Category: CITIES

Where to eat in Sydney when you’re feeling fancy

Aria Sydney view

At Aria and North Bondi Fish, there’s a whirl of exciting activity as we prepare for the end of the year. North Bondi Fish (NBF) has reintroduced their much-loved takeaway menu, perfect for savouring as you enjoy the sun-soaked Bondi sands. You can indulge in a variety of delightful dishes, including the daily selection of sashimi with wasabi, pickled ginger & soy, and the NBF fish taco with cabbage, chipotle and green tomato. Not to overlook, classic fish and chips and the NBF fish burger. On top of this, NBF presents Seaside Cocktails of the World, an exquisite collection of refreshing cocktails that will transport your senses to sun-drenched shores around the globe. Every weekend, you can let loose to the tunes of Sydney’s finest DJs, as you enjoy spicy margaritas and fresh fish in the golden hour at NBF. Over at Aria, weekday lunches are a luxurious affair. Enjoy the most beautiful views of Sydney Harbour as you indulge in dishes such as sweet corn agnolotti with preserved truffle, potato & cured egg yolk, and blue eye cod paired with cauliflower, poblano & macadamia. Aria also offers a pre-theatre dining experience every evening until 6pm, curated for guests to indulge before a show at the neighbouring Sydney Opera House. The New Year’s Eve celebrations at Aria promise to be an unforgettable experience. With two sittings, an early evening dinner from 5pm and a main event from 7.30pm, the evening will offer stunning floor to ceiling window views of Sydney Harbour. So, whether you’re at… Read More

All about Miss Saigon in Melbourne – see it now

9. The Australian production of Miss Saigon Photo by Daniel Boud

Melbourne theatre-goers are in for an absolute treat as Cameron Mackintosh’s latest production of the award-winning musical, Miss Saigon, graces the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre for a fleeting 7-week stint. The return of this heart-wrenching tale comes after a resoundingly successful Sydney season, and a 16-year hiatus since Miss Saigon last enthralled Melbourne audiences on the very same stage. Boasting a resplendent full 24-piece orchestra and an exceptional cast of 42 representing the length and breadth of the Asia-Pacific, this is a revival that is bound to take your breath away. Leading the standout Australian ensemble with aplomb is the internationally acclaimed Seann Miley Moore, who brings an electrifying performance in the role of The Engineer. Fresh-faced talent Abigail Adriano and Nigel Huckle as Chris make a formidable pair and, together with a supporting cast that includes the likes of Kerrie Anne Greenland, Nick Afoa, and Kimberley Hodgson, infuse new life into this timeless classic. Miss Saigon is a tale of love, loss, and resilience in the backdrop of war, and is set to a captivating score by Boublil and Schönberg that includes classics such as ‘The Heat is On in Saigon’ and ‘The American Dream.’ Since its premiere, this epic production has garnered an impressive 70 major theatre awards and has been performed in 15 languages across 350 cities worldwide. The reception to this rendition has been nothing short of ecstatic, with The Daily Telegraph calling it “thrilling,” and The Daily Mail dubbing it “the greatest musical of all time.” Don’t miss out… Read More

What to see at London’s Sadler’s Wells: INK by Dimitris Papaioannou

Stage dance INK

Buckle up for an extraordinary visual journey as Greek director, choreographer, and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou makes a triumphant return to Sadler’s Wells Theatre. From Wednesday 28 February to Saturday 2 March 2024, be prepared to be mesmerised by the UK premiere of INK. Following the immense success of his sold-out and Olivier-nominated productions, The Great Tamer and Transverse Orientation, Papaioannou once again pushes the boundaries of hyper-visual dance theatre in this captivating new production. Papaioannou is renowned for his mastery in creating breathtaking visual spectacles, and INK is no exception. Set in an enigmatic water world, this spellbinding performance transforms a duet into a duel, driven by mythical primal forces. It’s a gripping battle between old and young, father and son, civilization and wasteland, stewardship and inheritance, and even eroticism and torture. Joining Papaioannou on stage is the talented dancer and collaborator Šuka Horn. With science fiction and horror as its filters, INK will immerse you in a world filled with hundreds of liters of water, a golden wheat field, and even an octopus. In 2018, Papaioannou became the first choreographer to create a new evening-length work for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch since the legendary Pina Bausch’s passing in 2009. He also gained international acclaim for conceiving and directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Rooted in painting and visual art, Papaioannou’s productions blur the lines between theatre, experimental choreography, and live performance. Expressing his excitement about INK’s UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells, Dimitris Papaioannou said, “I’m thrilled… Read More

Luna Park Sydney Unveils Dream Circus: A Mesmerizing Immersive Experience

Dream Circus

Prepare to be awestruck and captivated as Luna Park Sydney, the iconic amusement park, embarks on an ambitious transformation. The $15 million reimagination project kicks off with the unveiling of Sydney’s Immersive Big Top, home to the spectacular Dream Circus launching on December 22nd, 2023. This grand multi-generational spectacle is set to mesmerise over 50,000 people throughout the summer. Luna Park’s Dream Circus is not your ordinary circus experience. It is a world-first immersive attraction that will take guests on a narrative journey, introduce them to lovable characters, and immerse them in a sensory spectacle like never before. Created by a team of specialist creatives and technicians in Sydney, including the talented Artists in Motion, TDC, and Auditoria, this unique experience promises to leave visitors spellbound. The venue for this extraordinary adventure is Sydney’s Immersive Big Top, a state-of-the-art 3,000sqm multi-purpose entertainment space equipped with cutting-edge technology. With Barco projection technology, spatially mapped audio systems, hologram technology, motion-activated LED screens, and the latest in lighting technology, the Immersive Big Top offers a 360-degree visual and audio immersion across its vast surface area of more than 3,500sqm. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Luna Park’s Immersive Big Top will also serve as a state-of-the-art training facility for future technologists in Sydney. The advanced environment will provide a unique skill development opportunity, offering a vocational pathway into the rapidly growing immersive experience industry. “We are proud to create one of the most technically advanced environments in the country,” says John Hughes, CEO of Luna Park Sydney. “The… Read More

Melbourne’s best pubs and restaurants for Christmas Day dining

The Duke of Wellington Melbourne pub

As the Yuletide season approaches, bring out your festive spirit and join in the merriment at some of Melbourne’s finest pubs and restaurants. This Christmas Day, let these culinary destinations do the heavy lifting while you sit back, relax and indulge in a feast fit for a king. The Smith: A Family Affair The Smith, located at 213 High Street, Prahran, invites you to take part in their festive family-style lunch1. With two sittings at 11am and 2.30pm, this renowned establishment offers a tantalising three-course meal brimming with all the trimmings. Adults are priced at $145, and kids can join in the fun for just $45. College Lawn Hotel: A Classic Christmas At 36 Greville Street, Prahran, lies the College Lawn Hotel2. This Christmas Day, they’re serving a three-course sharing menu with a unique twist on Christmas classics. Catering to various dietary needs, they offer dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan menus. Seating times are set at 11am and 2.30pm, with adults priced at $130 and kids under 12 at $45. Sarah Sands Hotel: Festive Flavours The Sarah Sands Hotel at 29 Sydney Road, Brunswick, is ready to spice up your Christmas with their festive menu3. Their three-course meal features Christmas classics, with a vegetarian menu available. Sittings are available at 11am and 2.30pm, with adults priced at $130 and kids at $50. Station Hotel Footscray: Bubbles and Banquet Celebrate the festive season in style at the Station Hotel Footscray, located at 59 Napier Street4. Enjoy a three-course festive sharing menu filled with an array of Christmas… Read More

What to expect at LANDMARK by Lexus at Melbourne Cup Carnival

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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

Auburn Hotel unveils $4.3m extension showcases new era of dining

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In the heart of Hawthorn, the iconic Auburn Hotel has been an integral part of the community for 135 years, serving up good times and great memories. Today, the beloved venue reveals a new face to its regulars and newcomers alike with the grand reopening after a $4.3 million extension. The refurbishment sees an expanded beer garden with a dedicated kids play area and the introduction of a stunning atrium-style dining hub – ‘The Pavilion.’ The multi-million dollar expansion brings an exciting blend of the classic and the contemporary to the local community. With new indoor and outdoor spaces, the Auburn Hotel is all set to become the go-to spot for food, drinks, and unforgettable moments. Previously housing horse stables and a motorworks garage, the neighbouring site now hosts ‘The Pavilion’, a modern atrium-style dining and drinking area. The Pavilion effortlessly marries history and modernity, featuring a retractable roof, a captivating fireplace centrepiece and a state-of-the-art pizza oven. The extension also includes a deck that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor dining, adjoining a beer garden and a brand-new kids playground. With something for everyone, it’s the ultimate spot for year-round socialising. A refreshed menu, curated by Executive Chef Tony Moss, complements the new spaces. The menu features share dishes such as Burrata with sweet & sour tomato jam, Mushroom Arancini with truffle mayo and pecorino, and a range of mouth-watering Woodfire Pizzas. A full list of comforting pub classics like Lamb Pie and Roasted Pork Belly are also on offer, promising a treat for every… Read More

The Sydney dining subscription you need

Food sushi tray

Introducing an exciting new opportunity to elevate your dining experience, right in the heart of Newtown. Calle Rey, a leading name in plant-based cuisine, is proud to unveil their innovative membership program – ‘The Calle Rey Membership Experience’. Since its inception in 2020, the dynamic duo behind Calle Rey, Madi Cohen and JC Miranda, has been devoted to providing patrons with extraordinary culinary journeys. The launch of this membership program is yet another step towards enhancing those experiences, offering a plethora of exclusive privileges for just $50 per person, per month. Launch week is destined to be a gastronomic celebration unlike any other, with members invited to indulge in two premium dining experiences per month. One of these must be a weekday booking, leaving the other open to your preference of a weekday or weekend. The menu is a love song to plant-based cuisine, with members granted unrestricted access to Calle Rey’s expansive, mouth-watering selection, as well as exclusive member-only tasting plates at no additional cost. The only extra you’ll pay for are your beverages. Plus, for a once-off $50 fee, your friends and family can join you in this exclusive epicurean adventure. But the benefits don’t stop there. Members can enjoy priority bookings, flexible dining options, and access to member-only events, including preview taste tests of our new menus, sponsored events, and enthralling cooking and cocktail masterclasses. Madi Cohen, co-founder of Calle Rey, asserts, “The program is a unique initiative to balance our significant cost increases while providing an enhanced customer experience, offering unparalleled… Read More

Experience the Revolution of spirit maturation with Goodradigbee Distillers

Goodradigbee

In an exhilarating development, Goodradigbee Distillers opens the doors to its state-of-the-art Brookvale distillery bar, The Good Bar, and cellar door today. This innovative distillery takes a novel approach to spirit maturation, eschewing traditional oak barrels in favour of accelerated maturation cubes made from Australian hardwoods, creating a completely new spirits category. With a higher wood-to-liquid volume than spirits matured in oak barrels, the process results in a distinctively Australian spirit. The Australian hardwoods, handpicked by Goodradigbee Distillers, include Jarrah, Ironbark Yellow, Ironbark Red and Tasmania Blackwood. Sourced from the Alps and the high country, these woods are hardened and dense due to the extreme weather conditions, leading to an intense and transformative interaction with the spirits. The result is a range of hardwood malt spirits that are sweet, complex, and nothing short of revolutionary. Goodradigbee Distillers also offer wood-infused gins like Sweetwater Gin, native botanical gins like Freshwater Gin and the complex pink Blush Gin, along with Orchard Road Dry. Their Grey Gum Vodka, aged in Grey Ironbark and double distilled, further exemplifies the influence of hardwood on their spirits portfolio. The use of Indigenous ingredients sourced from Bush to Bowl, adds an authentic Australian touch The Goodradigbee Distillers bar (The Good Bar) is located at 41 Orchard Road, Brookvale is opening is open Wednesday – Sunday. Online purchases of the Goodradigbee Distillers range of spirits can be found at select Dan Murphy stores and independent retailers as well as the goodradigbee.com

Celebrate the National Gallery bicentenary this year

People gathered around front door of National Gallery Trafalgar Square

As the National Gallery prepares to celebrate its bicentenary, art enthusiasts across the UK are set to be treated to an extraordinary range of exhibitions, events, and interactive experiences. Titled “National Treasures,” the commemorative programme will see twelve of the National Gallery’s most cherished paintings journey to museums and galleries in each region of England, and each nation of the UK. The programme, generously supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation and other donors, promises to engage local communities in a celebration of art and heritage. Digital content will also be readily available on Bloomberg Connects, ensuring that these treasures can be appreciated by a global audience. From Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire” centring a major exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, to Monet’s “The Water Lily Pond” inspiring a contemporary commission at York Art Gallery, each masterpiece will serve as a catalyst for exploration and learning. The projects vary widely in theme and approach; the Leicester Museum and Gallery, for instance, will utilise Renoir’s “Umbrellas” to create a digital installation that will transport viewers to the bustling streets of 1880s Paris. The programme also seeks to engage young audiences, as evidenced by Brighton Museum and Art Gallery’s innovative project. Utilising Rembrandt’s “Self Portrait,” local 13–16-year-olds will be invited to contemplate their future selves, culminating in a compelling photography display. Meanwhile, the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham will showcase a contemporary response to Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Self Portrait as St Catherine of Alexandria,” demonstrating the ongoing influence of these historical works. In an exciting addition to the… Read More