Sydney WorldPride is bringing the party to town. Not only will it see our country's best gay clubs, bars and party spaces come to life but the celebrations will flow throughout galleries and art spaces, museums (hello Pride Shark!), boutiques, public parks, rainbow roads, and the sails of the Opera House. Our editors have picked their favourite Sydney WorldPride events but we've also enlisted a few locals to share some of the less obvious spots to celebrate. Enter Alex Greenwich. The Independent MP is a proud gay man and has used his public platform to push for equality and LGBTQIA+ rights throughout his career. For WorldPride, he's swapped his signature casual suit and shirt for a tuxedo exploding with green tulle in an installation hosted in the hallowed halls of the QVB. Alex is among a lineup of queer Australian legends currently being honoured for their contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community. The retail centre is temporarily changing up its name from the Queen Victoria Building to reflect each of these contemporary queens with a set of fabulous portraits befitting of any royalty on display shot by photographer Dream Syndicator. The queens in focus are trans icon and cabaret star Carlotta, queer activist Ken Davis (a member of the original Mardi Gras 78ers), Indigenous drag queen Felicia Foxx, and Alex along with Janine Middleton who, together, co-chaired Australian Equality and successfully fought for and helped achieve marriage equality in Australia. Who better than MP Greenwich — whose office is literally in the middle of Oxford Street — to give a few tips on where to go during Sydney WorldPride? And if you bump into him in a bar, he'll take a tequila and soda, thanks darl. What do you think about Sydney hosting WorldPride this year? "Sydney hosting WorldPride is such a great opportunity to showcase our city and diverse community to the whole world. During covid Sydney missed the world and the world missed Sydney and Sydney WorldPride is a nice way to welcome back the rest of the world. Sydney has the most beautiful and diverse welcoming LGBTQIA+ community and I'm grateful to be part of that community. I'm also grateful to have the opportunity to represent that community in parliament." If someone spies Alex Greenwich at a club or bar (and WorldPride is bringing to life some of the best), what drink should they buy you? (And what topic should they NEVER bring up?) "If I'm in a club, tequila and soda will probably be the drink of choice. I don't know about a topic that I wouldn't want some to bring up... I'll talk about any topic." What are the best queer venues in Sydney in your opinion? "I think there's such a great variety of queer venues in Sydney. I love Stonewall. The re-opening of ARQ is awesome. POOF DOOF at Kinsella's and smaller venues like Dulcies in the Cross." [caption id="attachment_679716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The iconic Stonewall on Oxford Street[/caption] What are some of the best spots where an international visitor should go on a first-date during Pride? "There's so many great spots in Sydney to choose from. What I would say is to go to a swimming hole like the new cove in Barangaroo, grab food from a mini deli like Darlinghurst Deli and stop by a bottle shop, and go for a picnic and a swim." Where do you like having a late-night dinner or snack? "Chinatown is always a great destination for a late night dinner." Which local LGBTQIA+ owned businesses do you like to support? The great thing with Sydney is there are so many LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to support. I try to support them all but Claire's Kitchen on Oxford Street is an iconic dinner destination. What events are you most excited about for Mardi Gras and WorldPride? And what are the events you would say are not-to-be-missed? "I'm most excited for the Pride March Harbour Bridge Crossing . It will be historic and an opportunity to send a strong message about supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. I'm also looking forward to the Mardi Gras parade and marching in it again, the First Nations Gala at the Opera House, and the Opening Ceremony." [caption id="attachment_892180" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miss First Nations perform at the First Nations Gala[/caption] Finally, Alex: how important is Kylie Minogue? "Kylie is obviously an icon of Australia and a strong supporter of the community and it's so wonderful that she is joining us for the celebration." For more inspiration for how to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration head to our events guide on the best of Sydney WorldPride.
How did Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard become one of the biggest Australian musicians around the world right now? Attend SXSW Sydney in 2024 and you'll find out. The singer-songwriter better known as The Kid LAROI is the latest addition to the event's constantly growing lineup, in a key spot: the 'Stay', 'Without You', 'Thousand Miles', 'Love Again' and 'Girls' talent has been revealed as the fest's music keynote speaker for this year. In 2023, Chance The Rapper did the honours. SXSW Sydney isn't skimping on big names, clearly. On Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the ICC Sydney Theatre, expect The Kid LAROI to step through his career journey so far, from Redfern to streaming superstardom — and also what his future holds. The Kid LAROI postponing his Australian tour to this spring from February 2024 has worked out well for SXSW Sydney, then. As part of the event, he'll also help develop professional development workshops and performance opportunities for Waterloo and Redfern's First Nations communities. After he's chatted about his career to SXSW Sydney's patrons, The Kid LAROI will embark upon a seven-city Australian tour in support of his debut studio album The First Time. On the itinerary: HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Perth's RAC Arena, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, MyState Bank Arena in Hobart and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Migos frontman Quavo and Sydney's own ONEFOUR are also on the bill everywhere except the Gold Coast and Hobart. [caption id="attachment_926206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Kargenian[/caption] SXSW Sydney's 2024 lineup just keeps expanding, after Lucy Lawless, Grace Tame and Tim Minchin — plus sports stars Nick Kyrgios and Noémie Fox, playwright Suzie Miller, former Bangarra Dance Theatre Artistic Director Stephen Page and more — also joined the program to round out August. Set to take place across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates, the event began revealing its program back in May, which was just the beginning. Another announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Then came more music acts and speakers, still in August. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
When you wish upon a star, do you wish for all things Disney to be worked into your daily life? If so, then you'll be familiar with Sydney fine-dining institution NEL and its Once Upon a Time degustations. Since 2019, the Harbour City restaurant has been regularly plating up 11-course meals featuring dishes inspired by the Mouse House and its movies. In fact, it's done so four times so far. 2024's run will mark the enchanting dining experience's fifth chapter, then — and NEL's Executive Chef and namesake Nelly Robinson has new film-themed culinary creations in store. From Tuesday, April 16–Saturday, August 10, fans of top-notch meals and Disney alike can flutter into the Surry Hills eatery to enjoy courses that take their cues from Frozen, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book and more. Both savoury and sweet dishes are on offer, with or without beverages — including cocktails — that also help tell a magical tale. For those who'll never be able to let their Mouse House obsession go, cured ocean trout Nordic-style — complete with a pickled onion snowflake, snow made out of cream cheese, and dustings of lemon and dill done at your table — is on the menu. Of course the Cruella de Vil-themed plate goes with a black-and-white colour scheme, featuring ricotta gnocchi, pan-seared mushroom and a celeriac velouté. And there'll be far more than the bare necessities tempting your tastebuds with the banana-shaped cream paired with roasted white chocolate and peanut butter brittle. Other courses include a nod to Peter Pan via a golden sweet pastry crumble, aka the Once Upon a Time degustation's version of pixie dust; saying "hi ho, hi ho" to a Snow White-inspired dish; and also paying edible tribute to Mulan, The Lion King, Bambi and The Nightmare Before Christmas. There's even NEL's version of a wand, aka a chicken and eggplant pastry that comes in a crisp tulle. NEL is known for its themed degustations, also spanning KFC-inspired dinners, Moulin Rouge!-themed and Christmas degustations, and heroing native Australian ingredients in the past. Unsurprisingly, the Once Upon a Time spread is especially popular — and because it serves up new and fresh dishes riffing on the Mouse House's favourites each time, it's always a different experience each year. Price-wise, this childhood-inspired feast will require an adult salary, costing $185 per person, with beverages matched for an extra $165. Reserving a spot ASAP for dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 5.15pm, and for lunch from 12pm on Saturdays as well, is recommended — this always books out.
Tackle the doom and gloom of Sunday's dying hours with a local dose of chilled-out jazz and a delightfully priced cocktail. Every Sunday in from 6pm, Moya's Juniper Lounge will host live jazz and $10 negronis — the perfect combination to help you forget about the looming Monday morning. Combining a free jazz gig from The Squares with classic negronis (which, at $10, are a rare bargain), the Redfern gin bar has created the perfect evening. Banish those Sunday blues with a cocktail in-hand (and perhaps a personal pickle plate) in what might be one of the best things to do in Sydney on a Sunday. The bar opens at 4pm and the band kicks off at 6pm. [caption id="attachment_586723" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Images: Steven Woodburn.[/caption]
Twenty years since the Australian fashion designer launched her easy-to-wear feminine collection at fashion week in Sydney, Lee Mathews continues to create ethically driven clothing designed for people like her — laidback, socially conscious and stylish. Nothing fits too closely, from wide-fit linen pants to floaty satin skirts and loosely structured culottes. Fabric is important — cotton, denim, wool and silk is thoughtfully sourced from around the world and Mathews' prints are all designed in-house. In fact, she's originally from the northern beaches of Sydney so the Glenmore Road store is the flagship and it has all those architectural and industrial finishing touches you'd expect from the designer known for her minimalist style. When you don't know where to start, let the team guide you to one of the Spanish-milled cotton tank dresses that'll become a summer wardrobe favourite.
For more than 20 years, Il Baretto has been a go-to for Sydneysiders. You could always rely on its great food — its heartwarming carbonara, porcini mushroom risotto, spaghetti alle vongole and signature pappardelle with duck ragu — and just the right amount of hipster charm. Whether you went for a midweek date night or a Saturday night pasta feast with mates, the much-loved Bourke Street restaurant was always packed wall-to-wall. Adding your name to the list and popping over to The Carrington for a pint while you waited was all part of the appeal. It was a restaurant from another time, with handwritten menus and payments made in cash only. Best of all it was BYO — a rare find in gentrified Surry Hills — and a big bowl of pasta cost you about $20. Now, amid the global pandemic, it has closed its beloved Bourke Street digs for good. Co-owner Gabriella Fedeli told Concrete Playground the closure was "bittersweet", but there is a silver lining. A new Il Baretto is in the works, with plans to reopen locally sometime later this year. "It's time to grow and embrace whatever the new normal will be," Fedeli said. While many Sydneysiders — and Concrete Playground staff — eagerly await Il Baretto 2.0, the closure marks the end of a dining era. The Bourke Street institution has been serving up nonna's favourites since 1999. Il Baretto has closed its Bourke Street restaurant, with plans to reopen in a new Surry Hills spot in the coming months. We'll be sure to keep you updated. Images: Leticia Almeida
Run away and join the circus (for an afternoon) these spring school holidays. The Circus Extravaganza High Tea Buffet will be in town at the Shangri-La Sydney for three weekends from Saturday, September 23 to Sunday, October 8. It'll be a delight for the senses, with a feast of carnival-inspired bites and desserts served amongst colourful models of life-size performers, carousel horses and distorting mirrors in the Grand Ballroom. Munch on mini corn dogs, tempura chicken nuggets and buttered popcorn before diving into calabrese chicken sandwiches and tomato and goat's cheese focaccia topped with grilled eggplant. To close out the show, cinnamon churros, cotton candy, double chocolate brownies with marshmallow, strawberry mousse cakes and other treats will be available, alongside a show-stopping ice cream sundae station where you can let your creativity — and sweet tooth — run free. Tickets are $79 for adults and $59 for kids aged 11 and under. Tiny tots three and under can join in on the fun for free. Book your tickets now at Shangri-La Sydney's website. If you want to extend the experience, enjoy a staycation in the city with an Ultimate Circus Getaway room package — book today at the website.
The Ezra team backed up with a buddy venue just one door down on Pott's Point's buzzing Kellett Street with Raja. This contemporary Indian eatery delivers a menu of flavour-packed eats that go above and beyond your expectations of the cuisine, and is fast becoming a contender for one of Sydney's best Indian restaurants. Former Firedoor chef Ahana Dutt leads the kitchen, bringing over the celebrated restaurant's passion for produce-driven cooking. Raja works closely with a serious list of dynamite local producers (including The Gourmet Goat Lady, Newcastle Greens and CopperTree Farms) in creating a menu that pulls the best seasonal ingredients into the foreground. Dutt has teamed up with Ezra and Raja co-owners Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden to conceptualise this celebration of some of the tastiest dishes you've probably never tried — yet. There's galho, a northeast Indian rice soup that shares more similarities to Chinese cooking than your typical Indian affair; albacore 'toast' featuring pathrado, a bread generally found on the Konkani coast that Dutt perfected while working in Mumbai for three years; and goat riblets which are perfectly paired with the Raja Cutter cocktail. The cocktails have been curated with help from PS40's Michael Chiem, resulting in a list that continues the through-line of Indian spices from the food — with creations like the aforementioned Cutter and a jackfruit Old Fashioned. "I'm Indian and I feel a lot of pride in being about to showcase that food," Dutt told Concrete Playground. "I think there is a lot of food that goes underrepresented — not just here but even in India because it is such a big country it's just not actually possible to know everything." Raja is offering up your very best opportunity to expand your horizons. Images: Nikki To
Legendary Sydney actor and the famously gravelly voice behind Banjo Patterson's The Man from Snowy River, Jack Thompson, has been announced as the Creative Ambassador for 2014 New Year's Eve in Sydney. Born and raised on the Northern Beaches, Thompson's career meandered from classic Australian films like Sunday Too Far Away, The Man From Snowy River and Breaker Morant (for which he nabbed Cannes and AFI awards) to Star Wars and recent Baz Lurhman escapades The Great Gatsby and Australia. A member of the Order of Australia for accomplishments in film, Thompson's made over 100 movies and television shows, as well as plays and poetry recordings over the past 45 years. Now he's looking at an entirely different type of script. "It is such an honour to be able to represent my home town — one of the world’s truly great cities — as the Creative Ambassador of 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve," said Thompson, whose love for a good yarn lead him to pick this year's theme. Putting his age ol' fireside storytelling skills to a multi-million dollar budget, Thompson has picked the theme 'Inspire' for the fireworks extravaganza — hoping to implement a series of stories about our fine city in the midst of midnight pashes and Passion Pop-fuelled D&Ms. "Sydney is filled with stories that inspire, from the ancient engravings of the Gadigal people in the sandstone of the headlands to the unique architecture of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge," says Thompson. "As we prepare to celebrate the year that’s passed and look to the future at what lies ahead, I encourage Sydneysiders and visitors alike to join with us and share their own inspirational stories of Sydney." Thompson joins a solid lineup of previous high-profile Australian creatives to take on the role of Creative Ambassador for Sydney New Years Eve. Mental As Anything and Mambo legend Reg Mombassa took on last year, pop monarch Kylie Minogue oversaw 2012 and overwhelmingly influential designer Marc Newson had the top job in 2011. Reaching 1.6 million people on Sydney Harbour alone (as well as a cheeky billion worldwide), NYE generates an estimated $156 million to Sydney's economy. Yikes. All that money doesn't go in fat cat pockets though, Thompson's NYE will team up with official 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve charity partner, Engineers Without Borders Australia. Total legend. For more information and to plan where your grab-the-nearest-person-midnight-pash will go down, visit sydneynewyearseve.com. On another note, Thompson was the first nude male centrefold in Cleo magazine in 1972, but we're unlikely to revisit this raunchy page turner on NYE:
While it may not entirely feel like it yet, spring has sprung in Sydney. And as the days get longer and the weather warmer, you'll start to feel that heady, buzzy feeling these sun-soaked days bring with them. Whether you're in a long-seasoned couple, recently matched up or single and looking for a way to impress a potential someone, one thing is certain among the lovebirds: there's a fresh, romantic feeling in the air. Luckily, Sydney is full of brilliant date ideas that aren't simply dinner and a movie — and that won't completely blow out your savings. To help you out, we've pulled together five date ideas under $50 that'll help spark your inner romantic, while our friends at CommBank have rounded up some top tips for living 'money smart' while you're dating or coupled up. Now you can treat that special someone and stay well and truly in the green. Split the bill easily on your next date in under a minute using a PayID (which uses the Osko payment service). Find out more here. TRIVIA AT GOLDEN AGE CINEMA AND BAR Housed in a subterranean art deco cinema in the backstreets of Surry Hills, Golden Age is a brilliant date destination in itself, recreating the whimsy and glamour of the long-lost golden age of Hollywood. Our pick for a chilled out early weeknight date is the Tuesday trivia night. Join the charming Alex Toliopoulos, of Mike Check podcast fame, for a night of film-themed trivia in its adjoining cocktail lounge. Walk-ins and bookings are welcome to the free event in the slick 1920s style bar, saving you enough to grab some cinema snacks and settle in for a night of challenging each other's film knowledge before cosying in for whatever film's (oft a little art house, independent number) on show that night. [caption id="attachment_692567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] KAYAK AROUND THE HARBOUR You know it, your date knows it, we all know it — we're blessed in Sydney with an immense array of water views, all beautiful, most very accessible. While taking in a waterside sunset is always romantic, might we recommend a kayak expedition for the adventure inclined? Head over to Manly Kayak Centre where you can rent a double kayak for $45 and spend an hour exploring the glittering water and beaches of the northern harbour. And if you're after even more water time and coming from the city, grab the ferry to and from Manly on a Sunday to eat up the rest of that $50 (plus $0.40) when Opal fares are $2.70 all day. [caption id="attachment_649376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Letícia Almeida.[/caption] RETRO THRILLS AT ARCHIE BROTHERS CIRQUE ELECTRIQ Dating these days can feel worlds away from what it was made to look like in films like, say, The Notebook. And while we're not suggesting you set yourself up for failure — because really, who can beat Ryan Gosling's move of climbing that ferris wheel — we have tracked down a spot where you and your date can get some nostalgic cheap thrills. Enter Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Alexandria. Here you can challenge each other to retro arcade games, dodgem cars, bowling and laser tag, plus you can go on XD theatre and VR rides. It's truly a grown up's wonderland, and what's more, it's cheap as chips. Arcade games cost between $2–$5 each, dodgem cars are $4 a ride, bowling ranges from $14-$32, laser tag clocks in at $12 a game and the XD and VR rides are $8 and $7 respectively. And on top of all that, there's also a bar and eatery slinging $15 pizzas for when you need to refuel. [caption id="attachment_692566" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] EXPLORE COCKATOO ISLAND The views around Circular Quay and The Rocks are hard to beat, but the crowds can quickly strip away any feeling of romance. A visit to Cockatoo Island might be just the trick for a sweet date spot that'll feel like a mini trip away. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is located just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay and often hosts art exhibitions and cultural events. Formerly a penal site for Australian convicts, the site also functioned as a major shipbuilding centre as well as housing a reformatory school for wayward children. Tours of these sites can be booked, but an audio guide is only $5 and leaves you free to explore the island on your own. If you really want to make a holiday of it, plan to BYO tent and stay the night at one of the camping sites. Sites are $45 a night Monday to Thursday and $50 a night Friday to Sunday. They also can fit four people, so you could even make it a double date and use the rest of your budget on nosh for the onsite barbecues. FRESH BREWS AND LIVE TUNES AT STAVES BREWERY Generally speaking, music, laughter and excellent drinks are key indicators of a good time, so why not combine the three? Staves Brewery in Glebe is a charming microbrewery churning out high-quality beers and live entertainment every night from Thursday to Sunday. Unlike most breweries, Staves is licensed until midnight and, as well as featuring a cute little beer garden out the back, has a sixty-seater performance space upstairs. Thursday night is open mic night, Friday brings $10 comedy, there's live music throughout the weekend and food trucks often set up at the brewery. Add this one to the list under easy, unpretentious good vibes. What's even better than paying $50 or less on a date? Getting us to pick up the bill. Enter our comp for a chance to win $250 so you can try every idea on the list.
Not every Sydneysider has the luxury of being able to nab a cheeky beach dip in Tamarama after work. The words "hectic traffic", "epic trek", "generally CBF" start a long list of pretty solid excuses. If you're an inner-city dweller, chances are you've found your nearest community pool for cooling off and doing mad laps in. Luckily, the City of Sydney's built a fair few aquatic centres around town. And the first weekend of summer's the perfect time to try 'em all. For free. On Saturday, December 7, the City of Sydney is opening up all five of its swimming pools for free from 10am till 3pm, inviting locals to try out everything each 50-metre pool has to offer — including the insanely pretty Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool located on the edge of the harbour, Redfern's lovely yellow-hued Prince Alfred Park Pool, Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown, Cook + Phillip Park Pool on the edge of Hyde Park and Ultimo's Harry Seidler-designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. You could hop between each one for a full comparison. There'll be a range of activities for all ages on the day, including tours, fitness classes, aquatic inflatables, learn-to-swim information, barbecues and face painting. Plus, you get to swim for free.
In November 2018, the owners of The World Bar announced that the venue would be abruptly closing its doors after 18 years. The Kings Cross institution had, during its long tenure, hosted over 4000 DJs and 1000 bands, poured thousands of teapots and was the late-night go-to for many party fiends and Sydney music lovers. The news of its closure was met by an outpouring of emotion by Sydneysiders, musicians and local businesses, with owner Steve Ward describing the closure as "heartbreaking stuff". But the venue hasn't called last drinks just yet. This morning it was announced that it will be home to a new live music spot, with Cali Club opening its doors on Wednesday, December 12. New owners Dane Gorrel and Matt Weir jumped at the opportunity to revive the heritage-listed site, saying there's a serious need for a live music venue and nightclub in Sydney — especially in Kings Cross. "We need to preserve our nightclub institutions," Gorrel said today. "They have a tremendous impact on Sydney's culture, and once they go, it's incredibly hard for them to return." Many Aussie musicians like Flume, DZ Deathrays and Gang of Youths played early gigs at World Bar, including Weir himself, who scored one of his first DJ residencies at the venue. Both Weir and Gorrel have been involved in the Sydney music scene since, running bars and club nights and, most recently, relaunching neighbouring late-night party institution Club 77. Needless to say, live music will be central to Cali Club's offering. The program is set to be quite varied, with Gorrel telling Concrete Playground that the team is "hoping to book as many live acts as possible". As well as reinstating popular Wednesday club night The Wall (which will return for the club's opening night), they're launching a new Saturday night event with Western Sydney rap duo Cult Shotta and will host everything from acoustic gigs to live electronica. Those who like to party late into the evening (and into the wee hours of the morning) will be able to scratch that itch at Cali Club, too, with the venue opening till 4am from Wednesday through Saturday. There are also plans to launch Sundays in the New Year. For the moment, the space will look the same — Gorrel and Weir want to spend a couple of months getting a feel for it, and its patrons, before giving it a makeover. When ready, they've recruited Sydney designer Josh Clapp of Steel and Stitch, who's behind Lobo Plantation, Chula, and the pair's Castlecrag restaurant Apera to give the venue a "cosmetic facelift". And the space will be scoring a fancy new sound system courtesy of Prague's Kv2 Audio, too. One thing that will be missing from the new venue is teapots. "We can't have teapots as they're trademarked by The World Bar," says Gorrel. "But we're going to be doing something different." Stay tuned. Find Cali Club at 24 Bayswater Road, Potts Point from Wednesday, December 12. It will open from 3pm–4am, Wednesday through Saturday. Image: Joe Cheng.
A powerhouse duo of the Sydney dining scene, ARIA's Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan (collectively, MorSul), are expanding their restaurant empire. They're opening a second Chiswick, this weekend at the Art Gallery of NSW. Despite the lure of good food, Chiswick's original outpost was, for most, a drag to get to, being situated in the depths of sleepy Woollahra. Now, with the convenience of the city location, Chiswick at the Gallery promises visitors a luxurious bite to eat post-exhibition and a cultured lunch option for CBD workers. "It's a real privilege to be gifted this great canvas," says Moran. "We will work hard to ensure Chiswick at the Gallery complements the rich art experience the Gallery delivers to Sydneysiders and visitors." The 125-seat dining space will follow in the steps of its sister restaurant, featuring a menu driven by Moran's passion for sourcing the best seasonal produce from around the state. Head chef Laura Baratto has dreamt up a menu of spring hits, including roast chicken with cos, sugar snaps and lemon; lamb shoulder (from Moran's farm) with smoked eggplant and mint salsa; and desserts like watermelon, strawberries and strawberry ice cream. Along with the dishes on offer, sommelier Matt Dunne has devised a drinks list consisting of old and new world wines (with 20 by the glass), a curated list of cocktails, and Chiswick's specialty sodas infused with fresh herbs and fruit syrup. In the restaurant, diners will have a choice between sitting at the bar or at the communal table. The restaurant interior is imbued with the best of the Woollahra location, with streams of natural light, custom-made rugs over the floorboards, and smooth wood finishes. For all of you screaming, "what about brunch?", well, your calls have been answered; weekend brunches will kick off later in the year. Chiswick at the Gallery will launch on Saturday, October 25. It will be open for lunch seven days a week from noon - 3.30pm and for dinner on Wednesdays until 9pm, when the gallery hosts Art After Hours. MorSul also run the gallery's more casual eatery, Cafe at the Gallery.
Back in January, the City of Sydney ran a four-week festival that saw it shut down inner-city streets for al fresco dining pop-ups. The Summer Streets saw waves of Sydneysiders soak in some sun and support local businesses on bustling streets across Redfern, Glebe, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Pyrmont. With spring currently in full swing, the minds behind Summer Streets have brought the program back for a six-week run throughout October and the start of November. Now labelled Sydney Streets, the run of street parties will be popping up on busy thoroughfares across Surry Hills, Pyrmont, Redfern, Haymarket, Glebe, Potts Point and the Sydney CBD from Saturday, October 1 — with the first event taking over Surry Hills' Crown Street. From there, a different City of Sydney suburb will be given the street party experience each Saturday until the program finishes up with a blockbuster event spread across Darlinghurst Road and Macleay Street in Potts Point. Also getting involved in the festival: Harris Street, Stanley Street, Redfern Street and Glebe Point Road. [caption id="attachment_869982" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths[/caption] Each weekend's event will see these spots trade traffic for outdoor dining, shopping and live entertainment from 11am until 10pm. The City of Sydney hopes this initiative will help businesses to continue to bounce back after an extremely tough couple of COVID- and rain-affected years. "We're closing our main streets to traffic and making it safe so locals can shop, dine or drink on our footpaths and roadways in a Covid-safe way," City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. "Our first series of Sydney Streets parties through the last summer was a huge success and well received by residents and businesses alike. We want to see more people get out and about and enjoy what their neighbourhoods have to offer." Alongside Sydney Streets, the council is also fast-tracking outdoor dining permits and waiving outdoor dining fees until mid-2023. In June, more than $6.2-million in cash grants and in-kind contributions were approved for local businesses, community groups and cultural programs across the City of Sydney. Following this upcoming spring edition, another run of Sydney Streets will be taking place at the beginning of 2023 between January and April. [caption id="attachment_648852" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida.[/caption] Sydney Streets will close down streets in Surry Hills, Pyrmont, Redfern, Haymarket, Glebe, Potts Point and the Sydney CBD between Saturday, October 1—Saturday, November 12. Top image: Katherine Griffiths
Luxe online fashion store The Undone is bringing its annual pop-up sale to Surry Hills this weekend, with up to 80 percent off its collection of designer threads. It's a rare chance to shop the brand IRL, and nab highly discounted pieces while you're at it. Expect high-end basics, wardrobe essentials and boutique jewellery from both local and international designers. Emerging Aussie labels to look out for include Anna Quan, Kacey Devlin, Elissa McGowan and Holly Ryan. More established local designers range from Christopher Esber and Michael Lo Sordo to Strateas Carlucci. You can score some premium denim from LA's J Brand and Frame Denim, too. Plus, shoppers will get an additional $50–150 off for total purchases of $500–1000 (respectively). And, if you get in early, the first ten people each day will receive a free branded water bottle and notebook. The shop will be open on Foveaux Street all weekend long until sold out; hours are Friday from 8am–6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am–4pm. Despite the discount, this still won't be a cheap shopping trip, but it is a chance to get some quality pieces at a relatively affordable price.
Jean-Paul Bourdier is an award-winning photographer, author, film production designer and professor. Bourdier's long list of talents and prizes aside, his ephemeral photographs of body art and landscapes - or 'bodyscapes' as he affectionately calls them - truly speak for themselves. His breathtaking shots seamlessly integrate painted naked bodies into the background of wondrous natural topography. Provocative, mesmerising and refreshingly unique, Bourdier's images will have you transfixed, so make sure you set aside a good amount of time to marvel at the many works of art in this collection. Here are 15 stunning photographs from his book, Bodyscapes, to give you a taste of his inspired style. [Via Design You Trust]
Sometimes one pizza isn't enough. Sometimes your stomach is a ravenous bottomless pit. Sometimes you need all-you-can-eat. Luckily, Sydney is not lacking in this department — there are restaurants offering all-you-can-eat sushi, pizza and pasta every day of the week. And we've wrapped up our favourites, so you can satisfy your insatiable cravings, no matter what day it is.
If you've ever felt a pull to the glitz and glamour of Gatsby's famous parties, the extravagance of the roaring 20s and the cold comfort of a green light across the water, this is a cultural event you should be adding to your summer calendar. Coming to the Sydney Opera House from Saturday, December 16 is Gatsby at The Green Light. This immersive theatre experience transports you to the hottest club in town, inspired by the classic story of The Great Gatsby, in a space that intercedes the 1920s and 2020s. Bear witness to a show quite unlike anything else in town. Think escapist theatre with a healthy serving of cabaret, variety and contemporary music onstage. Performed by an impressive international cast, including local vocalist star Odette and musical director Kim Moyes who collaborated on a bold original song in the production, the talent is worthy of Gatsby's legendary parties. In terms of the seating, you can pick from two options. You can play it safe and secure a seat the usual distance from the stage or do Gatsby justice with an up-close cabaret table that includes a 1920s canape and cocktail package to complete the experience. Don your finest 20s outfit, and prepare for an evening that needs to be seen to be believed. Gatsby at The Green Light runs on select dates between Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, February 25, 2024. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the website.
While some of us appreciate the cosiness of winter, others can't wait until warmer weather returns. Now is your chance to become someone who loves the cold, as Tourism Tasmania has just opened its Winternship applications. With ten lucky participants heading to Tassie to undertake an internship experience that helps them become winter people, embracing the cold and damp could change your life. From caring for adorable local wildlife and maintaining historic chairlifts to foraging in tunnels for tasty mushrooms, there's every prospect you'll discover a new passion, while realising that perhaps spending your days on a windswept hillside isn't so bad after all. So, pull on your thickest socks and don your favourite beanie, as these Winternships are perfect for changing the pace of your daily life. For instance, the Sauna Skipper experience sees a Wintern keep the temperatures toasty at the woodfired Kuuma Nature Sauna — a floating relaxation adventure soaked in natural beauty. For something more upbeat, head to Penguin's Hideaway Farmlet, where the Goat Doofer Wintern is tasked with hosting a mini music festival for a vibe-seeking herd. Then, night owls are primed for the Devil Sitter position, as they'll babysit Tasmanian devils who love to shriek, screech and growl from dusk to dawn. If Tassie's burgeoning culinary scene is more your mood, Tunnel Hill Mushrooms is looking for recruits to grow, pick and prepare their award-winning mushrooms, cultivated inside an old railway tunnel. Meanwhile, McHenry Distillery — the southernmost distillery and brewery in the world — invites a spirit-loving Wintern to learn whisky's tricks of the trade from amid the remote Tasman Peninsula. With several more Winternships to explore, there's no shortage of ways to discover what's special about the cold. "Tasmanians are winter people at heart, so we don't just endure winter, we celebrate it," says Sarah Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tasmania. "We're inviting Winterns to dive head-first into our winter culture that's probably a bit different to their home state. From babysitting Tasmanian devils to fragrance foraging, there's something for everyone in Tasmania this off-season. We guarantee you'll head home with some different skills and most importantly, a new take on winter." Ready to toss your woolly hat in the ring? Tourism Tasmania's Winternship applications are now open until Tuesday, June 17. To enter, simply write a short submission of fewer than 50 words, explaining why you want to become a winter person. If chosen, you'll have your travel covered and be guided by local experts throughout your stay. Plus, you'll return home with a selection of Tasmania's best seasonal produce and goods, handpicked by your hosts. Tourism Tasmania's Winternship applications are now open until Tuesday, June 17. Head to the website to learn more and submit your application.
Winter might be long, but it has its advantages — from beers by the fireside to dog sledding and snowshoeing. Then there are the whales. Between May and October, thousands of the mighty beasts swim north from the Antarctic to warmer waters to have babies. And, if you're anywhere on the Australian East Coast, you're likely to see them. But if you're on Phillip Island, you'll get even better views. To celebrate this fact, the island hosts an annual whale festival. For three happy days from Friday, July 11–Sunday, July 13, you can escape the city to gaze at humpbacks while soaking up films, talks, art and live music. This year, the heart of the event is the Festival Hub, where you can go on a scavenger hunt through interactive installations, explore underwater via virtual reality, hear from whale researchers, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of a marine world. Beyond the hub, there'll be a pop-up art show at Clay & Co Studio, a creative arts station at Phillip Island Gallery (from where you can set off on an artists' trail), the 2025 Ocean Film Festival at Berninneit Theatre and, of course, plenty of chances to go whale watching — on land and at sea. Images: Island Whales
It has been three years since Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog launched its first Australian brewery and taproom in Brisbane, and two since the brewery promised that more bars in more Aussie cities were on the way. Now, thanks to a new partnership with Australian Venue Co (AVC) — the group behind spots such as Cargo, Kingsleys and The Winery in Sydney; Fargo and Co, State of Grace and The Smith in Melbourne; and Riverland, The Regatta and The Crown Hotel in Brisbane — that plan is finally starting to come to life. BrewDog and AVC have announced that they're teaming up to open beer bars across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and beyond in the coming years, starting with a first new site in Victoria. Come spring this year, Melbourne's historic Pentridge Prison precinct will welcome a hefty new venue: a two-level pub complete with an indoor dining room and lounge bar, plus a sprawling beer garden sporting its own BrewDog container bar, big screens and dedicated games area. The partnership sees the world's largest craft beer bar operator join forces with one of Australia's big pub operators, and will span multiple sites — but exactly where and when any venues beyond Pentridge will open hasn't yet been revealed. Still, if you're a fan of the Scottish brewery in Sydney, you'll finally score your own local. And, in Brisbane, you'll have somewhere else to head beyond its 28-tap original Australian outpost in Murarrie. That OG Brisbane craft beer destination pours both house creations and guest brews, and also serves up a menu that's known for its burgers, pizza and wings — if you're wondering what might be in store at the new BrewDog and AVC bars. BrewDog currently operates 102 beer bars worldwide, having recently launched outposts in Mumbai and New Albany (USA), and with huge flagship bars coming soon to Las Vegas and Waterloo (London). BrewDog Pentridge will open in E Division building at Pentridge Prison, 1 Champ Street, Coburg, from spring 2022. For more information about BrewDog's Australian expansion plans, keep an eye on its website — and we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Top image: BrewDog DogTap Brisbane.
Sydney's annual Chinese New Year festival is the largest outside of Asia, with 1.4-million people estimated to take part in the celebrations. While Tuesday, February 5 is officially the first day of the new year, festivities will run all the way to February 10 — and the schedule for the next few days is packed. Whether it's spent gawking at installations made from 1000 pig lanterns, doing free tai chi on the Opera House steps or eating mango pancakes, this weekend is a great opportunity to celebrate Sydney's rich cultural diversity and help ring in the Year of the Pig.
Want to get the crew together to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch with harbour views and rosé aplenty? Head to The Glenmore's top-notch rooftop for its series of bottomless lunches, taking place on the first Sunday of every month from 12pm. Kick back in the sunshine as you feast on a share-style lunch with the crew. Food-wise, the menu changes regularly but, to give you an idea, think prosciutto with onion cream, hazelnut and lavosh, sumac-crusted salmon with kohlrabi and apple salsa, and roast potatoes dressed in parsley, capers and horseradish. Of course, no bottomless lunch is complete without two hours of free-flowing rosé. To top it off there will be live music all day, completing the stunning rooftop vibe. The Glenmore's bottomless rooftop lunches kick off at noon on the first Sunday of the month. To book a table, head to the website.
Usually, when winter rolls around, Bondi becomes a hub of ferris wheel rides, art shows, live music, history walks and fringe events for the annual Winter Magic and Bondi Feast events. In 2020, because of COVID-19, those events were combined to create a mega-festival of art, food and soaring through the sky dubbed Bondi Festival. This year, Bondi Festival is back with a full suite of exciting pop-ups and activations throughout the beachside suburb. Setting up once more will be Bondi Vista, a mega wheel that'll send you soaring 22 metres above the sand. From Friday, July 1 through until Sunday July 17, you can go for a spin and feast your eyes on 360-degree views. On one side, you'll be gazing at wild waves, endless horizon and open sky. On the other, look out for glimpses of the city skyline. If you prefer to spin in circles on the ground, you can do just that at an ice-skating rink. And, walking tours and events for families will also be on the bill. Between rides on both circular attractions, you can check out an extravaganza of comedy and theatre, with shows popping up throughout the suburb. There will be a comedy and theatre mash-up from Randa Sayed and a comedic theatre seance from magician Harry Milas in a hidden Bondi location. Artist Joel Bray will also be transforming the Bondi Bowlo for a pub trivia night blended with contemporary dance, and award-winning performer Bron Batten will be presenting a theatre piece based on modern romance called Onstage Dating. "Playful, immersive and tailor-made, this year's program takes over Bondi for three weeks of art and playful audience experiences," Bondi Festival Director Rachel Chant said. "Go ice-skating by the beach or commune with the dead in a mysterious location, date an artist live on stage or take in a panoramic view of the coastline on the Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel."
Famed Aussie chef Sean Moran (Sean's Panorama) is spending more time in the mountains than at the beach these days. Together with his partner Michael 'Manoo' Robertson, he's opened High Hopes Roadhouse in the homey Blue Mountains town of Bilpin — located just down the road from their well-known farm. What was a weekend-only bistro serving woodfired pizzas is now a country diner that's serving up comforting classics with a seasonal twist. But, unlike Sean's Panorama, Moran doesn't want High Hopes to feel too "restaurant-y". "After the bushfires and then COVID-19, we felt it was time for something a bit more lighthearted for the Bilpin community," says Moran. "Now, we're open every day for breakfast and lunch, and people can have anything from toasted sandwiches to a bowl of a pasta or a steak." On the menu, you'll find those dishes alongside corned beef and cabbage, and cast-iron potato rosti, plus cauliflower mac 'n' cheese, pumpkin and horseradish soup and chipolatas with gravy and peas. For the spring menu, Moran is considering pan-fried fish cakes and a lighter version of his pea soup with crispy speck. Also on the lineup: Sean's linguine, a simple dish made with chilli oil, shredded rocket, coarse parmesan, lemon and garlic. The dish's popularity proceeds it, and it has already become a favourite at High Hopes. "That dish has been on my menu since the George Hotel days in the late 80s," says Moran. "It has moved with me and I always get people asking for it at Bondi. It's a really good all-rounder." As you'd expect from Moran, the diner focuses on using as much local produce as possible. For example, all of the ingredients in the steak and eggs are sourced from Moran's farm, including the side of fresh cavolo nero. High Hopes is also working with nearby bakery The Hive, which is run by self-taught baker Ben Porteous. "We're so lucky to have a baker up the road," says Moran. "Ben stone grounds flour to make his sourdough and makes incredible apple pies with really thin pastry and real vanilla and lemon in it." That apple pie (topped with a scoop of ice cream) will regularly make the dessert menu, alongside seasonal options like chocolate mouse and trifles made with locally sourced fruit. Inside it's an eclectic and homey fit-out, with wooden tables and chairs salvaged from old junk shops, art deco light fixtures and a newly installed fireplace. Out the back of the dining room — separated by sliding glass doors — is a nostalgic sweet shop selling all manner of things, from English classics like liquorice and blocks of toffee and all the brightly coloured candies in between. "It goes against my slow food ethos, but it's a bit of fun," says Moran. "I like watching people walk in, especially adults, and seeing their faces lights up." In the not-too-distant future, expect to see dinner service on weekends and a produce store around the side. Find High Hopes Roadhouse at 2488 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin from 8am–4pm Sunday–Wednesday and 8.30am–4pm Thursday–Saturday.
While Sydney boasts its fair share of bottomless brunches, it's always exciting when a longtime culinary favourite launches its own iteration of the time-honoured tradition. The latest Sydney spot to jump on the bandwagon is Parramatta's Lilymu — one of our 15 favourite restaurants in Sydney. And this Parramatta Square eatery is doing things a little differently with a unique selection of food and free-flowing drinks. For $99 per person, you and your fellow brunch revellers will be treated to 90 minutes of bottomless sake spritzes and espresso martinis, as well as prosecco, rosé and Asahi beer. Accompanying the drinks is a banquet of highlights from the Lilymu menu, including crispy fried quail, red curry rice bites, ricotta dumplings, banana leaf roasted barramundi and prawn fried rice. [caption id="attachment_787138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] If all of that still isn't enough, there's also a range of extras you can add on, including pacific oysters for $6 each and roasted duck with Laos sausages for $55. "As the Lilymu brand continues to grow and reach new heights, we wanted to give back to our guests by offering the best value bottomless lunch not only in the west but in Sydney," Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lilymu Ibby Moubadder said. Bookings are available from midday–2pm every Saturday and Sunday with a minimum group size of four people required to order the bottomless brunch. [caption id="attachment_893677" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] Top image: Nicki To
Hear ye, hear ye. News just in that Bondi is set to get its own classic British pub this October. The Beekeeper will open on Hall Street, in the heritage-listed Fellworth Flats, serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. The Beekeeper is an ode to owners Ben Campbell and Brendan Darcy's Northern English heritage. The boys behind the Northern Hospitality group are well-versed in operating welcoming and lively spaces, with their much-loved dive bar Chuck Trailer's recently expanding to a second location in Sydney's CBD. The owners want The Beekeeper to serve as a hive of community activity where people can come together over a Guinness and some classic grub. Head Chef Kevin Davis intends to bring a taste of his English roots to Bondi with scotch eggs, fish and chips, Ploughman's Lunches and traditional Sunday roasts served with all the trimmings. Ben and Brendan explain that the "name The Beekeeper is a tip of the hat to Manchester's famous worker bee — a symbol of hard work and community. We want the Beekeeper to be the heart of the local community — a place where people come together over a proper pint and a warm welcome." Images: Supplied. The Beekeeper will open its doors this October at 45 Hall Street, Bondi. Follow @thebeekeeperbondi on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest information.
Underground CBD favourite Burrow Bar moved from its original home in De Mestre Place to 96 Clarence Street with big plans to expand into two levels and open a restaurant above the bar. Those plans are now a reality with the opening of Cash Only Diner, a Vietnamese eatery serving up dishes with roots in owner Chau Tran's family heritage and the dishes of Hue, Vietnam. Tran has taken dishes she learned from her mother — a classically trained chef who studied at a French finishing school in Hue — and with the help of co-owner Bryce McDonough and the Burrow Bar team, has put together a menu that bursts with flavour and showcases the cuisine of the coastal Vietnamese city, which takes culinary elements from both north and south Vietnam. "Our team has worked for months to create contemporary versions of dishes that have decades of tradition behind them," says Tran. "We want this to be a place where people who love authentic Vietnamese food [will] come to, but we also want to share these new flavours with all Sydney foodies." Highlights of the menu include the cá kho tộ, caramelised and braised salmon served in a clay pot and dripping in marinade; the giò thủ, a pork and mushroom terrine; and C.O spring rolls filled with prawn and minced pork. Cash Only Diner sits above Burrow Bar, meaning you can bet the drinks are just as exciting as the food. Pair your Vietnamese feast with a selection from the cocktail menu that includes a green mango negroni, a pineapple and gin creation called Napoleon's 2nd Vice, and a boozy Vietnamese iced coffee, a creative twist on the espresso martini. The award-winning Burrow Bar team includes Rockpool, Spice Temple and Quay alumni, with the bar being named in the finalists of Australian Bartender Magazine's Bar of the Year, Bar Team of the Year and Small Bar of the Year. Tran has also claimed her fair share of accolades, winning Host of the Year at this year's Bartender Magazine Awards and being listed in the Top 25 Bartenders by DrinksWorld. Cash Only Diner is located at 1 Barrack Street, Sydney. It's open midday–11pm, Wednesday–Saturday.
With two decades of experience under his tool belt and a portfolio of clients from the Australian Ballet to Paddington restaurant Saint Peter, florist Sean Cook is at the top of the floristry game in Sydney. His work is often focused on large-scale events, such as weddings, fashion shoots and corporate luncheons — and Cook can certainly impress with a suspended garland of vibrant pinks and purples. Sourcing flowers from preferred growers at the markets in Flemington, Mr Cook works with a team of professionals to pull off epic showcases of floral design. He says his style is raw, rather than prim, and you can gauge more of the jaw-dropping table arrangements on his Instagram page. Though rare, Mr Cook does create flowers for delivery, too; for Mother's Day this year, Cook collaborated with Pepe Saya and Crumpets by Merna to create beautiful bouquets to deliver alongside the cultured butter and fermented sourdough crumpets.
Sophie and Con Bousgas, the owners of the longstanding Surry Hills pub Bar Cleveland, have brought in an exciting new face to reinvigorate the space above the Sydney stalwart. Renowned chef Justin North has moved into the second-floor space on Cleveland Street with his new homely Mediterranean diner Sofia. Inspired by Greek cuisine, Sofia utilises Bar Cleveland's existing grill and its reputation as an inviting community-minded spot to present home-style southern Mediterranean food that champions fresh local produce. "The focus for Sofia was really to create a place for locals to enjoy fresh, Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a drink or two, honouring good quality cooking, hospitality, and a shared experience," says North. Guests are welcomed into the newly renovated space within the historic 1800s-built building. "The building really dictated what the design needed to be," says Sophie Bousgas. "We wanted to restore and showcase the natural bones of the building to help tell the story of Sofia." Once settled in the dining room, surrounded by light breezy tones and exposed brick, you'll be presented with a menu centred predominantly around snacky share plates partnered with a few larger dishes. Highlights from the kitchen include chargrilled eggplant salad, pomegranate-cured ocean trout and beef tartare with a garlic emulsion. The grill is being kept busy, with grilled garlic king prawns, flat-iron wagyu, cauliflower, octopus and chorizo all making appearances across the menu. And, if you're heading in with a group, you can choose from three shared mains including an 800-gram MBS4+ bistecca steak — all ready to be placed in the centre of the table. The wine list is filled with reliable drops, and the cocktail menu is made up of classics alongside playful twists like a mango and lime gelato-infused number and the Noah's Arc, a Turkish Delight-inspired creation. Sofia is located at Level 1, 433 Cleveland Street Surry Hills. It's open 5.30–10pm Wednesday–Thursday and midday–2.30pm and 5.30–10pm Friday–Sunday.
Whether it's opening a sprawling art museum, taking over a 400-year-old castle, turning old oil tanks into a digital waterfall or bringing waves of light to Melbourne, teamLab's digital installations are never less than dazzling. The term definitely applies to the interdisciplinary collective's latest venture, too, with teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live transforming Japan's Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo Hot Springs into its latest awe-inspiring artwork. Currently on display on Kyushu, the third largest and most southern of Japan's islands, A Forest Where Gods makes the most of its huge site. Created in 1845, and featuring gardens, shrines, forests, rocks and caves, the hot springs stretch across 500,000 square metres — within which teamLab has placed 21 installations, all playing with light, colour and movement as the group's eye-popping attractions always do. In Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo's bath house ruins, visitors can watch flowers, people and water particles dance across huge megaliths, and feel like they're wandering through a place where time has stopped in the process. Or, over at the hot springs' pond, you can see the water's surface come to life with koi and boats, the former reacting to the latter. Other highlights include floral displays blooming repeatedly on a 5.5-metre-high moss-covered rock, a digital waterfall falling on a shrine, lights fading and glowing across a valley of azaleas, butterflies fluttering through underground ruins, and multicoloured bulbs brightening up cherry blossoms and maple forests. And, it wouldn't be a teamLab site takeover without cups of tea filled with digital flowers, or without a sea of rainbow-hued lamps — both floating on a lake and suspended from above in spiral patterns. The interactive exhibition is split into two parts, with The Nature of Time running from 11.30am–sunset, and Earth Music & Ecology kicking in from sunset–10.30pm. The daytime element has a greater focus on Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo's existing wonders, while the evening session lets teamLab's shine under the night sky. Whichever you're keen on, if you're going to be in the vicinity and want to head along, you'll want to book a ¥500–1400 (AU$6.95–19.55) ticket in advance — unsurprisingly, teamLab's gorgeous work is always popular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmCaGTKxy54 teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live runs until November 4, 2019 at Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo Hot Springs, Kyushu, Japan. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Images: teamLab.
The time of boring holidays is over. No longer are we locking ourselves inside a three-star resort for two weeks, limiting ourselves to whitewashed itineraries and experiences we could find at home. To really explore the world, we must occasionally check comfort and familiarity at the door. That's what you could do with a guided, small-group tour organised by Intrepid Travel. We've teamed up with the global exploration extraordinaires to showcase just a taste of the experiences on offer. All you need to do is dive right in. [caption id="attachment_970293" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ChanwitOhm via iStock[/caption] Hike up a Volcano in Lombok When it comes to Aussies on holiday, Bali is an all-time classic pick. The neighbouring island of Lombok isn't that far afield either, but there's more to an Indonesian getaway than massages and cocktails by the beach. Instead, you can secure a spot on a 12-day adventure across the islands of Bali, Lombok and Gili. You'll hike, bike and kayak your way through some of the most scenic landscapes Indonesia has to offer. The peak (literally) of the adventure comes on the island of Lombok, where you'll spend two days hiking up an active volcano, camp at its crater (at nearly 2600 metres high) and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the ocean — if the weather is clear. Watch the Sunrise From the Tallest Mountain in Borneo Borneo is one of the last wild nations on Earth, with a hugely diverse ecosystem and a range of iconic native wildlife—orangutans being the most famous among them. This 11-day expedition allows you to get up close and personal with those gentle forest creatures, as well as sea turtles, macaques, bears and maybe even pygmy elephants. During your adventure, you'll also get to scale Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in the country. To see the sunrise from the summit, 4095 metres above sea level, you'll spend the night on the mountain and set off at 2am — but the views will be worth it. When you've descended, you will spend the afternoon unwinding in hot springs. Help Reforest an Island in Cambodia Community service in Cambodia is a highly regarded activity for Aussies abroad, but this eight-day tour of the country will put you in touch with more than just good karma. You'll bike through the Cambodian countryside, explore ancient ruins, meet endangered river dolphins and spend two days on an island in the Mekong River. On the small island of Koh Trong, you'll overnight in a local homestay, giving you ample time to explore the island's shores, rice fields and fruit orchards. Once you've had a good night's sleep and a home-cooked meal, you'll lend a hand to a local reforestation project to put some good back into the earth. Immerse Yourself in the Himalayas Along the Trans-Bhutan Trail There are few secrets on planet Earth as well hidden as Bhutan. Literally and figuratively dwarfed by its neighbours, India and China, this tiny Buddhist kingdom transports you back in time and takes your breath away with its awe-inspiring landscapes. You can spend 11 days exploring this remarkable nation with Intrepid. The altitude might thin out the air, but it's cleaner than anywhere else since Bhutan is the world's first carbon-negative country. Breathe deep as you drive and walk across the country's heart, stopping at high-altitude mountain passes, fortified Buddhist complexes and ancient monasteries built into the sides of rock faces. Kayak Amongst Stunning Limestone Islands in Lan Ha Bay Vietnam's scenery is on another level, with mountains, valleys and fields that create incredible memories (and photographs). It's a quintessential destination for travellers, but the art of balancing its many moving pieces is best left to travel agents and trip organisers. It's a good thing Intrepid offers an 11-day tour that'll see you hiking, biking and kayaking all over the country. First, you'll venture through the busy capital city of Hanoi for an on-the-ground Vietnam experience. Then, you'll stop in regional cities and towns like Sapa, Khau Bau, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh and Cat Ba Island. Those landlocked locales will see you hit the trails and fields on bicycles and your own two feet, but the latter is in Ha Long Bay's World Heritage designation and features the iconic limestone cliffs and white sand beaches by the plenty. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka Sometimes overshadowed by its larger neighbour, India, Sri Lanka has been slept on as a destination by many for far too long. One of the most varied ways to explore it is a fairly physical eight-day exploration of the island, which will take you through mountains, tea fields, thick jungles and fast-flowing rivers. Along the way, you'll get up close and personal with four of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout the country. First, there's the city of Sigirya, built atop a granite rock over 1500 years ago. You'll then head to the jungle-coated Knuckles Mountain Range, the Sacred City of Kandy and finally, the fortified Old Town of Galle. Trek to the Base of the Highest Mountain on Earth When talking adventure tours in Asia, we'd be remiss not to touch on the most famous of all: the two-week journey to the Base Camp of Mount Everest. It's a trip and a destination carved into human history, but the Base Camp trek is easier than the journey up the mountain itself. This tour starts in Kathmandu, but you'll fly to your real starting point in Lukla before setting off on the hiking journey of a lifetime. Take in the snow-crested peaks and green valleys of the Himalayan ranges as you make the journey up to Base Camp before turning around and taking a different route back to Lukla. You'll be spending your nights in teahouses and are likely to meet other hikers along the way since this is one of the most famous hiking routes in the world. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
Getting really into craft beer and growing a beard has been the overwhelming trend of the past year and while beards are apparently on the out, our love of craft beer is only getting stronger. The designers at Swedish-Italian company Sempli know this and they’ve created a set of glasses that not only look like modern art but are engineered to give you the ultimate beer experience. The Monti range includes four pieces of glassware (yes, these babies are not just glasses, they’re glassware) that look like something you'd find on a gallery plinth but are designed for optimum drinking conditions. In the four-set, you'll get a glass for pilsners, IPAs, pints and 12-ounce bottles for a cool (excuse the pun) $100. The glasses are designed to maximise bubbliness and keep the liquid at the optimum drinking temperature for each different type of beer. It’s true what they say: once you go engineered glassware, you never go back to a beer helmet. Bartenders: prepare for yourself the ultimate snobbery of patrons bringing customised IPA glasses to the pub with them. It’s the craft beer snob’s equivalent of using a tin camping mug as your takeaway coffee cup, except slightly more functional. Monti glassware by Sempli will set you back $55 for a two-set or all four for $100 at Sempli.com. Via Fast Co.Design.
There's something special and foolproof about tapas bars. Gone is the anxiety of choosing your main and possibly missing out on something better, instead you're presented with a far-reaching spread of selections from the restaurant's menu. Combining the thrill of this experience with the luxurious atmosphere of a fine diner, Parlar offers tapas taken up a notch, with ingredients like sturgeon caviar, kingish and wagyu rump carpaccio on offer. The Catalan-inspired bar and restaurant is open in Potts Point, beside its accompanying French brasserie Franca. Both Franca and Parlar are the creation of owner Andrew Becher who has been running the popular French restaurant out of Macleay Street since 2019. "Sydney hasn't seen anything like this and I am incredibly excited to finally bring our Catalan-inspired fine diner to life," Becher says. "We have created a very special and unique offering that highlights the flavours and food of the Catalonian coastline and surrounding regions." Seating 45 guests indoors and 10 in the al fresco area, Parlar offers a range of share plates and a la carte dishes that take inspiration from the coastlines of Spain and Sicily. The obvious place to start is the oysters ($6), served with 15-year Cava mignonette. Highlights of the tapas include croquettes topped with caviar($40); an English muffin with chorizo, manchego and egg ($15); and an anchovy churro ($15). And the larger share plates include diamond clams paired with tomato and smoked salmon roe ($32), or bonito and white gazpacho ($46). The accompanying wine and cocktail list continues the Catalonian themes. "The wines we offer are largely made with ancient native varietals and using methods and techniques that are centuries old," General Manager Alex Cameron says. "There will also be plenty of interesting bottles open and available under the coravin system so you can try something different."
A wave of new omakase restaurants opening in Sydney is in full swing right now, with these set menu experiences now available at the likes of Sokyo, TOKO, Besuto, Bay Nine and Senpai Ramen, just to name a few. The latest outpost to arrive in Sydney with a 'leave it to the chef' mentality is Woo Wol, an omakase restaurant from the Jung Sung team that specialises in one cut of meat — wagyu beef. Lunch at Woo Wol consists of barbecue sets, bento boxes and a range of snacks ranging from fried dumplings to bibimbap. Come dinner, you can keep it simple with a barbecue platter featuring wagyu, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables to enjoy in the main dining room or the al fresco area. These platters are available in a series of different sizes depending on how big your group is. There's also a $70 wagyu cake on the dinner menu, but if you want the full Woo Wol experience, you'll bypass all of this and head for the omakase kitchen. Here, you'll be treated to a 15-course set menu for $250. This lavish dining experience kicks off with spanner crab with egg custard, sea urchin and salmon roe. From there, just a few of the highlights include beef tartare with caviar, black truffle eel, an A5 wagyu cube roll and the sashimi of the day before you're given a lime cleanser and you move onto the centrepiece of your meal. Your omakase experience builds towards the chef performance barbecue where you'll be able to sample a variety of cuts of wagyu. This is accompanied by ban sang (small side dishes) which includes rice of the day, soup of the day and a variety of traditional sides. Whether you opt for barbecue or omakase, you can pair your meal with a glass of Floud of Suntory beer, Korean rice or raspberry wine, or your choice from the soju and spirits menu. These carefully curated selections include Jinro is Back retro soju if you're looking for something simple, grape or peach ChumChurum soju if you want to get sweet and fruity, or premium picks like the $55 JinMaek Wheat Soju and Han Chung Korean Cheongju sake. Woo Wol is located at Shop 7/6 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale. It's open for lunch Thursday–Sunday and dinner Monday–Sunday. Top image: Steven Woodburn
Sydney's omakase options have skyrocketed in the past couple of months, with restaurants boasting impressive and extensive Japanese set menus popping up in The Rocks, The Star's Sokyo and now: Chatswood. Chase Kojima, one of Sydney's most renowned Japanese chefs and the mastermind behind Sokyo's new omakase menu has also just opened Senpai Ramen, a ramen omakase experience on Sydney's north shore. The 20-seat restaurant invites visitors to experience ramen in a new way. Omakase is a Japanese dining tradition that loosely translates to 'leave it to the chef'. Senpai Ramen offers a 90-minute dining experience featuring a seven-course set menu that eases you in with entrees before building towards four signature ramen varieties. "At Senpai Ramen diners will enjoy a fun and unique experience with our tasty seven-course degustation," Kojima says. "We use the best seafood and meats, and combine them with incredible Japanese and Australian flavours for a unique and absolutely exquisite experience." The menu will set you back $65, but you can add additional courses and dishes if you fancy. Kicking things off is a mini Chirashi seafood experience featuring sashimi and Saikyo-style miso-marinated toothfish, while the main event is four varieties of ramen Kojima has crafted. The brothy bowls feature ingredients like 12-hour pork broth, spicy miso butter and rare smoked duck. Located across from Chatswood Mall with Kojima's Saikyo and Butter Chatswood nearby, Senpai is easy to spot with its eye-catching neon lights. The bright blue and purple lights continue inside where diners are immersed in a futuristic sensory experience while they sample sashimi and ramen. With the restaurant currently only open for dinner (lunch is coming soon), spots are filling up fast so it's best to jump online ASAP and book your place. Senpai Ramen is located at G05/88 Archer Street, Chatswood. It's open 5–9pm Tuesday–Sunday.
Joining the slew of up-and-coming restaurants finding their footing in Barangaroo is the Efendy group's recently revamped venue Baharat. Previously home to Tombik, the outpost has relaunched as a cocktail bar, casual eatery and spice shop all in one. Taking its name from the Turkish word for 'spice', the Baharat is inspired by the street bars of Taksim Square and the spice markets of Istanbul. The suburb's newest bar and eatery is headed by renowned chef Somer Sivrioğlu, backed by an all-star team of Turkey's top bartenders and chefs. The standout lineup includes the likes of Emre Bilgin (ex-Geyik) as Baharat's appointed bar manager, and Berk Abdullahoglu (ex-Kaia) as the assistant bar manager, alongside a flavour-filled menu curated by Arman Uz, the Efendy group's Executive Chef. Venture to the 50-seat venue and you'll be greeted with a warm and casual atmosphere, reminiscent of a Taksim-style bar. Your welcome will either be accompanied by Turkish psychedelic rock music from the 70s or live music from a regular program of gigs. For those opting for a relaxed, snacking atmosphere, the new addition of the outdoor seating will encourage you to soak in primo people watching while sipping on your drink of choice and tucking into delightful Turkish eats. As for the space, Jordan Design Studio have refreshed the area with a timber and brass fit-out paired with warmer tones. You may even notice that the kitchen's setup is quite similar to that of a spice bazaar in Turkey, with jars of spices lining the shelves and drying and curing meats along the benches. Baharat's dining menu boasts authentic dishes that will bring the flavours of Istanbul to your table. You can expect to find Turkish street food classics on the menu like the pide and lahmacun — variations of flatbreads topped with options including vegetables, minced meat, herbs and spices. You'll also discover a range of sides to accompany your order with dips, salads and customary pickle plates aplenty. And if you find yourself in a rush or are not able to dine in, all these options will be available for takeaway. "We look forward to welcoming guests and showcasing the incredible offering we have pulled together...We believe that every spice has a story, and we are dedicated to sharing those stories with our customers, imparting knowledge and promoting cultural understanding!", explains Somer Sivrioğlu. "Our mission is to share the rich history and culture of Turkish spices through our unique blend of beverage and food experiences." Glance over the cocktail list and you'll even find that the inspiration behind Baharat's particular cocktail selection is drawn from its own Spice Bazaar, with traditional spices infused into the drinks list. You'll spot a Turkish twist on classics, like the pickled shalgam Bloody Mary, a barrel-spiced negroni or the sumac and black salt margaritas. The drinks program extends to Turkish beer (like the Efes Fatboy) and wine (like drops from the Sevilen winery known for its sauvignon blanc). Baharat is open from 12pm til late Monday to Friday and 4pm til late on Saturdays — you'll find the bar and restaurant at Tower One, 100 Barangaroo Ave in Barangaroo. They only accept walk-ins. Images: Steve Woodburn.
Last week, Justin Hemmes was making his first incursion into the inner west, with Merivale’s purchase of Enmore’s Queen Vic. And now, competing hospitality empire W. Short Hotel Group is about to made their own western move — they've bought Redfern’s Tudor Hall. Owners of The Rocks' Australian Heritage Hotel, The Royal in Leichhardt and Scubar in the CBD, W. Short has acquired the hotel in conjunction with Sydney hospitality-lovin' family The Andersons. This isn’t their first venture together, however — the two already co-own The Glenmore in The Rocks. While the two parties share financial responsibilities, W. Short takes care of running the place. The same plan will be set into motion at Tudor Hall. The nitty gritty details of what will result from the change-of–hands haven’t been released yet, but we do know that the pub’s name will be shortened to The Tudor. And that Martin Short, CEO of the W. Short Hotel Group (and not the SNL comedy legend), is pretty excited about the location. "What we look for in the group are venues that are at the heart of vibrant, local communities, which is what a good pub should always be," he told The Daily Telegraph. "We think The Tudor will fit perfectly into the portfolio." Sitting at 90 Pitt Street, the Tudor is a local stalwart, and within proximity to Redfern’s burgeoning small bar and cafe scene — it's just up the road from the likes of Arcadia Liquors, Eathouse Diner, Scout's Honour and Redfern Continental. Yep, if you're looking to buy in Redfern, you should have already handed it over. Via Daily Telegraph.
It sounds like somewhere James Bond might hide away between missions — or, during a job, where he'd hunt down his latest nemesis. But inside the summit of Sölden's Gaislachkogl Mountain in Austria, visitors will soon find a museum dedicated to 007, particularly focusing on the character's most recent movie outing. If you're wondering why — why Sölden and why Spectre, specifically — it's because the latter flick shot scenes at the former location. It seems that's enough reason to bring 007 Elements to town, with the project being called "a new James Bond cinematic installation." From its description, however, it sounds rather like a series of galleries. When the space opens on July 12, it'll walk audiences through the various signature elements that go into making a Bond flick, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look in a new and inventive way. With Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre art director Neal Callow acting as the project's creative director, expect the museum to boast some serious insider know-how — all in a bespoke 1300-square-metre building that has been constructed within the mountain, spans two levels and is situated 3050 metres above sea level. "We want to use this incredible location to place our guests into Bond's environment, and bring the stories to life in a unique and unforgettable way," explains Callow. The franchise's other 24 movies to date will also feature, as will spectacular views over the Ötztal Alps.
They call it Tina — The Tina Turner Musical, oh Tina — The Tina Turner Musical — and it's finally coming to Australia. After premiering in London back in 2018, this stage ode to the music icon that's had Aussies dancing to 'Nutbush City Limits' for decades is making its way Down Under, locking in its first local stint in Sydney from May 2023. No, it isn't taking to the stage in a church house, gin house, school house or outhouse — or on highway number 19, either. But Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will obviously have Theatre Royal Sydney enjoying Turner's greatest hits in one massive show. The list of musical numbers includes 'Nutbush City Limits', naturally, as well as everything from 'River Deep, Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary' through to 'Private Dancer' and 'What's Love Got to Do with It?'. Tina — The Tina Turner Musical makes its trip Down Under courtesy of TEG DAINTY, Stage Entertainment and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner herself. Announcing the news, the singer said that "Australia has always shared abundant love with me, going back to my early concerts in the late 70s through the uplifting partnership with the National Rugby League. It is very special for me that we will be reunited." "The joy, passion and message of resilience in my musical is so important now as ever. Thank you from the bottom my heart for welcoming me with open arms once again," Turner continued. The singer mightn't have mentioned her appearance in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, but she is indeed part of the beloved Mad Max franchise, too. Exactly what date in May the musical will open hasn't been revealed as yet, but it heads our way after also playing Hamburg, on Broadway, and in Utrecht and Madrid — and it'll tour North America from September. Penned by Tony Award-nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall, plus Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by fellow Tony-nominee Phyllida Lloyd, Tina — The Tina Turner Musical clearly has quite the story to tell. The show steps through Turner's life and fame, including growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, the hard work that led to her career, all of those aforementioned hits, her 12 Grammy Awards, her volatile time with Ike Turner and her huge solo success. If you're a fan, Turner herself summed it up — yes, it's simply the best. There's no word yet as to whether Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will head to other Australian cities, but cross your fingers while you're doing the Nutbush, obviously. Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will open its Australian-premiere season at Theatre Royal Sydney from May 2023, with the exact launch date still to be announced. To join the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Images: Manuel Harlan.
The average ambler wouldn't want to hike up Ball's Pyramid. At its peak, this incredibly steep structure is 551 metres above sea level, making it the largest volcanic stack in the world. The jagged spearhead juts out of the ocean around 23 kilometres southeast of Lord Howe Island, like a solo spine of a giant stegosaurus. You can visit the monolith up-close to snap truly epic pics on popular sightseeing boat tours, or get to know the cave systems beneath on a scuba diving or snorkelling trip. You'll encounter all manner of marine life on underwater excursions, including sea turtles, massive schools of marlin and wahoo, and rare species like the ballina angelfish and the luminous spanish dancer sea slug. Image: Destination NSW
Kids do and say the funniest things, with no opportunity spared in reminding us of this fact. We were all children once, so we’ve been there and done that — and an endless parade of movies and TV shows, fictional and otherwise, just wants to keep bringing it up. What We Did On Our Holiday is the latest, the first feature written and directed by the folks behind British child-centric sitcom Outnumbered. Writer/director duo Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin have found what they think is a winning formula, and they’re sticking to it — but should they? Or should audiences? That’s the more pressing question, particularly for those without their own offspring in tow. Showing the amusing side of having a family while managing more than just nodding at those exasperated at their own kids is a far trickier feat than it seems. It’s the entertainment equivalent of a social media feed filled with someone’s proud photos of their children; there needs to be something more than just smiling baby faces for others to have fun. What We Did On Our Holiday brings a likeable, recognisable cast and broad sentiments about not sweating the small stuff along for its journey out of English suburbia and into the Scottish Highlands, in an attempt to package the pitter-patter of tiny feet into something more universally relatable. Recently estranged couple Doug (David Tennant) and Abi (Rosamund Pike) try to keep up the appearance of happiness at the 75th birthday bash of Doug’s cancer-stricken father Gordy (Billy Connolly). Their kids — the sensible older daughter, the cheeky son and the curious youngster — have other plans. Doctor Who and Gone Girl’s Amazing Amy Tennant and Pike are not, instead bickering over their emotional baggage and left looking uncomfortable with their jaws agape at the antics they can’t stop their brood getting up to. Connolly is as charming as ever, even toned-down and waxing lyrical with nostalgia, but the film’s sights are constantly aimed at the trio of tykes under ten spouting semi-improvised dialogue to wring the biggest laughs. To be fair, children can be cute and they can utter hilarious yet insightful pearls of wisdom, particularly in silly situations — which What We Did On Our Holiday has plenty of. Social-climbing relatives and eccentric neighbours provide some of the drama, all of the stereotypical, easily predictable type, of course. Needlessly trying to keep secrets — about a marriage, an illness and from the police after a particularly ridiculous, darker twist — takes care of the rest. The film’s tone of sweet, simple, observational humour is certainly well intentioned, as are the picturesque country and beachside settings. However, 95 minutes of kids stumbling into contrived adult chaos against a pretty backdrop also acts as a test of patience, and some will find their limits exceeded long before the Hollywood ending.
The Australian Specialist Cheesemakers' Association (ASCA) is joining forces with some of the best producers in Sydney to bring you a week dedicated to all things cheese. The somewhat awkwardly named '& Cheese' series brings the ooey gooey queen of dairy front-and-centre, where she belongs, for a diverse cheese appreciation week from May 31 through to June 7. These events will go deeper than a simple wine and cheese pairing — though we'll admit it is a hard match to beat. ASCA will be putting forth unusual matches like Four Pillars gin and cheese at Moya's Juniper Lounge in Redfern, coffee and cheese at Alexandria's Mecca Coffee, and — our personal favourite — beer and cheese at Newtown craft beer haven Young Henrys. Of course, a requisite wine and cheese event will take place at urban winery Cake Wines, along with two chances to learn how to make the perfect cheese board at the Tramsheds. Tickets are on sale now, so head to the ASCA Eventbrite page for a full list of event dates and further details: May 31: Tramsheds Masterclass 1 — How to make the perfect cheese board June 1: Cake Wines — Wine and Cheese June 3: Mecca Coffee — Coffee and Cheese June 4: Young Henrys — Beer and Cheese June 6: Moya's Juniper Lounge — Four Pillars Gin and Cheese June 7: Tramsheds Masterclass 2 — How to make the perfect cheese board
You've made it through hump day in one piece. To celebrate, take full advantage of the balmy spring evenings and treat yourself to a cheeky little fish and chips picnic in Bondi. Although fish and chip shops are a dime a dozen on Campbell Parade, we're absolute suckers for Bondi's Best, whose fare entirely lives up to its name. Take your lightly-battered pieces of fresh hoki and hand-cut chips up to Sam Fiszman Park at the northern end of the beach. With its sweeping views over Bondi, this is the perfect place to get all the salty fresh air without the swarming crowds.
Kensington Street fine diner Olio is bringing together the land and the sea for an extravagant night of cooking from head chef Lino Sauro and Melbourne's Adrian Richardson (La Luna). Richardson, the co-host of the hit show Good Chef Bad Chef, will collaborate with Sauro and the Olio team to present a six-course feast that brings together the best of Sicilian and Australian cuisine. Each chef is taking charge of three courses on the set menu. Richardson will be bringing his focus on using every cut of meat from the animal, which he developed at La Luna, and applying it to crispy pigs ears, crackling-wrapped pork loin and filet mignon served with Café de Paris butter in the degustation. "We actually use a lot of cuts that aren't mainstream, so we're using the whole animal in our own particular, strange sort of way," Richardson said. As for Sauro's offerings, diners will be treated to triple-cooked octopus with lemon crushed potatoes and spicy capsicum aioli; a seafood-heavy tonnarelli made with squid ink spaghetti, then topped with a Australian Bay bug, shellfish and spicy pork 'nduja sauce; and a decedent chocolate mousse for dessert. This Good Food Month event offers a one-off opportunity to experience the cooking of two of the country's best chefs in one memorable night. [caption id="attachment_839202" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lino Sauro[/caption]
The mega outpost of The Party People in Drummoyne — which also has a store in San Souci — prides itself on being 'Australia's biggest party store'. So if you've had a look online but need to know if the costume you've got your eye on will fit, head here as it stocks the company's full range. Across more than 1700 square metres, The Party People Megastore stocks costumes across a bunch of different themes, plus accessories like body parts and cosmetics to help you with the moustache or out-there eye colour you need to perfect your look. If you're the party host, it's worth noting that the store stocks a hefty range of supplies from balloons, lights and table decorations to baking tools and confectionery. There are disco balls, bubble machines, confetti cannons and fog machines available for hire, too. Image: Trent van der Jagt.
In an odd, tucked-away little gallery in Pyrmont are two odd little exhibitions, one boarding a tripped-out ship to Planet Suburbia, the other stepping into a SUPERDOOPER HYPERDOME heaving with hues. What? You may ask. I was also perplexed and so trekked for what felt like hours through a squelchy, hot sun to the Horus & Deloris art space, where I was let in by an anonymous female voice on the intercom. Inside, it was pleasantly cool, and empty . . . apart from some ginormous cut-out cartoon characters surfing on whale-map waves next to cash note skyscrapers. This gallery was Pre-Medicated, a collaboration between artists Jo Cuzzi, Scary D and Emma Pressman, comprising small-scale box dioramas, a video installation, and the huge wall cut-out that greets you as you walk in. Neon aliens, angry dice and florid tea-cups tumbled. I still didn’t really understand what was going on, and the exhibition description didn’t help much: “Way up, way down and way out, in the suburbs, on the beach and in the jungle the sense of imminent disaster wrestles genres and provokes uncertainty in an anti-climatic, multidimensional cardboard crisis.” Upstairs was a bit calmer, with David Peddle’s debut solo show The World Doesn’t Revolve Around You. Except by ‘you’, he means ‘him’: “Through a process of exploratory elimination and faux-frenetic daubing, he seeks to explore the notion that the world truly does not revolve around him . . . Or does it?” These works were mesmeric slices of colour, suggesting shapes and shafts of light, but thankfully never truly arriving at anything literal. All the ones I liked were sold already — which is a shame because I probably also need reminding that I am not the Earth’s axis. Horus & Deloris is owned by twins Caroline and Nick Wales. If these wildly different exhibitions are anything to go by, I’d say they’re not identical.
While Messina's main jam is crafting supremely scoffable varieties of gelato, the brand's love of food extends far beyond the freezer, as proven through a series of pop-ups it's dubbed Messina Eats. Every couple of months, the cult gelateria teams up with a savoury-focused culinary hero and throws a big ol' food party in the carpark at its Rosebery headquarters. On December 14 and 15, it's again teaming up with Melbourne Filipino barbecue masters Hoy Pinoy to create a meaty menu as mouthwatering as the gelato it will be served alongside. Hoy Pinoy's skewers are always a big hit at the Night Noodle Markets, so the team will be grilling some of those (both chicken and pork belly), along with Filipino spring rolls, chicken inasal and slow-roasted pork belly over garlic fried rice. And for dessert Messina will be whipping up halo halo, a shaved milk ice beauty with jackfrut, coconut jellies, flan and milk flan gelato. The whole thing will go down over Friday and Saturday in the carpark at Messina's Rosebery HQ. They'll be open from noon for lunch and dinner until sold out.
Australia will receive a healthy dose of 1920s razzle-dazzle, as record-breaking Broadway favourite Chicago shimmies onto stages across the country this year. An Aussie production of the smash-hit musical will debut at Sydney's Capitol Theatre in August, before heading to Brisbane's QPAC Lyric Theatre in November and wrapping up at Arts Centre Melbourne from December. The longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, the original Kander & Ebb musical has reached the eyeballs of over 31 million people worldwide. Inspiring 2002's Academy Award-winning film of the same name, it tells the tale of a Chicago housewife and nightclub dancer who twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail-time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism set in the decadent 1920s. Taking the stage for Chicago's local run is a cast of well-known Aussie names — catch acclaimed all-rounder Natalie Bassingthwaighte in the lead role of Roxie Hart, musical theatre veteran Alinta Chidzey as her rival Velma Kelly, and ARIA-winning superstar Casey Donovan playing Matron 'Mama' Morton. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking. Hot on its black patent heels are two more award-winning musicals heading Down Under. Saturday Night Fever will head to Capital Theatre in Sydney this August, before Waitress hits Aussie shores in 2020. Images: Peter Brew Bevan, Jeremy Daniel.
