The Mudgee Wine & Food Festival is coming to Balmoral Sydney

Updated: 11/08/2019

From the bush to the beach, the best of wine region Mudgee in rural NSW is coming to the best of inner-city beaches, Balmoral for the annual food fest worth travelling for. The annual Mudgee Wine and Food Festival is back on 11 August 2019, turning out some of the region’s most popular wineries and producers to the city. Still the longest-running regional wine and food festival in Sydney, activities will run from 11am-5pm, launching the official 40th Mudgee Wine + Food Festival program and the 2019 Mudgee Region magazine. The beach will undergo a revamp for the day, transforming the entire foreshore of Balmoral Beach into a chill ground for wines by Craigmoor Wines, De Beaurepaire Wines, Moothi Estate, Robert Stein Winery and First Ridge Estate and other local producers like High Valley Cheese Co., Lomondo Olive Oil, Milnes of Mudgee and Rylstone Olive Press. Check out more about the day at the Festival’s website.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Balmoral beach Sydney, Mudgee Balmoral Beach, Mudgee food, Mudgee Food Wine Festival, Mudgee NSW, Mudgee wine

Sydney coffee brand Seven Miles launches recycling program in the right direction

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

To say that Australians “enjoy a cup of coffee” would be an understatement. We guzzle over six billion cups of coffee every year. Manly roaster, Seven Miles are not only committed to roasting the best but being the best in sustainability. Seven Miles has partnered with Terracycle on Australia’s first free-to-use coffee recycling program. The program allows consumers to recycle used coffee bags and coffee pods, free of charge. CEO of Seven Miles, Jenny Willits explains “everything we do is in the pursuit of exceptional coffee, and for us that includes the journey from bean to cup, and beyond. It is expected that the new sustainability initiatives at Seven Miles will reduce landfill levels by a whopping 16 tonnes over the next five years. The 7 Miles in the Right Direction initiatives include: 1/ A free recycling partnership with TerraCycle for coffee bags and capsules 2/ The use of RecycleMe™ cups which can actually be recycled (standard coffee cups can’t be). 3/ The installation of 264 solar panels on their Manly Vale roastery 4/ Collecting used coffee grinds and using them as fertiliser on local farms 5/ The coffee bean sacks are reused in animal enclosures at Taronga Zoo Jenny continues “We know our consumers want to make more sustainable choices, and our exciting new TerraCycle partnership means this can now include even the bags their coffee comes in!” You can purchase Seven Miles coffee online or visit them at their Manly Vale roastery, 75 Kenneth Rd, the espresso bar is open 7:30am – 11:30am, Monday to Friday. Lottie Dalziel is resident… Read More

Category: CITIES, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Australian coffee, Coffee brand, Seven Miles Coffee Seven Miles launches recycling program in the right direction, Seven Miles Sydney, sydney coffee

No more eco guilt: a new swap-n-go coffee cup scheme just started in Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 23/07/2019

There’s already a pretty large reusable coffee cup culture in Sydney’s Inner West, so when cafes like Ona, Cornersmith, Two Chaps and Cherry Moon mention they’re on board, you know it’s going to take off. Green Caffeen has made its debut in Sydney, offering most of us who contribute to the 50,000-odd coffee cups that wind up in landfill every 30 minutes the chance to curb the decline of the world. The new swap-n-go coffee cup scheme has launched in partnership with the Inner West Council and Responsible Cafes to make it easier for locals to enjoy a take-away coffee, without the eco-guilt. Complete with an app compatibility and the promise of free reusable coffee cup, provided you return any you use, Green Caffeen is taking the initiative needed to encourage eco activism without you even needing to try. “The Inner West already has a strong BYO cup culture. But everyone has those days when you forget your cup yet you still need your life-sustaining coffee to get through the day. This partnership is building on the strong foundations in place and making it easy – both for customers and cafes – to reduce the waste of takeaway coffee cups,” said Damien Clarke, Green Caffeen. Green Caffeen will be available across the Inner West from 30 July. How it works: Download the Green Caffeen app and sign up with your details Scan a reusable cup at a participating café Sip your lovely hot cup of coffee and feel the life force flow through you Return to any participating café within 30 days… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: coffee cups, Green Caffeen, Green coffee

Jonas Kaufmann is back in Sydney to tell the tragic love story of Andrea Chénier

by James Banham

Posted: 23/07/2019

It was back in 2017 when the renowned tenor they call the ‘new Pavarotti’, Jonas Kaufmann graced Sydney’s shores and this year, he’s back again. He took on Parsifal at the Sydney Opera House – a challenge worthy of getting excited about – in a series of three performances of the Wagner work that sold the Joan Sutherland Theatre out. One of the world’s most renowned tenor’s with the voice and smile to prove it, Kaufmann will take on the role of Andrea himself alongside fellow cast members, Eva-Maria Westbroek and Ludovic Tézier, both making their Opera Australia debuts. Kaufmann will take to the stage on Thursday 8 and Sunday 11 August at the Sydney Opera House. See more at the Opera Australia website.

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

Tags: jonas kaufmann, Jonas Kaufmann Sydney, Tenor

Bar M Sydney battles BS laws with brilliant new menu

by James Banham

Updated: 23/07/2019

In what appears to be the latest step in wilful law-fuelled lovelessness, new council rules in the area that Sydney’s Bar M operates mean bad news for the local bar. The Italian bar and restaurant, synonymous with refined glamour and rustic home-made Neapolitan style cooking in Sydney, has launched a new bar menu to champion the city’s night life. They’ve called it ‘Power Hours’, and feature in it some classic Italian cocktails with a Mediterranean twist. Plus food. The new rules mean the bar might have to shut shop at 10pm, draining it of its spot in locals’ hearts and also leading to a loss of dollars, jobs and in turn, its place in the long list of Sydney’s go-to Italian joints. The cocktails have been crafted by the bar staff and manager Matteo Belkeziz, inspired by recent events in Sydney that have seen a change in the late-night dining culture. Keep Sydney Open Bourbon whiskey, Porter beer reduction, barrel bitters, fresh lemon juice & a hint of coffee. “When a Whiskey Sour meet an Espresso Martini, the result is a perfect drink from dusk till dawn”, says Belkeziz Silent Disco Ink Gin, violet and lavender shaken hard with a touch of maraschino & citrus. Smooth, flowery and delicate with an amazing and captivating colour. “Like music for the tastebuds”. Footloose Frangelico, lime and Spiced rum, a perfect trio that magically combines together. “That’s what you need to make sure your feet will dance all night with the blend of this rich, nutty & fresh… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Bar M, Bar M Nield Avenue, Bar M Rushcutters Bay, Bar M Sydney, sydney bars, Sydney drinking laws, Sydney noise laws

Hear Opera Australia’s orchestra director perform at the Sydney Opera Centre

by James Banham

Posted: 19/07/2019

If there was ever anyone to play a violin in precisely the way a violin is meant to be played, it’s Jun Yi Ma, Opera Australia’s orchestra director. In the production that is Under an Azure Sky in the Joan Sutherland Studio, Jun Yi Ma will recite the piece on 26 August from 7pm. The studio is known for its rich, acoustic walls and intimate setting, which Opera Australia will harness to continue its series of intimate recitals with a Mediterranean influenced performance. Pianist and Chorus Master Siro Battaglin will accompany Jun Yi Ma as they perform Under an Azure Sky as a small, but poignant ensemble that includes Ravel’s ethereal Introduction and Allergro, and Turnia’s Las musas de Andalucí along with further accompaniment from members of the Opera Australia Orchestra. Find the Joan Sutherland Studio at The Opera Centre, 480 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. See more at the Opera Australia website. Tickets from $65 + 8.50 transaction fee.

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

Tags: Sydney Jun Yi Ma, sydney opera house, Sydney Opera Studio Recital, Violin recital

General Chao attacks Sydney: New restaurant opens in

by James Banham

Posted: 19/07/2019

Nihao, General Chao. He’s invaded Sydney and lovers of Asian-Australian cuisine are excited. Think a relaxed up-beat atmosphere provides a versatile setting for a range of engagements, whatever the occasion from a quick mid-week lunch to a corporate event, after-work drink to a cosy table for two. Plus with a menu which stars deliciousness like coconut and beef rendang arancini with sriracha mayo, crispy popcorn eggplant bites tossed in the General’s special seasoning and the caramelised pork belly bao served with coriander, pickled radish salad and in-house plum saucePlus with a menu which stars deliciousness like as well as a drinks menu to boot, it doesn’t leave you wanting for much more. Check out the menu for yourself and make a booking at the General Chao website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Chinese restaurants Sydney, General Chao, General Chao Chinese food, sydney restaurants

Cheap oysters in August at The Morrison Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 18/07/2019

The Morrison in Sydney loves a themed food fest, and August is no different = they’re back at it with their oyster-tastic celebration that you need to get around. Think a bit of bubbles, a few freshly shucked gems of the ocean and a tonne of fun from 7 August. It’s a month-long celebration that promises a shucking good time with fresh oysters and bottomless bubbles on tap every weekend day and night. Chef Sean Connolly is at the helm of this whale of a good time, having put on an array of bespoke oyster dishes dreamed up by Sean throughout the month. Think chicken fried oyster sliders, grilled Pacifics ‘in shell’ with soy broth, and mains such as southern fried oysters with slow cooked pork belly (pearls and pig for short!) and oyster and leek chowder served over duck fat fries. Or if you’re feeling purely shellfish, opt for freshly shucked oysters ‘dressed to impress’ with a choice of dressings including kimchi vinaigrette and bloody mary-style horseradish ketchup. Oh, and they’ll be doing a stunning $1.50 Oyster Hour available from 6-7pm every evening throughout the festival. The time to get your booking in now. Head to the Morrison’s website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Cheap oysters, Morrison oyster festival, Oysters

The Sydney South Coast Food & Wine Festival is back

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Down in Berry, South of Sydney, the South Coast Food and Wine Festival is back, serving up some of the country’s best regional food and wine. From Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September the festival promises to showcase the very best the South Coast has to offer. To the tune of over 15 events, there’ll be cooking classes, demos and tastings from local hero chefs, hatted restaurants hosting pop-ups, first-rate South Coast vineyards, and superb local producers, all supported by a vibrant array of free live music and entertainment. Food and wine on offer is 100% from south coast producers, thanks to the talents of over 50 stallholders expected to be showcasing delicacies from all over the region. Think seafood, cheese, berries, wines and much more for hungry and curious food lovers. Tickets to the South Coast Food & Wine Festival cost just $28pp and are on sale now at the Festival’s website. WHAT: The South Coast Food & Wine FestivalWHERE & WHEN: Friday 13– Sunday 15 September 2019 Berry Showgrounds, Berry, NSWTICKETS: $28pp

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Australian food wine festival, South Coast food, South Coast Food Wine Festival, South coast wine, sydney food blog, Sydney food blogger, THE F South Coast Food Wine Festival, the f sydney

Men’s barber in Sydney: Adilla does it right

by James Banham

Updated: 18/06/2019

If there’s one thing Sydney has a lot of it’s beaches, cafes and barbers, but unlike the former two, finding a good barber can be a real challenge for men: that’s where Adilla comes in. Nestled down a quiet little laneway in Sydney’s Double Bay, it’s a hole-in-the-wall barber for blokes that is as practical as it is stylish. Think leather barber chairs, blonde wood finishings, mirrored walls to give the illusion of space and enough spots available to keep it feeling exclusive and you’re set. It caters to the Sydney dude who needs to keep on top of his grooming game, pumping out the regular offerings of back and sides, retexturing and complete overhauls; all with style. And because no one just cares about their hair anymore, Adilla’s also doing men’s facials and care to keep your face in-check, too. Think, traditional hot towel shaves, mini facials and the regular shampoo and condition sessions and you’ll walk in one guy; walk out another. For more of what Adilla offers and to make your own booking, check the Adilla website.

Category: CITIES, GROOMING, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Adilla, Adilla barbers, sydney barber

Category: SYDNEY