Category: SYDNEY

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

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

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

Painting the road pink: Sydney’s Rose street festival is back

Rose street festival

After a hit the first time ’round, Sydney’s Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel is painting the road pink with its second Rose Street Fest in Watson’s Bay! With the Sydney skyline as the backdrop to what will be a stunning festival of alcohol and happiness, it’s the kind of thing families, friends and lovers flock to, to wander the aisles, try the drops and enjoy the sun. There’ll be music, food and wine as anyone there over 18 is given a tasting glass with their ticket and free passes to all the vendors the likes of Gilbert wines, AIX, Freeman Vineyard, Mirabeau and more. There’ll even be Blossom Rosé Sparkling Apple Cider pouring, Proud & Punch is sampling its fruity coconut pops as a cooling palate cleanser and the Watsons Bay street food cart will have a rosy makeover piled high with pink desserts and frosé to sample. From 11-7 on 27 October, it’s the best way to welcome-in the summer. Get tickets here.

Sydney Dance Company’s 2020 season: What it’s all about

Sydney Dance Company 2020

Sure, it’s been 50 years of Sydneyside choreographic magic at the hands of Rafael Bonachela, but this forthcoming 2020 season is the last in a long line of awesomeness that takes them into the new decade. Next year, the Company’s exploring the thrill of pushing boundaries, both on stage and what they can do with the power of it, by partnering with other choreographers. The likes of William Forsythe and Bryce Dessner and Melanie Lane will join the resident director, Bonachela on an array of works, archival and new. Works along the lines of WOOF by Lane and ab [intra] by Bonachela will be presented as part of the lead-in to the next fifty years of dance magic at the hands of the Sydney Dance Company. As Bonachela says, “I look at 2020 as the start of the next 50 years for Sydney Dance Company. The year ahead is filled with national and international touring and it is always a great pleasure and privilege to share the performances of the extraordinary dancers of the company.” Keep your eyes on the Sydney Dance Company website for works coming up and how to get tickets.

The Marriage of Figaro is back with Stacey Alleaume taking stage

Stacey Alleaume Mirrage Figaro

Since joining the program in 2016, Melbourne-born opera singer Stacey Alleaume has kicked goal-after-goal. From making us laugh out loud in her 2018 role in The Turk in Italy to making us cry as Violetta Valery in La Traviata of the same year, she’s a star on the rise and one the company’s thankful for in the 2019 season where Stacey will take on the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Stacey will share the role with fellow soprano, Julie Lea Goodwin who crushed her role as Wendy in the Australian focused production of the famed artist Brett Whiteley in Whiteley. Alongside Paolo Bordogna – who Stacey has worked very closely with previously in The Turk in Italy – who’ll bring his charming Italian flavoured baritone skills to the stage as Figaro Set in the 1600s – a good century before Mozart actually wrote the opera – it’s a spectacular take on the highs and lows of a tale that makes a hero of the underclass, highlights the class divisions of the time and foreshadows the French Revolution that was brewing on the near horizon. See more about the production and get your tickets at the Opera Australia website.

Gaming, technology and dance take to the Camden stage in Sydney

Shaun Parker Zone

When Shaun Parker does a show, it makes headlines. The last instalment that was KING as part of the 2019 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras was testament to that. And this theatrical season, the company is back with In The Zone, a production that brings gaming technology and dance together on stage. It’s about mesmerising Airsticks technology which creates sound through movement, alongside outstanding hip-hop choreography from Shaun Parker himself, the Sydney choreographer and Artistic Director of this incredible company.  Performed by Western Sydney street and hip-hop dancer Libby Montilla, In The Zone will take you on a journey into the world of limitless imagination inspired by gaming and escapism. Creating an unforgettable show for all ages, In The Zone is perfect for dance lovers, avid gamers and those ready to witness a breathtaking combination of exceptional choreography and modern technology. The show will premiere at the Macarthur Auditorium, Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street, Camden, NSW 2570 on Friday 13 September from 7pm. See more at the production’s website.

Fjällräven has a new shop, right in the middle of Sydney

Fjallraven 1

Sydney Fjällräven fans rejoice! Your prayers have been answered as the Swedish heritage outdoor brand announces the opening of its Australian flagship store located at 38 York Street.  With a wall full of your favourite Kånken backpacks in almost every essential colour you could think of as well as a decent selection of mens and womens clothing, there’s no need to go anywhere else for your outdoor life accessories. For those who love the original Kånken, there is an impressive variety of colours to choose from – so be warned – it won’t be a quick process when deciding. For something a little more striking and super durable, you might want to check out the Kånken No.2, which features leather handles and is produced using G-1000 Heavy Duty fabric, which is classified as ‘extra hard-wearing’, so perfect for both travelling and outdoor life.  If you’re not familiar with the story behind Fjällräven (which translated from Swedish means Arctic fox), it’s worth understanding how it came to life, as it gives you a better appreciation of the brand’s mission and how it has stayed true to it after all these years. Stepping back in time to 1960, Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin was only 14-years-old when he customised his backpack to go hiking, as he was not satisfied with the one he had. He made improvements to his original backpack by attaching a wooden frame, providing better stability and more functionality. Little did he know this was going to be the beginning of an iconic Swedish outdoor… Read More