An old garage down a service laneway doesn't sound like a spot for a bar, but that's exactly where this 20-person mezcal bar takes up its residence. Cantina OK! is located down the non-street that is Council Place, rocking forest green garage doors, an extensive collection of tequila and mezca, and no seating whatsoever. You may not be surprised to hear that this mini mezcal mecca is run by Sydney's favourite tequila joint, Tio's Cerveceria — the men behind it are venue owners Alex Dowd and Jeremy Blackmore. The duo took one helluva road trip around Mexico, hitting three states and picking up heaps of mezcal along the way before opening this hole-in-the-wall back in 2019. "We wanted to take what we saw in Mexico and really showcase it in this space," says Gilmour. "It's our way of documenting what these amazing mezcal producers can do." The team took their research very seriously, returning to Sydney with a whopping 140 bottles that now sit behind the minuscule bar. There are mezcals from regions all across Oaxaca, Michoacán and Jalisco, as well as drops of tequila, raicilla (an agave distilled spirit from Jalisco) and sotol (non-agave distilled spirit from northern Mexico). [caption id="attachment_714475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Lo[/caption] "You won't find another mezcaleria in the southern hemisphere that has the particular collection that we have," said Manager Alex Gilmour back when the bar first opened. Some of his favourite labels include the experimental Michoacán producer Jorge Perez — who distils his mezcal with likes of rattlesnake and a whole coyote — a single distillation arroqueño mezcal from Oaxaca and even a few bottles that have been aged for 29 years — those, of course, are on the expensive side. If all that sounds a bit intimating, turn to the well-trained staff, who are eager to get into the "nitty gritty" of mezcal drinking with you. But you don't have to go high-brow — the place still has the casual, laid-back Tio's vibe where you can just pop in for a damn good margarita, too. That'd be the house margarita, which combines both mezcal and tequila with lime and cane sugar syrup, all served over shaved ice. Otherwise, choose from the rotating range of seasonal cocktails and whatever the special is at the time. There's one produce-driven cocktail on the menu each week, which there'll write down for you on one of the hand-stamped coasters. Images: Kimberley Low. Updated Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
Sometimes it's nice to learn that one of Sydney's finest bakeries is located in Parramatta and not Paddington. Located in the heart of Sydney's fastest-growing suburb, Threefold Pastry offers a range of sweet and savoury pastries, including a range of ever-changing croissants. Flavours include plain, almond, apple crumble and pain au chocolat options, while the specialty croissant (which changes monthly) could be anything from a peanut butter brownie version to a lemon verbena. Other treats include a mixed berry crumble danish, cinnamon scrolls, Oreo brownies and homemade banana bread. For something more savoury, you could opt for a beef or Thai chicken curry pie, a Vegemite and cheese croissant or a falafel, hummus, tahini, tomato and rocket wrap. It builds a mean sandwich, too, with options including chicken schnitzel with roasted tomato jam, mayo, cheese and rocket; salami with the same; and poached chicken with smashed avo, honey mustard dressing and cheese.
Did you know you can dive with whale sharks, trek through ancient temples and hike an active volcano, all while being pampered in some of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the world? Asia is home to some breathtaking wonders, from the turquoise waters of the Maldives to the wildlife in Sri Lanka and the natural hot springs of Japan, but it's also home to some incredible hotels. A true holiday is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. To get the best of both worlds on your next holiday, we've partnered with Mr & Mrs Smith to suggest five adventure and accommodation pairings. PICNIC ON A PRIVATE ISLAND IN THE MALDIVES, STAY AT COMO MAALIFUSHI The Maldives are best known for their pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Enough reason to visit the island is Como Maalifushi. This hotel is the only man-made structure on the island it resides in, and it's made up of luxurious, stilted villas that are set on a boardwalk surrounded by crystal clear waters and a visible coral reef beneath. The Maldives islands make up the world's lowest-lying country, reaching just a few metres above sea level, which makes it an ideal spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. You can take a dip right into the sea from your villa, but for a truly special dive experience, ask the hotel to organise a private scuba trip where you'll have the chance to see whale sharks and other exotic sub-aquatic life. Once you're ready to dry off, there's no better way to finish off the afternoon than a sailboat ride to a nearby private island, where a gourmet picnic will be prepared for you. VISIT THE ANGKOR WAT TEMPLES IN CAMBODIA, STAY AT PHUM BAITANG Angkor Wat is hands down the number one reason to visit Siem Reap, and Phum Baitang is ideally located close to the UNESCO heritage site, but is far excluded from the bustling town itself. Hidden away in the countryside among rice paddy fields, the private homes of Phum Baitang are constructed as traditional Khmer wooden houses. The stilted log cabin-like structures each come with private plunge pool and the hotel offers spa and yoga pavilion for further relaxation. Head to Angkor Wat in style with the hotel's exclusive sunrise temple tours, where you can beat the tourist rush to the popular Bakheng Hill. Once you've finished a morning of hiking, move back out to the countryside where you can have a relaxing swim in a pool overlooking the rolling hills and rice paddies. GO ON SAFARI IN SRI LANKA, STAY AT THE CHENA HUTS The 14 domed pavilions of the Chena Huts are set on seven acres of lush jungle, which affords each villa the utmost privacy and is a true nature getaway. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls open onto a private plunge pool and offer views of the blue lagoon on one side and a private beach on the other. The property is within the protected Yala National Park, so it's an ideal location for nature lovers. The park is a haven for biodiversity and the perfect spot for immersing yourself in the surroundings. Guests can watch giant turtles nesting on the beach and baby turtles hatching there, as well as storks and ibises wading through the lagoon. If you're keen to see more, take a guided safari tour where you can see some of nature's most majestic creatures, including leopards and elephants. VISIT ISE-SHIMA NATIONAL PARK IN JAPAN, STAY AT AMANEMU Wade in healing hot springs and the natural onsen inside Japan's Ise-Shima National Park, then return to your room at Amanemu. The stunning, minimalist hotel has rooms that were built with traditional techniques using natural materials, each with a private soaking tub and hot-spring taps. The hotel overlooks the scenic Ago Bay, where the majority of Mikimoto's pearls are planted and harvested by the Ama—female pearl divers whose ancient tradition dates back 2000 years. The 'Sea Women' impressively dive without tanks and Ise-Shima is one of the very few places in the world where the Ama can be observed. Visitors can enter the popular Ama hut, Satoumian, meet and talk with the Ama and prepare their own freshly caught seafood over a fireplace. HIKE UP MOUNT RINJANI IN INDONESIA, STAY AT THE LOMBOK LODGE The very exclusive Lombok Lodge only has nine suites available at a time. It's breezy and modern, with poolside suites offering ocean views. The boutique resort is set in a secluded coast of Lombok island, acting as a seaside oasis from every day life. The biggest attraction on the island is Mount Rinjani—an active volcano that is the second highest in all of Indonesia. Most visitors trek the mountain to swim in the natural hot spring and crater lake, which is impossibly blue and said to have ancient healing properties. The lake is located approximately 2000 metres above sea level and estimated to be about 200 metres deep. For those only making the trek to the lake, one overnight is required, but if you're a serious hiker and keen to make it all the way to the summit, at least three nights on the mountain should be expected. Make sure to plan your dates around the local weather, though, as the climb is generally closed at certain points of the year. If you decide to take a trip this Easter long weekend, visit Mr and Mrs Smith to book your accommodation. Images: Mr and Mrs Smith.
It's not just a case of the show needing to go on for the folks at the Moulin Rouge. It must, and it is. 17 years after the big-screen release of Baz Luhrmann's smash-hit movie musical, the story of doomed lovers Christian and Satine has made its way to the stage in an expectedly spectacular fashion. The lavish adaptation premiered at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre on July 10, with its first season running through until August 19 before an expected Broadway bow afterwards. Moulin Rouge! the Musical follows the tale film fans fell in love with, as well as the music — plus new pop tracks that hit the airwaves in the nearly two decades since the movie's original release. It's directed by two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers — who also has a Golden Globe to his name for co-created TV series Mozart in the Jungle — with music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by his frequent collaborator Justin Levine. Aaron Tveit (TV's Gossip Girl; stage productions of Wicked, Rent and Catch Me If You Can) takes on the role of Christian, as played by Ewan McGregor in the movie, while Tony-winner Karen Olivo (the revival of West Side Story, In the Heights, Hamilton) steps into Nicole Kidman's shoes as Satine. "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love," said Luhrmann in a statement when the state adaptation was first announced in 2016. "I immediately recognised the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts." Continuing the show's list of talent, writing duties fell upon acclaimed playwright and screenwriter John Logan, whose resume includes Skyfall, Spectre and Alien: Covenant as well as the Tony Award-winning play Red. "It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm," said Luhrmann. Image: Moulin Rouge the Musical/Matthew Murphy.
Eleven years ago, Taika Waititi was a writer for hire, working on an adaptation of a beloved New Zealand book. Today, he's about to leap into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the director of the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok. Progressing from the former to the latter hasn't been easy; however as Waititi's career has continually proven, he likes to stray off the beaten path. Indeed, before he embraces the superhero realm, he's bringing a dose of adventurous anarchy to cinema screens courtesy of his fourth feature, Hunt for the Wilderpeople. After exploring unconventional family dynamics with Eagle vs Shark, Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, Waititi ponders similar territory again. But this time, he's telling the tale of city kid Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), his cranky foster uncle Hec (Sam Neill), and their attempts to escape an over-enthusiastic child services officer (Rachel House) by trampling through the New Zealand wilderness. And, he's actually returning to that project he started scripting more than a decade ago. Expect plenty of humour and heart, Terminator references, a dog named Tupac and Rhys Darby as an eccentric conspiracy theorist — all in a movie that has "synthesizers and a score from the '80s, and car chases and flipped police cars and all that stupid stuff," as Waititi puts it. There's a reason Hunt for the Wilderpeople has become New Zealand's biggest homegrown box office success of all time (knocking the filmmaker's own Boy off the top spot, actually). With the film's Australian release under way, we spoke with Waititi about great buddy comedies, getting annoyed at New Zealand's landscape and not being able to connect with bank robbers, and about the movie of the moment, of course. ON WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO THE WILDERPEOPLE "I think it was just that I loved the idea of this character being on the run, sort of like Thelma and Louise or The Fugitive or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. All those kind of buddy flicks that, even films like Up, have two mismatched characters who are thrown together and stuck together. It's always been a winning combination in cinema. Paper Moon, 48 Hours, the list goes on. So I love that style and I thought it'd be a cool thing to see." ON WORKING WITH NEW ZEALAND'S UNPREDICTABLE WILDERNESS "We were shooting on locations, and we didn't really have much of an idea where we were going to shoot things, and what the weather was going to be like. We ended up in a whole lot of really remote places in New Zealand. At one of them ... we had a huge dump of snow. We had to kind of regroup that morning as the snow was falling on us, and we were like an hour from the main road, we had just driven deep inland. It was too expensive and it would lose the whole day moving everyone out of there. So we just basically decided to shoot and to set a part of the film in the snow. And that's when we got that cool 780-degree shot that turns around and around — we shot that, and spent a few hours shooting that ... While we were doing that, I was trying to figure out what we were going to do for the rest of the day. Now the film has this whole breadth of seasonal change through it. And it makes it even more epic, the fact that it has snow and it spans months and months." ON CELEBRATING THE FILM'S NEW ZEALAND HERITAGE "I'm very proud of where I come from, and I think [New Zealand's] a very beautiful place. Sometimes we take it for granted, how beautiful the land is. I think we get pissed off with it. It's like 'god you can't look anywhere without seeing some beautiful landscape'. And you forget that no one in the world has seen stuff like that. I think that's it's not often nowadays that we make films that celebrate what New Zealand looks like or like, the culture, the people, and how crazy we are. I wanted to do that. I wanted to use so much of that in there. So many parts of the film are inspired by '80s New Zealand films and Australian films. We used to make so many car chase films with people trying to drive from one end of the country to the other, and we stopped doing all that stuff. I think we started taking ourselves too seriously, and I don't do that." ON MAKING FILMS ABOUT UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILIES "Well, my family is crazy. I'm from a very crazy family — but I actually think every family is crazy. I think every single person has some insane part to their family. Every family, there's a criminal somewhere in there, there's a crazy person, there's someone who has just found religion, there's someone who's just left religion, there's someone who's been divorced, there's someone who has just fallen in love. Families are just really messed up, and they're a macro representation of earth, really. All parts of humanity all crammed into a couple of households. And it is the one thing I've found that everyone relates to the most: family dynamics. I don't relate to bank robbers. I've seen a lot of those films, and I get really bored. I don't care about the stakes, and I don't care about what they're trying to do, and I don't care about bank robbery, so I lose interest. But if you set it around a bank robber who's trying to get together with his ex-wife, at least there's something to hold on to there." ON JUMPING FROM INDIE FILMS TO DIRECTING MARVEL'S FORTHCOMING THOR MOVIE "There's not a huge difference really, to be honest. There's just a little bit more time, and you get a few more opportunities to do things that, in the normal indie world, you'd have to find cheaper ways of doing or you'd just have to have a character talk about rather than actually showing something blow up. So parts of your imagination, you actually get to shoot — and that's quite cool. It also could be dangerous to give people that much freedom, creatively. But it is very similar to the indie world in terms of it is still a bunch of people wanting to make a really good story and to make a good film." Hunt for the Wilderpeople opens in Australian cinemas on May 26.
Fancy a good glass of wine after a day at the beach? Coogee locals Tom Hardwick and Michelle Morales certainly do, and their new venue — Coogee Wine Room — lets you do just that. Taking cues from the bustling wine bars of Europe, Coogee Wine Room is a post-beach go-to for the eastern suburbs. It's opened along Coogee Bay Road, just one block up from the ocean. As to be expected, the team is taking its wine game very seriously. The 500-strong list has been expertly curated with years of experience. A list of that stature may seem overwhelming but the friendly staff will be sure to help you out to pick the perfect drop. In the kitchen, Head Chef Greg Humphry is plating up a succinct, Mediterranean-style menu. The food is seasonal with a focus on local produce, but some fan favourites remain constant like smoked hummus, pork sliders, and the iconic CWR steak rated one of the best steaks in Sydney. Local design studio Tom Mark Henry is behind the Coogee Wine Room fit-out, which spans two storeys and — as goes the trend — maintains an industrial vibe. Expect exposed brick walls, concrete floors and a black steel staircase, along with warm timber tones, wraparound banquettes and marble finishes. Downstairs, you'll find the causal front bar — perfect for post-beach wines — while the slightly larger upstairs dining room is primed for long lunches. Images: Steven Woodburn.
In the proper vein of Diagon Alley, Mjølner is the kind of place you would never stumble upon. The discrete entrance, set on a quiet stretch of Cleveland Street, is easy to miss, but later you'll wonder how you could possibly have missed it. Like a mirage, the oversized old-world wooden door suddenly appears and opens down into a deep labyrinth of underground, cave-like rooms. The Speakeasy Group — which operates Eau De Vie and The Roosevelt as well as Boilermaker House in Melbourne — is no stranger to fancy digs. Named for Thor's hammer, the self-described 'Viking luxe' space is part-drinking den, part-fine dining restaurant. It may sound gimmicky, but it works — rather than going too hard on the schtick, Mjølner uses the Viking theme as tasteful inspiration. This is consistent throughout the whole venue; the animal-clad waitstaff and impressive fit-out contrast well with the R&B soundtrack and a modern Nordic menu. While the cocktail offering is a main draw and worth a visit in itself, we recommend grabbing a table in the dining area as the bar (which doesn't offer table service) can get quite overwhelmed. The leather-bound cocktail menu is extensive and a little overwhelming, but, to help, the concoctions are ordered from lightest to booziest. The Smooth Valley Sour ($20) is a good starter and comes garnished with honeycomb, but is more sweet than sour. If you're into boozier cocktails, the Highlander Hammer ($22) is their version of an old-fashioned with the addition of turmeric and honey-laced oloroso, and the Kon Tiki ($19) is a super smoky mezcal concoction — both of which are some of the best cocktails we've had. But drinking is by no means the only reason to visit, with the open kitchen turning out a seriously impressive food menu. As expected, the menu is focused around meat, with bone marrow ($20) and spiced pig's head terrine ($18) making appearances. Both of these are expertly executed, with the bone marrow melting in your mouth and the terrine surprisingly light. The short rib ($35) is also served on a massive bone, but you don't need the custom-made knife you chose from a leather-bound selection presented to you at the start of the meal for this one as the meat falls right off the bone. The sides are classic and hearty, including the particularly tasty garlic and maple-topped roasted celeriac ($15) and seared eggplant ($12). Skip dessert for their espresso martini — the Flight of the Valkyrie ($20) — which combines cold-drip coffee and a fig apertif in a perfect bittersweet balance that is all topped with burnt mead foam. It's fine dining in a pretty chill setting, which is hard to achieve and particularly well done at Mjølner. Be prepared to drop some cash — but for a special occasion (or even just on pay day) this place is fully worth it. Images: Steven Woodburn.
The latest installation of Saké Restaurant & Bar opened back in 2018 as part of the revamped Manly Wharf precinct. The rooftop digs boast the sixth iteration of the award-winning Sake brand, and the third in Sydney, to continue its signature offering of sleek and contemporary Japanese fare — but this time with a distinctly Manly vibe. The 300-seat space is designed by the highly lauded studio Luchetti Krelle (Manly Greenhouse, Terminus Hotel and Acme, to name a few) and really reflects its beachside location. Think floor-to-ceiling windows and bi-fold doors that open onto an al fresco dining terrace, and to the panoramic ocean views of Manly Cove beyond. The bright dining room includes a variety of seating with a 40-seat sushi counter, a 60-seat bar and several private dining spaces. An open kitchen centres around the robata grill, which turns out an izakaya-style menu that's available at the bar all day. Venue specific dishes include lobster tempura with jalapeños and wagyu strip loin with chat potatoes and yakiniku sauce. On the regular menu at Sake Restaurant and Bar Manly, signature Sake dishes like the hiramasa kingfish and popcorn shrimp sit alongside Manly-exclusive items like tempura miso-glazed eggplant. The expansive drinks list has a focus on Japanese sakes, with the 30-label menu served by the glass, carafe, bottle or flight. There's also a 150-strong wine list and over 30 gin distilleries represented, too. If you're coming to Sake Restaurant and Bar Manly with a group then look to book one of the elegant private dining rooms, with seatings of six to twenty available across three rooms. Images: Tom Ferguson (venue) and Anna Kucera (food and drinks).
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and its Parade are synonymous: it's impossible to imagine one without the other. The historic centrepiece, the jewel in the sparkly tiara, the very raison d'être of the festival, is an important, entertaining, and uplifting celebration of all things LGBTIQA+. Hundreds of beautiful floats, themselves testaments to the immense creative talents of the queer community and drawn from all walks of life, glide down Oxford Street to the thunderous adulation of tens of thousands of revellers. The theme guiding the parade's 48th edition is ECSTATICA, which celebrates joy as power, protest and connection. Unfortunately, entries for this cavalcade of queerness have now closed, however you can still get down and share in the love. A word to the wise, though — unless you've bought tickets to one of the many Parade events held by pubs and clubs with a view of the route (or you have a friend with a balcony overlooking Oxford Street), get there early as spots will go fast. There'll be accessible viewing areas on Flinders Street, while Glitter Club at Taylor Square will put you as close to the action as possible without stepping onto the route itself — unfiltered, unforgettable and right in the heart of the Parade. Image: Ash Penin.
Longstanding Bondi favourite Da Orazio has reopened in its original home, complete with a new accompanying bar, Orazietto, joining it next door. That's the news since March 2022, and comes with hallmarks of the original venue — including its red door and a heap of fan-favourite dishes — alongside inventive new additions to the venue's array of Italian eats. In 2023, Da Orazio was even awarded a chef's hat by the Good Food Guide. "In Italian we say, 'il primo amore non si scorda mai', which means the first love you never forget," says the restaurant's renowned owner and head chef Orazio D'Elia. "Da Orazio was my firstborn, my first love, so to be able to bring the venue back to life means so much to me and my team. I can't wait for all our Da Orazio friends to return, and welcome new friends." Inside, the 90-seat restaurant has undergone a makeover, sporting a fresh new look, but classic dishes like rotisserie porchetta with focaccia and antipasti share plates haven't changed. Alongside these mainstays a fancy new pizza menu is among the new additions. The restaurant uses a new contemporary pizza dough recipe for the bases that they promise make the bases "lighter and more digestible". Next door, Orazietto seats up to 40 people and doesn't take reservations. The atmosphere is more casual and you can swing by for a quick drink, but all the food from Da Orazio is still on offer. Da Orazio Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
They say there are no more original ideas, and never has that felt more true than today. Announced today, Instagram has launched a new feature that lets users share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. If it sounds uncannily like Snapchat, that's probably because it is. Rolling out globally over the next few weeks on iOS and Android devices, Instagram Stories is being sold as a way to relieve fears that you're posting on the app too much. According to a post on the company blog, the new feature "lets you share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile. As you share multiple photos and videos, they appear together in a slideshow format: your story." Users will be able to view the stories of people they follow via a bar at the top of their feed, although they won't be able to like and comment on them (you can still send a private message letting someone know how #dope they look). And if you feel particularly attached to a photo in your story, you can change it to a regular post with the touch of a button. You'll also be able to hide stories from particular followers if you so choose. As for the elephant in the room, Instagram hasn't shied away from the fact that they're copying one of their competitors. Asked by TechCrunch about the obvious similarities between Instagram Stories and Snapchat, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom admitted that Snapchat deserved "all the credit," before going on to point out that tech companies borrow ideas all the time. "When you are an innovator, that's awesome. Just like Instagram deserves all the credit for bringing filters to the forefront. This isn't about who invented something. This is about a format, and how you take it to a network and put your own spin on it," said Systrom. "Facebook invented feed, LinkedIn took on feed, Twitter took on feed, Instagram took on feed, and they all feel very different now and they serve very different purposes. But no one looks down at someone for adopting something that is so obviously great for presenting a certain type of information." That may technically be true, but even by Silicon Valley standards, this is pretty bloody blatant. https://vimeo.com/177180549
The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel has been an east Sydney stalwart for over 190 years — receiving somewhat regular refurbs to keep up with the times. The historic facade is now Miami mint green and is overall marked with an old-world seaside charm. Stripy umbrellas, schoolyard benches and tres cute Breton-striped waitstaff add to the retro styling. The Beach Club is a place that serves up the kind of beachy-cool-baby thing that Sydney should do so well but doesn't always get so right. With sprawling outdoor seating, a fresh and simple menu and a view so palm-tree perfect it could be a postcard, the hotel just exudes easy elegance. And the food always delivers. From breakfast through to dinner, you'll much on European classics made from local and seasonal produce. With its location by the water, you should also expect a smattering of seafood to adorn each of the menus. You can even rock up to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel for takeaway dining options — with the pizzas being an ever-popular choice for those hitting up the local beaches. [caption id="attachment_789912" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] A long selection of local and European wines and the usual beer suspects line the bar – with the ever-summery Aperol spritzes taking over the decks each and every summer. At its heart, the place is a pub, and that's what works so well. There are lots of mismatched tables, the order-and-pick-up-at-the-bar thing clicks and the crowd is cruisey. It's fun but not too flash with enough pearly whites around to know you're kicking it with the cool kids. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Sydney The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
Team Zissou, pack your vintage suitcase and meet us in Italy. Wes Anderson has designed a bar/cafe in Milan. Snuggled inside Prada's new art and culture complex, Fondazione Prada, set to open this weekend, Bar Luce has been designed by the baron of twee himself — and it predictably looks straight out of one of his films. As if planning a theme park with Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh wasn't enough work. Resembling some kind of Grand Budapest Hotel lobby cafe, Anderson's cafe is filled with pastel Formica furniture, faux-cornice patterned wallpaper, veneered wood wall panels and terrazzo flooring — an attempt to recreate the vibe of a typical Milanese cafe. The aesthetic, according to Fondazione Prada, is reminiscent of '50s and '60s Italian popular culture; something Anderson actually employed for his Prada short film Castello Cavalcanti, starring (as always) the excellent Jason Schwartzman. Anderson's also given aesthetic nods to Italian neorealist cinema classics like 1951's Miracolo a Milano (Miracle in Milan) and 1960's Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Rocco and His Brothers), both set in Milan. But for modern Anderson fans, there's even a Zissou pinball machine. One to usually keep things symmetrical, Anderson told Fondazione Prada, "There is no ideal angle for this space. It is for real life, and ought to have numerous good spots for eating, drinking, talking, reading, etc. While I do think it would make a pretty good movie set, I think it would be an even better place to write a movie. I tried to make it a bar I would want to spend my own non-fictional afternoons in." The Bar Luce menu is yet to be revealed, but we're going to hope there's a few Anderson references in there; perhaps sweet lime drinks, Mendl's Courtesan au Chocolats, or Red Remarkable winter apples. If you're stopping Milan, Bar Luce is open to the public and can be accessed from Via Orobia, Prada. It's open from May 9, from 9am to 10pm. Via Wired. Images: Candy, Prada and Fondazione Prada.
Looking for a way to keep warm and dramatically relaxed this winter? We think we've stumbled upon just the novelty thing you're looking for. A savvy American inventor has taken the concept of relaxation to unprecedented heights, with the creation of a hammock that is also a hot tub. Commence applauding. Conceived and designed by Oregonian Benjamin Frederick, The Hydro Hammock is made from a durable synthetic material, and is capable of holding the weight of more than 185 litres of water plus two adult bathers. The water, from sea, lake or garden hose, is then heated via propane gas heater and circulated via pump (battery and solar-powered hammocks are also currently in the works). The hammock can be suspended between two points like a regular hammock, but also functions as a portable hot tub liner in the sand or snow. Yep, you can build a hot tub right into the snow. Frederick is currently looking to secure additional funding via Kickstarter, and has so far raised US$35,000 of his US$50,000 goal. A pledge of US$260 will get you the basic, single-layer hammock including installation straps and carabiners, while US$390 gets you the double layer hammock with extra insulation. However, we should point out that neither of those options actually includes the heater and pump — for that you'll have to fork out US$1180 for the single layer version, or US$1310 for the double. But while that may sound like a lot of money for a hammock, it's still likely a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a regular hot tub installed. And the good news is that Frederick ships his invention worldwide. Just make sure you tie both ends to something secure and unbending, otherwise you're likely to end up bruised, wet and cold. For more information about the Hydro Hammock, visit their Kickstarter page.
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
What is it? Can I sit on it? Do I put my coffee on it? Mindbending origami furniture that confuses us all is by no means a new idea, but this designer has put a stunning modern spin on a tried and true design tactic. UAE-based designer Aljoud Lootah has created a brand new furniture collection called the 'Oru Series', which both fascinates and terrifies us with its perplexing angularity. But yes, you can put your books, coffee and butt on all of them. Designed for Dubai's Design Days 2015 event, Lootah's series debuted this just week. Taking cues from the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, the bite-sized 'Oru' series is made up of a chair, table lamp, mirror and cabinet; all created from copper, felt and the glorious, glorious badassery that is teak wood. "The name 'Oru' originates from the Japanese words 'to fold', and the idea behind the designs is to show that folding a flat, two-dimensional sheet can create aesthetically appealing functional three-dimensional forms," says Lootah on her website. "The products, with their faceted design looking like complex folds but with sophisticated simplicity, are a modern interpretation of an ancient form of art." Oru collection Oru cabinet Oru lamp Oru chair Oru mirror Via Design Boom. Images: Aljoud Lootah.
You've got two days off and the weather is set to be stunning — clearly, the travel gods are calling you away for an epic day trip from Sydney. And when your starting location is Sydney, you've got a wealth of places to visit within a few hours' drive. Whether you fancy lounging the afternoon away at a pool, working up an appetite on a countryside cycle trail or seeking out the freshest seafood on the coast, there are plenty of spots calling out. It's time to load up the car, book a GoGet or hop on the train and escape the big city. Read on to find ten of the best outposts that deliver everything you want from a day trip out of Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Out-of-Town Ocean Pools Near Sydney The Best Glamping Spots in NSW The Best Places to Stay on the Central Coast A Weekender's Guide to Jervis Bay [caption id="attachment_695928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ANZAC Memorial Walk, Destination NSW[/caption] FOR ART AND SURFING: NEWCASTLE Downtown Newcastle is brimming with culture and it's only a stone's throw from the sea. The CBD has independent retailers, small bars and restaurants that rival the likes of most Australian capital cities. If you arrive early, settle among the bright tiles, artworks and plants of Ground Up Espresso in Carrington, a waterfront suburb on Newcastle Harbour's north shore — or save yourself for a five-course meal at hatted restaurant Subo. Booze your afternoon away at Newie's local brewery, The Foghorn, or soak up some sun at one of the beachside pubs, like Mereweather Surfhouse. Or if you want to experience spectacular locally sourced produce with an unbeatable view over Newcastle, try the Roundhouse. Wherever you end up during your day trip, the waterfront is never more than a nip away, with the tranquil stillness of Newcastle Harbour on one side and surf beaches on the other. Go for a dip at the famed Newcastle Ocean Baths and, if you're able to hang around until sunset, finish your day with a stroll along the spectacular ANZAC Memorial Walk. Newcastle is two hours drive or three hours by train north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_677929" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] FOR SEAFOOD AND SWIMS: WOY WOY When you want to get out of Sydney for a coastal day trip — but don't want to drive too far — the Central Coast is your best bet. And, just 75 minutes in a car or the train will get you to the quaint seaside town of Woy Woy. Here, you can have a seaside feast at Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf then head over to Frankie's Rooftop for a spritz. Or, if you're more into pasta than seafood, you can head to Young Barons for lunch — it's an absolute win. If you've got a car, make a detour to the nearby Bouddi Coastal Trail — the eight-kilometre hike winds past plenty of lookouts and beaches. Pack your snorkelling gear, too — we recommend heading to the sheltered Lobster Beach, keeping an eye out for dolphins. Woy Woy is a 75-minute drive or 80-minute train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_692016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bannisters Port Stephens[/caption] FOR POOLSIDE RELAXING: PORT STEPHENS Port Stephens lucked out when Bannisters arrived back in 2018, bringing a luxurious hotel and, most importantly, a Rick Stein restaurant. And what better way to shake off the big smoke than by sitting in a breezy space, overlooking still water, and working your way through Coffs Harbour prawns, or Singapore chilli blue swimmer crab? Beyond that, Port Stephens offers plenty of outdoor escapades, from its 26 beaches to camel riding and sandboarding down the Southern Hemisphere's biggest sand dunes. We also highly recommend a stay at the Hampton-style boutique hotel, Anchorage Port Stephens, where waterfront decadence is the name of the game. Port Stephens is a three-hour drive north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_774139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Yurasek/DPIE[/caption] FOR BOATING AND BUSHWALKING: BEROWRA The stunning hamlet of Berowra is literally encircled by natural beauty — it's within Berowra Valley National Park, with Cowan Creek and Berowra Creek running either side of the suburb. If you're driving, get your bearings with a stop at Barnetts Lookout. After a wander around Berowra Village, head to Berowra Waters for ferry rides, a spot of kayaking, nature walks and some lazy riverside reading. If you're looking to add a dose of luxury to your stay, make a booking for a hatted feast at Berowra Waters Inn. Berowra is a 45-minute drive or an hour-long train journey from Sydney CBD. [caption id="attachment_697582" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Boathouse Hotel Patonga[/caption] FOR HIKES AND BRUNCH: PEARL BEACH AND PATONGA Unlike so many coastal areas, Pearl Beach is fiercely protected from development. Just 500 or so residents live here and, because the village is National Trust-listed, further construction is banned. It truly is a world of its own, perched on a picturesque beach and surrounded by bushland. You can spend your days dissolving into sand and sea, or, if you want a work out, take on the Pearl Beach to Patonga walk. At the other end, you'll find the Boathouse Hotel, where you can tuck into seafood plates, crumbed dory burgers and buckets of prawns (and even stay the night if you don't feel like driving home after all that). Meanwhile, back in Pearl Beach, there's hatted restaurant Pearls on the Beach and, for more casual fare, the Pearl Beach Cafe and General Store. Pearl Beach is a 90-minute drive north of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_743309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Forster[/caption] FOR CASCADES AND BLOSSOMS: LEURA AND KATOOMBA If Katoomba is the busiest village in the Blue Mountains, Leura is the prettiest — making the neighbouring towns the perfect places to visit on a day trip out of Sydney. For great coffee, head to Frankly My Dear on Katoomba's main drag. A little later on, you can treat yourself at 8 Things — a small restaurant with a capacity of just 10 people and just eight dishes on the menu, each one representing a different country. You've got to see the sights, too — the fairy-like Leura Cascades are lovely for cooling off on a warm day, and be sure to take a final peek of the Three Sisters at sunset. Leura is a 90-minute drive or two-hour train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_770408" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR A COOL COUNTRY CHANGE: BOWRAL When you fancy a cooler climate, jump on the highway to Bowral. Found in the Southern Highlands — 600 metres above sea level — this pretty country town is usually a few degrees cooler than Sydney. Over the past few years, several new eateries have opened up, including The Mill Cafe, set inside an 1885 building shared with start-ups and small businesses; and Harry's on Green Lane, a welcoming bar, where you can sit in a citrus grove, while sipping on local cool-climate wines and sharing fancy plates. Another culinary highlight of the town is idyllic cafe The Press Shop, which is located right next to the mega antique store Dirty Janes. This expansive warehouse is an emporium of vintage fashion, homewares and collectables. You'll discover something new-to-you on every visit. Bowral is a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney. FOR LOOKOUTS AND CYCLING: WOLLONGONG If diverse, sandy adventures are crucial to your day-tripping joy, Wollongong's your destination. No fewer than 17 beaches line the coast. To get some invigorating perspective, visit one or all of the six local lookouts. If you're keen to work up a sweat, the waterfront Thirroul to Port Kembla cycle path will keep you busy (and you can have a swim at the end), or take on the Mount Kembla hike. When you're ready to eat and drink, head to the North Wollongong Hotel's leafy beer garden or Five Barrel Brewing for a cold one, Babyface Kitchen for a fancy feed and finish your night at one of the city's many live music venues like La La La's. Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is a great place to stay, too. Wollongong is a 90-minute drive or a two-hour train ride directly south of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_749647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] FOR BLOWHOLES AND ROCK POOLS: KIAMA When the southeast wind is blowing strong, Kiama's blowhole is at its most powerful. The wind sends waves into the rock aperture, compressing air and sending a spectacular spout into the air. Few people know there's a second, albeit smaller, blowhole found a few minutes drive south, in Tingira Crescent, aptly named Little Blowhole. Swimmers and surfers, you have your decision-making cut out for you, from one of Kiama's ocean pools or pick a spot along the long, wild stretch of Bombo Beach. Kiama's main street is laden with cafes, ice creameries and restaurants and, if you have enough time, side trips to the satellite villages of Gerringong (to the south) and Jamberoo (inland) are worthwhile. Kiama is clearly one of our favourite day trip destinations out of Sydney, but we recommend you stay longer — if you can get the time off. Kiama is a two-hour drive or a nearly three hour train ride from Sydney. [caption id="attachment_772899" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tinkler Wines by Destination NSW[/caption] FOR WINE AND RIVERSIDE PICNICS: POKOLBIN For a day trip that involves wine tasting, rolling paddocks and maybe some cycling, make tracks to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. The locality is dotted with cellar doors, vineyards and restaurants. If you're keen to get on two wheels as soon as possible, hire an e-bike from Sutton Estate and conquer the Hunter Valley Cycleway, which tours a dozen wineries and a microbrewery. Alternatively, just settle in for a long lunch at the wine lover's playground, Brokenwood Wines, or linger over a salumi and cheese platter in a converted church at Usher Tinkler Wines. Pokolbin is a two-hour drive northwest of Sydney. Next time you're looking to head out of Sydney, head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Patonga Boathouse.
Birds chirp, rainbows form and the sun shines a little brighter over Moore Park — the award-winning Sydney Dog Lovers Show is returning to the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion for a second year of pats, licks and parades. And yes, the dedicated puppy cuddle zone is returning. Bounding into Moore Park's two biggest venues on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, the Sydney Dog Lovers Show will see thousands of dedicated pooch fans celebrating the noble four-legged monarch of human companionship. There'll be dozens of furry friends available for adoption from rescue groups across NSW in the CANIDAE Rescue Dog Zone, where you can learn up on what's actually involved with adoption. Champion canines, including Dr Katrina Warren’s admittedly kickass Wonderdogs, will throw down their mad skills in live doggy demonstrations including agility, flygility (whatever that means) and frisbee shows. Plus, there's going to be an Explosive Detective Dog (EDD) demo presented by the Australian Defence Force simulating a mock checkpoint in a war scenario, alongside a special tribute to Australian military working dogs over the decades. Dogs, amiright? But hold up, you came here to cuddle pooches. We're getting there. Punters can make their way to the Pat-A-Pooch zone, where you can cuddle up to over 30 of Australia’s most lovable and popular breeds from puppy to adult dogs — we're talking uppity Dachshunds to fluffball Samoyeds, all up in your grill. This was undeniably the main attraction of last year's event, and gives kitten cafes a run for their money. There's plenty more happening over the two days of furry friended fun. Not sure which type of schnoochie is perfect for you? Sign up for a Perfect Match session where you'll be paired with your ultimate dog breed. Already found your tail-waggin' soulmate? Get some expert tips on training, behaviour, first-aid and nutrition in seminars by some of Australia's big name vets: James and Anthony from Village Vets Australia on Foxtel’s The LifeStyle Channel, Bondi Vet Dr Lisa Chimes, LauraVissaritis and Dr Katrina Warren. Plus, there's going to be a doggie kissing booth. Yep, pucker up. Sydney Dog Lovers Show returns for the second time at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. Open both days from 10am - 5pm. Tickets are $20 online or $25 on-site (Adult, ages 16 and over), $9 online or $12 onsite (ages 5 to 16, kids under 5 FREE). Everything is free (including cuddles) once you have purchased your ticket, obviously excepting food and drink. To book tickets or for more info and adorable dog pictures, head to the website.
Perched on absolute prime cliff frontage at Bondi's southern end, the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar delivers five-star luxe for both your eyes and mouth. As you soak up those sweeping, multimillion-dollar views, feast on a two-hatted menu, driven by fresh produce inspired by regional Italian cuisine. The menu is a portal to the Italian coastline, with starters of bluefin tuna crudo, grilled octopus salad and cacio e pepe, followed by mains like tuna steak, kangaroo ragu gnocchi, king prawn pasta gamberi and market fish. Save room for desserts like tiramisu, Whittaker's chocolate mousse and plum sorbet. Come hungry and order a tasting menu for a curated lineup that ticks every box. [caption id="attachment_806750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Lacking the cash for a sit-down? Settle for a cocktail and snacks in the Icebergs Bar. If you're in luck, a seat will be free. Signature and seasonal cocktails are aplenty, with a star of the show being the Icebergs Martini N.5 with Roku Gin, IDRB Vermouth Blend, Tempus Fugit Bitters, verjus and fennel. The wine list takes a quality over quantity approach, and drinks are rounded out with a strong lineup of beers, ciders and RTD. If you're planning a special event then be sure to book the Pacific Dining Room. Awash with blue and overlooking the sea, this is the perfect place for a special catch-up with the besties. With a private bar and separate staff they're able to cater for any kind of event, allowing you to kick back and relax while you're eyes are firmly fixed to the horizon.
Billionaire entrepreneur and possible mad scientist Elon Musk is one step closer to making his Futurama-style transportation system a reality. After first proposing the high-speed, compressed air-powered Hyperloop back in 2012, the Tesla, PayPal and Zip2 cofounder has just put down a lease on a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, establishing the headquarters for Hyperloop Technologies Incorporated. Described by Musk as a "cross between a Concorde and a railgun and an air hockey table," the proposed Hyperloop system would consist of a long route of elevated vacuum-sealed steel tubes, through which pressurised capsules ride cushions of air at speeds of up to 1220km/h. Designed to transport both freight and brave human passengers, Musk’s first proposed route would run from LA to San Francisco, cutting the roughly six and a half-hour drive time to just 35 minutes. If you think that this idea sounds awesome, then you’re right — it's straight-up awesome. There are however still a few small details to work out. Despite Musk’s initial assertions that the project would cost a 'mere' US$6 billion to complete, several economists have put the price tag closer to ten times that, if not more. There’s also the possibility that people might be a little reluctant to seal themselves inside a windowless metal pod travelling at breakneck speeds through the desert — although if the proposed US$20 ticket price holds true, it may be a preferable alternative to flying. For those of you who geek out over science, Gizmag published a pretty comprehensive breakdown of Musk’s 2013 proposal over here. The next step in the system’s development will involve an 8km test track, with Musk identifying Texas as a possible location. Hyperloop Technologies CEO Dirk Ahlborn last year estimated that a commercially operable Hyperloop “can be built within the decade.” Via LA Times.
Uncle Ming's is almost undetectable from the street — only a hastily scrawled chalk sign gives this basement bar away. Once you descend down a narrow flight of steps and enter, don't be surprised if your senses are momentarily stunned. The soft red glow of caged light blubs, vintage glamour shots on the walls and delicate wisps of incense perfuming the air invite revellers into the enticing debauchery of a 1920's Chinese speakeasy. Unsurprisingly, Asian flavours abound on the extensive cocktail menu, with cute takes on classics like Uncle Ming's version of a negroni — dubbed Wax On, Wax Off, made with gin, whisky umeshu and cynar. Leaning into the kitsch, you can also order cocktails to share, which are served in traditional teapots. Or keep things simple and go for one of The Favourites — Uncle's is whisky and fresh apple juice, while Auntie's is house-spiced rum and fresh apple juice. Both are delightful. There are beers from Japan to Singapore, sake, soju, umeshu and a heap of Japanese whisky to savour, although you can also go local with one of the many Aussie wines on offer. And if you're on the wagon, there are plenty of mocktails to choose from that are equally packed with Asian flare. Uncle Ming's may be a bar first but it's also a dumpling house. Choose from classic combos, from pork and chive to chicken and mushrooms. Also worth a try are the barbecue buns, spring rolls, takoyaki octopus balls and Ming's Wings — chicken wings stuffed with pork mince, cabbage and leek. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
For eight years, Pilu Kiosk — the cafe-shack at Freshwater attached to the eponymous double-hatted restaurant — was a Northern Beaches go-to for coffee and paninis. After closing down and being revamped, it reopened in March 2017 as Pilu Baretto. For avid food connoisseurs, this means Italian wines, cocktails and fresh Sardinian dishes within view of beautiful Freshwater Beach. Design-wise, the team kept the space's beach shack look and feel, with the addition of a copper-topped bar, timber surfaces, greenery and seating along the existent hedge overlooking the water. During the day, beach-goers can expect traditional cafe fare including muffins, toasties and paninis. As the sun goes down, Pilu Baretto's menu shifts to a sophisticated selection of Italian dishes — think cured meats, slow roasted pig with pumpkin, quince and buffalo fru, scallops with chickpea cream, chestnut mushrooms and Pilu bottarga, or squid ink spaghetti with mussels, cuttlefish, tomato and friarielli. Match your choices with Italian wines by the glass, craft beers and creative takes on classic cocktails. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Back in 2022, a new venue from Sydney hospitality giant Merivale arrived in its Ivy precinct. MuMu was the latest venture from beloved local chef Dan Hong (Ms G's, Mr Wong), serving up south-east Asian street food-inspired dishes. The restaurant pulls ideas from trips Hong, Merrivale CEO Justin Hemmes and Head Chef Oliver Hua took through Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam. Open for lunch at midday and staying open until late in the evening, MuMu offers an all-day selection of south-east Asian eats alongside wine, cocktails and two hefty banquet menus. On the food menu, Hong recommends the selection of house-made sambals, the king prawns cooked in white pepper with leek and coriander and the pork spare ribs with a tamarind glaze and Vietnamese mint. The set menus are available for groups of four and will get you the king prawns, lamb cutlets, nasi goreng and a collection of sides and starters. If you're coming with a group, be sure to book your banquet for one of the two private dining rooms, that have been elegantly designed to complement the South-East Asian menu, with ambient lighting, bright and fun furniture and eccentric artworks. Glancing over the drinks menu, Hong's popular yuzu slushies immediately jump out, but once you've started with a fun icy beverage you can turn your attention to something more serious. Opt for one of the inventive cocktails on offer like the Riot Rose spritz with blood orange, rhubarb and passionfruit, or the Suntory Highball with Suntory Toki, yuzu, ginger and fizz. The music and the lights are bright at MuMu, with Hong looking to create a vibrant venue for any time of the day. The restaurant combines the inner-city dining experience of neighbour Bar Totti's, while complementing the precinct's late-night spots like Ivy and Jimmy's Falafel. Top image: Jiwon Kim
Charging your smartphone will soon be as foolproof as placing it on your coffee table. Taking already existing technology and fusing it into your own home, Swedish retail giants and regular media-baiting happening creators Ikea have jumped on wireless power capabilities to release built-in wireless charging furniture. According to the Wall Street Journal, this will be the first time built-in wireless chargers are available to consumers from a mass-market furniture retailer. Ikea made the big announcement on Sunday at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress. They've recruited the likes of Qi for the collection, a wireless power standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Alongside two other standards, this is one of the companies responsible for the wireless charging technology you would have already seen in airports, cafes and hotels and generally lost your shit over a few years ago. But until now, major furniture stores haven't taken advantage of the downright convenience of the technology, or the logic in embedding the charging capability in surfaces you already rest your smartphone on during charge times. So how does it work? Qi does away with all those dastardly cables and the annoyance of choosing between model connections, as the furniture itself is the one plugged in. When switched on, the lamp base, coffee table or side table's energy or bookshelf transfers to your smartphone or tablet (yep, maaaaagic), depending whether or not it supports Qi charging — there's 81 Qi-compatible types of smartphone, but iPhones aren't one of them, sorry Apple fans. Apparently the wireless charging-capable furniture will cost a mere $22 more than regular furniture from Ikea, proving the Swedish homeware giants truly have money to burn and credibility to gain. If all goes well with the embedded furniture line, you could be able to buy a wireless charging kit to fit to your existing, beloved dining table soon for about $34, which is a lot cheaper than replacing all those lost, broken chargers of yours. The wireless-charging furniture collection will hit Ikea shelves in Europe and the US on April, 15, followed by a global roll-out, so keep 'em crossed. Via Wall Street Journal.
If you're looking for ways to spoil the leading lady in your life (either Mum or another mother figure), we're here to help. Let's face it, your local pizza joint doesn't quite cut it (unless it's Bella Brutta) and the decibels at your favourite hole-in-the-wall ramen shop might be a little too high to allow for a meaningful chat. This is your chance to deliver something memorable, and earn some serious brownie points on the side. This Mother's Day, take your mum out for a long boozy brunch, high tea, or an exceptional dinner at some of our city's best and parent-friendly establishments. You've got enough selection anxiety on your hands with choosing a present, so we've picked out our favourite mum-worthy spots. These are the best Mother's Day restaurants, bars and cafes in Sydney. The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria After all those late nights you thrust upon your parents, the least you can do is rise a little early to avoid the lines at The Grounds of Alexandria. The cafe's buttermilk pancakes will rival mum's finest offerings and a Grounds coffee will probably beat anything you were thinking of brewing at home. Nothing says "thank you for tolerating me all these years" quite like an enchanted high tea at The Grounds leafy oasis, where you can enjoy poached lobster choux with créme fraîche and caviar, a decadent passionfruit and mango cremeux, or a truffled mushroom and onion tarlet. Nour, Surry Hills Want to take Mum to a buzzing Surry Hills space serving contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine? Nour's menu mixes tried-and-true classics with bold experimentations — pairing glazed lamb shoulder with smoked mussels on a falafel crumpet, for example. On Mother's Day, the pastel-hued, airy restaurant is serving a special set menu for $129 per person. For the special occasion, there will be chicken bits shawarma, charcoal octopus skewers, woodfired haloumi, twice-cooked baharat duck and a woodfired coconut basbousa with custard and ice cream for dessert. You both deserve that kind of feast on a Sunday. Misc, Parramatta Out west, spoil mum with an unforgettable Mediterranean spread within the heart of Parramatta Park at the expansive and sleek Misc. The impressive 300-seat venue is the work of Executive Chef Sebastian Geray, collaborator Joel Bennetts and restaurateur Jad Nehmetallah (whom you may recognise from Gogglebox). Swing by on the big day for Misc's special-edition set menu that's designed to be shared, with plenty of sliced charcuterie, dips and buttery woodfired bread, followed by crumbed chicken cutlets or a gnocchi alfredo, with tiramisu for dessert. Not a bad way to spoil Mum on her big day. The Fullerton Hotel, Sydney Want to treat your mum to a stylish high tea with great service? Look no further than The Fullerton Hotel. The lavish dining room is slick, leafy and spacious. The sophisticated setting is the perfect spot to spoil Mum with a luxe dining experience in one of Sydney's most stunning venues. This year, the afternoon offering, available throughout the Mother's Day weekend, is in partnership with Martin Place jewellery brand Calleija. The decadent bites are based on lavender colours and gems, including sweet treats like London fog verrine and vanilla cassis roulade, alongside savoury snacks like chicken and pumpkin ballotine, smoked salmon sandwiches, and potted shrimps and egg. Bookings start at $90 per person, and can be upgraded to include flutes of Veuve Clicquot. The Bob Hawke Leisure Centre and Lucky Prawn, Marrickville This is the place to book if you're after more casual dining. And don't worry, Mum will definitely approve — paired with a cold pint, she'll be treated to a range of Asian-fusion and retro Australiana delights that subvert her expectations. For the occasion, the team has put together a 'Mum Cha' menu that will please anyone and their mums. Expect steamed scallops with ginger, dim sum, prawn toast and decadent, deep-fried Viennetta. To boost the inevitable income of brownie points, you can pre-order bubbles, flowers and special Hawke's merchandise that will already be on your table when you arrive, showing Mum that you take her special day very, very seriously. Sinclair's, Penrith For riverside dining, book a spot at Sinclair's in Sydney's West. Penrith's sophisticated restaurant pairs serene scenes of the Nepean River with quality modern Australian eats. For Mother's Day, the Sinclair's team has continued to do what they best: showcase produce from the Nepean Valley and Blue Mountains for some truly divine flavours. For just under $100 per person, you can treat Mum to luxury dining with the expansive venue's Mother's Day menu. The celebratory spread includes Sonoma sourdough with beef fat butter and Katoomba honey; confit Windsor duck croustade with local quince; and iron bark-smoked Arcadia chicken with green romesco and wild grains; along with a glass of complimentary sparkling on arrival. Four Hundred Bar & Kitchen, North Sydney Take Mum to a bottomless brunch for a fiesta worthy of her special day. Four Hundred Bar & Kitchen — North Sydney's sunlight-filled venue — is offering a bottomless bonus on its usual Mexican fare to celebrate the lucky lady. This two-hour booking will have you working through a delicious arrangement of Mexican share plates and bottomless margs and spritzes. And to give Mum a pleasant surprise, add a fresh custom flower bouquet to your booking to personalise your table and put a smile on her face. The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo Expect The Old Fitz to be busy on Mother's Day. That doesn't mean you should avoid it — there's plenty of room, just make sure to book early. Run by the hospitality experts at Odd Culture Group, this lively pub boasts a sophisticated food offering focused on French cuisine. Soak up the sunshine from The Old Fitz's breezy outdoor seating or leafy, sunlit bistro as you sip your way through cold bevs — plus, the outpost is very dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your beloved pooch along, too. For eats, the Mother's Day menu stars its usual French-Australian staples, from the baguette and lamb scrumpet to the roast carrot salad, alongside a hefty Sunday roast featuring crackling pork belly and slow-roasted squash. Casa Esquina, Balmain Balmain residents, here's a venue that's a guaranteed a home run. Casa Esquina's gorgeous outdoor dining paired with its laidback Argentinian menu makes it arguably one of the top spots for spending some quality time with mum this year. The restaurant's set four-course menu will alleviate the stress of choosing, with dishes such as snapper ceviche, smoked cauliflower pasta, and braised lamb shoulder with tomatillo and coriander salsa. Botanic House, CBD If your mum has a love for greenery and doesn't fancy straying from the inner city, her ideal dining destination has to be Botanic House, tucked away inside Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden. With a tasting menu crafted by celebrated chef Luke Nguyen, diners are set for a real treat. Dishes include beef skewers with cucumber, snow fungus and Asian chimichurri, alongside lemon myrtle chicken with jelly fish, cabbage and Asian herbs salad. With a glass of Mumm Marlborough Brut on arrival and a decadent coconut cake with pandan, sorbet and sticky rice for dessert, the $140 per person price tag seems worth the expenditure. Manly Pavilion, Manly Raise a glass to the most important woman — or women — in your life with Manly Pavilion's gorgeous waterfront view as a backdrop. If Mum is located in Sydney's north and getting her across The Spit is a tough sell, this waterside spot is a crowd-pleaser. Indulge in a fragrant Garden Spritz or bottle of Chandon Blac de Blancs as you soak up the stunning surrounds. This specially-curated luncheon will span three tasty courses and will also include a complimentary family portrait photographed by Iris & Me photography. [caption id="attachment_786069" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Walsh[/caption] Infinity at Sydney Tower, CBD Make this Mother's Day unforgettable by treating Mum to a dinner that she wouldn't ordinarily treat herself to. Take quality time to the next level — about 81 floors up, specifically — at Infinity inside Sydney Tower, with an ultra-luxe dinner that'll shower Mum with gifts throughout. From a welcome glass of Mumm Grand Cordon to a live jazz band playing ambient tunes and an exclusive box of tempting truffles, Mum is guaranteed to feel absolutely spoilt with Infinity's limited-time offering. [caption id="attachment_996107" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Serhat Karakas[/caption] Kolkata Social, Newtown Kolkata Social is all about Bengali cuisine, so if Mum wants a bit of a kick in her feast, this is your spot. Kolkata's menu is all about home cooking, and the Mother's Day set menu looks to follow suit with a range of traditional, unapologetically Indian dishes for $75 per person. You'll find no butter chicken or cheese and garlic naan here, but it's a fantastic choice for those who dabble in adventurous dining. St Siandra, Mosman Add a little extra sunshine to Mother's Day with a celebratory meal at the vibrant St Siandra. Sitting right on the water, Mosman's inviting venue takes cues from costal European summers, donning a sunny fit-out and spectacular waterfront views. Pair the restaurant's bright decor with a Mediterranean-inspired sharing menu led by Head Chef Sam McCallum, and you've secured one of the best Mother's Day itineraries. St Siandra's four-course menu will feature staple items like the soft potato flatbread with tahini; roast chicken with pearl onion, radicchio and jus gras; and beef cheek with almond, leeks and medjool dates. Plus, the menu can be amended to include vegetarian and kid-friendly options. Top image: Manly Pavilion
Headphones aren't your crappy, service station-bought, tinny pieces of shit anymore. They can help you get high, they can edit the sound around you, they can even respond to your own damn ear. An Australian-based startup called Nura has raised over a million bucks on Kickstarter to develop a new pair of headphones that respond to the listener's various ability to perceive sound — and they casually tailor your music to fit your inner ear perfectly. The project has just hit an unbelievable AUD$1.2 million on Kickstarter (people reeeaaally want a good set of headphones) and is headed up by a Melbourne-based team. Kyle Slater, Luke Campbell and Dragan Petrovic dreamt up the scheme before teaming up with engineer Wilson Shao. Together, they're the A-Team of futuristic cochlear science. Slater has a PhD in psychoacoustics, human machine interfaces and helped design the first bionic eye. Campbell is an MD who's spent his life studying the mechanics of hearing, performing surgeries (on, you guessed it, ears!) and has a PhD in hearing science. Dragan is an electrical engineer from Berkeley with experience in product management. What a dream squad. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXU3cZSJ2wg[/embed] So how does it work? "Some headphones sound tinny and lack beat, others have too much bass which drowns out the detail," says the Nura team on Kickstarter. "The acoustic separation of Nura's design allows for the deepest bass and clearest tones. "The over-ear cup delivers bass you can feel through your skin. The earbud prevents the bass from drowning out the detail and delivers crystal clear notes directly into your ear. Your brain combines the sensations into a fully immersive experience — you hear and you feel the music." The laundry list of achievements is probably one of the reasons their Kickstarter went off — these boys aren't playing around. But they're not the only ones getting serious (and weird) about audio quality. The future is now, so go right ahead and throw away your $2 pair of temporary headphones and prepare to hear a whole new woooooorldddd. Uh. Sorry. EAR-FREE HEADPHONES Earlier in the year, Sony unveiled their latest gadgetry: ear-free headphones. Concept N (very sci-fi name, you guys) sits around your neck and, using a series of multi-directional speakers, directs sound up towards the ears. It's a device for people who don't want to zone out completely, but still want to listen to their tunes. HEADPHONES THAT GET YOU HIGH Then, of course, there's the offering from Nervana, a startup from San Diego — a pair of headphones that gets you high. A low-power electric stimulation is synced up with whatever music you're listening to, triggering the release of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin in the brain, which sounds like the perfect way to listen to music. The product has also been crowdfunded and isn't quite on the market yet, but testing is going well. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzpqWMM_HrY[/embed] SOUND-PERFECTING HEADPHONES Finally, there's Doppler Lab's crowdfunded Here earbuds. They're not exactly headphones, but 'sound perfectors'. The technology aims to equalise the noise of the world and perfect your experience of sound without the noise. They allow you to turn up the volume, bass and treble, mute sounds you don't want to hear (like crying babies on planes). Best bit? There's an 'Instagram your ears' function with premade filters to overlay your hearing with selective enhancements. Only in 2016.
Lovers of quality vino, make Bibo Wine Bar in Double Bay your next stop. This beloved Sydney bar is brought to you by two Guillaume expats: head chef Jose Silva, who ran the kitchen at the previous incarnation of Bennelong, and restaurant manager Jonathan Mallet, formerly of Guillaume in Paddington. Pooling their years of fine dining experience, Silva and Mallet decided to focus on premium quality (yet not too pricey) Mediterranean dishes, with an emphasis on Portuguese food — which Silva grew up eating and cooking. "It reflects the way I like to eat," Silva says. "You can come in for a snack and a glass of wine or a full meal." "Every wine chosen is from a different region, with a different climate, soil type and tradition," says Mathews. "We are offering guests a selection from the best sites in Australia and around the world." In addition, Bibo Wine Bar has exclusive access to a very special private cellar, containing a selection of aged Australian Shiraz, Cabernet and Cabernet blends, including a small collection of Penfolds Grange vintages 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1984. "We have compiled a special museum release section in the wine list and have begun our own provenance program. This will allow us to list a wine at its ideal drinking age and ensures that guests are drinking wine that has been kept under optimal conditions," Mathews says. But the food at Bibo Wine Bar is equally impressive. Head chef Jose Silva has created a menu that honours his Portuguese roots with a modern Mediterranean twist. Be sure to order their iconic flambé chorizo with pimento if you are feeling fiery. Bibo's New York-inspired interior — layered with dark wood, marble and textiles — is the work of Paul Jones of PJ Architects. The main bar overlooks leafy Bay Street, but there's also a large outdoor terrace and an upstairs private room.
Scenario: you’re having a few drinks with friends, eating corn chips, playing Cards Against Humanity and really trying to connect with your dark side… like, really trying to let all those politically incorrect thoughts out so they may guide your horrifying choices towards a CAH victory. There’s nothing too gross or inappropriate and everyone is cackling like ghouls and bonding over mutual evilness. And then there’s one friend who’s really uncomfortable. That one saintly friend with so much moral fibre they can barely stand the game and tut disapprovingly at all your funniest card drops. A real wet blanket. Imagine for a second that this party pooper was in charge of the entertainment for the evening and, in an attempt to foster neighbourliness and goodwill to all men, brought a new game... Cards for Humanity. “It’s fun, you guys! It’s a real winner!” they say, pouring virgin margaritas and placing a fruit tray down on the table. “I got it from Kickstarter, it’s meant to spark meaningful and insightful conversations!” “I have to go,” you scream, swiftly running off into the night “I left my hairdryer… in the oven.” And fin scenario. We don’t mean to alarm you but this could be a reality soon. Cards For Humanity, a card game that trades on your innate goodness, is in the works via the maker of dreams, Kickstarter. It was created by two good kids called Betsy and Hannah. Just look how goodhearted and sunbeamy they are: Although it lacks the nasty appeal of Cards Against Humanity, we concede that it would be good to play in any scenario where you can’t be your most evil self, such as work, church or with your grandparents. The pack includes such horrifically warm and fuzzy questions such as “What’s the craziest thing you have ever done for love?” and “If happiness was the national currency, what would make you wealthy?” and (oh god) "What would you wish on a shooting star?" that will really highlight your moral corruption and make you question your entire life. However, Cards For Humanity doesn’t include an answer deck allowing you craft warm, meaningful answers… or use a Cards Against Humanity answer deck to really spice things up. Check out Cards for Humanity's Kickstarter page over here.
You might've missed out on a Splendour in the Grass ticket in yesterday's ticketing tornado, but that doesn't mean the show's over. This morning, ten Splendour artists announced sideshows in cities around Australia. For a start, Sigur Ros will be touring the Australian debut of their show, An Evening with Sigur Ros. There's no support act, which means you're in for two sets, covering material old and new. Catch the Icelandic trio at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, July 25 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Thursday, July 27. Meanwhile, Two Door Cinema Club will be hitting Australian capitals with their third studio album, Gameshow, recorded in Kopanga Canyon, California with producer Jacknife Lee. Get a dose of their electro-indie-pop at Metro City, Perth, on Wednesday, July 19; Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, on Friday, July 21; and Festival Hall, Melbourne, on Tuesday, July 25. Supporting them will be triple j favourites Last Dinosaurs and The Creases. To catch HAIM outside of Splendour, you'll have to get yourself to Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Thursday, July 20 — it's the only show they're doing. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana scored a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist for their 2013 release, Days Are Gone, and have been working on their hotly anticipated follow-up. 23-year-old English singer-songwriter George Ezra is returning to Australia after selling out his 2015 tour here. His debut album, Wanted on Voyage, sold three million copies and, yes, you can expect to hear hits 'Budapest' and 'Blame It On Me'. Ezra will be at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Tuesday, July 18 and Melbourne's Forum Theatre on Wednesday, July 19. Another songwriter to catch is Sweden's Tove Lo. She's been writing hits — for both herself and others — for more than ten years and inspired one million album sales in the process. Her latest album Lady Wood is best known for single 'Cool Girl'. She's also lent her pen and ear to a bunch of chart toppers, including Flume's 'Say It', Coldplay's 'Fun' and Broods' 'Freak of Nature'. See Tove Lo in Sydney at the Metro Theatre on Wednesday, July 26 and in Melbourne at the Prince Bandroom on Friday, July 28. English blues man Rag 'n' Bone (Rory Graham), who mixes the blues tradition with hip hop and beats, will be making his Aussie debut at Splendour, before setting off for Sydney's Metro Theatre on Friday, July 21 and Melbourne's 170 Russell on Monday, July 24. Meanwhile, Maggie Rogers, discovered by Pharrell Williams at an NYU masterclass last year, will be playing her headline shows at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, on Sunday, July 23 and the Factory Theatre, Sydney on Tuesday, July 25. Her debut EP, Light is Fading, is out now and its single 'Alaska' has racked up 31 million views on YouTube. LA-based songwriter Bishop Briggs, known for her gritty vocals and unique songwriting, will be at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on Thursday, July 20 and Melbourne's Howler on Friday, July 21, while rock 'n' roll duo The Lemon Twigs will be landing in Australia after appearances at Coachella and Glastonbury, to play the Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, on Saturday, July 22 and The Curtin, Melbourne, on Tuesday, July 21. Finally, catch LANY from LA, whose track 'ILYSB' won hearts and minds online, at Max Watts, Melbourne on Friday, July 21 and Metro Theatre, Sydney, on Saturday, July 22.
They may have been invented in England, but let’s face it, fish and chips are best enjoyed by the beach on a sunny day, preferably washed down with a beer. And when it comes to sea and sun, well, we all know the Brits aren't winning that game. So with that extra seasoning of sunshine, sit down to one of Sydney's finest portions of fish and chips. Whether it’s battered or crumbed, in a fancy restaurant or a humble takeaway shop (and let’s not get into the potato scallop vs potato cake debate), we've got something to suit pretty much every taste. DOYLES ON THE WHARF The name Doyles is basically synonymous with seafood in Sydney. They’ve got branches spread out across the city, but you can’t beat the takeaway shop at Watsons Bay — fresh, expertly cooked seafood without the hefty price tag. The fish and chips here are $13.80, less than half the cost at the nearby restaurant but just as good quality. Find a seat outside or on the grass and take in some of the best views in Sydney. Marine Parade, Watsons Bay THE FISH SHOP The Fish Shop has the same mix of kitschy decor, big-name chef (Jeremy Strode of Bistrode) and fun atmosphere that’s made fellow Merivale venues El Loco and Ms G’s so successful. The menu is a combination of classic chip shop fare and more high-end seafood mains, so it works for sit-down dinners as well as casual snacks with drinks. They've got a regularly changing list of market fish, but you can't go wrong with the fish ‘n’ chips ($22.50). It comes as fingers so it works as a starter, or you can eat it on your own if you're feeling shellfish (sorry, couldn't resist). 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point BONDI'S BEST Fish and chip shops may be a dime a dozen on Campbell Parade, but Bondi’s Best lives up to its name. The brainchild of chefs Joel Best and Ross Wilson, Bondi’s Best combines a casual beachside takeaway vibe with high-quality seafood beautifully cooked. The fish and chips ($12.90) are lightly battered pieces of hoki served with hand-cut chips and tartare sauce. If you’re after something a little lighter, they also have an excellent selection of sushi and sashimi. It can be tough getting a seat, but everyone knows seafood just tastes better on the beach, right? 39-53 Campbell Parade North Bondi BOTTOM OF THE HARBOUR These guys have been serving up fish and chips since the 80s, so it's fair to say they know what they're doing. The menu is simple, no-fuss and reasonably priced- the standard battered fish and chips is $11.50, but you can opt for some market-fresh fish like barramundi or snapper as well. The beach is directly across the road, so you can take your food over while it's still hot and enjoy some seriously Instagram-worthy views, #nofilterneeded. 21 The Esplanade, Balmoral. Image: Clarissa's Kitchen A FISH CALLED COOGEE The charming thing about this place is the amount of choice they give you. You get to pick out your own fish as well as your own marinade (they have fun ones like Balinese and Brazilian) and tell them how you want it cooked, and they cook it right then and there, charging by the weight. They’ve also got plenty of healthy sides if you’re not in the mood for chips. The grilled corn is highly recommended. 229 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee NORTH BONDI FISH They may have envisaged it as a six-month pop-up, but North Bondi Fish is here to stay. It’s not surprising considering who’s at the helm — Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan are among the hatted Sydney chefs trying their hand at a more laidback venue. The fish and chips ($29) come nestled in fake newspaper, a cute allusion to more rustic takeaways. The batter's relatively light, and the fish varies depending on the season. Get a seat by the bar if you can for those trademark views of the beach while you eat. 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi FLYING FISH AND CHIPS When one of Sydney’s best seafood restaurants decides to branch out into casual fish and chips, you know it’s going to be good. Located in the food court at The Star underneath a big artsy-looking fish skeleton sculpture, Flying Fish and Chips does not disappoint. The classic fish and chips ($14.90) comes with beer battered fish and the very accurately described 'fat chips' — no shoestring fries for these guys. They've got an online ordering system on their website if your keen to skip past the line. The Star, Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont THE TRADITIONAL CHIP SHOP It’s common to see a line of people trailing out the door of this humble takeaway on the quiet end of Bronte Road. They’re all about ‘authentic’ British-style fish and chips: North Atlantic cod and haddock encased in dense, crispy batter that’s almost a meal in itself, served with soft, chunky chips and bundled up in white butcher’s paper. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add some curry sauce, wallies (gherkins to us non-Brits) or haggis on the side. This place is not for health nuts, though; the closest thing to a salad on their menu is probably the mushy peas. 78 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction THE BOATHOUSE PALM BEACH The Boathouse is casual yet classy beachside dining at its best, made for those weekends when you need a break from all the inner-city action but you're too broke for a holiday. Located in a refurbished Barrenjoey Boathouse, it might give you a sense of deja vu on approach. That's because it's the location of Home and Away's iconic diner, where Summer Bay locals have been eating since 1988 (you know, in between the love triangles and natural disasters). There’s plenty of great non-seafood options (the breakfast and the coffee alone merit a return visit), but really, you're here for the fish and chips ($22.50): two thick fingers of battered flathead and dark, crunchy chips with a slice of lemon and some house-made tartare sauce. It even comes in its own wooden box wrapped in wax paper, like an edible golden-brown present to yourself. Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach Top image: Fish Face Double Bay. View all Sydney Restaurants.
This year, Easter hunts are not just for the kids. Inventive bakeries, restaurants and other businesses around Sydney are getting busy creating sweet treats and other Easter-themed goodies for an audience that may have outgrown the Easter bunny. From haute dessert chocolate eggs to all kinds of wild hot-cross-bun creations, here's a curated list of Easter goods worthy of a spot in every Sydneysider's grown-up Easter hunt. Andy Bowdy and Starward Whisky's Hot Cross Bun at Ace Hotel Sydney Looking for a hot cross bun with an extra kick? Pastry savant Andy Bowdy has teamed up with Starward Whisky and Ace Hotel Sydney to invent a boozy holiday hot cross bun. Baked to perfection, the top-quality fruit studded throughout each bun is soaked in Starward Two-Fold Wheat and Single Malt Whisky, giving each bite a spiked finish. Available in limited numbers from Wednesday, April 16–Saturday, April 19, these liquor-laced hot cross buns are served exclusively at Good Chemistry – Ace Hotel Sydney's laneway cafe. As an added bonus, if you purchase two or more buns, you get a complimentary Starward (New) Old Fashioned cocktail at the bar. What's more? Buying a six-pack earns you a free 500ml bottle of this special tipple. Blueberry Hot Cross Bun at Black Star Pastry For those with an Instagram algorithm that knows you can't get enough mouthwatering dessert content, there's a good chance you've seen Black Star Pastry's goods. After all, they're the proud creator of the world's most Instagrammed cake. This Easter, they're grabbing headlines again with a special blueberry hot cross bun. More evolution than revolution, they've replaced the raisins in traditional hot cross buns with juicy dried blueberries. Then, each bun is topped with a colourful crunchy biscuit crumb, made with dairy-free butter, flour and blueberry purée. Excited? Score a single bun or purchase packs of six or 12 online and in-store until Monday, April 21. The Easter Egg Cake at Dear Florence You probably remember wolfing down chocolate crème eggs as a kid (or perhaps as an adult) for Easter. As good as they were, they don't have much on Dear Florence's modern-day version. For the holidays, the Japanese-inspired French patisserie has created The Easter Cake Egg – a lavish reimagining that draws inspiration from the supermarket fave. Shaped by renowned pastry chef Aoife Noonan, creamy coconut mousse stands in for the egg white, passionfruit curd is used for the yolk and coconut dacquoise delivers that nostalgic spongy texture. Available for pre-order only, the Easter Egg Cake is produced in white chocolate and dark chocolate-coated versions for $32 each. Scotch Cross Bun at KOI Dessert Bar Let the expert sweet-makers at KOI Dessert Bar level up your Easter feast with their Scotch Cross Bun. Made in collaboration with Benriach Distillery – the acclaimed maker of Speyside single malt scotch whisky – these boozy buns blend traditional flavours and aromas with contemporary cake design to create a luxe treat bound to impress the fam. Here, rich vanilla mousse has been infused with autumnal spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, then spiked with currants soaked in Benriach's The Original Ten whisky. Ready to buy? The Scotch Cross Bun is available for $22 at KOI Dessert Bar's Chippendale and Ryde locations for dine-in or takeaway. Every purchase also comes with a free 50ml bottle of Benriach's finest. Traditional Hot Cross Buns at Humble Bakery There's no shortage of incredible Easter treats to explore at this time of year. While many look to reinvent the wheel – often with exceptional results – others like Humble Bakery elevate a timeless formula to make it even more special. True to their name, this outfit's hot cross buns rise above most, without forgetting what makes this classic treat such a hit. So, what can you expect? Perfectly baked and oh-so-fluffy buns with just the right amount of spice and fruit, including ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, apricot and orange peel. Slather on some butter and you're good to go. Available at Surry Hills, Kent Street and Circular Quay stores, these buns are available for $5 each, or in six- or nine-packs for $28 or $40, respectively. Fruit Hot Cross Cruffins and Chocolate Hot Cross Cruffins at Lune Croissantrie First, Lune perfected croissants, so much so that the Australian bakery chain became renowned for its flaky pastries all around the world. Then came cruffins, aka croissant-muffin hybrids. For Easter, the obvious next step was hot cross cruffins, for when you want a hot cross bun, but you're also hankering for a croissant and a muffin. Lune's hot cross cruffins have been popping up annually for years, but 2025's batch is different. This time, they're made using the acclaimed bakery's signature croissant dough. You can also pick between two varieties this year: the OG and chocolate, both for $10.50 each. Can't decide which one? You can get mixed six-packs featuring both for $63. Not-Cross Buns at Sonoma Bakery If you're craving a different take on a traditional hot cross bun this Easter, Sonoma bakery has put its own twist on the dessert. Instead of the traditional cross you'll find at most bakeries, Sonoma adorns its treats with an "S", giving them the name of Not-Cross Buns. Before they're piped with the signature "S", each bun is baked with Sonoma's special blend of raisins, sultanas, candied orange, cranberries and apricot. They are then brushed with a coffee- and spice-steeped sugar glaze for the perfect finish. The buns are available in-store individually for $4 or in a box set of six for $20. Just pre-order online and swing by your nearest location to collect them. Yuzu Hot Cross Buns, Lamington Hot Cross Buns and Hot Cross Lamingtons at Tokyo Lamington The lamington wizards and collaboration kings at the Inner West's Tokyo Lamington have a trio of limited-time Easter treats, all of which are a play on the hot cross bun. The first is a zesty, citrus-forward twist on the Easter classic: a yuzu hot cross bun. Sultanas have been macerated for three months before being added to a Japanese yuzu-unfused spiced dough. Treats two and three from Tokyo Lamington are hot cross lamingtons and lamington hot cross buns. This might be a little hard to get your head around — the words lamington, hot and cross are used a lot. One is a classic hot cross bun, with the addition of chocolate and coconut, while the other is a lamington infused with all the flavours of a hot cross bun. Obviously, the best way to wrap your brain around them is to head into your closest store. Hot cross lamingtons are available for $8 each, while the buns are $5 a pop. Alternatively, you can opt for a half-dozen ($27) or a dozen buns ($50), while Easter Packs start at $35 if you want to try them all. Hot Cross Cubes at Banksia Bakehouse Known for its multi-layered, cream-filled croissant cubes, Banksia Bakehouse has gotten in on the Easter spirit with a hot cross variety. These buttery blocks are made from the bakery's famous croissant cube pastry, then filled with a cinnamon crème patisserie centre and Australian Sunmuscat sultanas. They're available in-store and online throughout April. You can pre-order from the Banksia Bakehouse website. Hot Cross Brûlée Buns and Hot X Gelato Sandwiches at Madame & Yves Clovelly's Madame & Yves' Easter lineup is full of hot cross bun hybrids. The star of the bunch is the hot cross brûlée bun, which comes filled with spiced custard and coated in a crunchy caramel toffee. Also up for grabs are a classic hot cross bun, a choc cross bun and the crosskie – a Pistachio Papi-stuffed bun topped with a cookie. For something a little more outrageous, they've also got a hot cross bun gelato sandwich. As wacky as it sounds, you can scoop any gelato between two bun slices, although the team at Madame & Yves recommend café au lait or salted caramel. All of these wild inventions are available in-store on Clovelly Road.
While we were pushing through our first autumn Monday — fittingly caffeinated to the nines — the best actors, directors, cinematographers and costume-makers were walking the red carpet leading to Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. And they were collecting a slew of well-deserved gold statues on stage, too. At the 90th Academy Awards, host Jimmy Kimmel didn't shy away from discussing #MeToo, Weinstein and last year's Best Picture fiasco, Jodie Foster took the stage on crutches (and blamed Meryl Streep) and Frances McDormand made a rousing speech, encouraging the telling (and funding) of more women's stories in Hollywood. On the awards front, some hot favourites battled it out for the 2018 titles. There were big winners — The Shape of Water, going in with a massive 13 nominations, took home four — and others you may believe were cheated (Timothée Chalamet is a winner in our hearts), but, regardless, this year's Oscar winners make for a stellar must-watch list. Here's who took home the gongs, and who you should be watching on the big (or little) screen. Some are still in cinemas, so hop to it tout de suite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFYWazblaUA THE SHAPE OF WATER Won: Best Picture, Directing (Guillermo del Toro), Original Score (Alexandre Desplat), Production Design (Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin) What our critic said: "Equally vivid and violent as it jumps between matters of the heart and moments of espionage, the film entrances with its sweet, soulful, delicate approach while never shying away from weighty themes of persecution or oppression." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZ3r-84EQc THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI Won: Actress in a Leading Role (Frances McDormand), Actor in a Supporting Role (Sam Rockwell) What our critic said: "Packed with dark, hilarious, nigh-unprintable dialogue, McDonagh's script mightn't be subtle, but it is teeming with complexity... Taking his cues from gunslinging revenge tales gone by, the filmmaker crafts a complicated rumination on humanity's contradictions." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpKvpSr7p1g DARKEST HOUR Won: Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Oldman), Makeup and Hairstyling (Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Mlinowski and Lucy Sibbick) What our critic said: "While both Churchill and Dunkirk are clearly no strangers to cinemas of late, Darkest Hour has one particular weapon all of its own: recent Golden Globe winner Oldman. The veteran actor gives a captivating performance, even coming hot on the heels of Brian Cox's excellent work in Churchill just months ago."— Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9J1FgA0A8 DUNKIRK Won: Film Editing (Lee Smith), Sound Editing (Richard King and Alex Gibson), Sound Mixing (Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landarker, and Gary A. Rizzo) What our critic said: "Unrelenting from start to finish, there's never a moment that's easy to watch, but there's never one devoid of hope either. This is an astonishing feat of storytelling, aesthetics and emotion, one from which you will not be able to look away."— Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DIm1PyBSwc COCO Won: Animated Feature Film, Original Song ('Remember Me') What our critic said: "Coco enchants with warmth and authenticity from start to finish. In fact, as bright as its images shine, as high as its heartfelt emotions soar, and as perfectly as its voice cast fill their roles — including Gael García Bernal stealing scenes as a dead prankster — it's the film's embrace of its setting and culture that truly makes it sing." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYB28iknIM PHANTOM THREAD Won: Costume Design (Mark Bridges) What our critic said: "Every textile metaphor you can think of applies to Phantom Thread. It's a film that's carefully woven from the fabric of human urges, teeming with hidden layers and positively bursting at the seams with emotional detail. It's also one made by the finest possible craftspeople, with Anderson and his three stars fashioning the cinematic equivalent of haute couture." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In cinemas (but the run is almost over). Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA A FANTASTIC WOMAN Won: Foreign Language Film What our critic said: "It can't be overstated how wonderful it is to see transgender representation on the big screen (no offence Eddie Redmayne, but this is how it should be). Vega's performance as Marina feels authentic, in no small part because it is authentic. Every movement, every delivery is subtle, considered and real." — Imogen Baker Where to watch it: In selected cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGa3M0hfTCo BLADE RUNNER 2049 Won: Visual Effects, Cinematography (Roger A. Deakins) What our critic said: "For a film that overwhelms with its extraordinary sights and echoing sounds, Blade Runner 2049 revels in the little things, and in the potent cumulative toll that they can have...Villeneuve achieves the cinematic equivalent, making each moment resound with meaning while honouring the legacy of the original." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=AHEl7Pji0f8 GET OUT Won: Original Screenplay (Jordan Peele) What our critic said: "One of the most assured, astute, entertaining and intelligent horror movies to creep out cinemas in years." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: Rent or buy on iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0UgXrhCPHo CALL ME BY YOUR NAME Won: Adapted Screenplay (James Ivory) What our critic said: "Weaved from quiet, tender, everyday encounters that pepper every love story, it swells and surges, taking both its characters and its viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Think of it as perhaps the greatest example of cinematic show and tell there is: to watch it is to experience the same heady, heated feelings as its central couple." — Sarah Ward Where to watch it: In selected cinemas (but the run is almost over). Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXZQ5DfSAAc I, TONYA Won: Actress in a Supporting Role (Allison Janney) What our critic said: "I, Tonya seems intent on reversing the popular consensus around its title character. The real Harding appeared at premieres of the film in the US, standing alongside Margot Robbie on the red carpet. But while she might finally have gotten the chance to prove she's not just the butt of a joke, you can't help but feel that the filmmakers – intentionally or not – treat her abuse as exactly that." — Kat Hayes Where to watch it: In cinemas. Read our full review.
Sydney sunrises and sunsets are pretty damn special. You'll see Instagram lose its collective mind every time there's a clear day with a marmaladey sunset to be snapped. But you've never seen a sunset like the panoramic mindbender from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one only accessible by personally climbing the bridge itself. Luckily, the adventure-seeking crew at BridgeClimb will happily take you all the way to the top, with their extra pretty dawn and twilight climbs. Like many Sydneysiders, we hadn't climbed the Harbour Bridge before (except the time we sent CP's Tom Glasson up the bridge for a special Vivid climb). But we can't stress this enough: it's something all locals should try to do at least once — it makes a damn great Christmas present too. You'll see your city from a completely different angle, and remember why we're lucky jerks to live here. You'll find the BridgeClimb centre just up the road from the Glenmore Hotel in The Rocks — and you'll want to remember that libation-happy location for when you come back down to earth. Twilight climbs run for around three hours, so make sure you snack before you start. After using the bathroom about twenty times, we're headed into the pre-climb area. You'll be breathalysed — don't go on a bender and decide to climb the bridge — and if you pass, you'll be given your slammin' BridgeClimb onesie to change into. If you wear spectacles, you'll get to wear a super groove-o glasses attachment (suck it, jocks, we cool). Then it's time to meet your Climb Leader. We had the pleasure of climbing with wildly funny and incredibly knowledgable climber Brett, who has been climbing for 13 years. He hasn't counted, but reckons it's anywhere between 2000 and 3000 climbs. Your Climb Leader will help you suit up with a radio headset, heaps cool cap, handkerchief, fleece, headlamp and importantly, hair ties. Then you're off for a quick trial climb indoors and we're headed for the bridge. Not going to lie, this editor was bloody scared to be climbing this colossal bridge. But your team has your back and your Climb Leader is there to keep you going (and to tell you not to look down). Only three people have ever turned back on Brett's climbs — over 13 years. You'll make your way along underneath the Bradfield Highway, as trains roar above you and the Park Hyatt guests swan around beneath you. Give a high five to the hand-chipped granite pylons and head up the ladders, past zooming cars, to the main bridge climb. Once you're past the initial stage of the climb, the actual ascent to the summit is super, super easy and straight-up one of the most beautiful views in the world. Brett weaves stories about the history of The Rocks, the poorly designed nature of Fort Denison and the origins of White Australia in Campbell's Cove. He'll tell you the origins of Kirribilli as an Aboriginal fishing spot of choice (derived from the Aboriginal word Kiarabilli, which means 'good fishing spot'). Fun facts: Sydney Harbour's shoreline is 317kms around. Another fun fact: There have been 4000 proposals on the bridge, and 26 weddings (they give the bride a little mini-veil). One more fun fact: Paul Hogan used to be a worker on the bridge (without any kind of rope support) and his mates dared him to enter a talent quest, which he won. One more? The granite pylons are unnecessary — the bridge could actually stand up without them. Being a twilight climb, the whole ascent and descent is timed around the sunset — climb up with the sun on the Opera House, climb down as the sun sets behind Western Sydney, behind Anzac Bridge. There's something incredibly pride-instilling about being on the top of such a feat of modern engineering and problem-solving as the sun goes down (before the bridge was built, it took a whole day to horse and cart from Sydney's CBD to North Sydney, over five bridges). Heading back to solid ground, with our headlamps necessary for the last little section, you can't deny this newfound adoration for this crazily clean, beautiful, peaceful city we very often take for granted (and rather enjoy complaining about tiny things like coffee prices over). Although climbing during the day or nighttime would have an undoubtedly similar jaw-dropping effect, adding a little bit more dosh to your ticket and climbing the bridge at dawn or twilight adds that extra gobsmacking element you could need to stop yearning for Sydney to be anything else but Sydney. BridgeClimb runs day, night, dawn and twilight tours every day. Book in your climb from BridgeClimb's website — they also make an excellent Christmas pressie.
Taking over the New Canterbury Road digs formerly home to the Sausage Factory, Lazy Thinking is a jack-of-all-trades bar, restaurant, record store and live music venue. The bustling Inner West spot is the passion project of Jim Flanagan, one of the former owners of the space's previous residing brewery. Flanagan places the spotlight on all things local here. The beer is from Sydney craft brewers, the records are exclusively from independent Australian musicians, and the food is built on local produce. Each Sunday, Lazy Thinking Live spotlights exciting artists coming out of the Sydney underground — bringing intricate folk singers or ranging punk bands to Dulwich Hill. "Independent musicians and the arts community more broadly were priced out of Newtown and Enmore a long time ago," says Flanagan. "They go out there, do shows there because of the large number of venues, but they don't live there. I love Newtown and Enmore and also go out there all the time. It's just not where the music and arts community lives anymore." "[The Dulwich Hill area should] be full of small venues constantly showcasing the work of its myriad residents. That's what we're looking to start with Lazy Thinking Live." At all times, you can indulge in some bar snacks riffing on lesser-known street foods, including syrup-glazed anchovies, elevated sausage sangas and raw milk cheese with kimchi and blood orange. But if you want to settle in for a full meal at Lazy Thinking, head in on the weekend when you'll be treated to a set menu. The mini banquet runs through sourdough, olives, anchovies and mirin-dressed zucchini flowers, as well as heftier menu items like skinless pork sausage, Tasmanian scallops and lamb arrosticini. The drinks list is just as fun to flick through as the records here, with a far-reaching slate of craft beers available on tap, a selection of solely minimal-intervention wines and a handful of playful cocktails. On the weekends, you can opt for the boozy drinks package, which gives you access to the full suite of tap beers and wines by the glass. The result is an exciting addition to New Canterbury Road, which is focused on fostering community. Lazy Thinking offers Sydneysiders a new space where you can drop in for a catch-up over an interesting wine and some olives, settle into a boozy weekend lunch, or discover your new favourite independent Australian band.
Sometimes old is better than new. If there are any people that know this to be true, it is the vendors at Lunatiques warehouse in Alexandria. The space describes itself as a 'collective' that houses pre-loved goods aplenty from furniture and homewares to art. Just about every design style is covered off here: art deco, industrial, retro and antique. If you're browsing for smaller goods, Green Square station is right outside. If you have your eye on something bigger, there is parking available on-site or delivery can be arranged. Images: Kitti Gould
It's worrying the way we deride films aimed at an older audiences as simply being a Best Exotic Marigold Hotel facsimile designed to snare seniors, given how we largely ignore the fact that the majority of mainstream cinema over the past 30 years has been made for 12-year-old boys. Philomena, with its poster depicting a smiling Judi Dench alongside a stoic Steve Coogan, will no doubt be dismissively lumped in with this crowd. It is, however, a million miles away from the likes of Best Exotic (which, for the record, was actually rather good). Based on a true story, Philomena follows ex-political spin doctor Martin Sixsmith (Coogan), who, in an attempt to revive his journalism career, chases the "human interest story" of Philomena (Dench) an elderly woman searching for her long-lost son. In flashbacks, we see the younger Philomena (Sophie Kennedy Clark) as she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, and is forcibly kept in servitude by nuns, who then sell her son to a wealthy couple. As the pair investigates, the truth behind the forced adoption becomes all the more shocking. Coogan, who not only portrays Sixsmith but also co-wrote the screenplay, strikes a perfect tone with such sensitive material. The revelations are powerful and honest without being gut-wrenching; the comedy is welcome and consistent without being inappropriate. It's a remarkable juggling act, directed beautifully by Stephen Frears, who atones for recent disasters Lay the Favorite and Tamara Drewe. Coogan's sardonic Northern charm makes Sixsmith a compelling lead, and his relationship with Dench's Philomena is wonderfully developed. It's Dench who is the real standout here. At this point in her career, she could easily get away with sleepwalking through roles, relying on her undeniable presence to carry her performances. But as in 2006's Notes on a Scandal, she creates a character unrecognisable from her previous roles. Philomena is pleasant, vague, forceful and compellingly well-rounded. Dench's energy and attention to detail elevates this film to something even more remarkable. The depiction of the Catholic structure both past and present is one of the most fascinating elements of Philomena. It's caused controversy, with many accusing the film of being anti-Catholic. To make such an accusation, however, fundamentally misses the point, and excuses the crimes committed in the name of the church. The film does not shy away from Philomena's piety or Sixsmith's atheism, and argues strongly in favour of both. Sixsmith is deeply compassionate without religion, whilst Philomena embodies the ideals of Christianity that the Church and its representatives so often and so demonstrably forget. Disinterested in a sanitised "I'm okay, you're okay" message, the film manages to extol the best elements of both atheism and Christianity whilst unrelentingly and unapologetically shining a light on the darker side of organised religion. It is truly impressive stuff. Be not fooled by the marketing materials, which make the film look like an aged-up version of The Trip with Judi Dench in place of Rob Brydon. (Although, thinking about it, that would be brilliant.) Philomena is a terrifically made, entertaining work that stands head and shoulders above many of the films being forced upon us this Christmas. See it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rD8f9kn7D2U
Lottie, a buzzy new rooftop Mexican-leaning restaurant and mezcaleria, is set to open in early 2025 at The EVE. It will be the second venue at the luxury boutique stay created by hospitality mavens Liquid & Larder, the dining group behind top Sydney haunts Bistecca, The Gidley and The Rover, and the hotel's exclusive food and beverage partner. Located next to the leafy rooftop pool, Lottie is a lush urban oasis designed by George Livissianis with landscaping by Daniel Baffsky. The striking decor blends textured terracotta terrazzo, pink travertine, plush banquettes and colourful planting to create a lush retreat worthy of a tropical resort, despite being just a stone's throw from the CBD. The 107-seat dining terrace includes an eye-catching marble bar (with 27 seats for walk-ins), an open kitchen and a semi-private dining area for up to 28 guests. Overlooking the suburban streets of Surry Hills and Redfern, this al fresco dining space also features a retractable roof for year-round dining, rain or shine. On the plate, Lottie offers a fusion of culinary finesse with the rustic charm of Mexican street food, including house-made tortillas prepared on an imported tortilla press, alongside more refined main dishes and stellar signature cocktails. Executive Chef Pip Pratt and Group Bars Manager Ben Ingall have crafted a menu with dishes reaching gourmet heights far beyond those of your local high-street burrito joint. Expect delicate flavours like raw scallop with celery and apple, prawn aguachile, and a murray cod pibil baked in banana leaves. There are also some intriguing riffs on international dishes with a Mexican tilt, such as a classic beef tartare prepared as a tostada with sea urchin and a dry-aged beef chop served with burnt pepper and salsa picante. Behind the bar, the drinks menu, curated by Sommelier Kyle Poole, spotlights a rare selection of agave spirits, including tequilas, mezcal, sotol and raicilla. Guests can also enjoy seasonal cocktails and, unsurprisingly, three styles of margarita, perfect for a refreshing sip and dip by the pool or a sundowner before dinner, complemented by a thoughtfully curated wine list. Liquid & Larder co-founder, James Bradey, said of The EVE's new rooftop diner: "With only a small number of elevated Mexican restaurants in Australia, we have taken on the task of creating something exceptional at Lottie. Having recently spent time in Los Angeles, we were inspired by how LA approaches Mexican cuisine in a modern way and realised it was time to champion a cuisine that is commonly misrepresented in Australia. "We are excited to show Sydney what contemporary Mexican looks like to us in an unparalleled setting where you can escape the world below, soak up the heady scent of white copal mayan incense floating through the breeze, and transport yourself to where you'd rather be." Lottie opens at The EVE on Saturday, January 20 2025. Visit the Lottie website to make a booking.
The CBD is undergoing a bit of sprucing with a collection of contemporary Australian artists adding some design to the streets as they brighten up construction sites across the city. The Site Works initiative saw the City of Sydney hold a nationwide call-out with more than 520 artists submitting considered, colourful and eccentric designs. From the hundreds of artists, just ten Aussie talents were selected to kick off the program and create the arty hoardings currently decorating our streets. What is a hoarding you ask? They're those imposing fences placed around construction sites to hide the demolition, drilling and excavating from the street. With this initiative, the chosen artists have transformed these featureless facades into vibrant, creative spaces, and have pushed the initiative to a much larger scale than what's similarly popped up in cities like New York and Toronto. Both established and emerging Australian artists were the focus of Site Works, with the diverse contingent chosen from across the country, each getting the opportunity to have their work viewed by thousands of passers-by daily. These colourful hoardings will bring to life areas of Sydney undergoing transformation and, on the whole, make the city a more evocative and engaging place to live and work. The lively hoardings are now mandatory on all high-visibility construction sites in the CBD, so you can say goodbye to boring building site coverings for good. To delve a bit further into the initiative, we had a chat with some of the selected artists to take a look at the eye-catching hoardings you'll see springing up across Sydney. [caption id="attachment_632104" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] OBSTACLE COURSE BY ELLIOTT BRYCE FOULKES Sydney-based designer Elliot Bryce Foulkes applied all his hometown expertise to produce his hoarding design. With the imaginative designs featured on the hoarding representing various existing and in-development Sydney architectural sites, the work is fittingly located at Wynyard Station, which is currently an obstacle course of development with the construction of the light rail. Foulkes' work typically employs strong typography, language, graphics and space to explore ideas around identity, publication, art direction and design — with Obstacle Course symbolically expressing the individual experience of wandering throughout the city. Find Obstacle Course at Wynyard Station. [caption id="attachment_632113" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA BY EGGPICNIC Bird-lovers Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso, aka Eggpicnic, merge spirited design with wildlife conservation to kickstart conversation around preventing animal extinction. Currently situated near the intersection of Kent and King Streets (and Bay Street in Glebe), Birds of Australia features an eclectic mix of iconic and endangered Australian birdlife species, serving to highlight the "uniqueness and ecological power of Australian birds". "The aim of our work is to open hearts and minds," explains De Gregorio. With their work already receiving a great reaction from city dwellers, De Gregorio says Eggpicnic hope their art can continue to "reconnect an increasingly disconnected human population with the environment we not only come from, but also rely on." Find Birds of Australia near the intersection of Kent and King Streets, also on Bay Street in Glebe. [caption id="attachment_632111" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] POLY UBIQUITOUS BY CYNTHIA SCHWERTSIK Finding the seemingly "endless trail of plastic pollution" was getting her down, Adelaide-based artist Cynthia Schwertsik went in search of beauty within the humble plastic bag. Located at 201 Kent Street, Schwertsik's Poly Ubiquitous appears at first glance to feature effervescent and abstract forms, but on closer inspection images of submerged plastic bags surface. "I am quite excited that this work is up and around in Sydney, and I really hope that it brightens up the streets," says Schwertsik. "But I do hope people discover the origins of the work and how there are landscapes full of plastic bags. In a way, this work is a recognition of a possible future — so we want to make more conscious decisions today." Find Poly Ubiquitous at 201 Kent Street. [caption id="attachment_632107" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] REAL MYTH BY CAPTAIN PIPE Inspired by the "bonkers shenanigans" of 15th century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, Neil McCann, aka Captain Pipe, presents his offbeat party scene at 71–79 Macquarie Street. Having recently been exploring how "our ideas shape the way we view the world around us" and how these stories can create meaning in our lives, McCann says he created his hoarding "in a style that was accessible and riotous to look at." "It was so weird seeing the work so tall — taller than me! The original drawings are only three-to-five centimetres high, so seeing them over two metres tall was confronting. I feel really proud to be part of the street." Find Real Myth at 71–79 Macquarie Street. [caption id="attachment_632100" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] DOUBLE-TAKE BY RACHEL HARRIS To create Double-take, South Australian designer Rachel Harris worked closely with the folks at the City of Sydney Archives, sourcing historical imagery of Sydney before photoshopping present-day objects into the frame. As her work currently occupies the busy corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets, Harris explains how the brief was to create an artwork that would be viewed repeatedly, so it was really important to her that the audience uncover something new each time they view the work. "To me it was really important I created works that would engage viewers multiple times, and to offer them something new every time they saw it. Most importantly I wanted people to have some fun with the work and give them a game to play during their daily commute." Find Double-take at the corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets. [caption id="attachment_632099" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] STONE JEWELS BY FIONA CURREY-BILLYARD Fiona Currey-Billyard is an emerging artist, whose films, photography and paintings utilise new media and experiment with the viewer's experience. Having long held an interest in Indigenous art and culture, Currey-Billyard illustrated Stone Jewels to showcase the vivid stone cutting tools that were made from materials quarried and shaped by various Indigenous populations and have been unearthed all throughout New South Wales. Crafted from materials like glass, basalt and greenstone, the luminous stone cutting tools are almost like precious jewels. So, Currey-Billyard depicted these tools as the jewels they are in their many striking colours. Find Stone Jewels on the corner of Bathurst and Sussex Streets. [caption id="attachment_634050" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths.[/caption] A SONG FROM NATURE BY DANLING XIAO Best known for her daily food-art creations on Instagram, Danling Xiao's work focuses on sustainability, ethical eating and leaving minimal waste. Through her Mundane Matters moniker, Danling hopes to use creativity as a means to reflect on how we interact and affect the natural environment. "I have complex feelings about construction. On the bright-side it is about progression and making our city more vibrant and accessible for our growing population. On the downside it creates noises, pollution and disruption," describes Xiao. "Through my design I am hoping to remind people of the bright side of our city life." Find A Song For Nature at 24-30 Springfield Avenue, Potts Point. [caption id="attachment_634768" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths.[/caption] SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AT NIGHT BY EMILY CROCKFORD Capturing one of Sydney's most unmistakable icons, Sydney-based painter and visual artist Emily Crockford depicts the Sydney Opera House at midnight on New Year's Eve as glowing fireworks light up its famous sails. The use of colour is central to Crockford's paintings, sculpture and plush works, boldly combining delicate patterns with solid blocks of bright colours. Describing the Site Works project as "awesome and really exciting," Crockford is supported by Studio A — a local social enterprise dedicated to "providing creative programs with whole-life outcomes for adults with disability". Emily Crockford has previously worked as part of UNSW Art & Design's Cicada Press initiative, held a residency with prominent furniture and design brand Koskela and exhibited at the Underbelly Arts Festival. Find Sydney Opera House at Night 21 Bent Street. Top Image: Katje Ford.
The trio behind Sydney's Wild Sage cafes and Alegre Bar and Dining have brought a huge new 104-seat Japanese Peruvian restaurant to Barangaroo, with Callao opening on Barangaroo Avenue right by longstanding favourites like NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, Shirt Bar and Lovefish. Nikkei cuisine is having a bit of a moment in Sydney thanks to openings like Callao and Lima. The collision of regional flavours and cooking techniques has a long history, thanks to the two nations' diplomatic ties dating back to the 1800s. "Callao is the name of the port in Peru where the first 790 Japanese immigrants docked," says Head Chef Jihwan Choi. "For us, this destination was such a beautiful representation of the merging of these two cultures and their respective cuisines." The menu's three biggest sections consist of crudo, wood-fired meats and seafood, and steaks. It's a real share-style affair, with suggested must-trys including the scampi tartare and seared bonito tiradito, plus the wood-fired prawns, which are prepared on a custom-built parrilla grill and accompanied by aji panca bisque, sea urchin butter and tobiko mayo. If you're going all out, the banquet menu will set you back $119, and runs through the aforementioned bonito tiradito and prawns, as well as oysters, wagyu tri-tip, lamb skewers, Murray cod and queso fresco-topped potatoes, all paired with a variety of accoutrements from blood plum sauce to ponzu leche de tigre. Make sure to leave room for dessert — the selection of sweets at Callao isn't something you want to miss out on. There's a pineapple paddle pop inspired by the nostalgic Peruvian summertime treat helado de piña, and featuring fresh grilled pineapple, sorbet and rum caramel; cheesecake topped with toasted corn, finger lime, milk skin and avocado sorbet; and a trio of chocolate truffles. The combination of Japanese and Peruvian sensibilities continues through the drinks list, where you'll find a hefty saké collection alongside signature cocktails like the Bellavista, a mix of Pisco Quebranta, Midori Japanese melon liqueur, coconut husk rum, lemon and pineapple juice. All of this is housed in an impressive space designed by Kathryn Ashley Studio. The moody dining room draws you in with a luminous feature wall reminiscent of the mountains of Peru. The neutral palette and its splashes of red will set you up for supreme date-night vibes — while also accommodating Barangaroo client lunches and more casual catch-ups. Callao is located at 2/100 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo. It's open 12–3pm and 5–10pm Monday–Saturday. Browse the menu and make a booking at the restaurant's website. Images: Dexter Kim.
Summer is fast approaching, and you know what that means: warmer weather, fewer layers. Although it seems like thongs and shorts become the uniform of the season for many, the style-conscious woman saves those for the beach. This may be the most exciting time of year for fashion, with all the bright colours, light fabrics and fun shapes. And it looks like it's going to be a good season for all of those things. Here at Concrete Playground, we've rounded up some of the best current looks for every taste. We've also got a style guide for men. Here it is over here. Top image by Oroton. CLASSIC Offering a mix of both ladylike and masculine looks, this season offers the traditional dresser something different. Minimalism has been a huge theme this season, but not necessarily when it comes to length. Think classic styles, clean shapes and funky prints. Matchy-matchy Suits Popping up in fun prints and wearable colours such as navy, pink and white, summer suits are finding their ways to more places than the office. If you're not feeling the pants, these colourful combos can be found in skirt and short options for a warmer weather alternative. Mix them up with a fun printed blouse, roll up the sleeves and throw on a fedora for an instant cool-girl touch. Images: Street Style from PFW ’13 by Victoria Adamson Suit from Dianne Von Furstenberg’s AW 13/14 collection. Catwalking Street Style Stripes at Paris Fashion Week by Lee Oliveira Full Skirts If the weather has you feeling extra cheery, try out fuller, mid-length skirts and dresses in flirty florals, girly ginghams and preppy pinstripes. Throw on some stilettos and cat-eye sunnies if you feel like channelling a little Hollywood glamour. Images: Stylist and fashion editor Viviana Volpicella in an Equipment blouse and Stella Jean skirt at Men’s Fashion Week in Milan by Lee Oliveira Marine Deleeuw modelling mary Katrantzou’s Spring 2014 RTW by Marcus Tondo Street Style at MBFWA ’13 by Diego Zuko Sleek Chic While last season was all about colour blocking, this is the time to clear your slate. Simple, well-tailored pieces in white, black or pastel are anything but boring. Go for the monochromatic edge by pairing similar coloured accessories and shoes with your clothes. Images: Street Style at Milan Fashion Week 2013 by Lee Oliveira Look from Camilla and Marc’s SS 13/14 collection by Breakfast With Audrey Sienna Miller in Carven at the BFI Gala Dinner by RCFA TRENDY For those who like to keep things current, there are some playful new looks that have gracefully transitioned from the catwalk to the sidewalk. Crop Tops The ultimate staple this season, these fun little numbers have matured beyond denim shorts. Try a crop top with a draped suit jacket and a high waisted, mid-length skirt for a vampy look. Or, keep it casual with slouchy trousers and flat sandals. The possibilities really are endless. Images: Street Style from MBFWA ’13 in Sydney by Petra Rudd A new suit from Ginger & Smart’s SS 13/14 collection. Getty Images and Mark Metcalfe Blogger Margaret Zhang of Shine by Three at MBFWA ’13 in Sydney Petra Rudd Slouchy Trousers The popular harem-style pants have gotten a more flattering update this season. Designers have done away with the drop-crotch yet maintained the delightful flow. In tailored shapes and sleek fabrics, these comfy pants have made their way from the beach to the streets. By the end of this season you’ll have forgotten what skinny jeans are. Images: Organic by John Patrick Spring 2014 RTW collection by Imaxtree and Alessandro Luciani BCBG Max Azria SS 13/14 RTW by Vogue UK Blogger Zanita Morgan of Zanita in Cue Clothing pants. Photo by Rebecca See-through Sheers Transparency was a huge theme on runways all over this season, especially in Australia. See-through tops and cut-out frocks from the likes of Karla Spetic to Dior are drawing attention to what is (or isn't) underneath. If you're bold enough to test this trend, you better be wearing your best knickers. Images: Street style during New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 by Mr Newton Sheer panelling from Karla Spetic’s SS 13/14 RTW collection by Lucas Dawson for Vogue Australia Actress/Dancer Julianne Hough in Jenny Packham at the 2013 Emmy Awards by Getty Images MAVERICK This season has seen some pretty out-there stuff. Whether with boudoir-to-boulevard ensembles or striking sunnies, those who are aching to stand out on the streets won't have a problem catching stares. Silky Separates We’ve all been guilty of making a Sunday morning coffee run or two in some sort of pyjama article. With designer approval, fashionistas are now strutting the streets in full-on getups. Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton have sent pyjama-inspired separates and chemises down the catwalk in sultry silks and satins. If you’d feel ridiculous in a matching polka dot blouse and pant combo, try just the blouse over a more structured skirt or pant. Images: Blogger Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Girl in ASOS by Carin Olsson Edie Campbell modelling for Marc Jacobs’ Fall/Winter 2013 RTW collection Joanna Hillman, Market Editor at Harper's Bazaar by Beauty Frizz Voluminous Sleeves Futuristic with a tinge of '80s, the big shoulder look is not for the faint of heart. Last season we saw sharp shapes, but this season's silhouette is much more giving, with a softer, airy look. Pair a blouse with a mini skirt or try a dress for some serious statement making. Images: Alice McCall SS 13/14 by Lucas Dawson for Vogue Australia Connie Cao of K is for Kani. Photo by Rowena Ellery SS 13/14 at MBFWA 2013 by Getty Images Obnoxious Sunnies We’ve seen sunnies in all sorts of sizes and shapes, from round to rectangular. Now, circular and cat-eye frames are getting some serious makeovers in bold patterns, coloured lenses and dimensional flowers. Images: Elle Fanning in Karen Walker’s ‘Siouxsie’ shades. By FameFlynet Look by Shakuchi ‘s SS 13/14 collection at MBFWA ’13. Getty Images Streetstyle. By Style Creeper
The SOUL Group have struck gold, again. After launching two hugely successful local haunts, the dynamic duo have branched out once more to open Sydney's first-ever Korean tapas and wine bar in familiar Surry Hills digs. Taking over SOUL Deli's former place of residence — which has now moved a few doors down— the Campbell Street locale is serving up a fresh take on Korean snacks. Aiming to showcase the depth of the country's cuisine, husband and wife team Daero Lee and Illa Kim have birthed the concept of pairing tasteful wine with Korean food. The tapas-style menu champions creativity, blending staples from contemporary Australian dining with Korean staples to form a menu like no other. The cosy all-day diner and wine bar is filled with inviting warm-toned interiors, accompanied by lively traditional folk Minhwa prints throughout the space. Plus, if you pay a visit during the day, you and your pooch can put the al fresco dining space to good use and soak up some rays with your meal. Seating 30, the third SOUL Group outpost is led by Head Chef Sunny Ryu. Expect to find top-notch dishes that aren't afraid to stray from the traditional Korean norm — scallop crudo with Korean ajo and blanco, corn cheese croquettes and hand-rolled Korean pasta accompanied by dry-aged Murray cod, all of which can be paired with a wine from the carefully curated list or a serve of soju. If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, pick from the Choco Pie with housemade marshmallow and a hazelnut praline, the peach sorbet with lemon cream or the chestnut tiramisu. And, while the Surry Hills spot is to be a gorgeous nighttime dining experience, the outpost also offers a breakfast and lunch menu daily for a great start to the morning or an exciting boozy lunch. The daytime menu at Bar SOUL is filled with a blend of Korean favourites and Australian cafe staples. Bread sits at the centre of the offerings, with standout dishes like toast topped with burrata, roasted beetroot, quinoa and blood orange; Murray Cod fish burgers with pickled cucumber tartar and fennel on potato buns; and MB9+ wagyu open sandwiches. No matter which time you head in, it's best to lean into the theme. Where else can you pair a loaded fish burger with Bokbunjajoo Black Raspberry Wine, or gang-doenjang with a glass of Mudgee rosé?
Perched on an eastern corner of the Manly Corso, the Hotel Steyne is just a stumble away from the beach. When it comes to dining and drinking at this multifaceted venue, you have a few options. For the most expansive beach views and a healthy dose of sunshine, lodge yourself in Seaside Bistro. Here you'll find oysters ($39/dozen), chicken wings ($15/half-kilo) and classic pub meals seven nights a week. Alternatively, you can head upstairs to the rum bar and live music venue, Moonshine. The balcony has stunning views of Manly Beach, so it's the perfect place to perch yourself, dark 'n' stormy in hand, and watch the sun go down. If you prefer your spirits clear and mixed with tonic, head over to the Glasshouse. This gin and tonic bar has an extensive list of botanical cocktails, charcuterie boards and G&T happy hours. Images: Katje Ford.
There once was a time when Sydney's luxury hotels wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting your pets stay the night. But the winds of change have been blowing strong these past few years, resulting in countless dog-friendly hotels popping up all over the city. And the latest addition to this growing group of accommodations is the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney — bring on the pet puns. Their new Pet Paw-fection package includes putting you and your pooch up in rooms made specifically for your needs. Each fur-tunate pup gets its own plush bedding, dog toys, bath amenities, outdoor water bowls and specialty treats — Bone Appetit. They've also partnered with Outback Tails, a family-run company who partner with Indigenous art centres to create specially-designed dog beds, in order to provide an extra special space for your doggo to rest their head. The concierge is also brimming with knowledge about Sydney's best dog-friendly places and activities. They'll direct your pooch and you all around the city. You can check out the best dog-friendly parks, cafes and bars with your four-legged friend. But if you need a break from the little one, these guys will even organise a dog-sitter for you and take them out for walks. Just be sure to book ahead of time — perhaps timed so you can relax at the hotel's in-house spa, treating yourself to a cheeky massage or facial. The Four Seasons' Pet Paw-fection package is also available all year round, so you won't have to deal with those sad puppy eyes every time you run away on holiday. No need for begging friends to take your dog for the weekend, or to send your pup away to a kennel either. But do note that, if you're thinking of planning an indulgent getaway with your pooch, you'll need to make sure your four-legged pal weighs less than 11.5 kilograms. For more information about Four Seasons Hotel Sydney's Pet Paw-fection packages — and to book a stay — visit the Four Seasons website.
Movie World might've badged itself as Hollywood on the Gold Coast, but it's no longer the only big tourist attraction giving visitors to southeast Queensland — and locals as well — a chance to explore their on-screen favourites IRL. Come November 2024, Brisbane will welcome Bluey's World. Get ready to hear "wackadoo!" constantly, and "for real life", too, at this immersive installation that lets you step inside one of the River City's and Australia's biggest hits of the past six years. Yes, that'd be the award-winning animated favourite that is Bluey. Missed out on staying in a replica of the Bluey house when it was temporarily up for rent in the Queensland capital in 2022? The home of the family-friendly animated phenomenon is now getting a Bluey attraction so that you have another chance to experience the global sensation beyond the TV. Announced in 2023, originally to open this August, but now launching on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Bluey's World will get you walking around life-sized sets that recreate the beloved series. The Heeler house and yard are part of the setup — and as seen in just-released images of the new attraction, they look the part perfectly. Maybe you'll be taking your little ones along, or your nieces and nephews. Perhaps you know that appreciating the adorable Aussie show about a family of blue heelers isn't just for kids. Either way, this is big — including literally. Opening at Northshore Pavilion in Northshore Brisbane, the space itself is sizeable, spanning across 4000 square metres. When Airbnb listed its Bluey abode in 2022, the response was massive. Expect the reaction to Bluey's World to be the same. Already, it has extended its season, sticking around until September 2025. Once you take the stairs up to the family's porch and enter through the front door, the Heeler home awaits, including the living room. So do recreations of recognisable scenes, characters and even games from the show. And yes, as seen in the series, you can arrive via CityCat. Visitors can expect to spend 70 minutes bounding through the experience — and will also find a playground and a cafe onsite, with interactive play a focus, taking cues from Bluey episodes in the process. There's a soundscape to match, plus a gift shop, all in a purpose-built venue. And, for big Bluey birthday celebrations, the site is hosting parties as well. Bluey's World is exclusive to Brisbane, making it a tourist attraction to fans not only locally and nationally but worldwide. Unsurprisingly, that's a big part of the push from both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, who are supporting the BBC Studios- and HVK Productions-produced experience. Bluey's World opens at Northshore Pavilion, 281 MacArthur Avenue, Northshore Brisbane on Thursday, November 7, 2024 — head to the attraction's website for more information and tickets.
Pumping iron in a dark, dank basement simply doesn't cut it for many anymore. That's why 'superboutique' gyms like One Playground are on the rise. Having just launched a brand new flagship location in Haymarket, this cutting-edge gym will help usher in a fresh era of fitness, where next-level design and luxurious wellness spaces foster an unbeatable workout. Spanning an incredible 2,600 square metres across three levels, expect elevated design from top to bottom. As the fifth One Playground location since the brand arrived on the scene in 2014, this gym is the most impressive yet. Best of all, the premium facilities and high-end aesthetics are still available at an accessible price. "The goal was never to build another gym – it was to create a fitness experience unlike anything else in the world," says One Playground Co-Founder and CEO Justin Ashley. "We pushed the boundaries with an ambitious design that blurs the line between fitness and fashion, while giving members everything they could ever wish for – in one place, with one membership." Ambitious design almost undersells it; the foyer alone welcomes gym-goers with triple-height ceilings, marble floors and a sweeping gold staircase. Meanwhile, designer furnishings make it easy to chill before, during or after your workout. On the second level, a wellness lounge features T2 tea, sparkling water and intimate seating areas, while dynamic lighting in the corridors guides guests to the upper level where the action takes place. Here, there are multiple high-performance strength and cardio zones filled with state-of-the-art gym equipment, including 50 pin-and-plate loaded machines. Meanwhile, five futuristic fitness studios have dedicated space for various workouts, from rejuvenating yoga to high-intensity spin classes. For those keen to work with a personal trainer, the in-house coaches undergo 200 hours of annual training with the company's private academy, so trust you're getting an informed workout. When you're keen to mix things up, there are over 200 group classes on the schedule every week, so keeping your body and mind fresh is made easy. Then, once you've finished smashing your workout for the day, members are welcome to relax with a complimentary sauna or get a little work done in the lounge. With options for every fitness journey, checking out this flagship gym might just be the motivation you need to reach your fitness goals. One Playground Haymarket is now open at 815 George Street, Haymarket. Head to the website for more information.
Banchō Bar, from the team behind Surry Hills' much-loved yakitori bar Tokyo Bird, brings an acclaimed cocktail roster to Haymarket with its 100-seat laneway space. It reminds Sydney that the small bar scene isn't limited to the Inner West or CBD, but rather extends to Haymarket and beyond. That's done with Suntory spirit-based cocktails, an array of whiskies and pan-Asian bar snacks. Cocktails are at the forefront of Banchō's menu and feature Asian ingredients sourced from Chinatown's nearby grocers and markets. The list is extensive — split into five categories with 12 cocktails in all — and specifically takes influence from China, Japan, Korea and Thailand. Seasonal cocktails include the Dragon's Tears (Koyomi Shochu, jasmine tea, finger lime and apple) and the fiery Smoked Whaler (Hennessy VS Cognac, Woodford Reserve Rye, sweet vermouth, honey water, bitters and applewood smoke). One of the most complex house specialties is likely the Okinawa Vice, which mixes Herradura Plata Tequila, coconut rum, pineapple, aged port, lime, sencha tea, strawberry and kaffir lime foam before clarifying the lot with milk. Beyond the main variety of cocktails is a real love for highballs, with a build your own approach taking centre stage. Simply choose one of six sodas and one of three whiskies, or saké, chochu or cognac, and you're off to the races. Like at Tokyo Bird, a long list of whiskies is on offer, expanding from Japanese to Scotch, Taiwanese and Australian varieties, along with independent distillers. One very special drop on the list is Suntory's extremely rare Hibiki 30 Year Old. For repeat offenders, the bar also offers over 30 bottle lockers for storage in-between visits. A menu of bar snacks accompanies the drinks, like pork crackling or soft shell crab bao and potato croquettes with mixed veg and tonkatsu mayo. For cocktail-induced nibbling, there's also the requisite edamame, pork crackling and rice crackers. Images: Jeremy Plaisance.
Paddington's Italian eatery Barbetta wears many hats, including daytime cafe, gourmet smallgoods store and workshop space. The venue on Elizabeth Street is the casual sister venue to nearby Cipri Italian and the owners are, not surprisingly, focusing on classic Italian food. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee, the all-day cafe is designed by ACME & Co. — that is, the team who brought you a long list of successful Sydney favourites including The Grounds of Alexandria (and The Grounds of the City), Archie Rose, Fred's and Happy as Larry. The contemporary, bright interior adds nostalgic elements that are reminiscent of classic Italian cars and 1950s movies. For breakfast, think deconstructed Sicilian buckwheat pancake with fresh ricotta, figs and crushed cannoli ($16) and Italian sausage with baked free-range eggs, Tuscan cabbage, baked ricotta and toasted sourdough ($20). Lunch will focus on heartier dishes, like house-made lasagne and spinach ricotta ravioli ($22 each), porchetta paninis ($18) and spicy meatball burgers ($21), along with salads and snacks. The cafe's Neapolitan pastry-chef is also turning out a daily selection of Italian desserts, cakes and gelato to accompany your afternoon coffee break. On the drinks side of things, the requisite coffee and juice is paired with milkshakes and Italian soft drinks. The venue doesn't have a liquor licence just yet, so at present there's a sweet no-corkage BYO deal. Plans for an Italian snack bar are also on the horizon. In the smallgoods deli, takeaway meals like lasagne, gnocchi and slow-cooked lamb shanks will be on offer, along with fresh pastas, sauces, cheeses and meats. The store's selection of packed Italian products include coffee, condiments and biscuits, and pre-packed picnic sets are ready for Centennial Park lazing. If you're looking for your next date idea or just want to learn a new skill, Barbetta is also hosting twice weekly pasta making workshops on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes include a hands-on cooking demo with antipasti and BYO wine, followed by dinner/lunch and the pasta you made to take home. Images: Nikki To Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
Build it and they will come. With apologies to Kevin Costner, it seems that this mentality doesn't just apply to baseball fields in rural USA — it could just as easily apply closer to home. And perhaps there is no more prominent example in Sydney than the slow, steady and dramatic transformation of Barangaroo. Just two decades ago, the northwestern corner of the Sydney CBD was used mainly for shipping and stevedoring — now, it's home to commercial and residential spaces, bustling restaurants and bars, a public swimming hole and a truly world-class metro station. And from Thursday, May 1, one more piece of the proverbial Barangaroo puzzle will be unveiled in the form of Pier Pavilion. Designed by Besley & Spresser (the Surry Hills-based studio won a national competition for Pier Pavilion in 2020), the striking new space has been envisioned a permanent public events and leisure space perched right on Sydney Harbour. It's set to be a prime location for special events, as well as a spot to soak up uninterrupted harbour views. The pavilion's design draws from its surrounding landscape, with land, sea and sky all referenced in its form and materials. Its standout feature is one that's probably best appreciated from up close — the structure's envelope is made of a bespoke oyster terrazzo, made by mixing whole Sydney Rock Oyster shells with recycled aggregates. After over a year of experimentation, more than half a million oyster shells once destined for landfill now shimmer across the pavilion's walls, columns and ceilings. Inside, the structure is just as thoughtful. A landscaped roof planted with endemic species attracts birds and insects, while a circular, seven-metre-wide oculus overhead lets daylight spread across the pavilion floor. Supporting the free span roof are 85 slender columns, which double as conduits for services like drainage and power, keeping things aesthetically streamlined. "We gave the pavilion a distinctly civic feel — all are welcome here," says architect Peter Besley. "The Pavilion is intended to remain for a long time, and to figure in people's memories of Sydney." Adds Jessica Spresser: "We wanted to pay respect to the long history of oyster feasting in the area, and to celebrate the use of a recycled material in the public realm." With its striking form, sweeping sight lines and thoughtful environmental touches, Pier Pavilion has added a crucial open public space to the northwest corner of the Sydney CBD, giving Sydneysiders and visitors alike a new way to engage with the world's largest natural harbour. For more information on Pier Pavilion, head to the Barangaroo website. Images: Maxime Delvaux.
