Category: CITIES

Q Dining dishes out top notch seasonal fare atop Sydney’s Circular Quay

Q Dining Sydney

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Hotel restaurants are having a moment. No longer relegated to being a last resort for hotel guests, they’ve become dining institutions in their own right, for guests and locals alike. Such is the case with Q Dining. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand, Q Dining occupies a prime spot on Circular Quay, with floor to ceiling windows showcasing its enviable harbour view. Q Dining offers a regularly changing menu, showcasing Australia’s best seasonal produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. The a la carte menu features tried and tested staples with a distinctly Australian twist; pork sourced from Byron Bay is accented with saltbush, whilst poached cod is seasoned with coastal herbs. Sides consist of classic staples like butter bean salad, mash, baked cauliflower, and shoestring fries. Vegetarians are also catered for here, with a sublime lemon thyme risotto with strong notes of parmesan, or spicy linguine with roasted red pepper and herbs among the dishes that can be served meatless. Dessert isn’t an afterthought at Q Dining, with innovative dishes like a white chocolate yogurt crémeux served with mandarin sorbet and pistachio, or a classic yet well executed buttermilk panna cotta providing a sweet end to a delicious meal. The beverage list is thorough, featuring wines from around the world, as well as a concise cocktail list. Its clean, modern aesthetic also cements Q Dining as a fine dining one to watch. Featuring high ceilings, metallic pendant lights, and a subtle blue and wood colour scheme which blends perfectly with the harbour view outside,… Read More

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

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2 things to see in Covent Garden this Christmas

Covent Garden

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Christmas is on and so are the lights. Where’s best to see them? Covent Garden in London, of course. Don’t miss the Biscuiteers Installation. Weighing in at 10kg and spanning over 4ft wide, the intricate creation has been decorated entirely by hand and took the British baking masterminds over 100 hours to construct and ice. Providing the ultimate festive picture moment in Covent Garden’s Market Building, passers by also have the chance to purchase bespoke tins filled with 10 designs of Covent Garden hand-iced biscuits and build-your-own gingerbread houses. Tiffany ice-skating rink. The brand just sold for $16.2 billion, so you know they can afford something nice. Tiffany & Co. will unveil a one-of-a-kind scented interactive winter wonderland experience, filled with sparkling snow, a festive ice-skating rink and fragrance pop-up shop, amid the backdrop of iconic Tiffany Blue boxes. Bringing the magic of the season to life, the enchanting Tiffany & Co. winter wonderland will be located in the East Piazza from 28th November to 26th December. Centered around the joy of gifting, the installation features multi-sensory experiences, including experiencing Tiffany & Co.’s Signature Eau de Parfum as it is diffused into the air during key intervals each day, along with glistening snow falling from the sky and magically dissolving as it touches the ground.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Melbourne: Ketel One Vodka takes over the city’s Arbory Afloat riverside bar

Arbory Afloat 2

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Posted: 25/11/2019

Vodka is versatile. And so is the range of things to do in Melbourne in the summer. Combine the two and you get Ketel One Botanical; a new vodka range by the brand that combines the throat-burning deliciousness of vodka with the fragrant and floral notes of, well… Flowers. Arbory Afloat, Melbourne’s latest summertime destination, is all about summer in the city and vodka, so they’ve combined the two in honour of the new batch, creating a lush oasis on the venues’ upper deck to celebrate the launch of the new spirit. Arbory Afloat is serving each of the three new Ketel One Botanical varietals in a simple yet elegant, smooth-sipping spritz. You can enjoy these: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint spritz; Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose spritz; Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom spritz; To accompany the take-over, Arbory Afloat has created a range of merchandise; T-shirts, hats and towels inspired by the botanicals from Ketel One Botanical. Find it all at Arbory Afloat, opening hours: daily 11am – 1am, from now until 23 February 2020.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Watch the X Factor’s best productions in London for free

X factor

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Updated: 25/11/2019

Boxpark in London’s Wembley is about to come alive with The X Factor’s celebrity special event taking over the space on 30 November. Thanks to Just Eat, the food delivery folks, the ultimate X Factor viewing experience will be narrowcast on a 16-foot screen while familiar X Factor faces will take part in a Q&A session and stun guests with an exclusive live performance. Not to mention karaoke for the singers, meet-n-greets with the stars for the selfie-takers and all the food for the foodies, courtesy of vendors like Mama Jacq’s and Koolcha who both appeared at Just Eat’s flagship summer event, Food Fest. Sign up to head along at Eventbrite.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Best things to do in Sydney this summer: Free live music, laneway surprises, late night bites

Sydney ivy pool club

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Updated: 24/11/2019

In a city gripped by bureaucracy and laws that stifle fun, it doesn’t mean you can’t get out amongst it in Sydney this summer. There are a lot of things on around the city this summer, courtesy of the hospitality folks at Merivale, to keep you occupied as the city heats-up. This is what’s on… Free live music Live music is the beating heart of all world-class cities and needs to be the driving force of Sydney’s reinvigorated future. Working closely with The Music and Booze Co, Merivale has curated a free programme of incredible and unexpected music experiences in the CBD. This week will see The Preatures and Thandi Phoenix take over Palings, Kira Piru play a pumping poolside set at Pool Club and Brendan Maclean perform by a grand piano at Establishment. Disco Espresso – The city’s tiniest disco Every Thursday and Friday afternoon, Will & Co on George Street will be transformed into Disco Espresso, Sydney’s tiniest disco party. Larger than life disco duo, The Dollar Bin Darlings, will be spinning tunes under the mirror balls from 5pm, with wine, beer and cocktails served on tap. Late night bites From tonight until the end of summer, Merivale is offering 50% off all bar food in all CBD bars – 11-12pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Guests will be able to enjoy half-price late-night bites at Palings, Establishment Main Bar, Slip Inn, Pool Club, Palmer & Co,.Bar Topa, Little Felix, Charlie Parker’s and the soon to open Bar Totti’s and Jimmy’s Falafel. Poof Doof Sydney… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

The Australian Ballet does dessert: Aria Sydney celebrates the Sylvia production

Aria dessert

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Posted: 22/11/2019

It was back in June that Aria Sydney celebrated a production at the Sydney Opera House. Read about that here. And now, the restaurant’s doing it again but this time, in celebration of Sylvia by the Australian Ballet. The production by The Australian Ballet will be on at the Sydney Opera House from 8 – 23 November and much like the production: a writhing tale of passion and humour entangled with love and sword fighting, the dessert tells a similar tale. Designed by Executive Chef, Joel Bickford, this exclusive pre and post theatre dessert is a delicate mix of natural elements and bold flavours that pairs sweet juicy strawberries with crisp shiso and bursting black grapes.  The new dessert is obviously a limited run, and can be enjoyed as part of Aria’s pre and post theatre menu until the show concludes on Saturday 23 November.  

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

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Why you need to go to Elephant Bar and Dining at Paddington’s Royal Hotel

Elephant Bar food

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Posted: 18/11/2019

Nestled in the heart of Paddington, the Royal Hotel underwent a transformation last month, with all four levels now providing a unique offering. The local closed for a mere four days, from September 8th to 11th, reopening on the 12th with new interiors and an updated menu across the entire pub. The genesis of the relaunch was the desire to redesign the Elephant Bar. The relaunched Elephant Bar and Dining, which now spans across levels one and two. The space is light and airy, with botanical touches littered about the first two levels, complementing the marble bar tops and straw chairs and tables. Elephant Bar and Dining consists of a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and two event rooms. Whilst all the spaces are united aesthetically, each space has a unique look; from the forestry patterns adorning The High Room, to the nautical theme of the private Colonial Club. Created by the Royal Hotel’s ex-bar manager Kurtis Bosley, the drinks menu is geared towards the warmer weather. The cocktail range is experimental yet approachable, with well-blended flavour palettes. A standout is the 5 Ways Sling, a delicately fruity combination of pomegranate liqueur, strawberry infused gin, lime, rhubarb bitters and whites. The Mediterranian style menu is made for sharing; kick off your coastal culinary exploration with the South Australian Sardines and Western Australian Octopus, try a classic Mediterranean salad, before feasting on Spring Bay Mussels Marinara or White Wine, Pan Fried Pumpkin and Ricotta Gnocchi, or Chili Spanner Crab Linguini. For those who enjoy more traditional pub fare,… Read More

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

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Acre Eatery is one of the inner west’s best kept secrets

Breakfast at Acre Eatery

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Updated: 18/11/2019

The Acre Eatery in Sydney is probably one of the inner west’s best kept secrets. A stunning farm-to-table establishment located in Camperdown Commons, this venue now stands where the Camperdown Bowling and Recreation Club once existed. The beautiful thing is that this farm-like eatery is now a community hub for locals to gather and feast. What could have been developed into another block of bland high rises, is now a feel-good urban farm in the city. The establishment is located within Camperdown Commons, which is also home to not-for-profit organisation Pocket City Farms. Pocket City Farms take neglected spaces in Sydney and turn them into sustainable, urban farms. The venue boasts three areas to dine in – a sunny garden terrace, a takeaway section (known as the ‘Container’) and an impressive, country-style dining room that is fit for a wedding. And yes, Acre Eatery does cater for such events. The funky Spritz Bar is located on the Garden Terrace and is a great space to sit around with friends and share a meal over a few drinks. Breakfast is served in the Garden Terrace five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday and is the perfect location for a relaxing weekend breakfast, overlooking the community garden.  Breakfasts don’t get any heartier than the ‘Country Breakfast’, which includes homemade pasture-raised pork sausage, butter mushrooms, bacon, grilled tomato, free-range poached egg, toast and pickles. For something a little naughtier, you may want to consider the spelt flour ricotta hotcakes with macerated berries, maple butter and caramelised banana…. Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, COFFEE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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Wines from Spain: What you need to be drinking in 2020

Wine cheers

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Posted: 11/11/2019

The Wines From Spain Awards is part of the larger Eat Spain Drink Spain roadshow which showcases the best of Spanish food and wine. The campaign aims to bring together the diverse and exciting wine and authentic food to allow food and wine livers alike to explore the opportunities that Spain offers. In it’s seventh year, The Wines From Spain Awards, showcase a fascinating selection of the top 100 Spanish wines, chosen from over 400 entries. This year, the line up expressed a large range of diversity and a high quality of wine being produced in Spain. Spain continues to offer some of the best wine in terms of value, with wines on display ranging from £7.99 to £50. When speaking to Director Fernando Munoz at the London Wine Tasting which was held at Mimo London, he focused his tasting this year on the more unknown regions and grape varieties. “I was very pleased with some of them: for whites and rosé, nº 10, 13, 18 and 42, were all excellent. As for reds, I quite liked nº 46, 50 and 55.” “We had a group of 11 judges, who in July chose 100 winners which are showcased here today, and out of the 100 winners we also select 13 Champion wines for each category.” Said Fernando. In the White Wine Category; Pansa Blanca 2018, Raventos de Alella was awarded the Best Discovery; Raimat El Niu de la Cigonya 2018, Raventos Codorniu was awarded Best White Over £10; Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2018, Bodegas El Grifo,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Glebe favourite The Toxteth pub gets an upmarket refresh

Toxteth dining room

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Updated: 16/11/2022

Occupying a prime position on the corner of Glebe Point Road and Ferry Road for almost a century, The Toxteth recently underwent an update. Glebe’s beloved local has long been the pub of choice for catching up with friends and family over drinks and good food with live music. In late 2018, The Toxteth, or The Tocky as it’s known by locals, was given a makeover. Retaining its rustic exposed brick walls, The Tocky has been fitted out with plush leather banquettes, leather paneling on the bar, copper fixtures, and timber finishes, all set around a soft neutral olive colour palette. The courtyard now features a retractable roof, making it a viable dining option regardless of the season. To accompany the new decor, the food and beverage menu has also undergone a new look. The Tocky’s classic rump steak and chicken schnitzel remain, however they’re now joined by new plant-based options. The vegetarian and vegan fare ranges from delightfully crispy popcorn cauliflower and Italian-inspired mushroom arancini to kelp noodle salad with salt and pepper tofu or a variety of hot bowls. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, join ‘Sienna’s Brunch Club’, a bottomless Bellini brunch. For the first time, The Toxteth is serving cocktails and mocktails. The Gins and Roses is a beautifully balanced floral option, while the Espresso Martini on tap from the Lexington Hill Collection is sure to be a millennial favourite. The range of cocktail carafes provide the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon with friends, and the lychee and passion fruit… Read More

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

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