There's nothing like a splash of gin to make your day feel a little fancier, summer or otherwise. But if you're after something a little less boozy than a mid-arvo martini, clear some space in your fridge for this nifty line of alcohol-infused condiments. The Amsterdam-born Gin Mayo — and its recently released sibling Gin Chup — are here to help liven up your lunch. Starting life in 2017 as a house-made condiment on the menu at Amsterdam seafood restaurant Mossel & Gin, the boozy mayo quickly became a cult pantry staple, with the brand taking on a life of its own. Packaged in a squeeze-friendly tube, the gluten free sauce is crafted on creamy Zaanse mayonnaise, which is made to a recipe from the 1950s. It's then elevated with a hit of Bobby's Gin, which is distilled in the Dutch city of Schiedam and boasts a base of eight different botanicals. Clocking in at two percent alcohol per tube, the Gin Mayo supposedly is a solid match to some seafood or fried chicken, but also brings a little something extra to that sandwich or burger. Recently, the brand has added to its line of products with a zesty gin-infused ketchup, or Gin Chup, which creators say works a treat when accompanying the likes of a triple-cheese toastie. Like its mayonnaise sibling, it also boasts two percent alcohol per tube — though you can expect that to translate to a festive flavour punch, rather than any overpowering boozy aftertaste. Steadily growing in popularity here on Aussie shores, the gin condiments are now available online and at select specialty food retailers across the country. That includes Sydney's Darlo General and Sorry Thanks I Love You, and Melbourne's St Ali, Blackhearts & Sparrows and Meatsmith. To find out all the spots stocking Gin Mayo and Gin Chup locally, or to buy them online, head to the St Ali website. You can grab a 170-millilitre tube for RRP $15.
Even if you've never been inside The Cauliflower, you've almost certainly seen it. The heritage-listed site has sat on Botany Road since 1862. Here's why you should venture inside: with time comes change. The Cauliflower has had an overhaul in the past few years, stripping away the old-man pub feel and welcoming in the tokens that define a modern establishment. Traditional commercial beers share tap residency with the newer craft beer kids. The wine menu is a good mix of local and imported drops that won't break the bank. The food menu is where things get really interesting with Mexican bites (quesadillas, nachos, tacos), Sichuan-spiced calamari and scotch fillet with chimichurri sitting alongside standard pizzas and parmas. Upstairs has been transformed in to rum bar The Forgotten Cask. As the exclusive Australian distributor of St Lucia Distiller rums, a cocktail at this rooftop oasis, complete with palms and a grass ceiling, will transport you direct to the Caribbean. The food menu keeps the theme going with jerk-spiced chicken wings, barramundi tacos and cauliflower curry. Images: Kitti Gould
Less than ten minutes walking from Kings Cross station gets you to hideaway Italian restaurant Bar Grazie, which opened its doors in September 2022. Bar Grazie has some weight to its name, thanks to the power trio that brought the space to life, starting with Barry McDonald (the man behind the OG Fratelli Fresh). Let's start with the interiors, designed by George Gorrow (co-founder of Ksubi and The Slow). Looking around, you'll notice wood panelling and white walls. It's gentle and welcoming and has just the right amount of lighting. Pick a refreshment from a selection of Italian beers, an impressive roster of Italian and French wines, spritzes and classic cocktails. Opening up the food menu, you're met with a fine selection of Italian choices from head chef Jarrard Martin, whose resume includes Rockpool, Ucello and Mary's Underground. Start light with Sydney rock oysters with yuzu mignonette, or take a denser route with the famed vitello tonnato. Mains follow — there's gnocchi with pine nuts, aged balsamic and brown butter; market fish al caltoccio (cooked in foil) with salsa verde; macaroni with ragu bolognese, and so much more. If you can't decide, don't stress, the team offers three-course set menus from Monday to Wednesday. Or visit on weekends to grab pasta and wine for $30.
Just before winter takes over completely, Bar 1880 at Circular Quay has come up with a very good reason to stay out after work. It's launched tipple hour. Pop in on a Tuesday–Friday evening from 5–6pm and you'll be sipping on $14 cocktails and $8 beers in the cosy, dimly lit, 19th-century surroundings of a former newspaper house. More specifically, it's where The Bulletin — once one of Australia's most influential weeklies – was published in the 1800s. Tipple hour presents an excellent opportunity to try Bar 1880's new cocktail list at budget-friendly prices. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Berry Necessary: an electric red blend of gin, Chambord, cranberry juice, raspberry syrup and citric acid, served with a good dose of razzle dazzle. For a more comforting, cold weather-friendly creation, try the Golden Hour: a signature take on the Old Fashioned with burnt butter-infused bourbon, maple syrup and vanilla bitters. Then there's the Bitter Sweet Symphony, a smoky, caramelised interpretation of the negroni. Keep a look out, too, for the rotating monthly special.
If you're a well-off manchild who's ever defiantly moved out of home all grown up-like, stole all your mum's tupperware and turned your old room into a storage space because you're great and responsible and have your own Medicare card, Bondi Hipsters' new Old Spice ad will strike a few chords. The Australian follow-up to the bang-up hilarious viral 'Mom Song' brought out by the deodorant branding geniuses in January this year, 'Old Spice Man Song' (or Mahn Song) has been crafted by Bondi Hipsters for our own market. Both focused on the fact that Old Spice apparently makes you an immediate Man, the 333-riders have put less focus on freaky couch-dwelling, son-clingy mums and more on dudes who move out of home and think they're big ol' grown ups. Bondi Hipsters Dom and Adrian play two dudes breaking the news to Dom's possibly North Shore-looking mum that he's moving because he's a mahn with a cool leather wallet and a Swiss-made watch, whose beard grows quicker and chest hair grows thicker because of Old Spice. Of course it does, you've seen what happened to this guy. Watch the Bondi Hipsters' Old Spice ad here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TuiKdWz6IKo Then revisit the US-version 'Mom Song', just for kicks. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JEbpbNTkIdk Via Junkee.
Light and bright is the best way to describe Shutters, a restaurant and bar inside the Crowne Plaza hotel on Coogee Beach. Sunlight streams through the venue's white shutters, keeping with the vibe of a poolside Miami lounge bar — and it's name. Inside, you'll find marble tables, velvet chairs and booths in pale pastels, white and gold art deco fixtures, and pops of green from the big leafy plants dotted around the space. On the menu, the influences of Corsica and Sardinia are evident, from starters like stracciatella with roasted tomato oil, basil and olives ($16) to the flaky limoncello mille feuille ($14) being served for dessert. It's all about a leisurely afternoon meal at Shutters, beginning with fresh oysters with mignonette, horseradish granita or lemon and sea foam ($24 for six; $46 for 12). You'll also find some charcuterie and a warm octopus salad complete with kipfler potato, chorizo and orange ($18). Next, you can move on to pasta — try the king prawn and goats curd ravioli ($26), or a twist on lasagne with confit chicken, sofrito, cashews and avocado ($24). There's also a handful of main dishes (covering steak, spatchcock, fish and vego options), all of which are served with unlimited fries (yes) and salad. You can round off the meal with an after dinner mint granita, dark chocolate sorbet and sponge cake ($16). The drinks list complements the food offering, covering a few classic cocktails, five spritz varieties (including a strawberry and basil mix that is almost too tempting, $18), a smattering of tap and bottled beers, plus juice and kombucha. Wine is the main event, with drops coming from Italy, France and around Australia in equal numbers. Shutters is the first of four "micro" venues to open in Coogee Beach's Crowne Plaza. Soon to follow will be Estate: a bar, restaurant, taco joint and hidden karaoke spot. We'll let you know more about those when they open.
Those who are familiar with the Zetland log cabin-style eatery will be delighted to hear that it has finally made its way to the north shore, taking up residence in the dining strip of Willoughby Road. In its own words, the second outpost is 'more restaurant like', with the bright, airy interior once again brought to life by Otto Design Interiors. If you're craving a simple (but delicious) meal at a reasonable price, you'll want to make tracks here. Practically all bases are covered with offerings of seafood, salads, steaks, burgers, tacos and poke bowls on the menu. Standouts include the classic fish and chips, fish pie and the Ora King salmon. Featuring a concise list of mostly Australian wines and beers, as well as a solid children's menu, it's a great spot for a family meal out.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Child labour might be illegal, but you can always buy a baby mop. Yep, what started out as a Japanese spoof is now an actual, real product. The ‘mop’ is a onesie, with super-absorbent materials (as in, what mop heads are made of) attached to the legs and arms. The idea is that as the baby crawls around the floor, he/she takes care of the cleaning and polishing at the same time. It’s an example of what the Japanese refer to as chindogu, which translates to ‘unuseless items’. They’re objects that are useful in theory, but pretty much useless in practice. And they’re mostly more or less ridiculous. You can grab a baby mop for $40 at BetterThanPants.com, an online store dedicated to selling funny T-shirts (mainly). As soon as it went on the market two years ago, it sold at a gallop. Director of operations Mike Parker, told Time, “At first it was two or three a day, and we were like, oh wow, people are actually buying these. Then it just kind of took off. All of a sudden they were like crazy double digits. As far as anything that’s not T-shirt related, nothing has taken off like this.”
When BrewDog created its own craft brew for dogs back in 2018, it was one of those moments that really just had to happen. If you're going to give your brewery a canine-centric name, you're going to have to come good on it at some point. So, by whipping up an IPA solely for woofers, the Scottish beer brand did just that. Again, it was inevitable — BrewDog was started by a couple of friends and a dog, after all. That's not all that the company has in store for pupper-loving craft brew fans and their four-legged best friends, though. Now, during a period when every pet owner has been enjoying more quality time with their furry companions — and really needing the company, let's be honest — BrewDog is launching new Dogkeeper packages. In fact, it's doing more than that. It's also giving 50 of the Dogkeeper packages away for free, too. The brewery is calling the giveaway a 'scheme'; however, it's really just a chance to win one of the packs. You just need to upload a photo of you and your doggo to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag in #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your cute pooch has been oh-so helpful during this chaotic year. That last part shouldn't be difficult at all. On offer — and also available to buy via BrewDog's freshly minted Australian online store from Monday, August 31 — is the full selection of the company's Aussie-brewed beers. Each Dogkeeper package is $25 and includes the brand's Punk IPA, Hazy Jane New England IPA, Elvis Juice grapefruit-infused IPA and West Coast-style pale ale, which are all for humans, as well as the Subwoofer IPA that's especially for your canine. As Brisbanites all know — and beer aficionados across the rest of Australia have been envious about as well — BrewDog set up its first Aussie brewery in Brisbane in 2019. That's where it's making its brews locally and, via its new online store, will be sending them around the country. Delivery costs $15, no matter the size of your order or your location. BrewDog's Dogkeeper packs will be available to purchase for $25 via the Aussie online store from Monday, August 31. To go in the running to win one of 50 free packs, upload a photo of you and your dog to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your pooch has been especially helpful in 2020.
Bangarra Dance Theatre has been creating poignant theatrical performances since 1989, fusing together contemporary dance, music, poetry, art and design to spotlight First Nations culture and stories. The company's latest work is Horizon — a double bill of contemporary dance works that pay homage to the landscapes, skies and spirits that are considered significant by First Peoples across the Oceania region, from Australia to the Torres Strait Islands and Aotearoa. Sani Townson's Kulka opens the show, honouring his grandfather and highlighting his Torres Strait heritage. This is followed by collaborative work The Light Inside by Bangarra alum and Torres Strait choreographer Deborah Brown and Māori Arts Laureate Moss Te Ururangi Patterson. In partnership with Bangarra Dance Theatre, we spoke to Sani Townson — choreographer, Bangarra alum and presently Bangarra's Youth Programs Coordinator — about creating Kulka, what sparked his passion for dance, and why you need to see Horizon. On What You Love Most About Working with Bangarra Dance Theatre The sense of family. I've been on all sides of this company — I was a dancer and am three years back into the fold of Bangarra again, inspiring and nurturing a new generation of young talent in the Youth Programs team. Now I have this opportunity to create with the company. My heart is full. On the Power of Dance When I was younger, traditional dance was the first time I ever fell in love with movement — how song and dance marry together. But with the contemporary art form of dance, I loved how you can make amazing shapes with bodies; how you can manipulate the muscles on your body with the use of light; and how the human body can act as a paintbrush on a blank piece of canvas. On the Inspiration Behind 'Kulka' In my Grandfather's language of Kalaw Kawaw Ya, 'kulka' means 'blood'. This piece pays homage to my grandfather, Sania Guy Townson. This is merely my interpretation, in contemporary dance form, of a story he passed on to me about how my family got our totem and our clan. I've carried his name my whole life as he was an important man to my Saibai Island families. Carrying a name like his has definitely made me work extremely hard to get to where I am today. I have taken his name all over the globe and I will continue to do so where I can. He has seen me perform as a dancer with Bangarra and now his voice will be in the Drama Theatre in the Sydney Opera House. On Spotlighting Your Torres Strait Heritage Through Your Work All my works have always been in the mother tongues of both Kalaw Lagaw Ya and Kalaw Kawaw Ya. Every time I make a work, I really want to make sure that you, as the audience, will leave the theatre with a bit of the Torres Strait with you. On What Makes 'Horizon' So Special This is a cross-collaboration between the First Nations peoples of Australia and Aotearoa and the one thing we share, which is the night sky. My piece starts coming from the stars and ends looking up to the stars. Our cultures differ but share the night sky. In a world premiere, Horizon will run at the Sydney Opera House from Tuesday, June 11–Saturday, July 13, before touring Canberra from Thursday July 18–Saturday, July 20, Brisbane from Wednesday, August 7–Saturday, August 17, and Melbourne from Wednesday, August 28–Saturday, September 7. Book your tickets to Horizon today, and find out more, at the Bangarra Dance Theatre website.
Located on Crown Street, this record store sells everything from secondhand treasures to the latest 12-inch releases, but it's also a spot where you can go to hang out and talk music with people who live for it. The Record Store has been slinging wax since 2003 and has become a go-to for every muso in the eastern suburbs. So, if you're a lover of vinyl then it's worth popping in for a browse and chat, if for no other reason than to take The Record Store's own advice: you can't hug an mp3. [caption id="attachment_782965" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Images: Kitti Gould
The past 18 months really emphasised just how important our local cafes are. As many of us worked from home, the neighbourhood coffee shop and its familiar faces became focal points for our communities — after all, the majority of the IRL interactions we had over winter were with the baristas and waitstaff who show up every day to bring a little joy to the monotony. To that end, Concrete Playground teamed up with Milklab to shine a spotlight on a few beloved Sydney cafes that have been keeping our writers and editors fuelled with caffeine and wholesome community vibes. [caption id="attachment_835946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arvin Prem Kumar[/caption] ADA'S AFFAIR, DARLINGHURST WHAT IT IS: This charming cafe has all the hallmarks of a neighbourhood favourite — solid food options, excellent coffee, and friendly, warm service. Tucked away on an unassuming Darlinghurst corner behind St Vincent's Hospital, Ada's Affair might just be the neighbourhood's best-kept secret. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expertly brewed coffee by Sample always makes a cup here a cut above. It's an ideal foil for the tight menu of thoughtfully elevated brunch classics and fresh pastries. WHAT TO ORDER: Start your day right with a cup of the batch brew and a BAE, Ada's perfectly constructed brekkie burger featuring house-made bacon jam, spinach frittata, cheese and smoky tomato relish on a brioche bun. WEST JULIETT, MARRICKVILLE WHAT IT IS: A bucket-list inner west cafe, West Juliett has been delivering the goods for nearly a decade. Set in a large, light-flooded corner space with whitewashed brick walls, polished concrete floors and a decent amount of comfortable outdoor seating, this Llewellyn Street spot is a favourite for both two- and four-legged patrons. WHY WE LOVE IT: There's a big focus on keeping things homemade here, with everything from the pastries to the sodas made in-house. There's also a range of house-made preserves — and an excellent hazelnut dukkah — available to take home to help you level up your DIY breakfast game. WHAT TO ORDER: The picture-perfect Buckwheat Benny — featuring buckwheat pancakes, beetroot hummus, broccolini, spring peas, poached eggs and hollandaise — is as good as it looks. Save room for one of the enormous homemade cookies and pair it with a Milklab Oat cap for an unimpeachable treat. TWO DOORS DOWN, GLADESVILLE WHAT IT IS: This bright and airy cafe on Gladesville's main thoroughfare offers a relaxing getaway from busy Victoria Road. Grab a seat in the cosy courtyard to soak up the rays as you tuck into Middle Eastern-inspired brunch fare. WHY WE LOVE IT: Excellent service and a wide-ranging brunch menu make Two Doors Down one of the suburb's most popular spots. The coffee here, by Campos, is as consistent as you'll find, too, and is complemented by the full suite of Milklab milks. WHAT TO ORDER: Try the sambousek — a classic Lebanese snack of a fried pastry parcel bursting with aromatic minced meat, pine nuts and spices, and served with a fresh green salad and homemade hummus. For dessert, opt for a velvety hot chocolate with coconut milk — Two Doors Down owner Elie Youssef swears that it tastes like a liquid Bounty bar. SHOWBOX COFFEE, MANLY WHAT IT IS: Showbox is a Manly go-to for excellent coffee and baked goods in a warm setup on buzzy Whistler Street with a pared-back interior of exposed brick and pale wood. WHY WE LOVE IT: A constantly evolving food and coffee menu showcasing local producers and roasters means that you can have something different on just about every visit. There's also a solid selection of homemade cakes and pastries, with a rotating selection that became a must-try for north shore dwellers during lockdown. WHAT TO ORDER: While much of the menu changes regularly (recent dishes have included a hot dog with LP's chorizo, shaved garlic brussels sprouts, bourbon onion jam and dijon mustard, and potato rosti with a herbed yoghurt base, roasted radicchio, broccolini and dill), it's hard to go past the epic ham and cheese toastie. It's a two-handed affair with shaved doubled smoked ham, swiss, cheddar and garlic salt sandwiched in perfectly toasted sourdough and topped with lashings of parmesan. Add a Milklab flattie to the mix for a luxurious mid-morning combo. [caption id="attachment_835959" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arvin Prem Kumar[/caption] PLUNGE NO. 46, SUMMER HILL WHAT IT IS: Set in the heart of Summer Hill village, Plunge has been a go-to for Hillians on both sides of the train tracks for nearly 20 years. The space itself features minimalist decor and plenty of outside seating — including kerbside, for all your weekend people-watching needs. WHY WE LOVE IT: Coffee by Alchemy, a Mediterranean-accented menu and a friendly atmosphere make Plunge one of Summer Hill's most popular spots. If you can't snag a table, grab your order to go and find a spot in one of the many nearby parks just outside the village. WHAT TO ORDER: The Summer Cous Cous Porridge is a true delight. It's a colourful plate, topped with tropical fruit, pistachio and mascarpone. If you're after something more straightforward, there's a great range of wraps and toasties — the three cheese and truffled mushroom option makes for a truly luxurious cafe experience. MADAME & YVES, CLOVELLY WHAT IT IS: Yves Scherrer might just be one of the most credentialed pastry chefs working in Australia. The classically trained pâtissier began training at age 16 in his native France before working in venues around Europe, the US and Canada. He moved to Australia just over a decade ago, where he worked at restaurants including Est and Kisumé before opening his eponymous Clovelly venue. WHY WE LOVE IT: World-class pastries with views of one of Sydney's most picturesque beaches has seen Madame & Yves build a loyal following since opening in 2019. The cosy spot is bathed in white and features clever pastel accents, making it a perfect accompaniment to Clovelly's chilled beachside vibes. WHAT TO ORDER: Madame & Yves' homemade baked goods take temptation and inject it with high voltage. A classic croissant is always a good place to start but if you want to branch out there's a range of tricked up croissants, beautiful eclairs and a tight selection of homemade gelato to tempt you further. Whichever you choose, be sure to pair it with a bowl of coffee, French style. We challenged one of our writers to switch to oat milk for a week. Find out what they discovered here. Ask your barista for Milklab oat or head to the website for more information. Top image: West Juliett
