Category: FEATURES

Glebe favourite The Toxteth pub gets an upmarket refresh

Toxteth dining room

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Occupying a prime position on the corner of Glebe Point Road and Ferry Road for almost a century, The Toxteth recently underwent an update. Glebe’s beloved local has long been the pub of choice for catching up with friends and family over drinks and good food with live music. In late 2018, The Toxteth, or The Tocky as it’s known by locals, was given a makeover. Retaining its rustic exposed brick walls, The Tocky has been fitted out with plush leather banquettes, leather paneling on the bar, copper fixtures, and timber finishes, all set around a soft neutral olive colour palette. The courtyard now features a retractable roof, making it a viable dining option regardless of the season. To accompany the new decor, the food and beverage menu has also undergone a new look. The Tocky’s classic rump steak and chicken schnitzel remain, however they’re now joined by new plant-based options. The vegetarian and vegan fare ranges from delightfully crispy popcorn cauliflower and Italian-inspired mushroom arancini to kelp noodle salad with salt and pepper tofu or a variety of hot bowls. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, join ‘Sienna’s Brunch Club’, a bottomless Bellini brunch. For the first time, The Toxteth is serving cocktails and mocktails. The Gins and Roses is a beautifully balanced floral option, while the Espresso Martini on tap from the Lexington Hill Collection is sure to be a millennial favourite. The range of cocktail carafes provide the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon with friends, and the lychee and passion fruit… Read More

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

Tags: , , , , , ,

German Gymnasium London: The bar’s doing autumn cocktails a la Game of Thrones

German Gymnasium cocktails 2

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Look, we all felt the full force of the ending of Game of Thrones. We all wanted Cersei to be brutally murdered. We all wanted Jamie to be a bit more vindicated. We all wanted to get the real story about Bran, the Night King and the whole whack story. But for everything the show let us down on, German Gymnasium right next door to Kings Cross Station in London, is building us back up with – in cocktail form. For autumn in the UK, the bar is introducing four new cocktails to its menu: Stark’s Old Fashioned, a smooth and classic drink with Woodford Reserve, Mozart chocolate and chocolate bitters. Winter Is Coming, made with Woodford Reserve Rye, cherry brandy and vermouth, served in a stunning goblet emblazoned with the dire wolf. A Dance with Dragons – Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons’ fiery refreshment made with Jack Daniels, beer, ginger beer and elderflower; and lastly. A Song of Ice and Fire, a fruity and velvety concoction created for Queen Cersei Lannister, made with Jack Daniels Rye and served in the Queen’s golden goblet. Ans the drinks aren’t all, the venue is renowned for its fairly epic installations in the middle of the thoroughfare inside, and for this round, they’ve put a beautiful autumnal tree inspired by the Heart Tree in Game of Thrones, with matching weirwood trees upstairs in The Meister Bar and throughout the restaurant.  So though the story may be gone and told, it’s definitely not forgotten. These exclusive cocktails are available… Read More

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

Tags: , , ,

Underrated Italian gem I Maccheroni has a new home in Woollahra Sydney

Maccheroni restaurant

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

If love were tangible, it would be found in the form of the perfectly pillowy spinach tortelli with burnt butter, crispy sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano at I Maccheroni. Formerly located in Rose Bay, the Italian diner is now situated just off Oxford Street on Woollahra’s Jersey Road. Owned and helmed by ex-Otto and Pendolino chef Marcello Farioli who hails from Modena, Italy, I Maccheroni serves up high-quality, unpretentious, seasonal, homemade Italian fare. The menu focuses on Italian staples and is continually changing, however, there are a few mainstays. The aforementioned divine spinach tortelli, as well as a mushroom arancini, and a tiramisu. Naturally, there’s also always a maccheroni option on offer, with this constantly rotating. With a commitment to seasonal dining, I Maccheroni always has blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu (if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when the Cacio e Pepe is on offer, this is a must-order dish!). Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch on Saturdays, the two-level Woollahra joint is a homely yet elevated experience. The venue is a step up from the former long-tabled communal dining setting of the Rose Bay location; I Maccheroni in Woollahra spans two levels and features a bar, upstairs function or dining space, and more intimate small table seating options, all in a fine-dining worthy grey, blue and timber setting. Unlike its former location, I Maccheroni in Woollahra is now fully licensed, and features a substantial wine list with bottles hailing from both Italy and Australia, as well as… Read More

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

Tags: , , , ,

Sydney theatre review: Billy Elliot is in town

BILLY-ELLIOT-THE-MUSICAL-AUSTRALIA-2019-20-River-Mardesic-Aaron-Smyth-PIC-CREDIT-JAMES-D.-MORGAN

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Dust off the tutu and slide on your tap shoes because Billy Elliot is back in town.  Based on the movie of the same name which was released back in 2000, Billy Elliot the Musical is a celebration of dance, infused with comedy, drama and inspiring music by Elton John. Originally premiering in London’s West End in 2005, the musical first toured Australia in 2007 for two years. After a 10 year absence, the production is back in Australia, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until December 15, 2019. It then plays at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from December 2019, the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from February 2020, the Crown Theatre in Perth from June 2020 and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from July 2020. The show opens by taking the audience back to 1984, to a small coal-mining village in Northern England just as the coal miners’ strike is unfolding under the Thatcher government. Billy’s mother is no longer with us, so Billy is being brought up by Jackie, his working class father who is a coal miner (played by Justin Smith) and Billy’s grandmother (played by Vivien Davies). The role of Billy Elliot is being shared by four young talented actors – Omar Abiad, River Mardesic, Wade Neilsen and Jamie Rogers. Also appearing in the cast is respected Australian actor Robert Grubb, who plays Billy’s hilarious boxing coach, George.  We follow Billy on his life journey during some of Britain’s most turbulent times as it takes him out of the boxing ring… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: , , , , ,

Look up: Where to see the best skies in the world

Arch night sky hike

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

Astrotourism is big. Really big. Some would say sky’s the limit-big. And Lonely Planet are the people to listen to when it comes to getting a good grip on where’s good to go to see some of the best skies the world has to offer. The travel gurus based in the UK, with reach to the four corners of the world just released a new tome, Dark Skies, the ultimate guide to space tourism and worship of the largest canopy in the world; reminding us to take some time and look up once-in-a-while. The author, Valier Stimac, wrote the comprehensive companion to the tune of 35 dark sky sites and national parks, where you can see the aurora, the next decade of total solar eclipses and how to view rocket launches, plus the lowdown on commercial space flight. The book’s the ultimate guide to finding sites accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association; to help you learn about stargazing and astrophotography and to see astronomy in action at 12 observatories across the globe. “The skies above us are part of our heritage, both natural and cultural,” Valerie writes in her introduction to the book. “Astronomy and stargazing are an important part of human history, one that can connect us back to early myth or awaken us to the vast scale of our universe and its many mysteries. Witnessing the sweep of the Milky Way, the remains of passing comets as they burn up in our atmosphere, or the shimmering aurora, we better understand space and our place in it.” In a day… Read More

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , , , ,

World Class Sydney turns the city into stage for Bartender of the Year 2020

Sun-Tavern-cocktails-2

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

If your life revolves around alcohol and making cocktails (to serve, not drink), then you’d know what World Class is. It’s regarded as the world’s biggest and most influential bartending competition, instrumental in transforming fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world. This year, it comes to Sydney, where it’ll turn the city of Sydney into a vibrant hub of events, experiences and festivities as an elite group of finalists battle it out to be crowned the world’s best. None of this happens until 2020, but we spoke to one boss chick who’s taking it on herself, a bartender at Isabel, the 2019 World Class Finalist who had this to say: “World Class truly paves the way for innovation in our bars. It helps reshape and redefine what the cocktail experience is by challenging what bartenders know about technique, creativity and charisma. It’s also a great chance to delve into the minds of our peers and see what they get up to, providing a global community where we can learn from and be inspired by each other”. Meanwhile, she and a guy named Tim Philips-Johansson will be competing in a competition that runs in more than 60 countries and has supported, educated and inspired more than 300,000 bartenders through its training and advocacy programme.  Actually, Tim won in 2012 and co-owns a bar in Sydney. He said: “Our bars and bartenders have long been celebrated for being the best in the business, qualified by the fact we are one of only two countries to produce… Read More

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

Tags: , , , ,

London Cocktail Week’s done – but The Sun Tavern is always worth a visit

Sun Tavern cocktails 3

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

London Cocktail Week takes over the city every year in October, turning it on for the most beloved bars around the city. It’s a slurry, hazy blur of cocktails and spirits, but for those whose persistence for flashy beverages knows no end, it’s the week of the year. And The Sun Tavern in Bethnal Green took it upon itself this year to get amongst it, and you know what? No one was mad. It’s a quaint little corner spot, that for the week, was whipping out £6 cocktails to thirsty locals and visitors, concocted by the minds of one bartender ‘Ross’. They in fact partnered with cocktail bar, Discount Suit Company for their London Cocktail Week House Party series that ran 6-13 October: a series of unmissable bar collaborations with globally renowned and celebrated bars spanning form LA to Barcelona, including World’s 50 Best, Limantour. Couple it with a steady flow of pizzas from Yard Sale and it made for a quality night. Sure, it’s done for 2019, but dropping by for a visit and tipple, just ‘cos you can is always a solid idea. See more at the Sun Tavern website.

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

Tags: , , , , ,

No wires, more music – Blue Ant are doing a new wireless earbud

Blue Ant Pump Air 2

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

They’re stylish, lightweight and work without you having to try; the Blue Ant Pump Air 2 is the next thing in wireless music. The Blue Ant brand has done some great stuff when music’s concerned. Not only is a heap of their stuff wireless and good-looking, it’s enhanced by the fact they’re a technology company that makes music, meaning all the gizmos and whatsits in the background and where the real marvel comes into play. They’re all about family, too. Not in the people sense, but the full range of offering sense, making something for everyone when it comes to audio products that are packed with intuitive techy innovations. Take the new Pump Air 2 wireless earbuds, for example. They provide next-gen sound with Bluetooth 5.0 that ensures quick, consistent connectivity with exceptional range HD audio all wrapped-up in a nice little sleek design that delivers a premium immersive listening experience. Tack onto that the fact they’re water – or sweat – proof, stay in your ears, run for 15 hours thanks to the protective and charging, wireless micro-charging case and pair automatically with your phone, it’s a win-win. Get them for $169.95, or see more at the Blue Ant Wireless website.

Category: FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TECH & GADGETS

Tags: , , , ,

How to do Thanksgiving in London

Food salad Thanksgiving

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

London isn’t America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adopt some of their customs, right? Especially when they involve eating. Thanksgiving is the US tradition of giving thanks for what you’ve got and a retrospective look on the year that was before the onslaught of Christmas, so, doing the same in London can only be a good thing. To get into the spirit of the beloved American tradition, popular London restaurants Riding House Café (Fitzrovia) and Rail House Café (Victoria), welcome their Thanksgiving feast on Thursday 28th November. They’ll be hosting banquets, complete with seasonal cocktails called The Ginger Pilgrim made from bourbon, honey, lemon and ginger. This’ll partner with a slow roasted Norfolk bronze turkey cooked in herb butter, ideal for sharing. Pair it all with cornbread and sausage stuffing; maple-buttered sweet potatoes; mac and cheese; and creamed corn casserole, vegetables like traditional glazed sprouts with smoky bacon; and green beans with praline. Calvados gravy and cranberry and confit orange relish will also be served alongside this inviting feast. All for only £40 per person for lunch and dinner on Thursday 28 November 2019, the question is why not?

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

Tags: , , ,

5 top reads this November

Reading book

by

Updated: 16/11/2022

The southern hemisphere’s getting hotter, the north’s getting colder and no matter how you’re looking at it, it means more down time. Which also means book time. Which means you need some new material to keep you company. Here’s what we’ve dug up… Queer Ink: A blotted history towards liberation A history of the Rorschach ink blot test, which was used to identify homosexuality. Used as the tool for a feminist exploration into the modern day gay, it’s a great read for anyone interested in psychology. Get it here. Inspired by Nature Create beautiful and evocative interiors using the bounty of the natural world. In his latest book, master stylist and art director Hans puts natural materials, items and motifs at the heart of a contemporary decorating style that provides a refuge from the noise and haste of modern life and 21st-century technologies. Get it here for $49.99. Five Ingredient Vegan From the author of 15 Minute Vegan, Five Ingredient Vegan showcases simple yet exciting recipes using five ingredients or fewer. Get it for $39.99 here. Pardiz About a personal journey into Manuela Darling-Gansser’s “paradise past”. Having lived in Iran for the first nine years of her life, she returned as an adult to reconnect with the country she remembered so fondly. Get it for $29.99.

Category: BOOKS, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: , , , ,

Copyright © 2024 · All Rights Reserved · THE F

About · Terms of Use · Cookies · Privacy · Instagram · Facebook ·