Category: CITIES

Mount Gay Rum celebrates 300 years of production with exclusive release

Mount Gay rum 2

Once upon a time, rum was something you either drank with coke or tipped in to a punchbowl before a party, feeling like maybe you should be attending one of your parents’ swinging sixties shindigs rather than a get-together hosted in the 21st century. Much like gin, rum copped an unfair reputation for far too long: but now, thanks to Mount Gay, that’s all about to change. Mount Gay is produced in the Caribbean, on the island of Barbados, and boasts the title of the oldest continually-produced spirit in the world (yep, really – a legal deed from 1703 confirms it). Brewed with sugar cane molasses and pure, Caribbean water, it’s been a favourite of rum drinkers for some time now; but Mount Gay is about to make its way to the very top of the shelf with its recent 1703 Master Select edition. The 1703 Master Select is a blend of some of Mount Gay’s oldest, rarest, and finest rums: meaning the bottle you buy will contain a mixture of single- and double-distilled ten- to thirty-year old rums, each hand-chosen by Mount Gay Master Blender Allan Smith. With only 12,000 individually-numbered bottles released each year, these are some seriously limited edition blends: while there will be another edition made available next year, the selection of rums chosen will be different, so each bottle really is a once-off. If you’re looking for more of an entry-level bottle, don’t despair. The Mount Gay XO and the Mount Gay Black Barrel are equally delicious and equally drinkable,… Read More

What to look forward to this spring from Opera Australia in Melbourne

Opera Rigoletto

As we move into spring in Melbourne, Opera Australia really starts to fire-up, putting on some of the country’s most astonishing opera productions for everyone – free and not! If it’s not the classics like Turandot or The Magic Flute, then you know Opera Australia will put on any combination of other sensational productions to whet your appetite. These four must-see productions are sure to get you going. METAMORPHOSIS (Howard) Opera Australia offers a rare and exciting opportunity to experience a chamber opera in an intimate setting this October when it presents the Melbourne premiere of a new production of Australian composer Brian Howard’s Metamorphosis in an all new location; The Coopers Malthouse, Merlyn Theatre. This opera, directed by Tama Matheson, tells the tale of a broken man turned insect and how he and his family grapple with the riveting and terrifying transformation. Brian Howard’s score is percussive, inventive, courageous, and truly reflects a story of social alienation in a modern, inhumane world. The Coopers Malthouse Merlyn Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank 25, 26, 27 October 2018 | Tickets $79 LA BOHEME (Puccini) Known as one of the world’s all-time favourite operas, and the inspiration behind Moulin Rouge and the musical Rent, Puccini’s La Bohe?me continues to delight audiences. With its lush sets and costumes, soaring music and a world-class cast, this glittering production, set in the bohemian streets of 1930s Berlin is the perfect showcase for this heartbreaking love story. Returning to the Melbourne stage in November, this lavish production brings Puccini’s classic to life in a… Read More

There’s a Patron Tequila Day of the Dead pop-up party coming to Sydney and Melbourne

Day of the Dead 2

Straight from traditional celebrations in Oaxaca, Mexico City & San Miguel de Allende, the Mexican Day of the Dead is fast approaching and Patron Tequila is turning it on in Melbourne and Sydney. Patron Tequila are hosting the ultimate Day of the Dead pop-up set to bring an authentic Mexican party to the city, but with a twist all its own. From 28 October to 4 November, both the two cities will transform into the Aztec country with art exhibitions, live installations, music, entertainment, traditional foods and the uncompromising quality of Patron Tequila. The week of festivities has over 9 events in over 6 hotspots, so there’s something for everyone.  Imagine a magnitude of colour with skulls, magnificent blooms and monarch butterflies. Introducing a new reservoir of characters and creations, Tatler & Flamingo Lounge (Potts Point), The Junction (Bondi), BRKLYN (Manly), Bar Patron (Sydney CBD) , Glass Merchants (Melbourne) will transmute to breath-taking settings filled with carnival pageantry, altars and art installations, mariachi bands, Aztec traditional dancers and beautiful decorative art & costumes. Get your tickets from here.

If you love tennis in summer, Social Serve in Rose Bay is where you need to be

Social Servce tennis 1

It was last year that Social Serve last took over the Rose Bay Lyne Park Tennis Club for Social Serve and this year in 2018, they’re back again, turning the Harbourside tennis club into the must-be place for summer. On 20 October, the charity event is teaming up with Lacoste and Aperol to deliver food, cocktail and music alongside a serving of social tennis to support people with disabilities accessing sport. It’s a good cause. Imagine Italian aperitivo platters washed down with an Aperol Spritz  cocktails by Poor Tom’s. It all kicks off from 3.30pm before the afternoon doubles matches kick off at 4:30pm. If you’re the picnicking kind, bring a picnic blanket, some mates and settle in for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Winners are crowned in a special presentation but, ultimately, everyone is a winner at the end of the day. The Social Serve kicks-on at an exclusive after-party with details revealed on the day. Proceeds from Social Serve will be donated to The Primary Club: an Australian charity dedicated to providing those with disabilities access to sport.  Early bird tickets start from just $15, and the first ‘playing’ purchasers will receive a Lacoste hat. Book now.

Go to burger heaven with a trip down Milky Lane Bondi

Milky Lane Bondi burger

Cheat day? Love a burger? Know nothing about nutrition? Whatever your reason for a burger that looks like that ^ Milky Lane Bondi is the go-to you need. They’re the uber burger franchise expanding at an impressive rate since opening its first restaurant only three years ago and they’re now all over the place from Sydney to the Gold Coast and have plans to open four more locations to open by Christmas 2018. Bondi locals started it and it’s the mothership of the brand, serving-up quality burgs for some of the most discerning burger masters. In a restaurant complete with ultimate hip-hop vibes, Bondi locals fall over for it – sacrilegious hip-hop mural and all – and the seriously delicious stuff they produce. Peter Haselhurst, Christian Avant, Scott Findlay and Patrick Killalea realised their dream of supercharging the nostalgic milk bar to create a unique destination, where the perfect curation of food, music and art creates a sensory utopia for one and all and that’s kinda what they’ve done. With burgers like the BIG POPPA of wagyu beef patty, Texan rub smoked beef brisket, maple smoked bacon, mac and cheese patty, American cheddar, onions rings, pickles, BBQ sauce, mustard, Milky Lane special sauce and ML ketchup, and the CHIC-KANYE burger of crispy southern fried chicken, maple smoked bacon, American high melt cheese, Carolina slaw, lettuce, BBQ sauce, habanero aioli and pineapple relish; their menu is RnB inspired deliciousness done so well. Put on top of that, shockingly good desserts like a churros bowl or Nutella cheesecake, and you’re cooked. Check out the Milky Lane restaurants… Read More

Good Food Month Sydney chef Jason Neroni speaks about all things food

Sydney Good Food Month burger

Sydney Good Food Month is here and to celebrate, we had a chat with international food talent Jason Neroni from Rose Café in Venice Beach in LA who is doing the California Soul event with Monty Kulodrovic from Icebergs.  About food, style and Sydney, Jason Neroni has always been curious to come to Australia, and was just looking for an the right opportunity to work with chefs from Australia. He says he loves to travel and explore, and thinks that Sydney Good Food Month is an amazing opportunity and that’s the reason alone why he jumped on board. Couple that with his enthusiasm for Californian sensibility, Neroni says that LA is a melting pot of diversity and culture and it reflects on the food they have there. There’s a broad spectrum of techniques and influences that differs them from everyone else. And, Sydney being Sydney, it’s probably going down a treat. Neroni’s favourite thing about SoCal food is that it has the ability to have everything from sushi to tacos to ramen, and they are all really, really good, he says. What we can look forward to from Neroni this Good Food Month?  “There’s a couple of dishes on the menu I’ve created for Sydney Good Food Month – the oxtail croquettes, and the tartare (Tasmanian ocean trout with pickled mustard seeds, salami oil and chives) have been  signature dishes in my restaurant, and have received praises from a New York Times Food Critic,” he says. See more about the Sydney Good Food Month at their website.

Campari and the ivy Precinct team up to bring a taste of Italy to Sydney

Campari Red cocktail ivy 3

For years Campari has been relegated to a mere component of a Negroni. Campari Red Nights changes that. The legends behind the Italian aperitif have teamed up with one of Sydney’s iconic dining and entertainment precincts to showcase the versatility Campari has to offer. Kicking off with their official launch party last Friday the 21st September, the ivy precinct will continue to host Campari Red Nights for the next three Fridays. With the ivy precinct bathed in Camapri red for the night, guests are taken on an interactive journey through the cultural precinct, beginning with live street art on the cobblestone pavement of Angel place, continuing with dancers decked in the signature red serving as guides up through the complex, with the denouement taking place at ivy’s rooftop Pool Club. Expect to be regaled with street art, live performances, and Italian music. Naturally, Campari cocktails are in no short supply, with the classic Campari Soda ($10), fruity Pineapple Americano ($15), timeless Negroni ($15), and sweet Milano Sbagliato ($15) on offer throughout the night, along with canapes and dishes from the Pool Club’s aperitivo and pizza menus. Campari Red nights launched on the 21st of September, and will continue until the 12th October. Visit Merivale for more info.

Pyrmont’s resident chicken joint, Whirly Bird, celebrates first birthday with burlesque

Whirly Bird cabaret girls

With the dazzling array of eateries and nightlife available in Sydney’s CBD of late, it’s rare we find ourselves on the other side of Pyrmont Bridge. However, for Whirly Bird’s first birthday, we were happy to make an exception. Whilst Whirly Bird’s exterior is modest and unassuming, blending in with the rest of the street, the interior is anything but ordinary. The spacious, vintage décor adorned establishment toasted to their first birthday in style, treating guests to champagne and their signature chicken finger food. As we sipped on aperitifs, guests were treated to a sultry burlesque performance by Whirly Bird’s The Birdcage, with the showgirls performing fan favourites like the Feather Fan Dance and Champagne Glass Act. The atmosphere was relaxed yet buzzing, with regulars and newcomers alike keen to celebrate Whirly Bird’s success. Inner West band The Low Down Riders set the tone for the rest of the night, playing a range of originals and classics.  With an opulent dining room, ample bar space and dance floor to enjoy the music from, as well as lounges scattered throughout the moodily-lit expansive space perfect for an intimate conversation, Whirly Bird has something for everyone. Anthony Prior, owner of Whirly Bird (formerly part of The Keystone Group, which went into receivership in 2016), ensures chicken aficionados, vegetarians, and vegans alike are catered for. Whilst foul is definitely the focus of the menu, with classics like buttermilk fried chicken and buffalo wings in high demand, non-bird-based alternatives are also available, like the vegetarian eggplant schnitzel, vegan power… Read More

5 best places to celebrate Melbourne Cup in Sydney

Melbourne Cup bar

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

Pinot Palooza is coming back to Carriageworks Sydney, and yes, that means unlimited wine

Couple toasting with wine in cafe

Unlimited tastings and no tokens? That’s anyone’s kind of wine festival. Pinot Palooza is back in Sydney this weekend, at Carriageworks in Eveleigh – and in Melbourne too, if you’re there – taking the place, yet again, as Australia’s biggest pinot noir festival. When is Pinot Palooza, you ask? Why, this Sunday 7 October at Carriageworks, and they’re not holding back. In its seventh year and with a menu that’s sure to knock your tastebuds right out for the count, the event will be brought to life as a celebration of everyone’s favourite flavour pinot noir, and the best way to experience more than 100 styles from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Pinot Palooza is Australia’s fastest growing festival combining wine, food and music, which will feature the best pinot noirs produced in the southern hemisphere and beyond with pinot fans looking forward to tasting wines from the likes of 2017 People’s Choice Winner Moondarra, runners up Vinteloper, Mt Difficulty, Charteris, Chatto and many more. New to this year’s event will be Bar Vermouth, where attendees can taste some of Australia’s best Vermouths. With Sydney chefs from the likes of Epic Pizza, Spice Temple, and Agape having jumped on board, you’ll be kept well-fed as you practically over indulge on the good stuff alongside the tunes of stellar local DJ’s will be spinning tracks to keep everyone dancing the day away. Each ticket includes a take home Plumm red wine glass (valued at $35) and unlimited wine tastings. Tickets are now on sale. For those wanting… Read More