Category: SYDNEY

Tel Aviv-inspired Shaffa in Surry Hills is Middle Eastern cuisine at its best

Shaffa Surry Hills

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Updated: 12/04/2024

Hidden down a narrow passageway in the heart of Surry Hills is an exciting venue featuring delicious, Israeli-inspired cuisine that is just as beautiful to look at as it is to savour. Launched last year just before the 2021 lockdown, Shaffa – rightly so – is now having its time in the sun, with curious passers-by drawn into the passageway by the sounds of middle eastern music, only to discover this hidden gem and its incredibly delicious dishes.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shaffa (@shaffasydney) Shaffa is owned by Israeli-born chef Erez Nahum and is designed to evoke memories of Tel Aviv and its vibrant, bustling marketplaces. The building in which the venue is located is bursting with personality and has a rich history dating back to the 1850s when it was previously an inn, which you can read all about as you make your way down the passageway to the restaurant. The Weekend Bottomless Brunch Feast is the perfect option for a long, lazy lunch, available on Saturdays and Sundays for two-hour sittings between 12 pm and 4 pm. For $70pp, the menu is long, generous, provides a good selection of some of the venue’s best dishes and is guaranteed to leave you feeling more than satisfied.  There is also an a la carte option and two set menus to choose from for weekday lunches and dinners (a $76pp set menu and a more substantial $95pp set menu). But be warned, if you choose the set menu option, you will… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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Get your Martini on at Bar Ombré with The Botanist Gin

15.06 2022 The Botanist Gin at Bar Ombre WT1 1360 scaled

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Posted: 03/07/2022

Calling all martini enthusiasts! One of Sydney’s best rooftop bars with premier harbour bridge views, Bar Ombré, has teamed up with The Botanist Gin to bring you the The Botanist Gin x Bar Ombré Martini menu until July 17th. The menu consists of five different martinis that have been perfectly paired with food items that complement the flavours.  Kick off the self-guided tasting with the Classic Dry Martini paired with Marinated Italian Olives, before moving onto the vibrant Mandarin Gimlet with a delectable Prawn and Saffron Risotto. Our personal favourites were the Australiana inspired Lemon Balm Martini alongside a Pesce Del Giorno (which happened to be perfectly cooked Tasmanian salmon the day we tried), and the Elderflower and Mint Martini with a truly tasty Lentil and Kale Salad. If you have room, the final martini is the Island Dreaming, a tropical blend that pairs with Nutella Pizza. Sit back, relax after work or on the weekend for a long lunch with friends and try the paired menu, or try your own pairings on for size! After all, the Botanist Gin is a versatile blend that suits any martini, with sweet and earthy aromas from the Islay 22 botanicals, as well as lovely floral and herbal overtones. We also tried Bar Ombré’s classic Tiramisu Martini for dessert!  The world is your martini! Please drink responsibly, and always eat food while drinking to ensure safe consumption. If you or a loved one feel they have a problem with alcohol, help is available.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

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5 things to do indoors this rainy week in Sydney

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Updated: 12/11/2022

The rains are back and it’s making winter even more bitter in Sydney and surrounds. To brighten the mood, here are five things to do indoors so you can stay dry (and sane). Indulge in a home pamper session Rug up in your comfy cosies and treat yo’ self! You could hire a home masseuse to come limber your joints, or if you’re looking for faster and cheaper results, transform your hair with a hair mask. We’re loving the new Coco & Eve Sweet Repair Hair Mask that’s clinically proven to transform your hair in just 5 minutes thanks to a bonding treatment blend of Biomimetic Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid & Vegan Keratin ingredients.  Take in a movie We have three words for you: Top Gun: Maverick. Shirtless men, action packed plot and a touch of nostalgia, get yourself to the cinema while it’s showing! There’s no better rainy day activity. Of course if you prefer the vibes in your own home, SBS on Demand has great offerings in foreign film all on their app. Whether you’re into thrillers, romantic comedies or award winning documentaries, they’ve got something unique to while away the long days.  Discover new baked treats Winter is for pastries. It’s that simple, and you won’t be saying no once you hear our friends at TRUFF have teamed up with beloved Sydney bakery Banksia Bakehouse to create a glorious, chilli, truffle infused monstrously good Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pie to get us through the cold. Available for the entire month of July, Banksia’s flaky… Read More

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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Celebrate Margarita Month at Bondi surf bar Salty’s

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Posted: 22/06/2022

National Margarita Day may be February 22, but at Salty’s, one of Bondi’s newest and best additions for a chill drink, they believe the margarita to be so iconic it needs an entire month to be celebrated. Quite frankly, we agree.  From the 1st to 31st July, Salty’s will be salting the rims on 2-4-1 margaritas using Olmeca Altos Tequila, Mondays to Fridays. Margi enthusiasts can take their pick from Salty’s nine (yes, NINE!) signature margaritas, including the chilli-infused She’s A Scorcher, Salty’s unique Espresso Marg and The Big Kahuna – a classic style margarita served in a goblet with a Coronita beer topper.  It also wouldn’t be July, or Margarita Month, without a 4th of July party. Salty’s will be hosting an Independence Day bash at their prime Bondi Beach location with 2-4-1 margs, Americana style eats and DJs blasting American anthems all night (Miley’s Party in the USA anyone?).  And if that wasn’t enough, there will also be two Olmeca Altos Tequila Masterclass experiences featuring tequila tasting and margarita shaking on Wednesday 6 and 27 July for the tequila aficionados amongst us.  Keep an eye on their website and Instagram for tickets and updates on the best  month of the year – Margarita Month.  Please drink responsibly, and always eat food while drinking to ensure safe consumption. If you or a loved one feel they have a problem with alcohol, help is available.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

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Your favourite Aussie bartenders add local flavour to 4th of July cocktails

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Updated: 06/07/2022

The 4th of July may pass Australians by with nary a thought, but what if we told you it was worth celebrating this year with an American classic cocktail in hand, but with a local twist.  Partnering with ‘Cheers! Spirits from the USA’, 22 well-known Australian bartenders and mixologists lent their expertise to creating a free cocktail book for Independence Day, containing a range of cocktails that hero American spirits, but with an Aussie twist, and designed specifically to be made and enjoyed ar home.  The cocktail list highlights the quality and versatility of American spirit brands including Angel’s Envy, Jack Daniels, Koval, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Westland, Westward American Single Malt Whiskey and Woodford Reserve. Once you download the cocktail book, the recipes are yours to keep, but if you do prefer someone else making your drinks (you’re only human), the participating bartenders will also have them available at their venue from June 27-July 4.  Have a gander at the below list of bartenders and their creations, plus the venue to find them at:  Simon Hopkins (Jolene’s Sydney – NSW) puts a chocolate spin on the classic Old Fashioned using Westward Whiskey. Dan Gregory (The Gresham Bar – QLD) is showcasing a Woodford Reserve Goin’ Out West. Adam Lau (Grain Bar – NSW) develops the DJ Sutherland celebrating Westland American Oak Whiskey. Grace Rawlins (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues –  SA) is using Westland Peated Whiskey in the innovative Spicy Peat cocktail. Chris Garner (The Barrie – NSW) is highlighting Wild Turkey… Read More

Category: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, BRISBANE, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, RECIPES, SYDNEY

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Sydney’s favourite chicken joint BUTTER teams up with Spotify A1 for limited edition eats

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Updated: 22/06/2022

If you’ve ever been to BUTTER, Sydney’s hottest chicken shop, you’ll know it’s hard to go past the classics. However thanks to a new partnership with Spotify you will be quickly forgetting the famous Cheezus burger and opting for the new limited edition bites. BUTTER and Spotify have teamed up to launch the BUTTER x Spotify A1 menu. Inspired by local hip-hop artists A.Girl, ChillinIT and Day1, the uber popular A1 playlist and talent has lead to BUTTER feast for the ears and mouth with limited edition menu items from $25  such as: ChillinIT Canadian Sandwich Fried chicken burger with Chivas maple BBQ sauce, maple bacon, cheese, mayo and fries in the sandwich A.GIRL Nashville Sandwich Nashville spiced fried chicken sandwich with buttermilk ranch, fried runny egg and lettuce  (note: excludes egg at Surry Hills store) Day 1 Fried Chicken Snack Pack 2 fried chicken tenders with mozzarella, house Spicy BBQ sauce and spicy mayo on a bed of fries Upgrades to include the divine cinnamon donuts and drinks, plus a family box also available if you want to go all out.  “We’re so hyped to be working with Spotify’s A1 and some of our favourite and diverse local hip hop community artists to create our limited edition menu. We hope that Sydneysiders love the delicious A1 menu – we’ve had a great time working closely with ChillinIT, A.GIRL and Day1 to bring this to life.” – Julian Cincotta, Owner, Exec Chef and COO at BUTTER Sydney Get your mouths around it for two weeks… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, MUSIC, SYDNEY

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A new kind of Madame Butterfly flies into Sydney Opera House

Madame Butterfly Sydney Opera Australia geisha

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Posted: 21/06/2022

The Madam is back – and this time with a whole new experience for the most seasoned of opera-goers amongst us. For the longest time, the production from the inner sanctum of creativity that was the mind of now retired artistic director Moffat Oxenbould that saw the Madam take to a traditionally Japanese-inspired set, perforated throughout with animated, faceless avatars captured hearts and minds in each and every production between Sydney and Melbourne. MORE: Here’s what we thought of Phantom of the Opera by Opera Australia But now, the Madam will be treated to a shake-up of the 21st century variety. A few years back, Opera Australia invested in some ten-metre tall digital screens that are as interactive as they are mobile, suspended from the ceiling of the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage and able to be positioned in any way the new creative direction dictates. These will be used to full effect in this 2022-and-on production of Madame Butterfly, allowing for a complete re-imagining of Puccini’s masterpiece as a complete dystopian masterpiece. MORE: About The Marriage of Figaro by Opera Australia Surprisingly stark but beautiful, the creative dream team of director/choreographers Graeme Murphy andJanet Vernon, designer Michael Scott-Mitchell, costume designer Jennifer Irwin and video designer SeanNieuwenhuis crafted a Butterfly unlike any other production seen in Australia. It’ll be captivating, dynamic, symbolistic and come complete with a backdrop and towering robotic servants with which the singers interact. Striking costume designs draw on a range of eras, from burlesque to cartoons and sci fi. Is Madame Butterfly… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, get your money back: BridgeClimb has a new offer

Sydney Harbour Bridge day

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Updated: 11/06/2022

Been wanting to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but been too hesitant or haven’t had the cash? Then your time to chill and finally do it is now! They’ve got a new cashback offer for visitors, giving you the chance to reclaim $100 from your purchase price. Why? Well, after the horror of the past two years of highs, lows, ons and offs, they felt it was their civic duty to help visitors out on achieving one of many bucket list items right in their own backyard. There are a few conditions outlined below, but otherwise; have at it! For more info, to see how it works and how much you can claim back for various activities, head to the BridgeClimb website

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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How to drink Highland Park whisky in the Sydney Botanical Gardens

Food festival Sydney tents harbour

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Updated: 01/06/2022

Whisky fans get ready for this premium pop-up dining event, bringing the unique experience of one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland to Sydney, for a limited time only: A Wild Harmony. Described as the most “complex and balanced whisky on the planet”, Highland Park is a wildly harmonious single malt whisky characterised by a uniquely complex balance of flavours shaped by the extraordinary contrasts of its Orkney Island home. From such a distinct and seemingly harsh place comes the most balanced and harmonious single malt whisky, that balances heather honey, spicy fruitcake and peat smoke. At the event that runs from 3-4 June 2022, expect: An entree of house poached king prawns with smoked fennel puree, sorrel and nasturtium leaf paired with 12 Year Old Highland Park whisky.  A main of red braised wagyu beef daube, porcini cream, onion petals, radish, linaria served with charcoal bread rolls and whipped chive butter and paired with 15 Year Old Highland Park whisky. A dessert of honey poached pear, brown butter crumble and brown sugar ice cream parfait paired with 18 Year Old Highland Park whisky. For more info and tickets go to the Wild Harmony website

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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