Category: SYDNEY

Luke & Friends: Luke Mangan and David Rayner’s new menu at Glass Brasserie

Luke Mangan David Rayner Glass Brasserie 1

What do you get when two prominent Aussie chefs who are passionate about seasonal, quality local produce join forces to create an Autumnal menu? An inspiring and memorable dining experience – and in one of Sydney’s most vibrant and lively venues, no less. This is exactly what renowned chefs Luke Mangan and David Rayner have created at Mangan’s signature restaurant, glass brasserie in Sydney. This is the third iteration of ‘Luke & Friends’, with Mangan collaborating with Noosa-based chef Rayner, owner and head chef of Thomas Corner eatery in Noosaville. Previous ‘Luke & Friends’ collaborations include celebrity chefs Guy Grossi and Maggie Beer. Mangan and Rayner’s friendship goes back a long way. They both share a passion for using seasonal, quality local and regional produce, celebrating the natural flavours of their chosen ingredients. And their passion for showcasing outstanding local produce shines through in the three impressive seafood dishes which are part of this exclusive offering, including a salmon ceviche, avocado, finger lime, pomegranate and shiso; a cuttlefish linguette, chilli, tomato, shallots, garlic, creme fraiche and oregano; and BBQ East coast baby octopus, caponata and black garlic. Refreshing and bursting with flavour, each dish tells a story about the beautiful and carefully sourced produce from around New South Wales. To round off the perfect meal, you can’t go past Luke’s Signature Liquorice Parfait with apple and lime, which is celebrating 25 years of pure deliciousness. Even non-liquorice lovers have been known to turn after sampling this exquisite sphere of explosive and clever flavours. The BBQ… Read More

Alcohol for breakfast: Archie Rose does a new ArchieMite batch

Archie Rose ArchieMite 2

It’s made from distilled Pepe Saya butter and Sonoma sourdough toast, so it’s basically breakfast; the new batch by Rosebery distillery, Archie Rose, is all kinds of Australian in a bottle. Apparently we’ve got a penchant for umami breakfast spreads – oh, hi Vegemite – so Archie Rose has taken cue and crafted its new – very limited – batch after what we’re into. And apparently, it’s good! “It’s lots of fun,” says Archie Rose master distiller, Dave Withers. “It sits in this weird but interesting place. Trying to describe how it tastes is like trying to describe the colour blue. If you like that savoury flavour of yeast-extract spreads, you’ll really enjoy it.” It uses a combination of individually distilled ingredients including a selection of blended yeast-extract spreads (“mites”) along with 25kg of freshly churned butter and 15kg of toasted sourdough from fellow Sydney producers Pepe Saya and Sonoma Baking Co. so you know it’s at least different. Released on May 8 (maaate), it’ll be a welcome, fun, umami drop to the Archie Rose range, serving up a mitey character at the front followed by a buttery, almost warm, crisp-edged flavour. See more and grab a bottle from the Archie Rose website.

Oscar and Lucinda in Sydney: Carriageworks, Sydney Chamber Opera produce world premiere

Oscar Lucinda

Australia’s artistic triumph of a book by the same name will make it onto the stage thanks to Carriageworks Sydney and its resident opera company, the Sydney Chamber Opera. Composer Elliott Gyger will join forces with librettist Pierce Wilcox to transform Peter Carey’s novel Oscar and Lucinda into a new Australian opera from 27 July – 3 August 2019.  Directed by Opera Queensland Artistic Director and CEO Patrick Nolan, the work reimagines the love story between the orphaned proto-feminist industrialist and the man who believes he is touched by God. Having nothing in common, except their addiction to gambling, Oscar and Lucinda find each other in colonial-era Sydney with a wild dream: to build a cathedral of pure glass, and to walk it into the Australian outback. “Elliott is one of this country’s greatest composers, with an originality, refinement and savage beauty that sounds like no one else. Seeing the score develop into our most ambitious and large-scale new work, filled with astonishingly vivid characters, colours and sounds has been a deeply exciting experience. Elliott has created a modern Australian epic without ever relying on the tired clichés of Australiana – a feat worth celebrating as we interrogate the history and stories that make up this complex country. Give him one instrument and he’ll make a world; give him 16 instruments and 6 singers and he’ll create a universe,” said Sydney Chamber Opera artistic director Jack Symonds.  Tickets on Sale 3 May, 2019 at the Carriageworks website.

Mother’s Day drinks in Sydney: Spritz Bar and Gin Lane

Spritz Bar Grant Collins

Sure, having you as a child is probably great and all, but sometimes Mums just need to drown their sorrows, which is why some bars in Sydney and turning it up for them this Mother’s Day. In the lead up to it, master mixologist from Gin Lane & Spritz Bar in Chippendale, Grant Collins, has selected two of his wackiest cocktails to sell at happy hour prices all week. Spritz Bar will put on a cucumber and rose G&T, while Gin Lane has an indulgent champagne and strawberry martini on offer, both for $15 each. Gin Lane Inspired by the Gin Lane print by English artist William Hogarth, the bar is a little bit 1750s-cum-2019, albeit with a sophisticated edge. It’s set in a beautifully restored 18th century terraced town house and captures the building’s old-world charm, with rich jewel tones, warm lighting and timber features. It’s ideal for their Mum’s Day beverage that’s all about neo-classicism and pink, on her special day, working for its charismatic appeal that’re perfect for long evenings of conversation over delicious cocktails. Find Gin Lane on Kensington Street, Chippendale. Spritz Bar A cocktail signature of the Sydney summer, the spritz (Aperol) has won a spot in the hearts of all drinkers and the Spritz Bar, on a rooftop along Kensington Street, isn’t letting it go this autumn. Purposed to do good spritzes, often on Kensington Street, Spritz Bar is about the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing drink and nibbles both before and after dinner and now, Mother’s Day…. Read More

Shakespeare in Sydney: See The Tempest at the Seymour Centre

The Tempest - Amy Usherwood and Drew Livington by Seiya Taguchi

For those comprehension of the English language is adept enough to throw it right back tot he 15th century, then rejoice, Shakespeare’s back in Sydney. One of the Bard’s truly original and most personal plays, The Tempest is a symphonic vision of forgiveness, discovery and self-discovery – famous for its language, context, enchanting characters and breathtaking theatricality. It’s this is a reflection of the world’s most famous playwright at the height of his powers and at the end of his remarkable career and this month, is on at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. This year’s production is by Sydney theatre group, Sport for Jove and will appear at The Seymour Centre played house to this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, hosting such epic productions as Briefs and KING. This 100-minute production of The Tempest compresses the action of the play while retaining the joy and magic. Now in its third season, this production from Artistic Director Damien Ryan will delight students and adults alike. Get tickets for only $28 and see more here.

The drink to drink before you drink: Body Armour erases hangovers

Drinks drinking cheers

Mardi Gras, birthdays, Christmas (we all need help), and general Saturday nights all mean one thing: hangovers. But those days might be gone if you’ve got an open mind and a strong will to try anything once: Body Armour exists and is the little drink before a big night out. It’s a little energy-loaded, nutrient-rich power shot that you take at least an hour prior to drinking as a drinking prophylactic so you wake up in the morning feeling less shit than you otherwise would. Look, nothing’s fool-proof, but there’s something to be said for the ‘one drink, one glass of water’ rule combined with one of these. You wake up feeling on top – more or less – of your game. New to the Australian market (launched October 27) Body Armour is the little drink to have before a big night out. Designed to provide you with essential nutrients and relief from your typical hangover symptoms, this liquid gold is the perfect solution to keeping you on track for your fitness goals. Body Armour at the Sydney Fitness Show Body Armour will have a stand at this year’s Fitness Show (April 12-14 2019 at the ICC Sydney) where you can test the drink, get free stuff and win stuff. And just generally be surrounded by good-looking people.

Woolwich’s finest feed: Cucinetta on the water does stylish food well

Cucinetta 5

Looking for somewhere special to dine? Then we’ll let you in on a little secret. Overlooking Lane Cove River in the peaceful suburb of Woolwich is Cucinetta, an award winning, hatted Italian restaurant which is just about to launch an exciting new breakfast menu that is guaranteed to please. Sydney born and bred Vincenzo Mazzotta, founder and Executive Chef at Cucinetta, creates unforgettable meals by using methods his forefathers used, applying them to slow cooking, pasta and cheese making. Ideally, you’d like to keep a hidden gem like this to yourself. But it would be unfair not to tell others about this beautifully located restaurant serving up delicious, authentic Italian dishes, including the incredibly fresh pastries, baked in-house. The new breakfast menu due to be launched in early April offers something for everyone. Frankly, they had me at ‘Nutella-filled croissants with white chocolate and hazelnuts’. But the ricotta hot cake with orange mascarpone, poached pear, figs, coconut and nuts is hot on the heels of those freshly baked croissants. Also high on the list of ‘must-haves’ is the super fluffy, brioche French toast, with caramelised banana, ricotta, chocolate and salted caramel. But if sweet dishes aren’t your jam, fear not, as there are a plenty of savoury dishes to satisfy, such as the moreish baked eggs with kale, chorizo, capsicum, tomato, chili and focaccia. The zucchini flower fritters with smoked salmon, cucumber, crème fraiche, and poached egg is another dish that is hard to go past. The ambience at Cucinetta is cheerful by day and… Read More

Celebrate Australia with food: South Australian dining series at MODE Kitchen and Bar

Francesco Mannelli Mode Kitchen 1

In the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, MODE Kitchen and Bar rules the roost – along with Grain Bar – in giving its guests and visitors one hell of a ride in gastronomy. A part of the hotel’s Celebrate Australia dining series, head chef Francesco Mannelli has played with some of the finest fare – and seasonally-based, geographically sourced goods from down under – the country has to offer. It hails from South Australia, really heroing a lot of what the state has to offer. And for an Italian, Mannelli really loves what it does; adding a lot of variety to food he knows well and loves to work with. For Mannelli, simplicity is key when working with such incredible produce. He notes that the best way to highlight an ingredient that is already special on its own, is to create a dish with a good balance of flavour, a contrast in texture and respects the produce. Guests dining on the new menu can experience dishes like sautee Coorong Pippies, served with spicy sausages from Calabria, karkalla and grilled focaccia; a grilled hard to source cut in the form of a Mayura Station Wagyu Tri Tip MB 9+ with roasted balsamic onions; Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with sweet and sour sauce, macadamia and pickled onion and a South Australian kangaroo loin, crusted with crushed Tasmanian pepper, warigal greens and beetroot. “It is one of Mode Kitchen & Bar’s key philosophy to work with local produce, showcasing to our International and domestic clientele…. Read More

Something new on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story by Opera Australia

Opera Australia West Side Story HOSH dance

It’s not often Opera Australia strays from the respite of centuries-old, well-loved scores by the likes of Puccini, Bizet and Verdi to try something more contemporary. But the latest production of West Side Story by Opera Australia that headlines this year’s annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour does just that, and has done so well. Complete with mid-way surprise fireworks as is now customary by the production company, and a range of 40-strong cast that can easily blur the lines between opera singer, dancer and actor, it’s a remade musical that pays homage to the original, the book and the tale; just makes it better. Directed by Jerome Robbins, the entire production of West Side Story is a shining testament to the classic story that’s given us some of the world’s most memorable show tunes. They were all there in the script. Think Maria, Tonight, America and Gee Officer Krupke to name a few. All of them just as hilarious as they are telling in the play about the horror to come. With OA names like Julie Lea Goodwin and Alexander Lewis as Maria and Tony; Mark Hill and Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva as Riff and Bernardo and Karli Dinardo as Anita, the musical adaptation is done wonders as the story of race hatred and a blossoming romance unfolds to the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Opera Australia’s artistic director, Lyndon Terracini has been wanting to produce West Side Story on the HOSH stage for years. Something about the backdrop and the… Read More

Fitness Show is back to Sydney from 12-14 April: Win tickets!

Exercise weights

If sore muscles, sweaty bods and perfectly chiselled abs are your thing, then the Sydney Fitness Show – back this April – is right up your alley. With big names like Ellice Whichello and Dann Conn, Kwame Duah, Simeon Panda, Sophie Guidolin, and Calum Von Moger confirmed to be making an appearance, it’ll be a who’s who of physical exertion you don’t want to miss. And where better than in Sydney, one might ask? The event will showcase the biggest trends that are continuing to emerge in the health and fitness world for 2019. And for a country that is said to work its way toward spending over $2.4 billion on health and fitness by 2022, it’s no surprise it’s as popular as it is. On show will be wearable tech (tackling both your fitness and health), vegan and sustainable/ethical brands (which will continue to feature and gain in mainstream popularity), boutique fitness, group training and high intensity interval training, which will continue to become more prevalent in the fitness space. Further big name exhibitors released to date will include Chemist Warehouse, Nutrition Systems, Muscle Nation, Musashi, Lorna Jane and YoPro. Check it all out at the Fitness Show website and win tickets below. Entries close 11:59PM AEDT, 5 April 2019. Loading… his year the show will be open to trade and general public from 10am – 5pm daily across the 12-14 April 2019 at the ICC Sydney. The exclusive industry zone will be open from 12-13 April 2019. For more information visit www.fitness-show.com.au and… Read More