Category: CITIES

Where to get authentic Neapolitan pizza Melbourne

Pizza 400 Gradi

This year on 9 February, the country celebrates National Pizza Day. So if you need another reason (not likely) to smash a pizza, then get excited, because this one’s sanctioned by the motherland itself. Italy, if you didn’t figure that out. The award-winning Melbourne restaurant brand 400 Gradi is celebrating the day in full force, pumping out their Italy-approved pizzas for Melburnians. 400 Gradi was the first ever Australian pizza chain to sell traditional Neapolitan pizza, which needs to adhere to the guidelines of the True Neapolitan Pizza Association in order to be allowed to sell it. The brand was recently voted one of the best pizzas in the world in the 50 Top Pizza Award Night in Madrid, where Johnny di Francesco’s popular pizza was ranked 6th in the world. Guests visiting the restaurant on National Pizza Day will have the opportunity to try this traditional Italian pizza along with a range of other options with high-quality Italian ingredients.  So, get onto it and make a booking!

Opera Australia’s chorus is getting their own run

Men women colour chous

From 4 February to 10 March this year, Opera Australia’s chorus will take centre stage, hogging the limelight for the first time in – ever! It’s an exciting time for any chorister, new or established, as they take to the centre stage of the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre in a new work sensibly named Chorus! The Opera Australia Chorus are the nation’s only full-time opera chorus and one of the busiest and most celebrated in the world, often praised by international singers and conductors as one of the finest choruses they’ve had the opportunity to work with. In addition to the operas that form OA’s 2023 summer season, the Chorus will present this one-hour concert production exploring musical terrain spanning five languages and three centuries of music. Iconic choral pieces from popular operas such as Madama Butterfly, Il Trovatore and Rigoletto, as well as lesser-known gems, will delight both the opera aficionado and those new to the artform. Chorus! will guide audiences on a journey through time exploring humanity and conflict and a return to nature and celebration of unity. Raw sets, costumes and lighting designs all place the focus on the mesmerising force of these voices and reflect the underpinned theme of togetherness, which is the essence of the Chorus itself. For more info and tickets, head to the Opera Australia website

Opera For All: free in Melbourne this February

Opera Australia Melbourne

If you’re looking for something of the musical variety to kill an hour this February in central Melbourne, consider Opera Australia’s first Opera For All! They have announced a stellar line-up of four brilliant singers to perform in the free BMW Opera for All concert in Fed Square on Saturday 4 February between 4pm-5pm. Annual concerts take place in Munich, and the series has also been staged in Berlin, London, and Moscow and now Melbourne’s joined the list, living up the city’s European heritage, feel and reputation as culturally iconographic. Singing some of opera’s most famous arias, the cast will comprise soprano Sophie Salvesani, direct from her mainstage opera debut in the recent acclaimed production of Don Giovanni; Melbourne-born and three time Green Room Award-winning mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd; Korean tenor Simon Kim, known for his concert performances with Opera Australia and internationally; and acclaimed baritone Luke Gabbedy whose recent role debut in La Traviata received high praise. The free, summer afternoon, open-air concert will feature opera’s biggest hits from Verdi to Puccini for an hour of thrilling high notes and soaring harmonies; it is the perfect way to dip your toe into opera for the first time or revisit some of opera’s best. For a flavour of what it might be like, checkl out our previous coverage on Opera Australia’s outdoor spectacles they host annually. 4pm-5pm, 4 February 2023 Tickets are free with no registration required | Fed Square, Melbourne opera.org.au/events/bmw-opera-for-all

Where to go after Melbourne’s Pride Parade

Espy St Kilda sunset al fresco outdoor garden view

This Sunday 5 February, after the glitter settles the the hoarse voices of cheering begin to subside, there’s only one place you should be looking to: St Kilda’s The Espy. From one end of Fitzroy Street to the other, The Espy is set to shine like the beacon of LGBTIQA+ merriment, putting it on and turning it out for all the queer kids from Melbourne and abroad. Entry is free to all areas and guests will enjoy over-the-top themed decor, more music and entertainment than you can shake a glitter stick at and Rainbow Slushies that will be raising money for The Victoria Pride Centre. There will be a very special Espy staircase performance from Sunshine Disco Faith Choir. Roving performers will add to the Pride vibe and a who’s who of Melbourne’s queer dance community will play across three rooms including Jason Conti, Butch Le Butch, Gavin Campbell¸ Jake Judd, Hip Hop Hoe, Sugar Plump Fairy, Onyx, Juicy Fruit, Cushen and EMMYK & Tilly. Meanwhile HONCHO DISKO will be taking the reins in the Gershwin room and guests will enjoy entertainment featuring fierce drag performances and DJs from across the country and around the globe, including a stellar, special guest performance from disco legend DJ Severino – direct from The Eagle in London. What: Hotel Esplanade’s Post Parade Party When: Sunday 5th February, 2023, 12pm until late Where: ‘The Espy’ Hotel Esplanade, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, VIC, 3182 Who: Anyone wanting to celebrate Pride ‘23 Why: To continue the celebrations of Pride ‘23 once the March has come… Read More

Breakfast is back on the menu at Carlton’s favourite Italian deli, King & Godfree

Brunch hands egg brunch lunch food

Because there are never enough brunch and lunch places in Melbourne, King & Godfree has kjoined the fray. And it’s more than welcome! This Summer, the Carlton deli King and Godfree is expanding its eat-in offering to include breakfast and brunch on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am – 3pm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by King & Godfree (@kingandgodfree) They’ve put together a curated selection of breakfast staples and brunch essentials delivered with an Italian spin. You can choose from an assortment of savoury and sweet items, from poached eggs with Barkley grandmother ham, melted scamorza, fried sage, hollandaise and crumpets to buttermilk waffles with coffee mascarpone, maple syrup and berries. Also on the menu is a selection of cold and hot panini’s prepared daily such as mortadella, fior di latte, pistachio pesto and rocket or polpette, napoli and scamorza. It’s never too early to imbibe something a little stronger, and King and Godfree’s cocktail selection does not disappoint. Pair brunch with a forza garibaldi, nonnino sour or bellini, or for a soft morning start, there’s an array of freshly squeezed juices, homemade iced teas and sodas, and of course, Italian coffee brewed to perfection. Find King & Godfree in Carlton

Celebrate Chinese New Year’s ‘Year of the Rabbit’ in Sydney & Melbourne

Chinese food

The Year of the Rabbit ?? symbolises longevity, positivity, auspiciousness, wittiness, cautiousness, cleverness, deftness and self-protection. So, why not ring it in by eating like a Ming Dynasty king around Sydney? There are countless options on offer for Chinese nationals, friends and families and their friends and family from locally and abroad, which is great, because if Chinese New Year is about one thing: it’s about eating a lot, making a lot of noise (refer Chinese dragons!) and bringing in the new year with generosity, friendliness and good times. Here’s a round up of a few options around town to add to your diaries. Chinese New Year in Sydney Sokyo’s prosperity lobster The Star Sydney will illuminate itself with opulence and colourful activities to delight the senses during the Festival of Abundance, a two-week long Lunar New Year celebration of food and art, from Saturday January 21 st to Sunday February 5th. Ringing in the Year of the Rabbit, The Star Sydney’s signature restaurants will each offer dishes created from the finest ingredients that have cultural significance to the Lunar New Year, bringing diners good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead. Australia’s most expensive sashimi platter will be served up by Sokyo’s skilled chefs, sure to satisfy seafood lovers. The stunning $888 “Prosperity” lobster sashimi platter is packed with twelve kinds of fish and lobster, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Aria – Seven-course tasting menu Aria’s limited-edition tasting menu showcases prestige ingredients to match their unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour. The Lunar… Read More

Sydney’s Coogee Bay Hotel hosts Bottomless Seaside Session – the ultimate Sunday sesh

Hands of women around a table holding cocktails

Because no one wants the weekend to end, Coogee Bay Hotel’s new Seaside Sessions as of January is the ultimate excuse to indulge in sumptuous eats, bottomless drinks, and breathtaking beach views.  Every Sunday, the Balcony Bar transforms into a seaside paradise of live music, delicious 10-course share menu, and 90 minutes of unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Peroni, Mimosas, and more. Plus, with its prime location perched above the hotel’s famous garden, you’ll have the best seat in the house (if not all of Coogee) to soak up the sunny vibes.  It’s not a walk-in thing, though. With a predetermined menu and gastronomic experience in-wait for you, you’ll have to sign up to try the bite-sized treats; try the tender pork belly bites with refreshing pea tendrils, tart pickled apple, and rich brandy jus. For a taste of the sea, dig into the succulent blue swimmer crab with orecchiette and a kick of lemon and chilli. And for a hearty main, enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth Josper grilled beef brisket with velvety whipped sweet potato, refreshing minted zucchini, and a generous drizzle of bourbon jus. That’s just some of the offerings on this delectable menu.  When: Sundays Time: 11:30am – late Where: Balcony Bar Cost: $129pp Menu: See menuBookings: coogeebayhotel.com.au/whats-on/seaside-sessions

A new cinema experience in Sydney: Darling Quarter’s Free Warner Bros. 100 Open-Air Cinema

The

For movie lovers and date nighters, this is it. In one week, Darling Quarter’s buzzing dining precinct transforms into an open air cinema with free nightly screenings of Warner Bros’ favourite blockbuster films. The summer event kicks off year-long centennial celebrations for the iconic and beloved Warner Bros studio. It all kicks of this 12 January with The Matrix, followed by a weekend Harry Potter marathon and Lunar New Year screening of Crazy Rich Asians. And because laziness is key, you can Click & Collect dinner and snacks to enjoy on the free bean bags or picnic rugs. Or if that doesn’t fo it for you, recently-ish Darling Quarter revamped its food and drink options on offer in its redeveloped dining precinct, complete with 15 restaurants, eateries and al fresco dining overlooking Tumbalong Park. Guests can Click & Collect dinner and snacks to enjoy during the movie from the likes of Dopa, Doodee Noodle, Braza Churrascaria, Ichoume, Vesta Italian, Kürtosh and Gelatissimo, or make a restaurant reservation and dine before or after the show. FOr more of the line-up and where to go, head to The Warner Bros. 100 Open Air Cinema at Darling Quarter, located at the Darling Quarter North Village Green, 1-25 Harbour Street Sydney, 2000. To view the entire movie schedule visit darlingquarter.com Feature image: Carrie Ann-Moss and Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. Photograph: Warner Bros/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar

Reuben Kaye to host Opera Up Late this Sydney World Pride

Reuben Kaye Sydney Opera House Joan Sutherland Theatre 1

Opera Up Late is back this February! A bespoke arts event from Opera Australia, in association with Sydney WorldPride, on 18 and 23 February, it’ll shine a light on all things artistic and musical in a camp explosion of humour and art, totally befitting the Sydney World Pride events of 2023. And this year, Australian queen of camp comedy, Reuben Kaye will host, bringing his brutally funny and multi-award winning comedy to the stage. Reuben Kaye is an Australian comedian, singer and writer, who has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in comedy and cabaret both locally and internationally, while also accruing a massive following on Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram. What is Opera Up Late about? Opera Up Late shines a light on the extraordinary talent that the queer community brings to the national company, Opera Australia and the iconic Sydney Opera House as Sydney WorldPride takes over the city in 2023. In a rare late night peek beneath the city’s famous sails these performances begin at 11:00pm and feature artists from Opera Australia, including Australian tenors Tomas Dalton and Benjamin Rasheed, mezzo-soprano Angela Hogan, soprano Cathy-Di Zhang and musical theatre’s rising star Annie Aitken, with music direction by Opera Australia’s Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon. There’s more at the Opera Up Late website

Eleven Madison Park NYC will come to Sydney this month

Man suit cocktail bar Glenfiddich drink

New York’s hottest restaurant comes to Sydney for a one-night-only pop-up with Glenfiddich whiskey. And the result is one worthy of a ticket! Hosted at Sydney’s Maybe Sammy, No. 29 Best World’s Bar 2022, the collaboration between New York City’s Eleven Madison Park and Glenfiddich will bring together the three powerhouse brands to produce some seriously staggering morsels. The Glenfiddich x Eleven Madison Park pop-up at Maybe Sammy will treat attendees with never-before-tasted whisky cocktails with a bespoke menu that takes inspiration from Eleven Madison Park’s vegan cuisine and utilising innovative plant-based methods and ingredients – continuing to push the boundaries of whisky in Glenfiddich’s true maverick spirit.   Feel free to stop by.