Category: CITIES

The 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras theme and program has been revealed and it’s magical

Mardi Gras 2020

What Matters has been revealed as the theme for the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and it promises to be bigger and bolder than ever.  The theme builds on the legacy of Mardi Gras – a platform for activism, encouraging the community to think about creating a more inclusive future.  “This year we celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality. From ground-breaking queer artists to trailblazing thought leaders, Mardi Gras 2020 is an opportunity to visit the next destinations on our journey of diversity, inclusion and social justice,” says Mardi Gras Arts Interim CEO, Grant Lowe.  Mark it on your calendars! Friday 14 February 2020 is when the festivities kick off, with a diverse program of events running until Sunday 1 March 2020. They’ll be dazzling dance parties, top-tier theatre, music, world-class workshops and family-focused fun, with the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade taking place on Saturday 29 February, 2020. The post-Mardi Gras Parade celebrations will continue with the iconic Mardi Gras Party happening at the Hordern Pavilion with the electrifying Dua Lipa headlining. The pavillion and its surrounding areas will be transformed into a brand-new adult playland with the party starting at 11pm – 8am. Fourth release tickets are on sale now.  There’s a supersized program on offer including the pre-eminent vogue ball, Sissy Ball and iconic festival classics such as Fair Day and Laneway, the traditional closing event of Mardi Gras. There’s no shortage of thought-provoking workshops and community events, with Queer Thinking taking over… Read More

German Gymnasium London: The bar’s doing autumn cocktails a la Game of Thrones

German Gymnasium cocktails 2

Look, we all felt the full force of the ending of Game of Thrones. We all wanted Cersei to be brutally murdered. We all wanted Jamie to be a bit more vindicated. We all wanted to get the real story about Bran, the Night King and the whole whack story. But for everything the show let us down on, German Gymnasium right next door to Kings Cross Station in London, is building us back up with – in cocktail form. For autumn in the UK, the bar is introducing four new cocktails to its menu: Stark’s Old Fashioned, a smooth and classic drink with Woodford Reserve, Mozart chocolate and chocolate bitters. Winter Is Coming, made with Woodford Reserve Rye, cherry brandy and vermouth, served in a stunning goblet emblazoned with the dire wolf. A Dance with Dragons – Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons’ fiery refreshment made with Jack Daniels, beer, ginger beer and elderflower; and lastly. A Song of Ice and Fire, a fruity and velvety concoction created for Queen Cersei Lannister, made with Jack Daniels Rye and served in the Queen’s golden goblet. Ans the drinks aren’t all, the venue is renowned for its fairly epic installations in the middle of the thoroughfare inside, and for this round, they’ve put a beautiful autumnal tree inspired by the Heart Tree in Game of Thrones, with matching weirwood trees upstairs in The Meister Bar and throughout the restaurant.  So though the story may be gone and told, it’s definitely not forgotten. These exclusive cocktails are available… Read More

Williams Burger Days: a new elevated burger concept in Sydney’s CBD

Williams Burger 3

The team behind Grill’d takes another bite out of the burger market with Williams Burger Days, a premium concept burger restaurant. Williams is like a distant cousin to Grill’d; whilst the later has over 130 outlets across Australia, Williams presents an elevated alternative far withdrawn from the notion of burgers as a ‘fast food’ concept. Williams Burger Days opened in Westfield Sydney in September, with plans to open a Melbourne outlet in the coming months. The brainchild of former Vue de Monde and Circa chef Josh Powell, the Williams menu features a range of house-made burgers, salads, elevated sides, sodas, and shakes, as well as a concise cocktail, beer, and wine list. Williams keeps with current culinary trends, utilising native Australian ingredients throughout the menu; for the signature Williams sauce, Williams uses karkalla pickles which provide a tangy, salty hit. The burgers themselves are next-level; fresh herbs like dill, mint, and coriander provide a flavour hit to the vegetarian burgers. The Mushroom & Parmesan burger is a particular standout, with the sharpness of the parmesan cheese perfectly complementing the mild creaminess of the mushroom. Meanwhile, care is taken to source high quality meat and seafood, using producers such as O’Connor beef, Mayura Station Full Blood Wagyu, Summertime chicken and Fish Butchery’s yellowfin tuna. The sides menu vastly differs from that of traditional burger joint offerings. In lieu of the traditional ketchup and fries, Williams features crispy charred broccoli served with airy whipped feta, skin on chips, onion rings seasoned with saltbush and vinegar, seasonal green… Read More

The country’s sweetest event – the ‘Cake Bake & Sweets Show’ is back in town

Sweets show

Are you that person that effortlessly bakes delicious slices and takes them to work to share with colleagues just because you love baking or the family member everyone turns to when they need a standout birthday cake? Then you’re going to want to head to The Cake Bake & Sweets Show for further baking inspo, as it’s back in town! And this year at the same venue, you’ll also be able to experience an exciting new foodie event that will appeal to the home cook – For The Love of Cooking.  But first of all, let’s talk sweeties! From cakes, decorating, sugar craft, sweets and everything in between, The Cake Bake & Sweets Show is back in Sydney at ICC Darling Harbour from Friday, 8 November – Sunday, 10 November. Melbourne, don’t fret! You too, will have the opportunity to experience the sweet smell emanating from the The Cake Bake & Sweets Show at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from Friday, 29 November – Sunday, 1 December.  Experience demonstrations by some of Australia’s best dessert and sweet creators including, Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs; award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou; and cake creative Katherine Sabbath. At the time of writing, the super popular ‘Queen Make & Take’ classes were sold out at the Sydney show, however if you’re planning to head to the Melbourne show, make sure you get in early.  You may also want to upskill your cake decorating and fondant moulding skills by taking part in one of the many workshops on offer,… Read More

2019 Melbourne Cup hotspots at The Star Sydney

Melbourne Cup at Sokyo

Where else would you want to be for Melbourne Cup 2019, but surrounded by fabulous food, friends, fashion and bubbles. With various venues at The Star Sydney putting on a Melbourne Cup experience to remember, there is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. ChukkaIf Chinese with a Japanese twist is what you’re looking for on Cup Day, book yourself and your friends into Chuuka for lunch with a spectacular view of the harbour. Headed up by Victor Liong and Chase Kojima, Chuuka is offering a 5-course share menu for $165 per person (minimum 2 people) which includes two hours of Moët & Chandon. If you prefer just a glass on arrival (because some of us do have to go back to work after the race, unfortunately), there is also a $135 package which includes the 5-course share menu. Dishes include sashimi platter with scampi, uni and oyster; wagyu wok-fried, green chilli with garlic stems and coriander; and purple yam ice cream with blueberry and kuromitsu pearl. Flying FishOverlooking Pyrmont Harbour is Flying Fish, with Executive Chef Peter Roberston serving up some of Sydney’s finest seafood accompanied with Moët & Chandon on Melbourne Cup Day. The premium package is $165 per person which includes a 3-course set menu and two hours of Moët & Chandon. For $135, you receive a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival and a 3-course set menu. Dishes include Australia’s Oyster Coast (AOC) oysters with ginger and turmeric dressing; roast duck, confit leg, pistachio and preserved cherry; and passion fruit… Read More

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is back with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

Let the fabulous Australian Brandenburg Orchestra transport you to the Italian countryside for a few hours with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons concert series commencing 1 November through to 15 November. With nine performances in total, six will be located at City Recital Hall, Sydney, two in Melbourne at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and one performance at Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney.  The two-hour program includes Telemann Concerto for 4 violins in G major; Telemann Ouverture-Suite in C major, Water Music and Vivaldi’s magical, The Four Seasons. Vivaldi’s extraordinary four violin concertos were composed in the baroque period and depict the seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each concerto has three movements, fast-slow-fast. The Brandenburg Orchestra – one of Australia’s favourite period instrument ensembles – will perform under the direction of the brilliant Artistic Director, Paul Dyer. Dyer co-founded the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra 30 years ago and has taken the orchestra from strength to strength. You can’t help but admire Dyer’s love and passion for his work and the orchestra, which is clearly evident when watching him perform on stage, smiling from ear to ear, as he plays along with the rest of the orchestra on his harpsichord.   Concertmaster and Baroque violin soloist, Shaun Lee-Chen delights the audience with an unforgettable performance of one of Vivaldi’s most well-known pieces. Even those among us who aren’t staunch classical fans will enjoy The Four Seasons, a piece that has the ability to appeal and speak to a wide audience. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s also timely to… Read More

Underrated Italian gem I Maccheroni has a new home in Woollahra Sydney

Maccheroni restaurant

If love were tangible, it would be found in the form of the perfectly pillowy spinach tortelli with burnt butter, crispy sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano at I Maccheroni. Formerly located in Rose Bay, the Italian diner is now situated just off Oxford Street on Woollahra’s Jersey Road. Owned and helmed by ex-Otto and Pendolino chef Marcello Farioli who hails from Modena, Italy, I Maccheroni serves up high-quality, unpretentious, seasonal, homemade Italian fare. The menu focuses on Italian staples and is continually changing, however, there are a few mainstays. The aforementioned divine spinach tortelli, as well as a mushroom arancini, and a tiramisu. Naturally, there’s also always a maccheroni option on offer, with this constantly rotating. With a commitment to seasonal dining, I Maccheroni always has blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu (if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when the Cacio e Pepe is on offer, this is a must-order dish!). Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch on Saturdays, the two-level Woollahra joint is a homely yet elevated experience. The venue is a step up from the former long-tabled communal dining setting of the Rose Bay location; I Maccheroni in Woollahra spans two levels and features a bar, upstairs function or dining space, and more intimate small table seating options, all in a fine-dining worthy grey, blue and timber setting. Unlike its former location, I Maccheroni in Woollahra is now fully licensed, and features a substantial wine list with bottles hailing from both Italy and Australia, as well as… Read More

Paddington institution Jackies Cafe is now open three nights a week

Jackies Cafe

Tucked away in a leafy courtyard on Glenmore Road in Paddington is iconic venue, Jackies. Perfect for lazy afternoon cocktails at the sushi bar, an intimate dinner in the main restaurant or a casual shared plate get-together with friends in the courtyard, Jackies is now open three nights a week from 5.30pm until late (Thursday, Friday and Saturday).  With the new opening hours comes an exciting Jackies by Night menu which includes signature dishes from the sushi bar and mouth-watering shared dishes such as the braised beef rib with wasabi mash and crispy fried calamari with ponzu sauce. The braised beef rib literally falls off the bone and sits on a delicious bed of wasabi mash. It’s a combination made in heaven. The crispy fried calamari is just as much of a hero on the evening menu, perfectly cooked with a light tempura batter that keeps you wanting to go back for more. Other exciting dishes that feature on the evening menu include typical Japanese favourite, okonomiyaki; pork and prawn ramen; teriyaki glazed quail and agedashi tofu.  And of course, there’s always dessert! Make sure you leave enough room for the Japanese inspired matcha ice cream, seasonal berries and black sesame praline; the dark chocolate mousse with miso caramel and espresso foam; or the dessert with an Italian twist, the affogato jersey milk ice cream with an espresso shot and biscotti.  In addition to the great vibe at Jackies, it’s also a fabulous space for events. With work Christmas parties on the horizon, or any… Read More

There’s a new reason to look forward to 5pm: ‘Eliza Hour’ at Eliza Food & Wine, Darlinghurst

Eliza food

Located on the corner of Victoria and Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst is a bright, stylish, yet casual venue called eliza food & wine. Conveniently located just a quick stroll from one of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, the Coca-Cola billboard, eliza is perfect for a quality Friday lunch that won’t break the bank or for catching up with friends over a leisurely cocktail and dinner. Handy location aside, eliza quite possibly features the best duck liver parfait in Sydney! But more about that in a moment.  Headed by respected chef Jermey Bentley (of hatted restaurant The Devonshire before its closure in 2017), eliza food & wine opened earlier this year. Also part of the team is talented head chef Shaz Akbar and manager Rory Fitzpatrick, delighting diners with incredibly delicious dishes and exceptional service, respectively.  The venue has just launched a new Friday Prix Fixe lunch offer as well as Eliza’s hour which includes a new spring snack menu. The three course lunch menu is only $39 and is available every Friday from 12pm to 3pm.  Eliza’s hour runs from Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm until 6.30pm, where you can enjoy eliza’s $10 signature cocktails, $8 house wine and $5 tap beer. Perfect timing for that spontaneous get together after a hard day at the office or a well-deserved weekend tipple.  To accompany your tipple is eliza’s spring snack menu, which is packed with dishes boasting flavour, colour and texture. Let’s start with that duck liver parfait we mentioned earlier. Ever so smooth, the duck liver parfait… Read More

Sydney theatre review: Billy Elliot is in town

BILLY-ELLIOT-THE-MUSICAL-AUSTRALIA-2019-20-River-Mardesic-Aaron-Smyth-PIC-CREDIT-JAMES-D.-MORGAN

Dust off the tutu and slide on your tap shoes because Billy Elliot is back in town.  Based on the movie of the same name which was released back in 2000, Billy Elliot the Musical is a celebration of dance, infused with comedy, drama and inspiring music by Elton John. Originally premiering in London’s West End in 2005, the musical first toured Australia in 2007 for two years. After a 10 year absence, the production is back in Australia, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until December 15, 2019. It then plays at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from December 2019, the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from February 2020, the Crown Theatre in Perth from June 2020 and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from July 2020. The show opens by taking the audience back to 1984, to a small coal-mining village in Northern England just as the coal miners’ strike is unfolding under the Thatcher government. Billy’s mother is no longer with us, so Billy is being brought up by Jackie, his working class father who is a coal miner (played by Justin Smith) and Billy’s grandmother (played by Vivien Davies). The role of Billy Elliot is being shared by four young talented actors – Omar Abiad, River Mardesic, Wade Neilsen and Jamie Rogers. Also appearing in the cast is respected Australian actor Robert Grubb, who plays Billy’s hilarious boxing coach, George.  We follow Billy on his life journey during some of Britain’s most turbulent times as it takes him out of the boxing ring… Read More