Category: CITIES

Melbourne Night Noodle Markets: What to expect

Night Noodle Markets bao

The hotly anticipated carb fest that is the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets will return to Australia’s glorious food capital from 7-24 November, pumping out all your Asian faves. As usual, it’ll move south after having just smashed Sydney with the likes of food people Katherine Sabbath and Shannon Martinez and all the good things that come with that. With a slightly tweaked line-up of delectable delicacies on offer, the Melbourne run is looking good. Here’s what to expect: Hoy Pinoy’s famous Filipino BBQ and Street Food, Poklol x Puffle’s quirky cone-shaped cheese waffles, Wonderbao’s fluffy steamed buns, Miso Fresh’s soba noodles, Kumokumo’s fluffy pillow-soft pancakes, and Scoopy Milk Bar’s Korean shaved ice desserts. Other stalls include Gelato Messina, Shallot Thai, @Roll Up, Bao Brothers, Bangkok Street Food, Calabang, Donburi Station, Drumplings, Flying Noodles,Fry’D Ice Cream, Fusion Paella & Tapas, Let’s Do Yum Cha, May’s Malaysian, Nem n Nem, Okonomiyaking, Pham Sisters, Pinchys, Raijin, Sambal Kampung, Teppanyaki Noodles, Twistto, Tokosan, Waffleland, WAWA and Wok Master. Oh and if you’d rather be bougie and grab a lift there, use Didi and score 2x$10 vouchers (new users) and 2×20% (existing users) with code “DIDINNM. Eat up!

V&A Museum London: Guo Pei presents first runway show in the UK

Guo Pei dress crow

First things first: Who’s Guo Pei? Remember the yellow gown that Rhianna wore on the red carpet of the Met Gala in 2015? She made that. And many other haute couture pieces as part of her work as China’s largest named couturier in the 21st century. She’s a big deal. And now, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is hosting a landmark presentation by her, showcasing looks from her AW 2019/20 Alternate Universe Couture collection inside the museum’s iconic Raphael Gallery on Friday 1 November 2019. It’s all part of Fashion in Motion: V&A’s key fashion event enabling anyone to take a seat on the front row. It provides a platform for both established and up-and-coming designers, and presents – as part of its regular series – free-to-attend runway shows for the public. Its previously featured Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Yohji Yamamoto and other large names. “I am very pleased to be the featured designer of V&A’s Fashion in Motion 20th anniversary show. This will also be my first-ever show in the United Kingdom. The V&A is an historic platform, preserving and celebrating art and design in many forms, from many cultures and very often spanning many centuries. I feel fortunate to be included onto V&A’s platform and very much looking forward to the collaboration,” said Guo. Guo Pei has established herself as one of the most inventive designers working today. Showcasing the finest of traditional Chinese craftsmanship while incorporating contemporary innovation, her designs take inspiration from myths, legends, religious, architecture, and her… Read More

Good Food Month Sydney: Shannon Martinez does very good vegan

Shannon Martinez

With Sydney Good Food Month taking over the city this October again, it’s time to purge your bodies and get excited for food. Chef Shannon Martinez is joining the movement and getting foodie with Mary’s Underground for an unforgettable night featuring a classic Southern multi-course menu that is refined, delicious and completely vegan, alongside a band specially selected by Mary’s music director Joe Muller. We spoke to him about it. How long have you been vegan and why?  I am actually not a Vegan. I think a huge part of my job is being able to experience and try all types of different typed of food and dishes – my job is really experimental. I love cooking vegan food because when I started no one was doing it, no one was really putting in the effort with it here that much. I just love cooking vegan food, I tend to get bored really easily and vegan and vegetarian dishes are a constant challenge to keep creating and generating innovative ideas. It is very scientific – which it makes me feel like each new dish is taking me back to the ‘lab’ to create a cool new challenge What thoughts do you have on how visible and mainstream veganism is now?  It’s great! The fact that it’s all over Instagram, in every paper, all the influencers and celebrities are talking about it – its massive! Beyonce did it for a while and I think she is still partly vegan focused in her lifestyle… that is huge,… Read More

Good Food Month Sydney: A chat with cake master Katherine Sabbath

Katherine Sabbath

Good Food Month is back on in Sydney this October, putting on the best the city has to offer in the way of food and drink. You can see the whole program here to sort yourself out with tickets, but to whet your appetite and get the sweet tooth a’tinglin’, we spoke to Katherine Sabbath, cake boss, about her participation this year and what it’s all about. Why are cakes so popular right now?  Cakes have been popular for centuries! I think the trend nowadays towards more people making exciting cakes or buying exciting cakes is because there’s a much better range and accessibility out there for cake decorating ingredients and tools. Also, technology at out fingertips, such as youtube and Instagram, has opened the door to self-learning (hello to all self-taught bakers!) and inspiration from across the world! What spurred the resurgence of baking and everyone’s love for desserts?  People will always love and celebrate food – it’s at the core of our survival and civilisation. Popular television cooking shows have reiterated to people that cooking brings so much joy to those around you (especially a bespoke birthday cake!), and technology has made learning how to cook more difficult desserts, so much easier! Why does baking do it for you?  I adore baking because you have the ability to create something delicious, beautiful and thoughtful as a special treat to share with others. Oh and it’s a fantastic way to make friends! Give us some tips to tackle trendy bakes? Only bake and decorate cakes with ingredients you enjoy eating (my… Read More

The Botanist Gin and Hunter Gather Cook do London Cocktail Week

Food bird

For London Cocktail Week from 4-13 October, The Botanist Gin and Hunter Gather Cook are joining up to do something spectacular. Top chef and director of Hunter Gather Cook, Nick Weston will create an innovative five-course menu served at Carousel from 1-5 October. Perfect for lovers of: gin and food – in that order – the series of what they’re calling ‘wild dinners’ is put on by the gin masters at Botanist – turning out five-courses of culinary marvels, using seasonal UK produce created by Nick Weston of Hunter Gather Cook, along with perfectly paired foraged The Botanist cocktails crafted by Abigail Clephane, The Botanist Gin’s UK brand ambassador. For the menu and what’s on, think along the lines of gamy Douglas fir cold smoked fallow deer, grilled wood pigeon breast, and blowtorched pheasant, and perfectly paired cocktails including the long and fizzy Fig Leaf, a peachy and tannic Nettle Gimlet and an earthy Truffle Martini. Head along from 1-5 October from 7pm when the bar opens for a feed at 7.45pm. See more here. Here’s the full menu: The Wild Dinner menu Welcome drink – The Botanist G&T with foraged garnish Douglas fir cold smoked Fallow deer with smoke roasted beetroot & Wild horseradish puree, brick pastry.–Fig Leaf | Long & Fizzy | Fig leaf cordial, The Botanist, soda *Grilled wood pigeon breast, Humita, Hedgehog Mushrooms, Sorrel dressing.–Truffle Martini| Clean & Earthy | The Botanist, truffle-infused Martini *Partridge Bird Lollies, coal roasted red pepper relish, Celeriac remoulade.–Red Wine *Blowtorched pheasant with Iberico Pork fat & Thyme, Bruichladdich bacon jam, Ground ivy Rosti, Buttermilk sauce.–Sorrel… Read More

Sussex in London: Gladwin Brothers’ new restaurant this autumn

Sussex chefs

Following on from the success of The Shed, in Notting Hill, Rabbit, on the Kings Road, and Nutbourne, in Battersea, the Gladwin Brothers’ new restaurant will launch in October to much excitement. Aptly named Sussex, the new pad will take over a space on Firth Street in London’s Soho, introducing a British dining concept that’s all about the Sussex countryside captured within an eclectic mix of classic and progressive cooking. It’ll be a showcase of the best of the region, working with ingredients sourced directly from the Gladwins’ family farm and vineyard or local supplier’s handpicked by the three brothers, Richard, Oliver and Gregory, to ensure the ethical commitment to sustainability is always at the core of their business. The menu setting will do away with share plates, instead focusing on traditional cooking techniques and a forward thinking approach. Think small items like scallops, blood pudding, Jerusalem artichoke ‘mud and bark’ with lemon sour cream; rabbit loin and carrot terrine; and aubergine & whey cheese roulade served with tomato harissa and basil dust.   All backed-up by larger plates of roasted brill with devon crab ravioli and sea herbs buttered ‘blewits’ served on a sourdough crumpet with labneh, duck egg yolk, buckwheat and wood sorrel: and pork tenderloin served with malted pig’s cheek, rainbow chard, lardo and broken hazelnut English miso.   It certainly doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination as the menu and wine list explores the best of one of England’s most renowned producers of fine quality produce. You’ll find Sussex located in a building that breathes culinary… Read More

Chef Luke Mangan does a new bottomless brunch at Glass Brasserie Sydney

A plate of chicken on a table with hands holding cutlery going to cut into it

Dining at a hatted restaurant needn’t break the bank. And what better way to enjoy a superb, yet affordable five course brunch at a leisurely pace on a lazy Sunday, surrounded by elegant interiors and two hours of bottomless Aperol Spritz or French Rosé. With ‘Easy’ by The Commodores playing in the background, the scene is set for a pretty relaxed, yet memorable weekend graze.  So where is this sweet setting, you ask? It’s Sunday Brunch with Luke at glass, located on level two at Hilton Sydney. Now open on Sundays for lunch, Luke Mangan has curated a stunning five course menu to be enjoyed over two hours at a very reasonable $75 per person. Mangan says his new Sunday offering at glass has been designed to be both fun-filled and relaxed. The innovative Mangan and his talented team have delivered on both fronts.  “To me, in a world where we are all too busy, there’s no better way than putting food in the middle of the table to help us connect with each other and the incredible Australian produce you can experience right here in the heart of Sydney’s CBD,” says Mangan.  First course kicks off with delicious salmon rillettes with pickled cucumber and crumpets. This is followed by a colourful zucchini flower dish bursting with gorgonzola, on top with beetroot hummus with corn and soft herbs.  Third course is the Japanese-inspired crab omelette, okonomiyaki, bonito flakes with nori, Japanese mayonnaise and ginger garnish. The flavours in this dish are phenomenal and if you’re… Read More

An interior designer’s dream: I-MADE at the Saatchi Gallery London

Dining-room-furniture

By many schools of thought, London’s the creative capital of the world. So, the Saatchi Gallery has brought many of the top designers and creatives in the world of interior design from Italy within its walls to celebrate I-MADE, London’s design exhibition; a first for the gallery. Designed by Guilio Cappellini the exhibition will not only present Italian innovation and craftsmanship but draw on the passion and traditions of iconic Italian brands and designers that are shaping the industry today. The whole exhibition has brought together over 50 exhibitors from all corners of Italy; from some of the most influential names in the world of design to emerging artisans. Each will display their works like pieces of art across the wondrous Saatchi Gallery during the annual London Design Festival. Check some out here or at the I-MADE website. On from 19-22 September.

The annual Night Noodle Markets say goodbye to Hyde Park Sydney

Noodles asian

In what’ll be the final year the annual Asian food fest pops-up in the middle of the Sydney at Hyde Park, the festival’s pulling out all stops before moving to a new location in 2020. Why? Something about more space and higher demand. It’s been running for over 15 years, and 11 of those years have been supported by Citi, giving VIP access to all their customers. No wonder it gets so overrun! The usuals like Hoy Pinoy, Let’s Do Yum Cha, Chur Burger, POKLOL, Puffle, Twistto, Flying Noodle, and Wonderbao and heaps more will all do their part in turning Sydney’s central pride-and-joy park into a stomping ground for foodies. If you’re the kind of person who likes to plan food, before consuming, then plan-away. Here’s the menu: Bangkok Street Food – Bringing Bangkok’s world-famous street food scene to Sydney with crowd favourites pad Thai, tom yum noodle, pad see ew, basil chicken noodles and delicious mixed entrees. Cala Bang – Crispy calamari with flavour hits to choose from like seaweed, hot and spicy, and paprika seasonings, alongside their foot-long potato fries. Bao Brothers – Bringing the street-food culture of Gua Baos to a whole new level with the ‘peeking cluck’, ‘shroom shady’, and loaded sweet potato fries. Biang Biang Noodles – Chinese noodles with flavour that packs a punch like the Biang Biang with chilli, beef or tomato and egg. Chinese Dim Sum King – A mouth-watering offering of dumplings, buns, spring rolls and dim sum skewers. Donut Papi – Small-batch Asian-inspireddoughnutsthat are Nigella Lawson approved, including the infamous Leche Flan Donut and… Read More

The Fitbit Versa 2: A new watch, only this time, with Alexa

Fitbit Versa 2

What’s the time? What was my sleep score last night? What’s the weather doing today, Alexa? No, we’re not talking to a smart home hub. We’re actually playing with the new offering from FitBit, the Versa 2 Health and Fitness Watch.  Loaded with features such as Amazon Alexa, 24/7 heart rate tracking, a sophisticated sleep tracker, on-screen workouts and smartphone notifications, Versa 2 is an affordable smartwatch with looks to boot. It’s elegantly curved with a new AMOLED screen and an anodised aluminium finish. Unlike its predecessor, Versa 2 has an always-on display. Just remember though, if you select this option, you will chew through your battery life a lot quicker.  Speaking of battery life, one of the most impressive specs about Versa 2 is the 5+ day battery life (which varies with use, as we mentioned earlier with the always-on display). This is a significant point of difference when comparing battery life with the Series 5 Apple Watch which only offers 18 hours before requiring a recharge. The Versa 2 extended battery life allows you to wear the smartwatch while you sleep, if you’re interested in monitoring your sleep pattern. Each night, Versa 2 will track your light, deep and REM sleep and after it learns your sleep patterns, it will provide you with a personalised sleep score.  With the newly integrated microphone and Alexa function, you can ask Alexa a question, but unlike a home hub, she won’t talk back to you (which probably isn’t a bad thing, right)? She only responds via… Read More