind Distillery Botanica, sources all the botanicals from his very own garden in Erina on the Central Coast. To get the most out of the plants, he uses a one-thousand-year-old technique known as 'enfleurage'. It involves placing the flowers on a layer of coconut oil, into which their fragrance diffuses over two or three days, creating the purest possible perfume. The heady scent hits you as soon as the glass reaches your hand. “The hero botanical is marraya,” says Will Miles, Distillery Botanica partner and brand director. “It looks a bit like jasmine, but it’s got slightly wider petals and grows on tall, lush hedges. All the flowers are handpicked at the distillery, in the garden, so the gin really has the essence of the place where it’s made.” In addition to murraya, there’s jasmine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, rose, chamomile, coriander, orris root, sage, angelica and juniper. You can order a bottle of Distillery Botanica online. (The actual bottle, by the way, is one you’ll want to keep for aesthetics alone — five years went into its design). But, should you want to try a sample first, pop into Dead Ringer in Surry Hills (413 Bourke Street). If you’ve been there before, you’ll know it’s one of Sydney’s best new bars, operated by the legends from Bulletin Place. And mixologist Tim Phillips — who’s also co-owner and former World Class Bartender of the Year — has created an exclusive, Distillery Botanica-inspired cocktail. “We all love the gin,” he said. “We tried it blindly, we tried it in a gin and tonic, we tried it in a martini, and we all loved it … It’s a pleasure to pump up the tyres of a domestic product, but only if it’s the equal — or preferably the better — of an international product, and that was definitely the case with this stuff. “I wanted to come up with a cocktail that was quite perfume-y, quite aromatic, that reflects the pillars that Botanica are about. So, I’ve done a summer martini. The idea is to reverse the traditions of the martini, in the sense that, instead of having a very gin-heavy martini with a gesture of vermouth, having more of a vermouth martini. The seasoning of the drink is the gin, but there’s still enough that it’s able to stand up and pop and definitely get all the great stuff that is in the bottle.” Phillips’s Garden Martini is made of La Quintinye vermouth, Distillery Botanica and a dash of Benedictine liqueur. In place of olives are three drops of herb and olive oil. As a finishing touch, he sprays the glass with a specially created Distillery Botanica perfume, transporting your senses to some far-off Eden. Shop Distillery Botanica on their website or try Phillips’s Garden Martini at Dead Ringer, 413 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. Images: Sabine Schwarz.
A pop-up tattoo parlour, a free outdoor sideshow alley and a huge live painting at the Art Gallery of NSW are among the highlights of this year's Spectrum Now Festival. The 16-day creative arts extravaganza, launched last year by The Sydney Morning Herald, is back for 2016, featuring more than 100 free and ticketed events around the city. The Spectrum Now Festival, which will run from March 1 to 16, is split into four sections: art, stage, talks and music. Here's what you should be Sharpie-ing into your diary. ART Included in the arts section will be an ambitious live painting at the AGNSW, where Western Sydney artist Tom Polo will spend two weeks creating a gigantic wall painting in view of the public. You can also spend An(other) Evening with Ken Done at his studio in The Rocks, or check out emerging pop artist Matt Dampney creating a live mural in the Frances Keevil Gallery Double Bay on March 5. For the ultimate Sydney date idea, head to The Domain from March 3-13 for Spectrum Now's free outdoor festival hub. You'll enter through a cathedral of fairy lights into a sideshow alley, where you can get inked by tattoo artist Leslie Rice from LDF Tattoo Parlour, or get a haircut from retro barber Tony Vacher at Sterling Apothecary Barber Shop, plus there'll be fire breathers, burlesque dancers and free live music. Hanging over the hub will be a giant balloon chain by US artist Robert Bose, who previously created similar works at Burning Man and Coachella. STAGE The stage category will likewise features several standout shows, including performances by the Sydney Dance Company and Bard on the Beach, a burlesque act at Crystal Bar, a performance of La Boheme transplanted to the 1930s, and two nights of stand-up comedy with the stars of Workaholics (though both of those are already sold out so lucky you if you managed to nab a seat). And after a hugely successful run last year, Marie's Crisis Festival Bar returns to set up shop in Parlour Lane Roasters, QT Sydney each evening from March 1-10. The MC crew are also teaming up with Sydney's Hayes Theatre Company for a huge outdoor singalong in The Domain on March 7, so brush up on your Sondheim. TALKS Two of the most successful events on last year's talks program will return in 2016. Pillow Talk features personal conversations with some of the country's leading creative couples, and will this year include the likes of David and Kristen Williamson, David and Lisa Campbell, and Max Cullen and Margarita Georgiadis. Cultural Crush, meanwhile, invites prominent journalists to interview their 'dream subject'. Those in the spotlight this year include investigative journalist Kate McClymont speaking with film director Bruce Beresford, and columnist Benjamin Law grilling Leigh Sales from the ABC. MUSIC On top of the free Domain program featuring Cuban Jazz from Malo Malo, Hillbilly pop from The Pigs, the jazz-funk stylings of Lyre Byrdland, hip hop brass with Hi Tops Brass Band and the swinging sounds of Crusty Suitcase Band, the ticketed Big Top offering is too hefty to summarise here, so check out our separate guide to the Spectrum Now Festival music lineup. Spectrum Now begins on March 1. For the full program or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
To usher in the Chinese New Year, artist Fan Dongwang is bringing you an exhibition bursting with colour, where traditional Chinese images meet Western icons. Titled Icons of Identity, the show is a celebration of multiculturalism in Australia. It's an exploration of the possibility of finding a common language through art. "[The images and icons] are not only beautiful but also powerful symbols of nationhood," said Dongwang. "It is through these symbols that the past continues to have a bearing on the present as well as the future." Dongwang moved to Sydney from China in 1990. By then, he was already a respected artist in his home country, have exhibited at Shanghai Art Gallery many times. Since then, he's completed a PhD at Wollongong Uni and held shows in galleries all over Australia, including the National Gallery. Head to 541 Art Space on 3 February between 6pm and 8pm, to catch Icons of Identity's opening night.
Dumpling masters Lotus Dining have officially joined Barangaroo's waterfront promenade. Now open in The Streets of Barangaroo, the restaurant is Lotus's third Sydney edition and, with 160 seats, its second largest. On the menu is a stack of established favourites as well as a bunch of new, Shanghai-influenced creations, dashed with Australian native ingredients. Head chef Chris Yan, who was born in Shanghai, is the man behind the helm. "While my food is based on traditional Chinese recipes, many inspired by my grandma, I like to add a little bit of Australia where I can," he said. Among the native flavours, you'll find finger limes, butterfly pea flowers, lemon aspen, cassia bark and crystal ice (yep, it's a plant). You'll even find some of them growing in Lotus Barangaroo's onsite garden. As you might expect of a harbourside restaurant, the native ingredients are used to dress up ultra-fresh seafood, from Southern rock lobster to Queensland mud crab to Western Australian snow crab. Also worth sampling is the garfish with sticky soy sauce, spring bay mussels braised in Tsingtao beer and an array of inventive dumplings, including spanner crabmeat and prawn, chicken siu mai and steamed pork wontons with sesame paste and black mushrooms. When your sweet cravings hit, you'll be turning to desserts made by pastry chef Tiffany Jones (The Pastry Project). Standouts include 'Ma fleur de Lotus' (yuzu and chrysanthemum cheesecake with coconut ice cream and coconut meringue crisps) and 'Passionfruit picked from the vine' (a super Heston Blumenthal-like passionfruit ice cream with a salted vanilla marshmallow centre and passionfruit skin glaze). Brilliant sommelier Annette Lacey (Pei Modern, Marque, Claude's) is taking care of the wine list. Prepare for aromatic drops — both Aussie and international — to match Lotus's spicy palette. Meanwhile, Kate McGraw is on the cocktails, with offerings like the summery Boardwalk Spritz (Cocchi Rosa, plum, jasmine infused honey, grapefruit soda) and the Napoleon (sesame washed Cognac, Laphroaig, Carpano Antica, wattleseed, house-made black sesame bitters). The large space gives you plenty of choice, when it comes to setting — whether you're into water frontage or laneway intimacy. The interior, designed by Paul Papadopoulos of dynamo Australian team DS17 (Alpha, Beta Bar, Bel + Brio), is relaxed and neutral, dressed in cane, white and navy with splashes of black. Lotus is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Images: Alana Dimou.
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.
Up next, in missed-the-mark publicity stunts, a Sydney bar has rolled the dice on one awkward shuffle of a launch party gimmick. Circular Quay's Cruise bar has come under fire for hiring naked models to stand in for fruit platters at their relaunch in the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal on Wednesday night. According to SBS, Cruise bar had female models apparently naked and covered in fruit on large buffet tables, or had them handfeeding guests. Needless to say, as soon as the images hit social media, people had plenty to say. This is the display tonight at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal Cruise Bar - unacceptable. #destroythejoint pic.twitter.com/aasWBgSQO2 — Melanie James (@melanie_james) August 26, 2015 Appalling. Women used as serving trays at Sydney bar in PR stunt. http://t.co/bFhSU4iXyN pic.twitter.com/f58ppMB3r0 — Steve Williams (@randomswill) August 26, 2015 Here are the flicks from the #CruiseBar launch last night with a nude ladies draped in food.... ????????????#NOPE pic.twitter.com/Zw9dEomNoX — Dan and Maz (@DanAndMaz) August 26, 2015 Nova newsreader Matt de Groot defended the stunt, saying "everyone was having fun", noting the number of male models on site and that all posing was voluntary. No one was forced to do anything.There were near equal male/ female models.A good night @CoralieAlison @CollectiveShout @CruiseBarSydney — Matt de Groot (@mattdegroot_) August 26, 2015 Myer ambassador and assistant for the Cruise bar relaunch Kate Peck also saw nothing wrong with the stunt. The only way to eat a fruit salad, let's be honest #cruisebarsydney @CruiseBarSydney https://t.co/Y3j8JoWVVL — Kate Peck (@KatePeckme) August 26, 2015 Cruise aren't the first to use naked humans as plates or glasses. The Japanese practice of nyotaimori/nantaimori, often referred to as 'body sushi', sees sashimi or sushi served on the naked body of a man or woman. Apparently a samurai tradition, the whole practice was associated with geisha houses — yep, a literal feast after a battle. Considered an artform, individuals train to lie down for hours without moving, withstand prolonged exposure to the cold, cold sushi. We'll take landscape painting over this one, but kudos. #cruisebar Samantha did it better.... pic.twitter.com/cGjYcK9Oxn— Haley De Martin (@Halesdm) August 26, 2015 Modern artists have seized upon the practice too; food artists Bompas and Parr recently hosted anatomical whisky tastings, in which whiskies were sipped from the bodies of same-aged humans. But history and art aside, this is the 21st century. Is eating party food from a woman's body something that's socially acceptable, possibly empowering, or straight-up objectifying? What do you reckon — women as fruit platters, yay or nay? Via SBS.
Get ready to chow down on mouthwatering Neil Perry hamburgers. Since opening in Sydney's World Square last October, the celebrity chef's high-end fast food joint Burger Project has become a favourite with local foodies, serving up a variation of his iconic Rockpool wagyu beef burger at a fraction of the price. Now, less than two weeks after announcing a second Burger Project location in Parramatta, Perry has revealed the details for not one, not two, but five additional restaurants, including three across the border in Melbourne. According to Good Food, Perry will open the first Melbourne Burger Project in March next year in the St Collins Lane development (formerly Australia on Collins), near the corners of Collins and Elizabeth Streets in the CBD. The licensed restaurant will operate between 11am and 10pm, and will seat around 100 people. Two additional locations will follow — one at Chadstone shopping centre in August, and another at Crown Casino at the end of 2016. He's also reportedly considering spots in the inner suburbs, including Richmond and Carlton. In Sydney, meanwhile, Perry is hoping to open a store in the MLC Centre in Martin Place by November, along with a Chatswood location in mid-2016. That's in addition to the Parramatta restaurant, although still no word on when we can expect that site to start cooking. He's previously expressed his desire to have as many as 50 stores nationwide, and told Good Food that he's also looking overseas — earmarking New Zealand, Singapore and the United States as possible areas for expansion. So, what exactly do they serve at The Burger Project, anyway? Well, assuming Perry sticks closely to the winning World Square formula, you can expect a variety of tasty burger including the Magic Mushroom burger, the Spicy Fried Chicken burger and of course the classic American cheeseburger. You can also get a bun-free burger served in a lettuce bowl, at no additional cost. Side options include chips with salt or chipotle chilli, and crispy hot wings with Sichuan pepper. And for dessert, dive into one of their decadent ice cream creations such as the Marsh-Cara-Mallow (salted caramel ice cream with hazelnut praline, burnt marshmallow and chocolate sauce) or The Bounty Hunter (vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate sauce, toasted coconut and crushed meringue). Don't act like you're not impressed. Via Good Food.
Surry Hills' beloved fried chicken joint, Butter, has launched a guest chef ramen series for the eighth consecutive year. Once again, you can head into Butter for noodle-starring soupy goodness curated by RAFI, Bella Brutta and Rising Sun Workshop chefs. [caption id="attachment_953532" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] This year, the six-month lineup kicks off just in time for winter, with its first residency starting from Wednesday, May 1. For 28 days, you'll be able to order an invention combining a creamy tonkatsu ramen base with thick noods, tomato, sesame, chilli oil and the star of the dish, yellowfin tuna from RAFI. This creation is helmed by Applejack Group's Patrick Friesen (ex-Bopp & Tone, June's Shoppe, Hester's, The Butler, SoCal, Forrester's; currently RAFI and Taphouse Sydney) and will be available until Tuesday, May 28. Plus, you're able to pair this limited-edition dish with an iced maple green tea spiked with Chivas Regal and containing aloe jelly for $14, or you can opt for the combo deal of ramen and the exclusive drink pairing for $40. Plus, you can still enjoy all of Butter's popular menu items alongside your ramen bowl. The June edition is one that's close to Butter's Executive Chef Julian Cincotta's heart. Returning to the menu is the creation of Ume Burger's Kerby Craig. The dish is making a comeback to pay homage to the talented chef, putting a classic Ume spin on the original ramen. Expect a bowl starring tori miso ramen with Butter's chicken broth base, corn, black onion and nori, which you can order from Wednesday, May 29–Monday, June 24. Third on the lineup is Cincotta's own invention. The world-famous fried chicken ramen will be resurrected to join the menu, starring the joint's crowd-pleasing fried chicken, and will be available from Tuesday, June 25–Monday, July 29. Following this long-awaited dish will be creations from Luke Powell (ex-Bella Brutta, LP's Quality Meats), which'll take over the menu from Tuesday, July 30–Monday, August 26; a Nick Smith (Rising Sun Workshop) bowl from Tuesday, August 27–Monday, September 23, and a Matt Lindsey (Ester/Poly) menu takeover for the event's final run from Tuesday, September 24–Monday, October 21. The ramen club event runs on a first-in, first-serve basis — with only a certain amount of bowls dished up daily — so you'll want to opt for an early dinner. All of these limited-edition dishes are only available in-store, so you'll need to head into the Surry Hills venue to slurp through the selection.
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.
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.
It’s been one of the most anticipated openings Sydney’s seen in many an age. After an 18-month to-and-fro with tenders and short-term contracts, the new Peter Gilmore-driven Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House is set to open on July 1 — and you can already make a reservation. Flying a culinary flag for the homeland, Bennelong's focus will be on Australian produce and wine. With celebrated Australian chef and Quay mastermind Gilmore at the helm, the revamped restaurant intends to showcase local, seasonal foods on one of the city's biggest, multi-level foodie stages. Taking over the long-lovedstepfront space, the new Bennelong will feature different dining options depending on what you're up for. The big gun, ‘The Restaurant’, is your fine dining realm on the lower-level, serving innovative Australian cuisine by Gilmore. Diners can choose from a two- or three- course a la carte menu for lunch (Friday through to Sunday $95 for two, $125 for three), or a three course a la carte menu for dinner (Monday through Sunday $125) — and reservations are recommended. If you're taking in a spot of theatre or a Concert Hall gig, there's a 'Pre-Theatre' option: two- or three- courses, seven nights a week ($80 for two, $105 for three, Monday to Sunday 5.30 and 6pm sittings). But it's not all pricey fine dining at Bennelong this time around, with the introduction of the 'Cured and Cultured' menu. This is Bennelong's more relaxed, casual dining option, the type of set-up to have a tipple and a bite without breaking the bank — you'll find a sharing menu with nothing over $30. Nice. You can watch the chefs at work on the central level or take a seat at the casual seating area known as 'The Circle' (not named for the Dave Eggers novel or Australian morning talk show). Wanting to absorb the fancyschmancyness without actually sitting down to a proper dinner? Check out 'The Bar'. Bar manager Aaron Gaulke has worked with Gilmore under the Australian local ingredient focus to create a cocktail list worthy of a landmark, open every night from 5.30pm to late. Find Bennelong at Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, reopening from July 1. For bookings, (02) 9240 8000 or reservations@bennelong.com.au.
Seekers of the avant-garde will want to check out Tennessee's Holly Herndon at Sydney Festival. She has received universal plaudits over the last decade for her forward-thinking, boundary-pushing take on sound creation. The musician uses code to create unique, custom-made digital instruments, and she'll be in the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent off the back of her latest full-length, Proto. The Berlin-based US musician has developed an AI program called Spawn, that she duets with — collaborating with her AI baby to make music. Human melodies meet synthetic sounds in this scientific and dizzying performance.
