Category: SYDNEY

Australia’s official Twistie is announced

Matt Adnate and portrait signature Twistie

In a nation-defining event, Twisties Chicken has emerged victorious as Australia’s Official Twistie. Following a nation-wide vote that left officials, onlookers, and long-time Twisties Cheese enthusiasts are stunned. This unexpected result capped off a month of vigorous campaigning by both Twisties Chicken and Twisties Cheese, each vying for the ultimate supremacy. The heated battle culminated in a celebratory gathering on Thursday, 27th June, where a monumental portrait by renowned artist Matt Adnate was unveiled. The Official Portrait features Twisties Chicken against Adnate’s signature abstract backdrop, a piece crafted under significant pressure not to look “too cheesy,” as Adnate quipped. Marketing Manager Sam O’Donnell expressed relief at the conclusion of the long-standing debate: “The Chicken vs Cheese debate is one Australians know well; we’re relieved to have settled it once and for all. The most appropriate way to celebrate this iconic win was through an Official Portrait, and having one of Australia’s most famous portrait artists commemorate Twisties Chicken’s win is a suitably twisted way to end this campaign.” While the future home of the portrait is still undecided, O’Donnell hinted at a potential donation to the National Portrait Gallery, should they show interest. The campaign was brought to life by high-profile endorsements from Robert Irwin and G Flip, with Robert championing Team Chicken and G Flip rallying support for Team Cheese. Throughout the campaign, familiar faces like Tanya Hennessy for Team Chicken and Matt Preston for Team Cheese played key roles, especially during the Democracy Twistie stand event at Bondi Beach. The nation responded with… Read More

Immersive dining at Luna Lu Sydney

a room with tables and chairs and a large screen with a view of a city

Research has found that 75% of diners are willing to pay more for a one-of-a-kind dining experience (Eventbrite). This shift in consumer preferences is rapidly transforming the hospitality industry, introducing a new trend: immersive dining. Designed to provide a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond just food, immersive dining is making waves in various sectors, including aged care, where it offers social and emotional enrichment for residents. Modern technology plays a crucial role in elevating the atmosphere and ambiance of these dining experiences. From digital projections to surround soundscapes, immersive dining transports guests to entirely new environments, engaging all their senses. An exemplary case of this trend is Luna Lu, the latest fine dining restaurant in Sydney. Their upstairs bar, Bar Lulu, located in The Rocks, Circular Quay, has fully embraced this culinary innovation. Starting this week, Bar Lulu will transform its walls into an enchanting underwater world, a starscape, a serene Asian garden, and more. With breathtaking views of the Opera House, the contemporary Asian Fusion restaurant offers this immersive experience every Thursday and Sunday night. Guests can choose from a set menu or a la carte dining options, promising an evening filled with culinary delight and visual spectacle. When: Every Thursday and Sunday night from 27th June Where: Bar Lulu, Level 1, Bays 4 and 5, 7-27 Circular Quay West, Campbells Cove, The Rocks Price: For more information on the menu and to make a booking, visit Luna Lu’s website. Experience the future of dining today at Bar Lulu.

Hamlet coming to the Sydney Opera House

a man wearing a crown

One of the most successful operas ever composed by an Australian, Brett Dean’s internationally acclaimed Hamlet will finally make its long-awaited Sydney Opera House debut with Opera Australia next month. Directed by Australian theatre royalty, Neil Armfield and based on Shakespeare’s infamous play, Hamlet premiered in 2017 at the Glyndebourne Festival UK and has since been staged at the Adelaide Festival, New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and most recently at the Munich Opera Festival. With Dean’s evocative music and thrilling libretto by Canadian Matthew Jocelyn offering audiences additional insights into the inner world of thought and emotion of the crazed son trying to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet is an invigoratingly modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s revenge thriller. Armfield has created a “viscerally physical” (Sydney Morning Herald) production, collaborating with Australian designers Ralph Myers and Alice Babidge to produce a slick royal court with darkness at its heart. Contemporary opera specialist, Anglo-German conductor Tim Anderson will make his Australian debut to guide the Opera Australia Orchestra through Dean’s immensely complex and astoundingly raw, visceral score comprising electronic music and cinema-like surround sound effects. Known as the ‘tortured tenor’ due to his extraordinary performances, British tenor Allan Clayton will reprise the demanding title role opposite homegrown soprano Lorina Gore, singing her spellbinding Helpmann-winning performance as Ophelia, and tour-de-force American baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius. Australian mezzo-soprano Catherine Carby makes a welcome return to Opera Australia to make her role debut as Gertrude alongside an outstanding local cast and the Opera Australia Chorus, while Scottish accordionist James Crabb will… Read More

Winter woes in Australia: Combatting seasonal blues with Hygge

a man sitting in a chair reading a book in a living room

Influenced by the cold weather, shorter days, and longer nights, new research has revealed Aussie moods are taking a dramatic downturn as the mercury drops. A new national survey from Australia’s leading meal kit delivery service, HelloFresh, shows more than half of the nation (53%) is experiencing ‘Winter Woes’, impacting our comfort levels, motivation, and eating habits. With 41% of Australians associating the seasonal shift with sadness and loneliness, the data has highlighted the biggest barriers to achieving comfort and satisfaction in winter as a lack of sunlight (61%), cold homes and poor heating (53%), and our inability to spend time outside (50%). According to Positive Psychologist and Founder of the Happiness Institute, Dr. Tim Sharp, Aussies should consider looking to the icy isles of Scandinavia for inspiration this Winter by adopting the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced ‘Hyoo-guh’). Dr. Tim Sharp explains: “As an outdoorsy nation, our transition from autumn to winter can be particularly tough as we grapple with the reality of spending more time indoors. What we see as a result is an increase in those feelings of sadness, loneliness, and frustration, as reflected in HelloFresh’s research. Hygge encourages us to reframe how we feel about our time indoors and the winter months by finding comfort in the discomfort and embracing coziness to boost our moods and make the cooler months more bearable.” Fortunately, simple adjustments to our environment and habits can help us traverse those barriers to the comfort we all feel. Creating cosy and inviting spaces in our homes with… Read More

Dinner in Sydney with LOAM X Two Good Chefs

Restaurant dark light lit mood

Sydney-based social enterprise Two Good Co announces award-winning chef and cookbook author Danielle Alvarez as the third chef in its LOAM X Two Good Chef Dinner Series. The event will take place on Wednesday 3 July at LOAM, the all-day restaurant located at Ace Hotel Sydney. Tickets to the dinner with Danielle Alvarez are $110 per person including a multi-course menu designed by Danielle, wines by Balmy Nights, and a donation to help Two Good continue their mission to support, empower and employ women rebuilding their self-worth and independence following domestic violence, homelessness and complex trauma. Danielle Alvarez says, “I wanted to write a menu that felt comforting and delicious, but also communal. To me, that’s something that Two Good provides to women in need through the food they sell and their programs. I’m so proud to be supporting this incredible organisation by doing what I love, which is feeding people.” This will mark the third event in the quarterly Chef Dinner Series, which debuted in October 2023 to mark the release of Two Good’s third cookbook, Change The Course, and continues to honour the book’s central theme of ‘do more with less’, with each new iteration. As the third chef in the Two Good X LOAM series, Danielle, culinary director of the Yallamundi Rooms in the Sydney Opera House, once founding chef of multi-award-winning Sydney restaurant Fred’s, and author of two cookbooks: Always Add Lemon and Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking, will present a unique menu that showcases her passion for seasonal… Read More

Jazz in Sydney at The Rocks Square

Jazz band blue light

Immerse yourself in an enchanting evening of jazz every Thursday at The Rocks Square, where the vibrant sounds of Australian jazz fill the air under twinkling lights. This captivating new programme, curated by SIMA, brings together the coolest and most creative talents from the local jazz scene, promising a sonic adventure you won’t want to miss. Picture this: mingling with your mates, catching up after work, or making new friends as you sip on refreshing cocktails from Hickson House. The jazzy tunes provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and connection, making it an evening to remember. Best of all, Jazz Sessions is free to attend! You can unwind and savour the music without spending a penny. Whether you’re looking for a delightful post-dinner treat or an engaging after-work activity, this is your go-to event. Rain or shine, the music plays on – join us under the stars at The Rocks Square, or head to 6-8 Atherden St just a two-minute walk away if the weather takes a turn. Let the rhythm move you and experience the magic of Jazz Sessions at The Rocks Square. Mark your calendars and get ready to be swept away by the soulful sounds of Australia’s finest jazz artists! More info at the website. Here are the remaining shows:

Sydney is getting a new gallery space in Surry Hills

Commonwealth Street Gallery edit2

Ames Yavuz will open a second Australian gallery space at 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills to the public this month! Located near the first Sydney gallery on Reservoir Street, this marks a significant milestone for Ames Yavuz, amplifying its programming in Australia across two dynamic sites. Founded as Yavuz Gallery in Singapore in 2010 by Can Yavuz, the gallery expanded to Sydney in 2019, becoming the first commercial art gallery from Asia to establish a permanent space in Australia. This year, Yavuz Gallery was renamed Ames Yavuz, incorporating the surnames of Can Yavuz and Glen Ames to reflect their Asia-Pacific and European heritage, and their relationship both in life and business. Spanning an area of 300 square metres and featuring 3.5 metre-high ceilings, the new location has a rich heritage, formerly a petrol station and part of the bustling hub of the rag trade and textiles industry in Surry Hills. The raw interior of this historic warehouse provides a unique exhibition space for Ames Yavuz. The gallery’s inaugural presentation, MEMORY/MYTH features contemporary and historic films and video installations by 26 internationally renowned artists from across the world, including 20 works never-before-seen in Australia. Curated by London-based Director of Ames Yavuz, Ananya Mukhopadhyay, the program includes works by Thania Petersen (South Africa), Stanislava Pinchuk (Ukraine), Richard Bell (Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang, Australia), Brook Andrew (Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal/Australia) and Joy Gregory (UK). The screening program explores experiences of indigeneity, diaspora and the intersecting global legacies of colonialism, and emphasises Ames Yavuz’s commitment to showcasing international artists… Read More

The Bar at Sydney Common unveils new menu and aperitivo hour

SYDNEYCOMMON January StevenWoodburn 63

The Bar at Sydney Common, located within the prestigious Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, is set to unveil a new bar menu and aperitivo hour. Launching on Friday, June 14, the new menu will be offered within Sydney Common’s dedicated bar in the venue’s glass atrium with sweeping views over Hyde Park. The new offering will provide guests of Sydney Common the perfect moment to relax with a martini or as a leisurely stopover on the way to dinner in the dining room. As part of the new beverage program, the venue will introduce an aperitivo hour offering from Tuesday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with $8 mini martinis alongside $6 wines, gin & tonics, and Sydney Beer Co lagers. “Whether you’re joining us for aperitivo hour on the way home from work, or looking to extend your dining experience with a martini or glass of Champagne and some premium snacks on your way to dinner in the dining room, our new bar menu is the perfect new addition to round out the Sydney Common experience,” says head chef Jamie Robertson. The new bar menu will offer an array of small plates to complement the existing dining room offering, which highlights Jamie’s philosophy of allowing produce to shine in a simple, pared-back manner. Menu highlights include Sydney Rock Oysters with finger lime and rice vinegar; roasted artichokes with parmesan custard; fried whitebait with Sichuan salt; prawn katsu sandwich; and a cured meats platter with Wagyu bresaola, saucisson, and LP’s mortadella; alongside a selection… Read More