Finding the perfect old-fashioned is no easy task. Made up of just three elements — whisky, bitters and sugar syrup — this classic cocktail calls for premium ingredients and the skills of an expert bartender. We've long considered CBD haunt Palmer & Co. a spot that nails this stellar combo. And, lucky for you, its specialist bartenders have partnered with Maker's Mark to create a spot-on old-fashioned, which has been bottled and shipped to a selection of Merivale venues around Sydney. While you won't find it at Palmer & Co., you can try this exclusive mix at Angel Hotel, Hotel CBD, The Royal George, Tank Stream Bar, The Grand and Wynyard Hotel. Plus, if you happen to find yourself staying over at Establishment Hotel, you'll score one free with your room. The hand-crafted concoction involves two dashes of bitters, five millilitres of sugar syrup and 60 millilitres of Maker's Mark bourbon. These are muddled together, then poured into a bottle. You can order the perfectly balanced result neat or over a large chunk of ice, and the bartender will top it off with a garnish of fresh orange peel. The Maker's Mark old-fashioned is available for $15 until Wednesday, August 15. Image: Dimitri Tricolas.
Sydney's North Shore isn't always a first choice for weekend activities, but it should be. Plenty of hidden local gems are scattered between Chatswood and Hornsby, all easy to access thanks to the T1 train line. Head north for a weekend adventure and you might stumble across something like the Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival. It's the ninth annual run of this local foodie celebration, and it's coming to Wahroonga Park on Sunday, October 29. There's a lot to take in, but if you've come underprepared, there's no need to panic. Start by heading to The Market Basket Co to grab a shopping bag. For goodies to take home, you can visit Rylstone Olive Press, Original Smoke & Spice Co, Cacaoette, Linda's Original Sweet Chilli Relish, Pudding Lane and more. If you desire less edible purchases, there'll be candles, ceramics, homemade pet treats and other boutique delights. On the hot food front, tuck into fried chicken and pork belly burgers, paella, dumplings and fish cakes, gozleme and more. Of course, this is the food and wine festival, so once you've lined your stomach, you can chase it with some delicious vino and other alcoholic tipples. Over 30 wineries are in attendance, and you can book tasting packages starting at $37.50 to reserve a tasting experience on the day. Or, if you prefer spirits, fret not; several small-batch distillers will be on-site dishing out bottles to take home. For an immediate taste, activation bars starring El Jimador Tequila and Benriach Single Malt will be dishing out seasonal tastings and cocktails. And, of course, refreshing craft beers from Six String Brewing will round it out.
Whether you're looking for something extra-carby after a rough day, something hot and cheesy to warm you up during winter or something to pick up and scoff on the couch, there's nothing like a big bowl of gnocchi to fill you with doughy goodness. When it comes to comfort food, gnocchi is definitely a top choice. You can pair it with a glass of wine, mop up its sauce with some buttery garlic bread and follow it up with a palate-cleansing scoop (or two) of gelato. It's really the beginning of a perfect meal. That's why we've looked high and low to find the best gnocchi spots in Sydney — so you can enjoy all of the carbs with none of the hassle.
Pier One's harbourfront igloos are back. And, this year, they're offering a particularly dazzling place to enjoy Sydney's winter. Those hankering for waterside drinks will be able to get sipping in a lit-up space, with one igloo surrounded with cherry blossom trees adorned with light globes. In case you're wondering, the igloos aren't made of snow and ice. They're transparent dome-shaped structures that you can hire for yourself and up to nine mates. You will need to be willing to indulge in a few cocktails, glasses of champagne and snacks — choosing between the snacks and shares menu, or the grazing menu. Highlights of the food menu includes Sydney rock oysters, Pioik sourdough, wagyu skewers and salmon tartar. A range of canned cocktails will also be on hand, including espresso martinis from Archie Rose, negronis from Never Never Distillery and mai tais from Jacoby's Tiki Bar. To hire out the cherry blossom igloo, you have to spend $400–700 on food and drinks for your 2.5-hour session, and pay a $200–300 hire fee. The minimum spend and hire price changes depending on the day and time. You can hire out the igloos daily, from 12–2.30pm, 3.30–6pm or 7–9.30pm, until Sunday, August 17. And if you opt for the latter time slot from Friday–Sunday, you'll need to add on a compulsory night's stay in the suite for an extra $350 — which includes overnight accommodation for two, plus breakfast and parking. Images: Anna Kucera.
The opening at Sydney's new dining and retail precinct Darling Square have has staggered openings over the last 18 months — first Steam Mill Lane opened, followed by the Maker's Dozen and, most recently, XOPP by Golden Century inside the new Exchange building. But now, as the precinct nears completion, the final nine retailers have been announced, and including everything from a tiny Japanese omakase joint to a designer sneaker store. If Chinese is what you're after, Lilong by Taste of Shanghai focuses on authentic regional dishes like pan-fried soup dumplings and spicy handmade noodles. Or head to Goobne, an Australian-first outpost of the Korean roast chicken chain that boasts a whopping 1000 stores in Asia. When it opens on November 11, you'll be able to chow down on eight flavours of roast chicken (including sweet and spicy, sichuan and teriyaki styles), along with a range of Korean comfort dishes. Then there's the Kickstarter-funded IIKO Mazesoba, which will specialise in its namesake Japanese-style 'brothless' ramen dishes that are tossed in savoury sauces instead of soup. The house-made noodles will come in varieties such as multigrain, matcha, beetroot and squid ink. Karaage fried chicken, potato salad and shaved iced desserts will make the menu, too. Chinta Ria serves up Malaysian comfort food and its fit-out features a three-metre-tall Buddha statue for good measure. Expect dishes like laksa, satay, rendang, noodle stir fries and gado gado salads on offer. Perhaps the most exciting opening, though, is the tiny 11-seat Omakase features a 24-course chef's menu that changes daily and focuses on fresh, local seafood. You'll be able to grab a seat at the kitchen counter, some sake, and watch as Head Chef Fukada San prepares your meal. Bookings here are a must, with only one lunch sitting (12–2pm) and two dinner sittings (6pm and 8pm) each day. While the rest of the retailers will open by the end of the year, Omakase won't be open until March 2020. Other additions include Pancakes on the Rocks, designer sneaker store Solemate Sneakers, a Chinese skincare specialist and — since you'll obviously be spending a lot of money here — a community bank. The whole precinct has so many food options as it is, so we've put together a handy rundown of the things you can now eat in the precinct to make things a little bit easier. When everything's up and running, Darling Square will have a whopping 70 cafes, restaurants and shops, not to mention all the apartments, office spaces and a brand new library, which is slated to open on October 28. The final nine shops at Darling Square, Haymarket will open before the end of the year, except for Omakase, which will open in March 2020.
Halfway up Sydney's northern beaches you'll find a veritable Aladdin's cave of hidden goodies in Mona Vale — an idyllic seaside town where keen shoppers can find plenty of cool and unusual treats. The suburb is larger than most on the peninsula, with an enormous double beach and a bustling town centre. The latter is made up of locally run small businesses, selling everything from beautiful coastal homewares to delicious cakes. The beach attracts water seekers from young families to surfers, thanks to the south end's shallow waters and the north end's big waves. To help you navigate all of Mona Vale's many options to shop, eat and drink, we've teamed up with American Express and pulled together eight places to get you shopping like a local. You can shop at all of these community-minded businesses with your American Express Card, so you can go from strolling along the beach to sampling the wares without any hassle.
Warami is a Darug word meaning 'good to see you'. It's also the name of an annual festival of Indigenous culture in western Sydney that starts with National Sorry Day in May and ends in NAIDOC Week in July. The festival honours and celebrates the thousands of years of continued history for the Burramattagal people (who are part of the Darug nation) in the area we know as Parramatta. Every year, there's a program of family-friendly arts and crafts workshops, bush tucker food stalls, music and dance performances and knowledge tours. This year's program is going digital for the first time — and, as part of the program, there's a free showcase of comedy, music, storytelling, dance and art in Warami Live on Sunday, July 5, from 12–2pm. The two-hour live-stream will include deadly jokes from comedian Sean Choolburra, performances from electro-soul duo Bow and Arrow, country singer-songwriter Maddi Lyn, soulful singer-songwriter Evie J Willie, and hip hop artist Barkaa. You can also expect storytelling from longstanding Koori Radio host DJ Naian. Plus, even more performers will be announced nearer to the day. Can't wait till then? Check out the free Warami program running from now until July 5.
In what can only be described as an odd turn of events, Top3 was founded by Terri Winter after she saw a German cabaret show featuring a woman, a walrus and a trapeze artist. As it happens, these three acts were the best in their field — and this inspired Winter to translate the 'top three' concept into a retail store. As it turned out, it was a huge success. Now with four stores around the country — two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and one in Canberra — Top3's mission is to offer customers the best products based entirely on their design merits. The store stocks well over 1000 different products — but only three of each type — across homewares, clothing and travel accessories. You're bound to find something you need and/or want here. Images: Trent Van der jagt.
Those guys who reside in that "small country town" of Bondi who are so hip they are hipsters will be hanging out at the Beach Road Hotel (yup, in Bondi of course) on that day after lots of present-opening, stuffing your face, and celebrating fat men with beards. Sosueme are the crew organising the free night of tunes which aims to be "99% genre free", ranging from indie electro to rock hip hop. Apart from DJs, you can get your hands on some SO-SLURP-ME cocktails (hopefully drinkable as well as slurpable), popcorn, fairyfloss, kissing booths, and tarot card readers. So use your breath freshners, put on your groovin’ shoes, and prep yourself for what's billed as "memory-making chaos". In any case, it’s free, there will be hipsters, and it’ll be more fun than lying down digesting in a pile of scrunched up wrapping paper and used crackers.
Pizza preferences can be a touchy topic, but we think we can all agree that there's nothing quite like a steaming, greasy slice of New York City-style pizza, folded vertically (obviously) and almost burning your mouth because it just looks too good to wait. Luckily for Sydneysiders, there's a cheaper way to get a Big Apple-style slice than booking a plane ticket — and that way is Epic Pizza. Offering giant 11-inch slices, and 12- and 22-inch whole pizzas, the Enmore corner shop is perfect for a quick bite on one of the kerbside tables or for takeaway. Even better, it stays open past midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and delivers right to your door every day of the week. The Enmore Road eatery is the pizzeria's third Sydney location with already established locations in Darlinghurst and Drummoyne. Channeling all things NYC, both in the pizza and decor, Epic Pizza has brought a touch local flair by offering brews from the likes of Grifter and Young Henrys. The menu has also expanded. As well as the usual vegan and pepperoni-topped slices, you'll find waffle fries, nachos, Nutella-loaded calzones and ice cream sandwiches. Images: Kitti Gould.
Looking for a spot to meet for a hearty breakfast right by Balmoral Beach? Maybe you've slept in and you're after more of a bottomless brunch-style meal. Or, you could be you're on the hunt for an after-work spot with an impressive menu, a hefty happy hour and BYO. North Shore's new venue Niche Mosman is here to help. The versatile cafe and restaurant kicks off with a classic brekkie spread — one that can lay the foundation for your weekend with something light and fresh, or nurse a hangover with a hearty meal. The Spanish open omelette is the signature, piling in chorizo, caramelised onion, potato hash, chilli, feta, kale, heirloom tomatoes, paprika oil and manchego. There's also ricotta hotcakes and a bacon and egg roll available until midday, and all-day breakfast options like truffled scrambled eggs and a smoked salmon stack. As lunch rolls around, a few choice options added to the menu include a loaded wagyu cheeseburger, spicy fish tacos and the Balmoral poke bowl topped with a yuzu miso dressing. If all of this wasn't already option overload, you can also turn your brunch into a boozy affair if you've got something that you're celebrating. Not only is Niche BYO — so if you're heading in for lunch, feel free to bring your favourite bottle of riesling — but you can also create your own bottomless brunch, with the option to add on 60 minutes of free-flowing rosé for $35 per person. Breakfast and lunch wrap up around 3.30pm, before dinner kicks into action at 5pm. If you're after value for money, arrive as the diner reopens for happy hour. Between 5–6pm Thursday–Saturday, you can score $2 buffalo wings, $3 oysters, $6 beers, $8 organic wines and $10 Aperol spritzes. Settle into the Mediterranean-inspired dining room and scan the no-fuss menu that runs through starters and share plates, tacos, burgers, pasta and more sizeable mains. Highlights from Niche Mosman's smaller dishes include Nikkei-style ceviche, half-shell garlic butter scallops, and mud crab and prawn toast. From there, you can take your pick from blue swimmer crab linguine, picanha steak, a Japanese fried chicken burger, and roasted Mooloolaba swordfish topped with brown butter, capers and parsley. The BYO also extends to dinner Thursday–Saturday, so feel free to pop into Vintage Cellars Mosman and pick up your vino of choice. Niche Mosman is located at 5/713–715 Military Road, Mosman — open from 6.30am–3.30pm Monday–Sunday and 5–10pm Thursday–Saturday. Head to the restaurant's website to find out more. Images: Katje Ford.
The Harbour City in all its glory — from the lengthy shopping strips of George and Pitt Streets to the scenic walk along Barangaroo — has a variety of sublime ways to spend your hard-earned dough. There's always somewhere excellent to eat (or grab a drink), another delightful store to browse artisanal and eclectic wares and somewhere to visit for after-dark adventures. No two days look the same when you're in Sydney's CBD, which means you need a hit-list to call upon that'll suit whatever situation you find yourself in. That's where we come in. Together with American Express, we've put together a list of businesses useful for any occasion, whether you're after a romantic restaurant for a make-or-break third date or somewhere to grab an impressive gift when you forgot your mum's birthday (don't worry, it happens to the best of us).
Located on the main strip in Ettalong Beach, Lords of Pour is a cafe with "killer brews and awesome chews". The cafe, helmed by Ben Coward, provides Coasties and visitors with coffee from all across Australia, including Melbourne and Newcastle, as well as beans from Norway. The house blend is by Sydney's Single O and a roster of guest roasters make up the cafe's single origin and filter offerings, which includes the likes of The New Paradigm, Square One, Floozy and Talor & Jørgen. The food menu stars with the usual suspects — eggs of toast ($12), smashed avo ($18) and granola ($14) — and progresses to more inventive eats, such as the smashed pumpkin ($18) served atop sourdough with charred cauliflower, pomegranate and goat's cheese. It also offers three takes on a B&E roll: one standard, one with maple bacon and pulled pork, and a vegan option pumpkin and mushrooms.
"I never expected that my work would amount to anything," says celebrated Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee in conversation with Concrete Playground. "One dreams, but I never dreamed that I would ever have a proper career in art," she says. It's a humbling statement from the artist whose retrospective Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop opened at MCA Australia earlier this month. Celebrating her dynamic and often experimental 40-year practice, with more than 70 works including paintings, flung metal pieces and immersive installations, the exhibition is one of the most exciting events in Australia this summer. If you're not familiar with Lee's art, she says her work is never about giving off a message or trying to explain something. "But rather [to create] an experience for the viewer where they find themselves whittling out questions and curiosities," says Lee. "Art exceeds what anyone can say about it. When viewing it, it is almost self-reflective." The multidisciplinary artist has a playful approach to her art in which process is as important as the finished piece. There are Lee's early photocopy works from the 80s, wax paintings and whole-room installations. And there's the dazzling steel sculpture 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember', made up of thousands of tiny perforations and located in the Museum's forecourt, which you'll want to catch at night — and undoubtedly take a selfie. But there are also six artworks that are particularly close to Lee's heart, which, according to the artist are not to be missed. For Lee, they represent different points of her practice, direction and philosophies — and they're pretty great to look at, too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'NO UP, NO DOWN, I AM THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS' Lee's practice is deeply rooted in Daoism and Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism philosophies, with her works often examining the connection between humanity and the cosmos. But it wasn't always so, which is why her work 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' is such a seminal piece. "[It] was the first work that I ever created with a direct intentional relationship with Zen philosophy," says Lee. 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' takes over an entire corner of the Museum, with approximately 1200 colourful photocopies, marked with flung ink (an ancient Chinese art form), scattered across the walls and floor. The bold work first exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1995 and has been recreated by Lee thanks to the MCA's Director and exhibition curator Elizabeth Ann Macgregor — her first curated exhibition since the MCA's 2012 Anish Kapoor show. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ken Leanfore[/caption] 'MOONLIGHT DEITIES' This massive, immersive piece of art was commissioned especially for the exhibition and is made up of 31 perforated paper discs, varying from two to ten metres in diameter. So expect the wow-factor when walking through this one. Predominantly black and white with "the silvery light you get on a full moon night", 'Moonlight Deities' has a sense of otherworldliness to it. On the surface, it's all about dark and light, silhouettes and shadow, with moon crater-like projections dancing across the room. There's little difference between the discs and the shadows they cast, which, as you walk through the room, create a sense of liminality — all connecting back to Ch'an buddhism. "I have a fascination with time. In Zen philosophy, the thing I find immeasurably fascinating is the notion that time is actually an ingredient of what we are," says Lee. "We're all impermanent. And in the universe everything changes." [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'BIRTH AND DEATH' 'Birth and Death' is Lee's most personal work in the exhibition. "It remains one of the most important works I've ever done," says the artist. Created as an homage to her late nephew Ben after he passed away aged 22 from cancer, 'Birth and Death' touches on political and cultural themes such as migration, Chinese culture and the White Australia policy. "But the essential purpose of this piece was to honour Ben and give him his place in five generations of family," she says. "It's about paying honour to someone I cared very much about." The work is made up of 100 accordion books, with books dedicated to members of Lee's family at various stages of their life. Using red, the work evokes an association with blood as much as it does with China. It is as visually impactful as it is evocative. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'STRANGE CONDENSATIONS' Lindy Lee is no stranger to experimentation in art. In fact, it is a major part of her process and with 'Strange Condensations' she surrenders to it. Her flung bronze works came about from seeing accidental bronze drippings on a foundry floor and, naturally, she wanted to turn it into art. By taking molten bronze and flinging it at surfaces, the artist creates almost cosmic constellations — in a hazmat suit, no less. Again stemming from her Buddhist beliefs, 'Strange Condensations' — and its making — is symbolic of the universe as an infinite net, constructed and dependent on everything within it. "What I love about [flung bronze] is that it's uncontrollable. Everything that exists in that moment makes that mark," says Lee. "Each shape is unique and it is absolutely about the conditions of the time that creates them. And thus it is with life." [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] 'OPEN AS THE SKY' AND 'UNNAMEABLE' If you thought splashing 1200-degree metal around was experimental, think again. Wanting to make her flung bronze works three-dimensional, Lee turned to a litre of Pauls custard — as a cooling substance to drop molten metal into. With the metal rolling into itself while cooling, it creates spontaneous forms that Lee then scales up. The end result is a series of gnarled, pitted sculptures like 'Open As the Sky' and 'Unnameable'. As well as being the product of a cool science experiment, these works are the artist's own version of gonshi (ancient scholar's rocks) and, in turn, celebrate her Chinese heritage. "It takes an immense energy of geological transitions and force over thousands of years to make [gonshi]. That's why they're admired; they literally contain the movement of the universe through them. So, you know, I wanted to make my own." 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop is showing at MCA Australia until February 2021. The gallery is currently open 10am–5pm, Tuesday–Sunday, with COVID-19 measures in place. Entry is free and unticketed. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively. Top images: Anna Kucera.
You may already know that the Stockton Beach sand dunes are the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. But, it's hard to truly appreciate the sheer size of them until you hop on a sandboard and start sliding down one of the hills — and you just keep sliding. There are a few companies that offer sandboarding experiences in the Port Stephens region, but Sand Dune Safaris is our pick for a couple of reasons. It's a family owned and operated business, and because it doesn't accept large inbound tour groups, the team are able to offer a more intimate experience — and this includes allowing you to stand on the board and 'surf' down the dune if you're game. You'll also get to travel to Sand Dune Safaris' spot on the dunes in 4WDs which, they say, is "half the fun". Normally, the company has a continuous shuttle service heading out to the dunes and back every 15 minutes, so you can stay and play as long as you please. It also a shaded picnic area out on the dune, so you can take along an esky with drinks and snacks when you need a rest. Also be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat as the sand is extremely reflective due to its high silica content, so it can get mighty toasty out there. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, Sand Dune Safaris is now running six two-hour sessions per day. Bookings are essential with a limit of nine people per group. Sessions are subject to change as restrictions are lifted so keep checking the website for the latest info. Images: Destination NSW
Stay tuned. More info coming soon. Images: Destination NSW
It's difficult to overstate not only the ubiquity of coffee in Australia, but also the part it plays in our day to day. As Bruno Maiolo, a life member (and incumbent president) of the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA), says: "Coffee is enshrined in our DNA. We cannot function without it." But how has our coffee culture changed over the years — and what's coming next? In partnership with Milklab, we spoke with six Australian coffee experts to get their thoughts. [caption id="attachment_755831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Ali[/caption] WHAT'S CHANGED The origin story of Australian coffee culture has become engrained in our nation's lore, but a quick recap. Italian migrants who came to Australia after WWII with the hope of a better future in 'the lucky country', also (thankfully) brought their espresso-making traditions with them. Cafes and espresso bars quickly popped up throughout Melbourne and Sydney, with their appeal quickly spreading beyond European migrant communities. "I refer to the Australian coffee scene as 'the new world'," says Herman Chiu (pictured below), director of Sydney cafe Haven Specialty Coffee. "Just like [Australia's] approach to winemaking, we learned [coffee] from industry pioneers. However, we had less traditional fetters, which allowed us to be more creative and open to new ideas." If one person — and their signature pork pie hat — has come to embody our 'new world', it's Salvatore Malatesta. The founder of the St Ali empire also thinks our being new on the scene has worked to our advantage. "The coffee culture was a broad church with no preconceptions of what was right or wrong," he tells us. "There was a genuine openness... Then there were a handful of evangelists (of which I was and remain one) who made it their life mission to make sure Australian won the coffee Olympics." He reckons we took home gold. Maiolo — who also runs Melbourne roaster C4 Coffee — has seen first-hand how Aussie coffee has changed over the years. "The emergence of 'specialty' coffee, and a whole lot of curious locals, has brought about a shift in what we are looking for in an espresso." He notes that these changes range from the grade of beans being purchased, to how beans are roasted. For coffee professionals, the consequences of this shift border on the existential: "These are now becoming contentious issues. Have we changed espresso too much? Have we created a 'new' drink or just bastardised a classic? Either way we have plenty of choices," says Maiolo. Chiu also notes the rise in specialty coffee as a game-changer. "In the early 2010s, although the specialty coffee scene had already been in Australia for quite some time, the general public still didn't quite understand the concept. Nowadays, walking into a cafe around the corner and ordering a batch brew or a cold drip from Ethiopia is such a normal thing." For Wendy de Jong, director of coffee at Sydney roaster Single O, black coffee is having a moment right now. "I see much more of an appreciation for black coffee in all methods — espresso, filter, drip bags," she observes. "We're pushing that charge a little I think, with innovations like our 'batch tap' (like a pub with a few beers on tap) and our commitment to delivering a high-quality coffee experience outside the cafe with our single-serve drip filters." To that end, home brewing seems to have taken off — perhaps not surprising given how much time we've spent at home these past 18 months. Andrew Wong, head barista at the Sydney CBD outpost of Industry Beans, has noticed this. "Home brewing is very common these days, with people ditching the instant and learning more about brewing their own coffee. It has become very attainable to have cafe-quality coffee at home," he says. This isn't all bad news for cafes, though. "[The rise in home brewing] created a great opportunity for us to communicate [with] and educate our audience about the coffee we source, our roasting and brewing philosophy and coffee knowledge in general," says Chiu. "I am sure [this] will push the industry to grow, as better educated customers will always be better customers, and lead to a better industry eventually." [caption id="attachment_825803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Salvatore Malatesta by Eugene Hyland[/caption] As for the biggest change we've seen in the way we consume coffee? Many would say the rise of non-dairy milks. "The uptake of alternative milk has definitely had a significant impact on the industry," says Chiu. Maiolo adds: "Whether it is a health or dietary necessity or simply a lifestyle choice, it is an undeniable shift." It's something that Malatesta (pictured above) has also noticed. "Alternative milks are taking market share from the humble cow, with oat milk as my number-one pick as a front runner." Natalie Latimore, marketing lead at Milklab, agrees. "This is the year of oat milk," she says. "It's the fastest growing plant-based milk globally, and we're only just beginning to see the craze take off in Australia." It's not hard to imagine why: oat milk is a smooth, creamy and naturally sweet alternative to dairy — something that this writer can vouch for. Milklab's new oat milk, made with 100 percent Australian oats, has been developed in collaboration with baristas, Latimore tells us, "with the single aim of creating the perfect alternative milk to enhance the coffee experience." WHAT'S NEXT Nootropics and micro-dosing? Naturally infused flavoured coffee? These could be the future, according to the experts. "Nootropics, micro-dosing and adaptogens are all words that will become part of the everyday lexicon," says Malatesta. "The power of mushrooms is just starting to filter down to early adopters from fundamental enthusiasts. We are releasing a mushroom coffee mix soon, so stay tuned." Maiolo thinks that what we look for in taste will continue to develop. "Controversially, I believe we will see an emergence of 'infused' coffees," he says. "At origin, farmers are adding a new step in the processing of raw coffee by soaking them and infusing them with cinnamon, tropical fruit and other alternatives, thereby giving the final green beans taste profiles that you would not find naturally occurring." The knock-on effects of this could be significant, too. "This added process will inevitably fetch more money," Maiolo continues. "Farmers can potentially add interesting flavours to lower grades of coffee that would ordinarily be just a 'filler' and not fetch much money, and thus increase their sell price. Watch this space." [caption id="attachment_706983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Industry Beans[/caption] Wong, meanwhile, thinks conscious consumption is on the rise. "People are more aware of, for example, the impacts of single-use coffee cups that aren't biodegradable — more and more people are using their own cups when buying their takeaway coffees which is great." The uptick in oat milk could be seen to run parallel with increasingly conscious coffee drinkers. For starters, oat milk ranks high on two important nutrients, namely protein and fibre, and it's also allergy-friendly for those with tree nut or soy intolerances. But perhaps even more significantly, oat milk is among the most sustainable and environmentally friendly milks available today, with one study showing that it can generate up to 80 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than dairy. As a sustainable crop, oats also aren't associated with deforestation or excessive needs for water. As for the coffee itself? "There are many places in the world which have no history of growing coffee but are now entering into coffee production," Wong says. "The impacts of climate change will also affect the way coffee is grown, with the ideal altitudes for growing also changing with it." Single O's de Jong also thinks that our changing world will inevitably have an impact on the coffee we consume. "With so many challenges to global supply chains at the moment I think we will continue to see coffee in that rare 'glad we have it' space, where it still feels really special to have a perfectly tasty brew every day." Ask for Milklab oat milk next time you order a coffee. For more information, head to the website. Top image: Julia Sansone
Cutting-edge Sydney fashion retail space Chinatown Country Club (aka CCC) is hosting an archive event in its multi-functional CBD space. For just three days, you'll be able to browse vintage and archival pieces from fashion houses around the world, handpicked by CCC's expert buying team. This time, CCC is showcasing pieces from a range of Japanese studios and designers including the always colourful COMME des GARÇONS, Yohji Yamamoto, known for his over-sized, avant-garde style, and the late Issey Miyake, who took inspiration from art and technology. You'll also find items from the archives of current 'it' label Miu Miu and avant-garde French brand Maison Margiela. You can also browse styles from Melbourne brands Aphidmarket, Garb and Midnight Mart. In between sorting through the racks, take a break in the in-store cafe. In addition to a weekly rotating selection of single-origin espresso and filter brews showcasing beans from local roasters, CCC has partnered with indie, small-batch St Peters roaster Grace & Taylor Coffee Company for its house blend — you can try this in signature drinks like the Moon River, an orange blossom-infused cold brew topped with a maple cream float.
I have been to Ching-a-Lings many a time, yet never can I remember precisely where it is. Despite its entrance being located on Oxford Street, Ching-a-Lings has an almost Harry Potter-esque ability to disguise its entrance from the eyes of the public. All I can ever remember is that it's kinda near an Indian restaurant. To avoid looking lost, I recommend counting the building numbers in a nonchalant manner from the opposite side of the street. Ching-a-Lings was one of the first small bars to pop up a couple of years ago and it has stuck, because it's good and it's friendly. There's nothing that makes you feel like you're wearing the wrong shoes or sipping the wrong drink when you walk in. Most importantly, it's not ostentatious and there's no gimmick. That's why people love the place and keep coming back. The whole thing is a little bit industrial, with a dark staircase you ascend only by following the shadows of the feet in front of you. You emerge upstairs to exposed brick walls, a recycled bar, people reposing on couches and a DJ pumping out some rather fine beats in the corner. You'll find more people hanging out on the deck, which is a little on the slender side. While there's nothing amazing out there, it's simple, well-designed and, as one of my friends has often pointed out, a very good spot to watch the bats fly over the city in summer. One of the nicest things about Ching-a-Lings is that its drinks are unpretentious. Wine and beer are pretty standard, nothing special, but Ching-a-Lings is a chilled place and it all fits with the vibe. Because while it's great to have bars in Sydney that have three hundred types of wine and cocktails mixed from strawberry and pixie tears, it's also nice just to go somewhere and not have to stress about what you're ordering. You come with good company, pull up a couch or a bench outside, and while away a couple of hours while Oxford Street seethes and pulses below you.
Italian wines and Roman-inspired dishes from a former Shell House chef have arrived at the former Macleay Street home of Monopole in the form of Enoteca Ponti. This 79-seat wine bar and restaurant opened its doors last month, coming to Potts Point from the team behind beloved Sydney French spot Bistro Rex. Chef Aldo Farroni has moved over from the CBD's new multi-storey mega venue to helm a kitchen focused on producing fresh takes on Roman-style classics with seasonal produce. Not many menus in Sydney stay the same these days, and Enoteca Ponti is no different, adjusting to what's freshest and most in-season at any one time. The inaugural menu features expected players like a tomato and pecorino rigatoni, burrata with basil oil, veal tartare and appellation oysters, but there are plenty of unexpected twists throughout the menu. Kick your meal off with lasagne spring rolls accompanied by a fermented chilli aioli, or tuna noodles intensified by a wasabi emulsion. Make your way down the menu and you'll find beetroot risotto made with yoghurt, dill and capers; ox tongue with salsa verde; and roasted spatchcock paired with caramelised witlof. For meat-lovers, the crowning jewel of the menu is a 600-gram Westholme t-bone steak with an MBS between six and seven. "My food, my vision for Enoteca Ponti, is to bring the Italian cuisine of my heritage and evolve it to suit a modern, global context," Aldo said. "I want Enoteca Ponti to mirror the authentic Italian dining experience – sharing great food and wine at the table with friends." As for both the drinks selection and the romantic fit-out, Enoteca Ponti pays homage to 1950s wine bars of Rome with geometric tiles reminiscent of Italian architect Gio Ponti, and an extensive list of European wines. While there's plenty on for fans of classic wine — a Venetian pinot grigio or a Tuscan red, for example — the wine list doesn't shy away from new-age mould-breaking winemakers. There's a 2018 Venetian Il Castagnucoli orange wine available by the glass and a pét-nat out of Geelong among the selection of Italian and French sparking wines. Enoteco Ponti is located at 71A Macleay Street, Potts Point. It's open 5pm–late Monday–Thursday and midday–late Friday–Sunday.
The element setting B&M apart from other florists is the immeasurable passion the family-run business has for its craft. Thirty years ago, the shop was a simple corner store selling groceries and the occasional bouquet of flowers. As the supermarket giants began taking over, the groceries on the shelves gradually began to disappear, making way for more and more flowers — until one day, there was no more groceries. From there came the vast range of plants, gifts and homewares, alongside flower-arranging classes and decorations for weddings and events. The team here is very talented — it has a slew of awards to prove it — so no matter the occasion or budget, you'll find a bloom that's right for you. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Built in 1793 for wool farmer John Macarthur and his wife, Elizabeth, this retreat is one of the oldest houses in Australia. It has since been transformed into a hands-on museum where you can access all areas, touch the furnishings and generally make yourself at home. There's an old-school tea room that serves up sandwiches, Devonshire tea and baked treats, but you're also welcome to bring a picnic, borrow a picnic blanket and relax in the garden, among lilies, roses, eucalypts and veggies. After your bite to eat, you can explore nearby cottages Experiment Farm Cottage and Hambledon Cottage, which are part of the same precinct — just be sure to check opening hours and tour information before you go. Image: City of Parramatta
The Tinder trawl just got a little more rom-com; brand new dating app Happn aims to take your missed Meet Cutes and turn them into potential dates. Using the GPS function on your phone, Happn encourages you to "find the people you've crossed paths with" in an attempt at fast-tracked 'romance'. If you've ever wondered if the babe in the cereal aisle was giving you the eyeball, now you can check without risking an ego-shattering diss. Invented by three Frenchmen (growth hacker Fabien Cohen, entrepeneur Didier Rappaport and computer engineer Antony Cohen), Happn is generating serious buzz in Europe with its cut-to-the-chase hook up philosophy. While Tinder's flick left or right mechanism is undoubtedly based on looks, lack of Southern Cross tattoos and inclusion of Distracting Hot Friends in profile pics, Tinder also brings up shared interests (if you both like Game of Thrones on Facebook, it'll show up so there's something to talk about rather than "Sup, wanna bang?"). Happn leaves this behind in favour of distance to dates. If you're within 250 metres of each other, Happn uses your phone's GPS to flag your potential romance-o-meter. Of course, your mystery spunk has to have Happn installed on their phone too (so you might be waiting a while to hear from your eyelash-battering stranger if they ain't connected). The timeline shows you the profiles of all the people you’ve crossed paths with, in real-time. Every time you come across someone in real life, their profile appears on your app. Passing someone in the supermarket aisle just got a little more loaded. Happn's sole philosophy is based around celebrating coincedence, "boosting luck" and saving you from "missed connections." But although it sounds simultaneously romantic and an easy carnal escapade, the whole GPS situation is creeping some of us out. Importantly, your position on Happn isn't saved and remains completely invisible to other members — the coordinates of where you passed another Happn user is the only thing registered; the bus stop where That Guy hopped on, the record store where you noticed Her in the hip hop section, the park where your terrier 'accidentally' found itself off leash and headed toward a swoonworthy husky owner. But what of unwanted attention from creepos using technology to be predatory, like many, many creepos tend to do? "The app is designed to guarantee the safety of all users and the confidentiality of their data," say the Happn team. "You can decide at any given time that a profile doesn’t interest you anymore; you’ll never cross paths with each other on Happn again, and they’ll never know. Also, you can report any unwanted behaviour or block a profile by clicking on the little flag at the bottom of every profile." Avoid the creeps, follow up your Meet Cute and let us know where the reception's at. You can download Happn in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Via Guardian.
For the past five years, Josh Niland has been showcasing his seafood prowess to Sydneysiders, with the acclaimed chef first opening restaurant Saint Peter in 2016, then launching fishmonger Fish Butchery in 2018. Last year, he shared his recipes in The Whole Fish Cookbook, letting seafood fiends everywhere follow in his footsteps at home. And now that ocean-focused text has just picked up the prestigious James Beard Book of the Year Award. On Wednesday, May 27 in the US, Niland nabbed the coveted prize — which is considered the top culinary book award in America and worldwide. Handed out by the culinary-focused non-profit James Beard Foundation each year, the James Beard Awards recognise food-centric media across a number of categories, including chefs and restaurants, books, journalism and broadcast media. They also bestow prizes in fields such as restaurant design, leadership, humanitarian work and lifetime achievement. In receiving the Book of the Year Award, Niland became the first Australian to ever take out the prize. And, he scored a second honour as well, with The Whole Fish Cookbook also winning in the Restaurant and Professional field. Niland's debut cookbook, The Whole Fish Cookbook champions his culinary philosophy, with an ethical and sustainable approach to seafood paramount to his cooking. The book's recipes include cod liver pate on toast, fish cassoulet, roast fish bone marrow, and the chef's 'perfect' version of fish and chips. [caption id="attachment_771910" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rob Palmer[/caption] The Whole Fish Cookbook has been picking up praise and accolades since it was first published last September, with the James Beard Book of the Year Award joining a long list of gongs. It also received the Food Book Award at the 2019 André Simon Awards, was named illustrated book of the year at the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards, earned photographer Rob Palmer the National Portrait Gallery's National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020 for one of his photos of Niland, and has been longlisted for the Australian Booksellers Association Booksellers' Choice Awards 2020. To peruse the full list of 2020 James Beard Award winners, visit the awards' website. For more information about The Whole Fish Cookbook, head to publisher Hardie Grant's website. Top images: Rob Palmer.
Alpha is a buzzing institution located in the heart of the CBD, next door to The Hellenic Club, slinging some of the best Greek food in Sydney. And now, it's home to one of our city's newest and smallest bars: Baraki. Baraki is colloquial Greek for 'small bar' and CEO Arthur Balayannis and Executive Chef Peter Conistis aren't kidding. Seating just eight people at the bar (with additional seating technically outside of the bar), the venue adjoining Alpha is heavily inspired by the famed Brettos bar in Plaka — one of the most historic neighbourhood in Athens. Inside, you'll find European liqueur, whiskey, Australian gins and, of course, ouzo as well as lesser-known (but very Mediterranean) raki, mastiha and rakomelo. A concise cocktail menu by Baraki bar manager Irek Luty has a evidently Greek focus, with drinks like the Cretan Warrior made with Toplou tsikoudia, cardamom, lime and cucumber and the Purple Poseidon, which includes Hendricks gin, Skinos mastiha, lavender and wild mountain tea. [caption id="attachment_717388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Cheng[/caption] For something to eat, Conistis is creating an ever-changing meze menu, with small plates such as dolmades stuffed with sour cherry and lemon; pastourmas, spiced cured beef with pears and lentil salad; karpouzi, watermelon and raki served with sheep's feta; and toursi, a dish with grilled marinated eggplant, black garlic and dill alongside dips and olives. Located on the ground floor of a historic Victorian building on Castlereagh Street, Alpha's weekday cafe transforms into Baraki after lunch and is the perfect spot for a post-work or pre-dinner tipple. Find Baraki on the ground floor at 240 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. It's open from 12pm till late Monday—Friday, and from 5pm on Saturday. Images: Joe Cheng.
Anything can happen at Dark Mofo. One of two massive arts festivals run by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, the winter event has always prided itself on being a fest where the dark, sinister, confronting and boundary-pushing come together, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. So, for its first program announcement for 2023, a wild dance theatre performance inspired by Dante's The Divine Comedy sounds completely in the event's wheelhouse. That production is A Divine Comedy, hailing from Austrian choreographer and performance artist Florentina Holzinger, and hitting Dark Mofo as both an Australian premiere and an Aussie exclusive. Playing for three days throughout the festival's Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 dates for 2023, it dives into the hell, purgatory and paradise of Dante's classic work, all to explore how humans negotiate life and death. "We are thrilled to present Florentina Holzinger's A Divine Comedy for Dark Mofo 2023. She is a super-talented artist who is brazenly contemporary and culturally relevant," Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said, announcing the news. "This is the most incredibly wild theatre performance that we have presented in the history of Dark Mofo. Its scale is unprecedented and bold, a fitting highlight for our tenth festival. We can safely say the audience will be anything but bored." Holzinger is known for making challenging and provocative theatre, and for exploring gender relations — including how women's bodies are represented in art and media. For A Divine Comedy, she's staging the whole show as a giant autopsy room, in fact, then unleashing choreography that dances with existence, mortality, the end that awaits us all, and our struggle to cope with what that all means. Dark Mofo attendees will watch a cast of all-female-identifying performers spanning all ages, as well as a variety of physical, musical and athletic disciplines, take to the stage for the work. And, they'll see nude performers, slapstick acts, bodily substances and references to slasher movies as well — plus a jam-packed selection of nods to art and dance's respective histories. A Divine Comedy will play Dark Mofo from Friday, June 16–Sunday, June 18, with the rest of the fest's program set to be revealed this autumn. Whatever else joins the bill to help the event officially hit ten years, it'll be part of Carmichael's last at the helm. He'll step down after Dark Mofo 2023, making way for a new Artistic Director from 2024 onwards. [caption id="attachment_846523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2021, Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2021. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Wondering what else might be in store? Previous years' lineups have seen a fantastical combination of musical performances, performance art and large-scale installations come together. In 2019, the program featured the likes of artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, American musician Sharon Van Etten and one of the world's largest glockenspiels, for instance. In 2022, patrons were treated to performances by The Kid LAROI, and the sounds of Chernobyl and Candyman — plus rainbow installations, and signature festivities such as the Nude Solstice Swim, the City of Hobart Winter Feast, Night Mass: Transcendence in the In The Hanging Garden precinct and the Reclamation Walk. Already keen to get booking? Fancy a Tasmania trip in the interim? Our Concrete Playground Trips Hobart getaway might also be of interest. [caption id="attachment_800592" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lusy Productions[/caption] Dark Mofo 2023 will run from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. The 2023 program will be announced in autumn — check back here for further details. A Divine Comedy will play Dark Mofo from Friday, June 16–Sunday, June 18. A ticket ballot for the show is open until 12pm AEST on Friday, February 10. A Divine Comedy images: Nicole Marianna Wytyczak. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
While gifts are a splendid way to spoil mum this Mother's Day, the most meaningful gesture is clearing your calendar and spending quality time together. Throw in a share-worthy feast and a glass (or bottle) of bubbles, and you have yourself a memorable Mother's Day. Whether you're celebrating your mum, you're a new mum yourself, or you're looking for a way to treat the incredible women in your life this May, we've teamed up with G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs to round up eight of the best champagne-fuelled specials in Sydney. Cabana Bar There's few better ways to celebrate Mother's Day together than with a crisp champagne before a long lunch—and Cabana Bar in Sydney's CBD is an ideal place to raise a glass. For just $89 per person, you can kick things off with a glass of Mumm champagne before leaning into a specially-curated tropical-inspired Mother's Day menu teamed with two hours of bottomless margaritas and seasonal cocktails, on the city's largest outdoor terrace. Plus, there's a photobooth so you can take home an adorable keepsake you'll both cherish. Book your outdoor terrace table here. Cafe Sydney If your mum relishes the finer things in life, Cafe Sydney is offering up the ultimate indulgence every Sunday throughout autumn: champagne and caviar. For just $55, spoil your mum with unobstructed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a glass of 2016 Perrier-Jouët 'Belle Epoque' champagne paired with a divine tart of Black River Caviar - Tradition Oscietra, served simply with créme fraiche. Secure your table here. China Doll Found on Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf, China Doll is one of Sydney's most distinctive fine dining spots. This Mother's Day, for one day only, treat your mum to a glass of Mumm Grand Cordon Rose for $30 before tucking into an award-winning modern Asian a la carte menu featuring its signature bold dishes like pork belly with chilli caramel and Nam Pla Phrik, and tea-smoked duck with tamarind and plum. Secure your table here. Darling Pavilion If you're looking for a vibrant, central lunch location with a backdrop of Tumbalong Park and sparkly Darling Harbour views, Sydney's Darling Pavilion in the heart of Darling Quarter is where you'll find it. Here, you can pamper your mum with a delicious day out in Sydney starting with Darling Pavilion's special Mediterranean Mother's Day set menu, which includes a free glass of Mumm for all mothers, all for just $55 per person. Secure a booking here. Four Hundred If your mum is a little on the mischievous side and loves to let her hair down, then Four Hundred in North Sydney is the perfect spot to kick back and spend some quality time together over a few bevvies. For one day only this Mother's Day, and for just $89 per person, you can treat mum to a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before channelling that energy and diving into a Mexican-inspired feast, featuring two hours of bottomless margaritas and tequila spritzes. Secure a booking here. Henry G's Wine Parlour Step away from your standard lunch this Mother's Day and surprise your mum with an intimate wine tasting experience at Manly's boutique bar, Henry G's Wine Parlour. Savour a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before soaking in a 90-minute sommelier-guided tasting featuring four expressions of Mumm champagne: Cordon Rouge, Central Otago, Tasmania and Marlborough—all for just $50 per person. There are two ticketed sessions, running at 2pm and 5pm, but last year's event sold out fast, so you'd better book asap. Secure a booking here. Nola For a taste of opulence this Mother's Day weekend, treat your mum to some champagne teamed with some of Sydney's freshest oysters at New Orleans-inspired smokehouse Nola, in Barangaroo. With a Barangaroo backdrop, you can devour $2 oysters (max six per person) for every glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold — or enjoy a complimentary dozen oysters for every bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold. There's also a special extended cocktail menu featuring a special French 75 Perrier-Jouët champagne, plus you can score a complimentary glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne when you order the Big Easy set menu. Secure a booking here. Robin Hood Eastside this Mother's Day? Lorraine's Bistro, located on level one of The Robin Hood in Waverley, is an ambient French-inspired restaurant that's perfect for a laidback family affair on the coastal side of town. Grab a booth or table in the sun-drenched bistro and enjoy a free glass of Mumm champagne when you order the set Mother's Day menu, available on the big day only. Secure a booking here. Mother's Day is just around the corner. Be sure to indulge your mum this May by treating her to a glass of G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs at any of these Sydney restaurants and bars. By Elise Cullen.
There are more than 200 seats in the Icebergs Club and every single one of them gives you cracking views of Bondi Beach, foregrounded by their iconic ocean pool. On the floor above, in the Icebergs Dining Room, diners pay top dollar for two-hatted cuisine, but here, in the laid-back bistro, you can tuck into a hearty burger, antipasto plate or steak sanga without mortgaging your house. Meanwhile, the mostly Aussie wine list is full of winners while all your favourite beers are pouring on tap. If you want to go all-out, indulge in a seafood platter, packed with king prawns, oysters, beer-battered flathead, salt and pepper squid, scallops, mussels and fries. They also do breakfast on the weekends. As a registered club, Icebergs requires people living within a 5km radius to sign up to gain entrance, but temporary visitors from further afield are welcome. To become a bona fide Iceberg, you'll need to steel up: every Sunday, throughout winter, you're expected to swim at least one lap of the 50-metre pool, regardless of plummeting temperatures — rain, hail or shine.
When the first motion pictures flickered across the big screen 120-plus years ago, audiences were reportedly scared. The line between truth, embellishment and fiction has become muddled over time, but the idea viewers were astonished and startled when they watched the Lumière brothers' famous The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station makes one hell of an urban legend. That was back in 1896. As we know all these years later, cinema hasn't stopped causing bumps and jumps since. The world's first horror film is thought to have released the same year — Georges Méliès' three-minute short called The House of the Devil — and plenty of folks have taken his lead afterwards. Today, that means horror's on-screen cup truly runneth over. Thanks to streaming, a wealth of unnerving flicks linger at everyone's fingertips. If you prefer celebrating Halloween by dimming the lights, popping some corn and getting cosy on the couch for a marathon of unsettling movies, we've put together ten classic recommendations — from creepy vampire films that are almost a century old to more modern must-sees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hQ40cI5C0E NEAR DARK Before she took Keanu Reeves surfing in Point Break, tasked Jeremy Renner with defusing bombs in The Hurt Locker and dramatised the international manhunt for Osama bin Laden in Zero Dark Thirty — and before she became the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar, too — Kathryn Bigelow sunk her teeth into the vampire genre. Near Dark, her 1987 sophomore film, takes elements of the western genre, throws in a clan of roving bloodsuckers and lets atmospheric horror thrills ensue. Bigelow's work has always been lean but weighty, and her dance with the fanged undead is no different. In fact, it's a flat-out vamp classic. Near Dark is available to stream on SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5SG_2n4sM TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME As 2017's Twin Peaks revival proved, no one conjures up unsettling imagery quite like David Lynch. He's been thrusting eerie visuals out into the world since 1977's Eraserhead — but if you like your Lynchian unease with some damn fine coffee and a slice of cherry pie, there's nothing better than 1992's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. Set in the lead-up to Laura Palmer's (Sheryl Lee) death, the prequel flick burrows deep into the sinister forces at play. It's a movie of sheer dread, even though viewers know what's going to happen. As only he can, Lynch steeps every frame in the pain, terror and suffering of his doomed protagonist, all while baking in his usual surrealist touches. No wonder it lingers long after watching, like the two seasons of Twin Peaks before it and the belated third season that followed 25 years later. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is available to stream on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyW5YXDcIGs THE EXORCIST Back in 1973, the horror genre was possessed — and it has never truly recovered. That's not a criticism; The Exorcist is a landmark piece of spine-tingling cinema, with William Friedkin's film leaving a heavy imprint on everything that's followed. It even became the first horror flick to score an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, a feat that's still much more rare than it should be. When a movie spends the bulk of its time with a 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair) whose body has been overtaken by a demon, as well as with the two priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) trying to cast the devil out and save her soul, it's going to make an impact. The fact that the film was based on a William Peter Blatty novel inspired by real-life exorcisms also helped, as did Friedkin's handling of Blatty's script, which gives the supernatural details a raw, visceral feel. The Exorcist is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-daIHTY4NQ BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER How funky is your chicken? How loose is your goose? And, to keep the questions going, how well do you remember the original Buffy? Before Sarah Michelle Gellar stepped into her shoes in the cult TV show, everyone's favourite vampire slayer shouted the above cheers, took guidance from Donald Sutherland, battled Rutger Hauer and romanced Luke Perry in the 1992 big-screen comedy. The Joss Whedon-scripted flick still takes its premise seriously, but there's a looser vibe to the movie than the television series. And a thoroughly early 90s vibe, as well. While you're enjoying the undead-killing antics, keep an eye out for everyone from Hilary Swank to Thomas Jane and Ben Affleck among the cast, too. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmvQ_ii42mc HALLOWEEN This time last year, the latest Halloween film hit cinemas. In 2020 and 2021, sequels Halloween Kills and then Halloween Ends will reach the big-screen in late October. But, when it comes to the absolutely best franchise for this time of year, 2019 is unfortunately an anomaly. While Michael Myers isn't terrorising a theatre near you at this very moment, John Carpenter's original 1979 flick is always worth revisiting — in the slasher-thriller realm, it's an utter masterclass. From Jamie Lee Curtis' pitch-perfect performance as formidable babysitter Laurie Strode, to the pervasive air of unease looming over suburbia and Carpenter's own exceptionally unnerving score, the original Halloween is both supremely scary and sublime. Halloween is available to stream from the Apple Store. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJew_11l6n8 HOUSEBOUND Scaring cinemagoers while simultaneously making them laugh isn't as easy as it might sound. Plenty of films call themselves horror-comedies, but they're usually just comedies with horror theming — and they're about as sinister as clown without makeup. While 2014 New Zealand picture Housebound falls into the tried-and-tested sub-genre that is haunted house flicks, writer/director Gerard Johnstone finds the ideal balance between spooks and giggles, all by following a small-time criminal placed on house arrest. Kylie (Morgana O'Reilly) would rather be anywhere but stuck at home for eight months with her mother (Rima Te Wiata); however she soon discovers that they have company in a movie that serves up jumps and chuckles in tandem. Housebound is available to stream on SBS On Demand and Tubi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NOipA99GxY NOSFERATU It's the best Dracula film that doesn't actually mention the word "Dracula". In fact, when FW Murnau adapted Bram Stoker's gothic classic in 1922 without getting permission to do so, a court ordered that the movie be destroyed. Thankfully, a few prints survived, which is how we can still soak in the wonders of Nosferatu. Even with a few changes (the famed bloodsucker is now called Count Orlock, for example) the story lures viewers in, but it's not just the plot that's captivating. As proves the case with all German Expressionist cinema from the 1920s, it's how the tale is told in a visual sense that makes an enormous impact. Also significant today, almost a century later, is how free Nosferatu is from everything that's since become a vampire cliche — with the film cutting to the heart of Stoker's disquieting narrative instead. Nosferatu is available to stream on Tubi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyWuHv2-Abk TRAIN TO BUSAN Forget Snakes on a Plane — if you want to see what happens when something scary is let loose in a confined space, but you don't want to cringe the whole time, opt for zombies on a train instead. Yeon Sang-ho's instant classic doesn't use the obvious moniker; however this frenetic thrill ride definitely fits the description. It's far, far better than that simplistic outline might seem to suggest, though. As well as forcing a father (Gong Yoo) and daughter (Kim Su-an) to fend off the shuffling hordes while they're in mid-transit, and fleshing its protagonists out more than most zombie flicks manage, Train to Busan also paints a probing picture of modern-day South Korean society. It's part of a franchise, too, with animated prequel Seoul Station exploring another aspect of the outbreak, and a sequel is also in the works. Train to Busan is available to stream on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWin2LZkvrA THE CRAFT Is a horror classic really a horror classic if it hasn't spawned a remake? In The Craft's case, no one will need to ponder this question for much longer. A new version is currently in the works, but that doesn't mean that the 90s original is going anywhere — and if you like your retro horror fun packaged with teen goth witches, then you'll always want to go back to where it all began. Starring Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk and Rachel True, the 1996 hit charts the fallout when a group of high-schoolers start messing around with the occult and using it to rule the school. It owes a significant debt to Heathers, just with added witches, but The Craft still casts its own enjoyable spell. The Craft is available to stream on on Google Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7hLdktC_jY THE STUFF If you ever come across a gooey substance on the ground, don't eat it. Things don't turn out well when this exact scenario happens in 1985 satirical horror/sci-fi The Stuff — especially after the titular substance is sold in supermarkets, marketed as being calorie-free and starts a huge food craze. Where it goes from there is best discovered by watching, but don't expect anything in the way of subtlety or realism. Larry Cohen sits in the director's chair, and this is the kind of playful horror fun that the prolific B-movie filmmaker was known for. Everyone needs their spooks with a dose of silliness now and then, after all. The Stuff is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
In just a few years time, the Academy Awards will notch up a century of celebrating the best movies to grace the silver screen each year. How will the acclaimed accolades build up to that point? In 2024, at the 96th ceremony, probably with a whole lot of love sent Oppenheimer's way. The J Robert Oppenheimer biopic earned the most nominations of any film from the past year. Don't be surprised if it takes home the most trophies as well, including for Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. We won't be come Monday, March 11, Down Under time. While winning an Oscar — or a swag of them — over other flicks doesn't mean that there aren't masterpieces among the fellow nominees, or among pictures that didn't even make the cut as well, Oppenheimer is a worthy favourite in a range of 2024 Oscar fields. What will it collect? What will it nab that another film should instead? Who else might win, and what? Can't they just give both Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone Best Actress Oscars? That's all part of our predictions. As we did in 2022 and 2023, we've watched everything — many of which you can too in both Australia and New Zealand right now — and done some assessing and prognosticating. Here are the results, aka the movies and folks likely to shortly be able to add "Oscar-winner" to their posters and resumes in 15 key categories. Best Motion Picture The nominees: American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Should win: Poor Things Could win: Poor Things Will win: Oppenheimer Barbenheimer was a phenomenon before either Oppenheimer or Barbie even reached cinemas in 2023, with both arriving on the same day to create a memorable pop-culture moment. They shared a release date, and the same wave of attention — but only one can win Best Motion Picture at the Oscars. That one: Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan's biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer is a mind-blower, and one of 2023's absolute best films. It has some stunning company in this category, however, most of which would also make excellent picks for the Academy's big gong: Anatomy of a Fall, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives and The Zone of Interest, for instance. Then there's Poor Things, which is pure jaw-on-the-floor viewing, and its own unique creation at every turn. It deserves to win. It could achieve the feat. Even if it misses out to Oppenheimer, it'll still be the standout feature of the past 12 months. Best Director The nominees: Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest Should win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Could win: Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Will win: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer Despite his stunning resume, Christopher Nolan has only been nominated for the Best Director Oscar once before, for Dunkirk. If Greta Gerwig had secured a nod for Barbie, they would've faced off again; the first time, Guillermo del Toro deservedly won for The Shape of Water. Everyone knows that the Academy completely overlooked Gerwig this year — but this is Nolan's year anyway. Don't discount Yorgos Lanthimos for Poor Things, though. This is also his second nomination, after The Favourite — and again (see: Best Motion Picture above), there's nothing like his riff on Frankenstein. Nolan and Lanthimos' fellow nominees are equally at the top of their games with their latest work, so there's no bad choice here if Justine Triet becomes just the fourth woman to win this category, Martin Scorsese collects just his second directing Oscar or Jonathan Glazer nabs his first. Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The nominees: Annette Bening, Nyad Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan, Maestro Emma Stone, Poor Things Should win: Emma Stone, Poor Things Could win: Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Will win: Emma Stone, Poor Things Give Emma Stone an Oscar for her line reading of "I must go punch that baby!" alone. Of course, that's not the only reason that she should win the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role category for a second time — the first was for La La Land — but it's emblematic of the commitment that she gives her work in Poor Things. Her delivery, her physicality, her constant ability to surprise: now that's a performance. If only two actors could share this field, though. With heartbreaking subtlety as well as searing defiance, Lily Gladstone is exquisite in Killers of the Flower Moon — and if she wins, which she may well, it'll be wonderful. Her speech will also be the highlight of the night. She's also already the first Native American woman to receive a nomination in this field, and will keep making history if she ends up with a statuette in her hands. Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role The nominees: Bradley Cooper, Maestro Colman Domingo, Rustin Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction Should win: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer Could win: NA — Cillian Murphy will win for Oppenheimer Will win: Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer "Dearest Cillian. Finally a chance to see you lead... Love, Chris." That's how Cillian Murphy's script for Oppenheimer came — and although this isn't the Irish talent's first-ever leading part, Christopher Nolan pushing him to the fore of his latest film will garner him an Oscar. It's remarkable casting, even given that Murphy is never less than excellent in anything that he's in, back to and preceding when 28 Days Later first thrust him to broader attention. If anyone else has their name read out, it'll be a massive shock. That's not criticism of Murphy's fellow nominees, though. Bradley Cooper directs himself to a career-best portrayal in Maestro, while none of Rustin, The Holdovers or American Fiction would be the movies they are without Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright, respectively. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role The nominees: Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple America Ferrera, Barbie Jodie Foster, Nyad Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Should win: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Could win: NA — Da'Vine Joy Randolph will win for The Holdovers Will win: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers Not all award-winners keep their accolades on a mantle; however, Da'Vine Joy Randolph's must be getting crowded — or wherever else she puts the trophies that she's been collecting for her soulful turn in The Holdovers. She won at the BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Satellite Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, National Board of Review and Screen Actors Guild, plus thanks to an extremely hefty list of other critics' associations. She won't leave the Oscars empty-handed. As with Best Actor, this is a category where there's no shortage of deserving nominees, but still one certain winner. If someone else does cause an upset, Jodie Foster being rewarded for her efforts in Nyad would see her win for just her second nomination in this field — she's received the Best Actress prize twice for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs — a whopping 47 years after her first for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role The nominees: Sterling K Brown, American Fiction Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer Ryan Gosling, Barbie Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things Should win: Ryan Gosling, Barbie Could win: Ryan Gosling, Barbie Will win: Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer There's no walking out of Oppenheimer without thinking that Robert Downey Jr is going to win an Oscar for playing AEC commissioner Lewis Strauss. And no, he won't just emerge victorious because he's not playing Iron Man, although it's such a treat to see him in such a weighty part (and outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) again. That said, if you did the Barbenheimer double on the same day (Barbie then Oppenheimer is the best order), then you would've walked out of Barbie thinking that Ryan Gosling should get the Best Supporting Actor prize, too. Winning for comedy is significantly difficult at the Oscars, but his Ken almost stole Barbie from Margot Robbie. Whatever the outcome, Gosling will sing 'I'm Just Ken' at the ceremony, so he'll be up on stage at least once. Best Original Screenplay The nominees: Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari The Holdovers, David Hemingson Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer May December, Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik Past Lives, Celine Song Should win: Past Lives, Celine Song Could win: Past Lives, Celine Song Will win: Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari That Celine Song's Past Lives only received two Oscar nominations is near unfathomable. That it might go home without any awards is as well. Song missed out in the Best Director field, but the Academy does like to use its screenwriting awards to redress wrongs elsewhere — Quentin Tarantino and Jordan Peele both have wins here, for instance. It's for the same reason that Justine Triet and Arthur Harari will likely win for Anatomy of a Fall, especially given that France didn't put the film forward for Best International Feature, so it couldn't have been nominated and obviously can't win there. It's worth noting that May December's sole Oscar recognition is in this category, and that that's a ridiculous oversight, so an award for it would also be stellar. Best Adapted Screenplay The nominees: American Fiction, Cord Jefferson Barbie, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan Poor Things, Tony McNamara The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer Should win: Poor Things, Tony McNamara Could win: Barbie, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Will win: Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan As noted in the Best Original Screenplay category, winners for putting pen to paper — or fingers to the keyboard — often let the Academy throw some love towards movies largely ignored elsewhere. Consequently, if Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach score victory for Barbie, that trend just might hold up again (although Barbie is particularly in with a great chance in Best Costume Design and Best Production Design). If Barbie loses, expect Oppenheimer to top it — again. Anything could succeed in this field, though, because Poor Things, The Zone of Interest and American Fiction all also boast cracking scripts. Poor Things isn't just a marvel; it's as bold as any movie could ever dream of. Australian screenwriter Tony McNamara did get nominated for The Favourite, too. Best International Feature The nominees: Io Capitano, Italy Perfect Days, Japan Society of the Snow, Spain The Teachers' Lounge, Germany The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom Should win: Perfect Days, Japan Could win: Society of the Snow, Spain Will win: The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom Finding a viewing experience that's more sublime, soulful and thoughtful than Perfect Days — not just among the nominees for Best International Feature, but in general — is a near-impossible task. Watching the Tokyo-set Japanese contender about a toilet cleaner, which is directed by German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence), is as life-changing as cinema gets. A British film set in Germany and told in German, The Zone of Interest is unforgettable in a completely different way given that it is set during the Holocaust among a family living next door to Auschwitz. It's also exceptional — and an worthy recipient of this award. Indeed, there's no wrong pick, which means that Society of the Snow could sneak in for also telling a harrowing real-life tale. Best Animated Feature The nominees: The Boy and the Heron Elemental Nimona Robot Dreams Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Should win: The Boy and the Heron Could win: The Boy and the Heron Will win: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won an Academy Award in this very category. Among the American films that've made it to the final five in 2024, sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the pick of the bunch — and another spectacular achievement for the medium of animation. Twice now, watching the Spider-Verse movies means realising how live-action takes on superheroes will never be able to relay the full story. If Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse wins, that'll be an ace outcome. Going past Hayao Miyazaki's comeback The Boy and the Heron would be downright audacious at the same time, however. With his first film since 2013's The Wind Rises, the master Studio Ghibli co-founder adds one of his best movies yet to his resume. It's imaginative, heartfelt, smart, breathtaking and awe-inspiring — and that's just the beginning. Best Documentary Feature The nominees: Bobi Wine: The People's President The Eternal Memory Four Daughters To Kill a Tiger 20 Days in Mariupol Should win: 20 Days in Mariupol Could win: NA — 20 Days in Mariupol will win Will win: 20 Days in Mariupol For two years in a row, the Best Documentary Feature field will likely offer a damning indictment of Russia with its winner. Navalny did just that in 2023, with the film must-see viewing then and even more so since Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny's recent death in incarceration. With 20 Days in Mariupol, the invasion of Ukraine is in the spotlight. This is a movie that can't be unseen, nor forgotten. An on-the-ground exploration of the first 20 days of the war in the titular city, including in hospitals where victims of bombings and shellings are sent, this is as essential as documentary filmmaking gets. Fighting for freedom is also at the heart of Bobi Wine: The People's President, which could earn some love — and battling for justice similarly drives the also-excellent To Kill a Tiger. Best Original Score The nominees: American Fiction, Laura Karpman Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, John Williams Killers of the Flower Moon, Robbie Robertson Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Should win: Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Could win: Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Will win: Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson Ludwig Göransson knows what it's like to win an Oscar thanks to Black Panther. Soon, the Swedish composer will probably know what it's like to win two. As the greatest scores do, his work on Oppenheimer turns it into the film that it needs to be but wouldn't without such influentual music — which, seeing how astounding everything else is about the movie, isn't a minor achievement. Jerskin Fendrix's tunes for Poor Things do all of that with such distinctiveness, while also feeling so deeply perfect for the feature, that it would come as a surprise to no one if he was somehow composing from within its frames. Giving this award to Robbie Robertson, who does wondrous work for Killers of the Flower Moon, would also be a touching posthumous tribute to The Band musician and regular Martin Scorsese collaborator. Best Original Song The nominees: 'The Fire Inside', Flamin' Hot, Diane Warren 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt 'It Never Went Away', American Symphony, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)', Killers of the Flower Moon, Scott George 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell Should win: 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt Could win: 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt Will win: 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell First, the obvious observation: Best Original Song is Barbie's to lose. Bringing the eponymous doll to the screen notched up two of the five nominees in this category, and is almost certain to win for one of them — after they're both performed live, with Ryan Gosling singing 'I'm Just Ken', of course, and Billie Eilish belting out 'What Was I Made For?'. Expect Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell to take home the trophy, which'll be the pair's second Oscar thanks to 'No Time to Die' from, yes, No Time to Die. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt's catchy dive into Ken's soul keeps getting stuck in the world's heads due to more than just its melody, though. And if there's a non-Barbie upset, it might come from Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson's 'It Never Went Away' from American Symphony. Best Cinematography The nominees: El Conde, Edward Lachman Killers of the Flower Moon, Rodrigo Prieto Maestro, Matthew Libatique Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Poor Things, Robbie Ryan Should win: Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Could win: Poor Things, Robbie Ryan Will win: Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema Again and again throughout 2024's Oscar contenders, the fields often come down to two prime candidates: Oppenheimer and Poor Things. Either winning in most categories is a magnificent outcome; when movies this superb are competing against each other, there's no such thing as a losing flick — just one that gets the trophy and one that doesn't. Hoyte van Hoytema and Robbie Ryan's lensing for this pair of pictures is exquisite in different ways; stark and precise for the former, dreamy and inventive for the latter. Oppenheimer emerged with the prize at this year's American Society of Cinematographers Awards, though, which can be a reliable guide. Don't discount Rodrigo Prieto for Killers of the Flower Moon, even if he should've been nominated for Barbie as well. Best Film Editing The nominees: Anatomy of a Fall, Laurent Sénéchal The Holdovers, Kevin Tent Killers of the Flower Moon, Thelma Schoonmaker Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame Poor Things, Yorgos Mavropsaridis Should win: Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame Could win: Poor Things, Yorgos Mavropsaridis Will win: Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame It's happening again: Oppenheimer and Poor Things leading the pack, that is — and likely Oppenheimer winning. Just as with Best Cinematography, there's form for Christopher Nolan's film getting the nod over Yorgos Lanthimos' flick thanks to other accolades. Oppenheimer's Jennifer Lame won at the American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards, for instance. Thelma Schoonmaker is an editing icon, however; this is her eighth Oscar nomination for a Martin Scorsese movie, a run that spans wins for The Aviator and The Departed. And editing is so pivotal to Anatomy of a Fall in telling its story — over every other contender in this field, actually — that Laurent Sénéchal's chances can't be ruled out. The 2024 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 11, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Wondering where to watch this year's Oscar contenders? We've put together a rundown for both Australia and New Zealand.
The dusty expanse of a post-apocalyptic world. Life before everything changed forever. Bunker existence. Giant robotic suits. All of the above are set to feature in Fallout season two — as they did in the show's first season — and Prime Video has just dropped a series of first-look images to give viewers a glimpse at what's in store. After premiering in 2024 and becoming one of the platform's top-three most-watched shows ever, notching up more than 100-million viewers globally, the game-to-screen hit is returning for its second season in December 2025. There's no exact release date yet, and there isn't a trailer so far either, but you can get a peek via the new pictures from upcoming episodes. Yes, this is a blast — as was the news earlier in 2025 that Fallout has already been renewed for a third season. Clearly, if you bring a massively beloved video game to TV in the right way, as season one did, then viewers will come flocking. We all know that that worked for The Last of Us as well, with its second season already airing this year and a third also in the works. For season two of Fallout, audiences can look forward not only to picking up where season one's finale left off, but to venturing through the Mojave wasteland to New Vegas — and to more time spent with stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The White Lotus) and Aaron Moten (Emancipation) as Lucy, The Ghoul and Maximus, respectively. When it dropped its initial eight episodes in 2024, Fallout took its cues from the games that first debuted on computers back in 1997, with three released sequels, a fourth on the way and seven spinoffs all following. The live-action television iteration follows Lucy, a lifelong vault-dweller, who leaves her cosy underground digs to navigate the irradiated wasteland that earth has remained for two centuries after the nuclear apocalypse. Crossing her path: bounty hunter The Ghoul, who has ties to life before the devastation; and Maximus, an aspiring soldier with the Brotherhood of Steel, who don those huge mechanical outfits. In this nightmarish future, a hellscape filled with mutants, wild west vibes and plenty of violence awaits beyond the bunker that the optimistic Lucy, daughter of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan, Overcompensating), who oversees Vault 33, has always called home. Bringing the chaos to life is a behind-the-scenes team featuring Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, as well as Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Graham Wagner (Silicon Valley) as writers and co-showrunners. And yes, Bethesda Game Studios has a hand in it as well. There's no trailer for Fallout season two yet, but you can check out the trailer for season one below: Fallout streams via Prime Video. Season two will arrive in December 2025 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell and Aaron Moten. Images: courtesy of Prime Video.
Cristiano, Neymar and Messi have been rendered as the futurist Incredibles in a new series of illustrations by up-and-coming artist Rafael Mayani. Bringing together twelve of the finest players in the FIFA 2014 World Cup, Mayani brought his playful style — often reserved for stunning, Disney and Nintendo characters — to slick renditions of Marco Reus, Andrea Pirlo, Didier Drogba and more WC favourites. Relatively unknown on the international circuit, Mexico City-based Mayani's talent for sketching footballers is evident in his sfumato charcoal Pele posted on his Facebook page: All twelve of the players feature on a limited edition poster available at Society 6. Devoid of sweat patches, day-old Cheezels and beer-stained couch groove, your World Cup addiction never looked so elegant. Marco Reus Didier Drogba Cristiano Ronaldo Iker Casillas Andrea Pirlo Leo Messi Via Fubiz.
If your only wish for brunch is simple, nutritious food made from the freshest local produce, then Fable Coffee is the spot for you. Owners Phil Ocampo and Jessica Shaw used to sling Mexican street food at various Sydney markets, and got to know the local grocers working alongside them — they still rely on these relationships, and fresh, quality, seasonal produce is their highest priority. Simplicity is the mantra here, from the industrial-chic decor to the single-origin coffee. The passion for fresh local food is so strong at Fable that you can even purchase market produce from there, alongside its staple range of homemade goods — think chai, peanut butter and muesli. Image: Trent Van der Jagt.
If you happen to have an outfit in your wardrobe that's the same shade favoured by Squid Game's guards, here's a piece of advice: it'd be best not to wear it to St Kilda Beach on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. A huge 200 people will already be there in that exact attire, with Netflix sending a continent of pink guards to the sandy patch of Melbourne to remind everyone that the hit series' second season is on the way — and soon — in an eerie fashion. When season one proved a massive success, the creepy Red Light, Green Light doll from the show towered over Sydney Harbour. Ahead of Squid Game's second season, the Victorian capital is getting in on the action. If your morning routine involves hitting the beach in Melbourne, you'll clearly have plenty of company — not just from the guards, but from others keen for a glimpse at the pop-up. And if you're located elsewhere in Australia, expect to see photos all over social media. Netflix is promising "a true Aussie takeover", all to celebrate Squid Game season two sliding into your streaming queue on Boxing Day. It might be wise to avoid wearing green tracksuits to St Kilda at the same time that the stunt is taking place, too, to avoid earning the pink guards' attention. Up at Sydney's Luna Park, you'll have another chance to get some IRL Squid Game action — without any murder, of course — when an immersive experience hits the tourist attraction to get you playing Red Light, Green Light from Monday, December 16, 2024. Three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix sensation — for viewers and, in the show itself when new episodes drop, for Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) as well. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns, although only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and it finished off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. As the show's protagonist dons his green threads once more for the new season, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. Check out the full trailer for Squid Game season below: Squid Game's pink guards are taking over St Kilda Beach in Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Keep an eye on Netflix's social media for more details. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced. Images: No Ju-han/Netflix.
A voodoo-inspired, jungle-walled cocktail bar that can tempt you from any dinner plans with popcorn and a glass (or several) of absinthe, Papa Gede's is owned, designed and run by a trio of seasoned hospos: husband-and-wife team Lara Dignam (ex-Red Lantern) and Michael Dhinse (ex-Grandma's), and their friend Joshua Ng (ex-Rover). The cocktail list is a generous mix of classics and signatures, including a Zombie that promises to resurrect the dead. Some bizarre names dominate the menu, like the titillating Centrefold (a golden glass of marigold vodka, passionfruit, lemon, cucumber and coconut water soda with a topping of 'champagne' jelly), or the hopefully not prophetic Double Demerits (a surprisingly sharp mix of cognac, triple sec, guava cryo-concentrate, lemon and pomegranate, finished with a dusting of toasted fennel seeds). The one thing that sets Papa Gede's apart from the rest of Sydney's small bar scene? Its range of international and homegrown absinthes. The proprietors welcome newcomers to the absinthe game. "What I really like about it is that absinthe has this really terrible reputation... [We are] giving people the opportunity to do it in a new fashion," says Dignam. The added theatre of the absinthe ritual — featuring ornate glassware, four-tapped absinthe fountains and burning sugar cubes — will elevate your post-work drinks to a whole new level. Although ostensibly a cocktail bar, including a selection of aged cocktails — matured for one month and stirred upon request — vinophiles aren't left behind, with a generous wine list featuring local and foreign drops. In the fridge, there is also a range of local brews to choose from. As a venue that worships at the altar of history's greatest party animal, Papa Gede — who also happens to be the embodiment of death, a fan of cheap cigars, apples, and top hats — it's little wonder that music is also a big deal here. Expect live music sets from top local blues, jazz, reggae, soul and R&B artists. Images: Cassandra Hannigan
Easter is right around the corner which means it's time to get ready for everyone's favourite rabbit to hop into town — and we're not talking about Peter, Roger or Bugs. If you're looking for a way to celebrate the long weekend without leaving the city, be sure to head to the Sydney Family Show this April. The annual event will be running from Saturday, April 9 till Monday, April 25 at the Entertainment Quarter, and there's plenty to see and do. Check out the action-packed motorcycle and bike show, turn yourself upside down on carnival rides, cuddle some adorable furry friends in the animal nursery and, of course, take home a showbag or two on your way out. New to the Show this year is a ferris wheel, so make sure you hop on to score a bird's-eye view of the festivities below. Tickets are $20 per person for adults and $10 for kids aged 3–15, or you can grab a family pass for $50 for four people. If you still have Parent and Discover NSW vouchers burning a proverbial hole in your pocket, you can use these for at-gate purchases. The Sydney Family Show will be happening at the Entertainment Quarter from Saturday, April 9 till Monday, April 25. For more information and to grab tickets, visit the website.
It may have dawdled getting here, but it now seems winter is coming. And when it’s unforgivingly cold outside and emerging from the snuggery of a warm bed causes acute physical suffering, the prospect of a bowl of porridge can really turn the morning around. Warm, filling, rib-stickingly comforting, porridge is — when done well — the perfect meal to start a winter’s day with. Taking inspiration from Goldilocks, we went in search of the best porridge in Sydney and found five bowls that were just right. Sweet + Scandinavian: Fika Swedish Kitchen Tucked away in Manly’s Market Place, Fika Swedish Kitchen feels like a sunny beach cabin decorated by Ikea. Their semolina porridge ($12) is exactly what you’d need if you had to ski to school every morning. The creamiest texture imaginable, it’s served with a cute bottle of cold milk, generous fleshy strips of caramel-drizzled pear and candied almonds. And not individual almonds; think more of an almond brittle smashed into rough chunks and used as a garnish. Crunchy to begin with, once you swirl them through the piping hot porridge they melt into a glorious chewiness. Just two mouthfuls are enough to insulate you from crown to toe; by four mouthfuls you’ll be removing a layer of clothing. Not the healthiest breakfast option perhaps, but a very delicious one. Warning: don’t attempt a swim afterwards. You may sink. Fika Swedish Kitchen, 5b Market Lane, Manly Tropical delights: Porch and Parlour If you spent the summer ploughing through their brown rice porridge with star-anise poached pear, you should try the winter offering from the Porch and Parlour kitchen. A sensibly sized portion of oatmeal, it’s served with lightly caramelised banana, coconut (instead of milk or cream), lashings of lime and a tempting side dish of brown sugar. Pretty much the closest a porridge could ever come to tasting like a cocktail, and at $12, roughly the same price as one. Flavour is what makes this a winner: lime zest keeps the dish light and refreshing — two things porridge so rarely is — while the banana, coconut and oats satisfy even the most intense hunger pangs. The brown sugar is optional, but this writer highly recommends a generous sprinkling. You can always wash it down with their green juice to balance things out. Porch and Parlour, 17/110 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach Taste of Arabia: Kazbah You may know Kazbah for the delectable tagines and incredible shakshouka, but don't ignore the sweeter offerings at this Balmain institution. The banana porridge with date compote and stewed rhubarb ($15) is a photo-worthy marvel. Served with the banana already mashed up and swirled within the rather chunky oats, it’s topped off with milk and what tastes like a liberal splash of cream. A little accompanying dish of brown sugar and slightly sweet, slightly tart stewed rhubarb finishes it off perfectly. The best part though is the chewy, fudge-like date compote sitting slap-bang in the middle of it all. Advice: one bowl is big enough to pop buttons, so if you're in constrictive clothing you may want to share it. And if you start feeling woozy, pull yourself together with one of their signature Turkish coffees. Kazbah, 379 Darling Street, Balmain Health-conscious: About Life Some mornings you might be more in the mood for a porridge that leaves you feeling health-guru smug rather than teddy bear-esque. And if you like your breakfast vegan, gluten free and dairy free, you’ve probably already visited your nearest About Life cafe. These guys make “warming” coconut chia porridge with banana, walnut, chia seeds and cinnamon ($11), which manages to be extremely healthy while tasting anything but. Served with all the visual appeal of a mouth-watering dessert, its flavour is best described as “Christmas-meets-tropical-island”, what with the festivity of the walnuts and the dusted cinnamon dancing around the soupy quinoa and fatly shredded coconut. It is extremely filling (banana + coconut + chia = waddle to the car then no appetite till dinnertime) so you may not finish the whole thing. But you’ll certainly have fun trying. About Life cafes are in Cammeray, Bondi Junction and Rozelle. Rice to meet you: Bills Famous for their ricotta hotcakes drizzled in honeycomb butter, Bills also serves up a mean porridge, using brown rice instead of traditional oats. Decorated with mango when in season, it’s currently bedecked with slices of reddish orange and perfectly ripe papaya. Texturally, it’s more like a rice pudding, or a less sticky version of Thai sticky black rice. The papaya provides a nice tangy flavour, heightened by a generous squeeze of the accompanying wedge of lime. Don’t worry about the lack of milk, as the sweet white miso and coconut yoghurt lend a creamy quality to the fibrous, chewy rice, without weighing it down too much. Overall, it’s a simple, fortifying dish that leaves you feeling full but not stuffed. It comes in two size options: a very generous small ($12.50) and, for the ravenous, what they call 'regular' ($15). Bills, 359 Crown Street, Surry Hills, and 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst. Look out for Oats-obsessives should keep their eyes open for the next pop-up porridge event in Sydney. It’s the brainchild of friends Stella and Babs, two porridge-lovers who spring up every now and then to craft magnificently topped porridges in biodegradable bowls for $6 or under. Think banana with raspberry coulis and other such delights. To be in the loop, sign up to their newsletter. Top image: Pop-up Porridge
It has been twenty years since James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet recreated one of the deadliest ship disasters in modern history — you know the one. Titanic also launched a lifetime of folks standing at the bow of boats and exclaiming "I'm the king of the world", and made the world endure a Celine Dion song that, as the lyrics promised, would go on. As well as snag a huge bag of Oscars and big, big bucks at the box office, the film did something else: reignite public fascination with the 1912 sinking. If you've ever watched and wondered what it'd be like to see the real thing, then wonder no more. You'd just better have a cool $137,000 sitting in your bank account. Commencing in 2018, travel company Blue Marble Private will be taking nine fascinated seafarers down to the famous ship on an eight-day journey. Departing from the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, they'll dive four kilometres down into the North Atlantic Ocean in a titanium and carbon fibre submersible — accompanied by experts, of course — to cruise around the passenger liner's deck, glide over its grand staircase and wander through the vessel that went down on its maiden voyage, taking more than 1500 people with it. The hefty price tag is supposed to reflect the cost of a first class ticket on the RMS Titanic 105 years ago, although it's hardly surprising that plunging deep into both the ocean's depths and a historical wreck costs a massive stack of cash and then some. This isn't the first time tours have been offered — indeed, presumably using some of the loot his romantic drama pulled in, James Cameron has made the journey three times — but it's still estimated that only 140 people have seen the site in person since it was first discovered in 1984. Via: The Australian. Image: OceanGate.
Bordered by the sunny, sandy beaches of Wollongong and located less than 90km south of Sydney, Shell Cove is our pick of the season for those seeking an easy weekend escape. While it's packed with many of the natural wonders synonymous with the neighbouring NSW South Coast towns, the area's gorgeous, sun-soaked offerings make it a must-visit destination unto itself. If you've never been to Shell Cove, it's time to change that. With the help of Shellharbour City Council, with Frasers Property, we've put together a guide on some of our favourite places to eat, play and stay in this scenic and relaxing spot. [caption id="attachment_869851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Waterfront Tavern[/caption] EAT SHELL-EBRATE SEAFOOD Given that Shell Cove enjoys direct access to the Tasman Sea, it should surprise exactly nobody that visitors will be able to enjoy some spectacular seafood at The Waterfront Dining Precinct. Test out the theory for yourself by tucking into fresh takeaway fish and chips at the The Salty Squid, or, if you aren't about the pescatarian life, sample the local beef burgers with milk buns at family-friendly restaurant Georgia Rose. Just be sure to finish things off at The Waterfront Tavern with a Caramilk Espresso Martini. GET THE (DOUBLE) SCOOP Did you even do a road trip if you didn't stop for ice cream? BLISS Ice Cream and Gelato makes it easier to get your warm-weather sugar fix — as well as a nice snap of your cone for Instagram — by offering over 50 delicious flavours of ice cream and gelato, alongside an equally impressive range of milkshakes, thick shakes and caffeine-fixing drinks. A FOODIE FESTIVAL If brunch, booze and all the bits in between aren't enough to entice you, then those looking for a little extra incentive to make the leisurely drive from Sydney to Shell Cove will find it in The Waterfront Food and Wine Festival this October. Headlined by Masterchef's Adam Liaw and renowned Indigenous chef Mark Olive, the weekend-long event will kick off at 4pm on Friday, October 28 (and continue on into the next day before ending on Saturday evening) — bringing together the South Coast's finest food makers and the region's award-winning wine, craft beer and spirit producers. Think chefs, cheesemakers, baristas, bakers, brewers, winemakers and distillers showing off their best wares — and yes, there will be samples. You can also check out workshops and live cooking demonstrations from food experts — with delicious results. LOVE YOU A BRUNCH Sure, Sydney is known for its brilliant brunch spots, but those in Shell Cove serve theirs alongside a beautiful sea breeze — and Leaf Cafe & Co is one of the best. Located in the The Shell Cove Town Centre, Leaf prepares dishes like breakfast gnocchi daily, while roasting and grinding its award-winning coffee beans every single week… Which is probably how it managed to bring home four medals from the largest global roasting competition this year. [caption id="attachment_869850" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Waterfront Boardwalks[/caption] PLAY ON THE BEATEN TRACK Whether you're a workout warrior, art aficionado or just keen to get your blood and creative juices flowing, be sure to check out The Waterfront's 2.5-kilometre promenade and harbourside boardwalks. As well as public artworks and outdoor exercise equipment dotted the track, there's a lot to love about the striking lookouts over the Tasman sea. Prefer to head off the beaten track (literally)? The marina offers a number of casual berths for hire, that make it popular among boat owners. With sailors coming in from across Australia (including adventurous Adelaideans and others en route to Queensland), you'll be in good company should you opt to pull up ship and spend the day fishing from the boat ramp. A HOLE NEW BALL GAME You don't need to be Greg Norman to book a round at Links Shell Cove. While the picturesque golf course does service aspiring pro-putter with its challenging 18-hole course, it's also home to a brand new, mini-but-mighty golf course for those who are more pussycat than Tiger Woods. A scaled-down version of the original full-size golf course, the "Links" course is best suited for beginners and budding golfers who are, well, a little bit green, on the green. [caption id="attachment_871410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shellharbour Wild Tours[/caption] DOLPHIN DREAMING The best way to get up close and personal with those dolphin spotting opportunities we mentioned in our introduction? By booking a tour with Shellharbour Wild. Begin your trip with a cruise from the Shellharbour Marina travelling south and exploring beautiful Bushrangers Bay and its calm turquoise waters, before driving up north to take in the panoramic views of Perkins and Windang Beach. Depending on the season you might cross paths with dolphins, whales or the fur seals sunbathing on the rocks of Five Islands. BEACHY KEEN It seems almost criminal to get halfway through an article on Shell Cove before we mention its beautiful beaches, and yet here we are. To make up for our misdemeanour, allow us to share some of the most scenic seaside spots that border Shell Cove. As well as the unspoilt white sands and surfing swell you'll find at Shellharbour South Beach and Killalea Beach, be sure to check out Bass Point and Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve. Popular with both locals and passing travellers, this sheltered site affords access to iconic snorkelling and diving excursions, only accessible through Shell Cove. [caption id="attachment_869853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Kids Beach at The Waterfront[/caption] STAY COMING SOON: THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL Looking for iconic, deluxe hotel accommodation, with chic restaurants and bars, delicious food and beverage outlets, contemporary rooms and function facilities, and a resort-style pool? Then watch this space, with the Crowne Plaza Hotel expected to be opening at The Waterfront in 2025 — mark your calendars now. A SPECIAL KIND OF SEBEL Can't wait that long? May we suggest the Sebel Harbourside Kiama, in the meantime? Featuring a range of luxury lodgings, as well as a variety of entertainment and dining options, and views over the beautiful Kiama harbour you would be completely forgiven for spending the entirety of your stay onsite. Insider tip: Don't do that, otherwise you'll miss out on the famous Kiama Blowhole and historic terrace shops, which are both but a short walk away. [caption id="attachment_869696" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Airbnb[/caption] APARTMENT STAYS If you prefer the experience of a self-serviced stay, check out this one by the beach (three minutes away to be precise). With a stylish set-up and take-your-breath-away views of the ocean, this spectacular three-bedder is the ideal space for your Shell Cove stay. Plus it comes with a large alfresco balcony (including an inbuilt BBQ) so you can enjoy sunrises and sunsets all year round. TOWNHOUSE FOR THREE For a townhouse that gives city slick vibes without skimping on Shell Cove's signature South Coast charm, we recommend this stunning three-bedroom townhouse. If you have a long list of luxury accommodation essentials, we can almost guarantee that this place is the one that will mark them off. Think top-tier furnishings, a master bedroom with a king-size bed, and waterfront views courtesy of its world-class marina location. To find out more about Shell Cove and discover this scenic NSW location for yourself, head to The Waterfront Shell Cove.
Named after the notorious Rocks Push, a ruffian gang during turn-of-the-century Sydney, The Push (formerly the Russell Hotel) is a handsome little place. Push open the heavy door that evokes that of a speakeasy — the weightiness representing the significance of the spot, the thud of the door behind sealing you in from the outside world — and step into this Art Deco incarnation of the gang of yore. Think slick styling, black timber panelling, leather banquettes and rose gold finishes. Bootleggers (read: slightly cranky bartenders) aside, there is nary a bandit in sight; most of the patrons are merely shaking off the shackles of the working day. The drinks list features local and NZ wines, plus craft and boutique beers, but you shouldn't stop there. A place this attractive calls for cocktails, and The Push offers up a full list of cocktails starring the Lady Macquarie ($18) with gin, creme de cassis, lemon, sugar and egg white and the Bushrangers Mule ($17) with vodka, cloudy apple cider, lime, ginger beer, apple and cinnamon, plus cocktails of the month at a fair $15. The bar suits trysts of all types, with its soft lighting, mellow playlist and cuddly corners encouraging weary urbanites to linger over drinks. The counter snacks serve this purpose with spicy barbecue chicken wings ($10) and squid with Chinese five spice ($16). For the hungrier among us, expect a run-of-the-mill bistro menu: burgers, fish and chips and schnitzels are all duly represented. The rump steak ($26.90) is fine and unfussy and the shepherd's pie ($23) is a comfort-food number, but The Push comes into its larrikin-like own as a cocktail bar. Sharp, dark and somewhat rascally, this bar is a pleasing addition to the oft-lacking George Street strip. A night there brings to mind the Henry Lawson poem, which immortalised The Push's namesake gang with the words, "How I longed to share the dangers and the pleasures of the Push!"
One of Australia's most significant and influential 20th century artists, Sir Sidney Nolan is perhaps best-known for his depictions of Australian bush mythology and historical figures. While much of his work has been in the public eye for decades, one series of paintings has never before been exhibited publicly — until now. For the very first time in Australia, Sydney Jewish Museum will present all 50 works in Nolan's powerful — but little-known — series of paintings based on his January 1962 visit to Auschwitz. Running from July 21 to October 23, Shaken to His Core: The Untold Story of Nolan's Auschwitz tells a significant yet untold chapter of Nolan's life. The series began as portraits Nolan painted of war criminal Adolf Eichmann while watching his televised trial. After Eichmann was sentenced to death, Nolan turned his attention to painting victims of the Holocaust. He then visited Auschwitz after being commissioned for illustrations for The Observer newspaper. But what he saw there shook him to his core — mountains of human hair, suitcases, spectacles, shoes, tiers of bunks where prisoners were piled and mounds of human ashes — that he refused the newspaper's commission and was unable to paint these atrocities for commercial gain. This experience would come to shape the imagery Nolan produced during the decade that followed. The landmark exhibition, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of Nolan's passing, is a rare opportunity to experience the singular perspective of the events of the Holocaust through the eyes of an internationally celebrated artist — and one that hasn't been seen in its entirety for nearly 60 years. As an institution that works to give history a voice and challenge visitors' perceptions of morality, social justice, democracy and human rights, Sydney Jewish Museum represents a natural home for the very first public exhibition of Nolan's significant series of works. Shaken to His Core: The Untold Story of Nolan's Auschwitz is showing at Sydney Jewish Museum from Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, October 23. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the website. Top image: NPG x88816 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Buzzing with art galleries, al fresco coffee stops, luxe and vintage shopping and some truly stand-out dining destinations, Darlinghurst is one of those suburbs with great stuff on every corner. And, if you're someone who loves a good late-night feed, you have a plethora of spots to pick from. Whether you're in the 'hood for a date, hanging out with your mates or you've simply left a DIY dinner too late, Darlinghurst contains the solution. A warm bowl of noodles? A slice of sourdough pizza? A melt-in-your-mouth lamb ragu? How about a bottomless Italian feast? Tick, tick, tick, tick. So, without further ado, here are eight late-night restaurants in Darlinghurst that are sure to fix your after-dark hunger pangs.
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe can notch up 30 big-screen entries and counting, and the Fast and Furious franchise can approach double digits, then surely Hollywood — and Keanu Reeves — can keep making John Wick movies forever. Yes, all the titular character wants is out, but that hasn't been turning out as he's planned in film after film after film. And if the assassin's exploits keep hitting screens, audiences will keep watching. For now, we're thinking he's back in John Wick: Chapter 4, which'll hit cinemas in March 2023. During San Diego Comic-Con midyear, the movie dropped its first trailer — and, if you're always in the mood for more Keanu in more things all the time, a bigger sneak peek has just arrived. If you're thinking that Wick's luck might run out at some point, the new film understands. But this stunt-filled saga still has one last way to give its namesake his non-violent life back. He can agree to a duel against the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård, Barbarian) — but of course only one can survive. With that premise, expect the ante to be upped on the saga's latest onslaught of frenetic action scenes, as the new trailer also makes plain. Anywhere that Wick can shoot, fight and dispense with everyone trying to take him down, he will and does. This flick involves hopping around the globe, in fact, including Paris, New York and Berlin — and also getting into sword fights in Japan, and riding horses through a sandy desert. Accordingly, as all John Wick movies have so far — the first in 2014, John Wick: Chapter 2 in 2017 and John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum all included — this one will follow the hitman that other hitmen fear as he takes on his ever-growing list of adversaries. Whatever gets thrown his way hasn't stopped Wick yet, after he got dragged back into the assassin life when a past batch of enemies messed with his dog. Reeves' former stunt double-turned-filmmaker Chad Stahelski directs again, as he has on all three prior movies. On-screen, Reeves is also joined by a roster of familiar and new John Wick faces, with fellow franchise mainstays Ian McShane (American Gods) and Lance Reddick (Godzilla vs Kong) returning, and Reeves' The Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne — after appearing in the past two movies — as well. And, Donnie Yen (Mulan), Hiroyuki Sanada (Mortal Kombat), Shamier Anderson (Son of the South), Rina Sawayama (Turn Up Charlie) and Scott Adkins (Triple Threat) are all also set to feature. In similarly excellent news, a fifth John Wick movie is already in the works, because more ass-kicking Keanu is always a great thing. And, so are two spinoffs: The Continental and Ballerina. The first is a streaming series, clearly set around the hotel that features so prominently in the films as a safe haven for hitmen. As for the second, it's a movie that ties in with John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum, and will star Ana de Armas (Blonde) — and also feature Reeves and McShane. Check out the full trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 below: John Wick: Chapter 4 will release Down Under on March 23, 2023.
What's better than one IMAX in Sydney? Two, obviously, which is a big-screen dream that's about to become a reality. A second IMAX experience is on its way to the Harbour City, setting up shop in an Event Cinemas location. The where and when haven't yet been revealed — but this is still literally massive news. Between 2016 and spring 2023, movie lovers in the New South Wales capital would've been content with just one IMAX, of course, after Sydney's IMAX at Darling Harbour closed down to get demolished and then rebuilt. The venue was originally meant to get its projectors running again in 2019, then in 2021; however, that didn't happen. Thankfully, giant flicks have been back on the agenda since October on one of the biggest cinema screens in the world, which measures 692 square metres. The news of a second Sydney IMAX comes via EVT and IMAX Corporation. The former is the hospitality company behind IMAX Sydney, Event Cinemas, Moonlight Cinema, the Skyline Drive-In and the State Theatre; the arrival of surround-screen viewing Down Under; a heap of bars and restaurants; QT Hotels, Rydges and other hotel chains; plus IMAX venues in Auckland and Queensgate in New Zealand, as well as IMAX Karlsruhe in Germany. The latter is self-explanatory. Together, the duo announced a deal for five new state-of-the-art IMAX setups, but only one in coming to Australia. To check out the other four, you'll need to head to Germany. "Expanding our collaboration with IMAX aligns to our strategy of providing customers with choice on how they want to watch a movie. The right combination of our proprietary cinema experiences such as gold class, boutique and V-Max alongside global premium formats like IMAX is proving to be successful," said EVT CEO Jane Hastings, announcing the news. "IMAX performs exceptionally well at our current locations in Sydney, New Zealand and Germany, and we are thrilled to bring state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser systems to more locations in Australia and Germany in the near future," Hastings continued. "On the heels of the wildly successful debut of IMAX Sydney, we are excited to expand our collaboration with EVT, a partner that transcends exhibition in creating premium experiences that span cinema, hospitality, leisure and more," added IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. "Australia and Germany are two markets where consumer demand for IMAX vastly outstrips our footprint, and this deal is great for our fans in both countries and our continued network growth worldwide." That Sydney success that Gelfond mentioned? Within mere weeks of opening, the new IMAX Sydney has become IMAX's highest-grossing location outside of the United States and United Kingdom. Wherever the second Sydney IMAX experience pops up, it'll combine Laser by IMAX technology, which means 4K laser projection showing the flicks, plus EVT's range of seating. At Darling Harbour, choices to get comfortable include standard places to sit, as well as getting comfortable in a full recliner, cosying up with your plus one in a couples' recliner and going with a private box for up to four people on an elevated platform. Film fans outside of Sydney, you'll have a second spot to add to your must-visit list when you visit the Harbour City — especially if you're in a city like Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth that doesn't have its own IMAX. IMAX Sydney is now open at Darling Harbour, 1/35 Wheat Road, Sydney, from Wednesday, October 11. Details of the city's second IMAX experience, including where it'll be located and when it will open, are yet to be announced — we'll update you when more information is revealed. Images: IMAX Sydney.
Career-wise, the past decade has been kind to Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton. It all started back in 2009, when he won the Cannes Film Festival's Camera d'Or — the award for best first feature — for the fantastic Samson and Delilah. Since then, he has explored ghost stories in The Dark Side, and opened the Sydney Film Festival with We Don't Need a Map, a documentary exploring the prominence of the Southern Cross in Australian culture. In 2017, he also directed one of the best, most blistering Australian westerns ever made, Sweet Country. And, more recently, he co-helmed the second six-part season of TV series Mystery Road — which premiered at this year's Berlin Film Festival before hitting screens Down Under. All that hustle and bustle has had an impact, however, as his next project explores. In The Beach, Thornton documents his own quest to step back from his busy life by living alone on an isolated stretch of sand by the shoreline — at Jilirr, on the Dampier Peninsula on the northwest coast of Western Australia. Thornton directs the exquisite-looking documentary, with his son — Robbie Hood and Finke: There and Back filmmaker Dylan River — shooting the entire series. As well as helming, Thornton obviously stars in the six-part series, too. And it's understandably a highly personal affair; "The Beach is one of the most important projects of my life. It's about my life. It is my life," the acclaimed director explains. Accordingly, when the documentary hits NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday, May 29 — airing on NITV and SBS simultaneously in one big block, and dropping on the broadcaster's streaming platform at the same time — it'll chronicle Thornton's efforts as he lives alone, endeavouring to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors, the Kaytetye people. Solely relying upon the land, he spends his days in scenic surroundings while hunting and gathering for food, with the docuseries observing unobtrusively as he attempts to transform his existence, connect to Country, and nourish both his body and spirit. As the just-released trailer shows, it makes for quite the striking viewing. And, given the current state of the world, immensely timely viewing too. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIcuVH83M All six episodes of The Beach will air on NITV and SBS on Friday, May 29, with the docuseries available to stream via SBS On Demand from the same time.
You'll notice there's not a lot of difference between the lunch and dinnertime menus at this Modern Australian restaurant in Terrigal — and that's because no matter what time you dine, you should start off with half a dozen oysters, sourced from Corrie Island Nature Reserve, and one of the bottles of Aussie wines, from Eden Valley, Beechworth, Margaret River (and many other regions). [caption id="attachment_777464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] You can order the Newlands beef carpaccio with capers and shaved parmesan, or the grilled Bangalow pork cutlets with sweet potato mash, or Stone and Wood battered fish and chips day or night — the difference is you'll have to commit to a two- and three-course menu ($59–69) from 6pm. If you're here at lunch, take advantage of the steak sandwich with watercress and horseradish, or the ARC club made with bacon, iceberg and egg mayo, which won't make an appearance later in the night. Images: Kitti Gould
In disappointing news for Sydneysiders, Luke Nguyen's Red Lantern will close its doors for a final time this November. After a remarkable 23 years influencing Vietnamese dining not only in Sydney but around the world, owners Luke Nguyen, Pauline Nguyen, and Mark Jensen have made the tough decision not to renew the lease. Red Lantern, one of the most awarded Vietnamese restaurants in the world, will continue service until November 22. Over the coming months, there will be special events and chef collaborations to celebrate the legacy of the beloved venue. The crew behind Red Lantern pioneered a new appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine in Sydney as something much more than cheap takeout. With premium produce, impeccable service and a refined menu, Red Lantern helped shape the way Australians think about Southeast Asian cuisine. Menu favourites include turmeric corn cakes with tea-smoked salmon, crispy pork belly with oyster and coriander seed marinade, and crab fried rice. Regulars returned often for Red Lantern's famous chilli salted squid with lemon and pepper dipping sauce, the roast duck salad with banana blossom and pickled vegetables and the chargrilled chicken with curry paste and green chilli chutney. The closure of such a prominent restaurant is indicative of the challenges facing the hospitality industry across the country. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the owners cited a number of reasons behind the decision not to renew the lease, including declining diner numbers, persistent rain during a harsh winter, the current state of the economy and the cost of living crisis, and a trend of diners being preoccupied with trying new restaurants. Pauline Nguyen says, "If there's one thing I'm really proud of, between the three of us we've built a real ecosystem that will continue", as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Red Lantern will continue service until November, so you still have a few months to go and support the team and enjoy your favourite dishes one last time. Images: Leigh Griffiths. Red Lantern will close its doors on November 22, 2025. Over its final two months of service, the restaurant will run special events with chef collaborations, so follow @redlanterngroup on Instagram to find out whats on.
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to salvage the flavour of burnt rice, how to test if an egg is still fresh, how to prevent cheese from going off, or bread from going stale? Unorthodox but incredibly helpful kitchen and cooking tips are a great way to make the cooking experience much quicker and easier, and can be employed in your everyday cooking routine. Here are ten of the most helpful cooking tips that you may not know, but should. 1. Make Garlic Easier to Peel How? By microwaving it for 20 seconds. Zapping garlic in the microwave for a short amount of time is believed to heat the water in the garlic and cause the cells to rupture thus breaking the bond between skin and flesh and causing the skin to slip straight off. It is thought to make the garlic slightly less pungent but apparently doesn't alter it's flavour or texture. 2. Keep Delicate Dishes Warm How? By placing the saucepan on top of a fry pan. Whilst placing a saucepan over a stove on low may suffice for some dishes, delicate sauces or mashed potatoes can easily be burnt and ruin a perfectly good meal. A great trick is to put a cast-iron skillet over a low flame and then place the saucepan on top of this to ensure the heat is evenly spread throughout the meal. 3. Absorb Excess Fat from Soup How? By placing a lettuce leaf on top of it. Placing a lettuce leaf on the surface of a soup is an organic and effective way to defat the liquid, and it is a much easier and cheaper alternative than using gravy separators. The leaf can then easily be thrown away it has absorbed the unwanted fat. 4. Test the Freshness of an Egg How? By placing it in cold water. You can determine the age of an egg (while still encased in it's shell) through the amount of air in it's air pocket simply by placing it inside glass or bowl of cold water and seeing if it floats. If the egg sinks it is fresh, if it tilts slightly up or moves to a semi-horizontal position it is about a week old, but if it moves to a vertical position or floats to the surface of the water it is stale. It's that easy! 5. Avoid Curdled Cream How? By adding baking soda. Have you ever wondered how the age old quandary of cream curdling when you place it over fruit can be avoided? Well wonder no longer, because the solution is as easy as adding a pinch of baking soda to the cream before serving. 6. Keep Cheese Longer How? By wrapping it in a paper towel that's been moistened with vinegar. To avoid losing your cheese to mould, all you have to do is place a paper towel that's been soaked in white wine vinegar at the bottom of an air-tight container and put the cheese on top then keep the container in the fridge. 7. Eradicate Bacon Curling How? By soaking it in cold water before frying. In order to avoid the dreaded bacon curling that occurs when frying it, soak it in cold water for two minutes before frying it and dry well with paper towel. If that doesn't work simply sprinkle some flour over it, and if you still have no luck then try poking some holes in it. 8. Remove the Bitter Taste of Burnt Rice How? By placing a piece of white bread over it. Burnt your rice? Never fear, because all you need to do is place a slice of white bread on top of the rice, close the lid and let it sit for 15 minutes, then vualah, take the bread out and enjoy your non-bitter tasting rice. The bread will apparently absorb the bitter flavour of the rice you burned and restored it's taste back to normal. 9. Tenderize Meat and Speed up Defrosting How? By pouring vinegar over frozen meat. If defrosting meat has always been one of those processes that has baffled you, make life easier for yourself just by adding some vinegar. Pouring a cup of vinegar over the frozen meat lowers it's freezing temperature, making it thaw more quickly, and the acid in the vinegar breaks down connective tissue to increase it's tenderness. 10. Prevent Bread from Going Stale How? By adding a celery stick to the bread bag. By simply adding a piece of celery to a sealed bread bag overnight, you can refresh your bread and make it taste as good as when you first bought it. The bread is supposed to absorb the humidity of the celery, but it's flavour shouldn't change due to the bland taste of the celery.
