Category: CITIES

Take your dog to brunch: Good Times Milk Bar is the dog friendly cafe you need

Posted: 22/05/2019

Down a quiet street in Bentleigh in Melbourne’s southeast sits a corner cafe like few others. Good Times Milkbar is tutti-frutti in colour scheme, positively massive inside, pumps out some of the coolest staple and trendy menu items we’ve seen from any cafe in a while and – and this is the best part – it comes complete with its own dog-friendly courtyard! ? For Easter, they’re indulgent, for dogs they’re welcoming and for the regular weekday humdrum, they’re easy, convenient and welcoming. The menu at Good Times is always changing, but think staple bits like avocado toast, of course, dippy eggs – good for kids of adults – chilli eggs served kind of like a burrito with a tortilla and a pastrami benedict, for those who’re more bougie than bacon. While they do cater for kids with a cute separate menu made up of pancakes, milkshakes and cheesymite soldiers, they don’t have a dog menu. Just give them your leftovers and they’re happy, anyway! Find Good Times Milkbar at 83 Tucker Road, Bentleigh VIC.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: food blog, Good Times, good times milk bar bentleigh, Good Times Milk Bar review, melbourne food blog, THE F Good Times Milk Bar

The Sydney initiative giving back to the bees

by Lottie Dalziel

Posted: 21/05/2019

“There is now alarming evidence of a serious decline in birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The research is conclusive but we all recognise we are not seeing the diverse nature we experienced as children.” “This has implications for our food supply, for life. And we should not just be thinking of ourselves – the human animals – but the other species we share the earth with. But, importantly, we can help.” We spoke with Judy, about the new BandB Highway initiative which will help birds, bees and butterflies threatened by urbanisation across Sydney. The research also shows that cities can become biodiversity hot spots and if we encourage the right plants, we can encourage pollinators and assist in helping to make our urban environments sanctuaries for people and pollinators. The Sydney B&B Highway is one of the first pollinator highways in Australia. Judy and her team have planned, planted and started pollinating in four different LGAs in Sydney. Which “translates to more bees, birds and butterflies!” With FoodFaith planning on expanding and growing the number of BnB’s around Sydney and the rest of the country. to roll out more so it would be wonderful to generate more traction. So how can individuals get involved and help save these precious creatures? Judy shared her tips with Banish. Judy Friedlander is an academic, journalist and the founder of FoodFaith: Planting Seeds. To find more about the BnB Highway, head to the Green Future speaker series. Join Judy Friedlander from UTS to learn practical ways to combat climatechange in your own… Read More

Category: ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Bees, Honey bees Sydney, Rooftop honey, Sydney bees, THE F bees, THE F sustainability, THE F Sydney bees, THE F Sydney rooftop honey, The Sydney initiative giving back to the bees

The UK’s first cancer cookery school Life Kitchen at The Lodge will open next month

by James Banham

Posted: 21/05/2019

Ryan Riley set up Life Kitchen to offer free cooking classes for people living with cancer. On 4 June, Life Kitchen at The Lodge will become an official thing. It’s all thanks to the lasting memory of Riley’s mother Krista, who passed away from small cell lung cancer in 2014. The school’s about free cooking classes for people living with cancer across the UK, based in the north east. Through teaching and learning accessible and creative recipes, Life Kitchen is purposed to help people living with cancer by bringing back the flavours and joy of cooking and eating through accessible and creative recipes. In just under a year, Life Kitchen has evolved from a passion project to a highly regarded charity initiative, with a string of celebrity chefs championing the cause. Even Nigella Lawson will be at the opening! To see more, head to their Instagram. Find Life Kitchen at Mowbray Park Sunderland, United Kingdom.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Kitchen for cancer, Life Kitchen, London Life Kitchen, Nigella Lawson cancer kitchen life, THE F cancer kitchen. Cancer kitchen, THE F Life Kitchen

The Glebe Hotel has been redone – and it’s damn nice

by James Banham

Posted: 20/05/2019

Unassuming and pokey from the outside; warm, cosy and inviting on the inside: The Glebe Hotel in Sydney has an atmosphere all its own that has locals going nuts for it once again. And it’s easy to see why. Over the last seven months, the hotel has undergone a massive reno, turning it from the regular local it used to be into something worth a dedicated trip for. Since 1862, the Glebe Hotel has had many names and been many things to many locals and visitors, having served labourers from the surrounding wharves in its earlier days and more contemporary fine foodie hunters lately. It’s still a family owned establishment that has maintained its traditional features, full of quirk, character and charm. A clever re-design breathes new life into the venue whilst remaining reminiscent of its ancestral past. The bulk of its main dining room is reformed stables for example, which includes a mezzanine loft (originally the hotel stables). It’s a beautiful, light and airy dining space with exposed brickwork, wooden tables and bar that have been lovingly revived with the addition of a bespoke jacaranda mural by Sydney artist, Indigo Jo. Adjacent to the restaurant is a leafy and sunny courtyard featuring a majestic centenary fig tree, wooden bunketts and high tables, where dogs are also welcome. But it’s the food that sets the pub apart from regular ones. Its menu’s been created by head chef Ben Allcock and focuses on gastro-pub fare with sophisticated dishes and comforting favourites using fresh seasonal produce. Think… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Best Sydney pubs, Glebe Hotel, Glebe Hotel Sydney, Glebe Hotel Sydney menu, sydney pubs, THE F Glebe Hotel, THE F Sydney pubs

Dinners for VIVID Sydney: Experience dining in the dark at 12 Micron Barangaroo

by James Banham

Updated: 22/05/2019

VIVID Sydney, the festival of light is back on again in 2019 and joining the long list of venues around town that’re celebrating is 12 Micron in Barangaroo. Perrier Jouet champagne are heading in to the swanky 12 Micron to deliver an immersive and multi-sensory art and culinary experience throughout VIVID festival. The restaurant’s private dining room and bar will be transformed from 24 May to 15 June into a light exhibition and play host to a dining in the dark series to artfully combine gastronomy, music, art and light. It’s all been inspired by the ‘Art of the Wild’ campaign by Perrier Jouet, which re-imagines nature in a vibrant, magnetic and spectacularly vivid way. The menu has been designed by 12-Micron’s Executive Chef Daniel Corbett will use darkness to heighten diner’s senses of taste, smell and sound to play with the flavours of the food and Champagne to deliver an incredibly unique dining experience. Get the experience from 7.30pm every Thursday – Sunday night during VIVID. See more at the 12 Micron website.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: restaurant guide sydney, Restaurants Vivid, THE F 12 Micron, THE F Vivid Sydney, Vivid food Sydney, vivid sydney, Whats Barangaroo, where to eat sydney

Get porked: Pork-A-Palooza at The Morrison is on in Sydney

by James Banham

Posted: 20/05/2019

Until 23 May, The Morrison in Sydney, right on George Street is your swine-tastic destination for all things pork. And it’s damn good. Joining the long list of food themed events and offering The Morrison puts on every year, Pork-A-Palooza will offer its guests a range of porky delights for even the most averted pork eaters. The menu includes whole suckling pigs – yes, that’s right – and pork hotdogs for as low as $1 each on Tuesdays. A top way to begin any week, Pork-A-Palooza is an obvious homage to the hog, with a menu cooked-up by chef Sean Connolly who dubs the humbel swine “his penicillin”. On top of dogs and whole piggies, also on offer are top noshes like chilled pigs head terrine, oysters Kilpatrick with bacon and crispy pork belly with squid as well as optional sides and salads and such. Not to mention, drinks on offer have all been designed by in-house mixologists and designed a menu of Swiney Swigs – sips with a piggy twist including the Don Melon Ham cocktail made with prosciutto infused Bulleit bourbon and the Orchard Spritz, a fruity concoction of Chambord, blueberry jam, lemon and James Squire Orchard Crush. All drinks will go down well with a handful of pork scratching popcorn, free at the bar with any special drinks purchased. The Morrison will be bringing the pork-loving vibe to Sydney from 23 April to 23 May with Pork-A-Palooza. Pre orders for suckling pigs open from 1 April and the full schedule of swine events is listed on the website.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: morrison sydney, Pork A Palooza, Pork Morrison Sydney, sydney food, sydney food blog, The Morrison, The Morrison George Street

Daphne’s of Chelsea celebrates turning 55 in great style

by James Banham

Posted: 19/05/2019

Fifty-five years ago, Daphne Rye, a prolific theatre agent in London, started up Daphne’s in Chelsea. It’s the place locals and visitors go for assured quality Italian fare, right in the heart of London in a style all its own. This year, Daphne’s celebrates its anniversary and they’re doing it in a number of must-see ways. Daphne’s is made up of three spaces, the restaurant, bar and conservatory, all of which will play their part in helping the institution make the most of its special time of year. The drink Daphnes’ bar team has designed the aptly titled, 55 Years Young, a new cocktail which can be ordered alongside the restaurant’s unique birthday dessert, Young at Heart, seasonal fruit encased in a chocolate box. Chelsea Flower Show In a unique take on how to celebrate the city’s renowned Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s has teamed up with Wedgwood, the fine bone china folks. Wedgwood was started in 1964 and so celebrating its own anniversary this year, too. Makes sense for the two brands to join forces – floral influence included – and so have done so by creating a special dessert and outside installation collaboration. Wedgwood’s Iconic Wild Strawberry design will serve as the inspiration for the dessert; a wild strawberry inspired dessert, available throughout the week from Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May that will be served on the wild strawberry design plate. Iconic. Floral installation Considering the Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s will cover the restaurant’s Draycott Avenue facade with a quintessentially British floral… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Mexican in London: Bottomless brunch at Santo Remedio

Mexican food and margaritas at Santo Remedio

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

If Mexican if your thing, and endless drinks do the job, too, then Santo Remedio has you covered. For Cinco de Mayo – and just ‘cos – Santo Remedio is the Mexican cantina in London that is joining the fold of bottomless brunch offerings in central London to spice up any weekend. Since 4 May, the folks behind Santo Remedio, Edson and Natalie have worked on mid-morning classics as well as their most popular dishes, inspired by recipes found in Mexico City, Yucatan, Oaxaca and beyond. Unlimited margaritas, bubbles or beer along with three courses and extra tasters, what’s on at Santo Remedio is all about a flavour-packed journey of tacos, slow-cooked meats, and veggie dishes. Think starters of guacamole and tortilla chips, baby potato flautas (fried corn tortillas stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes), pork carnitas tacos made with Herefordshire pork, or the prawn Aguachile Rojo. Then for mains, you’re looking at the likes of chilaquiles verdes o rojos with fried eggs, a traditional Mexican dish of fried tortillas bathed in salsa until tender; hibiscus flower enchiladas, a quirky take on the regular enchiladas, replacing meat with the fragrant flower; and chicken enchiladas suizas, a bold and zesty spin on this treasured dish with tomatillo salsa and chihuahua cheese. There are other options for meatier eaters, too! Find out more about the £45 bottomless brunch at Santo Remedio and make your own booking at their website.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, MEXICAN FOOD

Tags: Bottomless brunch London, Mexican food London, Santo Remedio, Santo Remedio Mexican food London

Grilled cheese and wine pairing: A first for London by Morty and Bob’s

Toasted sandwich at Morty Bobs Coal Drops Yard

by James Banham

Updated: 19/05/2019

Coal Drops Yard in London has some new friends. Their names are Morty and Bob and they’re doing something few have tried before: pairing grilled cheese and wine. The result? Why hasn’t anyone done this before? They’re the hot sandwich bosses and have introduced a brand new concept by way of an informal monthly event that will take place at the restaurant, located in King’s Cross’ new cultural hub. Four wines will be paired with four of Morty and Bob’s favourite toasted sangers like: Straight Up’ M&B Classic (sourdough, Gruyère cheese sauce, M&Bs special Neals Yard Dairy Cheddar Blend, spring onion and red onion); The others are based on the classic with added delicious fillings Mushroom includes all the cheesiness plus roast wild mushrooms, wild garlic pesto & truffle with Berkswell Cheese shavings on top The Brocc also has the M&B classic cheese fillings but its grilled in focaccia with braised purple sprouting broccoli, romesco sauce and toasted almonds The Lamb is pitta pockets full of NYD cheese mix, spiced Lamb, fresh mint and crumbled feta. Just in case you hadn’t had enough cheese, dessert includes British Burrata, hazelnuts and honey. Think of it as a wine tasting, just with comfort food, carbs and a whole lot of ease. Find Morty and Bob’s at 9 Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Coal Drops Yard, Coal Drops Yard London, Morty Bobs, Morty Bobs Coal Drop Yard, Toasted sandwiches London, Wine tasting London

Strazzanti London: Hackney Coffee Company & Campari UK launching The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Strazzanti Italian restaurant in London have joined up this Saturday 18 May with their friends Hackney Coffee House for their latest Sicilian dining experience, focusing on good food, great drinks and even greater times as the sun begins to show itself more and more. Appropriately called The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo, it’s a staring point for the summertime session with more dates to come, but it’ll be a celebration of all the things we love about our longer London days and the Italian influence of venues like Hackney Coffee Company. There’s a special menu that’ll be served too, curated by chef Emilia Strazzanti, that’ll draw upon her Sicilian heritage with a number of regional dishes just like her Grandparents would make. Emilia will be using locally sourced artisanal East London and Sicilian produce to produce three iconic food and drink stations. The food stations are: Stuzzichini Station featuring featuring crispy deep-fried Primo Sale cheese with honey & Sicilian oregano; beef and caper croquettes with salsa verde; bruschetta with tomatoes and Strazzanti Pesto Trapense; and pane cunzato with broccolli, garlic, chilli and anchovies. Enoteca Wine and Pasta Station Featuring aubergine timballo Siciliano, and fresh Pasta e Basta pasta with wild fennel Sicilian sausage ragu, while the Negroni and dessert station will offer a trio of cakes: Sicilian pistachio, almond, and hazelnut. Sicilian red and white wine Aperol Spritz & Negroni Station Available all evening. With an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or glass of wine in hand and plenty of food being served to stimulate the appetite, it’ll be a session worth experiencing. Tickets cost £45 per person and includes all food, 1 x… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best food London, Best Italian restaurants London, London food, London Italian restaurants, Strazzanti Italian London, Strazzanti London: Hackney Coffee Company & Campari UK launching The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

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Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More