Lobster has long been the fancy champagne of the seafood world. For most of us, it's the kind of dish that you can only justify having when you really feel like going all out and treating yo'self — but, for the next few weeks, the indulgent crustacean-based meal is gracing Betty's Burgers' menu. Combining fresh lobster meat, the chain's special mayonnaise, shallots, chives, lemon and spice, Betty's new lobster roll is now on offer at all of its 22 Australian stores. If your stomach is already rumbling, you can tuck into one for $19 — or combine it with fries and a glass of wine for $29. You'll need to get in quickly, though, with the lobster roll only available for a limited time. Just how long you'll be able to nab one for hasn't been revealed, but it's expected to only last a few weeks. Known for its Shake Shack-style burgs and frozen custard desserts (called concretes), Betty's is making a foray into lobster to celebrate its beachy roots. While you can now grab a Betty's burger at six Sydney outlets, four Melbourne spots, four Brisbane outposts, one Toowoomba eatery and one location in Adelaide, the company first began in Noosa, and then expanded to the Gold Coast. Betty's Burgers' lobster roll is available at all 22 Australian stores for a limited time. For more information and to find your nearest store, visit Betty's Burgers' website.
To be honest, Rhianna could sell us anything. She could sell us a box full of Fenty bees or a Fenty sleeve of Oreos and we would worship her. Thankfully, there are exactly zero bees in her new collaboration with Puma, but it is just as buzzing. And lucky Sydneysiders will be able to get their hands on (and their feet into) Rhi Rhi's latest shoes at a four-day Fenty x Puma pop-store in the CBD. Rhianna's gone for a 'dismantled school uniform' direction for her AW17 collection, which, in human language, means exaggerated varsity jackets and luxe felt creepers. The pop-up will be located on the mezzanine of Foot Locker on George Street from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 1. The pop-up will be styled to look like a college dormitory space and, if you wander down on Thursday, there'll be giveaways to grab. The Fenty x Puma store will pop up from September 28 until October 1 at Foot Locker, 542 George Street, Sydney. You can view the full collection here.
No plans for Valentine's Day and no interest in making any? You're in luck. Go about your usual business this Wednesday — that is, as far as humanly possible away from red roses, schmultzy songs and pashing pairs — and you could still be in for a nice little surprise. That's because Penguin Random House is planning on helping you to escape — by setting you up with a book, instead of a person. After all, books can't talk back and, if they end up being not what you thought they were, you can always put them back on the shelf. Said books will be dropped in bundles on trains and at various sites all over Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this Valentine's Day. There's no way of knowing where you'll find them and what you might find yourself reading. The idea is to do away with pre-conceived ideas, promoted by particular genres, authors and cover art. The publishing house is scattering the books in partnership with Street Library, Sydney, and Books on the Rail, which launched in Melbourne in early 2016 and regularly circulates books on Melbourne's public transport. If you find one, take it home and read it — just remember to pop it back on the train when you're done.
From architecture to interiors to objects and craft, do you love all things design? Well, we've secured two tickets to the fourth annual DESIGN Canberra so you can indulge your aesthetic desires. Oh, and you'll get use of a BMW for the weekend, so you'll be able to drive out there and around the city in style. Plus, you'll be put up for two nights at Canberra's VIBE hotel, and have a full weekend itinerary scheduled. We'll have you meeting artists, discovering local craft and experiencing some of the best spots in Canberra, including dinner on us. Interested? We thought so. Running November 6–26, DESIGN Canberra is a celebration of our capital as a global city of design. Inspired by the spirit of modernism, the festival brings together Walter Burley and Marion Griffin's visionary design from a century ago, the iconic experimental modernist architecture of the 1950s and '60s and the contemporary and sustainable design developments of today — all coming together in a demonstration of Canberra as a living, breathing design hub. With over 100 (mostly free) events, exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes in the calendar — phew — DESIGN Canberra is sure to satiate your aesthetic desires this November. The festival offers exciting insight into the talent pool of makers who are working, living and creating in the nation's capital. One of the most intriguing events is Living Rooms, which allows visitors to explore the living rooms of acclaimed Canberra houses. Pop-up design exhibitions with works on sale will be incorporated into the living rooms, so even if you can't buy the house, you can buy the furniture (homewares and jewellery too). Other events include architecture bus tours, design talks, open studios and that's just the tip of this design iceberg. Not only will you win a full VIP itinerary for the weekend, have a Rolfe Classic BMW to drive and two nights accommodation at VIBE Hotel with breakfast included, but you'll also score dinner and wine for two at Canberra's stylish, ethical and eco-friendly Mocan & Green Grout. Mark your calendars and enter your details below for a chance to win. [competition]635856[/competition]
When it comes to dining out, Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice. So if you've ever wished you could experience all your favourite chefs in one place, you're in luck, because now you can. Introducing The Dining Table, a pop-up restaurant brought to you by the team behind Beer The Beautiful Truth, plus some of Sydney's coolest, most talented chefs — expect an all-star line-up including Bar Brose's Adam Wolfer, Nic Wong from Potts Point's Cho Cho San, Luke Powell from LP's Meats and Acme's Mitch Orr (just to name a few). Across ten nights, a different chef will take over the pop-up to serve a highly delicious three-course meal, pairing each course with a different beer. The dinners will be dedicated to showing diners the magic that can happen when great food and beer come together. And in celebration of this coming together of excellent chefs, amazing food and superb beers, we've secured a pretty epic prize for one of our dear readers. You could win yourself a VIP dining experience at Bar Brose, valued at $500, plus another $500 to spend towards some tasty brews from MoCU, a curated online shop of beer and wine. At Bar Brose, look to the Feast Menu, serving up Wolfer's Hungarian-Jewish eats. Taking you on a whirlwind tour of the Eastern European cuisine, the menu features deep fried Hungarian flat bread (lángos) with smoked sour cream, Hungarian dukkah, gefilte fish, horseradish, beetroot, turnip dumplings, celeriac and native lime; Hungarian dumplings (nokeldi) with pumpkin, bush tomato and egg yolk; parsnip schnitzel; pastrami and, for dessert, orange and poppy seed kugelhopf cake with whipped buttermilk. There's also a vegetarian menu available for the non-carnivorous. As for MoCU, for the uninitiated, the online shop is a haven of beer (and cider and wine). The shop curates its offering from artisanal breweries and winemakers the world over, so with $500 you could certainly find yourself on a round-the-world tour (or two) via several limited release, specially crafted drops. To go in the running, enter your details below. [competition]632124[/competition] Image: Kimberley Low.
"Isn't she LVLY," Sydneysiders will be crooning about emergency gifting saviours LVLY from August 1 onward. The same-day gift delivery service is expanding their Melbourne operations to offer their cheeky selection on both sides of the bridge. LVLY wants to buck cliches with its floral gift range featuring seasonal posies in their trademark You LVLY F*cker floral jars (with non-sweary options available for Mum-bound gifts). There's also succulents to combat a drab desk or body care items like the Soft Hands Strong Hearts hand cream if self-gifting is your thing — which it absolutely should be. Things get a bit saucy in the chocolate section thanks to Tall Dark and Handsome and Dreamy and Creamy dark chocolate. And, their gifts often sneak in a life affirming message; take the You Da Bomb ginger cookie or You LVLY Hottie canvas beauty bag, for example. LVLY also packages gifts in bundles, as seen in the Day Maker with all of their signature items, Legend with artisan beer and nuts to relish, and the espresso martini-laden Pick-me Up. And, making a great service even better, they partner with local businesses for limited edition gifts; Melbourne was treated to a Short Stop Donuts collaboration (drool), so keep your fingers crossed. Originally Bondi Beach housemates, co-founders Hannah Spilva and Verity Tuck are excited to bring the service home after growing its base out of their kitchen in Melbourne. Hannah says the gifts are designed help you celebrate the good days, bad days and everything in between. Gifts start at $39, and you can select same day delivery if ordering before 1pm (it'll get to you by 6pm) or pre-order for a future date. Their delivery zone doesn't disappoint, spanning from Barrenjoey to Parramatta and beyond. Delivery prices differ based on suburb so plug in your postcode to check what's what, with shipping free for orders over $79. For more information about LVLY, head to their website.
If you've brunched at Paddington Markets during the past few months, chances are, you've sampled banh xeo: the mighty Vietnamese pancake. From now on, you don't have to wait until Saturday morning to get your fix. Stall owners Ben Sinfield and Tania Ho have set up their own restaurant in Rosebery and it's called, well, Banh Xeo. While the pancake is the eatery's centrepiece, it's far from all that head chef Sinfield (ex-Fred's, Ester, St John) is whipping up. He's also bringing his fine-dining training to a bunch of regional dishes rarely served in Australia, including bún bò huế (spicy beef and lemongrass noodle soup) and bún riȇu (blue swimmer crab and tomato soup). Plus, you can look forward to meeting 'Britnamese': the restaurant's signature blend of British and Vietnamese cuisines. They're not the most obvious of pairs, but Sinfield has come up with some interesting creations, such as bone marrow and toast, a London classic, spiced up with chilli-lemongrass paste. There's also crispy pig's head nuggets: pig's head meat, deboned, crumbed and fried, and served with shiso leaves and dipping sauce. And, come dessert time, Archie Rose gin, found just next door, is mixed with tonic in a granita, which is dashed with Vietnamese mint and lime zest. "This goes back to the fact that I love the food of Vietnam, but also want to bring in some of my own background," says Sinfield. "We laughingly call it 'Britnamese'. I have a lot of classical training, but I also want to bring in the flavours and the freshness of Vietnamese food, so it will be good to do a bit of both." Meanwhile, Ho will be taking care of front of house. "We absolutely love it that people can come to our stall, and now our restaurant, and try something they have never seen or tasted before," she says. "We find they really love it and that's very exciting for us." Banh Xeo will pop up for six months to start and, if all goes well, look into settling in for good. You'll find it at Shop 11, The Cannery, 61 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery. Opening hours are Tuesday-Sunday for lunch from 10:30am and Thursday-Saturday for dinner from 5pm. For further details, head to their Facebook page.
This NYE don't settle for something predictable and anticlimactic. We get it, with Christmas still in recent memory, there's often little time to make grand plans for the last party of the year — but Sydney's brand new December 31st festival has done the planning for you. NYE in the Park will ring in the new year with fireworks, a stellar line-up of international artists, great food and plenty of Champagne. Headlining and hosting the inaugural festival is Hot Dub Time Machine, whose packed dance parties are oft described as a 'history lesson through music'. He'll count the crowd down to midnight before starting his epic chronological set — beginning with the rock tunes of the 50s, then travelling through the decades to the best dance hits of today. Also taking the stage will be Canadian electro and techo maestro Tiga, Jurassic 5 legend Chali 2NA, DJ Krafty Kuts and you — if you win our exclusive VIP package. We're offering one lucky Concrete Playground reader the chance to win a New Year's Eve you'll never forget. You'll fire confetti and launch giant inflatable balls into the crowd, dance with Retrosweat aerobic dancers and pop Champagne with Hot Dub Time Machine at midnight — all on stage. Woah. It doesn't stop when you leave the stage, either — you'll be rubbing shoulders with Vera Blue, 2ManyDJs and other famed artists backstage (with complimentary drinks, of course). When the festival is over, you'll have a double pass and priority entrance to an exclusive afterparty in an unannounced location — so you can continue dancing the night away. If there's a new year's eve you can't top, it's this. To enter, see details below. [competition]647819[/competition]
This April, an unlikely duo will emerge to bring Sydneysiders a new sarnie worthy of your finest hangover. Two city favourites, PappaRich and Belles Hot Chicken, are teaming up to create a Malaysian-style fried chicken mashup, which will be available from April 9 through June 18 at PappaRich locations along Liverpool Street and Broadway. On offer for both lunch and dinner, this spiced-up sandwich features Belles' signature fried chicken, plus Malaysian slaw with coconut vinegar and a collab 'Pappa Mac' sauce, all between PappaRich's toasted Hainan-style sweet bread. Belles' chef Morgan McGlone is the man behind this creation, so you know it'll be damn tasty. The sandwich costs $13.90 and will be available for lunch and dinner from April 9 until June 18 at PappaRich locations at 185 Broadway, Ultimate and 57 Liverpool Street, CBD.
March might mark the beginning of autumn, at least according to the calendar, but Sydney's weather isn't playing along. More than halfway through a month that usually enjoys an average temperature of 25 degrees, the mercury is set to hit 40 in parts of the city today. That's the top temp listed by the Bureau of Meteorology — a forecast that has been rising over the past 24 hours after Saturday's temperature made it to a maximum of 32 degrees. If the thermometer does soar that high, or even up to 38, it'll put Sydney in historic territory. Weatherzone reports that it'd be the city's hottest day this late in the season for 78 years, with one of its meteorologists telling the Sydney Morning Herald that such levels have only been reached eight times in March in the past 159 years. https://twitter.com/weatherzone/status/974176218235912192 Accordingly, anyone looking forward to cooler temps after a particularly long, hot summer — one that saw the city experience its second hottest day ever, in fact — will need to wait a little longer. Indeed, finding somewhere frosty to spend the day, whether in air-conditioning or in a well-shaded pool, is recommended. Unsurprisingly, a total fire ban has been issued for greater Sydney and beyond. With 2017 ranking as Sydney's second hottest year on record, and 2018 proving a scorcher so far, sweltering temperatures are continuing to prove an ongoing trend. As for a reprieve, Monday is set to top out at 30 degrees, then drop to a maximum of 23 with showers from Wednesday to Friday. Via Weatherzone / Sydney Morning Herald.
The wildest and most remote places in New South Wales are now in the palm of your hand. On Tuesday, August 28, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service announced the launch of its new, free mobile app, which provides guides to more than 225 national parks. It includes maps, things to do and places to stay in and around all of the national parks. And most information is downloadable, so, if you're heading beyond reception, you'll be able to save all the details you need to your mobile. Say goodbye to paper maps. But do remember that your device's battery might not last the distance of the multi-day hike you're planning. Whatever outdoorsy escapade you're hoping to conquer, you'll find it: from picnic areas and swimming spots to walks and cycle paths to places of cultural and historical significance. Covered, too, are the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's numerous accommodation options, including campgrounds, 19th century cottages and lighthouses. Last, but not least, is a bunch of less fun but nonetheless necessary information, such as the whereabouts of toilet blocks and sources of drinking water. Whenever you find an adventure, sleepover or toilet block that appeals to you, save it among your favourites, for easy access at a later date. The app, available now, is free to download to iOS (via the App Store) and Android devices (via Google Play). Ready to get going? Use the geolocation services help you to find a national park nearby. Images: D Parsons
Back in August last year, Merivale slipped the news that it'd be taking over much-loved northern beaches pub The Collaroy. It then closed the doors to the beachside boozer so it could undergo a revamp — and now, it's finally set to reopen. During the past few months, the Justin Hemmes-led team has been busy sprucing up The Collaroy — but it maintains that the pub's easy-going, community-friendly atmosphere will remain intact. Just like before, you'll feel comfortable taking a dip at the beach, before spending the rest of the day (and maybe night) drinking at your leisure. Downstairs, executive chef Jordan Toft has organised a menu that will change throughout the day. Kick into the morning with the ultimate post-surf feed: brekkie pizzas. They'll be accompanied by coffee, juice and house-made pastries. Lunch will see cafe-style fare come to the fore, with healthy bowls like muesli with dried fruits, nuts and coconut yoghurt, ortoasted faro with avocado, boiled egg, rocket, haloumi, olive oil and lemon. When darkness falls, the kitchen goes into gastropub mode, serving up things like anchovy toasts with pickled shallot and hearty pub meals, which will change daily. On Monday, you might be digging into lamb and eggplant moussaka, then, on Tuesday, pork and fennel sausages with roasted pumpkin and green garlic. Meanwhile, upstairs, where the beach views are uninterrupted, there'll be two bars and an open kitchen. Go for a woodfired pizza created by Italian chef Vincenzo Biondini or a burger from the bar menu. If you'e looking to get a bit fancier, take a seat in the restaurant, to linger over oysters, local seafood, charcoal grill and salad. Taking care of the drinks menu is a team of bartenders from Merivale's other venues; look out for plenty of crisp whites, roses and summery cocktails. The acquisition of The Collaroy is a sure sign that Merivale is planning to beef up its northern beaches portfolio — it already operates The Newport and Bert's in Newport and has just closed Papi Chulo in Manly to make way for a second Queen Chow. This is on top of the group's other recent buys: Woollahra's Hotel Centennial, Bondi's Royal Hotel, The Vic on the Park in Marrickville and The Tennyson on Botany Road. The Collaroy will open at 1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy soon. It's taking bookings from 19 May here.
If last week's drastic drop in temperature has you dreading the blustery days ahead, Merivale is giving Sydneysiders a reason to push forward into winter. This June, the Sydney hospitality monolith is launching Bottoms Up, Sydney, a daily happy hour that offers 49 perfect off all the booze at a whopping 37 of its venues. No joke. From 5–7pm every day in the month, its bars, restaurants and pubs will be slinging all cocktails, mixed drinks, spirits, beer, wine and even Champagne (up to $200) at nearly half price. That's precisely $8.67 packaged Japanese cocktails at Ms. G's, $9.95 thyme Campari tonics at Charlie Parker's and $7.65 margaritas at El Loco, plus cheap wines by the glass at The Newport and Fred's and even cheaper craft beers at the Queens Hotel and The Paddington. Punters can also expect additional partner events and offers on throughout the month, so keep an eye on this space. And organise knock-off happy hour drinks ASAP. Bottoms Up, Sydney will run every day from June 1–30 from 5–7pm. You can find the full list of venues here.
It's been a couple of years since Sydney last enjoyed a live performance from Courtney Barnett, but this August, the acclaimed singer-songwriter will return to the harbour city for a show at a little venue called the Sydney Opera House. She'll play her first headline show in the iconic venue's biggest space: the Concert Hall. Off the back of her second album Tell Me How You Really Feel, Barnett's set to tear up the stage with her signature indie-rock energy and a full band in tow. She'll perform all the hits from this forthcoming record, including 'Need A Little Time', 'Nameless, Faceless', and the just-released 'City Looks Pretty'. Lauded as one of this century's most unique Aussie voices, Barnett's set a new tone with her latest work, following collaborations with the likes of Kurt Vile, The Breeders and long-term partner Jen Cloher. The past few years have seen the musician absolutely killing it internationally, nominated for both a Grammy Award and a BRIT Award, and scooping up a bunch of other top honours, including the Australian Music Prize 2016, APRA's Songwriter of the Year, and four ARIA awards. Courtney Barnett will perform in the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall on Saturday, August 25 as part of the year-round Sydney Opera House Contemporary Music Program. Tickets go on sale at to newsletter subscribers at noon today and to the general public on Monday, April 23 here. Image: Pooneh Ghana.
You might've tried O Tama Carey's Italian fare at Surry Hills' Berta back in 2013. You might've tried her Sri Lankan hoppers at Carriageworks Farmers Markets last year. You might've even caught her one-off appearance at Delfino Aperitivo. And now, you'll be able to catch Carey six days a week when she finally throws open the doors to Lankan Filling Station this Friday, July 27. The all-day hopper eatery, which has set up shop on 58 Riley Street, East Sydney, is one of the most highly anticipated openings of the year. Especially since Carey has kept fans on the edge of their seats since it was first announced back in January. But, now that it's here, what's on the menu? First up: hoppers. If you're not already acquainted, they're a bowl-shaped savoury Sri Lankan crepe made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They're meant to be eaten with your hands — torn, ripped and dunked into one of many curries or sambols. At Lankan Filling Station you can order them one of 12 ways, including plain, with a boiled egg and filled with dhal, fish or mutton curry. Carey suggests you start with hoppers as a base, then build up your meal by adding curries — a white potato curry with turmeric and green chilli, perhaps — sides and a range of sambols and pickles. You can also start your meal with one or two (or many) of the Sri Lankan 'short eats', featuring the likes of deep-fried crab balls and turmeric-battered cuttlefish. Sri Lankan fare can be notoriously spicy, and Carey hasn't held back on her new menu — cue, deep-fried chillies and the fiery prawn red curry with tamarind. Luckily, she's implemented a handy heat-factor legend, ranging from one to five chillies. Speaking of the legend, there's no gluten free symbol — everything is gluten free, bar two dishes . One of which (sorry coeliacs) is Carey's famed love cake. Spicy, sweet and syrupy, it's made using a traditional Sri Lankan recipe of semolina, cashews and rosewater. If you can't eat it, you have five other desserts to choose from, including watalappam, a baked jaggery custard with cashews and sesame seeds. Find Lankan Filling Station at 58 Riley Street, East Sydney, from Friday, July 27. Opening hours will be Tuesday–Friday 12pm–10pm, Saturday 10am–10pm and Sunday 10am–4pm.
Home to plenty of Sydney's craft brewers, the city's inner west is now also home to a trial that will allow microbreweries to open as bars. In good news for outfits such as Young Henrys, Wayward Brewing, Malt Shovel, Grifter Brewing and Batch Brewing Company, a new type of liquor authorisation will be available to craft brewers in the area from September. Applicable across a range of boozy beverages — beer, spirits, liqueurs and cider — it'll enable them to serve drinks as if they were a small bar. They'll have to abide by a patron limit of 100 people per establishment, as well as a requirement to make food available. "Microbreweries don't neatly fit into traditional liquor licence categories, so there's a need to develop a new model suited to them," said New South Wales Minister for Racing Paul Toole. "The rising popularity of boutique and craft beers, ciders, spirits and liqueurs is creating new demand for enjoying drinks produced on the premises. A lot of people like the concept of being able to sample high-quality locally made drinks and speak directly with the passionate experts who produce them." If the trial is successful over the next 12 months in the Inner West Council area, it could be rolled out across the city and the state. The area was chosen because it boasts the highest density of microbreweries not only in Sydney, but in Australia. Via Sydney Morning Herald.
Sydney's city skyline is about to gain two dazzling new additions: a 50-storey glass skyscraper, announced earlier this year, and Sydney's tallest residential building on George Street. The latter, announced just last week, will be a 270-metre-tall, 79-storey tower taking over the space at 505-523 George Street. It'll come in just shy of the Sydney Tower, which measures 309 metres at its tallest point. Currently home to Event Cinemas, the space will be transformed into a mixed-use tower with residential, retail, a hotel and childcare facilities. Film fans can breathe a sigh of relief, too, as The Urban Developer reports that the cinema is a subject to a long-term lease and will remain part of the new design. Mirvac and Coombes Property, who bought the site in 2009 for $85 million, announced last week that Ingenhoven and Architectus had submitted the winning design for the space, beating five other international design firms. German firm Ingenhoven is best known for its stunning Marina One complex in Singapore, and recently collaboration with Sydney's Architectus to build the 28-storey high-rise at 1 Bligh Street. As well as an eye-catching design, the new George Street tower will have an environmentally sustainable edge. Solar panels will generate the building's electricity and domestic hot water and it will predominantly be constructed from materials sourced locally. The skyscraper will begin construction at 505-523 George Street in 2020. Renders: Courtesy of Ingenhoven Architects and Doug and Wolf
If you've graduated from mi goreng noodles, grown tired of meat and three veg and are looking for something new to add to your culinary repertoire, there's no time like the present to get onto that. On any day of the week in Sydney you'll find a class to sharpen your culinary skills. Whether it's learning to make pasta from scratch the way real nonnas do or chef-grade knife and butchery skills, over the course of a single week you could easily graduate from beginner to MasterChef status. To help you do just that, we've hand-picked a week's worth of activities to take you from a packet mix dependant to a soufflé master. TUESDAY: TAKE A WHOLE BUTCHERY CLASS AT FEATHER AND BONE If you're a vegetarian or a vegan, this class is not for you. But if you place importance on knowing where the meat you eat comes from, how it was raised and how that impacts its taste, this whole butchery class at Marrickville's Feather and Bone will give you a whole new appreciation for the meat you eat. The class begins in the cool room where you'll learn how the animals were grown, what they ate, the importance of soil health, the principles of regenerative farming and how all of that influences the carcass. After learning about the individual cuts of either a whole lamb, pig or goat, it's time to get hands on boning, trimming and finessing your own section of the animal. Throughout the class the butcher will give guidance on knife skills and suggestions for how best to cook the meat. Finish up with a barbecue and a beer, and take home all the meat you've prepared ($220). Private classes can be organised for up to 20 people. Feather and Bone can run a whole butchery class for you on request — enquire here. WEDNESDAY: MAKE TRADITIONAL PASTA SAUCES AT CUCINA ITALIANA When it comes to Italian cooking, Luciana Sampogna is a staunch defender of the traditional way of doing things. Fiercely protective of her country's culinary heritage, Jamie Oliver's take on bolognese sends Luciana into a lengthy tirade about the sanctity of the recipe. So if you're going to learn to cook a killer traditional bolognese, this is the place to do it. The four-hour class, dubbed "the long lunch in the evening" starts as a night of cooking should: with a glass of wine. Keeping the focus on the classics, you'll learn to make bolognese served with fresh tagliatelle, as well as penne alla vodka and a surprise seasonal sauce. When it comes to dessert, you'll be treated to something Luciana has prepared earlier: decadent slabs of her tiramisu cake. Classes cost $125 per person. Luciana's pasta sauces classes runs on Wednesdays from 6pm — book here. THURSDAY: COOK FOR A CAUSE AT OZHARVEST The sheer amount of food wasted on a day to day basis is absurd, which is why OzHarvest has made it its mission to rescue and redistribute surplus food around the country. At this team cooking day, you'll help turn discarded food into delicious meals for disadvantaged communities — with some quality control taste testing along the way. You'll learn how to swap items out of a recipe to make the most of what you have in the fridge, making sure nothing goes to waste. This is a great one to organise with your colleagues — the class requires eight people minimum and costs $175 per person. A chance for you to learn new skills in the kitchen as well as give something back to the community, you'll walk away with heart and stomach full. OzHarvest's Cooking for a Cause classes run on weekdays — make a booking here. FRIDAY: LEARN HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE PASTA AT PASTA EMILIA Having people over for pasta is great — until one of your guests tells you they're gluten free. Unless, of course, you know how to make a top-notch GF spaghetti. Pasta Emilia only uses local organic ingredients, so as well as learning to make not one, but two types of gluten-free pasta from scratch, you'll also discover new producers to keep you well-fed into the future. After getting your hands dirty, enjoy the fruits of your labour and sit down to a home-style meals of pasta, salad and a glass of organic wine. Then you can create it at home with your GF mates. Pasta Emilia runs gluten-free pasta classes by appointment — make one here. SATURDAY: BECOME A SEAFOOD PRO AT SYDNEY SEAFOOD SCHOOL Want to cook more seafood but honestly don't know how to handle a whole fish? By the end of this three-hour basics course at Sydney Seafood School you'll not only be able to debone a fish, but you'll be able to prepare and cook fish, squid, oysters and scallops without overcooking them to oblivion. Working in groups, you'll leave feeling confident you can recreate the dishes at home — especially as you'll score a copy of the school's cookbook to take with you. And because it's a Saturday, you'll get to enjoy the food you've just cooked in a sit-down meal at the end of class. Sydney Seafood School's basics class runs on various dates, with the next one being held on Saturday, August 4. Book here. SUNDAY: LEARN HOW TO COOK LIKE A MASTERCHEF With another season of MasterChef almost over (the finale's on Tuesday), it's now time to put all those skills you've learned into practice. We hope you've been taking notes because Jacob's Creek has set up a temporary MasterChef-inspired kitchen in Surry Hills where you can both refine your chef and wine-pairing skills and battle it out for culinary glory. Award-winning chef Daniel Wilson, who has been a MasterChef guest several times, will guide you through a two-course cooking demonstration of one entree and one dessert — naturally, there will be a little friendly competition (but no tears, only prizes). Of course, you'll get to sit down and eat your creations. To take some pressure off, Studio Neon will take care of your main course and Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature wines will be matched to each course. Tickets are $95, but here's the kicker: 100 percent of profits are being donated to SecondBite, a charity that provides food and support for those in need. The Kitchen Collective will run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 12 — book a spot here. MONDAY: DO A THAI COOKING CLASSES WITH AMPHA Ampha Prombunchoo's Thai cooking classes are a choose-your-own culinary adventure. You'll pick three recipes to cook from a list of entrees, soups, salads, curries and noodle dishes — all of which are traditional northern Thai recipes passed down to Ampha from her mother and her grandmother. Having refined these recipes over generations you'll learn methods and spice combinations for sukhothai noodle soup with pork mince, green papaya salad and red curry that you won't find in your average Thai cookbook. Again, giving you the freedom to decide, Ampha's intimate classes in her home in Collaroy can be booked any time for groups as small as one (from $175). Ampha runs her Thai cooking classes throughout the week — contact her to book one in. Jacob's Creek Kitchen Collective will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 12. Only 16 seats are available for each session, so move quickly and nab your spot here. 100 percent of your ticket will go straight to SecondBite.
It just got real dark in Sydney. And in Sydney in summer, that only means one thing: a storm is coming. So if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of the afternoon. After a slew of shorts storms over the last week (and last night), another one is heading our way for at least the next few hours. And not just any old wet weather, either. At 4pm today, The Bureau of Meteorology reported that heavy rainfall is on its way to Sydney, which "may lead to flash flooding, damaging locally destructive winds and large, possibly giant hailstones". A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Sydney, with south Sydney, the Sutherland Shire, Campbelltown and the south coast set to be the worst hit. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1075619880790093825 The wild weather looks to ease later tonight. At the moment, public transport looks to be running on time and no major roads have flooded, but this could change as peak hour is about to hit. Stay dry out there. And remember to check Live Traffic, Transport Info and BOM for warnings and updates. Image: Live Traffic NSW.
If you needed a new reason to make the journey to Palm Beach, we have it here. After six months of renovations from new owners The Boathouse Group, longstanding Palm Beach venue Barrenjoey House has reopened — just in time for the summer holidays. The heritage-listed restaurant and guesthouse is the eighth venture by the Sydney hospitality group, which, headed up by husband and wife team Pip and Andrew Goldsmith, runs various Boathouse venues around Sydney. Most recently, the group opened the Boathouse Hotel just across the way in Patonga. Barrenjoey House has retained its original name, but follow a similar blueprint to the new Patonga venue. The restaurant will offer table service for lunch and dinner, and seven small guest rooms will be available to book from early 2019. That said, the group has has paid homage to the old building and its waterside location by refreshing the interiors with its signature coastal feel — think shell mirrors, wooden furnishings, banquette seating and local art. The menu has a focus on fresh local produce and seafood takes centre stage. The casual nature of the restaurant means that you can pop in for a snack — maybe kingfish ceviche or fried calamari — after a swim at the beach or you can book in for lunch or dinner. Main dishes include rare yellowfin tuna spaghetti, a Murray Cod with fennel, orange and cucumber, and an Eye Fillet with good old-fashioned mashed potato and green beans. Sweet tooths will be pleased with the dessert options that include a strawberry sundae and a peanut butter parfait. The drinks list continues with the seaside atmosphere, with cocktails like a coconut mojito and a cucumber cooler on the menu. Beer, cider and non-alcoholic beverage options are available, too, and the extensive wine list could easily see you lose a lazy summer's afternoon. And seeing as you've ventured this far north, make a day of it and walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for panoramic ocean views, or take the 15-minute ferry ride across to Patonga for more coastal vibes. Find Barrenjoey House at 1108 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. The restaurant and bar are open Tuesday to Sunday from noon till 9pm.
Spare a thought for the St George OpenAir Cinema team, the folks behind one of Sydney's favourite outdoor cinema spots. When picking their summertime lineup each year, they're battling fierce visual competition: Mrs Macquaries Point's spectacular panoramic view of the city. Accordingly, every movie that graces the cinema's big screen has to hold its own against the stunning sights glittering away behind it. Don't worry — boasting everything from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the music biz to an Australian premiere of Margot Robbie's latest transformative effort, their 2019 program achieves that feat. And the whole lineup hasn't even dropped. Kicking off on January 8 and running until February 16, the outdoor cinema's new season commences with the Australian premiere of Mary Queen of Scots, which sees Australia's own Margot Robbie and Academy Award-nominee Saoirse Ronan join forces for a powerful historical drama. It's just one of the movies making sure it'll be starry not only in the sky above, but on the 350-square-metre screen rising from the harbour. And with lineup featuring the likes of the aforementioned A Star Is Born, box office hit Crazy Rich Asians, Ryan Gosling heading to the moon in First Man, Rami Malek playing legendary frontman Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody, the film adaption of Colin Thiele's famed Aussie novel Storm Boy and Bridesmaids' director Paul Feig's savagely entertaining A Simple Favour. Off-screen, expect culinary stars to join the fold as well, with OpenAir again partnering with Matt Moran's Chiswick. They'll be delivering a signature menu to hungry movie-goers each and every night during the cinema's 2019 run — but with 2000 patrons expected every evening, expect them to be busy. Booze, in the form of beers, wines and cocktails, will be available at the equally busy Kirin Bar. Speaking of, when tickets become available on Monday, December 10, they're likely to go quick. In 2016, more than 30,000 tickets sold within the first 30 minutes of sale. St George Openair Cinema 2018 runs from January 8 to February 16, 2019. Tickets are on sale from Monday, December 10. We'll update you when the full lineup drops on December 1. Image: Fiora Sacco
Bon Appetit Selera Malaysia has been serving up casual, generous servings of Malay food on Enmore Road since May 2018 — and now it's opening a second outpost, dubbed Everything Malaysia, in Darlinghurst. Opening today, Monday, October 29, underneath Ching-a-Lings, the eatery is offering a pretty sweet banquet deal. Available every night of the week for lunch and dinner its all-you-can-eat jackpot will only set you back $11.90. Yep, $11.90. While it is a buffet, it's a buffet stocked with quality Malaysian fare — no lukewarm scrambled egg or dry sangas here. It's stocked with everything from beef rendang burgers to sweet and sour fish and roti canai, and there are a heap of vegan options, too (if you do choose all vegan, all-you-can-eat is only $10.90) including eggplant masala and vegan tom yum soup. If you've tasted everything and you're in a curry stupor, reenergise with a teh tarik (a hot milk tea beverage) or an Air Bandung (a sweet, pink Malaysian drink) — Bon Appetit offers free (non-alcoholic) drinks if you spend $40 or more on food. To celebrate the opening of its new outlet in Darlinghurst, they will be giving away 300 free Malaysian lunch buffet meals this Monday, October 29. The grand opening will kick off from 11:30am and run until 3:30pm (or until 300 people hungry for Malay food have been fed, so get in early). Find Everything Malaysia at 129 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst from Monday, October 29 at 11.30am. Image: Bon Appetit Selera, Enmore
If it's been a while between visits to Chippendale, you may notice a few changes next time you drive up Regent Street. A strip of colourful brick-fronted townhouses has been demolished to make way for the multibillion-dollar Sydney Metro project, cabbie favourite Michael's Malaysian & Chinese Restaurant is gone and, in its place, a bright red neon sign has appeared. The sign belongs to Manny's, a matchstick-sized diner, whose pizza by the slice and juicy philly cheesesteaks are sure to be a hit with punters leaving Freda's and The Lord Gladstone in the wee hours. Run by Evan Hansimikali, who also owns the attached petrol station, Manny's opens from 6.30am on weekdays, for coffee and B&E rolls, all the way through to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. So, if you do stumble out of one of the aforementioned establishments after witching hour, you'll be able to grab a $5 slice of thin-crust New York-style pizza topped with double-smoked leg ham and artichoke, perhaps, or cabanossi and pepperoni. Vegan night owls are catered for, too, with about 40 percent of the menu meat- and dairy-free. Their late-night slice of choice might be topped with vegan cheese, potato and rosemary, instead. With only three seats, Manny's is more of a takeaway joint, and it knows this. A delivery service is in the works, it's setting up a happy hour deal with Freda's and it's primed for meals on-the-run, able to turn out a cheesesteak in a minute. And those cheesesteaks sound like they're more than worth the 60-second wait. To replicate the popular PA sangas, Hansimikali has hoagie-like rolls — a cross between baguettes and panini, he says— custom-made for him by Sydney's Fuel Bakery. Then, there's the all-important meat. "We use grass-fed scotch fillet steak," says Hansimikali. "We thinly slice it and throw it on the hot plate. It's so thin it falls apart in your mouth." After that, the rolls are loaded with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Some are also topped with meatball sauce and provolone, others eggplant and green peppers. They're not traditional, but Manny's isn't following any rulebook too closely. While the food is predominantly Italo-American, you'll also find Greek influences scattered throughout. One cheesesteak comes topped with tzatziki, you'll spot a hot dog with black olives and feta, and you can order fries covered in chilli and garlicky yoghurt. Cabbies might no longer be lining up for the Regent Street restaurant, but it looks like Ubers and personal cars will be soon, with plans for one of the petrol station lanes to be converted into a 'drive-thru'. Next time you're looking for fast meal beyond the Golden Arches, Manny's may be your answer. Find Manny's Pizza Diner at 66 Regent Street, Chippendale from 6.30am–11pm, Monday–Wednesday; 6.30am–midnight, Thursday; 6.30am–2am, Friday; 11am–2am, Saturday; and 5pm–11pm, Sunday.
Oscar Wilde once said, "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative." Well, maybe, if Wilde had been in Western Sydney last night when an epic downpour delivered more than a month's worth of rain in just one hour, he might feel differently. The rain is all we can talk about, understandably — it was one helluva storm. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Penrith was hit with 69.6mm of rain in just 60 minutes — blowing the October rainfall average of 51mm out of, well, the water. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1052481594404065281 The severe downpour sparked flash flooding across the area. According to the ABC, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) received 63 calls for help in 24 hours across Western Sydney — one person even needed to be rescued from a car that was stuck in floodwaters on Castlereagh Street. Certainly doesn't sound like unimaginative hogwash to us, Wilde. And, it looks as though the weather will keep tongues wagging a little while longer, with thunderstorms predicted for the rest of the week. Andrew Haigh from the BoM told the ABC, rain was likely to continue in the east of the state and said people should watch for severe thunderstorm warnings. Around 20mm is expected to hit this Sunday, October 21 — we suggest braving the rain and heading to one of Sydney's fireplace-equipped pubs, there's nothing quite like sipping a dark 'n' stormy while it's quite literally dark and stormy. Unfortunately, we'll need more than a few downpours to help the 100 percent of the state that's currently in drought. So, don't complain — grab your poncho and welcome the rains.
In a time when old school Australian pubs are being bought up and renovated faster than Bob Hawke can down a schooner, it's nice to report that some Aussie institutions are really thriving. And North Sydney's Rag and Famish is no exception. Opened in 1860, The Rag and Famish is one of Sydney's oldest pubs. There are a few stories surrounding its name, some say it was chosen to reflect the owners disdain of the armed forces, as it was then a slang term for the Army and Navy Club, while another yarn is that it comes from the quote, "if you come here too often, you will waste all your substance and you will be in rags before you die." Thankfully, The Rag is no longer reducing its patrons to squalor — in fact, due to a recent revamp and new executive and head chefs coming on board, it's doing quite the opposite. While the decor still nods to the original fit-out, there is a new, modernised food and cocktail menu available in the restaurant upstairs, as well as a selection of craft beers, which is anything but traditional. Here are some top picks of the new and improved Rag and Famish menu to enjoy next time you find yourself in North Sydney. LEMON AND RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH BALTER'S CAPTAIN SENSIBLE MID-STRENGTH Gone are the dire days of pub food being synonymous with the stodgy combo of overcooked meat and a lacklustre selection of vegetables on a plate. In stark contrast to its traditional fit=out and decor, the menu at the Rag and Famish restaurant is markedly modern and experimental. Celebrate the evolution of the Australian pub by ordering the lemon and ricotta ravioli served with squash and kale ($28). The delicate dish is the perfect balance of buttery goodness and fresh flavours, ideal for a revamped pub lunch, especially when paired with a cool glass of Balter's Captain Sensible mid-strength. PORK BELLY WITH THE HILLS COMPANY'S CLOUDY APPLE CIDER As the days get cooler, sometimes the only thing worth going outside for is a generous feed, especially of the slow-cooked variety. The Rag's glorious chunk of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and crackling ($39), served alongside zucchini, fennel, scallop and yuzu, has got your back. Team the succulent pork number with a chilled glass of The Hills Company cloudy apple cider, because everyone knows there's nothing truer in this world than the unwavering friendship of pork and apples, right? CORN-FED CHICKEN WITH YULLI'S DOLLY ALDRIN GUAVA BERLINER WEISSE If you're after something on the lighter side of decadent, try the tender corn-fed chicken ($35) served with spiced cauliflower, goat's cheese, fig, almond and jus. And speaking of jus, make sure to pair that roasted chook with a juicy Yulli's Dolly Aldrin guava berliner weisse. The tart wheat ale will cut through the creamy cheese and sit nicely with the sweet fig and almond, making for a still decadent but refined chicken dinner. Winner winner. EYE FILLET WITH 4 PINES' AMERICAN AMBER ALE As the sun officially sets on spending long evenings dining al fresco, we can look forward to cosy nights by the fire tucking into heartier fare. For those after something a little more wholesome, the chefs at the Rag and Famish have you covered with their tender eye fillet ($42), served on a bed of potato boulangerie and coated with a robust jus, forgo the predictable red wine and red meat pairing, and opt for a 4 Pines American amber ale to accompany your fare. CHEESE WITH AKASHA'S MOSAIC IPA In days gone by, the humble cheese plate was always that conspicuous option on the dessert menu, nestled between flourless chocolate cake and the creme brulée. But these days, it's not uncommon for folk to embark on a multi-day pilgrimage for a well-crafted cheese board. If you've got a hankering for a dessert of the savoury kind, the cheese plate ($22) at The Rag is particularly handsome, consisting of an ample selection of locally and internationally sourced numbers which pair perfectly with an Akasha Mosaic IPA. Make your next pub feed one from the new Rag and Famish menu. And don't forget to pair it with a local brew.
Over the past few months, Sydney has scored quite a few new sky-facing spaces, including the foliage-heavy Manly Greenhouse, Erskineville's pink frilly umbrella-dotted Slims Rooftop and Erskineville's art deco Imperial Up. Now, Westfield Sydney is getting in on the game, with the announcement that it will open not one, but two new venues on its level seven rooftop. From April, inner-city workers and shoppers will be able to slip upstairs to feast on Middle Eastern and Cantonese fare, while soaking up panoramic views. The first of the two is Babylon, a Middle Eastern-inspired venue with a whopping 800 capacity. Among its spaces are a 216-seat restaurant, two expansive bars, an outdoor terrace and private dining areas. The kitchen will be fuelled by fire, with many dishes cooked over wood and charcoal, on the rotisserie and in a huge Turkish grill will pump out charry Adana-style kebabs, cabbage kebabs, and a 72-hour slow-cooked wagyu trip-tip with smoked eggplant puree and mushroom. The bar will also stock over 200 whiskies and 300 bottles of wine. [caption id="attachment_711258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The dim sum at Duck & Rice. Shot by Steven Woodburn.[/caption] Then, at the end of April, a 400-seat contemporary Cantonese restaurant will open on the rooftop. Duck & Rice will specialise in dishes from regional China — think lots of dim sum, spicy noodles and Cantonese roast duck pancakes. You'll be able to dine — and drink G&Ts on tap — in the 1930s-inspired space or outside in the outdoor lantern room. The Mantle Group Hospitality (MGH), has leased the rooftop and owns both Babylon and Duck & Rice. Having been busy in Brisbane for nearly 40 years, it moved into Sydney in May 2018 with the opening of The Squire's Landing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks. Babylon will open mid-April and Duck & Rice will open late April at level seven of Westfield Sydney, corner Pitt Street Mall and Market Street, Sydney.
Throughout May, a huge selection of restaurants are serving up exclusive menus, offering generous discounts and sharing primo culinary intel as part of American Express delicious. Month Out. The program of events is extensive with experiences that cover a range of price points making it accessible for all foodies, no matter your budget. Whether you've got a spare $20 to get your fix or you're willing to splurge on an immersive one-off dining experience, we've found something to suit all price tags — from budget to blowout.
It's always a good time at the Sydney Cricket Ground. And with the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season in full swing — and the Sydney Swans in flying form — we've got the perfect excuse for one lucky footy fan to head to an upcoming Friday night blockbuster. We've teamed up with the Sydney Swans to give away a double pass to the Swans' round 11 clash on Friday, May 27, against the Richmond Tigers. It promises to be an enthralling encounter, with the Swans one of the form teams of the competition this year and the once-mighty Tigers always a tricky match-up for any team. [caption id="attachment_852471" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phil Hillyard[/caption] In addition to prime seating, you'll also score a $250 food and drink voucher to spend at The Pavilion before the game. The Merivale-operated venue is one of a number of dining outlets the hospo giant runs at the stadium as its exclusive hospitality partner and features a range of brasserie-inspired plates that are a world away from typical stadium food — think Sydney rock oysters, poached chicken and farro salad, and steak frites. There's also a handy wine menu featuring mostly Australian drops, with selections available by the glass and the bottle. So whether you're a Swans superfan or you haven't watched the footy since Buddy kicked his 1000th goal a few weeks ago, this is one prize you won't want to miss. And if you want to keep the good times going after the game, check out one of these excellent watering holes within walking distance from the SCG. [competition]852222[/competition]
Don't let the three-kilometre return hike to Pieries Peak fool you. It may not be long but it is steep. The challenging trail starts at Youngville campground and launches straight into action, climbing through rocky ridges, snow grass and rainforest. Once you reach the top, kick back and enjoy views across Hunter Valley and Lake Saint Clair. The peak gets pretty cold in winter so check the forecast and make sure it's not arctic up there before you commit. In general, the region's weather is unpredictable, so come prepared for all scenarios. Image: Susan Davis, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
With all of the natural beauty surrounding you in Barrington Tops, it can be hard to get a sense of the region as a whole. So it's definitely worth your while to check out one, if not several, of the many scenic lookouts that offer an all-encompassing view of this stunning landscape. Careys Peak is at the end of an invigorating walking track that will take you through heavily wooded country before giving way to a peak in the Williams Range, where you can survey the ground you've just traversed from a cracking lookout spot. If you're after more than one pit stop, Devils Hole Lookout is a cracker, as is Thunderbolts.
Sydney favourite Queen Chow is opening a temporary third venue, gifting New South Wales' south coast residents with a taste of its modern Cantonese flavours. The Merivale venue, which first brought Chinese food to the pub with its Enmore outpost, will pop up in Narooma's The Whale Inn from Saturday, December 11, replacing previous pop-up bistro Chez Dominique. Narooma locals and those passing through for a beachside holiday can expect all the Queen Chow favourites with a big onus on local seafood served on swirling lazy Susans. The menu has been crafted by former Mr. Wong chef Tal Buchnik and Queen Chow Manly's Toby Worthington. Highlights of the menu are rock oysters, abalone, XO sauce crayfish and grilled scallops with kombu butter, all sourced from local waterways. Queen Chow's excellent dumplings will also be making an appearance courtesy of Merivale's dumpling master Eric Koh. The Whale Inn is one of three south coast venues Merivale owns, along with The Inlet and recently reopened Quarterdeck. "Narooma has become my second home and the backdrop to many of my happiest memories with my family," Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes says. "It has been an absolute privilege to spend so much time here over the past six years, and becoming part of the local business community is enormously exciting." Queen Chow's take-over of The Whale Inn will run throughout summer and indefinitely into 2022. Merivale has also teased a refresh or transformation of the accomodation options at the inn, however is yet to reveal any concrete plans for this aspect of the building. [caption id="attachment_834457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Queen Chow Narooma will open on Saturday, December 11 at The Whale Inn, 102 Wagonga Street, Narooma. It will be open for dinner Tuesday–Saturday.
When a solar flare hits Europe, life changes instantly. Power grids go down, much of Britain is left without electricity, supply routes are threatened, vigilantes come out in force and chaos unsurprisingly ensues. That's the setup in COBRA, the high-stakes drama series that combines a disaster scenario with political intrigue, and tasks Prime Minister Robert Sutherland (Robert Carlyle) with deciding how to cope under such intense circumstances. If you're wondering about the show's name, no, snakes aren't involved. But meeting to discuss important matters is a firm part of COBRA, which takes its moniker from the nickname for the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) in London — and, as you might know from news during the past year, from the group of top-ranking British Government leaders who come together in times of crisis to respond to national emergencies.
Whether you're the type of news junkie that's always abreast of current affairs, or you're more familiar with big international events in passing, Italian-made financial thriller Devils should feel familiar. It's set in 2011, in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, and it plunges inside the toxic investment trading and banking world — bringing Guido Maria Brera's 2014 novel I Diavoli to the small screen. Here, Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi) heads the trading team at a hugely influential investment bank. But when his mentor Dominic Morgan (Patrick Dempsey) promotes one of his colleagues, Massimo is far from happy. That's just the beginning of this slick series' wheeling, dealing, dramas and thrills, with real-life details weaved into its many subplots. And yes, Devils is also the latest series to star the always-watchable Dempsey, if you've been missing his face from your screen.
When venues around the world starting shutting down to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Sydney Opera House was one of them, closing its doors to shows and audiences back in mid-March. By the end of October, however, it'll slowly start kicking back into gear – with the iconic site revealing its reopening program. While the cultural institution hasn't been quiet over the past seven months thanks to a massive lineup of free digital concerts and talks that everyone has been able to watch at home, it will begin welcoming patrons back in the door in line with easing New South Wales restrictions. It isn't abandoning its online activities, but they'll run in tandem with its physical events. At a festival such as Antidote, for instance, you'll be able to head along in-person or watch digitally. The Opera House's festival of ideas, action and change, Antidote will return for its fourth year on Sunday, November 29, running as a one-day event that features talks, workshops, visual art, installations and other immersive experiences. Hosting speakers in the Joan Sutherland Theatre and making its program available online, it'll include sessions on everything from the state of America in 2020 to eschewing cynicism in favour of optimism — and workshops focused on growing edible balcony gardens, too. And as for the guest lineup, it spans Indigenous-led design advocate Jefa Greenaway, climate change social researcher Rebecca Huntley, and Kiley Reid, the Man Booker-shortlisted author of Such a Fun Age — among others. [caption id="attachment_786056" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jefa Greenaway, by Peter Casamento[/caption] Antidote is just one of the events on the Opera House's new program. If you're eager for a few laughs, comedian Tom Gleeson will hit the venue's stage in December with his latest show, called Lighten Up — and if you'd prefer live tunes, you can choose between a tribute concert to Australian jazz icon Don Burrows and the sounds of improvisational trio Vazesh. In the theatre realm, Sydney Theatre Company's Rules for Living will tread the boards, while kids will be able to watch Diary of a Wombat come to life as a puppet show. Although dance is part of the lineup thanks to the return of Dance Rites for 2020, it's running solely as a digital event, so prepare to check out the annual First Nations dance competition at home. You'll definitely need to leave the house, though, if you're keen to tuck into dinner while listening to musicians from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra. That's on offer at Bennelong for the first time, pairing a meal with a live performance between Thursday, October 29–Sunday, December 20. The Opera House will also be resuming its tours from Thursday, November 5, and Portside will reopen for dining from Monday, November 2. The Sydney Opera House's reopening program kicks off on Thursday, October 29. For further information or to buy tickets, visit the venue's website. Top image: Brett Stevens
It seems that 2020 is the year of staying local, although you don't need us to tell you that. For months so far — and for months to come — we're all making the most of our own backyard. We're eating local, and supporting local businesses. We're all travelling and holidaying throughout New South Wales, too. And, whether you prefer a yeasty brew to cap off your week, a full-bodied wine with dinner or a few cocktails whenever the mood strikes, you can drink the state's finest tipples as well. We're always keen to highlight local folks doing great things, of course — and, to showcase homegrown winemakers, brewers and distillers, we've teamed up with our mates at BWS to celebrate a few of the best. Here are six must-try NSW and ACT drops that you can pick up at your nearest BWS.
UPDATE, APRIL 10: Big Poppa's temporary bottle shop has extended its hours and is slinging bottles from its Darlinghurst store from 2–6pm today, Friday, April 10. Its free cheese deal, with customers able to nab 300 grams of free cheese with a mixed or straight case of six wines, is still available, too. Before you head out of your house, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health. Darlinghurst's home of wine, cheese and hip hop Big Poppa's is currently closed to dine-in service, in line with the Australian Government's current regulations surrounding non-essential indoor venues, but thanks to new temporary liquor licensing laws, it's allowed to sell booze via takeaway and home-delivery. And it's doing so in true Big Poppa's fashion. The bar is currently selling a heap of its wines for "banging deals" (their words, not ours, but we tend to agree). The takeaway list features 14 pages of bangers, including plenty of wines in the low $20s, a fun pét-nat from Hunter Valley's Ari's Natural for $35, a $27 Konpira Maru skin-contact semillon, some fun chilled reds and a lush 2008 Dom Perignon for a casual $250. There are also heaps of fun packs starting at $150 and running all the way through to $1000, and Big Poppa's wine glasses going for $12 a pop. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lSqN7Dwt7/ The Big Poppa's label wines — a pinot grigio and shiraz — come down to a bargain $16 when a dozen is purchased, too. Oh and if you order a mixed or straight case of six wines or more you get 300 grams of free cheese. Yes, free cheese. Just let them know if you prefer soft, hard or blue and it'll be added to your pack. The wines are available to pick up from the store and free delivery is also available within five kilometres of the bar on certain days of the week, for orders of 12 bottles of more. Check Instagram for updates on when Big Poppa's is open and delivering. Big Poppa's is selling wine, available to pick up or delivery within five kilometres of the bar. Check Instagram for opening and delivery times. To pre-order, email cheese@bigpoppa.com.au. You can check out the full wine list over here. If you are going out to pickup wine, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Just one month ago, Randwick City Council reopened its beaches as the state's COVID–19 restrictions began to ease. Today, Wednesday, May 27, the council has been forced to close them once again — but this time it's because of plastic debris. The Council announced in a Facebook video earlier today that council crews were working to clean up the flotsam and that "beaches will remain closed until further notice". "People are strongly encouraged not to enter the water due to the risk of larger submerged items still in the surf," a Council spokesperson said in the post. It's possible the beaches, which include Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra, will remained closed for the rest of the week, too, with the Council saying it's expecting more material to wash up "over the coming days". https://www.facebook.com/randwickcitycouncil/videos/180172266662223/ While the Council didn't specify the type of debris, The Guardian reported that face masks and plastic containers were among the items washing up on shores after 40 shipping containers fell of the APL England, which was on en route from China to Melbourne, on the weekend. As well as Randwick's beaches, the ABC is reporting that the ship's debris has also washed ashore at Bondi and several beaches along the Central Coast. While no other beaches are closed due to debris at the moment, we'll let you know if this changes. Randwick City Council's beaches will remain closed until further notice. For updates, keep an eye on the Council's Facebook page. Top image: Randwick City Council
To get some of the best views along the Central Coast, head out on an 8.5-kilometre hike (one way) on the Bouddi Coastal Trail, boasting beaches, boardwalks and lots of birds. Start from Putty Beach and wind your way along the stretch of coastline past lookouts and stretches of sand, ending up at MacMasters Beach. Pack your snorkelling gear and explore one of the beaches — we recommend heading to the sheltered Lobster Beach and keeping an eye out for dolphins. This relatively easy hike will also take you through shady parts of rainforest and picnic-perfect spots, too. [caption id="attachment_764514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Central Coast Tourism[/caption] Top image: Destination NSW
When it comes to sun, surf and sand, Australia's prowess is widely recognised. But, as any wine lover is well aware, we have something else to be just as proud of. Made in sprawling vineyards around the country — including in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory — our local vinos are simply top-notch. And, they're worth championing and celebrating at every possible opportunity. This isn't news to NSW and ACT residents, of course. The Hunter Valley, Gundagai and Canberra's wineries have strong reputations, as do others across the rest of the region. Indeed, we're betting their tipples already rank highly on your must-drink list. When such excellent wines are made so close to home, there's nothing better than to pair one with dinner, a cheese platter or a seafood lunch, obviously. In case you need a few extra suggestions, are looking for a couple of other local drops to try, or you could just use a reminder about brands you adore, we've teamed up with our pals at BWS to highlight five NSW and ACT-based winemakers that you should definitely know and support. You might already love their tipples. You may have heard of them, but never had the pleasure of trying their wares. Either way, these wines will help you drink local.
Since 2008, 4 Pines Brewing Company have carefully cemented themselves as one of Australia's premier brewing companies. The team behind the craft beer brand has never hidden their support and loyalty to Sydney's north, and in particular, the Manly and northern beaches areas — the home of their original microbrewery. So, it should come as no surprise then that 4 Pines earlier this month opened their third venue, 4 Pines Manly Underground. Taking over the old Out of Africa space, the eatery is a little different from their brewpub upstairs, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu put together by 4 Pines executive chef Rob de Paulo. He's stepped away from the classic pub meals offered upstairs in the BrewPub, instead focusing on seasonal ingredients and fresh produce. Open from 7am till 10pm each day, the venue is food-oriented with beers coming from upstairs (naturally), with booth seating and a log cabin-like feel. Pallets from their Brookvale have been used extensively in the design. But that's not all. 4 Pines have also announced the roll out of two other completely different and varied new venues within the next 12 months, all north of the Harbour Bridge. "The time has come for 4 Pines to launch some hospitality spaces," says 4 Pines publican Ged Dore. "We looked at some places over on the west coast of America, and these brands had venues along three different beaches. When we got back to Australia we looked at potential spaces in Sydney, the inner west, then in Melbourne but we just kept coming back to the northern beaches." Next up, Newport is set to become the home of barrel-aged beer, with the opening of the 4 Pines Newport Barrelhouse. The idea of barrel-aged beer is something 4 Pines has been fine tuning for the past few years, and are ready to showcase with the opening of this specialty venue in the early summer. The venue, located in the heart of Newport on Barrenjoey Road, is being touted as the first of its kind in the state, if not Australia. Finally, for those who enjoy a beer with breakfast, a 4 Pines beer and bread concept will open in the Glen Street Theatre in Belrose in 2017. Perfect for a for a drink and dinner pre- or post-theatre, 4 Pines Belrose will offer beer and freshly baked bread, including the stout bread which has been baked in the Manly BrewPub since 2010. Even though 4 Pines also have a brewery in Brookvale which uses an old truck as a bar, Dore isn't convinced they've covered all bases in the Northern Beaches area just yet though. "The [Manly] cinema has been closed for over two years, so we'd love to own the cinema so we could do 4 Pines movies. We'd love to be able to do a 4 Pines showcase arthouse cinema — you're allowed to dream aren't you?" says Dore. 4 Pines Manly Underground is located at 43-45 E Esplanade, Manly and is open daily from 7am till 10pm. For more info, visit 4pines.com.au.
UPDATE, September 16, 2021: Streamline is available to stream via Stan from Thursday, September 16. Chasing a dream can feel like swimming through cool water on a hot summer's day — gliding, splashing and laidback paddling all included — with each refreshing stroke propelling you closer towards your own personal finish line. That's when everything is going well, of course, and when whatever your heart and mind desires seems as if it's waiting at the end of the pool. Otherwise, when you're bogged down by everyday minutiae and nothing seems to inch forward, working towards a set goal can also resemble treading water. It can mirror repetitively doing laps, too, when your destination seems out of sight despite all the hard work you're putting in. And, if you're tired and fed up with all the effort needed to even keep afloat — and when your heart is no longer in it — it can feel like floundering and drowning. In Streamline, all of these sensations and emotions bubble up for 15-year-old Benjamin Lane (Levi Miller, A Wrinkle in Time), as he pursues a professional swimming career, a spot in a prestigious squad in Brisbane and, ideally, an Olympics berth and all the glory that goes with it. Indeed, one of the delights of this Australian movie, which boasts Ian Thorpe as one of its executive producers, is how evocatively it sprinkles these swashes of feelings across the screen. Written and directed by feature first-timer Tyson Wade Johnston, Streamline is a sports drama as well as a small town-set family drama — and it's also a portrait of that time when you're expected to dive headfirst into adulthood, and into knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life, but you're also inescapably wracked with uncertainty and apprehension. Teenage awkwardness and angst aren't simple states to capture on-screen, although enough coming-of-age movies have been buoyed by both; however, Streamline opts to plunge deep into the existential stress that goes beyond feeling out of place with your peers or being annoyed at your parents. Its protagonist, who everyone just calls Boy, only really connects with his girlfriend and best friend Patti (Tasia Zalar, Mystery Road) at school. And, he's definitely mad at his mother and father. He resents his single mum Kim's (Laura Gordon, Undertow) efforts to keep him focused, which he sees as controlling rather than nurturing. He's doing tumble turns internally over his dad Rob (Jason Isaacs, Creation Stories), who's just been released from prison and has never been a positive influence in his life. Boy is also furious at his surrogate father figure, Coach Clarke (Robert Morgan, The Secrets She Keeps), for all the cajoling that coaches tend to give. But, mostly the swimming prodigy is unsure — about what he wants, what he's been told he wants and what to do next. Streamline takes ample cues from sports flicks and the usual formula behind them, with big races, the pressure to succeed and the push to impress the right people to score the best opportunities driving much of the narrative alongside training and its tussles. But as this emotionally astute film explores the tension and trepidation swelling inside Boy — the kind that only worsens whenever his dad is mentioned, let alone turns up, and also ramps up as he spends time self-destructing with his hard-drinking, loutish older half-brothers Dave (Jake Ryan, Savage) and Nick (Sam Parsonson, Operation Buffalo) — it taps into themes that've been washing through Australian cinema with increasing frequency over the past decade or so. In movies such as Animal Kingdom, Snowtown, Buoyancy and 1%, young men struggle to carve their own paths, or even just to survive or avoid following in damaging footsteps, all in the lingering shadow of violence. Shades of late-90s great The Boys also filter through when Streamline's Boy is with his siblings, but this measured and moving picture is never merely the sum of its influences, even as it adds more flawed and fractured males to the nation's cinematic canon. Navigating this sea of toxic masculinity, Miller manages to convey many traits that fit the mould — Boy can be arrogant, reckless, careless with other people's feelings, moody, unwilling to express what's simmering within and combative — and also show his character's pain, conflict, yearning and vulnerability. It's a stellar performance, as well as a difficult one; the best work of the young actor's career so far, it's also likely to keep the Pan, Better Watch Out and Jasper Jones star in weightier roles moving forward. There isn't a weak link among the cast, though, but the film's standout moments all come when Miller is in front of the lens. A particular sense of power emanates in his scenes with Isaacs, and therefore with the man that Boy has been devastatingly hurt by and yet still finds himself drawn to. The two actors both played the same person but at varying ages in the vastly dissimilar Red Dog: True Blue, but now they play different points on a spectrum that neither wants Boy to slide down. Contrasting the rigours of seeking perfection with the toll it takes, Streamline submerges itself in its lead character's journey visually as well. This is a melancholy movie in tone and appearance, with hues of blue hovering in frame after frame. Those shades often emanate from the water, obviously, given that it has such a pivotal part in Boy's days and dramas — but when they continue to pop up elsewhere, they also exude the sorrow of a teen who realises he doesn't know how to either keep or to stop doing what he's doing. Cinematographer Michael Latham shot the aforementioned Buoyancy, too, and gave The Assistant, Island of the Hungry Ghosts, Strange Colours and Casting JonBenet their exacting, evocative and also piercing looks, with his efforts here continuing the trend. Indeed, watching Streamline feels like plummeting into a brooding well not only emotionally, thematically and narratively, but aesthetically. Sometimes chasing a dream is like that, too, as this excellent Aussie drama also recognises.
One minute Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O'Dell were writing nostalgic garage pop in a Newtown bedroom. The next, they were on high rotation on triple j and basking in Channel V praise along the lines of "terminally infectious" and "the next big thing". The trio's sweet acoustic sound first hit the ears of influential label I OH YOU (Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays) in September 2013. "A good friend (who I guess I owe a beer to now) called me up and began barking down my phone about an amazing young band from Newtown," explains I OH YOU director Johann Ponniah. After signing up, the lads released their self-titled debut EP on March 28, swanning into the iTunes Australian Charts at #7. Their single 'Delete' was heard on airwaves around the nation and spent some time hanging about the upper reaches of the ARIA Australian Artists Singles Chart. So this month, DMA's are embarking on their very first East Coast tour. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vKSWC5r1tYg
