Category: CITIES

Australian wines kill it at Decanter World Wine Awards

Decanter Awards wine 3

Everyone knows Aussie wines are good. But, now it’s official. At the Decanter World Wine Awards in London recently, amongst 930 entries, in between 17,000 wines from over 57 countries and judged by 280 of the world’s finest winies, the humble Australian drop took out quite the title. Only the top 50 were awarded the highly sought-after accolade of “Best in Show” of which Australian wines collected six of these placing them 3rd on the global leaderboard behind France and Spain. Australia was awarded a massive 16 Platinum medals, 52 Gold medals and 289 Silver medals with these stellar drops. Wines to watch out for The Kilikanoon Attunga 1865 Shiraz 2014from the Clare Valley, Dawson James Chardonnay 2015 from Derwent Valley in Tasmania, Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2017 from the Hunter Valley, Shingleback “The Gate” Shiraz 2017 from the McLaren Vale, McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007 from the Hunter Valley and Campbells Rare Merchant Prince NV Rutherglen Muscat were the winners of the esteemed Best in Show. Western Australia’s Margaret River was the top performing region, taking the most medals in Australia of which the Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay was awarded a Platinum medal, scoring an impressive 98 points. For more about the Decanter Awards, head over to their website.

Chinese Terracotta Warriors on display with Cai Guo-Qiang’s ‘The Transient Landscape’ at Melbourne’s NGV

Terracotta-Warriors-NGV-2

It was back in December that news the Chinese Terracotta Warriors were coming to Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria and now, the time’s come. Presented alongside of one of the most exciting Chinese contemporary artists of our time, Cai Guo-Qiang, the Terracotta Warriors are back at the NGV for the second time in history, for the enjoyment of art lovers who’re after a journey through history and a celebration of contemporary Chinese art. Cai Guo-Qiang’s exhibition, The Transient Landscape, is a presentation of all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions, including a monumental installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds. It’s quite epic to see. Exclusive to Melbourne and presenting nearly 170 works, the exhibition will offer a new perspective on Chinese culture, past and present and features 8 life-size Terracotta Warriors and monumental new works by Cai Guo-Qiang including, Murmuration (Landscape) 2019. See the exhibition at the NGV International from 24 May 2019 – 13 October 2019. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality | Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape from NGV on Vimeo.

National Gallery London presents Leonardo’s Legacy: Francesco Melzi and the Leonardeschi

National Gallery Leonardeschi 1

It’s been a hot minute since Leonardo da Vinci died (500 years), so the National Gallery London is doing something to commemorate him. They’re presenting a bunch of work from artists called the Leonardeschi, who’re basically disciples of the famed artist. On loan, the Gallery has secured the work Flora by Francesco Melzi from the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, which it’ll display close to The Virgin of the Rocks and The Burlington House Cartoon, both by Leonardo, that can be seen in Gallery 66 of the National Gallery. “We are excited to have loaned Flora by Francesco Melzi to the National Gallery and to see her as the central focus of this fascinating display which explores the work of Leonardo’s closest friends and disciples. This represents the first time that Flora has been seen outside of Russia since it was restored by Maria Shulepova, revealing details and rich colouring which had been lost for decades under layers of old varnish,” said professor Piotrovsky, director of the State Hermitage Museum. The painting is being displayed alongside ten other key works by the so-called ‘Leonardeschi’ from the National Gallery Collection in a free, month-long display in Room 12. This is the first time the painting has been seen in the UK and the first time it has been seen outside of Russia since its restoration. Its restoration was just what the work needed. Undertaken in Russia, it uncovered the picture’s true colours of ultramarine blue and hidden details like flowers growing from the walls of the dimly lit… Read More

Saturday Night Fever in Sydney: The season’s must-see disco fest

Saturday Night Fever

Take a step back in time to when extravagant sequined clothing was pretty standard on a Saturday night, the disco club scene was hot and dancing was high energy, sophisticated and positively sexual. Add some of the funkiest Bee Gees disco tracks to this scenario and what do you have? One the most entertaining stage shows to hit Sydney – Saturday Night Fever. Just to take it up a notch, let’s throw in an appearance from Australia’s original disco diva Marcia Hines. Saturday Night Fever has been running at the Lyric Theatre since April 2019 and has been wowing crowds with its sensational choreography since, but sadly the production is coming to an end, wrapping up on 2 June 2019. Based on the original 1977 movie starring John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever the stage show features all your favourite Bee Gee hits including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, You Should Be Dancing, More Than A Woman, How Deep Is Your Love, Tragedy, Jive Talkin’ and more. Plus, you’ll also get to seat dance to other great disco hits such as Boogie Shoes and If I Can’t Have You. The original movie and its enormous success back in the 70’s was credited with extending the life of disco, as the trend was initially on its way out. Fast forward to 2019 and here we are, revisiting those memories and celebrating one of the most popular music movements of the last 60 years. The incredibly talented cast of the Australian production of Saturday… Read More

Bottomless brunch in London: COYA Angel Court goes boozy

Coya London

As the sun comes out in London, so do (more of) its drinkers and what better way to do it than a bottomless brunch? COYA in Angel Court – one of five global locations – has ramped it up a bit for its base of loyal and new friends, putting on a bottomless brunch spread fit for Liz herself, every Saturday. It’s for people who’re after something a bit more special than your usual endless servings of house white and beer, turning out a three hour affair of bottomless pisco sours and other cocktails, champagne, vibrant Peruvian dishes, music and special performances. It kicks off each Saturday in the Pisco Bar & Lounge with unlimited pisco sours, espresso martinis, margaritas and bloody marys for drinks, while tacos, bao buns and anticuchos take over the food menu. But that’s not where it ends. Ceviche, beef tataki, kingfish tiradito with truffle oil and more will also be available to the tune of smooth DJ beats in an environment that’s oh, too trendy. Good to know: The first weekend of each month will be a special edition brunch, with surprise performances and a special offering. Each month will have a different theme to elevate the experience and surprise guests. Get the spirit package for £65 a go, or the champagne package for another £10. See more at the COYA Angel Court website or find them at 31-33 Throgmorton St, London EC2N 2AT.

Chelsea Flower Show doughnuts: Crosstown and Bluebird team up for good

Crosstown doughnuts

Crosstown, the doughnut people of London and Bluebird European restaurant of Chelsea are have created a special floral inspired doughnut afternoon tea for The Chelsea Flower Show. So if flowers, colour and deliciousness are your thing, then you’ve got two days to swoop in and try before the flower show finishes. Running until 25 May, the courtyard will be serving a three-tiered afternoon tea, piled with Crosstown doughnut bites, cakes, scones and sandwiches. The special creations for the show is a vegan orange blossom dough bite, accompanied by red velvet and rose petal cupcakes; caramel mocha choux buns; neroli blossom and strawberry macaroons and the flower pot of dark chocolate mousse with yuzu curd and chocolate soil will sit alongside warm homemade scones with jam and butter, and an assortment of sandwiches. For more, head to Bluebird Chelsea at 350 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UU???

New, rustic and comfy – Morty & Bob’s at Coal Drops Yard London is your new local

Morty Bobs

Morty & Bob’s was one of the early settlers of London’s new Coal Drop Yard open air entertainment and dining precinct just north of Kings Cross station and you’ll love what they’ve done with the place. They moved in, used the existing brickwork to their advantage and have made a properly cosy atmosphere within, regardless of its open ended format and in-line open kitchen. It all works nicely, soaks you in filtered natural light and slams you with a menu you can’t help but want to try the whole of. It’s comfort food, done stylishly without the frills in a venue that is as much set-up for a quick bite as it is to while away a few hours. Morty & Bob’s has quickly famed itself thanks to its penchant for toasted cheese sandwiches and wine; a combination of which they hero every so often for the carb and wine lover in all of us. Read more about their upcoming one in June here. They’ve split the menu into three parts, with brunch & lunch, evening and bar food and drinks, really catering to everyone with staples like a brunch bun of avocado and streaky bacon; kale, buckwheat and avocado on sourdough and minute rib eye steaks with house hash browns and a fried egg. See the menu and plan your next visit at the Morty & Bob’s website.

Karl Lagerfeld lives on: German Gymnasium pays tribute with new cocktail

German Gymnasium Karl Lagerfeld 1

The memory of German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld lives well and truly on, right in the heart of London. Just next door to the brand new development that is the Coal Drops Yard – where you’ll find the super comfy Morty & Bob’s – outside the gate of Kings Cross St. Pancras, the German Gymnasium is putting on a spread even the world’s most notoriously cynnical man of fashion would approve of. They’ve decked the place out in flowers, fashion and a likeness of the man with his signature sunglasses, too, all to celebrate the introduction of a new cocktail, The Karl, to the menu. The talented bar team have worked with Moët & Chandon to create a one-off Rosé Brockman’s gin, Lillet rosé and house strawberry liquor. The brightly coloured liquid takes inspiration from Lagerfeld’s far-reaching vibrant impact on the fashion industry. Check it out and make a booking at the German Gymnasium website.

Summer Safari in London: Mr Fogg’s Society Exploration

Mr Foggs

Africa is coming to Covent Garden in London as its own take on a boozy safari at Mr Fogg’s. It’s all about exotic Whitley Neill handcrafted gin and vodka cocktails, cricket powder brownies and spruiking a largely unforgettable summer. The venue will put on an immersive experience where adventurers and the curious will be invited to explore what lies below the streets of London.  It’s a full themed experience for guests, turning staff members into full safari guides and khakis with pith helmets, the decor into African desert plains, and the menus into a card of exotic finds and libations found abundantly on the great continent.  Completely – and charmingly – to theme, the team at Mr Fogg’s will be on hand to offer each and every explorer their liquid vaccinations, offering a welcome treat for guests taste buds, before serving up edible Victorian sun ointment, a coconut flavoured tropical, boozy mousse. Finishing it off with a Whitley Neill original handcrafted dry gin & tonic, featuring a quinine-rich tonic, of course, known to be a traditional mosquito deterrent.  Then of course, there’s the food food menu; a sensory journey for both the eyes and stomach, featuring insects and game meat. Guests to this underground Safari can sample dishes like biltong, and curried tempura grasshoppers & courgette with a sweet chilli sauce, as well as cricket and chili rice cakes and cricket powder brownies. Set to run until the start of September, the summer safari will offer a window into the wild world of Africa. For like-minded individuals who are keen to be… Read More

Mine: Mona’s new exhibition explores extraction

Mona Mine

Until 13 April next year, Mona will explore the concept of mining and its varying forms. Super topical with conversations around the Adani Mine in Queensland circulating and the constant mining of individuals’ data for commercial use, it’s a range of work that is sure to stir-up excitement for the Hobart gallery. From 8 June 2019, Simon Denny’s deep dig into the topic of extraction will star sculpture, a giant board game and augmented reality in a series of works that that draw inextricable links between resource and data mining. It’ll mark the largest exhibition by the New Zealand artist to date. Exploring themes of work and automation, the exhibition takes the Australian mining industry as a case study to interrogate the effects of technology on human labour. In Mine, Denny—whose previous work has examined cryptocurrency, capitalism and surveillance—connects mineral and resource mining with the more opaque world of data collection. Setting these extractive practices against a backdrop of colonisation, ethics and economics, Mine reflects on them in terms of both hope and anxiety about the environment, technology, and development. See more and make your next trip to mona a reality at the Mona website. Mine will open on 8 June 2019 and runs until 12 April 2020. The exhibition is curated by Jarrod Rawlins with Emma Pike from Mona.