When is a food court not a food court? When it's Regent Place, the bright arcade surrounded by shops but serving up lively food in restaurants with character. The shops aren't really the attraction, either, and with the arcade tucked away in the nebulous area below Town Hall and above Chinatown, it's not a place you're likely to stumble into without instruction. So we're here to instruct. Recently developed, Regent Place is like a cool offshoot of Chinatown — or the new J-Village, as it's sometimes known. Level one is a neon-bright Tokyo mirage, while in the basement is the jumble of Senyai Thai, a Misschu hut and AstroTurfed cocktail bar Assembly. The developers have succeeded in giving it a really transporting feel, like its own closed-off world, and it's an approach it would be great to see others borrow from. Next time you're in the city shopping, seeing a movie at Event Cinemas or a catching a gig at the Metro, duck off George Street and into one of these six stellar Regent Place establishments. Yebisu Izakaya Settle in for a long, congenial night of grazing on Japanese share plates and sake. Yebisu Izakaya has a gargantuan menu; with more than 100 dishes, the focus is on dizzying quantity rather than A-class quality, and that's fine when your meal is as fun and reliable as this. It's perfect for a party, really, as all tastes are accounted for, whether you fancy regional rarities such as dried skate fin ($8.80) and vinaigrette tuna skin ($10.80), dependables of the sushi or yakitori variety or just giving up on the world and going for fried mixed cheese ($14.80). The iPad menu system means you can order course by course if you want to, and there's no awkward sitting around trying to get the waitstaff's attention. Sake and shochu are a specialty at Yebisu, and you'll also be visited by an attendant with sake trolley and plenty of recommendations to share. Lunch Mon - Sun noon - 3pm, Dinner Sun - Thu 5pm - 11pm, Fri - Sat from 5pm-midnight; (02) 9266 0301 Assembly From the team responsible for Pocket Bar, the Assembly team have done their best to counter the shopping hub feel and ensure the bar itself is a departure from its surrounds. The bar itself is far from sparkling tiles and polished steel - it has the atmosphere of an adult's treehouse. Dividers built from wooden pallets, milkcrate tables, bunker-style lights, slightly creepy mannequins and one of the cleverest dumb waiters we've ever seen, made from the repurposed mechanism of a garage door. The drinks from mixologist/general manager Ben Taouss are almost as intelligent, and most definitely as playful. Our picks are the Lavender Hill Cappuccino ($17), a martini with Pop Rocks and an apple foam; or the Earl Negroni ($18), Hendricks, Campari and Antica formula with orange marmalade, served up in a teacup. If you'd prefer, there's a shifting range of fairly standard beers and a moderate wine list also on offer. Mon - Fri 12pm - 12am, Sat 5pm - 12am; (02) 9283 8808; www.assemblybar.com.au Tenkomori Ramen House Ramen is king at Tenkomori. Every kind of ramen dish comes in three types of broth: shoyu, miso and tonkotsu. The pork kakuni ramen with tonkotsu broth ($7.30) is certainly indulgent. The pork belly falls apart at the slightest pressure with the spoon and when slurped down with noodles and the soup, you just can't wait for the next spoonful. If you want egg, pickled mustard green and bamboo that'll be an extra $2.50. Pick up a piece of karaage chicken for $2 a pop, or fried tofu for $1.50 and although they are both deep-fried, they're not dripping in oil. The kaarage chicken bowl ($4.50) has fried chicken sitting on top of rice, with generous lashings of Japanese mayo. If you don't feel like a noodle soup, try the Ontama chilli pork ($8.90) with a choice of hot or cold ramen, chilli pork, bean sprout and topped with an egg. It's fresh and packs a punch with the chilli. The pace at Tenkomori is fast and crowds continually flock to Tenkomori for a cheap fix of noodles and deep-fried goodness. Mon - Sun 11am - 10pm; (02) 9266 0660; www.facebook.com/TenkomoriRamenHouse/ Senyai A laneway eatery resembling what one might expect to find in Bangkok's steamy back streets, Senyai is as close to Thai authenticity as you can get. Start with a serve of miang kham ($6) — betel leaves topped with diced lime, red chilli, dehydrated prawns, nuts, red onion, and coconut sauce. Next try the po pia jaan ($12) — crispy prawn pancakes covered in layers of super-fine deep-fried rice paper, with an almost spongy inner texture. Another for those seeking out something hefty is the khao kha moo ($18) — incredibly slow-braised pork hock cooked in cinnamon and star anise (with veggies and rice). Somtum Thai ($16), a traditional Thai green papaya salad with all the extras, is your go-to when looking to cleanse the palette. The roti grob ($6) are sweet, Thai pancakes that are simple, light, and perfect for a crisp finale to your meal. Mon - Sun 11am - 10.30pm; (02) 9283 8686; www.senyai.com.au Miss Chu The queen of rice papaer rolls continues her expansion across Sydney with her latest tuckshop opening it's shutters here in Regent's Place. The usual suspects are all here. Get an order of the tasty Satay Chicken ($7.50) or Roast Duck ($9) rice paper rolls; a serve of succulent dumplings ($7) and if it's pay day, $13 will get you the melt-in-your-mouth Sashimi Tuna. This should leave you with just enough room for a Peking Duck Pancake ($3.50). Sit at the tuckshop window or at one of the street-style wooden ironing-board tables nearby. Or if you're feeling really lazy, make use of their bike-basket delivery service. Mon - Sun 11am - 9pm; (02) 9283 0357; www.misschu.com.au Chanoma Cafe The team running this Japanese cafe are known as the Matcha Masters because their traditional green tea powder is some of the best in Sydney. There's matcha lattes, floats, frappes and parfaits that are sure to give you your daily green tea fix. Try the Oreo matcha frappe ($6.50) to balance out your naughty and nice. To curb your hunger the Japanese style hot dogs are most definitely not your ordinary dogs. Slathered with Japanese mayo and with soft and crunchy textures these hot dogs are often deep fried and usually sprinkled with seaweed flakes. Try the deep fried Tonkatsu dog ($6.20) or the creamy shrimp croquette dog ($6.20) for a walk on the wild side. (02) 9266 0667 By the Concrete Playground team.
Life was already pretty dandy for the residents of Summer Hill. This leafy inner-west slice of paradise is well-known for its large family parks, tennis courts, trendy cafes and a local barber who stands out the front of his shop greeting everyone who walks by. Now, just to rub it in our faces, they have a really awesome small bar. Located on the main intersection, where Smith Street meets Lackey, The Temperance Society sprawls over two narrow levels, weaving in and out of rooms like a family home. Upstairs there's a brightly wallpapered library filled with Chesterfield lounges, leather-bound books and the smell of rich mahogany. It looks like they've taken inspiration from Ron Burgundy's apartment. Downstairs there's the bar, a fairy-lit courtyard and various intimate nooks on the way. The primary focus is the drinks list, which showcases quality bevvies from within a 7km radius. On tap there's Young Henrys cider; a fruity German-style Zonnebeke witbier by Marrickville's Batch Brewery; a malty, red rye ale by Chippendale's Ironbridge Brewery; and a clean and grassy Convict Lager by The Rocks Brewing Co. Drinks can be bought via the pot/pint/jug ($5/$10/$17.50) depending on the intensity of your night, and for most, it's just a short stumble home to bed anyway. Lucky bastards. Cocktails also play up the local theme. The Lackey Street Lush ($14) combines vodka and cloudy apple, every 20-year-old's favourite drink, or there's the Smith St Society Classic ($18), a thick and spicy tropical punch filled with hunks of fresh orange, dark rum, caramelised brown sugar and ginger beer. The crowd-pleaser is the Little Myrtle ($18), which is made with Botanica's lemon myrtle liqueur, elderflower syrup and a toothpick threaded with blueberries. It has the delicious lemon fizz of a melted Calippo. The star of the spirits list is the Sullivan's Cove ($68), a luxury small batch whisky recently named best Australian single malt at the World Whiskies Awards, although you'll need to have a few drinks first before you're convinced to hand over the cash. Bar snacks consist of quick and easy cold charcuterie platters. Choose from a rabbit, quail and pistachio terrine ($9), sourced from Marrickville's Black Forrest Smokehouse and served with pickled green tomatoes, or there's a cheese plate ($9) with Hunter Valley Cheese Co. cheddar, pickles, onion and relish. The dip platter ($5.50) includes two dips homemade by a local Lebanese resident and served with a mountain of sliced sourdough. For the ridiculously cheap prices, it's surprising to find the serving sizes extra generous. One plate between two will have you cancelling your dinner plans. The Temperance Society is a charming old-world bar serving quality local drinks at unbeatable prices. I hate you Summer Hill.
A number of prominent Australian musicians, including Little May, Montaigne, Ngaiire and Abbe May, are uniting through social media in order to throw their support behind International Breast Cancer Awareness month. The I Touch Myself Project was inspired by the 1990 hit song by Australian rock band Divinyls, whose lead singer Chrissy Amphlett died from breast cancer in 2013. The campaign was originally launched by the Cancer Council in 2014, with the likes of Megan Washington, Sarah Blasko and Olivia Newton John collaborating on a music video to encourage women to check themselves for the disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeaO2BrrIf8 Now the campaign has been resurrected by a new group of female artists, who have taken to Instagram to share photos of themselves holding their breasts in their hands and encouraging other women to do the same, using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject. "Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late," posted the members of Little May. "In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked." Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @becsandridge @catalish @ella_hooper @lexi_b__ @jessicahamiltn #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject @itouchmyselfproject A photo posted by Little May (@littlemaymusic) on Oct 3, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. @actualmontaigne @abbemayzing @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. Will you touch yourself @beemcsee @haileycramer @julianedisisto @summerpagaspas @mamikoyo @vassi_lena ? #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject #ngaiire A photo posted by N G A I I R E (@ngaiire) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT Chrissy Amphlett did a wonderful thing before the world lost her to breast cancer, and that was to make sure she was doing the most she could to avail women of a similar fate. I am proud to be a part of the #itouchmyselfproject and to raise awareness of breast cancer alongside a plethora of other excellent women and @berleiaus. I touch myself for breast cancer awareness. Will you? Photographed by the amazing Tony Mott! A photo posted by Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:08am PDT Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, I am humbled to join friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @littlemaymusic @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @tanzertanzertanzer @leelulahula @sezzyfilmy @wheelsanddollbaby @jaala_bandthing Photo by #tonymott @itouchmyselfproject #itouchmyself #myhandbra A photo posted by Kａt y S t e e l e (@katysteele) on Oct 4, 2016 at 3:02am PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. The great @ngaiire, @actualmontaigne, @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. #itouchmyselfproject #myhandbra Photo taken by the radical Tony Mott. A photo posted by Abbe May (@abbemayzing) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT
Located at the dividing line between Enmore and Newtown — on one of Australia's best roads, Enmore road — Macellaria is billed as the butcher that sells you your meat and then politely cooks it for you. Starting out in Bondi, Peter Zaidan opened the Newtown iteration back in 2017, and hasn't looked back since, with Macelleria now open in five locations across two states. If you're keen to dine in with mates or get some takeaway for the barbie, they've got you covered. This place is basically a carnivore's paradise, with only the finest MSA grade beef, free from hormones and antibiotics. It source its beef from across Australia, be it South Australia, NSW, Tasmania, Gippsland or Flinders Island. Alongside Cape Grim beef, they also offer Tajima wagyu, which originated from the Hyogo prefecture in Japan and is amongst the most famous cuts in the world. The interior itself is akin to a big and bustling foodcourt, with copious amounts of space and an airy open layout. If you're planning lunch out with the whole family, then know this is the kin of place where they'll be welcomed warmly. And there is plenty on the menu to excited the kids. If you're vegetarian or looking to take it easy on the meat, they have you covered too. For a place that is literally a butcher shop, the vegetarian burger and eggplant parmigiana, as well as fresh salads, are surprisingly good. On your way out, be sure to window shop at the open counters and grab some sausages and lamb chops for the freezer. In a world where butcher shops have all but disappeared, Macelleria has found a way to not only survive, but thrive. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
Sydney stalwart The Lord Dudley may be a throwback to English-style pubs of old, but its new sister restaurant, The Garden, is a different beast all together. Located on the lower ground floor of the heritage building — beneath a newly installed glass atrium, no less — the tszujed up restaurant boasts a light-filled interior and a seasonal menu of renewed pub favourites. Designed by the award-winning Amber Road Design Studio, the opulent space houses a marble bar backed by antique glass, pendant lights handmade in Milan, hanging foliage and exposed sandstone walls. These elements work together to maintain the buildings' heritage feel while creating a modern, inner-city oasis that is hidden beneath the classic, family-run pub upstairs. The most unusual feature is a giant taxidermy peacock, dubbed Mark, who overlooks the room. Warm up by the fireplace in these winter months and tuck into head chef Paul Medcalf's seasonal menu, which takes a modern twist on classic English pub fare. The winter menu champions fresh, local produce, including the cured salmon starter with pickled onion and horseradish crème fraiche ($16) and the house-made gnocchi that has been pan fried and luxuriously topped with shaved Australian truffle ($22 entree, $34 main). Hearty mains also include crumbed veal cutlet and jacket potato with bacon, spring onion and black pepper sour cream ($29) and a Mirrool Creek lamb rack with roast tomato puree and tarragon jus ($36). It's clearly a classy affair, but without straying too far from the original. For those loyal to The Dudders, don't you fret — The Garden will be completely separate from the main bar and existing food offering upstairs, where the fitout hasn't changed a bit. The fan-favourite Dudley pie of the day ($24) will remain on both menus, too, so you can take your pick when ordering the signature dish. The Garden is located on the ground floor of The Lord Dudley Hotel, located at 236 Jersey Road, Woollahra.
Bloody Marys have the honour of being one of two cocktails that you can drink before midday without being judged (the other is the mimosa, obviously). They're that friend you have that slaps you in the face when you're hungover and yells at you to get up and stop feeling sorry for yourself, in cocktail form. But there's something about the tomato juice/celery/vodka combo that feels almost medicinal — maybe it's the fact that it contains vegetables and therefore you can kid yourself it's healthy, even when accompanied by miscellaneous fried things. Not to mention there's something distinctly Mad Men about them. Healthy or not, they're a classic, and we've got some excellent ones right here in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_546290" align="aligncenter" width="1170"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] MARY'S, NEWTOWN When you think about it, celery is a pretty weird garnish. Who has ever woken up after a big night and thought "Man, I could really go for a loud, crunchy vegetable right now"? It makes sense that Mary's, makers of some of the best hangover food in Sydney, a place whose motto is "Get fat", would be the ones to dispense with this tradition. At Mary's, if you order a Bloody Mary, you get a drink with a slice of plastic cheese blowtorched over the top, garnished with an onion and a slice of their famous trashcan bacon (named for the vessel they cure it in; don't worry, it's clean). THE NORFOLK, SURRY HILLS The Drink 'n' Dine team make consistently amazing Bloody Marys across all their venues. They're exactly as they should be — dense, pulpy and spicy enough to cure the fiercest of hangovers. The Norfolk is no exception. Here, they come come in a few different incarnations, all served in recycled tomato sauce cans, but our pick is the Bloody Asado ($16) with gin and chimichurri. EAU DE VIE, DARLINGHURST This one actually won the Best Bloody Mary title in a competition held by Ketel One vodka last year, and it's not hard to see why. On the menu it goes by the name Ernest's New Tomato Cocktail ($19), named for 1930s hotelier Ernest Byfield, whose venue The Pump Room is credited with making the cocktail famous. It's a pretty straightforward recipe: salt-cured tomato juice, pickled onion puree, house spice mix and sherry (which means it's one of the few that actually make you feel a little buzzed afterwards).The tabasco sauce comes on the side in an adorable mini bottle so you can make it as hot as you want. BLOODY MARY'S, DARLINGHURST These guys have the honour of being Sydney's only bar dedicated entirely to Bloody Marys. You've probably already seen photos of their crazy concoctions going viral on social media. And we really do mean that in the plural — as well as the Classic, they also make Bloody-pretty-much-anything-else-you-can-think-of, each with a different quirky garnish like bacon or prawn. And if you want to invent your own Bloody cocktail, you can just order a shot of your choice and come up to the bar to have them mix it for you. But you cannot visit this place without trying the Bloody Hell ($25) at least once — most likely named for the first words out of your mouth when you see it. As well as the obligatory celery, it comes garnished with a buffalo wing, a prawn and a slider on skewers poking out of the top. The drink itself substitutes Tabasco sauce with chilli-infused vodka. [caption id="attachment_546302" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] NEIGHBOURHOOD, BONDI The Neighbourhood Mary ($17) is made with beef master-stock infused Mary mix, 'secret sauce' and garlic salt, with the stock giving it a soupy, vaguely meaty flavour. Team it with the Royale with Cheese ($21) for the breakfast of champions. [caption id="attachment_546304" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Diana Scalfati[/caption] BILLS, SURRY HILLS It's no exaggeration to say that Bill Granger is the man who invented brunch as we know it. His ricotta hotcakes, scrambled eggs and corn fritters may be what made him famous, but he doesn't disappoint on the cocktail front either. Bills' Spiced Bloody Mary ($18.50) puts an Asian twist on the classic recipe, using Clamato juice (clam and tomato juice — technically making it a Bloody Caesar), Korean chilli, coriander, lime and a cucumber. CRANE BAR, POTTS POINT Most Bloody Marys are on the thicker side, similar in texture to gazpacho. But the Umami Mary is at the other end of the spectrum. It's more like a delicately flavoured Asian broth — light, tangy and easy to drink, with a pleasant, mushroomy aftertaste. EATHOUSE DINER, REDFERN The Bloody Hell, as the name would suggest, is not for the faint-hearted. Although they do make a traditional version with vodka, we recommend the chilli-infused tequila if you want to kick it up a notch from 'spicy' to 'burny'. It makes your eyes water and your nose run, but in the best possible way. PORCH, NORTH BONDI The first thing you notice about the Porch Bloody Mary ($16) is that it's an amazing colour — deep ruby red as opposed to the orangey-pinky-red colour that you usually see. Like the rest of the menu, it's refreshing and not too heavy, less spicy and more citrusy. Have it with the Green Breaky Bowl if you want to attempt being healthy, or the Devil's Breakfast if you just don't care any more. Be warned though, this place is extremely popular and there's usually a waiting list on weekends.
It's the season of pre-5pm sunsets, crisp mornings and hot soup stains on your jeans, so you might as well enjoy it. Forget basking in watery late-afternoon sunlight and unnecessarily wearing shades to recapture those bygone summer days, and feel the allure of nights in and mulled beverages instead. Indeed, why not do it like a Nord, embrace winter with aplomb, and get a Scandi design and culture fix while you're at it. Sydney is a hot-bed of Nordic style — and if you follow our top picks, you'll be smiling your way through the chillier months in no time. FIKA SWEDISH KITCHEN, MANLY Fika's lunch special changes daily, offering fish patties, varied smørrebrød (open sandwiches) and a mean sweet 'n' sour lamb casserole. Their regular menu is a smorgasbord of meatballs, cured and seared fish and caviar on knäckebröd (rye crispbread), and delicious seasonal produce. For those nursing a cruel snaps-hangover, the bacon and egg bap with beetroot relish is a winner, but there are delicious veggie breakfast bowls, tossed muesli and pancakes, too. Sunflower-yellow crockery, an airy cottage-kitchen vibe and beaming servers can easily make you forget you're in Sydney, but the coffee is made with classic Aussie expertise. Given all of the above, it won't come as a surprise that the weekend queue around the chunky wooden counter for a takeaway can be heinous, so bag a table if you can. With an outrageous pyramid of glazed, crème filled and soft cinnamon tossed pastries glaring from the display cabinet, this is a true 'treat yo'self' brunch spot. If you want to take a little bit of Sverige away with you, grab a slab of Marabou (only the richest, creamiest chocolate in all of the North) or a bag of chewy 'mallow Bilar. NORSK DOR, CBD With brisk winds and cool nights well and truly here, Scandinavia's blanket-laden cafes can teach us a thing or two about how to bunker down. At the end of sharply descending hidden passageway beneath Pitt Street is Sydney's answer. There's something inherently cosy about being underground, which Norsk Dor nails it with elegant-minimalism-meets-homely-longhouse style. Think impeccably-set Nordic decor complete with fur-draped seating softly lit industrial-chic lamps. The menu is graceful and hearty. The slow-cooked venison is mouth-watering, but equally hard to overlook is the wagyu bone marrow, baked cheese, and all manner of cured and smoked seafood on the menu. True to Scandi simple-done-well culinary philosophy, their fresh house-made bread and salted butter is delicious, and they offer a solid range of Nordic spirits. Knock back an after-dinner shot of Aalborg Akvavit like a true Dane, or sample the stripped-back signature cocktails with names like Danske Delight (Don Julio, citrus, beetroot glaze) and Norway Nights (Lagavulin 8yr, Grand Marnier, Espresso, Cream) at the glossy plant-flanked bar. You'll forget about the horizontal rain outside in no time. EDITION COFFEE ROASTERS, DARLINGHURST Okay, so this one isn't exclusively Scandinavian, but there's a natural harmony between the serene minimalism of both Japanese and Scandinavian design that qualifies this Asian/Nordic Surry Hills coffee-spot for our list. Nestled on a sloping Darlinghurst street-corner, Edition Coffee Roasters exudes functional-chic with light, neat architecture and a littering of design and fashion journals on the tables. True to Nordic culinary form, the brunch menu champions seasonality, featuring smoked, pickled and cured dishes of winter vegetables, and belly-warming sweet and savoury crepes. Highlights include the Skinke og Aeg (ham and eggs) with maple miso leg ham, Danish honningkage (ginger and honey cake), and the host of petite pastries for sale on the counter. With speedy wifi, top-notch coffee and quality people-watching potential, Edition Coffee Roasters is exactly where you want to fika (take an indulgent coffee-break) during your lunch hour. MJOLNER, REDFERN Before April, the most Scandinavian thing about the basement of an ex-tobacco factory in Redfern was that you could probably have found a few tins of snus in there at some point. A couple of months ago, however, highly-anticipated Viking themed carvery and whisky bar, Mjolner, took over. Featuring a rotating menu of one bird, fish, beast and vegetarian dish, as well as an open kitchen and carvery, the Speakeasy group has brought the medieval merriment of Asgard to Redfern. Brick archways, black pillars and roughly-hewn wooden ornaments behind metal grates give Mjolner an architectural brutalism that suits the rowdy-Gods-post-battle-feast theme. With an eye for the fine-dining market, it's tastefully offset by gleaming silver drinking horns on each table and simple but elegant wooden furniture. For all your meat, marrow and mead needs, Mjolner has you covered. [caption id="attachment_631190" align="aligncenter" width="4080"] Flickr: Petra Bensted[/caption] THE LICORICE SHOP, THE ROCKS MARKET Somewhere down the historical line, the Scandinavians forged their own path away from the well-trodden track towards candy and caramel, and settled in the Badlands of the lolly world: liquorice. In fact, it's something of a regional obsession. You may not have grown up gnawing on dried lakris roots and chewing big Nordic brand GaJol's packages of salted liquorice discs, but you might have tried Sweden's soft and chewy Skipper's pipes, had your fair share of Liquorice Allsorts or heard of Johan Bulow's premium and experimental sweets from wind-ravaged North Sea island, Bornholm. Here in Sydney, family-run lolly emporium The Licorice Shop hosts a weekend market stand in The Rocks where you can get your fix. If eating black liquorice sounds like a pure assault on your taste buds and culinary values, there's a multitude of downright delicious fruit and chocolate variations to get your teeth into for an authentic Scandi treat. FUNKIS, PADDINGTON Funkis Swedish Forms is a little homeware and fashion outlet in Paddington brimming with clogs, accessories, design trinkets and gorgeous kitchen ceramics from the FortyNine studio in Marrickville. With rails housing Scandi brands including the iconic Marimekko and RAINS, it's a quick hop-step from looking for a birthday card to buying a statement winter jacket. Out the back is brand new petite garden-café, Koket. Perfect for your afternoon fika, sip coffee in the dreamy paved courtyard surrounded by grasses and olive trees. For a quick bite there are fresh sandwiches in gnarled bread rolls, sticky cinnamon buns and a fridge full of kombucha. For a more leisurely lunchtime detour into Scandi food culture, the Swedish tasting platter — a selection of mini knäckebröd bites topped with cured, grilled and smoked seafood — is not to be missed. PALACE CINEMAS SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2017 In the wake of the roaring success of Scandi cinema in all its gut-wrenching realism and stark visual glory, Sydney's Scandinavian Film Festival returns to Palace's theatres for another season. Check out works by the best emerging names in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic and Finnish film, and brush up on classic Nordic Noir with a glass of wine and some tapas. This year's highlights include odes to real-life figures, heart-stirring dramas, explorations of indigenous plights, brooding murder mysteries and the politics of war — in fact, we've picked five highlights if you need more viewing suggestions. HONOURABLE MENTIONS: MORE SCANDI STYLE ON YOUR DOORSTEP The uncomplicated palettes and effortlessly smart tailoring of Nordic style remain unrelentingly à la mode. Get some winter cool in your wardrobe this season with a few Scandi fashion exports. Bright wet-weather wear from Danish brand RAINS and Sweden's Stutterheim nails form and function with simple, unisex silhouettes, with Sydney stockists including Incu, The Iconic and The Stables — where you can also find collections by Danish brand Norse Projects. Or, scout out some Scandi street style at Stockholm fashion house Acne Studios' Sydney outpost in Paddington with thick, slouchy knits in muted autumnal colours and oversized scarves. Plus, The Standard Store in Surry Hills is packed with playful accessories and gifts from bold Danish designer, Henrik Vibskov. And, what a coincidence, you're within reaching distance of rounding off your fashion hunt Copenhagen-style with a long black and a pastry at Bourke Street Bakery.
Looking for holiday accommodation with a little more oomph? Ever considered staying on a raft? With a sauna? In the town of Joensuu in eastern Finland, a bunch of mates have put their considerable DIY skills to good use. They've built a lake-worthy, multi-level raft with a sauna, named 'Saunalautta'. And next time you're in the mood for a floating holiday, you're welcome to rent it. This vessel is the ultimate year-round destination. Come winter (which, in Finland, means -20 degree temperatures), hang out in the sauna. Up to 15 people can warm up in there at once. Come summer, sprawl out on the upper deck. There's even a few hammocks, so you can get comfy with a book, and a viewing booth, affording 360 degree views. Not interested in lying around? Spend your break perfecting your 2 1/2 front flip from the dedicated, 5.7-metre high diving tower. Wondering how this Huckleberry Finn-esque contraption stays afloat? It's built on top of a series of recycled plastic drums. And what about going somewhere? A small outboard motor gets you moving. Both seasons, there's bunk space for five passengers to stay the night, a barbecue, a hot shower, a refrigerator and a sound system: basically everything you need to turn pirate for life. Hire isn't as expensive as you might think, starting at $410 a day. Head over here for more info, after you check out a few more snappies: Via Inhabitat.
The team behind The Grounds of Alexandria has been teasing us with whispers of a new CBD outpost for a while now — the venue, their second, was announced almost two years ago. Since then it's been in development, but the team behind the wildly popular Alexandria venue has finally opened The Grounds of the City inside The Galeries on George Street. The new venue is a 'nod to times past' with throwbacks to 1920s hospitality, and is distinct departure from The Grounds' existing vibe. "The Grounds of Alexandria is all about bringing families and the local community together, so we started off thinking about who it is that we want to bring together and connect in the city," says The Grounds co-founder and creative director Ramzey Choker. "We really got inspired by the 1920s, a time when the inner city was a place for real social gathering and connection between professionals." Design studio Acme & Co. have again worked with The Grounds, creating a truly 'spare no details' kind of space, from the antique theatre pendant lighting, up-cycled timber floors and marble details to the hand-crafted stained glass windows and custom-made enamel fridge doors. Even the light fixtures have been carefully curated and the cast iron doors were actually hand-casted by The Grounds team. "The building took a lot of craftsmanship and is going to be really different than what you're used to," says Choker. The Grounds of the City also aims to bring socialising back to the hustle and bustle of city life. Shoe shines for waiting customers, a cake and 'Tea Lady' tea trolley that circles the room and a top-of-the-line barista's bar with 'coffee sommeliers' on-hand are a few services on offer at the new venue. The new venue draws inspiration from traditional coffeehouse culture, complete with The Barista's Bar fitted with state-of-the-art espresso and filter technology highlighting The Grounds house-roasted coffee and Roastery. Food-wise, executive chef Paul McGrath's team will be doing breakfast (7am-11.30am) and all-day menus (11.30am onwards) with late trading on Thursday evenings, and late opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays coming soon. The menu features the likes of house-made crumpets and cakes, alongside ethically and sustainably-caught seafood and premium steak cuts — and you can dine-in or take away. For truly next-level service, the new members app allows customers to let The Grounds get to know them a bit better – from where they work to their favourite coffee order, which will be ready for you on arrival. "When corporate workers come for a morning coffee we want to make their time pleasurable and really get to know them as individuals," says Choker. "We want to give them something a bit extra." "We want to create a place that becomes like a city home away from the office and somewhere you want to go that is just really comfortable. It's going to be really different, really unique and really special." The Grounds of the City is open inside The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney. Opening hours are Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday 7am-6pm, Thursday 7am - late. Late Friday and Saturday hours coming soon. For more information, visit thegroundscity.com.au.
Art has prevailed in the battle to fill a Melbourne rooftop with naked people. In the latest development surrounding Spencer Tunick's newest work, the New York artist has been given permission to hold a nude photoshoot on top of the Prahran Woolworths car park — just over a week after the store said no. It was announced in May that Tunick would be returning to Australia in July to stage another of his famed mass nude photos, all as part of Chapel Street Precinct's Provocaré Festival of the Arts. Seventeen years after assembling 4500 naked volunteers for a snap near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival, the polarising artist plans to amass another contingent of naked (and pretty brave) folk for a work titled Return of the Nude While Tunick has photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, snapped the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK, his initial attempt to craft his latest piece against a Melbourne skyline backdrop was knocked back by Woolworths. A petition spearheaded by the Chapel Street Precinct Association (CSPA), the festival's host organisation, in response —and due to community pressure, the store has decided to let the shoot go ahead. A spokesperson for the supermarket giant advised, "in further discussions with the festival organisers they indicated a willingness to be flexible with dates and times to ensure the shoot could happen without inconveniencing our customers during busy weekend trading. As a result, we're now able to accommodate the request to temporarily clear the rooftop for Spencer Tunick's group shot on a Monday morning during a traditionally slow trading period." The shoot will take place on Monday, July 9, with Tunick given an hour to complete his vision. And if you'd like to participate — anyone over the age of 18 can git their kit off and get involved — there's still time to register. Participants each get a print of the photograph and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. Provocaré will take place across the Chapel Street Precinct from July 5–15, with Return of the Nude being shot over one hour on July 9.
Humans have made a pastime of staring up at the night sky for as long as history can tell us. Unfortunately, the amount of excess light that our city leaks into the sky makes for pretty poor stargazing conditions on an average night in the inner city. With that in mind, we've scoped out the top spots in and around Sydney where you can take part in this time-honoured tradition. At these locations, all it takes is a telescope — and, in some cases, just looking up — to feel engulfed by the vast night sky above. Whether you're headed to Australia's only accredited Dark Sky Park or to one of our many impressive observatories, this list has you covered. OBSERVATORIES SYDNEY OBSERVATORY, CBD In terms of physical proximity to the night sky, Sydney Observatory is a pretty good starting point. One of the highest points overlooking Sydney Harbour, its building houses three telescopes — including the oldest working telescope in Australia, which was built for the 1874 transit of Venus. The other two are a 40-centimetre computer-controlled lens and, for those of you who prefer gazing at the star closest to us, a telescope that lets you look at the sun. The Observatory runs night and day tours, workshops exploring early Indigenous astronomy and a range of short courses. This is definitely the first step for every would-be Galileo. LINDEN OBSERVATORY, BLUE MOUNTAINS Situated in the Blue Mountains, Linden Observatory was the work of a single brilliant amateur astronomer, Ken Beames. He finished the site's 61-centimetre telescope during World War II, while also building the dome that houses it and the direction control system himself. Access to Linden's heritage-listed building is by appointment only, but you can easily fill out the form here to get in touch. If you're happy enough to check out Beames' handiwork from the outside, Reverend Bob Evans runs monthly beginners astronomy courses on Saturdays in the nearby viewing field — and you can join in with a small donation. PENRITH OBSERVATORY, PENRITH Penrith Observatory is part of Western Sydney University, run by a team of maths and engineering boffins dedicated to cracking the universe open to see what makes it tick. They pause occasionally in this quest to host programs for the public, ranging from paper rocket construction to exploring the life cycles of stars. Volunteers from the Western Sydney Cosmic Data Lab also hold astronomy nights on most Saturdays of the year, regardless of the weather. For the less nocturnal, there are various day programs that give visitors the chance to safely observe the flaming gas giant that supports life on this planet. And it's less than an hour from the CBD. MUDGEE OBSERVATORY, MUDGEE Located just a 15-minute drive from the town centre, Mudgee Observatory is located within some seriously dark skies — so there's zero chance of confusing Jupiter with your neighbour's bug zapper. It's also where, in 1999, Steve Lee discovered Comet Lee. In the past, the facilities have been used by staff of the Sydney Observatory, members of the Sutherland Astronomical Society and by UNSW. This prestigious space is also open to the public, with regular daytime sun tours and night sky tours on offer — and heaps of telescopes and binoculars available to guests. The theatre and flat screen planetarium features a space mission program too. But be sure to booking ahead and expect a $15 entry fee. CRAGO OBSERVATORY, BOWEN MOUNTAIN Just out past Richmond, the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has established one of their "dark sky" observing sites in the middle of the Blue Mountains National Park. The observatory is old-school, comprised of an olive brick building with a basic kitchen on the ground floor and a camping area nearby. The dome itself is made from corrugated iron. Beginners will need to be accompanied by an accredited ASNSW member, but there's also a viewing space that has been cleared so amateurs can wander along and watch galaxies collide and stars implode at a time that suits them. TEBBUTT'S OBSERVATORY, WINDSOR This observatory was hand-built by 19th century astronomy nut John Tebbutt. If the name sounds familiar, it could be because you were flush in the '80s and '90s — his face graced the $100 note until '96. Tebbutt's Observatory in Windsor was rebuilt a number of times as he updated his telescopes, but the building that remains dates to 1879. Tebbutt, it was said, couldn't look up without discovering a comet. So make no mistake — if astronomical greatness is going to find you, it will find you here. DARK SKY SITES If you're feeling more intrepid and would prefer an astronomical experience that doesn't take place through the roof of a building, try a dark sky site instead. Observatories aren't the only place to look up, with these secluded fields and lookouts also offering a great vantage point to take in heavenly bodies. [caption id="attachment_730730" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK, COONABARABRAN Located a six-hour drive from Sydney, Warrumbungle National Park is one of the top three places on the planet to revel in galactic goings-on. That's thanks to the State Government, which has dedicated funds to limit light pollution in and around the park, making it Australia's only official Dark Sky Park — it's just one-of-three in the world, sitting alongside Death Valley National Park in the US and Galloway Forest Park in Scotland. Warrumbungle does have its own observatory, but scientists and astronomers have the run of the place after sundown. Amateur astronomy in Warrumbungle is best performed the old-fashioned way, with the humble eyeball. At the moment, all campsites in the area require booking, so make sure to organise it ahead of time here. [caption id="attachment_730726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Great Orion Nebula as viewed from Wiruna; Photographer: Marc Aragnou; supplied by ASNSW[/caption] WIRUNA, BLUE MOUNTAINS Wiruna is the Astronomical Society of NSW's best kept secret. Located on the outskirts of Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains, Wiruna is 107 acres of astronomy lovers' bliss. But there is one catch — this top-notch dark sky facility is for ASNSW members and their guests only. If you don't happen to have any ASNSW mates on hand, you can get in touch and organise a visit that way. Otherwise, simply book into an overnight campsite at Wollemi and enjoy your stargazing the old fashion way — equipment isn't necessary here, it'll be a breathtaking view either way. TERREY HILLS, NORTHERN BEACHES Another patch of unadulterated sky can be found in Sydney's Terrey Hills, near the northern beaches. This is one of the Northern Sydney Astronomical Society's new haunts, where observing nights are run on weekends for novices and experienced sky captains alike. As with most of these astro society hangouts, they've got telescopes to share and keen eyes with which to point out the myriad phenomena taking place in the universal void. If you're a lonely wanderer through the vast wash of space, this may well be the place to enter the orbit of some like-minds.
For the second year, Pyrmont Bay Park will transform itself into a pop-up food festival of Asian cuisine for 11 nights. Wander through over 20 food stalls, featuring Night Noodle Market regulars like Hoy Pinoy, Everybody Loves Ramen (selling their famous ramen fried chicken) and the insanely popular Bao Stop. Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato are teaming up to create the mighty 'Gong Xi Fai Cai Cake Smash': strawberry watermelon cake smash with fire crackers, and the 'Hipster Cookies and Cream': almond and pineapple gelato with almond sesame cookie. Paired with live music and roaming performers, this is the perfect Chinese New year date. Mon-Wed 5-9pm, Thurs-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun 4-9pm.
Like many Australian artists, Sydney's Holly Greenwood draws the majority of her influence from her environment. Whether it's an arid and imposing outback region, or the innocuous confines of an inner city townhouse, Greenwood's pieces tend to reflect the character of the space around her. Even Dungog Pub. Whether slathered on canvas or organic materials like bark, Greenwood's painting is a distinctly Australian take on post-impressionism, with deliberate brushstrokes and a limited colour palette creating an artwork that actively captures the atmosphere of the realm she paints, rather than recreating space photorealistic-style. Faded Lands, Greenwood's latest exhibition, will be on show at the new Saint Cloche gallery in Paddington. The gallery has taken the mission of providing an art space that supports established artists, but also newer, upcoming talent the rare opportunity to display their works. Greenwood, a COFA graduate who has studied under a number of contemporary art heavyweights, will be showing her newest works from February 1 to 12. Images: Supplied.
Taking over Parramatta from October 11-14, Parramatta Lanes turns the suburb's many hidden spaces into festival sites, filled with live performances, music (you can get a taste of what's to come with this Spotify playlist, curated by The Plot), art shows, talks and — most importantly — a selection of Sydney's best gourmet eats. In between getting your cultural fixes, you'll be getting your mouth around deliciousness from all over the world, be it bowls of steaming laksa, flatbread sandwiches, traditional sweets from the Middle East or something called ice cream nachos. Over the four nights, there'll be ten food 'lanes', 30 vendors and countless dishes on offer. In short, there's a lot going on. Whether you live in the area or are planning on making the trip out there (Parramatta Station is only half an hour from Central, just FYI), here's your guide to some of the noms you can (and will) chow down on at the festival. Start planning now. EFENDY The Efendy crew, headed up by chef and owner Somer Sivrioglu, will be leaving their much-adored Balmain home to bring you a Turkish feast. Prepare for hummus with pomegranate and sujuk (spicy sausage), cha begendy (charcoal lamb cooked on a spit and served with eggplant puree) and keşkül, which is a Turkish pistachio and almond milk pudding. Where? Batman Walk — The Hidden Bazaar. SUNDWEESH Also bringing you delights from the Middle East will be Sundweesh. Founded by obsessive foodie Manar Barakat (who's been knocking about in the kitchen since she was a kid), this truck specialises in epic 'sundweeshes'. Named after the way Manar's dad pronounces 'sandwich', her version sees flatbread packed with mouthwatering combos, like kofta, tabouli and hummus, and peri peri chicken and slaw. There are veggie and vegan options, too. Where? Batman Walk — The Hidden Bazaar. KNAFEH Follow up your Middle Eastern main course with a traditional dessert from Jerusalem's streets, courtesy of the bearded bakers at Knafeh. You'll be sinking your teeth into hot, sweet cheese pastry, soaked in sugary syrup, baked and topped with pistachios. Where? Erby Place — The Oasis. ALEXANDER'S BAKERY Moving from Israel to Macedonia, Alexander's Bakery bakes traditional pastries from the Balkan country — and you'll definitely want to make a trip for these bad boys. Their burek are pretty famous (people have been known to travel from far and wide to their Rockdale bakery) and — lucky for us — they'll be setting up shop at Parramatta Lanes. Try a slice of their traditional ricotta cheese burek and slide into pastry heaven. Where? At St John's Cathedral — The Piazza. TEMASEK If it's hot, Asian spiciness you're craving, then swing by Temasek for a bowl of perfect, steaming laksa. You'll also see nasi goreng and beef rendang on the menu. You won't be disappointed with either of the three. Where? Willow Grove — The Spice Garden. THE EMPORIUM Parramatta's Tuscan-inspired wine bar and restaurant The Emporium will be showcasing its excellent regional Italian fare. Go for slow-cooked beef short rib with chimichurri and pickled zucchini roll or the perfect on-the-go snacking food: arancini. They serves theirs with tomato, basil, mozzarella, rocket and pesto. Where? Erby Place — The Oasis. BUTTER Butter will be skipping out of Surry Hills for the weekend, armed with a stack of fried chicken in shoeboxes. Line up for their epic chicken sandwich, a 3 Pac with slaw or, if you're a vego, the Biggie Shroom burger. For a side, grab a serve of laces (that is, shoestring fries with 'shitaki' spice). Where? Roxy Car Park — Slow Food, Fast Tunes. KOI If you can get through an evening at Parramatta Lanes without trying more than one dessert, then you have way too much willpower. Chippendale's Koi Dessert Bar will be hitting the festival with a selection of their impeccably good looking cakes, including mousses, slices and mini panna cotta jars. Where? Leigh Memorial Uniting Church — Sweets 'n' Beats. STROOP BROS Your next sweet stop is Stroop Bros. Run by cousins Alex and Troy, this hand-built cart delivers stroopwafel, a Dutch treat made up of two spicy waffle discs with chewy caramel sandwiches between them. It's baked on-the-spot, to order — and there are ice cream sandwiches too. Where? At Centenary Square — the Food Truck Food Court. PAPER STREET ICE CREAM At their Bateau Bay headquarters on the Central Coast, Paper Street Ice Cream pushes the boundaries of ice cream as we know it. On top of small-batch, home-made scoops with exotic flavours, like mango, lime and chilli jam, they'll be offering you ice cream cannoli and ice cream nachos. Where? Willow Grove — The Spice Garden. Parramatta Lanes will take place over four nights on October 11-14 from 5-10pm. For more information, visit parramattalanes.com.au.
As Sydneysiders, we're lucky to be situated so close to so many of Australia's most celebrated wine regions — Orange, Mudgee, Hunter Valley et al. Whether you're looking for organically-produced, family-operated, or even inner city-located, wine lovers have got it all at a stone's throw away. If you're a fan of the plonk and you're not taking advantage of NSW's seriously kickass vineyards, it's time to get those engines revving. Here are ten top notch vineyards in your own backyard, from the best wine regions in NSW. Take a few pro tips before you head along though. Cellar doors and tastings are, for the most part, free. FREE. Some you'll have to book in advance, but most just let you rock up on the day. You're not obliged to buy anything, but you do have to be polite and respectful (don't guzzle yourself into oblivion on someone's hard work). Have a chat, talk to the winemakers, taste as many wines as you like, and you'll probably buy a bottle of something — and prices are usually wholesale, so cheaper than buying it later at the bottle shop. Also, do not drive home. Have a plan. The rest? These winemakers will take you through the tasting process (novice winos are always welcome). You just have to get there. ORANGE The Orange region is known for its sophisticated winemaking and cool climate which creates wines with bright fruit and deep, balanced flavours. [caption id="attachment_565814" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] PHILLIP SHAW Lead by Orange wine pioneer Phillip Shaw himself, this family-owned and operated vineyard has been kicking goals since 1988 and they take wine very seriously — award-winning seriously. The wines are 100 percent sourced from the 47-hectare vineyard and their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both life-changing. Believe us, this is a Chardy not to be missed. A trip to the cellar door is more akin to visiting a wealthy friend's country house; the building is distinguished by a stone exterior and interior, with large share tables for tastings and stunning mountain views. You might even meet the famous Big renovations are planned for this site, and could change the game for Orange cellar doors across the board. 100 Shiralee Road, Orange; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 11am – 5pm [caption id="attachment_565815" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] SASSY WINES This single vineyard winery is family-owned and operated by husband and wife duo Rob and Felicia 'Fliss' Coles. Their signature wine, the Arneis, is an ancient Italian white varietal that dates back to the 15th century. Their newish cellar door is simple and modern, with glass walls showcasing their vineyard views. The head winemaker, none other than Peter Logan of Logan Wines, is a big part of the process; the two vineyards share grapes and techniques, the Coles taking over the process in barrel phase. 569 Emu Swamp Rd, Emu Swamp; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm KANGAROO VALLEY The Kangaroo Valley region is distinguished by its rich volcanic soil which is ideal for viticulture — aka growing grapes. YARRAWA ESTATE The winding pathway to the remote Yarrawa Estate is not an easy one to follow, but you'll be pleasantly surprise as the path opens to this lakeside vineyard. If the golden retrievers and frolicking children remind you of a visit to your family country home, well, it should — the cellar door is quite literally set in the Foster family dining room, where strangers momentarily become relatives. Apart from the incredible wine, they also offer a range of nuts, jams and pickles made from homegrown produce. Be sure to taste their homemade walnut liquor wine, a combination of both passions. 43B Scotts Rd, Upper Kangaroo River; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10.30am – 5.30pm; Sun 12.30pm – 5.30pm HUNTER VALLEY Hunter Valley is known for their Semillon and Shiraz and is easily the most popular of the NSW wine regions. BROKENWOOD This vineyard was established in 1970 and they've been turning out impressive, award-winning wines for decades. In this small barn of a cellar door, you'll find a fun and relaxed staff who are clearly passionate about winemaking, giving the place an infectious energy. It's a snob-free atmosphere where you can taste some great wines without being pushed to buy. Their Semillon is a must try, having just won best varietal of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2016, and the Cricket Pitch blends are ever-popular. Overall, the bright, airy atmosphere of the place makes it one of the more fun tastings to be had. 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sat 9.30am – 5pm and Sun 10am – 5pm TEMPUS TWO Tempus Two is one of the more famous Hunter Valley vineyards for good reason — the wine here is a high-end, classy affair and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Founded by the well-known McGuigan family, this slick, contemporary cellar door is a modern take on a country shed. The best part is that they'll let you taste the most expensive, vintage wines with no fee. The wine to try right now is their Uno Series Shiraz (2013), a cellar door exclusive. Feeling especially lavish? Set up a private tasting for up to 30 of your nearest and dearest. Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS The Southern Highlands are characterised by the long, slow ripening period and high natural acidity which gives the wines a clean finish and noticeable fruit character. TERTINI WINES A relatively young vineyard, Tertini Wines has received much acclaim since establishing itself in 2000. Their award-winning Reserve Pinot Noir is worth the trek alone and their Riesling is especially tasty with honeysuckle and green apple notes. They hand-prune and handpick their grapes, with little cropping involved. The cellar door is a simple barn attached to the vineyard, amplifying the country feel of this notable winery. Kells Creek Road, Mittagong; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm MUDGEE Mudgee styles are known for their diversity, from organic to international varietals, and turn out some seriously impressive wine for a small region. LOWE WINES For some ungodly reason, organic wine has gotten a bad rap over the years. Thankfully, Lowe Wines disproves this fallacy time and again. Owner David Lowe is extremely passionate and specialises in small-batch winemaking, his most popular varietal being the Zinfandel. The vineyard is untrellised, unirrigated and certified organic. Their wine is distributed mainly to independent bottle shops and restaurant and Lowe is truly a no-intervention grower that we'd love to see more of. Tinja Lane, Mudgee; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm HILLTOPS The Hilltops region sits atop a large granite rock, creating deep soils that are well drained and ideal for grapevines. FREEMAN VINEYARDS Freeman Vineyards uses this unique region to their advantage, providing Australia's only plantings of two northern Italian origin grape varieties – Rondinella and Corvina – which are the source of their flagship and award-winning Freeman 'Secco' wine. Their winemaking process is also unique; the grapes are dried in a neighbour's solar-powered prune dehydrator and then aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. All this work is worth it: the wine just received the Red 5-Star rating in the Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2016. 101 Prunevale Road, Prunevale; Tastings by Appointment SYDNEY CITY For the lazy Sydneysider who deserves great wine anyway. NOMAD Nomad champions the little guys in the winemaking business; they sell wine solely from local growers, giving the small producers out there the time to shine. Their cellar door offers wines that are generally not sold commercially, many of which you can also taste at their celebrated adjoining restaurant. Stop in for some charcuterie and a glass or two, or stay for the full shebang with the chef's premium share menu ($85 per person). If you're too lazy to make such a short trek, go for online delivery of these exclusive wines. 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills; Cellar Door/Restaurant Hours: Mon – Tues 6pm – 12am; Weds – Fri 12pm –2.30pm; 6pm – 12am; Sat 12pm – 2.30pm; 5.30pm – 11.30pm CAKE WINES Just opened on March 10, Cake Wines is shaping up to be Sydney's new go-to city winery. Set in a restored warehouse, the space pays homage to its industrial roots with recycled wooden furniture, barrel wall and exposed brick interior. You won't just be getting simple wine tastings here — head winemaker Sarah Burvill is running masterclasses, blending sessions and workshops. Apart from their own award-winning wines, they'll be stocking small-batch wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, all Sydney local. Add live music and late nights to the mix and you've got one out-of-the-box cellar door on your hands. 16 Eveleigh St, Redfern; Cellar Door Hours: Wed – Fri 5pm – 11pm; Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm. Honourable CBD mentions: Handpicked Cellar Door Urban Winery Sydney Top image: Nomad.
Before she'd even learnt to cook, O Tama Carey knew she wanted to open a Sri Lankan diner in Sydney. But much like the fiery afterglow of a black curry or the satisfying fermented tang of a hopper lingering on the tongue, this passion for the flavours and culture of her mother's homeland took time to bloom. Born to a Burgher family that emigrated to Australia in the 70s, Sri Lankan food was a rarity in Carey's Adelaide home growing up, reserved for special occasions or dinner parties. It wasn't until she made her first journey to Sri Lanka when she was 19 that Carey began to hear her future as a chef calling. "I had six weeks there and it was just incredible — everything I tasted just blew my mind. I remember my mum being really shocked by how much I ate because I was never much of an eater at home. We had really good cooks in my family, but I was totally uninterested in food as a kid," Carey admits as she takes a short break from the kitchen during a busy evening service. [caption id="attachment_987167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] O Tama Carey, image: Nikki To[/caption] This formative holiday was followed by a stint in London where Carey began working in hospitality in earnest, but it would take years of dabbling with recipes passed on to her from her grandmother in Perth and multiple research trips to the South Asian island before her dream of championing Sri Lankan food in Sydney could finally take shape. By the time Carey began testing, via a series of pop-ups and markets, the viability of opening a bricks-and-mortar Sri Lankan restaurant, she had already cemented an impressive reputation within Sydney's dining scene, thanks to five years working under Kylie Kwong at Billy Kwong, followed by her first head chef position at the once-legendary Italian eatery Berta, which closed its doors in 2018. Later that same year, Lankan Filling Station welcomed its first guests to a sleek and slender premises on Darlinghurst's Riley Street. With its polished concrete floors, unconventional layout and industrial-chic, minimalist aesthetic, the restaurant's look and feel already stood it apart from the small clutch of Sri Lankan eateries in Sydney at the time. As did the menu, which married an elevated bar offering (think playful signature cocktails and an impressive wine list including low-intervention bottles) with classic Sri Lankan fare showcasing punchy flavours, vibrant colours and polished executions. [caption id="attachment_683860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Parker Blain[/caption] For seven years, hoppers – the traditional bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of coconut and rice flour with a crisp yet lacy edge and a dense, spongy bottom — were the headliners at Lankan Filling Station, served alongside a kaleidoscopic array of colourful sambols — spicy Sri Lankan chutneys. You'll still find hoppers on offer today, but only on Fridays and Saturdays. The rest of the week, Carey is exploring new culinary territory, serving up riffs on Sri Lankan classics featuring native Australian ingredients. "When we first opened, the most important thing for me was to showcase classic Sri Lankan cuisine. I feel that we've achieved that — and now we get to play," Carey says of this change in direction. "We're still doing Sri Lankan flavours, but in terms of technique and the way we're cooking things, we're leaning into more modern platings. You know, my training has been all over the place, so I feel like I have the freedom now to draw on that, bring in new ideas and new elements, and see where it takes us." The curated banquet—reasonably priced at $85 per head—is the best way to experience the restaurant's latest era. It starts with an acharu plate of pickled carrot, fennel and fermented snake beans, a scene-setting appetiser that blasts the palate awake with an air horn of sweet, spicy, puckeringly sharp flavour. Next a varai (a traditional Sri Lankan prawn sambol) is reimagined as a carefully balanced canape of delicate, creamy roasted crab meat spiked with turmeric and a thrill of dry chilli, scooped up in a betel leaf. As well as the introduction of native ingredients, Carey's new menu also reaches beyond Sir Lanka's borders by drawing inspiration from a broader, pan-Asian spectrum of textures and techniques. For example, there's a morish plate of crisp, golden jackfruit cutlets served san choy bow-style in a refreshing lettuce leaf with fresh herbs and a sweet chilli dipping sauce similar to a Vietnamese nuoc cham. [caption id="attachment_850941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Some of Lankan Filling Station's greatest hits remain on the menu, notably the hot butter cuttlefish, and it's easy to see why this dish has been such a firm favourite for so many years. A tried and true crowd pleaser, it marries a wallop of heat with a more nuanced interplay of textures, as the satisfying salty crunch of a flash-fried in a rice flour batter shell gives way to the perfectly pliant, slightly sweet cuttlefish flesh beneath. Spice is a thread that ties together all the savoury dishes at Lankan Filling Station, but even the hottest plates on the menu avoid overwhelming their nuance with tortuous levels of chilli. Carey's control of heat is masterful, taking diners on a magic carpet ride as the levels of spiciness climb and dip, swooping from firey heights to mellowed-out lows with each passing dish. [caption id="attachment_987169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Take the kangaroo tail black curry for example, which perks up the senses with the sour zing of tamarind and a sweet palm-sugar edge before a big kick of intense pepperiness comes to the fore. Crowned with a garland of curry leaves, the bone-in 'roo — a criminally underrated cut — melts with a surprising richness that you simply don't find in the more ubiquitous fillets and steaks. Pro tip: also order the house-baked kade paan, served toasted and spread with an extraordinary curry leaf butter — it's perfect for sopping up the remaining dark umber slick of black curry sauce left in the bowl. Perhaps the most remarkable quality of Carey's food is the way she deftly plays with flavour — no dish is ever just sweet, just salty, just bitter. Even the desserts — a trio of delightful bites including Carey's grandmother's recipe for milk toffee and a crumbly yet moist love cake — playfully hopscotch between flavour profiles, lighting up the tongue as each chew releases another wave of complexity. This is a menu you could eat a hundred times and still find new depths and intricacies to each mouthful. [caption id="attachment_683865" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Top image: Nikki To
One underground restaurant dedicated to steak wasn't quite enough for Bistecca's James Bradey and Warren Burns. The Liquid and Larder directors, and minds behind The Wild Rover and Grandma's Bar, then opened The Gidley — an opulent basement restaurant inspired by old-school New York and London steakhouses. The subterranean setup means there are no windows and no distracting "beautiful harbour views", says Bradey. Lack of distractions is a passion of the restaurateur duo, who banned phones at the table at their original steak spot Bistecca. The same goes here, too. [caption id="attachment_751378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] Instead of Instagram, you'll be soaking up the lusciously designed space, by Darlinghurst studio Tom Mark Henry, which was made to feel like a "rabbit warren" that you could lose yourself in. Split into several rooms, including a lounge, dining area, wine bar and private room, the restaurants seats about 120 all up. Expect lots of velvet (both drapery and furnishings), along with dark timber veneer, herringbone floors and plush leather lounges — aka all those vintage steakhouse feels. Linking the space back to its home shores is the ornate wallpaper, which depicts native Australian flora and fauna. Overseeing the menu, that has its own notable throwbacks, is Bistecca Head Chef Pip Pratt. Taking inspiration from supper clubs and steakhouses, the menu heroes one dish: the Riverine black angus rib eye. Here, it's done three ways: chargrilled on-the-bone, a bourbon-glazed chop (300 grams) and a hard-to-come-by spinalis steak. To finish your steak off, douse it in your choice of roast chicken gravy, homemade barbecue sauce, cafe de Paris butter or garlic butter. While the rib eye is the star of the show, unlike Bistecca, steak isn't the sole dish vying for your attention at The Gidley. Other mains include jerk spiced charcoal squid with squid ink taramasalata, kangaroo loin with saltbush and cafe de paris and lion's mane mushroom with green peppercorn sauce and onion rings. It wouldn't be a traditional steakhouse without a burger, either — this one has a double beef patty with cheddar, pickles and optional bacon and egg. There's also a raw bar serving up the likes of oysters, caviar and prawn cocktails for starters, plus heaps of sides and salads — sizeable orders come in the form of seafood towers and a quarter suckling pig with confit potato, seeded mustard, thyme, iceberg and radicchio salad, homemade barbecue sauce, apple puree and cider jus. Desserts come with a bit of nostalgia, too, with the likes of corn and apple doughnuts, bourbon baba and buttermilk ice cream. Prefer drinking your desserts? There are plenty of sweet cocktails on offer too — take the Grasshopper Pie, made with Bulleit Rye, Archie Rose Double Malt, mint, cacao, Creme de Menthe, caramel and bitters. Since no steak is complete without a good glass of red, there's, thankfully, plenty of that. The extensive wine program is looked after by The Gidley's sommelier Seán McManus, with the 23-page list featuring many well-made drops from many well-known brands, many of which are bio-dynamic and sustainable. Bartender extraordinaire Jonothan Carr (Archie Rose, Kittyhawk, Door Knock, Burrow Bar) is pouring a "straight and stiff" array of batched and bottled cocktails at The Gidley. Expect all of your usual suspects and more creative options, including negronis for two and martinis served on silver trays. Images: Dominic Loneragan Appears in: Where to Find the Best Burgers in Sydney Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
One word: laksa. Ho Jiak's laksa is one of the absolute best in Sydney. But if you're in the mood for other Malay favourites like chilli crab, mie goreng (try it with lobster and you'll never look back) or Ipoh hor fun, then you're in luck because Ho Jiak does it all flawlessly. For the most part, the eatery makes you feel as though you're in Penang, devouring street eats — but with a few modern twists here and there (and sturdier chairs). So, if you're craving that essential street food travel experience, a visit to Ho Jiak to eat traditional recipes handed down within the family of chef Junda Khoo is worth your time. Just be sure to make a reservation because this spot has a line out the door most days. [caption id="attachment_731636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent Van Der Jagt[/caption] Highlights include the Ichi Kabin for a starter, a delicious serving of deep fried chicken wings, or the stir fried crispy fish skins with salted duck egg yolk, butter and curry leaves. From the sea try the steamed barramundi with soy sauce and shallots, while the paddock provides succulent wagyu with black pepper and oyster sauce or braised slow cooked pork in soy sauce. There's an entire menu for vegetarians to pick from too, as well as gluten free. Images: Trent van der Jagt You'll find Ho Jiak in our list of the best degustations in Sydney. Check out the full list here.
As summer starts slipping away, slowing down our beachy adventures, it's only natural that we start looking inward. And what better way to do that than by getting in touch with our inner troglodyte. Fortunately, Sydney and its surrounds offer just as many caves as they do unusual swimming holes and secluded beaches. Whether you want to escape to a remote plateau where you'll be sleeping alongside ancient grinding grooves, share your cave with an entire party or get your wallet out and go glaving (that's the caver's version of glamping, d'uh), it's all right here. FOR SPACE (OR A PARTY): PINDAR CAVE, BRISBANE WATERS If you're looking to mix up your stay with a party, Pindar might be your cave of choice. This massive sandstone overhang can shelter as many as 50 people at once. To reach it, catch a Central Coast — or Newcastle-bound train to Wondabyne Station, from where it's located three or four hours on foot. The track follows a ridge line, so the views are stunning, and right near Pindar, there's a swimming hole that's best for dipping after rain. FOR WILDERNESS: GOOCHES CRATER, WOLLANGAMBE Gooches Crater camp cave is found among spectacular scenery in the Wollangambe wilderness area. The half-day walk from Bell Station takes you along dizzying rocky outcrops, through secluded valleys, past Indigenous rock art and to the beautiful Gooches Crater. Be aware that the trail is hard to follow, so you'll need to be prepared for some bush bashing and have at least one experienced navigator in your team. Like Pindar, the cave is big enough to fit 50 sleepers comfortably. FOR RIVER VIEWS: DADDER CAVE, LOWER BLUE MOUNTAINS Dadder is located on the banks of beautiful Erskine Creek and has space for about six people. Having been utilised by savvy hikers for decades, the cave has been treated to a few renovations here and there, and so offers more infrastructure than your average overhang. There's a decent stone fireplace, bench seating and, for entertainment, a logbook. The 6 kilometre walk in starts at the Pisgah Rock car park (2.2 kilometres from the Oaks Picnic Area, on the Nepean Lookout Fire Trail). FOR CAR CAMPING: PSYN CAVE, NARROW NECK, NEAR KATOOMBA Narrow Neck, a peninsula between the Jamison and Megalong Valleys, found just south of Katoomba, is home to a bunch of caves. This is one of the easiest to reach, being just a couple of hundred metres from the Glenraphael Road car park. Psyn is one of two caves on our list that enables car camping. It's a regular hang-out for bush walkers from Sydney Uni, can shelter ten people at once and features a little waterfall. Detailed directions are available right here. FOR PROXIMITY TO A PUB: SUNDECK CAVE, MOUNT PIDDINGTON Sundeck is a popular accommodation choice for climbers and abseilers, who head to Mount Piddington to take on its sheer rock faces. Non-adrenaline junkies, however, will find plenty to interest them, including excellent sunset views and clifftop trails. What's more, it's only 300 metres from Mount Piddington Road, Mount Victoria, which means, firstly, that you can car-camp, and secondly, that the nearest pub is only 1.5 kilometres away. If you head out for a beverage, don't leave your torch behind. FOR ANCIENTNESS: 100 MAN CAVE, KANANGRA BOYD NATIONAL PARK Grinding grooves visible in the 100 Man Cave indicate that it has been in use for thousands of years. This comes as no surprise — as far as caves go, this one is particularly cosy. There's a well-protected fireplace and, if you've been battling rain and wind on the way in, spots to hang wet clothing. Reaching 100 Man Cave does require commitment, though, as it's situated on the Ti Willa Plateau, which involves one or two days' walking from Kanangra Walls car park. FOR LUXURY: HATTER'S HIDEOUT, BELL This one is actual, bona fide rental accommodation, so it doesn't come free, but it does include luxury items that you won't find in the other caves. These include a gas barbecue, an esky, cooking utensils, real tables and chairs, solar powered lighting and rainwater. Take your ukulele — the acoustics are outstanding, with the owners describing the cave as a "similar size and shape to a small shell of the Sydney Opera house". Hatter's Hideout is situated in Bell, a two hours' drive from Sydney. Find out more about it over here. FOR CITY VIEWS: LITTLE CAVE, NIELSEN PARK Clear skies and an extra-special camping buddy are necessary to make this one work. Both room and protection from the elements are limited. If either is in doubt (or sleeping open so close to the city frightens you), stick to picnicking or use Little Cave as a spot for drying off after a night swim. However you experience it, enjoy incredible views of the harbour and city for free from your own private hidey-hole.
Close your eyes and imagine French cooking. For many of us, our minds will wander to tartare de boeuf, duck à l'orange, croissants, frog legs and snails. Unfortunately, this doesn't cover the full scope of French cuisine. Much of the modern French cuisine, served outside of France, is a hollow caricature of the true nature of its national gastronomy. At Frenchies, however, it's veered away from the dishes that haunt the tourist traps along the Champs-Élysées, and instead, offers a broader adventure into the tradition of French culinary arts. The beers brewed upstairs at Frenchies deserve a review unto themselves and, luckily, there's enough time here to wax lyrically about the raspberry saison. It delicately traipses the fine line between traditional and left of field. Dishes like steak frites served on a broad, white plate, drizzled in red wine jus, with a symphony of hand-cut fries on the side, convey that food must not only be cooked to perfection (it invariably is), but it's got to look great, too. The beef casserole is served with creamy potato gratin dauphinois and is an absolute must-order in the colder months. The wine list, too, is varied to please every palate, and features a host of Australian wines that show off characteristics inherent in French winemaking. Head chef and co-owner of Frenchies Thomas Cauquil trained at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe. Together with Vincent de Soyres, business partner, fellow French expat and beer expat, he's helping to revitalise the French bistronomy scene in Sydney. But the team didn't stop there. After beer, they set their sights on buttery pastries and cafe fare with their new Frenchies Bakery & Pâtisserie just two doors down. Start your day at the bakery and then, when the sun goes down, hit up the brewery. The Frenchies team has your whole day covered. [caption id="attachment_705409" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frenchies Bistro and Brewery.[/caption] Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
"Beer and pies are a match made in heaven," says Goat Pie Guy owner and chef Mick Hobson. "The bite and flavour of hops or wheat or barley is perfect to cut through the buttery pastry and rich fillings that I make for my winter pie range." Brisbane-based bakery maestro Hobson is no stranger to mixing beer and baked goods. Rather than enjoying the two separately, Mick uses beer in his pies — there are no less than five pies on the Goat Pie Guy menu made with beer (and they're all Great Aussie Pie Competition gold medal winners). If he's using a brew in a pie recipe, Mick always matches his drinking beer too. "If it's a curry pie, I like to drink a pale ale or if it's one of my seafood pies, I always pair it with an amber ale." Mick actually uses beer in a lot of his recipes, not just pies. "Beer's an awesome base to build lively broths for seafood, rich sauces for grilled meat and lovely sweet and savoury layers in a slow braise." Certain beers with a more crisp edge, like a Little Creatures Original Pilsner, can cut through heavier, more buttery dishes, refreshing and reviving the palate, while more hoppy beers, like a Kosciuszko Pale Ale, can help you soldier on through spicy food. Let's get back to those award-winning beery pies. We're keen to test this secret ingredient for ourselves, so we asked Mick for a cheeky recipe. So what's Mick cooked up for Concrete Playground? One heck of a hearty wagyu beef and porter pie. "This one came about when I was experimenting for a meeting of brewers and meat merchants. It was important that both parties had their produce showcased in the best possible way so I decided to highlight the chocolatey flavours in the porter by caramelising it with the onions and adding the figs for extra sweetness. The beef flavour was intensified with allspice, black pepper and rosemary. Then I tossed them in a pot together, filled it with porter and crossed my fingers for six hours! And man, was it worth the wait." Let's do this. MICK HOBSON'S WAGYU BEEF AND PORTER PIE Ingredients: 2 medium brown onions sliced 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 50g raw sugar 1kg diced wagyu brisket 3 litres beef stock 60ml olive oil 4 sprigs rosemary chopped 2 bay leaves 10g cracked black pepper 15g allspice 150g dried figs 3.5 bottles James Squire Jack of Spades Porter 150g corn flour 1 egg whisked for brushing 4 sheets of shop bought shortcrust pastry (Borgs is a good brand) 2 sheets of shop bought puff pastry (Borgs is good for puff too) *(If you want to make your own shortcrust my recipe is below) Heat half olive oil in a heavy base pot. Brown onions in oil, add half a 330ml bottle of James Squire Jack of Spades Porter, balsamic vinegar, diced figs and sugar and reduce until sticky, then remove from pot and set aside. Heat remaining oil in the same pot and brown beef in small batches adding more oil as needed. Add all beef back into pot along with black pepper, allspice and chopped rosemary. Stir on low heat to completely coat beef. Add caramelised onion mixture, bay leaves, stock and porter. Bring to the boil then let simmer on low for three to four hours until beef can be cut with a fork. Combine corn flour with enough water to dissolve, and pour in slowly as you stir to thicken. You might like to add more or less corn flour depending on how thick you like your gravy. Grease pie tins with butter and line with shortcrust pastry, leaving a little overhang. Fill with thickened pie mixture and brush pastry edge with egg mixture. Cut puff pastry lids to suit base size and place on top, crimp base and top together with fingertips or a fork. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a cold James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. *Shortcrust Pastry 1 250g plain flour 125g unsalted butter, chilled, finely chopped 1 egg, chilled Process flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk egg and one tablespoon chilled water in a bowl until combined, then with food processor motor running, add to flour mixture. Process until mixture begins to form large clumps, stopping machine before mixture forms a ball. Turn pastry out on to a work surface and knead gently to bring together. Form into a disc for a round tart or into a log shape for a rectangular tart. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours. Roll out to 3-4mm thickness and cut out required size. If you love discovering more things you can do with beer (and some surprising facts, like beer being 99.9 percent sugar free), visit www.beerthebeautifultruth.com. You'll find information on fusing beer and food, matching different styles of beer with your meals, and how particular foods can enhance the distinct flavours of a well-brewed beer. You can even learn a few nutritional myths around beer, and bust 'em while you're at it.
The fact Ormeggio at The Spit in Mosman's D'Albora Marina has a ten-metre-long marble cocktail and gelato bar (staples at restaurants in southern Italy) should give you some idea of its authenticity. Everything here is legit, from the stucco walls and aforementioned bar to the menu: meat-free as of June 2020 (southern Italians don't eat much meat), featuring instead seafood caught by fisherman who sell it right at the wharf, as well as focaccia made in-house and taking no less than 22 hours. Finish with one of six flavours of gelato, each inspired by a different Italian dessert. To start with, the a la carte menu includes handpicked North Queensland mud crabs with a polenta tartlet and sweet corn, as well as daily market oysters with chardonnay vinegar. To share, try the Fremantle octopus cooked over charcoal or the house-made tagliolni with scallops crudo and turnip tops. Chef's selections at Ormeggio include lightly smoked Western Australian scampi with salted brioche and pistachio, or the daily catch with ocean trout roe, orange and dill. Finish off with the buttermilk gelato with cacao crumble and mint. The venue is making the most of its epic waterfront views with a sunset happy hour for the month of September 2023 from 5–6pm. Guests can enjoy classic cocktails, reduced BYO wine corkage and a Quick Picks menu with special items, not on the standard menu. Book your spot on the website now. Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
There has to be something magical about Sweet Belem's Portuguese tarts that keeps people coming back. Maybe it's because it strays from tradition and serves them warm and a little bit singed, with gooey, slightly caramelised custard that melts on your tongue, or maybe it's the satisfying crisp of layered, golden pastry. Either way, the folk at Sweet Belem serve over 1,000 of these little gems a day, often selling out too soon. At just a few dollars a pop, it's worth heading to Petersham — known as 'Little Portugal' to buy some — if only for a box of these little bowls of joy alone. Aside from the pastel de nata, there are croissants, milk bread, classic palmiers, Portuguese lamingtons and birthday cakes. You can also stop in and enjoy a coffee with your vanilla slice. And if you've got a birthday or a baby shower coming up, and would like it catered, Sweet Belem has you covered. Its catering menu includes the famous tarts, as well as raspberry mousses, apple puff pastries, chocolate brownies, raisin scrolls, a great range of doughnuts and large cakes, including orange almond cakes and baked chocolate tarts. Images: Sweet Belem by Socialmediasoup
They say that every cloud has a silver lining. While that mightn't seem the case when it comes to Sydney's lockout laws and the corresponding liquor licensing, the change in legislation has made way for smaller, neighbourhood focused wine bars You know the type: great spaces tended to by passionate sommeliers, who create exciting and engaging wine lists. For drinkers wanting to learn about natural or minimal intervention wines, take a crash course in vermouth or eagerly drink the length and breadth of Australian plonk, there's something for everyone in this great city of ours. Here's Sydney's top ten wine bars with a specific vinous vision.
Since 1998, Maggio's Cafe in Sydney's Cammeray has been pumping out traditional Italian pastries and cakes to devout customers who keep coming back for more. But while foodies know this as a destination to get some of the city's best cannoli, ricotta cheesecakes and chocolate tortes, few are keyed into Maggio's breakfast and lunch offerings. And that's a travesty. Its signature dish, Maggio's Eggs, is the perfect combination of Italian cooking's simplicity and Australia's particular style of brunch. You get a couple of poached eggs served in a fresh tomato and basil sauce for just $15. Think of it like a shakshuka made by Nonna. You can also go for a bacon and egg roll ($12.50), chilli scrambled eggs ($16.50) served with grilled broccolini and feta or the corn and halloumi fritters ($18.50). As this is known as a haven for sweet-toothed foodies, you also have got to check out the pancakes ($15.50) topped with fluffy mascarpone cream, seasonal fruit, crushed granola and orange maple syrup. Come lunch, these guys also smash out rustic pizzas ($19–22) and a revolving menu of pasta dishes — with homemade lasagne hitting the specials board every now and then. Alternatively, you can simply grab a panini ($19 — made from its bakery's own bread) or some fresh salads ($15.50–18.50) to have a light bite in the arvo. Either dine inside the Sydney café — getting served by the ever-friendly family members who run the show — or get any of the food options to take away. Maggio's is one of the best cafes in Sydney thanks to its phenomenal pastry and cake options as well as brunch and lunch menus that champion traditional Italian cooking. Do Nonna proud and give this one a go. Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney
The three musketeers at The Grifter Brewing Company have been around the block. After starting off contract brewing out of Young Henrys back in 2012 and creating beers for the likes of Noma for their 2016 Australian residency, these gents have been busy over the past few years. The name itself refers to the teams' background as home brewers. "The name Grifter was a suggestion from a friend," says brewer Glenn Wignall, who is one of three behind Grifter, along with co-brewer Matt King and designer Trent Evans. "A grifter is a bit of a shady guy and since we came from a home brewing background, with no formal education in brewing, we felt it kind of fit." After purchasing the YH equipment they first brewed out of and opening their Marrickville brewery at the tail-end of 2015, the three friends opened an impressive cellar door that is a community favourite. The brewery is a great addition to the Marrickville craft beer family with Batch Brewing Company just around the corner. The eight-tap bar is located in a high-ceiling warehouse that maintains an industrial and minimalist fit-out. The brick bar was handmade with friends and family, as was most of the taproom, with the exception of the benchtops, which are the handiwork of Brisbane carpenters Blackwood Collective. Meanwhile, the pool room — an ode to their relationship with Cricketers Arms — is singular among the Sydney craft breweries and a draw card in itself. The main draw, of course, is The Grifter Brewing Co's beer — and the brewery is a haven for local collaboration. The super exclusive Landlord Old Ale, created for Noma Australia using roasted macadamia nuts, has previously been on tap at the brewery, along with their Serpent's Kiss — a watermelon pilsner made with the team at Frankie's — and a Cobra coffee brown ale using beans from local roasters The Golden Cobra. The brewery's exclusive taps allow for experimentation alongside their core range. "There's a freedom in our beer that gives us a chance to try something different and always have something new on tap for people to try," says King. Their core range, including the Omen oatmeal stout, the Big Sur IPA and the Pink Galah, are all worth visiting for in themselves. The Grifter Brewing Co doesn't serve any food on site but you are more than welcome to order in or BYO. If you haven't already visited as part of our DIY Brewery Walking Tour, it's time to get those sneaks on. Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
The massive revamp of the heritage-listed Rozelle Tram Depot now features a European-inspired market hall lined with bespoke retailers, from butchers and bakers to fried chicken and fresh pasta makers. Basically, it's enough to make your eyes weep with sweet, sweet happiness tears (and maybe some of anxious indecision). Each of the retailers — which include some of Sydney's biggest food names, as well as some newbies — have created a stunning space to serve their nosh, with most offering takeaway as well as produce to take home and cook. There's a supermarket, a nail salon and a gym, but the food is where it's at. It's open seven days a week for brekkie, lunch and dinner, so there's ample opportunity for gorging. Quasi celebrity chef Jared Ingersoll (ex-Danks Street Depot) is behind this Butcher and the Farmer, and considering his last few ventures — helming the kitchen at Hunter & Barrel and Barrel and Beast pop-up — were focused on meat, it seems like a natural progression for him to open a butcher. Although this isn't your ordinary butcher. You can head in to pick up some top-quality cuts of meat, but it's also a huge all-day 300-seat restaurant. When they open today, they'll be serving up whole animals roasted over coal as well as an impressive charcuterie and pickle selection. They also have a private dining option which is inside a motherflipping tram. Bekya is doing an Egyptian-Middle Eastern menu in a mezzanine-like area filled with greenery. They make their own flatbread, and you've got to try the koshari, which is a beautiful mess of lentils, rice, macaroni, chickpeas, tomato salsa and fried onions. It's delicious. Garçon is a new cafe from The Little Marionette team. It sits at the entrance so you can enter either through Tramsheds or without entering the venue proper, so it's your go-to for a takeaway or sit-in coffee — it has some really awesome amphitheatre-like cushioned seating arrangement around the coffee roaster. Best part is, they'll turn into a bar at night serving espresso martinis. If you've been to A Tavola in either Darlinghurst or Bondi, you'll know what to expect at Flour Eggs Water. But like the name suggests, the main focus at Tramsheds is pasta. They have a pretty epic pasta-making setup on display to everyone walking past, and you can both sit down for a bowl of the good stuff, or take it away to cook at home. Bodega has some of the best seats at Tramsheds. We mean that quite literally — their custom-made stools that line the bar are really, really nice. This is an offshoot of Bodega in Surry Hills, and the teams from the restaurant and Porteño have created a tapas menu that's very well-suited to the whole Tramsheds vibe. Plus, there's a wine store. Oskaka Trading Co. comes from the Tokyo Bird team. Like their Darlo restaurant, Osaka is doing some killer Japanese cocktails and bar food. They're serving up a potentially life-changing scallop with sweet soy butter and a really, really good gin yuzu cocktail with honey. Tramsheds also has its very own fish and chippie in Fish & Co. All the fish here is wild-caught using sustainable fishing practices, and you can eat in take away or buy your own fish to cook at home. Definitely get the beer-battered fish with the rosemary chips. Dust has to be the best, most whimsical name for a bakery ever. The guy behind it, Cesare Salemi, is just as whimsical when it comes to talking about bread. He loves it. He's been baking in his family's bakery basically all his life, but this is a totally new venture. The space will operate as a bakery where you can buy your daily loaf o' sourdough, but it will also serve breakfast and lunch, as well as wood-fired pizzas at night. Gelato Messina has their own digs here too. Nothing new here, folks — just another notch in Messina's Sydney domination belt. They'll do all the regular scoops as well as cakes. Mama's Buoi has their third Sydney outlet (they've got restaurants in Surry Hills and Crows Nest) and this one is doing pretty much the same thing. They're serving up casual Vietnamese food and Asian-inspired cocktails. If you're looking for something that resembles a pub meal, Sir Chapel is your best bet. Restaurateur Tom Chidiac will serve up hearty bistro-style food alongside a selection of Australian craft beers — including one they'll brew on-site.
In 2010, director Matthew Vaughn gave us his tongue-in-cheek take on the superhero genre with the hyperactive action-comedy, Kick-Ass. Five years later, he turns his attention to the spy movie, with similarly electrifying results. Adapted, as was Kick-Ass, from a graphic novel by Mark Millar, Kingsman: The Secret Service is popcorn entertainment at its finest: funny, exciting and immaculately paced, never once bogged down by grit or self-importance. Colin Firth crackles as Agent Harry Hart, a gentleman spy for a privately run espionage agency operating “at the highest levels of discretion”. After the death of a colleague, Hart finds himself on the trail of nefarious billionaire Richmond Valentine (a lisping Samuel L. Jackson), whose plan to save the planet may come at the expense of the people living on it. At the same time, Hart also finds himself mentoring teenaged hoodlum Eggsy (Taron Egerton), in whose defiant eyes he sees a glimmer of Kingsman potential. Vaughn shoots the film with the giddiness of a 12-year-old, one who just stepped out of his very first spy movie with dreams of saving the world. The antithesis of the Craig-era Bond flicks, Kingsman never tries to justify its own absurdity, but rather rockets along with such irreverent energy that you can’t help but get caught up in all the fun. Explosions of over-the-top violence dominate the second half, although it’s all far too cartoonish to cause any serious offence. The action is propelled by a rousing orchestral score, courtesy of regular Vaughn collaborators Matthew Margeson and Henry Jackman. The movie’s cast is excellent across the board. Firth could play a suit-clad toff in his sleep, but he also makes for a surprisingly convincing action hero — and listening to him drop F-bombs while dispatching thugs with his umbrella is a singular pleasure no other film can provide. Jackson is a job as the villain of the piece, while young Egerton has the makings of a star. Mark Strong and Michael Caine round out the ranks of the secret service, although it’s a shame that the latter isn’t given a little bit more to do. After a January packed with high-minded Oscar films, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a much needed blast of fresh air. If you’re looking for a fun night out at the movies, don’t hesitate to pick up a ticket.
Hidden down a laneway in the CBD's vibrant YCK Laneways precinct is a cosy wine and cocktail basement bar from Natalie Ng, the mind behind intimate inner-city fave Door Knock, alongside co-owner Locky Peach. Now and Then — located a stone's throw from the QVB, Town Hall Station and Darling Harbour — serves up new-age drinks and tried-and-true throwbacks in equal proportions. On the drinks front, the venue boasts a solid cocktail and wine offering across its two drinks lists dubbed — yep, you guessed it — 'Now' and 'Then'. On the modern side of the menu, you'll find funkier wines, whether that be a skin contact or a chilled red, as well as more boundary-pushing cocktails, craft beers and Mango White Claws for all of the seltzer fans. Over on the more traditional section, you'll discover seasonal sherry cobblers, caipiroskas, Coopers Sparkling Red Ale and a selection of more traditional vinos including sav blanc, pinot noir, rosé and Perrier-Jouët Brut by the glass. On the short and snappy snacks menu are dishes like the panko-crumbed ham hock croquette with mustard aioli and pickled cauliflower; lobster and prawn vol-au-vents; devilled eggs with black bean salsa; and pomme dauphine with smoked trout. There are also daily specials for only $12. The venue is majestically decked out with plush floral seating and wallpaper adorned with ferns, so whimsical you'll soon forget you're underground in the busiest part of Sydney. Live music sessions and DJs are on rotation each Friday and Saturday night. Check the venue's Instagram for lineup announcements as well as themed nights and special events. Images: Natalie Ng
It's no secret that few things get us excited as food and booze. But one place in particular is getting us really, really excited. When it opens later this year, Brix will not only serve booze — it will make it on-site. It's set to be the first craft distillery to make rum in Sydney in over 200 years. Rum? Yes, rum. We're all pretty up to speed and pumped about locally distilled gin, thanks to the likes of (the game-changing and continually impressive) Archie Rose Distillery, but rum, generally speaking, is yet to infiltrate our collective craft spirit radar. Brix will be a working distillery, shop, barrelling room and bar. It won't open for another few months, but we got a sneak peek into the construction site on Bourke Street in Surry Hills. The three passionate guys behind the whole thing are James Christopher, Damien Barrow and Siddarth Soin, and they're justifiably enthused about seeing their vision — which has been over three years in the making — come to life. The co-founders are old friends (and are also partners in Cammeray's popular local restaurant Public) and together they want to change the people's attitude to rum. Like a lot of spirits that we potentially had a bad experience with and wrote off for eternity, rum could do with a bit of a lift in reputation — and these might be the guys to do it. "People can come in and learn about the versatility of the product of rum, how it's made and the nuances of the different styles and flavour profiles," Barrow says. Part of their job will be to educate the public about the diversity of the spirit, which runs from a clear rum in a mojito to a syrupy spiced rum. "Or an aged rum, similar to whiskey — you can have it on the rocks and it has all the complexity to match — but it's not really widely appreciated in that way," adds Soin. Grounded in transparency, the Brix experience is about changing the perception of rum in our culture and, according to Barrow, "celebrating its rich history via re-education, all the way through to appreciation". The venue will feature a fully working distillery with a 1200-litre still and will be overseen by a master distiller. They will start by distilling a white rum, turn one into a spiced rum and one into an aged. All will be available to buy as they will be bottling their own new-to-market craft rum product. It'll also be put into drinks as well as learning about the process in tours, tastings and private barrelling sessions with the head distiller, where guests can even buy their own 20-litre barrel of rum to take home. Words like "craft" and "local" are bandied about, but the team behind Brix are doing things authentically, from the copper of the still being Australian-sourced, to the menu that features predominately local and craft spirits, beer and wine. The barrels used in ageing are sourced from the Hunter Valley and the base product of sugar cane or molasses is sourced nationally. The spiced rum will also use native Australian spices and botanicals. As well as its own haul, Brix will have a 'rum wall' with over 100 varieties from around the world. The grand space, which has been designed by interior design firm Amber Road, will integrate the open production of the distillery into the aesthetic, as well as showcasing the raw ingredients as they arrive. There'll be a more intimate mezzanine barrelling room overlooking the still upstairs, and an open kitchen with counter dining, banquette seating and bar tops fitting around 80 people on the ground level. Brix won't be a restaurant, but "food will still be important" — the team is still nutting out the menu. It'll open from midday to midnight six days a week, and are hoping to swing the doors open in the middle of the year. As for the name, 'brix' is a measurement of sugar in a liquid and is actually part of the rum making process. "At some point the distiller has to measure the brix of the liquid he's about to throw yeast into," Christopher explains. So what is the rum making process, in short? "Rum is made from sugar cane juice or molasses that is fermented, then yeast is added to produce alcohol. "It's then boiled at a temperature below boiling water, which makes the alcohol evaporate, leaving water behind, the alcohol goes into the column of the still as a gas, which is re-condensed, turning back into the clear liquid," he says. It can then be aged, spiced, mixed and blended at the hand of a distiller, and as Barrow says, "it's science up to a certain point, when it comes out of the still, and then it's an art — that's when the craft element comes in". And if you skimmed over all the sciencey part of that explanation, fear not — things will make a lot more sense at the distillery. Perhaps one of the most promising aspects of this pending opening is the fact that this is the first producer wholesale license to be granted in Sydney since the relaxation of the free zone laws. The approval of this venue shows real hope for the reinvigoration of our beloved and embattled hospitality scene. Damien says, the City of Sydney was "incredibly responsive and cooperative, in fact we'd like to tip our hat to them and say thanks". As we said, a fair bit to be excited about. Brix Distillers will open around mid-year at 352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. We'll keep you updated on an opening date and you can check brixdistillers.com. Images: Ming D.
Pull on those Blundstones, the great outdoors are calling. Sydneysiders love a good trek and we're lucky enough to have so many great hiking tracks right in our backyard. The best among these is arguably the Blue Mountains, but with so many trails and paths to traipse, choosing is the hard part. From easy day hikes to hardcore overnighters, the Blue Mountains have it all. We're bringing you a few of our favourite ways to break in those hiking boots. [caption id="attachment_574861" align="alignnone" width="1280"] NSW National Parks.[/caption] CLIFF TOP WALKING TRACK How far: 6km/3.5 hours return Difficulty level: Medium What you'll see: Yellow-tailed black cockatoos and king parrots What to bring: A packed lunch and your binoculars The Cliff Top Walking Track starts at Govetts Leap lookout and takes you around a heart-racing, cliffside walk toward Evans Lookout. This trek offers the best views over Grose Valley and is also a birdwatcher's dream trail, so be sure to bring your binoculars along — the yellow-tailed black cockatoos and king parrots are both regularly spotted. The heath is also dotted with colourful wildflowers in spring, when you can catch the white-naped honeyeater. If you're trekking during winter, this trail is ideal to keep warm with the sun shining from the east. For waterfall chasers, stop off at Barrow Lookout, a true stunner. Don't forget to pack lunch and enjoy a picnic at Evans Lookout before retracing your steps back to the start. GREAT ROUND WALK How far: 6km/about two hours round trip Difficulty level: Medium What you'll see: A 'best of' the Blue Mountains What to bring: Sturdy hiking boots and a camera If you're looking for a day trip that will combine a few adventures, check out Scenic World's Great Round Walk, which includes the Scenic Skyway, Prince Henry Cliffwalk, Giant Staircase and Federal Pass. Start by picking up your Unlimited Discovery Pass and jump on the Scenic Skyway across to the East Station. Suspended 270 metres in the air across the canopies, the cable cars overlook ancient ravines, an optimal view from the glass floor. Travellers will also catch 360-degree views across Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley. After you've enjoyed your easy ride, strap on those hiking boots and take the walk to Echo Point where you can shout your greetings to the Three Sisters. From there, the Grand Stairway awaits you — 1000 steps of a harrowing descent to the rainforest floor. This final walk, a small portion of the Federal Pass, will take you back to the Railway platform, where you can ride the world's steepest train (backwards) right back to the top. [caption id="attachment_574869" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] NATIONAL PASS How far: 5.4km/3.5 hours return Difficulty level: Hard What you'll see: Dry eucalypt forest, Grand Stairway What to Bring: Sturdy hiking boots and water National Pass is perhaps the most epic of all the Blue Mountains day treks. The hike is literally built into the side of the cliff, so can be a bit harrowing at times. It also offers some of the best views of the Jamison Valley and its surrounding cliffside, which is why so many make the trek regardless. The adventure begins at Conservation Hut, which will first lead you to Queen Victoria Lookout — perched atop a roaring waterfall, it overlooks sandstone cliffs. The trek down to the Valley of the Waters will lead you to the historic Grand Stairway. Built by hand in the early 1900s, the climb up is a difficult one, so hikers should be prepared and in fairly good shape. The walk will then take you to the Wentworth Falls and Jamison Lookouts, where you can picnic or take the remainder of the loop back to Conservation Hut. [caption id="attachment_550497" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Neil Saunders.[/caption] SIX FOOT TRACK How far: 45km/three days, two nights Difficulty level: Medium to hard What you'll see: Jenolan Caves, Aboriginal corroboree site What to Bring: Full camping gear Featured as one of our five best overnight hikes, Six Foot Track goes from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves. While experienced hikers can do the trip in two days, most travellers should stick with the recommended three-day, two-night hike. The trail begins at the iconic Explorers Tree and follows an 1884 heritage horse track, offering a varied landscapes of heath, woodlands and rainforest. Hikers have the option to camp along the track at the dedicated campgrounds — Old Ford Reserve, Cox's River, Black Range and Allum Creek — or to pitch their tents within the bushland itself. Wildlife is everywhere on this track, including kangaroos, echidnas and wombats, so be respectful and enjoy your proximity to nature. During the trek, be sure not to miss the last recorded site of the ancient Gundungurra corroboree (Aboriginal dance ceremony) or the secluded Boonie Doon Falls. From Megalong Valley, you'll cross the harrowing Bowtells Swing Bridge, climbing the range, and finish at the majestic Jenolan Caves. One of the world's oldest cave systems, they date back at least 340 million years. Once you're done exploring, hop on the afternoon minibus that will return you to Katoomba. [caption id="attachment_574863" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andrii Slonchak.[/caption] LEURA CASCADES How far: 1km - 4.5km return Difficulty level: Easy to medium What you'll see: Bridal Veil Falls, catbird, wompa pigeon What to bring: A picnic lunch and bathers Located at the start (or the end) of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Leura Cascades is a serine picnic spot surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees. Take a short walk along the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls, where you can bathe if the pool is full, or relax on the rocks at the bottom of the falls. Several walks can be accessed from here, so if you're looking to go for a longer track, take the Fern Bower Circuit — a 4.5km loop, this moderately challenging track takes hikers along an impressive cliff line and down to the lush Jamison Valley. The cliffs of Echo Point are also accessible from this track, as is the Leura Forest. The dense canopy is peaceful and well worth the easy trek — you may even catch a glimpse of the catbird or wompa pigeon. Top image: Jon Ottosson.
It's a sad day when you want to visit Japan (so, so bad — we know) but you can't find sale flights that match up with your annual leave dates. Or you can't find sale flights at all. Or even if you could find sale flights, it's just not gonna happen. Luckily, Sydney is one Australian city that's bursting with Japanese culture. You just have to know where to look to fill your life with Japanese-style ceramics, stationery, fabrics, furniture, kitchen sponges... Here are ten of the best spots to get you started. MUJI Let's start with the obvious. MUJI. The name comes from Mujirushi Ryōhin, translated as 'no brand quality goods'. Founded in Japan in 1980 as "an antithesis to the habits of consumer society at the time", MUJI first opened in Australia in 2015. And rejoice the people did. No longer do Australians have to travel overseas to marvel at their clever designs, sustainable ethos and beautiful solutions for small homes. On that — somehow being called the 'Japanese Ikea' doesn't quite do MUJI justice. Even if simply for the fact that it is a pleasure to enter, and linger, in the store. If you haven't got there yet, treat yourself. You'll likely be greeted by the scent of diffused bergamot, a minimal celtic violin soundtrack, and cascades of linen — and likely to leave with a beautiful object you never knew you wanted (ceramic ginger grater, we're looking at you). Level 1, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney CHEF'S ARMOURY Is the reason you don't have the cash for Japan flights right now that you've decided to enter the adult world of real cookware, and buy yourself an actually sharp knife? Congratulations. This is the place for you. Arm yourself with one of their beautiful knives and your tomato-squashing-not-slicing days are over. But what we really want is a konro — one of their portable, traditional Japanese charcoal barbecue. They sell an assortment of binchotan, or white charcoal, to fill the konro. Chefs say cooking over binchotan coals adds a uniquely delicious flavour to meats and vegetables. Binchotan afficionados say it also deodorises your cupboards and whitens your teeth, but that's another story. If there's something to upstage a Weber, it's gotta be one of these. 105-107 Percival Road, Stanmore [caption id="attachment_592264" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @kinokuniya_sydney[/caption] BOOKS KINOKUNIYA Up one flight of stairs from MUJI lies one of the best bookshops in Sydney, and not just because of its impressive range of Japanese titles. From the in-house Black Star Pastry cafe to the dazzling range of books across just about every topic, in English, Japanese and many other languages, this is an excellent place to spend an hour — or a whole afternoon. Tip: subscribe to their mailing list for regular giveaways, as well as discount offers on their books. Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney SEEHOSU Design lovers will know the name Naoto Fukasawa. A Japanese industrial design heavyweight, his creations and thinking have influenced creatives and companies alike, including Apple (take a look at his famous toaster. Now take a look at your Macbook charger. Just saying). You can find some of the products he's collaborated on in Sydney fine furniture store SeeHoSu. They're the distributor of Japanese furniture brand Maruni, which works with designers including Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and other Japanese talents. Their range of beautiful, understated furniture is sure to inspire you — it's worth a visit just to look. Shop 1, 137-141 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills GINGKO LEAF Chrysanthemum porcelain plates. Cedar chopsticks. Japanese forest flower soap. The kind of wind chimes that fill you with light and zen clarity, rather than the desire to do something unkind to your neighbour whose balcony they hang from. Need we say more? This shop is for household items what SeeHoSu is for furniture. Their philosophy is that tools and equipment used daily should be minimal, practical and beautiful, referenced in the Japanese conceptual term yo-no-bi or "beauty through use". In case you or someone you love has the occasion to benefit from a gift registry, they offer this too. 22 Queen Street, Woollahra THE JAPAN FOUNDATION OK, so it's not really a shop. But have you visited The Japan Foundation's library? Settled into new digs in Sydney's Central Park, the Japanese government's cultural organisation in Sydney is no stuffy office building. Their public library has beautiful views, comfortable chairs and free wifi, not to mention the swathes of interesting Japanese books and reading material on offer (in English and Japanese). The Japan Foundation also organises the annual Japanese Film Festival, visiting this year Sydney from November 17-27, as well as art exhibitions and other cultural happenings throughout the year. If you're thirsty for more, check out their Japanese language courses on offer. Term Four starts on October 10. Level 4, Central Park, 28 Broadway, Chippendale DAISO Got time to kill in the CBD? Head along George Street and you'll be rewarded — more than 200,000 products at $2.80 each await. Not quite the same philosophy as MUJI, but for another equally authentic Japanese shopping experience (stationery, anyone?) you can't quite pass up a trip to Daiso. The shower curtains are really quite nice, too. Regent Place Lot 1, 501 George Street, Sydney MARUYU A favourite pit-stop on the way home for many Japan-lovers working in the CBD, step in the doorway of this unassuming grocery store and marvel at the choices before you! Whether it's basics like kewpie mayonnaise, or more specialist ingredients like shio-kōji (umami rice malt seasoning), Maruyu has the Japanese groceries you never knew you needed. Staff even offer to source that hard-or-impossible-to-find product you're searching for and order it in. Shoppers are even occasionally rewarded with a free green-tea ice cream or tote bag for spending over a certain, typically modest, amount. 537-539 Kent Street, Sydney CERAMIC STUDIO EN If you have visited Japan, you'll know their pottery and ceramics are something else. Sitting at a tiny bar in Shinjuku, order sake and you'll likely be offered a tray of uniquely beautiful ceramic cups. Choose the one that most appeals to you, say kampaii, refill and repeat. Back in Australia, there's no reason to let this little pleasure slide. Ceramic Studio En fires and sells handcrafted Japanese pottery right in Artarmon. You can even make something yourself. Whether it's your very own porcelain sake set, or a Sunday ceramics class, they've got you sorted. 28 Elizabeth Street, Artarmon EDO ARTS A warehouse full of Japanese treasures? Yes please. From delicate vintage kimono and textiles to heavyweight chests, painted lacquer folding screens, the soaring ceilings of this warehouse are (just) big enough to hold it all. Edo Arts caters for both indoor and outdoor spaces. And there's something for every budget — but be warned, if you're lucky enough to spy one of the Japanese step chests that sometimes come in, you might start wondering how much is justifiably spent on one piece of furniture. Ever ceramics fans, we also love the unique pottery pieces on display, whether it's a tiny, beautifully glazed vase, or an intricately painted sake bottle. Owner Paul spends three months each year hunting down the finest Japanese wares he can find — he even offers to keep an eye out for you on his travels if there's something special you're looking for. 321 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills
If you're keen to score good deals on flights and accommodation, then it's never too early to start planning next year's international adventure. Chances are, though, that between Christmas shopping and hitting the beach, you don't have a lot of spare time on your hands. So, we've done some research for you. Here are ten spots around the world that are definitely worth a visit in 2018. For spectacular scenery, head to the Azores Islands off Portugal; for incredible colonial architecture and watery sunsets, try Cartagena in Colombia or Valletta in Malta; for world-class cocktails and Gordon Ramsay-defeating laksa, make tracks to Singapore; and for a live music marathon, there's New Orleans, which is gearing up to celebrate its 300th anniversary. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA New Orleans turns 300 this year, so prepare for the shindig of all shindigs. Official tricentennial events include gigs, art exhibitions, parties, film screenings and more. There's a block party dedicated to Martin Luther King, a burlesque opera celebrating Tabasco sauce and a concert telling the story of jazz history, among loads of other happenings. 2018 will also mark 13 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, but rebuilding has been extensive and tourist numbers have recovered to pre-2005 numbers (about 10 million visitors annually). In between anniversary parties, head to Bourbon Street for a 24/7 music festival, St Claude Avenue for jazz bars and Royal Street for art galleries. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO With a population of more than 21 million, Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world. Once considered a place to avoid, on account of its high crime rate and even higher pollution levels, the metropolis has transformed over the past few years. Public spaces have opened up to emphasise majestic architecture; restaurants and cantinas are flourishing; art exhibitions, live gigs and museum are countless. Be sure to visit the Palacio Nacional, famous for the Diego Rivera murals which convey Mexico's history from the moment the Quetzalcóatl (a serpent god of the Aztecs) arrived to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Like Mexico City, Colombia was once struck off many travellers' lists for fear of kidnappings, guns and cocaine deals. However, it too, has gone through a bit of a renaissance. The country's most beautiful city is Cartagena, which you'll find on the northern coast, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Expect dreamy sunsets, stunning 16th century architecture, brightly-coloured flowers and old-fashioned horse and cart. A short boat ride away are the Rosario Islands, part of a national park that offers exceptional snorkelling and diving. Other spots for underwater aficionados include the Providencia and Santa Catalina islands: the gateway to the world's biggest coral reef system. [caption id="attachment_650530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SDSU[/caption] AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL The extraordinarily beautiful Azores Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,360 kilometres west of Portugal. They form one of the nation's two autonomous regions, the other being Madeira. If you're looking for a nature-centric holiday, this is the place to go to. You'll be wandering along calderas covered in greenery and filled with sparkling lakes, lazing about on subtropical beaches watching out for whales and dolphins (year-round), diving among loggerhead turtles and blue sharks, and walking through intricate cave systems. Even though the Azores are becoming more popular with visitors, the natural environment continues to be well protected by the locals — only 5% has been developed. VALLETTA, MALTA Valletta is the capital of Malta, an island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 80 kilometres south of Italy and 284 kilometres east of Tunisia. Described by locals as "the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen", it was created in just 15 years from 1566 — entirely by hand. Not only the complex architecture — dotted with forts, churches, palaces, fountains, sculptures, hidden gardens and narrow alleyways — is spectacular, but the location, too. Valletta covers the rugged Mount Sceberras peninsula, which is flanked by two deep, steep harbours. [caption id="attachment_651184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robinson[/caption] SHEFFIELD, UK Sheffield? You're probably thinking gloomy weather, industrial cityscapes and, of course, steel. While all these things are or have been true of this Northern English city, there's a lot more to it. Firstly, Sheffield is the happiest city in the UK, according to a 2013 survey. Secondly, there's a happening arts scene, which has given rise to several big bands, including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp and Def Leppard. The theatre complex is also the largest outside of London. Thirdly, extensive redevelopment during past few years has added loads of greenery and, if you're keen to get deeper into nature, the Peak District National Park is just next door. [caption id="attachment_651175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Göran Höglund[/caption] LAYA, BHUTAN While we're on the topic of happiness, let's talk about Bhutan. This tiny Himalayan nation, which lies just east of Nepal, is famous for measuring progress in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On top of meeting lots of friendly people, you'll find yourself surrounded by dramatic mountain scapes, ancient monasteries and prayer flags. If you can, venture to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement — and one of the highest in the world — at 3,800 metres. It's home to just 3,000 indigenous Layap people and every October hosts the Royal Highlander Festival, a celebration of their unique culture. [caption id="attachment_651085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasmine Crittenden[/caption] SINGAPORE Have you always struck Singapore off your list because it's "boring" and "sterile"? Such things are often said of this island city found just south of Malaysia, but, get beneath the surface, and you'll discover some diverse, dynamic neighbourhoods — as well as the best laksa on the planet. A good way to start is with a ramble around Little India, which should include curry at Banana Leaf Apollo and chilli crab at Wing Seong Fatty's. After that, head to Katong, home to Singapore's Peranakan population, whose culture combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and European influences. Finally, be sure to end a hot day with a stop at one of Singapore's many new cocktail bars, such as the Tippling Club, which came 31st in the 2017 World's Best Bars Awards. More tips are in our Less Obvious Guide To Singapore. [caption id="attachment_651178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arian Zwegers[/caption] GEORGIA Georgia is smack bang in the middle of the Caucasus, with the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and Turkey to the south. So, on one side, there's beautiful coastline, and the other, rugged mountains. In between, you'll pass flower-dotted meadows, rushing rivers and enchanting villages, with tavernas full of welcoming, carousing locals. Yes, they'll probably expect you to sing. Although tourism is growing, Georgia still has a wild, undiscovered feeling to it. The best way to travel is with an openness to adventure and surprises, rather than a strict itinerary. [caption id="attachment_651191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vahid Yarmohammadi[/caption] IRAN Speaking of adventure and surprises — if you're a fan of them, then book a ticket to Tehran, the buzzing, colourful capital of Iran. For a shopping experience you're unlikely to forget, spend a morning getting lost among the mazes of The Grand Bazaar, poring over spices, gold jewellery and handwoven carpets. At the Golestan Palace, you'll get an insight into Iran's royal history; it was here that the Qajars, the country's second to last dynasty, had their seat of power. Think marble fountains, blinding mirror halls and magnificent furniture. The city also has a strong contemporary art scene. Check out Aaran Gallery for work by young artists and A.J for photography.
Sticking to your office chair? Overdoing it with the Icy Poles? Sydney's heating up more theatrically than Dante's Inferno, with summer temperatures hitting the high 30s and low 40s and causing citywide schvitzing. Whether you can feign a doctor's appointment or your boss is equally warm and packing up their desk as you read, you're in need of some serious immersion in cool, cool water. We've pulled together our favourite spots for cannonballing, diving and lapping. Make sure you slip, slop, slap, wrap etc. Or, you could jump straight to Sydney's best swimming holes, secluded beaches, harbour beaches, outdoor pools, ocean pools, night swimming spots or surfing beaches. Pick one. Any one. By the Concrete Playground team. BONDI ICEBERGS Members of Sydney's toughest swimming club, The Icebergs, have been proving their mettle here since 1929. To stay in the gang, they must meet every Sunday throughout winter and swim at least one lap of the pool, regardless of icy temperatures or inclement weather. If that sounds too traumatic for you, stick to summer visits. One of the best equipped pools on the list, the Icebergs comes with a sauna, gym, masseuse, yoga lessons and cafe. Entry is $6.50. [caption id="attachment_549078" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Warringah Council.[/caption] NORTH CURL CURL ROCKPOOL Curl Curl's exposed, east-southeast position makes it one of Sydney's most exciting but dangerous beaches. The southerly swell surges in, driving waves to heights of 1.5 metres or more and powering hazardous rips. Lap up all the action from the safety of the North Curl Curl Rock Pool. Carved out in the mid-1930s, it has a natural floor and rocky platforms for sunbaking (slip, slop, slap, please). At high tide, access is only available via coastal walkway. BRONTE BATHS Opened in 1887, Bronte Baths is one of Sydney's oldest and most photographed pools. Its best known regular was Evelyn Whillier, who at 18 competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and at 20 won gold in the 1938 British Empire Games. In the 1990s — in her late 70s — she'd head to Bronte at 5am every day to squeeze in a few kilometres. You'll meet all kinds of swimmers here — from similarly serious lappers to kids in floaties. There's ample room on the surrounding rocks for lazing about. Consider a night swim on balmy evenings. MAHON POOL, MAROUBRA Mahon's intertidal position makes it subject to fierce doses of Pacific swell. Drop by when the water's high and the wind's a-blowing for the biggest waves and most adrenaline-fuelled fun. The pool lies at the northern end of Maroubra Beach. It's hard to spot from above, but make your way down the staircase from Marine Parade car park, and you'll soon spy it among exposed rocky outcrops. WYLIE'S BATHS, COOGEE Found just south of McIver's Baths, Wylie's welcomes people of all genders. The 50-metre pool offers 180-degree panoramas of the ocean, including views of Wedding Cake Island (inspiration for Midnight Oil's instrumental rock hit of the same name). Like Bondi's Icebergs, Wylie's has all the facilities — from yoga lessons to massage sessions. Entry is five bucks. It's a great spot for a cool-off along the Bondi to Maroubra walk. MILK BEACH Located at the base of Hermit Bay within the Sydney Harbour National Park, Milk Beach is ideal for everything from sunbaking to snorkelling to fishing. It's a small, insulated beach surrounded by the Heritage-listed Strickland House and offers magnificent views of Sydney. Whether it's a picnic or a walk along the Hermitage Foreshore, Milk Beach is one of Sydney's best-kept secrets. It can be accessed via public transport or boat, and limited off-street parking is available. [caption id="attachment_549504" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Brett Pearson.[/caption] MCIVER'S BATHS, COOGEE Boys, butt out. McIver's is the only coastal pool in Australia for ladies only. It's been that way since 1922, when the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Swimming Club took over the lease from the McIver family. In 93 years, nothing much has changed. The ocean views are still extraordinary and the entry fee is still 20 cents — tossed in a bucket at the entrance. However, in 2010, a visit from a man undergoing a sex change raised some modern questions. PRINCE ALFRED PARK POOL For the carless locals of inner Sydney who can't quite make it to the coast for a swim, Prince Alfred Park Pool is known as 'Redfern Beach'. It's the buttercup yellow sun umbrellas that bring the riviera vibe, as well as lawns strewn with sun bakers and cute cafe Meadow cheerily aiding post-swim recoveries. The shiny-new facilities nabbed two National Architecture Awards in 2014, and the 50m pool is always at that jump-right-in temperature. Consider getting the 360 Membership, which gives you access to the City of Sydney's three outdoor pools plus fitness facilities. NORTH SYDNEY POOL Nothing says "you're in Sydney" so much as the Harbour Bridge, and nothing says "I'm swimming in Sydney" quite so well as backstroking right underneath it. North Sydney Pool is the only place which allows you to do just this, in a spectacular location overlooking Sydney Harbour and Luna Park. To make the most out of it, head down there at night, and go for a swim watched over by the lights of the city. The pool also features a gym, a cafe and a restaurant, so you can feasibly spend a whole night there gazing rapturously at the city. [caption id="attachment_598333" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eddy Milfort[/caption] NIELSEN PARK Sydney beaches need not be compared with their foreign counterparts because it's only a slight exaggeration to say we have the best in the world. However, I can't help thinking that Nielsen Park reminds me of the Mediterranean coast. Maybe it's the amazing aqua colour of the water or the stained glass windows of the restaurant. It can get a little noisy with all the kids that are usually there but there is a large, leafy park surrounding the beach which you can escape into to eat your ice cream in peace. [caption id="attachment_605401" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Rob Wood.[/caption] MALABAR OCEAN POOL For smaller crowds and a laidback, local feel, head to Malabar Ocean Pool. Created in the 1890s, it was closed down by the 1970s (as was surrounding Long Bay) due to pollution. But, in 1997, NSW Premier Bob Carr and the local MP pooled funds for a clean-up and revamp. These days, the water is crystal clear and the views dreamy, especially at dawn and dusk. [caption id="attachment_538469" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Brian Yap[/caption] CURRAWONG BEACH If the summer traffic is ruining your ability to relax at the beach this summer, escape for the weekend to Currawong beach. It can only be accessed by boat, so jump on the ferry at Palm Beach and prepare for a phone and internet-free 48 hours. There are no shops so bring food and water with you and stay at one of the cottages. You'll be able to deal with the worst Bondi Road traffic jam with a blissful smile on your return. [caption id="attachment_605406" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dushan Hanuska.[/caption] LAKE PARRAMATTA Back in the 1930s, Lake Parramatta was one of Sydney's go-to water holes. But, decades ago, thanks to rising pollution levels, swimming and boating were banned. "You could see oil and chemicals on top of the water, let alone what was underneath," one-time local Angus Campbell recalled. Major clean-up programs have, however, restored the lake to its former pristine glory, and, as of January 2015, it's open for bathing, complete with lifeguards. Visit the leafy, sandstone-enclosed freshwater spot 2 kilometres north of Parramatta CBD. Just keep your eye out for wrestling red-bellied black snakes. LADY MARTIN'S BEACH At this little gem you're in good company. Sydney's small harbourside suburb of Point Piper is one of the country's most exclusive and home to one of the most gorgeous, chilled-out beaches in town. Named after Lady Mary Martin, wife of chief justice and politician Sir James Martin, it's a tiny treasure flanked in billion-dollar mansions, but the view is free. Entry is via a narrow lane off Wolseley Road that passes by the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club. [caption id="attachment_592521" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ian Sanderson[/caption] MANLY DAM There's more than one sweet little beach ripe for the picnicking at Manly Dam. The amenities are pretty good and there's heaps of unrestricted parking, but get your coin purse out for entry on weekends or during public holidays. There are heaps of lush walking tracks, so consider swapping sandshoes for flip-flops. Vehicle access is through the King Street entrance (off Condamine Street, Manly Vale) and a footpath at this entrance allows for pedestrian and disabled access into the park without having to go on the road. The best access points for the bike track is Gibbs Street, Manly Vale or Kirkwood Street at Bantry Reserve, Seaforth. GORDON'S BAY Offering Sydney's only underwater nature trail, Gordon's Bay is nestled in between the deeply incised gully and sheer sandstone headlands of South Clovelly and North Coogee. It's the eastern suburbs at their stunning best, and the calm waters make it a great spot for snorkelling. The small beach is dotted with local fishing boats, abundant with wildflowers and offers access to some of the most satisfying and aesthetically stunning walking trails on the coast. Access via the coastal walk. [caption id="attachment_605403" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] REDLEAF POOL Technically, Redleaf is a fenced off section of the harbourside Seven Shillings Beach, adjacent to Blackburn Gardens. Mid-week, it can be a little piece of inner-east paradise, hidden from the road and only accessible by foot, down the stairs behind the Woolahra Council Offices on New South Head Road. It can get pretty busy on weekends during summer, though. A boardwalk runs around the top of the shark net, and there are two floating pontoons for those who enjoy attracting attention to themselves. [caption id="attachment_598328" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Christian Reusch[/caption] CAMP COVE The parking at the easternmost edge of the Eastern Suburbs can be a bit of a drag in Summer, but if you pray to your parking angel you'll find somewhere eventually. It's worth the frustration, as this laid-back beach is big enough to have a social vibe (there always seems to be a lot of good looking people here) and the lack of waves means you can bob in the water and still chat to a friend. There's a little kiosk selling snacks and sorbet in coconut shells too. If you're brave (and skilled) you can do the big jump off the rock on the right. [caption id="attachment_598329" align="alignnone" width="1280"] David McKelvey[/caption] LITTLE CONGWONG BEACH If nothing annoys you more than getting a bikini-strap tan line, then head to this pretty beach in Botany Bay for a spot of 'clothing-optional' sunbaking. It's usually pretty quiet so you can avoid seeing people you know, especially your awkward co-worker that will forever avoid you at the water cooler. If the thought of getting your togs off makes you blanch, just next door is Congwong Beach, where you won't be the odd one out if you're a strictly clothes-on type of person. BUNGAN BEACH, BARRENJOEY PENINSULA Bungan is one of Sydney's most undeveloped beaches and has a wild and unspoiled character. The rugged beauty of the cliffs give it a private feel and bushwalkers will love the vivid scenery. It's 600m long, running in a south-east direction between Bungan Headland to the north and Mona Vale Headland to the south. There are reasonable breaks for surfers and it's a relief from the crowded waves at more popular beaches. Access by a laneway along Barrenjoey Road — it's the headland just before the descent to Newport. It's a patrolled beached but stay between the flags at this one because there are often rips. [caption id="attachment_592520" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ernest McGray, Jr.[/caption] OBELISK BEACH Obelisk Beach has killer views — and not only because it's one of few legal nudist beaches in Sydney. We mean nude. Despite its cult status, it's usually quiet and tranquil, and has great views over Sydney Harbour. It's well secluded as you need to have a certain tenacity to clamber down a rocky track and set of steps to gain access, although there's a large public car park on the Middle Head Road side of Chowder Bay Road. The place is also of historic significance: prior to European settlement in 1788, the area the beach is in was inhabited by Indigenous Australians speaking the Guringai language and Aboriginal sites are found in the bushland all around Georges Head. [caption id="attachment_592519" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Nigel Howe[/caption] WARRIEWOOD BEACH Warriewood Beach is backed by 30-40m high vegetated bluffs and the reserve occupying Turrimetta Head offers excellent beach and ocean views. The 500km stretch of beach is sheltered, you never have to fight for a spot on the sand and the facilities are good. Surfing is great up the north end. [caption id="attachment_592516" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Grace Kat.[/caption] WATTAMOLLA Cabbage palm trees, cute little swimming inlets and wide open beach make Wattamolla the perfect place for a midweek wind down. Wattamolla (an Aboriginal name meaning 'place near running water') had its name originally recorded as Watta-Mowlee by Matthew Flinders, when Flinders, George Bass and a boy, William Martin, stopped there in their boat, the Tom Thumb II, in 1796. It's a beautiful combination of beach and freshwater lagoon, separated by a sandbar, within the Royal National Park. There's a five-minute walk down a narrow path to the beach (not great for prams), but once on the beach, there's loads of shade from the trees, small inlets for swimming as well as open beach. Wattamolla is a great starting point for 100 kilometres of walking tracks spanning the National Park, including the popular coastal walk from Bundeena to Otford. Access is via a 20 minute car ride from either the Loftus or Waterfall entrance. [caption id="attachment_592518" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Alex Proimos[/caption] CHINAMANS BEACH Bring your beach brolly to Chinamans Beach, unless you're keen on sticking to the reserve. Bring ample snacks and drinks too, and don't plan on fish 'n' chips — it's properly secluded. The beach is unpatrolled, and usually peaceful and quiet. [caption id="attachment_549497" align="alignnone" width="1280"] anniemullinsuk/Flickr.[/caption] BILGOLA ROCKPOOL Bilgola Beach forms the floor of a steep coastal valley. It's one of the Northern Beaches' most secluded spots. For an adventurous walk in, take the South Bilgola Headland Walk, which starts at Newport Beach, winding its way through tea trees, bottlebrushes, paperbarks, casuarinas and cabbage tree palms. Alternatively, park just off The Serpentine. You'll find the eight-lane, 50-metre rockpool at the beach's southern end, affording spectacular views of the 60-metre-high Bilgola North Headland. [caption id="attachment_549502" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FAIRY BOWER POOL, MANLY The enchanting, triangular Fairy Bower Pool was built by locals, for locals, in 1929. It's located alongside Marine Parade, between Manly and Fairy Bower. Adding to the magic are sculptor Helen Leete's Oceanides (also known as the 'Manly Sea Nymphs'), two curving creatures on the pool's edge. When the surf's up, they look a bit like dancing aquatic spirits. Try taking a dip at sunrise, sunset or even after-dark. [caption id="attachment_549057" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sutherland Shire Council.[/caption] CRONULLA ROCK POOL Cronulla's main ocean pool lies in the 300 metres of rocky platforms dividing South Cronulla Beach from North Cronulla. Opened in 1932, the pool first served as a training facility for local lifeguards. These days, it's still an optimum spot for lapping and/or casual dipping, offering vast, uninterrupted vistas over Bate Bay. The Council will be making some upgrades in April 2016, adding handrails and stairs and non-slip surfaces. [caption id="attachment_508394" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Robyn Lawrence.[/caption] ANDREW (BOY) CHARLTON POOL Hidden away within the green expanses of The Domain, the Boy Charlton pool feels a world away from the city while still being in the heart of the CBD. The saltwater pool is perched on the edge of the Harbour, with spectacular views over the city and the Botanic Gardens. Lunch times can be crowded with stressy professional jogger types, and weekends can bring out the designer eyewear crowd, but every other time is lovely. Hang out on the wooden terrace or grab a drink upstairs in the open-air poolside cafe which, incidentally, also sells Pat and Stick's ice cream sandwiches, which are awesome. [caption id="attachment_598331" align="alignnone" width="1280"] jbreiti[/caption] BALMORAL BEACH Balmoral is Manly's little sister; smaller and more romantic. It has a lovely sleepy vibe despite it's popularity. Have a long lunch at the Public Dining Room and float it off in the cooler hours of the afternoon. [caption id="attachment_598357" align="alignnone" width="1280"] dfinnecy[/caption] STORE BEACH If you wake up one sunny day with the desire to go kayaking, hire one from Manly Kayaks and paddle around to this little beach (it can only be reached by water) for a picnic. If you're lucky, you'll see some fairy penguins. Collins Beach Road, Manly [caption id="attachment_570643" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Danny Butler[/caption] LITTLE SIRIUS COVE A small stretch of sand surrounded by bushland, this beach has a unique feature - dogs are allowed. Take Rover down (after grabbing a coffee at Bacino Bar) and enjoy a snag or two on the BBQs provided. [caption id="attachment_508398" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Warringah Council.[/caption] DEE WHY ROCKPOOLS Dee Why Rockpools are easily reached by the promenade along the beach, and formed out of concrete walls as well as the natural sandstone wall to the side. While the surfers head down to the beach, the slower-paced head to the rockpools. On weekends there are a lot of mums with little kids, so for a day filled with less high pitched squeals and splishy-splashing, weekdays or late afternoons will allow you to get the most out of the place. [caption id="attachment_508404" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mhsb.[/caption] FRESHWATER BATHS Located at the northern end of the beach, Freshwater Baths was the first rockpool to be opened on the northern beaches, and still maintains its vintage charms. Once a haven for women in the 1920s and '30s who weren't allowed to swim at the male-oriented surf clubs, it now cheerfully welcomes everyone and offers a respite when the waves get rough. The pool is uniformly shallow, at just over a metre, so unless you're really short or unfortunately inebriated there's little chance of anything going awry. [caption id="attachment_508405" align="alignnone" width="1280"] North Sydney Council.[/caption] MACCALLUM POOL If you appreciate a little early-20th century charm, the harbourside MacCallum Pool will delight you with its unique heritage feel and might inspire you to Charleston along the boardwalk. Like all good things north of the Bridge, it's terribly civilised, so if you turn up and the pool's a little full you can still sun yourself on the grassy knolls and look out across the Harbour. And another exciting aspect about MacCallum is that it's free, which means you have more money to spend on ice cream and dancing shoes. [caption id="attachment_551100" align="alignnone" width="1280"] KSpilling.[/caption] PALM BEACH When the swell is powering in from the south, grab your boardies and hotfoot it to Palm Beach. The sheltered southern corner is a beginner's Nirvana. You can count on mercifully consistently waves, giving you ample time to conquer the whitewash and, when you're ready, take off across smooth, green faces. Need some tips? Cast an eye around for the Manly Surf School van. For après-surf leisure, there's the Barranjoey Lighthouse Walk or a dip in the ocean pool. [caption id="attachment_605404" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Gerry Ligon.[/caption] COLLAROY BEACH Like Palm Beach, Collaroy is shielded at its southern end. Long Reef Point (a splendid spot for snorkelling, by the way) juts into the Pacific, separating the beach from neighbouring Dee Why. So, it's also at its best in south swells. Once you've racked up some experience, have a crack at the gloriously long point break. One word of warning: this one is better avoided when seas are rough or north winds are raging, when the shore break can turn into a dumping ground. [caption id="attachment_551241" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Terovian.[/caption] LONG REEF BEACH On the city side of Collaroy Beach lies the northern end of Dee Why Beach, formally known as Long Reef Beach (the two beaches are separated by the mouth of Dee Why Lagoon). Here, Long Reef Point also does its protective duty. It, in combination with some solid sand banks, keeps the waves smooth and regular. For practising in whitewater, head down at low tide; if you're ready to tackle faces, high tide is more promising. When winds are strong, you'll find milder conditions in Dee Why's southern corner. [caption id="attachment_551235" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Warringah Council.[/caption] FRESHWATER BEACH Freshwater Beach is the birthplace of Australian surfing. Exactly 100 years ago, residents got a shock when they saw a Hawaiian by the name of Duke Kahanamoku carve a board out of local timber, jump into the sea and ride the waves, on his feet. Soon enough, everyone was giving it a go. For lessons, get in touch with Surf Skool. Once you're done, the nearby Harbord Beach Hotel (aka the Harbord Hilton) will vanquish your post-surf appetite with some fresh tucker and cocktails. MANLY BEACH Get started along Manly's southern stretch and you'll land yourself in esteemed company. Midget Farrelly, Pam Burridge and Layne Beachley are just a few of the surfing legends to have had their early rides here. Like those at Palm Beach and Collaroy, the waves are best when the south winds are a-blowing. Chaos reigns when a north swell is coming in. Options for surfboard hire and lessons are plentiful. Try Manly Surf School or Manly Surf Hire. GREENHILLS BEACH Backed by grassy sand dunes, Greenhills is the northern end of Cronulla Beach. It tends to be less busy than South Cronulla — and many of Sydney's other beaches for that matter — which is a bonus for learner surfers. There's no need to worry about driving your out-of-control board into an unsuspecting swimmer. Go here during north-east winds. If you're in need of a teacher, try Cronulla Surf School or Cronulla Surfing Academy. [caption id="attachment_257244" align="alignnone" width="1981"] Adam J.W.C.[/caption] AVALON Beautiful and quiet, Avalon is the last of the more accessible beaches as you head north, shared by surfers and families alike. Plus Baywatch wanted to relocate their filming to Avalon during the '90s. Make of that what you will. Before you leave, grab drinks and dinner at Different Drummer or Little Av, both just a short walk from the beach. GLEDHILL FALLS For a long time, the Gledhills were like ghosts. A few people said they'd seen them, but finding proof was difficult. These days, there's more information floating about, but the forest-encircled falls — and the 10 metre wide pool into which they tumble — are still tricky to find. First, pack your rock climbing shoes. Then, drive your car from Mona Vale Road, onto McCarrs Creek Road, until, after about 4.5 kilometres, you reach the teeny-tiny, easy-to-miss bridge that crosses McCarrs Creek. Initially, the track is clear, but, nearing the water, prepare to scramble. ELVINA TRACK POOL Not only does this one occupy a rare position above a waterfall, it also affords stunning views of Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. And it's hemmed in by rainforest. The pool isn't huge, but it's definitely big enough to submerge yourself in. You'll find it along the 7 kilometre-long Elvina Track, which also takes in Elvina and Lovett Bays. The starting point is just off West Head Road, 1.3 kilometres from the Coal and Candle Drive junction. Being a service trail for most of the way, the walk makes for easy Sunday strolling. RESOLUTE BEACH Despite its 4 million strong population, Sydney is home to a number of secluded beaches. But Resolute Beach takes isolation and wildness to the next level. That's because the only way to reach it is by taking on the 8 kilometre Resolute Loop Track, which turns off many a lazy beach-goer. Those with the stamina to handle it are, however, amply rewarded, with an unspoiled, empty stretch of sand, surrounded by Ku-Ring-Gai National Park and affording uninterrupted views over Pittwater. The hike, which begins at Resolute Picnic Ground, takes in a couple of other remote beaches, as well as the Red Hands Cave, home to some impressive Aboriginal rock art. LADY BAY BEACH Thanks to Lady Bay's existence, you can be completely suited up in the middle of a work meeting at Circular Quay at 5pm, yet utterly naked amid all kinds of wildness by 5.30pm. Tucked into a calm cove near Watsons Bay, this beach is one of Australia's oldest nudist beaches and first went legal in 1976, thanks to Neville Wran's blessing. Keep your eyes on the skyline — the city views are excellent. BENTS BASIN Pack your lilo; Bents Basin has rapids. Spend your day throwing yourself down them, just the right amount out of control. Or keep to the still water — it's one of the deepest swimming holes in New South Wales. A dramatic, wooded escarpment provides the backdrop, which means there's ample views for picnickers. Bents Basin is part of a Nepean River gorge and lies between Penrith and Camden, about 50 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Camp in the State Conservation Area if you want to stay overnight. REEF BEACH Best to make your way to Reef Beach after the tide has gone out. That's when Aboriginal carvings becomes visible in the rocks. In addition, it's an incredibly tranquil spot in Middle Harbour, offering excellent views of Manly and Sydney Harbour's northern section. Stop there while walking the Manly Scenic Walkway or drive to Beatty Street — Reef Beach is a short walk from the car park. [caption id="attachment_252497" align="alignnone" width="1280"] NSW National Parks.[/caption] WHALE BEACH Relaxed and beautiful, Whale Beach feels like you've left the city completely. It's a long drive from the city, but it's worth it, for one of the most beautiful spots on the Northern Beaches. Whale Beach can be a bit of a journey, so we'd recommend making a day of it and taking a dinner picnic or even staying overnight at Jonah's. [caption id="attachment_252500" align="alignnone" width="1280"] J Bar.[/caption] SHELLY BEACH You can get to this secluded cove by walking south along Manly's main street. The perfect spot to take a picnic, surrounded by bush, filled with exotic fish and convenient enough to get to by ferry. This is the kind of beach you can imagine your grandparents going to when they were courting. Surf at Fairy Bower, one of the Sydney's best surf breaks on its day, or swim the Cole Classic, Australia's largest ocean swim. PALM BEACH Get there early and Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful places Sydney has to offer. The friendly old-fashioned kiosk was shut down a few years ago and replaced by fancy restaurants to suit the billionaire locals who have their summer houses here, so make sure to bring your own sandwiches. Alternatively, splash out and have breakfast at the Boathouse on Pittwater before you head down to that sweet, sweet Home and Away-starring water. Check out our Summer Guide for more beaches, beach beers, beach camping, beach towels and beach road trip ideas.
Smoking Gringos is a viral Mexican restaurant from an acclaimed Sydney hospo veteran that arrived on Muru Way in Blacktown in 2023. The Western Sydney Mexican restaurant is led by Richard Borg and Jade Jackson. Borg brings experience from a storied culinary career to his latest venture, having previously worked across Momofuku and Park Hyatt before opening Surry Hills' Master and Burger Head in Penrith with a group of mates. Over the last few years, he's been working under the Smoking Gringos name, serving up juicy barbecued meats — first in Kingswood and then out of the kitchen at Newtown pub Websters. Now, Smoking Gringos has reemerged in Western Sydney, bringing its passion for perfectly tender meat to a new canvas: birria tacos. The idea to open a Mexican joint was first fostered after doing a birria special in Kingswood, which Borg says customers "went ballistic" for. "A lot of the birria we've had in Sydney kind of misses the mark," he told Concrete Playground. "We make all the meat before we finish it in the broth to give it a bit more body — a bit more flavour." The specialty at Smoking Gringos is the quesa taco, a three-corn tortilla dipped in marinade and fried before being topped with three kinds of cheese, coriander, onion and your choice of beef or chicken. Each serve is paired with pickled onions, lime, consommé for dipping, and a selection of salsas made fresh in-house every day — the habanero is the chef's favourite. If you want to take things up a notch, opt for the mulitas, which Borg describes as a "quesa taco on steroids". A dish popular in Los Angeles, the mulitas closely resembles a quesadilla, piling toppings between two of the fried quesa tortillas. Nachos and loaded fried round out the menu, with plans to introduce a burrito in the coming weeks. If things go to plan, Borg and Jackson say we may even see more Smoking Gringos stores or a roaming food truck pop up. Watch this space.
Dim sum powerhouse Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, has picked Australia as its first ever venture outside South-East Asia. Set to open in Chatswood on Saturday, March 28, Tim Ho Wan is one of the year's most anticipated restaurant openings we've seen in a while. The original Tim Ho Wan eatery in Hong Kong, led by ex-Four Seasons Hong Kong dim sum chef Mak Kwai Pui, has been attracting hordes of local and international visitors ever since it opened in 2009. A star rating by arguably the world’s most prestigious food guide the year after raised the dim sum stakes and a chain of Tim Ho Wan restaurants in the region quickly followed. Now, it’s Australia’s turn to break open a piping hot pork bun and see what all the fuss is about. The dim sum specialists are set to open three stores in Sydney, starting with the Chatswood outlet this weekend. A flagship Sydney store on George Street is scheduled for an October 2015 opening and Burwood's eatery will open in the third quarter of 2015. Melburnians can expect some Tim Ho Wan goodness in late April and a Brisbane store is possibly in the works too. So what's in store for the menu? Of course, Tim Ho Wan's 'Big Four Heavenly Kings' will be making an appearance: think pan-fried carrot cake, baked pork buns, vermicelli rolls stuffed with pig's liver and steamed egg cakes. Including these four signature dishes, Chef Mak Kwai Pui will be teaming up with acting executive chef Eric Koh to create a menu of 25 fresh made-to-order dim sum treats. And how cheap is the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant? A Tim Ho Wan in the Philippines has no menu item over the equivalent of $5.17 so similarly bang-for-your-buck prices can be expected when the chain trickles into the country this year. With an emphasis on freshness and made-to-order everything, Tim Ho Wan is likely to follow in the footsteps of fellow fawned over international imports, Ippudo and Hot Star. For everyone except the Sydneysiders who can make reservations, that means some long queues and serious waits. Anything for cheap, Michelin-starred dim sum though, right? Tim Ho Wan is located at Corner of Victoria Avenue and Railway Street, Chatswood. Open daily from March 28, from 10am to 9pm. For more information head over here.
Sydney lost a long-time legend of the Kings Cross nightclub scene when Hugos closed its doors back in 2015. But now, as locals band together to revitalise the area's nightlife, the space will this week be reborn as Flamingo Lounge, courtesy of the team behind Double Bay's now-closed Casablanca Bar and Restaurant. And yes, Sneaky Sundays are back. Flashing a brand new Miami-inspired fit-out along with a 3am license and late-night pizza offering, the venue was initially intended to be a pop-up. But the team — who closed Casablanca earlier this month — has decided to go full steam ahead and make it permanent. "We knew we'd have to close Casablanca [due to commercial development] and this was the best venue to buy because of its position and history in Kings Cross," managing partner Poata Okeroa told Concrete Playground back in June. "The space is a progression from Casablanca for us." The new digs — which open for the first time on Friday, September 22 — are decidedly different from Hugos, going for a 1980s vibe that combines Miami glamour with art. Think pink neon lights, a retractable DJ stage, plush lounges and mixed-media wall collages. "The artwork and ceiling details will pay homage to the art walls of downtown Miami," explained designer Josh Clapp. "The lighting will also have a bit of Las Vegas and Caribbean flare, but we're moving away from that 'New York speakeasy' vibe you see everywhere." The space has been designed to be much moodier and darker than Hugos, with deep shades of burgundy acting as the main colour scheme. The entire venue has also been expertly soundproofed to make the internal sound quality top-notch — plus it has the added benefit of keeping the peace with neighbours. As a small homage to the venue's past, the leather from the existing lounges of Hugos will be repurposed as ceiling and wall panels. While the main club is meant to focus on the DJ booth, the adjoining terrace bar offers a more sophisticated cocktail lounge with table service and secluded booth. In all, the Flamingo Lounge will house four bars, and host three distinct nightly offerings. Flamingo Fridays will be lead by former Backroom and House of Luis Tans owner Raul Gonzales, and feature house music inspired by 1980s classic Miami disco glamour. Flamingo Saturdays will take their cues from Casablanca, with a bottle service-driven offering accompanied by hip hop and R&B. Finally, Sneaky Sundays — complete with Connie Mitchell and Black Angus — will make a triumphant return to Bayswater Road on the last night of the week, from 8pm till late. This will launch on October 1, which is on the Labour Day weekend. "We are extremely excited to be the ones pioneering the area post lockouts," said co-owner Sid Pierucci on the eve of Flamingo Lounge's launch. "Potts Point has always been a hotspot — arguably the epicentre — of Sydney's nightlife. Since the lockouts back in February 2014 the area's overall demographic has significantly altered the character of the area which is now needy of an upper class late night venue. We ultimately hope to add vibrancy to a city that currently needs it." Flamingo Lounge will soon be joined by Chula, a new Mexican restaurant from the Barrio Chino team, that will open next door before the end of the year. Flamingo Lounge opens at 33 Bayswater Road, Sydney tomorrow, September 22. It will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm till late, and Sundays from October 1. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Words: Marissa Ciampi and Tom Clift. Images: Letícia Almeida.
Lots of different people hang out at dog parks. Mostly there are people who own woofers and who are taking them for their daily exercise. But there are also quite a few people like us who live in tiny rented apartments, pay exorbitant rent and are frantically saving money for the ultimate dream of a mortgage, a backyard and a pooch of our very own — people searching for some daily dog interaction.The following is a list of excellent dog parks (and beaches!) for Sydneysiders who want to give their hounds an excellent frolic, but also for puppy perverts who just want to go for a stroll and watch other people's glorious dogs romp around — and maybe pat a couple if it's ok with the poochies and their owners. [caption id="attachment_622126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] CAMPERDOWN MEMORIAL REST PARK Inner west locals will be pretty familiar with this one — it's incredibly popular with dog owners and dog-watchers alike. It's central, green and flat and also large enough to use one of those tennis ball-throwie thingys. Frisbees are also a delight here — there is a particularly athletic German Shepherd regular who is a gun with the disc. The park is officially off-leash at all hours on weekdays and between 4pm–9am (or 5pm–9am daylight saving time) on weekends, but there always seem to be dogs running free here. It makes for an excellent afternoon of dogspotting. SIRIUS COVE, MOSMAN There's shade, grass and bins with those handy little plastic bags for your dog's business at Sirius Cove, but most importantly there is WATER for splashing and jumping and fetching. This place is basically Sydney's happiest stretch of sand — when we visited there was a dachshund and a Labrador having a tug of war with a large stick in shallows (the dachshund did not win) and a Great Dane the size of a small motorcycle doing what appeared to be backflips. Prepare for sand to go everywhere and for that delightful wet dog smell, but also for your pooch to have the best day ever. Sirius Cove allows off leash access all day on weekdays, and before 9am and after 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. [caption id="attachment_653317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low.[/caption] ST IVES SHOWGROUND North Shore types, you have it made. This expansive patch of land happens to be Ku-ring-gai's largest sports and recreation facility, with a soccer field, equestrian ring, BMX trails — but you're here for your pooch, so we'll skip to the good stuff. St Ives Showground has four fully off-leash areas, all with great fencing. Not to mention there's a forest you can take pooches for an on-leash adventure. MACLEAY RESERVE, ELIZABETH BAY It's only teensy, but this park has views to die for, and some of Sydney's fanciest pooches to spy on. Off-leash at all times (though be careful with your woofers near the kids playground), Macleay Reserve is also a super popular wedding spot so maybe make sure Nugget isn't going to crash any nuptials before you unclip his lead. On every visit so far there has been a delightful array of white fluffballs, pugs and often a slightly beserk Boxer called Marvin. It's the best. ROWLAND RESERVE, BAYVIEW Prepare yourself for that wet dog smell again. Rowland Reserve is right on the water and perfect for aquatic dogs who like a good paddle and a wet tennis ball. It stays relatively shallow close to the beach so owners can also have a decent wade without getting soaked — there's also a bonus jetty for Rover to practice his catches off. Parking can be tricky on weekends, especially as it's a popular launch site for boats. It's always off-leash though so try a weekday afternoon for maximum puppy splash opportunities. HAWTHORNE CANAL RESERVE, LEICHHARDT This shady inner west reserve is ideal for good boys who love to run around as it's 100 percent off-leash. Plus, it has several handy taps for thirsty pups. It doesn't hurt that there's a waterway running through it, too. BUNGARRIBEE PARK, DOONSIDE On of Sydney's largest off-leash parks is BIG. The actual dog-park is called the Warrigal Dog Run, and has good strong fencing, water bowls and dog business bags. There's heaps of parking all around the gigantic park, and dogs are allowed inside the whole area if they stay on-leash. Bungarribee also has a great bike path, so it's pretty much a great day out whether you have two or four legs. Owners here are super friendly too — so head in and ask for a pat, you've got a great shot at some puppy love. Don't have a pooch to take to one of these parks? Borrow one. Top image: Marion Michele.
Leaving the safety net of university life can be daunting. Taxes, health insurance, budgeting and eating greens are all tricky requirements of adulting, not to mention trying to get a job ("Graduate position, minimum two years of experience required..." what is this madness?). But fear not, there is hope. We've profiled five young go-getters who hit the ground running after uni and achieved their success through unconventional means. They did it and you can too (stop that, yes you can). [caption id="attachment_562120" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: @sedgebeswick.[/caption] SEDGE BESWICK, 26, GLOBAL SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY MANAGER AT ASOS For most of us, using social media is just that a social activity. For others it’s a way of life and a strategic marketing tool; when wielded properly can elevate a start-up and polish a personal brand no matter how small. Sedge Beswick is one such social media maven and part of a young generation of digital natives that are coming up through volunteer positions and internships to absolutely kill it at the media game for big companies. That playful tone you adore on ASOS social media? That’s Beswick. And while managing the global social media for ASOS, she’s also racked up a neat little 11k on her personal Instagram, written a book about using Twitter strategically and designed a line of t-shirts emblazoned with social media slogans. She’s literally #killingit. BECKY SUI ZHEN, 31, MUSICIAN Sui Zhen is one of the many monikers of Melbourne-based musician Becky Sui Zhen who has risen through the ranks of the music scene to be hailed as a 'social media musician' due to her pristine and eye catching artistic vision. She’s put in the hard yards over the years, studying graphic design and Japanese, winning grants, releasing EPs in Japan and doing overseas residencies and all while playing prolifically around Australia. She also produces and edits the iconic film clips for Sui Zhen and has collaborated with artist and photographer Phebe Schmidt. She’s poised to take over the world in 2016 following the late-2015 release her first Australian LP ‘Secretly Susan’. The LP caught the attention of FADER who clocked her as one of 25 international artists to watch and she’s supported Toro Y Moi in Melbourne on his 2016 Aussie tour. We imagine 2016 is only going to get better for this kawaii gem. GERMAINE STATIA, JAMAL OULEL + AYOUB AOURAGH, 23, 25 + 24, FOUNDERS AND DEVELOPERS AT REFUGEE HERO When the Syrian refugee crisis peaked in 2015, Dutch trio Germaine Statia, Jamal Oulel, and Ayoub Aouragh, responded with a contemporary and altruistic solution. Refugee Hero, hailed as the Airbnb for refugees, is a platform that allows people to offer their spare room up to refugees who have just arrived in their country. “We want to give back humanity to mankind,” says Statia. The service is 100 percent free and mobile-friendly. It allows individuals or institutions to offer help and shelter whether or not their government is pro-refugee. The team hopes the service can one day expand to cover all elements of resettling, from applying for passports to finding a new school for children and is a shining example of how modern technology can be used for good in the face of adversity. EMMA MULHOLLAND, 27, DESIGNER There’s something about Emma Mulholland that Australia is crazy for. The young designer hit the ground running after graduating from TAFE in 2010 and hasn’t stopped since. Her latest project, a collaboration with iconic Aussie label Mambo, proves that in a few short years, she’s explored, honed in on and defined exactly what makes her work so popular. The garish '80s and '90s themed prints and icons of our childhood combined with a(h)ctivewear references hit the nostalgia nail right on the head and the collection has resonated with Aussie kidults who grew up wearing bike shorts and climbing trees. Far away from the catwalks of Paris and Milan, Australia often struggles to define itself outside of a European reference and it’s no easy feat to export a uniquely Australian line, but Mulholland has done so with aplomb, straight outta TAFE. [caption id="attachment_562121" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: @louislazarus.[/caption] LUKE HAMPSHIRE AND ALEXANDER ROBINSON, 28 AND 32, AVIATION ENTERPRENEURS AT AIRLY In January, the Australian aviation scene had a sorely need shake up. Two young guns, 28-year-old Luke Hampshire and 32-year-old Alexander Robinson announced their airline company Airly which completely turns air travel on its head. Airly members pay a fee of $2550 (minimum) per month to fly as much as they like on the company’s private jets which operate between Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. For frequent fliers, the minimum waiting time and luxury service is a tasty drawcard. Hampshire, a former Air Force pilot, recognised a gap in the marketplace and despite the pair’s youth, turned an insight into an industry shake-up and paved the way for more options and versatility in air travel. Top image: Sedge Beswick.
Long before movie fans had ever even heard of social distancing — before we all failed to notice the term when it was uttered in Contagion, too — drive-in cinemas had perfected the concept. So, it should come as zero surprise that these outdoor picture palaces are popping up with frequency in 2020. This spring and summer in Sydney, there are several of them, plus some actual outdoor cinemas, too. From director's chairs in an inner city laneway to a dog-friendly drive-in on the north shore, there are plenty of positions to catch the best new releases and cult favourites under the stars. Pack a snack basket, some Aerogard and get your butt on a picnic rug or in the back of a pick-up truck for an evening. It's a perfect date idea or a great way to spend an evening with mates.
Freshwater welcomed a new Mexican eatery in 2022 that boasts an expansive set menu of food and drink. A sibling to Avalon's Alma, St. Alma joins the long-standing venue in the northern beaches, 30 minutes south of the OG eatery. Located on Albert Street, the restaurant joins a bustling food and drink neighbourhood, with a host of bars, cafes and restaurants occupying the same corner and Freshwater favourites Harbord Hotel and Pilu just down the road. "What people don't know is we signed a lease in Freshwater back in 2017 before opening Avalon, but unfortunately it fell through," owner Jack Leary. "Ever since Freshwater has been on our wish list for a restaurant venue – you can't beat the location for its beach vibe and sense of community." At St. Alma you can start with freshly prepared chips and guac, scallop tostadas and mezcal-cured kingfish served with pistachios and preserved lemon. Continue down the menu, and you'll find a selection of tacos. Choose between a changing fish taco with coleslaw and peanut macha aioli and the carne asada taco with guac, flank steak and a rich burnt chilli sauce. While the majority of the menu is set up for a banquet-style experience, there is a spread of impressive larger mains on offer that can be served as a personal feast or work as the centrepiece to a table of share plates. These change seasonally, but you might find confit mushrooms, chicken in adobo, grilled octopus covered in pickled turnips and prune mole and crispy pork belly. The drinks list stretches on just as far as the food. If you're prepared for a big night, tasting flights are an ideal place to start, offering up four tequilas and other Mexican spirits for you to try. Bevs include seven different kinds of margaritas, plus a slew of other classic Mexican cocktails. Eight tequila and mezcal tasting flights are also available for those looking to learn more about these increasingly popular agave-based tipples. End your afternoon of feasting with a walk along the beach at Freshwater, and there you have a pretty marvellous day out in Sydney's Northern Beaches.
We love it when art takes over the city, and the the Biennale of Sydney does it better than anyone else. The city-wide art event is back for its 21st iteration, this time presenting works by 70 leading local and international artists across seven of Sydney's top-notch galleries, museums and unconventional spaces. This year, provocative Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is the headline act, and he's installed a a 60-metre-long inflatable boat on Sydney's Cockatoo Island. Law of the Journey is big, black and imposing — it's made from the same materials as the boats used to build the refugee vessels that travel from Turkey to Greece on the Aegean Sea. It's also filled with 300 oversized figures, making it a confronting and thought-provoking work. It premiered at Prague's National Gallery a year ago, and will be on display until the Biennale wraps up on June 11. Weiwei is currently in Sydney too, and will screen his new feature-length cinematic documentary Human Flow, which explores the global refugee crisis across 23 countries in a single year, at the Opera House on Thursday, March 15. His appearance comes off the back of his 2016 double-bill exhibition alongside the works of Andy Warhol at the National Gallery of Victoria — the highest selling event in the gallery's history. The 21st Biennale of Sydney runs across Sydney from March 16 until June 11. For ideas on how to tackle it, visit our guides: from 4a to Carriageworks, from the Opera House to Artspace, and from the MCA to Cockatoo Island. Images: Letícia Almeida.
Listen up: Listen Out is back for its 11th year and, after first announcing its dates and venues, it isn't slouching on the lineup front. The just-dropped bill for the touring festival boasts 21 Savage, Skepta, Tyla and Flo Milli among its hip hop and R&B names. On the electronic side, John Summit and Sub Focus feature. Yes, the list goes on from there. Fans of 21 Savage, Tyla and Flo Milli — and of Teezo Touchdown, Jessie Reyez and Jazzy, too — should be especially excited. When they each take to Listen Out's stages this spring for the fest's 2024 trip around Australia, they'll be hitting the country for the first time. Among their company, Lil Tjay, Lithe, Folamour, The Blessed Madonna, Cassian and Disco Lines are just some of the fellow acts that'll have festivalgoers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth dancing. With Groovin the Moo announcing its dates then cancelling, and Splendour in the Grass sadly doing the same, everyone's plans for 2024 have been missing a few music festivals. But Listen Out is aiming to buck the trend, locking in its return for September and October. Adelaide's Listen In is also taking place this year, and has similarly just unveiled its lineup. 2023's fest was Listen Out's most successful in terms of ticket sales ever, and the crew behind it are hoping to continue that trajectory. Something that might help: turning the fest into a 16-plus event, age-wise, which is a first for 2024. As the roster of names on the lineup demonstrates, the festival's focus is staying true to its niche, filling its stages on electronic and hip hop artists — both international and local talents, too. Four stops are on the Listen Out agenda: Caribbean Gardens in Melbourne, HBF Arena in Perth, RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane and Centennial Park in Sydney. If you've been worried about missing the NRL final in Sydney and the AFL final in Perth thanks to Listen Out's dates, the fest has news there: at both legs, there'll be screens showing the football. Listen In, the condensed version of the fest with a smaller lineup, is headed to Ellis Park in Adelaide. It'll feature 21 Savage, Folamour, Jessie Reyez, John Summit, Lil Tjay, A Little Sound, Skepta and Theodore Kittens. Listen Out and Listen In 2024 Lineups: Listen Out: 21 Savage Skepta Lil Tjay Tyla Flo Milli Jessie Reyez Teezo Touchdown Lithe John Summit Sub Focus Folamour The Blessed Madonna Cassian Disco Lines Jazzy Koven Conducta A Little Sound Ben Gerrans AK Sports Foura B2B Tom Santa Miss Kaninna Djanaba Soju Gang Melbourne: Yo! Mafia Sixten Kelly T J-OK Perth: Sammythesinner Janeethevirgin Dr Pepper Bodie Brisbane: Trance Mums Jacob Tompkins Mikalah Watego Melanin Mami Sydney: Dayzzi Malfunkt x Banno Bodego Collective Bella Backe Listen In: 21 Savage Folamour Jessie Reyez John Summit Lil Tjay A Little Sound Skepta Theodore Kittens Triple J Unearthed winners + more [caption id="attachment_957218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Listen Out and Listen In Australian 2024 Dates: Friday, September 27 — Listen Out Melbourne, Caribbean Gardens, Wurundjeri Land / Melbourne Saturday, September 28 — Listen Out Perth, HBF Arena, Mooro Country / Joondalup Sunday, September 29 — Listen In Adelaide, Ellis Park / Tampawardli (Park 24), Kaurna Country / Adelaide Saturday, October 5 — Listen Out Brisbane, Brisbane Showgrounds, Meanjin / Brisbane Sunday, October 6 — Listen Out Sydney, Centennial Park, Gadigal Country [caption id="attachment_957226" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Venn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957224" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Warr[/caption] Listen Out and Listen In's 2024 season tours Australia in spring 2024. For more information — and for tickets from midday local time in each city on Thursday, June 6 — head to the festival website. Top image: Sam Venn.
Equal parts delicious and disturbing, Dark Mofo is an immersive celebration of the winter solstice that descends upon Hobart to flaunt the gruesome and the visceral, exploring ancient ritual and ceremony from the past to the present day. Kicking off on June 8, the 14-day festival features a slew of music, food, performance art, light and sound installations alongside exhibits that are beyond the boundaries of regular categorisation. Presented by the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), the festival is the brainchild of the museum's founder David Walsh and creative director Leigh Carmicheal, and 2017 will be its fifth iteration. Mona was built as an extended, underground labyrinth, 11 kilometres north of Hobart — an easy 25-minute ferry ride along the Derwent River — with the private fortune of Walsh. It's explicit and unashamed, and is affectionately referred to as 'the museum of sex and death'. In short, you have to go. And Dark Mofo is the perfect excuse to head down to Tassie and make a weekend of it. Spectacular events (like this one) are worthy of a big trip, and aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing Dark Mofo into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you plan your out-of-the-city trips ahead of time, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. The festival will keep your schedule jam-packed, but you should make some time to explore Hobart too. Here are the best places to eat, drink and stay if you're visiting for Dark Mofo. Pack a coat (and gloves, and a beanie) and bring a palate laced with intrigue — hedonism is the order of the day. [caption id="attachment_619495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, shot by Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] EAT It's no coincidence that Hobart's restaurant scene is undergoing a new wave. Local chefs are giving restaurateurs on the mainland a run for their money, establishing eateries that significantly reduce the time it takes to transport produce from paddock to plate. No visit to Hobart would be complete without a Saturday morning trip to Salamanca Market. Every weekend, the harbourside suburb becomes a bustling marketplace, showcasing a broad and delicious range of local produce, artisanal crafts and food stalls. Be sure to drop by Machine Laundry, a cafe that doubles up as a laundromat serving some of the best coffee in town. Another honourable mention for coffee and brunch is Room for a Pony — it's located up the hill in North Hobart. While Salamanca is an iconic (and necessary) weekend tourist stop, it's worth noting that the market can get very busy, particularly over the festival period. A quieter alternative is the Farm Gate Market, which closes off Bathurst Street every Sunday from 8.30am until 1pm (late enough for you to sleep away the sins of the previous night). Brimming with local farmers, this is the place to source some of Tasmania's best game and fresh meat, as well as fresh-from-the-farm produce, such as pickles and chutneys. Bathurst Street is also a hotspot for brunch options; The Flipped Egg serves a mean breakfast burger, while Bury Me Standing is your go-to for pot-boiled bagels. Tasmania is also said to boast some of the freshest fish outside of Japan and the Farm Gate Market is lucky enough to host Masaaki Koyama's hugely popular sushi stall. And you absolutely need to get a dozen oysters (yes, even for breakfast). If your budget extends beyond market nosh, make time to have a meal at Franklin. David Moyle's ten-tonne Scotch oven warms up the concrete space with a tight but top-notch menu of modern Australian dishes and some prized Tasmanian seafood. It's also totally fine to drop by for a drink and a snack before or after a show, so you can still visit without spending up a full storm. In the evening, Dark Mofo offers two avenues for gluttonous excess. Set along Hobart's waterfront, the Winter Feast is a holy pilgrimage for the hungry. Local and international chefs serve hawker-style hedonism within a medieval-themed banquet hall, lined with naked flames and a diverse range of food outlets. Otherwise, head down to Dark Park at Macquarie Point — this is the free and interactive epicentre of Dark Mofo. The space is an industrial expanse littered with art installations, food trucks and the obligatory fire pit — a must for anyone still fanging for sensory stimulation. [caption id="attachment_619511" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Preachers.[/caption] DRINK If you're looking to make a boozy discovery, Hobart is a bonafide goldmine. Cascade Brewery sits pretty at the foot of Mount Wellington and takes home the trophy for Australia's oldest operating brewery. For a small fee ($25-35), you can tour the 185-year-old building before enjoying a selection of ice-cold, just-pulled beers and ciders from the Cascade portfolio. If whisky's more your thing, Lark has won countless awards for its single malt, a dram that holds its own on the global market. For $75, you can take a tour of the distillery — it's located 15 minutes northeast of the CBD — and discover the intricacies of the production process. Of course, whisky tastings are included in the cost of the ticket, and you'll round off the tour with a well-earned G&T made with their Forty Spotted Gin. And if you've got access to a car, it's worth making the 20-minute drive out to Sullivans Cove. In 2015 they were awarded World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards for their French oak cask — so a dram of their stuff is hard to come by. They do tastings and tours on the hour, Monday to Friday. Back in town, Preachers is your go-to for craft beer (they have 16 on tap), cider and boutique wines. It's a laidback pub with a vibe suited to all seasons — they have open fires to warm you up on cold nights (and the nights are very cold). There's even a vintage school bus parked on the front lawn — a gimmick that doesn't seem to wear off. Keep an eye out for South Seas Cocktail Lounge too, a secretive den for rum-based cocktails and tropical vibes. It's tricky to spot and often bypassed — but be sure to look for the red abstract artwork at the front of the building, located at 13-17 Castray Esplanade. At Dark Mofo's own Dark Park, drop by the Talisker Dark Bar serving hot toddies and Irish coffees, and pairing ten-year-old single malt whisky with blue cheese jaffles — a melty fusion of Tasmanian stilton and mozzarella. DO Dark Mofo's creative director Leigh Carmichael has called this year's program the most ambitious to date. The lineup combines typical plumes of fire, feasting, bacchanalian imagery and challenging performance pieces that are as confronting as they are spectacular. Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch will exhibit 150.Action, a visceral performance piece that is not for the faint-hearted. This performance will feature 500 litres of blood and an animal carcass with the backing of a full orchestra. Heavy. On the lighter end of the spectrum, Crossing invites participants on a 200-kilometre pilgrimage north of Hobart, visiting six different churches across six different nights. Each church will provide a backdrop for soundscapes and light shows. This year, Mona will also host The Museum of Everything for its first Australian showing, a world-wandering exhibition that lays focus on the untrained, the unintentional, the undiscovered and the unclassifiable artists of the last three centuries. The musical lineup is the strongest yet. Scottish post-rock stalwarts Mogwai will perform a vast and soaring soundscape, and German experimental noise art pioneers Einstürzende Neubauten will delve into their portfolio, which spans 37 years. Dark Mofo has also secured a performance from indigenous hip-hop group A.B. Original and Norwegian black metal experimental musicians Ulver. Xiu Xiu will celebrate the music of David Lynch's Twin Peaks. Then there are the Dark Mofo regulars. The Nude Solstice Swim is a communal dip in the ocean on the first sunrise after the winter solstice, and the Ogoh-Ogoh, the traditional Indonesian monster procession, arrives in Hobart in two parts: the purging and the burning. STAY If you're visiting Hobart during Dark Mofo, you'll want to be in the thick of it. Events are scattered across the city, but are centralised around the Salamanca, waterfront and CBD areas. Filling the gap between backpackers and budget chain hotels, the Alabama Hotel offers boutique, budget-friendly accommodation at the centre of Hobart. You won't find elevators, fluffy robes or en-suite bathrooms here — rather, every room has its own decorative style, heaps of character and super-fast WiFi. The bar is well-stocked and serves a good coffee throughout the day. If you're on a higher budget, consider renting a Mona Pavilion. You won't be staying at the museum (you're only allowed to do this if you're dead, the Pavilion website kindly reminds us) but a luxury den sitting on the bank of the River Derwent. Each pavilion is named after an influential Australian architect and is decorated with Mona artworks. It's fancy. Alternatively, The Henry Jones Art Hotel is close to the waterfront and just steps away from Macquarie Point, the site of Dark Park. Rooms are pricier than The Alabama, but tastefully decorated with works from local artists. You'll also wake up to the glorious views of the harbour. Dark Mofo runs from June 8 to 21. Top image: Rémi Chauvin (2014), courtesy of Mona. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
Celebrate two centuries of whisky excellence with "The Macallan x Park Hyatt: A Journey Through Time," an exclusive event hosted at The Bar at Park Hyatt Sydney from July 10 until August 31. This unique whisky experience marks The Macallan's 200th birthday with a curated flight of Rob Roy cocktails, masterfully crafted by bar manager Kevin Botte. A Rob Roy is a Scottish twist on a classic Manhattan cocktail, but swapping out the bourbon for a Scottish dram — in this case, The Macallan. [caption id="attachment_970876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kevin Botte[/caption] During the cocktail flight, guests will be served three twists on a Rob Roy representing the past, present and future of the renowned whisky brand. Begin your journey with a cocktail highlighting The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, celebrating the brand's storied past. Progress to the present with a creation featuring The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old, and imagine the future with a cocktail crafted from the limited-edition Harmony Collection Amber Meadow. Guests will also receive a full-serve cocktail of their choosing and indulge in a thoughtfully paired two-course dinner from The Dining Room's culinary team. With the Park Hyatt's picturesque Sydney Harbour backdrop, it makes for an ideal setting and a top choice to treat the whisky-lover in your life — especially if that is you.
If gorgeous, achingly tasteful objet d'art and interior design is your weakness, prepare to be overwhelmed at Avalon store-cum-showroom Composition. The brainchild of interior architect Claire Perini, Composition offers a meticulously curated selection of modern antiques and contemporary brands assigned to one of three categories: Artefact (unique vintage), Object (new product) and Print (design literature both vintage and new, and lithographic works). The showroom itself is a lovely environment to simply be present in, with something beautiful to catch the eye at virtually every inch. A pair of Art Deco-period French cane and walnut armchairs might find themselves propping up a Matisse lithograph or an original artworks by Danish painter Egil Jacobsen, and could be sitting alongside candy-coloured decorative glassware by Helle Mardahl (of which Composition is the exclusive stockist for New South Wales). [caption id="attachment_944545" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Art Deco 1940s chairs on display[/caption] Brands featured in the store include established Australian lines by Maison Balzac, Corey Ashford, INBED, as well as exclusives like plates created by multidisciplinary fine artist George Raftopoulos. Initially, Perini's focus for Composition was almost entirely on Australian product and brands, but since setting up shop in the Avalon space in 2020, she has evolved the mix to include covetable international brands like French cutlery label Sabre Paris and Swedish jeweller Sara Robertsson. For those customers with a particular yen for Claire's design sensibility and aesthetic, she also offers services as an interior consultant so you can just hand over the keys and let her work the magic. You can stay up to date on new items and sales by following Composition on Instagram. Image credit: Sage Hammond.
Beloved inner west brewery Hawke's Brewing Co's 2100-square-metre Marrickville brewery is home to its own pub paying homage to 1980s boozers and the beer's namesake. The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre boasts a retro fit-out, a highly nostalgic bistro and the full range of Hawke's beers. The 300-seat venue opened on the cusp of Hawke's fifth anniversary. Inside, you'll find a pub or community centre-style restaurant and bar decked out with wood panelling inspired by Old Parliament House. Walking through the venue, you'll find walls lined with steel brewing tanks, a patio area, and a pool room filled with Bob Hawke memorabilia. Food-wise, patrons can enjoy The Lucky Prawn, an 80s Chinese-Australian bistro that the Hawke's team has created with help from Nic Wong (Cho Cho San, Bodega). The food is a throwback, just like the rest of the venue. There's prawn toast, sang choi bao, honey king prawn, sizzling beef and the mother of all nostalgic creations, deep-fried Viennetta. While a Hawke's brew is obviously the recommended beverage of choice at The Lucky Prawn, you can also order a bottle of Crown Larger for special occasions. "While we named the venue in his honour, we were mindful of being sycophantic and simply plastering imagery of Hawkie all over the place," Hawke's co-founder Nathan Lennon says. "I think we've achieved a balance that pays tribute to Bob in the Pool Room while delivering an authentic Australian experience throughout the rest of the space." While The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre is drenched in nostalgia, Lennon and fellow owner David Gibson wanted to ensure it was also sustainable and future-focused. The brewery is run with the help of a 100-kilowatt rooftop solar farm and houses several eco-innovations alongside the venue. The building's carbon capture system, developed with UTS Tech, uses carbon dioxide from the beer's fermentation to help grow plants and vegetables in the venue. Images: James Adams. Appears in: The Best Sydney Brewery Bars for 2023
You've tried a pisco sour, but have you had a pisco margarita or a pisco-spiked cosmopolitan? What about a pisco espresso martini? At King Street locale Calle Rey, you'll find all four. It's showcasing the true potential of this under-represented Peruvian spirit at its Diablo Pisco Bar alongside scrumptious plant-based dishes. There is a range of pisco cocktails on offer from a classic pisco sour to more unusual combinations like the pisco espresso which is similar to an espresso martini but a touch sweeter. If you can't choose, you can opt for the pisco-tasting flight with four of the most popular pisco cocktails — available on Thursdays. For something a little 'extra,' you can go for the enormous (and seriously sweet) 'Largaritas', which come topped with either a Vodka Cruiser or a Sol beer — and could easily be shared between four. The Newtown restaurant offers a 100% plant-based menu that melds Mexican, Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. About 90% of the menu is made in-house from some of the faux-meat options to the sauces. At Calle Rey, you'll find cauliflower buffalo wings in a smoky barbecue sauce; 'chicken' nachos (aka jackfruit) topped with guacamole and sour cream; and 'cheeseburger', 'smoked chicken' and crowd favourite 'fried calamari' tacos (konjac) — all of which are made with vegan ingredients, but do a fair job of making you think otherwise. On the Japanese fusion side, there's the sweet chilli togerashi cauliflower with wasabi mayo, black and white sesame, spring onions and crisp shallots. For a true taste of the menu offerings, you can choose between two set menus — The Calle Rey set or the Japanese Fusion — or opt for the 'Taco Experience', available Tuesday to Thursday which includes all of the available tacos. There are also share plates and midweek specials to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
