FOOD & DRINK

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Adelaide Hills wineries worth a visit

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Renowned for its cool climate, this picturesque locale offers an ideal terroir for producing some of the most exquisite wines known to connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

A unique fusion of whiskey and art in Sydney

12/04/2024

By James Banham

The ‘Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar’, is an initiative set to enchant Sydneysiders from 17th April to 8th May, 2024.

Ruben’s Deli does good food in Melbourne’s Armadale

12/04/2024

By James Banham

What really sets this Melbourne gem apart isn’t just its delectable sandwiches; it’s the incredible catering service spearheaded by owner Amanda Ruben, that’s capturing the hearts of food lovers across the city.

Sweet Greek Delights in Melbourne

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Sweet Greek is offering the same beloved seasonal dishes with a fresh new look that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Tag: melbourne cup

What to expect at LANDMARK by Lexus at Melbourne Cup Carnival

by James Banham

Posted: 01/11/2023

On November 7, 2023, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day promises more than just horse racing. As the centrepiece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, this event is set to offer an unparalleled lifestyle experience for attendees, with Lexus leading the way through its unique offering, LANDMARK by Lexus. LANDMARK by Lexus, a reimagined lifestyle experience, is set to captivate attendees with its showcase of sophistication, style, and refinement that Lexus is renowned for. This year, the focus is on “Close to the Source,” a concept that celebrates the inherent purity and appeal of natural materials and sustainable, organic produce. An Exquisite Collaboration Collaborating with Lexus for this grand event is Australian restaurateur, chef, and long-standing Friend of Lexus, Luke Mangan. Together, they present a culinary experience that not only delights the taste buds but also highlights the importance of locally and ethically sourced produce. Lexus Ambassador Melissa Leong will join Mangan in detailing the culinary journey, exploring the flavours and techniques behind the food offering. Inside the LANDMARK by Lexus The LANDMARK by Lexus pavilion is a haven of tranquillity and elegance. Attendees are invited to venture across the three levels of the pavilion, where they can enjoy the soothing sounds of the Koto, Japan’s national instrument. The pavilion also features bespoke florals, ceramics, mixology, food, and furniture, all carefully crafted by masters in their fields3. A Celebration of Artisans This year’s collaborators are artisans who bring the “Close to The Source” concept to life through innovative design and breakthrough culinary flair. John Pappas, Lexus Australia… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, CITIES, MELBOURNE

Tags: Landmark, Lexus Melbourne Cup, melbourne cup

4 sporting events you should go to in 2019

by THE F

Posted: 24/10/2018

If sport is your thing or you just enjoy a day out at something new, you are spoilt for choice in Australia as there are a whole host of major sporting events where the eyes of the world are on the country. Here is a list of four events which should be in your diary as possible events to visit in 2019. Australian Open The Australian Open is the opening Grand Slam of the year in tennis. Held annual in Melbourne, the world’s leading players all look to succeed at Melbourne Park in a tournament which is usually played in sweltering conditions. Roger Federer was victorious in the men’s final in 2018 when he beat Marin Cilic, while in the women’s final, Caroline Wozniacki got the better of Simona Halep. If you are lucky enough to get tickets to one of the showcase courts, you are likely to see the leading players in the draw, however, don’t be put off purchasing ground passes as in the early rounds of the Grand Slam there are still plenty of well-known faces on the outside courts so you should be able to see some top class tennis. Australian Grand Prix The start of the F1 season begins in Melbourne every season with the Australian Grand Prix in March. This event has been held at Albert Park since 1996 and often attracts a crowd of over 100,000 on race day. Motor racing isn’t for everyone, but if you do appreciate these magnificent cars and the skill it takes from… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: ashes, australian open, australian sports, grand prix melbourne, melbourne cup, sporting, what sports 2019

Where should your money go on the Melbourne Cup?

by THE F

Updated: 10/10/2018

Whether you’re a keen punter or not, the Melbourne Cup is a race that makes Australia stand still for a few minutes. In a way it shares a place in cultural significance with the Grand National in the UK or the Super Bowl in the US, in that it brings non-racing fans to the sport. Of course, many will be encouraged to have a punt, and the Melbourne Cup is known for providing some big value winners. For example, the 2015 winner, Prince of Penzance, ran home with 100/1 odds, showing that any horse can win this historic race. In light of that, here is a look at some of the most talked about horses on the lead up to the big event on 6th November, Flemington Park, Melbourne. Withhold: Currently battling Magic Circle and Cross Counter (see below) at the top of the betting markets, this excellent 5-year-old has been sparingly used over the last couple of seasons. In saying that, Withhold has come out on top in races of a similar distance and field as the Melbourne Cup. Odds of 14/1 (Ladbrokes) will surely tempt plenty of punters. Magic Circle: The horse seemingly taking in most of the early bets for Australia’s top horse race of the year, Magic Circle will surely take even more money now that fellow favourite, Torcedor, has been withdrawn. Odds fluctuate between 10/1 and 14/1, but there are a few questions still hanging over the Ian Williams trained horse. Listening to connections talk about the horse is key… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: betting guide melbourne cup, melbourne cup, what to bet on melbourne cup

5 best places to celebrate Melbourne Cup in Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 08/11/2018

This November 2018, the Melbourne Cup will take over the country again, meaning monies lost and won, suits bought and trashed and a good champagne soaking for all. It’s a good time, But, if you’re not heading south to Flemington in Melbourne this year for the Race That Stops A Nation, then perhaps these five venues around Sydney by the hospitality masters at Merivale might have what you need. MATTEO DOWNTOWN Celebrate Melbourne Cup at Sydney’s hottest new CBD venue, Matteo Downtown. In the restaurant, guests can indulge on a chef’s selection feasting menu designed to share and a glass of Perrier-Jouët on arrival for $140 per person. You can also experience the exciting Cup day madness in the open bar area, where they can enjoy a specially curated canape menu with a seasonal spritz on arrival for $85 per person. You won’t miss a moment of the action thanks to the screens plastered around the place coupled with DJs and entertainment throughout the day and into the night, sweepstakes, and prizes for best dressed. Bookings from 12pm, and can be made at the Matteo Downtown website. THE BOTANICA VAUCLUSE Settle in at the Botanica Vaucluse, a relaxed restaurant nestled amongst the leafy garden surrounds of citrus trees, strawberry and blueberry bushes. The farm to fork food philosophy celebrates the seasons with ethically and sustainably sourced produce. The a la carte four-course menu for $120 is complemented by a glass of sparkling on arrival. Bookings from 12pm, and can be made at The Botanica website. NOUR Nour… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: flemington, melbourne cup, melbourne cup sydney, racing season sydney, sydney races, the f melbourne cup, where to celebrate melbourne cup sydney

ARTS & CULTURE

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

The Resurrected Art of Silence: Shooshfest—Australia’s First Silent Film Festival In a bold leap for Australian cinema, the inaugural Shooshfest promises not only to showcase art in film but also to redefine what it means to tell a story without words. The brainchild of a trio of avid cinephiles, Rebecca Zemunik, Daniel New, and Maddison Costello, Shooshfest stakes its claim as Australia’s first-ever silent short film competition. Unlike traditional film festivals, this groundbreaking event invites creators from all walks of life—beyond just filmmakers— to weave cinematic magic without uttering a single word. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shoosh Fest (@shooshfest) The Silent Era Redefined Far from the silent film era of the past, where the medium was defined by technological limitations, Shooshfest asks participants to engage with silence as a narrative choice and a powerful tool for emotion. Through the absence of spoken words, this silent film festival beckons creators to rediscover the raw and visceral storytelling methods of the 1920s mavericks who defied the standards of their time. The festival’s vision is clear: to inspire and challenge modern filmmakers and non-filmmakers alike to innovate and connect on a deep, emotive level with audiences using the silent canvas. Innovation in the realm of storytelling is at the core of Shooshfest, with a clear goal to bridge past traditions with contemporary creativity. A Silent Revolution in Australia’s Film Scene Set in the heart of Sydney, Shooshfest aims to celebrate the very essence of cinematic storytelling. On the hallowed stage of the historic… Read More

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

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Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More