"It was a rollercoaster, really," says Continental Deli Co-Owner and Manager Michael 'Mikey' Nicolian of COVID-19. "The unpredictability and fear of the uncertainty, of what was going to happen, was the scary part... You start doubting yourself and thinking about worst-case scenarios." But, swing by either of Continental Deli's locations, Newtown or the CBD, now and you won't notice too much of a difference. Much in line with the deli-cum-bar's 'Yes We Can' motto, the Continental crew — Porteño's Joe Valore and Elvis Abrahanowicz, Head Chef Jesse Warkentin and Nicolian — refused to fall on their swords. After the government announced the mass closure of indoor venues — and some subsequent sore heads the next morning — the boys closed up for 24 hours, threw whatever they had into a pot to make soups, got to work on canning and reopened as a sandwich and retail shop the very next day. [caption id="attachment_696516" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] With its canning setup already slinging a steady supply of cocktails, gelato and flan, and the Newtown store's status as a neighbourhood institution, the Sydney business was somewhat prepared for a global pandemic. Demand was steady almost as soon as the reimagined shop launched — and it's partially thanks to the panic-buying at supermarkets. When the canned goods' aisle at your local grocer was barren, Continental was there with tins of beef gochujang (made with A-grade dry-aged ribeye, no less), spiced cauliflower and fennel soup, curried lentils, baked borlotti beans in chipotle sauce and, for dessert, Flan in a Can. Not to mention the freshly baked sourdough, oils, sardines, LP's sausages, olives, eggs, merch, NY-style meatball subs, pastas, cheeses and charcuterie platters. Nicolian made sure everyone knew about it, too. "I don't do anything except work and then eat and drink out. That is literally my day-to-day life. And I don't have a clue who's open or what they're offering," he told CP. "So, I needed to keep pushing the message on Instagram." But, really, it was the super-popular canned cocktails which had us — Concrete Playground employees and Sydneysiders at large — coming back. Dropping the price down to $12 (from the usual $18 you'd pay at the bar), Continental made the drinks available for takeaway for the first-time ever as soon as the NSW Government deemed it legal. Back in BC (Before COVID) times, you might've popped into either outpost for a Mar-tinny. During lockdown, we were knocking back a Quaran-tinny (or few) on our couches. [caption id="attachment_696571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] "I was really surprised with how quickly everyone jumped on it," says Nicolian. "[Demand] was as high as what we'd do in service week-to-week. Actually, we probably did a little more over lockdown." By keeping production going, Continental kept its main canning guy, who wasn't eligible for JobKeeper, in work. When asked if canned cocktails to-go will stick around, Nicolian told CP,"100 percent yes — as long as we're legally allowed to." While canned cocktails for those at home was a blessing, delivering them wasn't all smooth sailing. "It's cool being able to bring what we do to people wherever they are," says Nicolian. "But, fuck, it was a nightmare. With delivery, there is definitely that room for error. Maybe someone's going to get a couple of our Mar-tinnys and drink them warm." [caption id="attachment_640883" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] Now, the Newtown spot is much the same, but with fewer people at the bar and every second table in the upstairs bistro empty. "It's a slower pace with a smaller team and it's kind of nice." At Continental CBD, however, you'll notice a few changes. The once open-plan space is now divided by back-to-back leather banquettes, separating the bar area and dining room. Using the time during lockdown to tweak a few things, such as the CBD fit-out, dipping a toe into deliveries and canning more than ever before, the crew is "keeping things more lean". "We'll always adapt and always look to try and make it cooler, make it better," says Nicolian. "The place is still evolving." What's commendable is that Continental — and the crew behind it — never really wavered; it's backbone still intact. You'll still get some mighty fine (and stinky) cheeses, top-quality meats, tinned seafood, consistent cocktails and, of course, affable staff. "It might be corny or a bit cheesy, but we put love into everything we do and we do it because we love it and love being a part of a community. And that hasn't changed and it never will change," Nicolian says, wrapping things up as Continental Newtown is about to open, with a line already forming. "Thanks, really, to everyone who's supported us. And that's for the industry, not just Continental. A lot of places have been able to survive on the back of the support." Continental Newtown and Continental CBD are now open again for dine-in service every day — and, yes, you can still sip a Quaran-tinny at home, just be sure to drink it cold. Continental is part in Concrete Playground's series 52 Bars in 52 Weeks, exploring COVID-19's impact on the city's bars and encouraging Sydneysiders to pull up a seat, every week. Images: Kitti Gould
Some say good things come in small packages, which is true of both Tuckerbox and the range of grab-and-go bites it sells. The tiny cafe opened in Paddington in October 2019 and is a go-to for locals — like CP reader @isyrouslstone, who recommended it to us — for its range of takeaway salads, sandwiches and hot meals, which are prepared daily in an off-site commercial kitchen. Pair your feed with a coffee — a Mecca roast is the bean of choice — or a cold-pressed juice from nearby Simon Says Juice. [caption id="attachment_798468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Head down Commonwealth Street to Paramount House and you will discover a veritable treasure trove of all things awesome we are lucky enough to say reside in Sydney. There's tokyobike, the recently renovated Golden Age Cinema and Bar and now, The Paramount Coffee Project: a shining example of how good a cafe can be when this city gets it right. The thing is, the PCP has taken tattoo-clad staff members in matching aprons and given them iPads. They've taken large share table and plonked a huge, flamboyant plant in the middle to add that cosy, cushiness us here in NSW crave. It's Melbourne cafe-cool Sydneyfied, and it doesn't stop there. The bright, light and spacious venue is almost something out of a movie. As you enter across the polished concrete floor with the coffee machine to your left, on your right is a deliciously contemporary filter coffee station where the various nectars are expertly drained by hand. Be warned, this process does take time, so if you're in need of a faster hit we suggest going espresso. But with Mark Dundon of Seven Seeds and Russell Beard of Reuben Hills the brains behind the joint, you can imagine there's a pretty decent selection. The food is also fabulous, with plenty of our health-conscious favourites juxtaposed against dishes that take our fascination with boisterous, greasy grub to a whole new disgusting level. And by 'disgusting' we mean can't-get-enough-watch-me-shovel-this-into-my-gob-don't-judge-me-it's-hashtag-amazing. We opted for the Philly cheesesteak sandwich (don't bother with the extra chips) with dill pickles, rare slices of beef and melted cheese galore. If we didn't have to tell you to drink responsibly, we'd suggest getting wankered the night before just so you can enjoy this beast hungover. In all honesty, it's just great to see a new cafe embody all the key elements that make a successful venture. Impeccable and friendly service — check. Sleek, modern design — check. Ripper coffee and food — check and check. Definitely worth a visit. Image: Simon Wright via Flickr.
As Aussies gear up for a postal vote on same-sex marriage, the latest show of support for marriage equality is an especially vocal one, with some of the country's best-loved musical acts banding together for a one-off concert at Sydney's Enmore Theatre. On Tuesday, September 12, Unity will see a diverse bunch of Australian artists taking the stage in a push for equality and to demonstrate their support for the LGBTI+ community, all while throwing down some serious tunes. The Jezebels (who are currently in the middle of a week-long residency at The Lansdowne) will treat audiences to three new acoustic arrangements of their music, and rock-pop outfit Killing Heidi is set to drop by for a mini set. There'll also be intimate solos from the likes of Holly Throsby, Sarah Blasko, Jack Colwell and Andy Bull, as well as a performance from Frenzal Rhomb's Jay and Lindsay. The best part? They're all performing for free, so that 100 percent of the ticket sales head straight to Australian Marriage Equality to fund their continued coordination of the national Equality Campaign. Tickets are are $70 — buy yours to support the Equality Campaign's efforts and enjoy some great Aussie music.
Is bigger better? The good folks at Suntory certainly think so. The distillery behind the wildly popular hard seltzer Minus 196 has once again rolled out the giant vending machine it debuted at last year's SXSW Sydney, just in time for this year's fest. Back in all its 12-metre-tall glory, this immersive vending machine in Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park is serving thirst-crushing goodness in lemon, peach and grape flavours across the three levels of interactive fun, between October 14–20. This eye-popping Suntory playground features multiple levels of immersive art, music, and Suntory Minus 196 beverages. If you roamed this multi-storey wonderland at last year's event, you will be pleased to learn that there are new levels and experiences to explore this time around, so it's definitely worth a second visit. Upon entering the first floor, you will encounter the infinity level, where you will be welcomed by an impressive display of hundreds of Suntory Minus 196 beverages the use optical illusions to conjure a trippy, unending perspective. Ascending to the second level, you'll discover the Tokyo neon nightlife zone, meticulously designed to emulate the vibrant atmosphere of the after-dark hotspots of Shibuya and Shinjuku, so if you can't afford the flight to Japan right now, this might well be the next best thing. As you proceed to the third floor, you will be greeted by a fully equipped rooftop bar that offers panoramic views of SXSW Sydney and the city skyline while you savour your perfectly chilled beverage. Encircling this three-story activation is a lush lemon garden with it own dedicated bar and DJ booth. This area serves as the perfect setting to relax, enjoy a sip of Minus 196, and refuel with snacks by Tokyo Taco, who will be serving up a special menu of Mexican-Japanese fusion eats that pair perfectly with your Double Lemon, Double Grape or Double Peach can. Images: Mark Sherborne
One of the top ways to treat yourself is to check into one of the best hotels in Sydney for a few nights. At these joints, you get a little bit of everything (or even a whole lot of everything). You get fresh plush sheets (this may seem basic, but we all know how good this feels), room service that you can eat in bed, pampering packages at award-winning spas, pools with epic views and just about anything else your luxurious self desires. And Sydney is packed with five-star hotels and brilliant boutique stays that will help you live your best life. So check out our guide to the best hotels in Sydney, perfect for those after a luxury staycation or out-of-town visitors in need of a base for exploring the city. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Sydney Sydney's Best Spa Experiences The Eight Best Glamping Spots in NSW The Best Luxury Getaways Near Sydney
City Recital Hall, in the heart of Sydney's CBD, is known for its impressive design and sound quality. And, on Saturday, August 25, it's putting these to good use with a mini-festival showcasing some of the best genre-defying Australian and international talent. Your understanding of music production and performance will be turned upside down as Extended Play presents 20 groundbreaking artists ignoring all the rules. Headlining the main stage is influential New York-based modern classical ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars. Best known for its multi-hour dynamic performances, the group shifts seamlessly through jazz, rock, classical and experimental music. Also appearing on the main stage is Sydney's own Ensemble Offspring — a collection of virtuosic instrumentalists who've set themselves the weighty goal of exploring and 'shaping the music of our time'. For Extended Play, the ensemble will perform rarely heard works by one of America's greatest living composers, Steve Reich. Meanwhile, a host of acts will be scattered around the venue exploring almost every conceivable soundscape with makeshift arrangements, genreless compositions and electronic bombardments. Happening over the course of 12 hours, from 12pm to midnight, Extended Play will be an aural treat for even the most discerning lovers of music.
Now that you're firmly back at the desk, you're probably spending half the day wistfully dreaming up travel plans for 2026 and beyond. But perhaps it's time to transform these fantasies into reality, with IHG Hotels & Resorts offering a host of new stays ready to anchor your journey. With the global hotelier launching five properties in Victoria and New South Wales over the past 12 months, at least five more are set to be revealed throughout the rest of 2026. Adorning the Coastal Walkway, InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach was unveiled in December 2025, inviting guests to experience its oceanfront rooms and suites alongside the signature Shutters Restaurant & Bar, guided by renowned chef Rick Stein. This March, the second phase of the hotel will open, adding an infinity pool with a poolside bar, a breezy day spa and the members-only Club InterContinental lounge. Also opening in March is Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton. Situated on the fringe of Melbourne CBD overlooking Lincoln Square, guests will have easy access to Carlton's much-loved dining and cafe scene, with spots like The Lincoln and Assembly a short stroll away. Of course, the tram is also on your doorstep, so making plans for a night at the theatre or game day at the 'G is equally straightforward. Yet these openings aren't just limited to Melbourne and Sydney. With tourism to the NT skyrocketing in recent times — overnight trips were up 19 percent last year, the most growth of any state — IHG is gearing up to open voco Darwin Suites in April 2026. From this comfortable base in the city centre, you can conveniently hit up the Mindil Beach markets during a long weekend vacation or get to and from the Darwin Convention Centre if you're on the clock. Although not quite in the Top End, Townsville will also welcome a new hotel to Far North Queensland. Arriving in mid-2026, Holiday Inn Townsville will open its doors in the CBD, right amid the Flinders Street nightlife hub. Located near other local hotspots such as Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Queensland Tropics Museum and Townsville Yacht Club, this 93-room hotel will also feature modern all-day dining and flexible event spaces. Rounding out the Australian openings, the South Coast is primed to receive a new stay, with Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina also scheduled to open in mid-2026. Making the most of its stunning marina and ocean views, guests can unwind on the pool deck while feasting on fresh, locally sourced cuisine. Then, take in the sunset from the promenade or wander just a few minutes around the cove to the pristine Shellharbour South Beach. Head to the website for more information about opening dates and hotel amenities.
The Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place in Armidale has two galleries featuring art and crafts from local and regional Indigenous creators, as well as a cosy cafe and gift shop. The centre is home to a permanent collection of donated artworks, a history section detailing the work of the centre and an archaeological room displaying a significant collection of wooden and stone artefacts. Tours through each collection can be organised so you can be given a more in-depth insight into the people, places and stories behind the items on display. And if you get in touch ahead of time, the centre can also organise workshops on Indigenous painting and cooking plus bush tucker walks. If you want to have a deeper, richer connection to the the history and culture of First Nations people, carve out time for a visit to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place on your next adventure to the Northern Tablelands region. Image credit: Visit NSW
About ten minutes from Oxford Street is Woollahra's Ginkgo Leaf — a shop of Japanese-inspired designs and kitchenwares that'll take your home style from chintz to minimalist chic. Sleek simplicity is what unites the broad range of items in store, whether it's simple brass ornaments to decorate your bookshelves, bamboo cooking utensils, or a cast iron teapot for your own at-home tea ceremonies. Expect to pay around $40 for a statement yumoni ceramic cup or $15 for super kawaii Kokeshi Dolls stickers that come in a retro box, but as much as $500 for exquisite urushi bowls.
When Thomas Weatherall was in high school, that he'd eventually spend his days pretending to be back there wasn't his plan. Until his final year, neither was acting. Dancing was the dream, and he had no awareness of Heartbreak High, which aired its seven 90s seasons before he was born. Now, he's one of the stars of Netflix's revival of the show. For his performance as Malakai Mitchell in the 2020s take on Australia's most-beloved teen series — which itself has become a huge hit that's rocketed up the streaming platform's viewership charts with both its first and second seasons, and has a third and final season locked in — he's now an AACTA- and Logie-winner. Weatherall's acting career started with ABC miniseries Deadlock back in 2018, when he was finishing high school. So, it didn't kick off with Heartbreak High. Next came short film Shed, short-form comedy series All My Friends Are Racist, the detective-driven Troppo and RFDS, which was also follows on from a past series — The Flying Doctors — that aired in the 90s. Onstage, his playwriting debut Blue premiered in Sydney, and now heads to Brisbane, with Weatherall also starring. But Heartbreak High and Malakai have been life-changing by his own account ("it feels cliched to say," he tells Concrete Playground about how that description rings true). Next up: two very different TV series, with Exposure a thriller led by Alice Englert (Bad Behaviour) that's bowing at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival and The Narrow Road to the Deep North a page-to-screen drama with Jacob Elordi (another on-screen high schooler in Euphoria). Weatherall knew that Malakai, the sporty Bundjalung student who is new to Hartley High in season one, was a standout role from the get-go. "I just hadn't seen a character like this," Weatherall tells us. The depth of the writing in fleshing him out on the page, the fact that he was an Indigenous teen pushed to the fore and never a token inclusion, that his culture wasn't what defined him: they all left an impression. After getting cast, so did the script for season one's fourth episode — the unforgettable instalment that sees Malakai experience police brutality — which he read in one sitting in his car. He was then willing to do whatever it took for the part. Again, his performance earned him Australia's top TV accolades. That episode had a title that means something in Heartbreak High history: 'Rack Off'. Utter the phrase to anyone familiar with the 90s iteration and they'll instantly think of Hartley High's first run on-screen. Weatherall didn't go back to watch the OG show when he got the gig, but there's no escaping the legend of those two words, and that they were as strong as a free-to-air series could get in its language. "It is funny, I forget — I read the script sometimes and the things that we're allowed to say, I just imagine if we had that same network TV censorship, you're probably cutting about 80-percent of the show. So we're probably lucky in that regard," he advises. In season two, as Hartley's students keep expressing themselves in not-safe-for-90s-Aussie-television terms — and also getting caught up in an ideological battle about toxic masculinity, and terrorised by a mystery figure they dub Bird Psycho — Malakai's journey takes him from stairwell hookups with Amerie (Ayesha Madon, Love Me) to connecting with the latest newcomer in Dubbo export Rowan (Sam Rechner, The Fabelmans). A love triangle, exploring both his sexuality and his identity, and yearning to connect all follow. It's another complicated path for the character, as for each of Heartbreak High's main figures. Crucially, it also satisfies one of Weatherall's aims as an actor. "It can feel like quite a selfish career a lot of the time, because you're often on your own, and you have to put a lot of time and effort into breaking down characters, and spending time on your own and things like that — but for me, I never want to just be playing the one character. That's the beauty of Malakai, it feels like you're playing several different characters and notes in one person," he says. From how the response to the first season felt through to the way its second season ended for Malakai, we chatted with Weatherall about all things Heartbreak High — choosing not to check out the original, what excited him about stepping into Malakai's shoes in the first place, how he sees the character's story across the two seasons so far and making the leap to acting from dancing all included. On the Massive Success of Heartbreak High's First Season "Very surreal. Very unexpected. It's a funny thing, I think you never know how a show's going to come out while you're making it — and while we were making it, and once we wrapped, you knew that we had something special. It felt really good. I think that was pretty unanimous across the board. There wasn't any real stress. Sometimes, I think you can also finish a job and know if it's a dud. But for it to then get picked up the way that it did, and for people to care about it in the way they did, was pretty shocking. And it's very flattering and humbling to be in that position. I was having dinner with Bryn [Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween], who plays Spider, and we were chatting about that. Because it's your job, it's a great job to have, but you do get used to it and it becomes a normal part of the career. You forget that it means as much as it does to some audiences — and I think that's the special thing. It's lovely that it had a big reach and that it was successful, but when you get to actually talk to an audience member who really identifies with Malakai, or one particular storyline, or the show as a whole, that's — I've been very lucky that I've got to do quite a few shows now and all I'm very proud of, but none have landed in that way and built that connection with an audience. And for it to kick off in the awards and things like that, it really, it feels cliched to say, but it is pretty life-changing once that conversation starts and you find yourself in that world professionally and artistically. It opens you to a lot more professional opportunities. It then does make the second season a bit more terrifying, because there's something to, I guess, try to live up to and match. But it's a very lucky position to be in at the same time." On Starting the Show as a Heartbreak High Newcomer Off-Screen — and Not Going Back to Watch the Original "I was at drama school at the time when I got cast, and the only reason I knew about the show was the head teacher at my drama school played one of the teachers in Heartbreak High. And so it was this whole thing always that she'd mention Heartbreak High — and all of us, it was a bit of an eye roll. We were like 'okay, we get it'. But it wasn't something that I had seen before. It was before my time, and I didn't even, with my older siblings, I didn't really have any gauge on it. When I got cast, initially I was going to go back and watch the show. That felt like the right thing to do, and it would be helpful. But once the scripts came through, it felt as if it was going to be quite different, and much more obviously rooted in today's climate and what's going on for young people now — it became too scary and intimidating to go back and watch it. Because you also don't want to try to recreate something. That show was great and did everything that it did, but it is a product of that time. I think there's still similarities between the two versions. We're speaking to a lot of the same truths. But for me, I didn't want to confuse those contexts, and try to not have any anticipation or idea of trying to replicate anything — and just stay true to what we're trying to say in this show." On What Excited Weatherall About Playing Malakai When He Was First Cast "I'm still quite early on in my career, but it was very early on back then. I'd been up for a few things and I'd done a little bit of work. I was getting good auditions, but I just hadn't seen a character like this. I had never been sent a role like this, obviously, for a show with this scale or anything like that. But to see — he was just a really well-written character, and that was it for the self-taped scenes before the audition, and that was exciting to be seen for that. It wasn't till when I got offered the role and was sent the scripts, they sent me episode four of season one, which is a very significant episode for Malakai. And I finished that episode and just called my agent straight away and went 'I'll do anything to play that'. I think back to when I was 16 and the sort of the shows that were being made. There were some for young people that I felt were doing a pretty decent job and honestly depicting what it's like to be a teenager, but it always felt like they were holding the punches a little bit. And this show was just not afraid to do that at all. And then to have that lens of this young Indigenous character not just being a side plot point but being one of the lead characters — and being one of the main lead romance arcs as well, and then having a very dramatic storyline. A lot of the scripts that I'd seen and read, or a lot of the shows that I had watched growing up and even lately, often those characters, they're one little subplot. They're one little mention. They serve one capacity or another. And suddenly you had this young Indigenous kid, one of the leads of the show and getting to do a bit of everything, and that was really refreshing. He's part of the massive ensemble, but I hadn't read anything like that. He wasn't ashamed of his culture, but it also wasn't the most-important thing in his life, and he was going through the same experience as every other kid from every other culture and every other gender and every other experience. And for me, that was a really refreshing take, rather than trying to tokenise it in any way. Then, as I said, pretty much I'm in credit to the writing team. The moment episode four landed in my emails, I read it in one sitting on my phone. I didn't even get out of my car. I just read the whole thing and went 'yep, okay, anything for that'." On Stepping Back Into Malakai's Shoes for Season Two — and What Changes, and What Gets Easier and Harder "I was shooting the second season of this other show I do called RFDS, and I had four days off between wrapping that and starting the second season of this. I flew in from Broken Hill, where we shoot the other show, and it was just four days of existential crisis because I was going 'do I still remember how to play this character? How does he sound like? What does he look like?', you know, and trying to tap into that again. I think it's a credit to the writing on this that all of the characters are fully formed. Really, the writing does all the work for you. You don't have to bring much to them and they kind of jump off the page. But I also noticed the difference, as we get to know the writing team and the producers, I think they tend to tweak little things to match you and your sensibilities as well, which is nice. The moment you shave and you go into makeup, and they do that Malaki haircut, and they put the colourful jumpers on me. Music's a big thing for this character, back to those playlists — it really was muscle memory and just kicked in, which was nice to still feel that that was there. So the actual transforming and getting back into the character was quite easy and swift, which was a relief, frankly. But that first few weeks of filming, it was that voice in the back of your head going 'you've got to make sure that you're staying to that same level as last season'. I'm very grateful for the recognition it got and the success that I received from the show, and that the show was a whole received, but it definitely did put that pressure on trying to go 'well if you don't get nominated for an AACTA again, did you do your job?' sort of thing. It was lovely that audiences responded well to Malakai, but you want to make sure that you sustain that throughout the second season. But the more days on shoot and the more I get to spend time with this cast — we have a lot of group scenes that we tend to load at the top of the show as well, and once that dynamic creates — all that concern sort of falls away and you can just get the job done." On Weatherall's Take on Malakai's Journey in Season Two "Once I read the whole show and knew the entire arc, it was really bittersweet. I don't mean it in a rude way, but I don't tend to get too attached to the characters. I sort of go 'whatever services the story, that's the job'. But I really felt for him, and I don't know if it was just a reflection of where I was in my life. I often think back to myself at 16 and there's a few similarities between us, but we are very different. But really at the heart of it, he's just searching for contentment and he's trying to find his people in a romantic sense, but in just a friendship and community sense as well. I think he's this charming and charismatic guy, but underneath all of that, there's this real search for belonging, which I can definitely relate to at 16. I mean, I can relate to it at 23. I noticed that. It was hard, because he's charming and he knows how to have fun, and there's all the romance and things like that — that was a big thing that stuck with me this entire season, that journey and never quite getting it right, or the times where he thinks he is and something changes, and the indecision of being 16 and not knowing what the right choice is but also desperately attempting to make that decision. When you're 16, everything feels like the most important thing in your life, and then you leave high school and you go 'yeah, life goes on'. I definitely I felt for him a lot this season. I think he's crammed a lot of a self-discovery journey into a term of high school. I don't know how I would have held up if I was 16 doing that." On Balancing Malakai's Charm and Outgoing Nature with His Interiority, Uncertainty and Being Caught in a Love Triangle "That's kind of the best — it's a blessing as an actor, is that you've always got that in the back of it. So it's the question of when he is being that charming, charismatic, loud, funny, whatever it is, that he's using the persona that he's putting on, how much of that is a facade to cover up either that insecurity or that questioning or discomfort? Again, Malakai and I are quite different, but I remember at 16, that's exactly how I coped with those questions or with whatever was happening in my life — that facade that you can put on. As I said, for an actor, it's wonderful that you get to play both sides of that. And in this show particularly, you have one scene where you're on the top of the world and it's this beautiful romantic moment, and it's all about love and the joys of being a 16-year-old, and being ignorant and free. And then the next scene, you're crying on an airplane, because you know you also have very little control over a lot of the things that happen to you at that age. Because you're still a minor. You're still figuring things out. And you're at the mercy of your peers in school and your parents, and all of those bigger concepts. As an actor, that's the best thing to do, rather than just having to be the funny guy or be the heart of the show or the introspective one. He fluctuates between all of them." On the Acting Dream When Weatherall First Made the Leap From Dancing "There wasn't one, to be honest. I'm still just holding on for dear life and seeing where it goes. I was certain to be a dancer. That was the be-all and end-all of my life. And I got interested in acting through writing. I was really interested in writing and filmmaking towards the end of high school, and got cast in this ABC series in year 12 and that was just it. My first day on set, I just went 'this is it. I want to do this'. I remember telling my mum after 11 years of 40-hours-plus dance training a week, I was like 'I'm going to be an actor, no more dancing' — and just quit on the spot and made that decision. And to her credit, she completely supported that. I think I've always been interested in creativity in a larger sense, with writing, and the thought of maybe directing or producing one day and creating work. And I think acting is a part of that, and it's a part that I love and I hope I can do for as long as people keep giving me jobs. I like to think of it in a bigger sense in creating a bit more work. If you had told 17-year-old Tom who's getting his first audition that he'd be on a Netflix show or doing some of the other work I've been doing recently, I wouldn't have believed a word of it. I've been very lucky, again, to be on a show like this and have the reach it has. I've been able to work with actors I really admire, and creatives that I've sort of genuinely dreamt of working with. So yeah, it's been very surreal." Heartbreak High streams via Netflix. Read our reviews of season one and season two. Images: Netflix.
Randwick has a new kid on the block. Taking its name from the opening lines of Hunter S. Thompson's cult classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Bat Country adds a touch of cool to The Spot's bustling hub of tapas and Thai restaurants. Opposite the beloved, golden-age Ritz Cinema, this sharp new drinking hole brands itself as a local's bar, aiming to create an atmosphere that bridges the gap between restaurant and watering hole. Or, as owner Collin Perillo puts it, "the kind of place where Raoul Duke would go to write copy." The decor of the raw brick interior reeks of Beat Generation swagger. Wander through and you'll find a cluster of cosy booths and a sweet little nook by the kitchen that feels just like hanging out in your grandma's living room. There's also a spread of '60s Americana paraphernalia and some kickass antler chandeliers. The overall effect is a stylishly outdated but authentic atmosphere. It's also refreshing not to be overpowered by the music. Looping through the likes of Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones (testament to a committed theme), this small bar has achieved the perfect balance of tunes and chatter. Bat Country offers a tight cocktail list of innovative concoctions, served by very competent bartenders in Hawaiian shirts (if you're lucky). From the happy-go-lucky Junkie George Fizz (Wild Turkey Bourbon, honey, orange and mint, $16) to the slightly formidable-sounding God's Own Prototype (Havana 7 year rum, Chartreuse, Maraschino, lemon, Angostura, $16), there's a bright array of sweet and sour that will tickle your tastebuds well into the night. Also, The Best Drink in the World (Flor de Cana Extra Dry Rum, lime, sugar, $18) is bound to strike your attention. Whether it is or not is disputable, though it's darn refreshing. Onto beer. There's a steady flow of Young Henrys on tap, a handful of craft brews from Western Australia, and a hearty Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA ($11), which is probably kingpin of the beer list. Bat Country also caters a luscious range of tasty share plates, such as the Bloody Chunk'a Rump ($15), served strictly medium rare. Or, if you're hankering for a seafood fix, Kitchen Chef Tim's Salt and Pepper Squid with wasabi mayo and dressed greens ($16.50) is sure to sort you out. This nifty addition offers a friendly and relaxed vibe. It's a much-needed diversification of The Spot's dining scene, and it's already a buzzing success. Swing by around 8pm on a Friday or Saturday, and you'll struggle to get a seat. It is a touch pricey, which may not fly with the student demographic, but you get what you pay for. On the whole, Bat Country is bound to make you feel like a local. Here's hoping it's the leader in a burgeoning Randwick bar scene.
Whether you're shopping for Christmas gifts, birthday presents or simply treating yourself for surviving another shitty year, the inner west has it all. This diverse and thriving creative community sells everything from handmade pickles and First Nations art to craft beers and ethically-made clothing. And they've never needed our business more. In partnership with Inner West Council, we've rounded up the area's top shops to visit. Peruse the stores in person, sample some of the tasty treats and locally made booze, take part in creative workshops or buy yourself a new scented candle. Go on, you deserve a bit of retail therapy.
The historic space at 10 Neild Avenue has left a bit of a black mark on the Sydney restaurant scene, with both celebrity chef Robert Marchetti's Neild Avenue and Keystone Group's Rushcutters closing after just brief stints in the location. But, not to be deterred, chef Paola Toppi and co. have taken on the enormous Rushcutters Bay warehouse. About 30 years ago she and her mum opened Machiavelli Ristorante, a Sydney institution that championed Italian home cooking, and this newest venture is an extension of the Machiavelli brand. The focus here is on antipasto and homemade pasta, which is a pretty appealing combination. But is it the right fit for a grand venue with a pretty grand price point? I'm not sure. Even though simple Italian food is harder to achieve than many realise, paying a fair amount of money for it can feel extortionate — especially in an area like Sydney, where so many good options are readily available and expectations are always high. The huge warehouse space has been reimagined by a deft hand in design Jason Mowen, who's used lighting, acoustics and creative flair to turn the previously cavernous and austere room into something quite appealing. He's used dark bare timber tables and some well-placed tall lamps to create a warm glow in what could easily be an open, cold atmosphere, and a mural coupled with cinematic images projected onto the high bare brick walls creates a fun, unpretentious feel to it all. There's an energetic hum from the clientele, who are mostly the kind of folks who pop into Catalina for a bite to eat on a Tuesday. The service is mostly attentive and enthusiastic, particularly behind the bar; they're keen sellers of items from their signature cocktail list, which includes the fresh and sharp peach and whisky number the Impeachment, and a surprisingly good take on a Negroni. As for the food, it's a bit of a hit and miss affair. On one hand, Bar M has some of the best salumi in town; the prosciutto, for example, with burrata and figs ($28) is perfect. Also on the antipasto menu, you'll find kingfish tartare with fennel salad, fried king prawns with Japanese breadcrumbs and grilled cuttlefish with caramelised onions and chilli. The pasta, which is served in pretty big portions and is beautifully made, has moments of total loveliness; the scampi spaghetti in a light tomato, chilli and garlic sauce ($59), a simple spaghetti carbonara ($39) and a duck ragu fettuccini ($39) are all hits. However, you can give anything with a beurre blanc sauce, like pappardelle with crab meat ($49) a miss. For mains, expect classics. There's a wagyu scotch fillet with potato ($49), rack of lamb with sweet potato mash ($49) and john dory fish served with panfried broccolini ($49). The desserts are a bit heavy, resembling something out of an '80s cookbook, like the tiramisu, ricotta-filled cannoli and profiterole with ice cream. Overall, Bar M is buzzing with hype and patronage at the moment, but it'll be a test of time to see if it can live on in its newest palatial home.
From piecing together messages or wondrous discoveries hidden among the stars, to using the constellations as a guiding force for navigation, or simply sitting back and admiring the view, stargazing has proven to be an enduring hobby. To honour this, Vivid Sydney is taking to the skies with the return of its stunning annual drone shows, in partnership with the Australian Traffic Network. Across six nights from Sunday, May 28, you'll be able to look up and witness over 1000 drones lighting up the night sky to create the biggest drone show the Southern Hemisphere has seen to date. Written in the Stars will take audiences on a visual exploration of space, delving into the natural world of our solar system by featuring awe-inspiring landscapes from the Sun through to Jupiter — along with some unexpected stops and visitors. A rework of Gustav Holst's 'The Planets' by Peewee Ferris will soundtrack the shows, available via the Cinewav app (which you can download here), to heighten the experiential journey. And you'll be able to marvel at these sights for free. Catch the recurring light shows from 9.10pm from your vantage point of Circular Quay or The Rocks. This event will only light up Sydney Harbour for six nights throughout the duration of Vivid Sydney 2023. Written in the Stars is running from 9.10pm on Sunday, May 28 and Wednesday, May 31 then June 4th, 7th, 12th and 14th. For more information, visit the website.
It's Hollywood's night of nights for television, it usually takes place in September and it has already announced its 2023 nominees. This year's Emmys look set to delay anointing a new round of winners, however, with word circling that the awards ceremony will be postponed due to the current film and TV industry strikes. Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter are reporting that the 2023 Emmy Awards will ditch its scheduled date: the night of Monday, September 18 in the US, which is Tuesday, September 19. If the strikes are still ongoing, actors and writers won't be attending the ceremony — not the red carpet, nor the awards themselves — meaning that the bulk of the televised accolades wouldn't be able to be accepted by their recipients. Also, the shindig will look mighty empty. As per Variety, vendors have been told that the event will be postponed, with a new date yet to be confirmed. The Hollywood Reporter also advises that the rescheduled awards won't take place in September — and, in a best-case scenario, will be held off until the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers comes to an agreement with SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America. TV lovers will have to wait a little longer, then, to find out which shows have been dubbed the past year's best by the voters in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences — and how much they love HBO. The answer already: a whole heap. In 2023, the folks who decide which shows will score some Emmys love awarded a massive 74 nominations to three HBO series: Succession, The Last of Us and The White Lotus. TV's best case of family feud earned 27 nods, including for almost every actor who appeared in its fourth and final season in leading, supporting and guest roles. In the Best Actor category alone, Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin are going head to head. The most spectacular game-to-screen adaptation yet nabbed 24, while vacation chaos brought about 23 nominations. The other show that racked up a comparable tally? Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso with 21 nods. Similarly in the running: everything from Andor, Better Call Saul, House of the Dragon and Yellowjackets (all in the drama fields) to Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building and Wednesday (the comedy categories), plus the likes of Beef, Daisy Jones & the Six and Fleishman Is in Trouble (limited series) as well. Hollywood talents are fighting against diminishing residual payments for performers, and to establish firm rules about the future use of artificial intelligence in the industry, among other improvements to working conditions. When they took action in mid-July, SAG-AFTRA's members joined their counterparts in the Writers Guild of America, who've been striking since May. The current strikes are affecting film releases, too, with Australian crime-thriller Force of Nature: The Dry 2 already ditching its planned August date with cinemas given that star Eric Bana a member of the striking SAG-AFTRA. It's also been rumoured that big blockbusters such as Dune: Part Two, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom and The Colour Purple might also delay their releases, including until 2024; however, none have officially shifted their dates as yet. The 75th Emmy Awards are currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 19, Australian time, but may be postponed — we'll update you if/when a new date is confirmed. Check out the list of 2023 nominations, and keep an eye on the Emmys' website for further details in the interim. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite it not being an ideal time to open a brand spanking new gin distillery and tasting bar, Finders Distillery launched in mid-April, smack bang in the middle of lockdown. But, instead of opening the doors to its St Leonards space, the lower north shore's first distillery started out online — so Sydneysiders could get their gin fix regardless. Its first release is an Australian dry gin, made with orange peel, chamomile, native gun and wattle seed, which will set you back $79. Also on the lineup are an Australian vodka ($69) and, yes, a hand sanitiser. Like many Australian distilleries and breweries, Finders created its own finger-cleaner following World Heath Organisation guidelines. To launch its first batch of Australian dry gin, Finders founders Kyle Ford and Georgia Conn started a Pozible campaign in March, which received $22,506. In the future, you can expect more Aussie spirits from Finders, too. The distillery's ethos moving forward is to celebrate a region of Australia by sourcing botanicals unique to that specific area for each gin it makes. Now that lockdown has ended, Finders' tasting room is open from 2–9pm on Fridays and Saturdays (bookings essential, call 0412 346 097), with classic cocktails — such as negronis and martinis — G&Ts, Flatrock pale ales and a selection of wines on offer. It's also hosting tours from 1–2pm every Saturday. For $30, you'll learn about the history of gin, head on a tour of the facility and get to taste all of Finders' products (except for the hand sanitiser, of course). You can book in over here. Images: Tobias Fenn
Never has the vegan lifestyle seemed quite so doable as right now. Chefs across the world are doing incredible things with meat-free menus, the move towards conscious fashion has spawned vegan threads that you would actually wear out of the house, and now you can even take a jaunt on the world's first all-vegan ocean cruise. Run by a company called Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV), the 100 percent vegan cruise pulls out of London at the end of this month, setting off on a week-long journey through the Norwegian fjords. On board, guests have all the ingredients for a luxe, plant-based vacation, right at their fingertips. Chefs will whip up gourmet vegan eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the bar will pouring a range of vegan wines from across Europe alongside plant-based cocktail creations, and even the cabins are stocked up with organic vegan body products. Along with organised activities, spa facilities and onshore excursions, there's also a hefty program of lectures and classes, hosted by a lineup of doctors, nutritionists and other vegan experts. The vegan voyagers will be given free reign to chat about all things vegan without one eye-roll in sight. CMV also runs cruises around Australia and New Zealand so, who knows — it could be just a matter of time before the concept comes here.
Napoli Food and Wines is a mega warehouse for all things Italian and it has been serving the Marrickville community for nearly 30 years. The wholesaler is owned by Raffaele Angrisano, who is considered a neighbourhood local legend. The expansive warehouse contains imported goods directly from the motherland (as well as carrying local produce, such as Australian cheese). You can get it all here, from Italian salumi and burrata, bocconcini and fresh mozzarella to imported coffee and olive oil. There's even an entire pizza making section and plenty of pasta, too. In addition to the food, Napoli also carries Italian wines and craft beers, and the deli is currently offering home delivery to boot. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
So you've just finished your latest rewatch of Pulp Fiction, Gilmore Girls or any number of David Lynch classics and you've got a hankering to hit up an American-style diner. Look no further than Valentinas in Marrickville. But, don't fear, this isn't some cheap gimmick. The Livingston Road spot combines classic diner aesthetics and southern dishes with the best of Australian cafe culture to create one of the most-hyped brunch spots in the Inner West. Head past the pies and doughnuts resting in the front counter and take a seat in the throwback dining room decked out with green corduroy backrests, plenty of wood panelling and branded coffee mugs that give it the appearance of a local joint you'd find in the American Mid-West. For the traditional diner experience, you can order yourself bottomless filter coffee for $9. But, if you can't pass up your regular latte or cold brew, don't worry, Valentinas isn't committing to the bit that seriously. The selection of eats can be broken into three sections. There's the all-day breakfast menu, where breakfast sandwiches ($13.50–17), cheese omelettes ($20) and fluffy pancakes ($9–21) are the stars of the show. Further down you'll find the section of the menu simply titled 'Not Breakfast', where you can order a Whole Beast Butchery patty melt on toasted rye ($24) and a loaded fried chicken sandwich smothered in your choice of ranch, mustard or hot honey ($17.50). Rounding out the food is the aforementioned dessert cabinet, offering slices of pie ($9), snickerdoodle cookies ($7) and that day's delivery from Grumpy Donuts. If this all sounds up your alley, schedule a trip on a weekday or make sure to head over on a weekend when you have time to spare and plenty of patience. Valentinas doesn't take bookings and it's always a hot spot for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays so waiting in the sun for a seat is all part of the experience. Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
News of a shake-up among a few well-loved venues has just come to light as two of Sydney's most visible hospitality groups — The Love Tilly Group (Love, Tilly Devine, Ragazzi, Dear Sainte Eloise) and PUBLIC Hospitality (The Stand Hotel, Maybe Sammy, Oxford House) — have ended their partnership, resulting in changes to three Sydney venues. The biggest change to Sydney's dining landscape sees Balmain's immensely popular Fabbrica Pasta Bar close its doors, effective immediately. Located inside The Exchange Hotel (owned by PUBLIC), the Inner West restaurant and wine bar opened in April this year and had already built cult status as a favourite dining destination for Balmain and Rozelle locals. Alongside the closing of Fabbrica Balmain, Catalan-inspired Redfern eatery and wine bar La Salut will now no longer be run under the reins of the Love Tilly Group and will now be operated by PUBLIC (the venue is located inside the hospitality group's Norfolk Hotel alongside Ricos Tacos). [caption id="attachment_832344" align="alignnone" width="1920"] La Salut, Nikki To[/caption] In addition to those bombshells, the in-the-works second iteration of Fabbrica Pasta Bar bound for Annadale's The Empire Hotel will no longer be happening. The pub's revamp as The Federal will still boast boutique accommodation and a new Maybe Frank outpost but will no longer offer The Love Tilly Group's signature mix of boundary-pushing carbs and minimal-intervention wines. The Love Tilly Group has confirmed that more Fabbrica Pasta Bars are on the way, and you can still get your dose of Love Tilly pasta and vino at their other independent Sydney venues, including their Darlinghurst namesake which recently underwent a mini revamp and the expansive new Palazzo Salato. "It's a devastatingly difficult decision for us to make," says Love Tilly Group Managing Director Matthew Swieboda. "But for the benefit of the staff and the suppliers, we can no longer, in good faith, continue to run our venues together with Public Hospitality. We're excited to focus our attention on the new Fabbrica Pasta Bar sites we've been working on — some of which we'll be ready to announce in the coming weeks." [caption id="attachment_918401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Empire Hotel[/caption] As for PUBLIC, the crew just opened an exciting new wine and record bar with help from P&V's Mike Benie inside its luxe Oxford Street hotel Oxford House. A statement from PUBLIC reads: "PUBLIC is disappointed to have been informed today that Love Tilly Group has decided to end the commercial relationship. While there have been disputed commercial matters, PUBLIC understood these to be progressing." "PUBLIC thank Love Tilly Group for their contribution and wish them well in future endeavours. Consistent with PUBLIC's strategy of owning and operating strong hospitality brands, PUBLIC purchased the La Salut brand in 2022 and will continue to operate at The Norfolk in Redfern, including offering employment for existing staff." [caption id="attachment_888590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fabbrica pasta, Nikki To[/caption] Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain has officially shut its doors. Keep an eye on the Fabbrica Instagram page for announcements of new pasta bars. La Salut will continue to operate at 305 Cleveland Street, Redfern. Top image: Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain, Dexter Kim
If bliss to you means peering at infinite reflections in lit-up mirror rooms, wading through brightly coloured ball pits and having pillow fights — plus hanging out in digital forests, watching tales told via shadows and hopping over musical tiles, too — then prepare to beam with joy when Dopamine Land arrives Down Under. The latest multi-sensory experience that's hitting Australia, it's being pitched as an interactive museum. Inside, you'll find themed spaces that you can mosey through, engage with their contents and, ideally, bask in nothing but pure happiness. With a name like Dopamine Land, it's immediately clear that contentment, glee, merriment and exuberance is the aim of the game here. So is evoking those feel-good sensations through nostalgia, because this is another kidulting activity — it's all-ages-friendly as well — and it's making its Aussie debut in Brisbane from Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Brisbanites, and anyone keen for a Sunshine State trip to revel in more than the sun's glow, can look forward to wandering around Dopamine Land at Uptown in the River City's Queen Street Mall. Locals know that the site was previously the Myer Centre — and, decades back, was home to a dragon-themed rollercoaster. So, it's a fitting venue to get everyone channeling their inner child, unleashing their imagination and, yes, hitting each other with cushions. Heading this way direct from London, the experience combines optical illusions, engaging soundscapes and more across its ten themed rooms. The ball pit is self-explanatory, but also takes its cues from Miami in the 80s, complete with a pina colada scent, an electro soundtrack and LED lights that pulse to mirror waves. The pillow-fight space also doesn't need much explaining; however, the decor is inspired by marshmallows and boxes of lollies, Mexican wrestling is also an influence and you can win the pillow-fighting championship. Fancy seeing stories play out via shadows? There's a room for that featuring a big top-style roof. If you try your hand at the musical tiles — well, your feet, to be more accurate — you'll create a melody as you jump around, with the lights changing as you go as well. And if getting as serene as possible is your aim, head to the Keep Calm Forest, which artificially recreates a woodland via LED trees, mirrors and sounds to match. There's even a room dedicated to the autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, which goes big on projections and animations by Australian digital artist Cassie Troughton. As is always the case with these kinds of pop-ups — Fever, the company bringing Dopamine Land to Australia, has also been behind The Art of Banksy: Without Limits, The NBA Exhibition, Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience and Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience — there'll be ample opportunities to take photos. Accordingly, you know what you'll be seeing on your social-media feeds. There's no word yet whether Dopamine Land will head to other Australian cities beyond Brisbane, but expect it to be popular either way. Find Dopamine Land at Uptown, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane from Tuesday, May 28, 2024, with tickets on sale from 7pm on Thursday, April 11. For more information, or to join the ticket waitlist, head to the experience website.
Brunch cafes aren't typically the domain of fine-dining chefs, but Manteiga — from Bentley, Est. and Dinner by Heston alum Justin Martins — is rewriting that script. This Portuguese-inspired spot brings elevated daytime fare to a sunny Darlinghurst corner, framed by large arched windows and an inviting, timber-accented fitout that sets the stage for Martins' playful menu. On it, you'll find signatures like the Manteiga Muffin — daily stone-baked bolo lêvedo made to Martins' grandfather's recipe, served with fluffy eggs, American cheese, house sauce and your choice of double-smoked bacon or a sausage beef patty. Other highlights include the Iberian baked eggs, with Portuguese-style chorizo, salsa verde, golden capsicum and a fresh herb salad; and the signature ricotta pancakes, a cloud-like stack topped with strawberry gum compote, tonka bean and puffed grains. Come midday, you can tuck into the likes of a tempura fish burger on a soft milk bun, or the Summer Manteiga Bowl, a fresh soba noodle salad loaded with a veritable rainbow of veg, finished with pistachio dukkah and a zesty nam jim dressing. Wash it all down with Single O coffee or a house-made iced tea, poured in a room that's as bright and breezy as the menu. And while Manteiga is a purely daytime affair for now, Martins has plans for special pop-ups and intimate degustation dinners that'll showcase even more of his fine-dining pedigree.
No doubt you've heard about, seen and/or eaten gooey raclette smothering potatoes, meats and pickles at a few places around town. It's probably one of the best excuses for a meal the French have given us. And The Stinking Bishops sees your raclette, Sydney, and raises it — popping it into a bread roll so you can eat it with two hands and get all those flavours in yer mouth in one fell swoop. You won't find this creation at their Enmore cheese parlour though. Rather, they're taking these babies up the road to Young Henrys each Friday afternoon from 4pm. The roll ($13) is filled with prosciutto, pickles, potato and mustard and then topped with the cheese, which is melted under a raclette grill and scraped all over the situation. They'll also be serving up their much-loved Mr Crispy sandwiches (with wagyu or mushroom), which are drawcards in themselves ($12) — eating them is one of our favourite cheese experiences in Sydney. If you can't make it this week, don't worry — the cheese extravaganza will happen each and every Friday from 4pm.
El Camino Cantina has two locations in Sydney, and they're both giving the people what we want. If you're heading to a Tex-Mex bar and eatery, then you want plenty of tacos — and, ideally, you want them cheap. Enter weekly $2 Tacos session, which is exactly what it sounds like. Head to El Camino's joints in The Rocks or Manly every Tuesday, and you can tuck into a highly affordable feed, with the selection changing each week. They're not your ordinary flavours either. Even if you think that there's no such thing as a bad taco, you can treat your tastebuds here. Fancy a cheeseburger taco? Beer-battered barramundi? Coffee-spiced smoked pork belly? They're all on El Camino's usual menu, so expect them to feature among the $2 range. And if you'd like a beverage, the regular range of margaritas, cocktails, wines and beers are on offer. Consider this a PSA: slushie machines are a big deal here, so you might want to sip something semi-frozen.
Get ready to embark on a tantalising culinary journey that will transport you straight to the sun-kissed shores of the Amalfi Coast — all without leaving Aussie soil. Together with Aperol, we've scoured every corner of this vast land to curate a guide to the bars and restaurants that capture the essence of coastal Italy's gastronomic wonders. From echoing laidback osterias to swanky harbourside bars exuding Riviera-style opulence, our roundup is a tribute to the vibrancy of Italian culture infused with an Australian twist. So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for an unforgettable expedition. Your table overlooking the azure seas awaits — no boarding pass required.
When you can't venture to an art gallery, let the exhibition come to you. It's been a challenging year for artists and art institutions across the nation, but one of the good things to come out of this global pandemic has been the number of ways Australians have been able to access art without leaving their homes. Whether it's through online talks, tours or filmed performances, galleries have found alternative ways to share art with us. One of the institutions leading the way is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), which is the host of 2020's Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards exhibition. For the first time this year, the gallery in Darwin is accessible no matter where you live, as you can explore all 65 artworks on display via its virtual gallery. To give you a taste of what you can expect, we've picked out five artworks that drew our attention — and some of the stories behind them. [caption id="attachment_782787" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Bliss[/caption] 'NGALYOD AND KOLNG (PALM TREE)' BY PAUL NAMARINJMAK NABULUMO One of the first works you'll see when you enter the virtual gallery is a hollow log burial pole painted with the image of a serpent. That's Ngalyod, the Rainbow Serpent, who is an important ancestral being for the Kuninjku people. Northern Territory painter and sculptor Paul Namarinjmak Nabulumo, who lives and works in Yikkarrakkal Outstation, created 'Ngalyod and kolng (palm tree)' in 2020. He only paints depictions of his ancestral country, as, he says if he painted other people's "it would kill us". The 49 year old is the son of acclaimed artist Mick Kubarrku (who passed away in 2008), and Nabulumo says his father's art practice had a huge influence on his work. In this artwork, you can see Nabulumo's fine, elegant rarrk (cross-hatching) work and the Rainbow Serpent emerging from a palm tree (kolng) at an important site called Dilebang. It's believed that Ngalyod supports the growth of water lilies, vines and palms that grow around freshwater sources. 'MUM BETTY' BY BESSIE DAYLIGHT In the same gallery space, point your cursor to a picture on the wall of a woman with angel wings. Western Australian artist Bessie Daylight has adorned a digital print of her mother Betty Carrington (also an artist) with a halo and wings to show just how precious our mothers are. "She worked all her life supporting us children," says the 53-year-old artist from Warmun Aboriginal Community. "Mothers are angels in disguise and we don't appreciate what our mothers do." Daylight says she painted Joonba dots on her mother's face as when Bessie was growing up, Betty was always singing and speaking in language. She grew up with traditional lore and culture and, along with other senior women, taught Daylight how to collect, grind and paint with natural ochre. "She is a mother, a grandmother, a friend. She is a councillor, a support person to many who come in contact with her, and she's an artist in her own right," says Daylight. [caption id="attachment_782271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lynnette Griffiths & Erub Arts[/caption] 'EUM NORR (DYING REEF)' BY JIMMY K THAIDAY Digital metres away from 'Mum Betty' is a display unit, on top of which is Torres Strait Islander artist Jimmy K Thaiday's work 'Eum Noor (Dying reef)'. Thaiday has used clay and reclaimed ocean rope to make a statement about our ongoing environmental impact on the Great Barrier Reef. The 32-year-old artist says the balls represent the isolated bleaching incidents on the coral reef as the sea temperatures rise. They "bloom like flowers". The artwork is a timely reminder of the importance to care for our planet, and especially our waters. For the artist, whose clan is Peiudu, one of four tribes on Erub (Darnley Island), the waterways and the reef play a vital part in his daily life and culture. "We do not want to see our reefs suffer the fate of other coral reefs," he says. The netting used in his art has drifted into the water where he lives. "I feel that by combining clay with reclaimed rope, I can highlight an important message: look after the sea and the sea will look after you." 'BATJBARRA' BY MARY DHAPALANY Click through to the second exhibition room to find Mary Dhapalany's 'Batjbarra' (2019), seemingly suspended from the gallery ceiling. The Northern Territory artist and Mandhalpuy woman has been a practicing artist for four decades, and her weaving artwork is representative of traditional craft passed down through generations of women weavers in her family. The 70-year-old artist uses natural dyes, extracted from earth pigment or plant roots, to colour the pandanus leaf (gunga) used in her work. Batjbarra is the name of a scooping object that's used to gather water chestnuts (rarrgi/rakayi), and the artist has honoured the traditional object with her choices of colour, size and perspective. You can take a 360-degree view of the work in the virtual gallery. 'MY STORIES FROM ERNABELLA MISSION' BY NYURPAYA KAIKA BURTON Found in the far exhibition room, to the right of 'Batjbarra', is a photographic work by South Australian multidisciplinary artist Nyurpaya Kaika Burton. Three black and white photos printed on Belgium linen are covered in writing, in Pitjantjatjara language. Burton, who is a longstanding director of Tjala Arts in Amata Community and chairwoman of the APY Art Centre Collective, wants to share the stories of her time growing up at Ernabella Mission. The now published author, singer, weaver and former teacher, says she started going to school there without any clothes. The 71 year old says, "We lived the traditional way, in a wiltja (shelter), no house with no clothes, a long way from the mission." Burton says she walked to school every day, hungry to learn. "We'd get water from the hose to shower, and after the shower we'd wait for the bell to ring and we'd line up ready to go in." Burton's images are of her and her brother on a donkey's back looking for wild figs, of children and teachers playing games, and of teenagers sitting in front of a teacher's house. "I loved learning to read and write and still do today." Discover more artworks in the Telstra NATSIAA exhibition, here. Top image: Charlie Bliss
It seems Sydneysiders can't get enough of making what's old new again. With the wave of gentrification hitting pubs, hotels and long forgotten spaces across the city, once lifeless urban spots have now been given a second chance. Hidden among the high-rises of the CBD's bleak concrete jungle, an oasis from the daily grind awaits. Wearier office dwellers delight, we've found just the place for you to escape. Tucked away behind King Street, Skittle Lane Coffee is a welcome breath of fresh air for inner city locals. Featuring New York-inspired interiors, the cafe's high ceilings and large steel windows demand attention from the casual passer by. Yet once you push through those sleek glass doors, this striking light-filled store makes you feel right at home. Behind the machines, the friendly Skittle Lane crew is ready to serve Sydney up some seriously killer brews. Owners Jodie Foster and Dean Wooding wanted to create the same laidback ambiance of Melbourne's iconic laneway cafes in this inner city location. "When we first viewed the space we instantly fell in love," says Jodie. "The building is grand and elegant and the Skittle Lane is being restored to its former glory. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to create something unique in the Sydney CBD." The laneway itself has been given a major revamp by The Crown Group over the past few years, seeing the thoroughfare dotted with boutique shops, eateries and most recently apartments. Keeping things sleek with a monochromic colour scheme, Skittle Lane Coffee is cool and contemporary. From the black marble block counter to the modern light fittings hanging overhead, they know how to nail the finishing touches. Aside from its aesthetic charm, these guys deliver first and foremost as a top-notch coffee shop. Serving up their own roasted coffee, Skittle Lane's seasonal blend offers a punchy full-bodied cup while their rotating selection of single origins keeps coffee geeks on their toes. With guest appearances from Marvell Street, plus specialty made ceramic mugs, plates and bowls courtesy of Melbourne designer Takeawei, diners can take these gorgeous goodies home thanks to Skittle Lane's stellar retail section. Pop in on your way to the office for a quick Brewtown Brewnut or pastry from Penny Fours, or stop by for a tasty grab-and-go Sonoma toastie to curb that lunchtime rumble. With everything from cold brew to espresso on the menu, Skittle Lane brings a slice of Melbourne's coffee scene to Sydney's burgeoning new alleyway. Images: Daniel Kukec.
If you go down to Barangaroo, you're in for a big surprise. Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt — the legends behind Bentley, Monopole and Yellow — opened the doors of Cirrus Dining back in 2016. Yes, it's named after a cloud and dishes up super-fresh, sustainable seafood. The menu is made for sharing. Among the offerings are raw bluefin tuna with marinated trout roe and smoked sour cream on a fried bun and the epic live lobster cooked over charcoal with scallop XO sauce. On top of all that fish, you'll find a good selection of meaty dishes and, as is always the case with the Bentley folk, no shortage of vegetarian deliciousness. "We've been working for almost a year on the menu, and it has changed and morphed along the way," said Savage, who has won SMH Good Food Guide Chef of the Year twice. "It is great for sharing, and I really want people to treat it this way, so they try all types of seafood in the one meal." He recommends kicking off with oysters and moving onto starters before tucking into shellfish and a whole fish main. Cirrus Dining sommelier Hildebrandt has assembled the wine list, which specialises in seafood-friendly whites, from sparkling and Chablis to Semillon and Chenin. Hildebrandt has his palate glued to a stream of new releases and left-of-field drops created by small producers, so you can always count on something interesting. On sunny days, you'll want to nab one of the 40 outdoor seats overlooking the harbour. There's another 100 inside, beautifully arranged by designer Pascale Gomes-McNabb, and surrounding timber tables dashed with marble and gold. She's also added a good polish to the concrete floor, brought in a 20-seater steel bar and built a spectacular wine wall. Look up and you'll see yet another Bentley signature ceiling, this time featuring hundreds of hanging rods and a flying vintage speed boat, Alvin.
Replenish your wardrobe one kilo at a time as the Kilo Sale returns to Sydney with a truckload more secondhand and vintage clothing. Kicking off with an exclusive afternoon event at 29 Smith Street, Marrickville from 3pm on Friday, November 21, there's no need to rummage through the price tags when weighing up your budget. Instead, there's just one price to remember — a kilo will cost you $50 whether you're holding shirts, dresses or jackets. Plus, there's no minimum weight to worry about, meaning you can walk away with a refreshed wardrobe for a stellar price. Meanwhile, the Kilo Sale continues from 9am–1pm on Saturday, November 22. With the entire event featuring seven tonnes of continuously replenished stock, finding more than a few unique pieces that fit your style is almost guaranteed. In a Kilo Sale first, entry during both timeslots will be completely free, giving you all the more reason to come by. With Australia leading the world in textile consumption per capita at 56 new pieces per year, the Kilo Sale is on a mission to highlight secondhand and vintage shopping as the sustainable choice.
On the Gold Coast, sun, surf and sand go hand-in-hand with high-rise buildings, busy bars and plenty of theme parks; however one patch of the city still keeps things relatively low-key. While The Spit at Southport is home to Sea World and the Palazzo Versace, it's also filled with parkland, naturally vegetated sand dunes, a huge expanse of beach and the sand spit that gives the area its name — and soon it'll all be part of Australia's biggest ocean park. Announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and expected to take up to a decade to come to fruition, the Gold Coast Ocean Park will span 201 hectares, with 140 hectares earmarked for park activities. The green space north of Sea World is set to retain its current natural splendour while adding other attractions, from a restored 4000-square-metre rainforest by the water to an underwater sculpture garden. Crucially, existing favourites and features will remain as part of the just-released draft master plan, including the kiosk, marine rescue and boat ramps. As for the extensive sand dunes, they'll benefit from improved cycle and walkways. Splitting the area into seven precincts — the top of The Spit, Wave Break Island, the Federation Walk coastal reserve, Muriel Henchman Park, a village centre, Philip Park and a southern gateway — The Spit is also set to boast light rail through to Sea World, a super yacht marina, a seaside promenade as well as a broadwater boardwalk, an island viewing platform, a waterslide park and a selfie tower. The list of features continues, complete with picnic and event spaces, bird lookouts, an Aboriginal cultural centre, a new resort and a public beach club, with the latter concept floating around in different guises for a while. If that sounds like a lot to fit into one place, that's because the entire space will eclipse Brisbane's South Bank eight times over, the city's Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens by two-and-half times, and also prove 12 times bigger than the public areas at Sydney's Barangaroo. On the world front, the Qld Government has its sights set on ranking among global landmarks — with New York's Central Park coming in at 340 hectares and Hyde Park London spanning 142 hectares. Parts of The Spit — specifically areas around Fisherman's Wharf and Sea — have been earmarked for commercial development, and a cruise ship facility is still a possibility for Philip Park. The potential terminal been long been one of the contentious aspects of The Spit's proposed redevelopment over the years, with the controversial project earning a hefty outcry of opposition. While the current blueprint is the result of more than 21,100 pieces of feedback and over 2500 folks dropping by consultation sessions according to the government, interested parties can still have their say until 5pm on Sunday, March 31. For more information about the Gold Coast Ocean Park and the Southport Spit draft master plan can be viewed online.
Burger fiends of Sydney scored a new go-to joint back in 2021, when US-born brand Five Guys opened its first Australian store in Penrith. But if you're keen on giving the chain's combination of meat and buns a try in the inner city, get ready to add a trip to George Street to your menu — with Five Guys launching its first Sydney CBD outpost, and second Aussie spot overall, on Monday, June 6. Back in March, the brand revealed that it'd be opening at 383 George Street sometime midyear, if this news sounds familiar. Now, however, that has finally happened. Setting up shop within Spiden House, the new store spans just under 323 square metres, seats 85 burger lovers, and blends the building's heritage-listed features with Five Guys' red-and-white colour scheme. And, it slings burgs, fries, hotdogs, sandwiches and shakes — aka Five Guys' usual range — obviously. If you're wondering why the brand has built up such a following, the fact that its made-to-order burgers skew in the classic direction is one good reason. These burgs come with two hand-formed patties on toasted buns, with your choice of free toppings (including pickles, grilled mushrooms and jalapeños). Five Guys also does bacon cheeseburgers that add two strips of bacon and two slices of Kraft American cheese as well. Prefer hotdogs, sandwiches (in veggie, cheese or BLT varieties), hand-cut fries (with or without Cajun spices) and vanilla milkshakes? They're all on the menu as well. Don't go thinking that the latter are boring, though — you can add bacon, bananas, peanut butter, salted caramel and even Oreo pieces to your design-your-own beverage. As anyone with allergies should note, though, Five Guys only cooks its fries in peanut oil.
No matter what our television screens told us about the 21st century, it looks like we probably won't gain access to hoverboards, robot maids or teleporting stargates any time soon. Sorry guys. However, recent news from the US may offset every other sci-fi-based hope that has been dashed by the underwhelming reality of 2013. NASA has just announced that it is dropping US$125,000 on the development of a 3D food printer. Yes, you heard right, a sort of inkjet for pizza. And they're actually starting with pizza. The 'universal food synthesiser' will be designed by mechanical engineer Anjan Contractor (who has already constructed a chocolate printer, the likes of which you can play with at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum event Eat the Collection) and turn powder into a three-tiered space-age Italian snack. While it may not exactly rival your local woodfired joint, the advantages of this technology could have galactic consequences. First, because powder has a longer shelf-life than organic food (it can last for decades), astronauts will be able to survive epic interplanetary voyages. The 15-year journey to Mars, for example, would be much more bearable with some powder and a printer than it would be with stale Weet-Bix and rock-hard peanut butter. But the designer of the universal food synthesiser has even higher hopes for his machine that could have an impact right here on Earth. Contractor imagines a world where every kitchen contains a 3D food printer stocked with nutritious meals bought cheaply from the local grocery store. A future where powder enables the full flourishing of human life. Indeed, he believes that the synthesiser could end world hunger. It's crazy that TV never told us about that. Via Quartz.
It's been 18 years since Australia's first taste of acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. He then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, and came back to Australia just last year to shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. This month, Tunick made the trip to the shores again — and this time, he went tropical. On Saturday, November 23, a whole heap of Aussies stripped off on a beach in the Whitsundays, with the internationally famed artist returning to Australia to stage the newest of his famed mass nude photographs. In Tunick's latest visit to Australia, his sights were set on the white sands and sparkling blue waters of Haslewood Island — near Whitehaven Beach, aka the second best beach in the world. That's where Tunick assembled another contingent of naked folk for a work titled Sea Earth Change. Interestingly, the shoot was part of The Iconic's (yes, that online clothing store) summer campaign We Are Human. Naturally, the resulting images feature the sky, the ocean and the sand — and the nearly 100 nude participants — with Tunick making an artistic statement on the fragility of both the natural environment and humanity. "Using a pristine location like Haslewood Island in the Whitsundays to highlight the need for us to protect these areas, while exploring the vulnerability of the human form and importance of community is something I hope I've communicated with these images," he explained. Tunick captured a diverse mix of bodies in the shoot, with participants each receiving a print of the photograph and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. The artwork was unveiled at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane on Wednesday, November 27, marking the latest striking images in the artist's career. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Images: Spencer Tunick's Sea Earth Change installation artworks.
It feels like I woke up one day — sometime in the last six months — with a mysterious pull towards the occult. Witchcraft, tarot, crystals: things that once felt "woo woo" and faintly contrived suddenly began to feel ritualistic. The lines between meditation and manifestation blurred into something I'd more readily describe as secular spirituality. My friends and I sincerely gift each other carefully chosen crystals imbued with particular properties. Everyone seems to have an oracle deck of choice. I know of more than one bride who has quietly tasked an Etsy witch with guaranteeing sunshine on her wedding day. Like most trends I seem to absorb by digital osmosis, it probably began with TikTok (or, more specifically, "WitchTok"). Yes, there are the cursed tarot readings that appear on your FYP when you're at your most emotionally fragile, but it runs deeper than that — it's women speaking about matriarchy; women talking about intuition, cycles, and reclaiming control; women gathering online in ways that could, theoretically, be described as covens. In 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade; in Australia in 2023–24, an average of one woman every eight days was killed by an intimate partner; and by 2026, the word "manosphere" has entered global common parlance. Surveying what it feels like to be a woman right now, I do have to wonder if a modern witchcraft revival is less about Ouija Boards and gothic aesthetics, and much more about female autonomy, intuition, and collective power. "Witchcraft" as a covert disguise for fourth-wave feminism. [caption id="attachment_1079397" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fiona Horne[/caption] Witchcraft has always resurfaced at moments of rupture. It crests when institutions feel brittle and women sense that something is shifting beneath them. In the 1970s, it threaded through second-wave feminism. In the 1990s, it returned via underground punk grrrl movement, The Craft and a generation of teenage girls learning to name their anger. In 2026, it is back again — algorithmic, aesthetic and quietly radical. And few people understand that arc better than Fiona Horne. Long before Etsy witches and TikTok tarot, Horne publicly identified as a practising witch in the late 1990s, publishing Witch – A Personal Journey at a time when the word still carried real stigma. She had already been in the public eye as the frontwoman of Def FX, but stepping "out of the broom closet," as she has described it, positioned her as a lightning rod for modern witchcraft. "I never get asked if I worship Satan anymore," she tells me, reflecting on the cultural shift. "I never get asked if I'm a white witch or a black witch or a good witch or a bad witch. There's just more understanding now. People know that a witch is someone who honours nature as sacred, who recognises a Goddess as well as a God, who does spells and rituals to help and heal themselves and others." Nearly three decades later, Horne is releasing her 17th book, Coven – Where Witches Gather, alongside a companion oracle deck, and embarking on a national tour designed to bring witches — and the witch-curious — together in person. "The alchemy that occurs when we come together is really potent," she says. "There's something that happens in a circle that doesn't happen alone. We celebrate seasonal rites together. We create intentional circles. We support each other. It's about ethical gathering. It's about boundaries. It's about leadership. It's about healing. It's about remembering that we're not meant to do this alone." If fourth-wave feminism is about collective voice, witchcraft offers up collective ritual — but these days, it doesn't always look like a candlelit circle. Michelle Cook is a psychic, medium and practising witch who also hosts the podcast How to Witch, Bitch!, described as "an overview of witchcraft for the new and experienced alike."In a fitting crossover, Fiona appeared on the show while travelling in Egypt, and the two Australian witches' conversation drifted less toward spectacle and more toward what modern practice actually looks like. "[It used to be] the kid on her own in the corner of the classroom getting down into the bush and doing some spells. And now all of a sudden — it's so massive," says Horne. View this post on Instagram A post shared by How To Witch, Bitch! (@howtowitchbitch) In 2026, the next generation of teenage witches is discovering the craft not through dusty metaphysical bookstores or even '90s cult-classic movies, but through TikTok and Spotify. The music streaming platform has reported dramatic surges in manifestation-themed playlists and spell-inflected audio — some up nearly 300 percent in recent years — suggesting that ritual language hasn't disappeared. It has simply migrated. "If words are spells [that's why it's called spelling], then songs could be your ritual. Your playlist could be your altar," says Cook. "The energy you listen to is the energy you're inviting in." The coven, in other words, might now look like a shared Spotify link. The altar is portable, the circle digital, the incantation algorithmically delivered. But the resurgence runs deeper than algorithms, Cook insists. "Women are looking for something that they feel they have control over. They're looking for something that's theirs. Something that says, 'I can influence my world. I can choose what I bring in.'" That search for agency sits squarely within the concerns of fourth-wave feminism. When bodily autonomy is contested and social contracts feel unstable, reclaiming power at a symbolic level becomes both personal and political. Lighting a candle will not rewrite legislation; gathering in a circle will not dismantle patriarchy, but it does create a space where women's voices are centred rather than mediated. Horne articulates witchcraft less as spectacle and more as ethics. "The core laws are simple," she explains. "Do what you will, but do not harm. Do not interfere with another's free will. And understand that what you send out returns. There's accountability in that. There's responsibility." #witchtok That distinction matters in a marketplace increasingly eager to monetise magic. In February 2026, VICE reported that Etsy had begun removing sellers offering spellcasting services, despite the platform's longstanding prohibition on selling supernatural outcomes. Sellers described the move as abrupt, even likening it to a "modern witch hunt." The policy itself was blunt: you can sell a candle, but not the promise that it will fix someone's life. "[It was] preying on fear," Cook says plainly of some online spell-selling spaces. "That's not what this is meant to be. It's not about dependency. It's not about giving your power away to someone else and saying, 'Fix it for me.' It's about coming back to yourself." And the archetype itself has shifted. "When we think of a witch, we think of a woman who is in power, who's in control of her life," says Horne. "If we were describing a man, it would be great. But when we're describing a woman, suddenly it's a bad thing. So reclaiming that word matters. It matters that we say, 'Yes, I'm powerful. Yes, I trust myself.'" Strip away the iconography of pentagrams, cauldrons, and altars, and this message feels like the quiet core of the revival: not supernatural intervention so much as authority redirected inward. In that sense, witchcraft begins to look less like rebellion and more like recalibration — akin to meditation, mindfulness, or even some forms of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Maybe it's more about hope, or control, or a combination of both. Is modern witchcraft just accessible, secular spirituality dressed up in a velvet cape? If history is any guide, this wave will crest and quieten again. The aesthetic may change, the algorithms will pivot, but the underlying impulse remains evergreen and essential — women gathering, naming their experience and refusing to relinquish authority over it. FYI I wrote this piece while listening to my own Spotify spell playlist. When in Rome. Images: Larnce Gold
No stranger to luxe French dining, restaurateur Andrew Becher (Franca, Parlar) is opening his second foray into Parisian cuisine. Armorica, a grand European brasserie, is coming to Surry Hills in April. The 150-seat restaurant is setting up shop in the former home of Toko, which moved to an expansive new omakase-focused outpost late in 2022. Under the guidance of Becher, the Japanese joint's old digs have been transformed into a lavish French-influenced dining space with timber detailed ceilings, European oak joinery, brass gantries and an open kitchen centred around a custom-built grill. "Armorica is a Parisian brasserie that embraces the timeless charm of classic French dining. We want to bring the fun, energy and excitement of dining in the city of light right here on Crown Street," says Becher. The grill will be put to full use here, with plenty of fire-heavy dishes that utilise top Australian produce to create classic northern French feeds. Expect steak frites, grilled seafood and chops made with the highest quality Gundagai lamb. [caption id="attachment_638769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The site when it was Toko[/caption] Away from the grill, you'll be able to sprinkle your table with some vibrant delights from the sea and land. There will be coral trout crudo, foie gras torchon, and an outlandish seafood tower featuring oysters, prawn cocktails, octopus roulade and rock lobster. All of this top-notch produce needs to be matched by an equally high-quality wine list, of course, and Armorica is coming to the table with a 400-strong vino list focused on traditional winemakers creating exceptionally drinkable drops. Rounding out the interior design from Steel and Stitch and custom joinery from Contempo and Co is a series of original artworks that American illustrator David Plunkert has created in collaboration with Becher. If you want to be one of the first to experience this luxurious dining experience, reservations are now open at the Armorica website. Armorica will open on Thursday, April 20 at 490 Crown Steet, Surry Hills. It will be open for lunch Friday–Sunday and dinner Tuesday–Sunday.
A crusty white roll, lashings of smooth pâté, and a generous pile of fresh ingredients, pickled toppings and herbs — it's easy to see why Vietnam's gift to the sandwich world is well-appreciated here in Sydney. The humble banh mi is a lunchtime favourite that's both affordable enough and healthy enough to feel like you could scoff one — or two — every day of the week. All across the city, Vietnamese bakeries and other eateries are serving up top-notch iterations of the classic sandwich, ranging from the tried-and-true to more contemporary reworkings. Everyone has their own favourite banh mi spot in Sydney and, with so many great options tucked around the entire city, its hard to pin down the best of the best — so we've put together a list of some of our favourites to get you started. BANH MI BAY NGO, BANKSTOWN Family-owned and operated, Bay Ngo has been serving up packed-full rolls of tender pork and crisp salad to the residents of Bankstown for over thirty years. Here, the traditional banh mi thit reigns supreme, layering multiple types of pork on top of a thick spread of pate for just $6. If you're not one for red meat, you're in luck, as the fried egg banh mi is a hit with local vegetarians and a perfect breakfast sandwich if you're swinging by before work. While it may be missing the layers of pork, the fried egg sandwich still comes overflowing with all the salads, coriander and chilli needed for a truly great banh mi. Or, you can add the fried egg to a pork roll for the best of both worlds for $7.50. BOOTH STREET BAKERY, ANNANDALE The lemongrass pork banh mi at Booth Street Bakery is one of the juiciest, most satisfying meals a sandwich lover can have for under a tenner. The unassuming Vietnamese bakery does a selection of cakes, flaky throw-back desserts (think Neenish tarts and day-glow green meringue frogs) and very decent pies, but the banh mi reigns supreme here. You can go for the classic pork sausage, lemongrass pork or chicken, or really push the boat out and do roast pork with a slab of crackling. Like all of Sydney's best banh mi shops, Booth Street Bakery is a no-frills affair. But, it has spurned decor and detail for a focus on flavour. And when it comes to a meat-stuffed baguette, that's all you can really ask for. [caption id="attachment_800473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darlingharbour.com[/caption] MARRICKVILLE PORK ROLL, MARRICKVILLE A true Sydney stalwart, Marrickville Pork Roll has long been considered one of Sydney's best banh mi shops. It's well worth the wait in that inevitable queue, which often wraps around the block outside this hole-in-the-wall spot. Open daily from 7:30am, the shop bakes its baguettes fresh every morning. That fluffy-yet-crunchy baguette is smeared with pâté and mayo, then loaded with your choice of meat, fresh herbs, pickled veg, salad and chilli. While the traditional pork is the go-to, we rate the barbecue pork and crackling pork belly. Meatball, chicken, salad and veg varieties are also up for grabs — and all for just a few bucks ($6–8). For those closer to the CBD, Marrickville Pork Roll also has locations in Darling Square's Steam Mill Lane and along Pitt Street. TOP RYDE BAKER'S HOUSE, RYDE Make your way to Top Ryde City Shopping Centre and you'll find some of the best pork you can find stuffed into a soft white baguette in this city. Top Ryde Baker's House is known for its packed its banh mi full to the point of overflowing with an abundance of juicy pork and crispy pork crackling. Here, the banh mi is really taken to the next level, with the fresh mix of salad smothered by a mountain of meat. Despite the heaped serving sizes, the price of this Sydney banh mi remains low. The only catch? You may have to line up for a while, as the bakery is known to get busy around lunchtime. [caption id="attachment_825700" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jemsweb[/caption] HONG HA, MASCOT Hong Ha has managed to carve out a spot as one of Sydney's best banh mi joints, all thanks to the fresh and affordable rolls it's been serving up for over three decades. Situated on Botany Road in Mascot — so with multiple other Vietnamese bakeries close by — the pork roll specialist remains a go-to for locals and those travelling through the area. While a line snaking around the block isn't uncommon here, the wait is worth it for the barbecue pork variety which piles three types of pork into a crispy roll filled with plenty of fresh salad. The chicken and meatball rolls are both fan-favourites here as well but, whichever filling you end up going with, you're guaranteed a good time. VINATA'S HOT BREAD, CABRAMATTA Located in Cabramatta Plaza, Vinata's Hot Bread is one of the most beloved banh mi spots in southwest Sydney. Here, you'll pay just $5 for your classic pork variety, which comes packed into fresh-baked white bread rolls, smothered in pork pâté, and covered in salad, coriander and chill. If you feel like venturing from the tried-and-tested path, you can also opt for meatball, chicken or salad rolls — all for under $7. Plus, there's a range of bakery classics on hand such as meat pies, sausage rolls, and cheese and bacon rolls. Despite the hot competition in Cabramatta for the best banh mi, Vinata's has cemented itself as one of the area's standouts. ALEX 'N' ROLLS, MARRICKVILLE Challenging Marrickville Pork Roll for best banh mi in the inner west is Alex 'N' Rolls. This is an unassuming hole-in-the-wall sandwich spot on Illawarra Road — it operates from inside an inner west townhouse — but the rolls here pack a punch. You can choose between barbecue, caramelised or traditional slow-cooked pulled pork, each packed into a bun with chicken pâté, mayonnaise, picked carrot, radish and a heaping of salad. The rolls have a good amount of crunch, and the pork is packed with flavour. If you're feeling more like chicken, Alex 'N' Rolls has you covered as well. Plus, there are a heap of vegetarian banh mi on offer if you're tired of the tried-and-true salad roll. BOON TABLE, SYDNEY Hidden in a food court in the lower floor of The Galleries, next-level takeaway outpost Boon Table opened in 2019. The majority of its menu is made up of tasty and health-conscious bowls — think: miso salmon, kale and broccoli, plus karaage chicken, red cabbage and spicy mayo. The real big hitters on the menu, however, are the 'Boon Mi', Boon Table's take on the classic Vietnamese roll. While they're slightly pricier than your local pork roll joint at between $10.90–12.90, these banh mi are packed into a soft and sweet brown roll, providing a unique experience. There are four options here, including the classic pork, plus crispy pork belly, grilled chicken and tofu. And, they all come equipped with all the fresh salads and pickled vegetables you'd expect as well as mayo, pâté and seasoning sauce. KING'S HOT BREAD, HURSTVILLE Open 6am–6pm daily, King's Hot Bread has been a Hurstville mainstay since 1995. The Forrest Road spot specialises in banh mi, with a huge range of options to be found here. If you're in the mood for pork, you can choose between classic pork, pork crackling, roasted pork or sausage. Chicken, seafood and vegetarian rolls are all on offer too, with some of the more out-there options including stay prawn, chicken and dim sim, and egg salad rolls. All the banh mi sit between $7 and $10.50, price-wise, with crunchy chicken wings and spring rolls available if a heaped baguette isn't enough to satisfy your hunger. Swing by to pick up some lunch, or you can also order via UberEats and Menulog. SUNNY VI HUONG HOT BREAD, GLADESVILLE The unassuming Sunny Hot Bread sits next to a Persian rug store on Victoria Road, providing the perfect pit stop if you're driving between the west and inner city. It's easy to miss on the busy main road, but nab a park nearby and it'll be worth your while. The Gladesville bakery doesn't deviate too far from your classic selection of rolls, with the classic pork, chicken and salad rolls all on offer for between $4.50 and $7. The surprise highlight of the menu is the chicken schnitzel roll, which comes heaped with salad, crispy pieces of golden brown schnitzel and just the right amount of chilli. The typical range of bread, cakes and pastries are all on offer alongside the banh mi selection as well. GREAT AUNTY THREE, ENMORE When Michael Le was a child, his grandmother would often serve caramelised pork belly with rice on the family dinner table. Le now does a revised version of this dish in the form of a Vietnamese pork roll in his restaurant, Great Aunty Three. The caramelised pork roll captures the essence of what Le and his wife Mai are trying to achieve: fresh, authentic, quality Vietnamese street food. The pork, slow-cooked in coconut juice for up to five hours, is tender and juicy, combined with fresh vegetables in a crusty Vietnamese roll. The rolls are a bit different here, with apple pieces and big chucks of crunchy salty pork crackling stuffed inside. You can also venture into more adventurous territory with roast pork and duck rolls. Best of all, you don't even have to get up from your couch to order from Great Aunty Three, with the Enmore Road eatery available on UberEats and Menulog — although the takeaway menu does vary.
Previously hidden in a backyard sprinkled with fairy lights, Parramatta pizzeria Fratelli Pulcinella has expanded into a new location on Church Street. While you may not be sneaking around the side of a house to get your hands on the saucy rounds, you'll still find the same quality Italian food at Fratelli Pulcinella 2.0. Head into 399 Church Street, and you'll find two firing pizza ovens (one for classic bases and one for gluten-free slices) amid a spacious multi-storey dining room accented with brightly coloured chairs and Italian quotes emblazoned across the wall. If part of the charm at the original Parramatta location was the al fresco dining, never fear — the new space has plenty of tables out back in the courtyard. Food-wise the team has kept things consistent, with the addition of pizza fritta and panuozzo to the menu. Classic Italian combos form the basis of the pizza options: margherita (regular or the extra-cheesy buffalo variety), prosciutto and parmesan, capricciosa and napoletana. But, the rotating menu is known to dish up some unexpected flavours as well. Indulge in a combo of speck, provolone, buffalo cheese, rocket, truffle oil and balsamic glaze. Or opt for the double-layered Amore Tossico, which features fior di latte mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, house-made Italian sausage, tomato, ham, caramelised onions, buffalo cheese, fried speck and basil. Bellissimo. If you're looking for a comforting Italian feast in the west (or on your way to a game at CommBank Stadium), Fratelli Pulcinella is here to hit the spot — now with room for everyone. Updated Monday, December 18, 2023.
Music festival The Plot returns to Parramatta Park this November, and the all-Aussie lineup of artists it's bringing with it is better than ever. From the same minds behind Groovin' The Moo, The Plot's always been big champion of emerging local talent and, dropping its first artist announcement today, the festival looks set to continue its strong support of our up-and-comers. On Saturday, November 18, the festival will ring in its fourth year with the likes of electronic duo Saatsuma, Melbourne three-piece Cable Ties, Splendour and Meredith faves Confidence Man, Brisbane's Hollow Cove and triple j Unearthed finds, Northeast Party House. They'll be joined by more established favourites like Bec Sandridge, Brisbane songstress Airling and the ARIA-nominated sleepmakeswaves, with about 30 more names to come. And, if you've attended The Plot before, you'll know to expect plenty of other treats alongside their fresh selection of live local tunes. This year's festival promises to showcase some of the greater west's best, across a diverse array of food, drink, craft and clothing stalls. Just who'll be making an appearance will be revealed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here's the first batch of acts announced for The Plot 2017. THE PLOT 2017 LINEUP Airling Alex The Astronaut Alice Ivy Bec Sandridge Cable Ties Confidence Man Dean Lewis Dear Seattle Haiku Hands Hollow Coves Jess Locke Kuren Kyle Lionheart Lastlings Maddy Jane Manu Crooks Ninajirachi Northeast Party House Nyxen (Live) Ruby Fields Saatsuma Skegss Sleepmakeswaves The Teskey Brothers Tigertown Images: Jess Gleeson.
A gallon is nearly four litres, which is about how much wine you'll be tempted to drink at this relaxed Harris Street wine bar. Obviously don't, but do get around a chilled night out consisting of a glass of pinot and a plate of crumbed soft cheese. Take a seat in the Gallon's leafy outdoor courtyard "The Stables" — which was actually home to horses back in 1870 — or prop yourself up alongside the exposed, interior sandstone brick wall. Produce is sourced locally and a lineup of pizzas, salads and bar snacks will keep your stomach lined. Gallon is good for dates, a night out with the girls or a quiet post-work drink away from the full intensity of the CBD.
Hidden away on Regent Street in Chippendale is Charc Specialty Meats and Coffee, an unassuming little cafe specialising in the incredible trinity of sandwiches, cookies and biltong. While the storefront might not be as flashy as some of Sydney's other popular sambo spots, Charc is an underrated gem for any local meat lovers. Each sandwich here can be loaded up from the regular size all the way up to the double, depending on how much smoked deli meat you want packed between two slices of bread. Standout creations include the El Scorcho, piling on housemade spicy beef salami, Swiss cheese, jalapeños, and a white Russian sauce for a very reasonable $13.90. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find a variety of reubens made with pastrami, chicken or mushroom as the hero protein. There's also a take on a classic Cuban sandwich, a classic corned beef and pickle combo, and a pair of luxe toasties created with house-smoked wagyu beef. Rounding out the offerings are a few lighter brekkie options including a breakfast burrito and a wagyu cheesesteak wrap, and plenty of drinks including protein shakes and coffee — both milk and filter.
This vibrant beer garden has provided an inner city oasis for over one hundred years. Tucked between the busy stretches of City Road and Cleveland Street, the intimate beer garden gets just as crowded as its bustling surroundings after 5pm, minus the noise and smog. Meanwhile, the low-lit lamps scattered across the garden make for a much more pleasant ambience than the glaring traffic lights beyond. Just down the road from Sydney Uni, The Rose Hotel is the watering hole of choice for students, testament to its affordable prices and lively atmosphere. The Rose boasts an extensive bistro menu, just a little pricier and a little more pretentious than its $10 lunch dishes. Exotic pizza choices provide the menu's crowning glory, with the option of tomato, garlic and chili bases plus experimental toppings, such as roasted pumpkin, blue cheese, spinach and hazelnuts. With prolonged happy hours more akin to happy days, The Rose is a great option for a few drinks amongst a vibrant crowd. Images: Destination NSW
A good musical should have a lasting impact on the industry and its audiences for years to come. So the fact that Miss Saigon has been hitting stages and receiving awards since its debut in 1989 is a clear indication of quality. The show takes inspiration from the even older (but just as popular) Madama Butterfly — they're both tales of women in Asia falling in love with men from America only to have their hearts broken. The key difference between the two is the setting. Madama Butterfly is set in Japan, while Miss Saigon (as you might be able to guess from the title) is set in Vietnam, specifically during the end and lasting aftermath of the devastating Vietnam War. This production of the musical is from Cameron Mackintosh, who was also behind on other world-famous musicals like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Mary Poppins. Coming to the Sydney Opera House on Thursday, August 17 and running until Friday, October 13 — the Australian cast includes the debut of Abigail Adriano as Kim alongside Nigel Huckle (Les Misérables, West Side Story) as Chris, Sean Miley Moore (The Voice) as The Engineer, Kerrie Anne Greenland (Les Misérables) as Ellen, Nick Afoa (The Lion King) as John and the Australian debut of Laurence Mossman as Thuy. Miss Saigon runs from Thursday, August 17 to Friday, October 13 at the Sydney Opera House, for more information and to book tickets, visit the website. Images: Johan Persson
Between Saturday, November 24, 2018 and Sunday, April 28, 2019, the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery are bringing the Asia Pacific to Brisbane for the ninth time. Every three years since 1993, the city's major art institutions celebrate the vast creativity brightening up the region as part of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. At the 2018 event — the fifth since GOMA opened, and one that's free as usual — more than 80 individuals, collectives and group projects will grace the walls of the two galleries, representing over 30 countries. Understandably, the highlights are many. View a major site-specific work by leading Chinese artist Qiu Zhijie, see Singapore-based artists Donna Ong andRobert Zhao Renhui turn QAG's Watermall into a new landscape filled with artificial plants, or dive into the water with separate video works by Martha Atienza and Monira Al Qadiri — with the latter not only making the gallery feel like an aquarium, but also being projected onto the William Jolly Bridge for five days. When you enter the exhibition, you'll walk beneath towering sculptures created from nassa shells from Papua New Guinea, while APT9 also features the largest contingent of First Nation artists in its history, including Australian Indigenous art. The massive showcase kicks off with a weekend filled with events across Friday, November 23 and Sunday, November 25, complete with an opening party, talks and performances, with plenty more events scheduled for the exhibition's entire run. Accompanying cinema programs will look at film from the region, and there's also a secret jacaranda garden-like piece called Purple Reign. Sure, the burst of brightness is designed for children, but bigger kids are welcome. Image: Martha Atienza. The Philippines b.1981. Our Islands 11°16'58.4"N 123°45'07.0"E (still). 2017. Single channel HD video (01:12:00 min. loop), no audio. Image courtesy: The artist and Silverlens Galleries, The Philippines.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Australia isn't the world's wettest place. But when the rain hits, it does so torrentially – and usually in the company of wild winds. Your average $10 umbrella is of negligible defence. That’s why so many of them end up in garbage bins. In contrast, the full-body umbrella is the mother of all weather-protection gear. In fact, it’s more like a shield than a brolly. A couple of different versions have been spotted around Japan. The first consists of a regular umbrella, attached to a large plastic curtain, which means you’re walking around inside your very own portable cylinder. The second is shaped like five umbrellas stitched together, with plastic triangles filling in the gaps, creating an apparatus that looks something like a space ship. Of the two, the former is perhaps more elegant (well, as elegant as a full-body umbrella gets), but the latter is more likely to handle gale-force winds. The drawback, however, is that it takes up quite a substantial amount of space. Could be problematic during peak hour. What’s more, a Japanese designer by the name of Hiroshi Kajimoto has come up with the ‘Unbrella’. It’s an umbrella turned inside-out. The benefits are its ability to stand up independently and the fact that, when you close it, the wet sections are on the inside. Nab one at the Japanese Trend Shop for US$203.
At some point, we all have to realise that we just can't watch every TV show ever made. It's a sad revelation, and it mightn't feel the case after a few years spent at home more often than anyone would've liked, but it's the practical reality. So many streaming platforms to choose from, so many new series hitting each and every one of them all the time — throw in all the regular old television channels, too, and that's every TV fan's current, ongoing, never-ending dilemma. We all have gaps in our viewing as a result. And while it seems like every television program that's ever hit airwaves or the internet is always available all of the time, even the list of shows that you can watch in Australia has gaps, because we don't necessarily get access to everything the moment it lands overseas. With all of that in mind, it's been impossible to watch everything new that's hit the small screen Down Under over the past year — but summer is a great time for catching up. Here are 12 standout series that mightn't have made their way to your streaming queues yet, but you should make a date with as soon as you can. And if you've seen them already, summer is also the perfect time for a rewatch. THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS Here's a great way to know whether a new TV comedy is worth watching: check whether Mindy Kaling is involved. After stealing every scene she could in The Office, then turning The Mindy Project into a smart, funny and adorable rom-com sitcom made with oh-so-much love for the genre, she just keeps adding new shows to her resume as a co-creator, writer and producer. The Sex Lives of College Girls is the latest, and quickly thrives thanks to the kind of savvy, authentic, honest and highly amusing writing that's always been a hallmark of Kaling's work. If you didn't know she was behind it going in, you'd easily guess. It also sports an immensely descriptive title, following four college freshmen — strangers to each other, but now roommates — as they navigate the move from high school to the fictional Essex College in Vermont. Because three movies currently in cinemas starring a member of Chalamet family just isn't enough (aka Dune, The French Dispatch and Don't Look Up), The Sex Lives of College Girls features his Timothée's sister Pauline (The King of Staten Island). She plays Kimberly Finkle, who heads to Essex as valedictorian of her small-town school, is more excited about the classes than the parties, but still wants to have the full college experience. And, she's thrilled to find herself rooming with aspiring comedy writer Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur, The D Cut), star soccer player Whitney Chase (first-timer Alyah Chanelle Scott) and the wealthy Leighton Murray (theatre star Reneé Rapp) — even if the latter in particular doesn't initially return the enthusiasm. The quartet's exploits from there navigate all the usual kinds of relatable college antics, but do so with a warm-hearted vibe, a great cast, insightful humour, and a shrewd focus on friendships and figuring out who you want to be. The first season of The Sex Lives of College Girls is available to stream via Binge. THE PURSUIT OF LOVE Bolters and stickers. They're the two labels given to women in The Pursuit of Love, a lavish, effervescent and also impeccably shrewd new three-part miniseries adaptation of Nancy Milford's 1945 novel of the same name. Befitting its source material's timing, the storyline leads into the Second World War, all as chalk-and-cheese cousins Linda Radlett (Lily James, The Dig) and Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham, Little Joe) grow from teens into women — and the former, the impulsive and passionate daughter of a Lord (Dominic West, Stateless) who doesn't believe in educating girls and hates foreigners, chases romance at all costs. Fanny narrates the story, detailing Linda's ups and downs alongside her own. Her own mother (Emily Mortimer, Relic) is purely known as "the Bolter", having left Fanny with her sister (Annabel Mullion, Patrick Melrose) as she too sought love again and again. It's a label that Linda despises when it's applied to her, though. Whether having her eyes opened to the world by her bohemian neighbour (Andrew Scott, His Dark Materials), falling for the first arrogant boy (Freddie Fox, Fanny Lye Deliver'd) she spends any real time with, or later crossing paths with a motivated Communist (James Frecheville, The Dry) and a French duke (Assaad Bouab, Call My Agent!), she does keep leaping forward, however. In contrast, Fanny literally bumps into Oxford academic (Shazad Latif, Profile) and settles into domestic bliss, all while worrying about her cousin. Mortimer also makes her directorial debut with this swiftly engaging look at well-to-do lives, and unpacking of the way women are perceived — and it's the latter, the vivid staging and cinematography, and the vibrant performances that make this a must-see. The Pursuit of Love is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. CALLS Everyone has heard about the response that The War of the Worlds reportedly sparked back in 1938. That's when Orson Welles adapted HG Wells' novel into a radio play, and the result was so convincing that it reportedly incited panic among listeners. Watching Calls, it's easy to understand how. 'Watching' isn't exactly the right term for this mystery series, though. Like all those folks glued to their radios 83 years ago, Calls' audience is forced to listen intently. Indeed, in terms of visuals, the series only provides two types: words transcribing the conversations heard, and abstract visuals that move and shift with each sentence uttered and every suspenseful pause left lingering. Accordingly, focusing on the snippets of phone chats that tell the program's stories is what Calls is all about. Remaking the French show of the same name, and directed by Evil Dead and Don't Breathe's Fede Álvarez, something much more than a small-screen version of a story-fuelled podcast eventuates. A starry cast voices the chats — including everyone from Parks and Recreation duo Aubrey Plaza and Ben Schwartz to Wonder Woman 1984's Pedro Pascal and Zola's Riley Keough — but it's the tension and power of their words that leaves an impression. Each of the nine episodes tells a short story that eventually builds an overall picture, and getting caught up in them all is far easier than the underlying concept might initially make you think. Calls is available to stream via Apple TV+. THIS WAY UP In Britain, This Way Up didn't drop both of its seasons in the same year; however, that's how it panned out for Australian viewers. And, that's a great thing — not only because this smartly written, astute, insightful and delightfully acerbic series about London-based Irish siblings Áine (Aisling Bea, Living With Yourself) and Shona (Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe) keeps viewers hooked episode after episode, but because binging your way through it immerses you wholeheartedly in their chaotic lives and headspace. As the first season establishes, English teacher Áine is riding the ups and downs of a mental health journey that saw her spend some time receiving in-patient treatment, and has left Shona, the high-powered overachiever of the pair, perennially worried. Even as COVID-19 approaches and begins to affect their lives in the second season, that dynamic is still in place. But Áine is now embarking upon a relationship with Richard (Tobias Menzies, The Crown), the father of a French boy (Dorian Grover, The White Princess) she tutors, all while trying to hide it from her bosses and said kid. Shona is the least-fussed bride-to-be there is as she prepares to get married to her long-term boyfriend and ex-colleague Vish (Aasif Mandvi, Evil), and also navigates more than a little awkwardness with her friend and new business partner Charlotte (Indira Varma, Official Secrets). The heart of this series is the push and pull between this sisters, and how they try to weather everything that life throws their way — and it remains firmly intact across its full run so far. The first and second seasons of This Way Up are available to stream via Stan. THE NORTH WATER When ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell, Seberg) secures a gig on a whaling expedition to the Arctic working as the ship's doctor, he's clearly running from something. His new colleagues are instantly suspicious of his story, bloodthirsty harpooner Henry Drax (Colin Farrell, Voyagers) among them — although Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and whaling company owner Baxter (Tom Courtenay, Summerland) are mostly just happy for his cheap services. That's the setup for The North Water, the 19th-century-set, five-part miniseries that takes to the seas, to the cold and to a brutal world, and proves grimly mesmerising with its Moby Dick-meets-Heart of Darkness vibes. Charting a survivalist tale not just of the physical kind amid all that unforgiving ice (and on those treacherous waters), but also of the emotional and mental variety as well, this is one of the most relentlessly intense shows to hit screens in 2021 — and it's also gripping from start to finish. The first episode sets the scene in a slow-burn fashion, culminating in sights so searing they're impossible to forget — and the story, as well as the vast chasm between Sumner and Drax, only grows from there. Writer/director Andrew Haigh adapts Ian McGuire's novel of the same name, but this series has the Weekend, 45 Years and Lean on Pete filmmaker's stamp all over it. He finds as much empathy here as he has throughout his stellar big-screen projects, and once again demonstrates his extraordinary eye for detail, exceptional sense of place and winning way with actors. With the latter, having O'Connell and Farrell lead the charge obviously helps. They're not only reliably phenomenal; they each put in some of their best-ever work, and their performances seethe with complexity. So does the entire miniseries, which is never willing to pose easy answers or provide straightforward interpretations when ruminating over the minutiae is much more riveting, fascinating and realistic. The North Water is available to stream via Binge. PHYSICAL On a typical early-80s day, San Diego housewife Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne, Irresistible) will make breakfast for her professor husband Danny (Rory Scovel, I Feel Pretty), take their daughter to school, then run errands. She'll also buy three fast food meals, book into a motel, eat them all naked, then purge. Physical can be bleak — about the pain festering inside its bitterly unhappy protagonist, her constantly fraying mental health, the smile she's forced to plaster across her face as she soldiers on, and her excoriating options of herself — but it also finds a rich vein of dark comedy in Sheila's efforts to change her life through aerobics. Add the series to the list of 80s-set shows about women getting sick of being cast aside, breaking free of their societally enforced roles and jumping into something active. GLOW did it. On Becoming a God in Central Florida did, too. And now those two excellent series have a kindred spirit in this sharp, compelling and often brutally candid show. Byrne is a force to be reckoned with here, in one of her best performances in some time (and a reminder that in everything from Heartbreak High to Damages and Mrs America, she's always done well on TV). Also entrancing, engaging and difficult to forget: Physical's desperate-but-determined tone, and the way it seethes with tension beneath the spandex, sequins and sunny beach shots. The first season of Physical is available to stream via Apple TV+. MADE FOR LOVE When author Alissa Nutting penned Made for Love, no one needed to think too hard about her source of inspiration. Now bringing its tale to the small screen courtesy of the series of the same name, her story ponders one of the possible next steps in our technology-saturated lives. Hazel Green-Gogol (Cristin Milioti, Palm Springs) seems to live a lavishly and happily with her tech billionaire husband Byron (Billy Magnussen, No Time to Die). They haven't left his company's desert campus in the entire ten years they've been married, in fact. The site is designed to cater for their every desire and whim, so they shouldn't need to go anywhere else — or that's how Byron views things, at least. Then his next big idea looks set to become a reality, and Hazel decides that she can't keep up the charade. She certainly doesn't want to be implanted with a chip that'll allow Byron to see through her eyes, access her feelings and always know where she is, and she's willing to take drastic actions to escape his hold over her life. Bringing the plot to the screen herself, Nutting favours a darkly comedic and sharply satirical vibe as she follows Hazel's quest for freedom, with Made for Love filled with blisteringly accurate insights into the tech-dependence that's become a regular part of 21st century existence. That said, the series wouldn't be the gem it is without Milioti, as well as Ray Romano (The Irishman) in a scene-stealing supporting part as Hazel's father. The first season of Made for Love is available to stream via Stan. THE VIRTUES Director and screenwriter Shane Meadows has a fantastic track record, spanning everything from Dead Man's Shoes to This Is England — as well as the multiple TV shows inspired by the latter. Fellow screenwriter Jack Thorne is no stranger to working with Meadows, also thanks to the This Is England franchise; however his individual resume includes Dirt Music, Radioactive, The Secret Garden, Enola Holmes, The Eddy and His Dark Materials over just the past couple of years. So, the pair's involvement in The Virtues immediately marks it as a miniseries to watch. So does its star Stephen Graham, yet another veteran of This Is England. Here, all three combine for a four-part drama that's bleak, raw, frank and devastating — and, once you've started watching, it's also impossible to tear your eyes away from until the credits roll on the final episode. After it finishes, it's downright impossible to forget, in fact, a claim that can't be made of most television shows. Graham plays Joseph, a labourer who's barely getting by. When his ex-partner and his young son move to Australia, he hits the bottle, has a big night, and wakes up certain that he has to head back to Ireland and confront his troubled past. So starts an emotional journey that's never easy — not for a single second — but is also never anything less than astounding. The Virtues is available to stream via Stan. INVINCIBLE If you've ever shopped for a specific item on Amazon and found multiple similar versions of the same thing, then you already know what it can be like to dive into Amazon Prime Video's streaming catalogue. Many of its new additions instantly bring other shows in its catalogue to mind by sharing and mimicking elements, and Invincible follows that trend. At first, it'll have you thinking about The Boys. Next, you'll start recalling Undone. Those two series mightn't seem like a natural fit, but the combination of superheroes and existential malaise works well here. Animated like the latter, but willing to get bleak and dark with caped crusaders as the former does repeatedly, Invincible focuses on Mark Grayson (voiced by newly minted Oscar nominee Steven Yeun, Minari). The 17-year-old son of the well-known Omni-Man (J Simmons, Palm Springs), he's been waiting for his own powers to kick in — and, when they do, he's forced to grapple with exactly what that means. Among the star-studded cast, Sandra Oh (The Chair), Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Mahershala Ali (Green Book) all lend their vocal tones. Off-screen, The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman is responsible for not only doing the same with the Invincible comic book, but with the series. What lingers most here is the mood, though, with the show at its best when it's getting contemplative and introspective with its teen protagonist. The first season of Invincible is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. LOS ESPOOKYS It has taken almost two years for the delight that is Los Espookys to reach Australian screens — and it'll take you less than three hours to binge its six-episode first season. This HBO comedy is both worth the wait and worth devouring as quickly as possible, though. The setup: horror aficionado Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco, Museo) wants to turn his obsession into his profession, so he starts staging eerie scenarios for paying customers, enlisting his best friend Andrés (Julio Torres, Shrill), pal Úrsula (Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ready to Mingle) and the latter's sister Tati (Ana Fabrega, At Home with Amy Sedaris) to help. Torres and Fabrega co-created the show with Portlandia and Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen, who also pops up as Renaldo's parking valet uncle. This mostly Spanish-language series only uses its biggest name sparingly, however, because its key cast members own every moment. Following the titular group's exploits as they attempt to ply their trade, and to weave it into their otherwise chaotic lives, Los Espookys always manages to be both sidesplittingly hilarious and so meticulous in its horror references that it's almost uncanny. There's nothing on-screen quite like it and, thankfully, it has already been renewed for a second season. The first season of Los Espookys is available to stream via Binge. MR MAYOR Here are five of the most glorious words you're ever likely to read: Ted Danson plays the mayor. The sitcom stalwart (see also: Cheers, Becker, Bored to Death and Curb Your Enthusiasm) has hopped from The Good Place into Mr Mayor, actually, and into the latest TV comedy created and/or produced by Tina Fey. Fans of the latter's other shows — 30 Rock, obviously, and also Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and Girls5Eva — will know the sense of humour her series tend to work with, and it's a fabulous match for Danson. So too is Mr Mayor's setup, which sees a wealthy, clueless but amiable businessman decide he can improve a post-COVID-19 Los Angeles, and get elected. Firmly a workplace comedy, the series chronicles the ups and downs in the mayor's office as Danson's Neil Bremer tries to do a job he clearly isn't qualified for. Naturally, with the arrogance of a rich, white and otherwise successful man of a certain age, he believes otherwise. Mr Mayor is firmly an ensemble comedy as well, however, and both Holly Hunter (Succession) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) are comedic gems as Bremer's over-enthusiastic deputy mayor and bumbling communications director, respectively. The series is a tad less successful when it endeavours to be a family comedy, too, bringing the mayor's teenage daughter Orly (Kyla Kenedy, Speechless) into the mix. But when its gags land — and whenever Danson and Hunter share the screen, which is often — it's smart, hilarious and all-too-easy to binge. The first season of Mr Mayor is available to stream via 9Now. SPREADSHEET When Katherine Parkinson starred in The IT Crowd 15 years ago, she played a woman trying to exude a cool, calm and collected air, but constantly finding her life — and her new job in IT — hindering that aim. In Spreadsheet, her new sitcom role, Parkinson's latest character isn't attempting the same feat. Instead, freshly divorced Melbourne-based lawyer and mother-of-two Lauren has has accepted that her existence is now messy; however, having a spreadsheet to keep track of her revamped love life is meant to help. Embracing being single, and all the opportunities for casual hookups that apps now bring, she isn't looking for a relationship. She even has her colleague Alex (Rowan Witt, Adore) helping to maintain her fast-growing database of sexual options. But this clearly wouldn't be a comedy if her new status quo turned out smoothly and stress-free. As this new Australian sitcom knows and keenly relies upon, there's a breeziness to Parkinson's comic performances that hits both humorous and relatable notes. Indeed, the British actor is the key reason that Spreadsheet's eight-episode first season is so incredibly easy to binge. Whether Lauren is being introduced in the throes of pleasure in the car park outside the Palais Theatre, is getting intimate in a snake dungeon or sports an eye patch after a run-in with a cuckoo clock, Parkinson is a comedic whirlwind. In a series that approaches its 'sex in the suburbs' setup with smarts and insights, too, she's also surrounded by an impressive local cast that includes Witt, Stephen Curry (June Again), Katrina Milosevic (Wentworth) and Zahra Newman (Long Story Short). The first season of Spreadsheet is available to stream via Paramount+.
Trying not to think about Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet is about to become impossible in Australia. So will getting Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' out of your head, where it's dwelled for most people since the Oscar-winning track was released in 1997. The reason: a Titanic exhibition has dropped anchor Down Under and docked at Melbourne Museum until Sunday, April 21. Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition has brought 200-plus items from the shipwreck to the Victorian capital in its Aussie trip after selling out its Paris season and also proving a hit in the US. The pieces on display were legitimately recovered from the vessel's wreck site, too, after the RMS Titanic's ill-fated voyage in April 1912 — aka the events that James Cameron (Avatar: The Way of Water) turned into the DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon)- and Winslet (Ammonite)-starring Titanic more than a quarter-century ago. For everyone bound to exclaim, "I'm the king of the world!" while walking through Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition's Australian-exclusive stop, this is the king of all Titanic exhibitions. In fact, it's the most extensive in the world. As well as seeing the genuine objects from the ship, attendees will wander through full-scale recreations of the vessel's interiors, such as the veranda cafe, first-class parlour suite and grand staircase. In addition to the recovered items and recreations of the Titanic's spaces, the exhibition will tell tales about those onboard the ship that launched its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912, only to sink five days later on April 15, after hitting an iceberg. You'll be able to immerse yourself in the fateful events of that night with interactive exhibits like a touchable iceberg chilled to the temperature of the water the night of the sinking. This exploration of a tragic chapter in history will focus on passengers and crew alike while stepping through the vessel's class divisions and pondering the boat's legacy. Beyond the historical learnings, you can enjoy a Titanic-themed high tea designed by a Michelin-star chef to fully immerse yourself in the era in an elegantly designed lounge. Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition must close on Sunday, April 21. Evening sessions are also available. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website. Images: EMG / Alexandre Schoelcher / Eugene Hyland / Museums Victoria.
Lockdown is bringing wholesome home activities back into the spotlight. If you've already birthed a sourdough starter, planted new seedlings and started leaning te reo Māori, it may be time to start flexing your puzzle skills. New Zealand's national museum Te Papa is getting in on the action for those who forgot to stock up and has turned taonga (treasures) from its collection into online jigsaw puzzles. Unwind as you piece together Bernard Roundhill's colourful 1956 painting of Auckland, make up the skeleton of a Stewart Island brown kiwi or complete the fossil of an iguanodon tooth from 132-137 million years ago. Te Papa is closed to the public until further notice. Read about the museum's collections, research and stories at tepapa.nz.
It sounds like somewhere James Bond might hide away between missions — or, during a job, where he'd hunt down his latest nemesis. But inside the summit of Sölden's Gaislachkogl Mountain in Austria, visitors will soon find a museum dedicated to 007, particularly focusing on the character's most recent movie outing. If you're wondering why — why Sölden and why Spectre, specifically — it's because the latter flick shot scenes at the former location. It seems that's enough reason to bring 007 Elements to town, with the project being called "a new James Bond cinematic installation." From its description, however, it sounds rather like a series of galleries. When the space opens on July 12, it'll walk audiences through the various signature elements that go into making a Bond flick, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look in a new and inventive way. With Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre art director Neal Callow acting as the project's creative director, expect the museum to boast some serious insider know-how — all in a bespoke 1300-square-metre building that has been constructed within the mountain, spans two levels and is situated 3050 metres above sea level. "We want to use this incredible location to place our guests into Bond's environment, and bring the stories to life in a unique and unforgettable way," explains Callow. The franchise's other 24 movies to date will also feature, as will spectacular views over the Ötztal Alps.
