Movember at KOI Dessert Bar Sydney

Posted: 16/11/2022

If ever there was someone who knew how to make cakes, it’s Reynold Poernomo and co.: the guys behind Sydney’s KOI Dessert Bar. In partnership with the annual Movember movement to raise money for men’s heath in Australia, KOI Dessert Bar will this weekend be hosting a decadent ‘Guy Tea‘. Arnold and Ronald have created a decadent menu with a mixture of sweet & savoury canapes including; Salmon Roe Tart with Brown Butter Potato, Smoked Bacon and Yol Jam ‘Cigar’, Milk Chocolate & Whisky Macaron and guests will be treated to a special cocktail upon arrival crafted by cocktail making sensation Wen Wang (Australia’s Best Bartender Top 100). Working with family is no easy feat, and add the complex nature of the fast paced hospitality industry, the boys have had their fair share of challenges, inevitably affecting their mental wellbeing. In a bid to bring people together through their shared love of food, the Guy Tea aims to help mates from all walks of life feel connected and comfortable to ‘at the table’ chat about how they’re feeling. Sessions will take place on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 Movember with 2 sessions each day from 12pm You’ll find KOI Dessert Bar at 6 Central Park Ave, Chippendale 2008

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

Tags: Best desserts Sydney, Cake shops Sydney, dessert guide sydney, koi dessert bar sydney, Men's health, movember, Movember charity, movember sydney, sydney food, sydney food blog, THE F Movember, the f sydney

Sam Smith is performing at Adelaide’s famous d’Arenberg Cube

by James Banham

Posted: 16/11/2022

Sam Smith, the GRAMMY, BRIT, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning international songwriter and singer is coming to Australia to perform surrounded by wine. Sounds like a dream. They will be performing in an intimate, exclusive concert at the iconic d’Arenberg Cube; home to renowned food and wine experiences and a unique Salvador Dali gallery. This will be Sam’s only Australian show during their visit to the country and will feature Sam’s extensive catalogue of hits and their latest ARIA #1 single Unholy. In partnership with the South Australian Tourism Commission and Sam Smith, the performance will highlight key tourism experiences in the state, focusing on food and drink, wildlife, and Aboriginal cultural tourism. Sam will share their South Australian adventures across social media, which has a significant following of over 35 million globally. The concert at d’Arenberg Cube will take place in early January 2023. The all-inclusive event will highlight the region’s best food and wine producers, including d’Arenberg Wines, Settlers Spirits, and Pizzateca. The invite only event will be facilitated in partnership with Sam’s long time Australian concert promoters, Frontier Touring. Win tickets to see Sam Smith in South Australia Key national radio networks ARN, The Hit Network and Nova, will give the public a chance to win tickets to the exclusive performance and include return flights to Adelaide, South Australia (if residing outside of South Australia), accommodation, and bus transfers to and from the concert.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: d'Arenberg Cube, Sam Smith, Sam Smith is performing at Adelaide's famous d'Arenberg Cube, South Australia

Luke’s Table launches at the historic Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout

by James Banham

Posted: 25/10/2022

The Sydney Harbour Bridge – other than being the icon it already is – has a lot going on. And now, in November, the Bridge has partnered with celebrity chef Luke Mangan to launch Luke’s Table at the historic Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout. What to expect when you’re a visitor? Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a tour of the Pylon Lookout & Museum as you make their way upstairs to the Lookout where you will be seated at a long, communal dining table for a signature three-course menu featuring the finest and freshest Australian ingredients, paired with Penfolds wines including their signature, Grange. Luke’s Table at the Pylon Lookout will see up to 20 guests seated at a long, communal dining table where you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime intimate dining experience as the sun sets over Sydney Harbour. Iconic! For more info and to book, head to the Sydney Harbour Bridge website

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

Tags: Dine Sydney Harbour Bridge, luke mangan sydney, Luke's Table launches at the historic Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout

Experience the heart of Surry Hills at this month long festival

by Danielle Kirk

Updated: 12/11/2022

Beloved Sydney suburb Surry Hills is showcasing the best it has to offer (which is a lot) over the month of November. From 1-30 November, the Heart of Surry Hills festival will bring together the area’s renowned and unique culinary flavours and experiences in one all-encompassing showcase. The month-long program of food and beverage, art, markets and music includes a community art project, signature cocktails and brews, bespoke dining menus, walking tours, and even a free showcase event in Shannon Reserve featuring live music, DJ’s, food and beverage all celebrating the local brewers and distillers of Surry Hills. City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The City of Sydney is proud to support the month-long program. This activation for the month of November highlights the very best of our world-class hospitality venues, distilleries, and breweries as well as connecting communities through art and music.” A culinary adventure awaits those bold enough to sample the specialty dishes and cocktails being created across more than 40 Surry Hills participating venues. Dining Experience Ambassador Jimmy Wong said, “At the Heart of Surry Hills, come and discover the vibrant and often surprising food, dining and drinks scene, right here in my Surry Hills. From the early hours of breakfast right through to the night, there is always something exciting to be discovered. Try a special cocktail at Eileen’s bar at the Four Pillars Laboratory, dine with an enviable degustation at The Blue Door, revel in urban chic at Tokki and savour stunning Italian cuisine at Mille Vini.” On… Read More

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

Tags: Best cafes Surry Hills, Best restaurants Surry Hills, festival, Heart of Surry Hills, surry hills, Surry Hills Sydney, sydney

Doing work drinks? Head to Baby Pizza in Richmond

by James Banham

Posted: 20/10/2022

As the weather in Melbourne gets nicer and the sun stays up for longer, the time’s now to get your after-work drink on. And who doesn’t love an alfresco afternoon? With Baby’s new spring aperitivo special available daily from 3pm to 5pm until the end of November, there’s never been a better reason to knock off work early or gather your crew. Sip on a spritz for only $8.50, a Peroni or Rosé for $6.50, or try Baby’s newest cocktail, the elderflower Chandon Garden Spritz for $8.50. Baby PIzza sits almost on the banks of the Yarra, offering direct access to after dinner walks and an uninterrupted route into South Yarra by foot, if you’e keen – or need somewhere for kick-ons. And if you’re thinking of a visit this month, don’t forget, in celebration of World Pasta Day on Friday 21 October, Baby are offering up $20 bowls of pasta for lunch – yes you read that right, $20 bowls of pasta! With the return of crowd favourite Cacio e Pepe for one day only, this is one special you definitely don’t want to miss. For more and to make a booking, head to the Baby Pizza website

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

Tags: Baby pasta, Baby Pizza, Baby PIzza Richmond, Baby RIchmond

Sydney pub to try this summer: Coogee Bay Hotel

by James Banham

Posted: 16/10/2022

As the days draw longer and the moment – whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner– calls for an ocean breeze, great food and a cold beverage. So if whiling away the day on the sand and surf isn’t your vibe, then a trip to the iconic Coogee Bay Hotel, where the locals’ local has given its menu a spring clean in preparation for summer, might be just right? The Marra Bar & Grill is a sprawling indoor/outdoor light-filled restaurant and bar that offers everything from upscale eats to curated cocktails and even a kids’ menu, headed by internationally renowned Executive Chef, Nathan Tillot. Among the standouts on the newly revamped menu are Josper grilled meats and fish, juicy burgers, a gourmet grazing board, rotisserie salmon salad, extensive share menus, and tempting desserts. Or is a grill aesthetic isn’t your thing, they go green, too. The Coogee Bay Hotel garden might be it. During the daylight hours you can tip your head towards the sun, order a craft beer and some flavourful fare, and bid farewell to any commitments for the rest of the day at this right-on-the-beach favourite. Cabanas for up to 15 people are now available to book, but you’ll want to be fast! You could simply order a watermelon margarita, a bottle of prosecco, or a glass of sauvignon blanc and enjoy some live music as you kick back amongst the ocean scenery. But don’t forgo delicious eats – the from-scratch kitchen turns out lunch and dinner including wagyu beef burgers, fish and… Read More

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

Tags: Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee pubs, sydney pubs, THE F Sydney pubs

New pub alert: Wooly Bay Hotel, Woolloomooloo Sydney

by James Banham

Updated: 16/10/2022

Completely refurbed with a new Mediterranean restaurant and swanky new rooftop, the Wooly’s back – and just in time for summer. Situated opposite the famed Woolloomooloo Wharf and enjoying gun-barrel views of Andrew Boy Charlton Pool and Sydney Harbour, the three-storied 1800’s landmark has undergone a dramatic $14 million dollar transformation that all-the-while paid homage to the property’s celebrated history, tranquil surrounds and beloved neighbourhood community. A little bit cosy, a little bit to-be-seen and the rest a little bit ‘the Med’, the new pub’s the perfect combination of all the things you want from a new space to eat and drink the afternoon-away in. Unsurprising when you consider the pub’s been nominated for the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards. The Woolly Bay Hotel’s food and beverage options are sequenced over three levels beginning with the ground floor public bar, which resembles a cosy at-home lounge atmosphere and boasts floor-to-ceiling French doors opening onto Cowper Wharf Roadway and overlooking the waterfront. For more and to book, head to the Wooly Bay Hotel’s website

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

Tags: Best Sydney pubs, New Sydney pubs, Sydney pub guide, THE F Sydney pubs, Wooly Bay Hotel Sydney

New local grocer, Leaf is open in Armadale Melbourne

by James Banham

Updated: 25/10/2022

Leaf serves ‘village grocer’ vibes and there’s a new one opening in Melbourne. Leaf will welcome visitors this October and bring locals fruit and veg wholesale. The modern-look Armadale store will house a range of curated produce and high-quality ingredients. Hard-to-find products from local and international small-scale producers, whether organic, sustainable and conventionally grown and produced are set to line the walls and shelves, bringing a taste of local to the well-known, premier shopping destination. Like its Elwood and Hawthorn siblings, Leaf Armadale will offer in-store experiences to encourage the local community to shop and eat more sustainably. This includes the Australian-first self-pour Schulz Organic Dairy ‘milk bar’; a station where eco-conscious shoppers can bring in their own glass bottles to fill with fresh, quality Schulz Organic Dairy milk, reducing plastic waste and packaging. To compliment pour your own milk will be a full range of bulk grains, nuts and seeds to scoop yourself. Find Leaf Armadale at 833 High Street on Friday 30 September.

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

Tags: Leaf Armadale, Leaf grocery Melbourne, Leaf Melbourne Armadale

Best dishes to try this Sydney Night Noodle Market 2022

by James Banham

Posted: 12/09/2022

The Sydney Night Noodle Markets are back! Yeah, they were put on hold, like everything, but back with a bang this year, the Markets will be bigger than ever. Kicking off from Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 October, it’ll host a whole heap of new and old Australian foodie institutions – read more about them all here – as well as some of the most delicious morsels to get in your gob this season. Here’s a round-up of must-try dishes: Truffle Basque Cheesecake by 15Centimeters. Their signature Burnt Basque Cheescake blended decadently with earthy, aromatic black truffles. It is effortlessly indulgent (and smells like heaven!) The Original Mie Goreng Donut from Donut Papi. Donut meets noodles – need we say more? THE Viral donuts using the beloved Indomie mie goreng noodles cooked and shaped like a donut. Pork belly skewers in banana ketchup glaze, by Hoy Pinoy. Head straight for the smokey BBQ scent filling the air and don’t look back! Crispy Calamari on a stick by Calabang with your choice of sauce. Our pick is the Tom Yum – trust us! Toastie Smith’s Kimi Porky – Fluffy Scrambled Kimchi Egg, stir fry kimchi & pork belly, oak lettuce, sesame, mayo & roasted sesame flavoured slaw. What could possibly go wrong? The Milo Fry Club by Gelato Messina – Deep fried milo gelato, messinatella pudding and oreo crumble topped with warm messinatella. All the crunchy, gooey goodness you need to top off a perfect night of feasting.

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

Tags: asian food sydney, noodle markets, sydney food, sydney noodle market

Inside Gildas, Lennox Hastie’s new Surry Hills wine bar

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by Danielle Kirk

Posted: 07/09/2022

Lennox Hastie of Firedoor fame has opened a new venture in Surry Hills that’s sure to become a fast favourite. Why? Besides his stellar reputation on the foodie scene, Gildas is simply the perfect neighbourhood wine bar, Inspired by Hastie’s time in the Basque region of Spain, Gildas brings a touch of elegance to the concept of pintxos (meaning snacks in Spanish) with an elevated menu featuring small dishes that pay homage to the ingredients of the original pintxo; a guindilla pepper, an olive, and an anchovy. You’ll find plenty of locally sourced ingredients on the menu too as is Hastie’s ethos of finding the best a region has to offer. A standout is the pintxo Matilda, featuring finger lime and delicately sliced kangaroo. Offering seasonal produce, the menu will be ever changing, but trust that a staple will be the world renowned hams of Spain. The jamon Iberico melts in your mouth! Of course pintxos aren’t just about the food, the Basque tradition is also about locals gathering to tell stories and enjoy a drink, and suffice to say the wine and sherry selections have a lot to say. With over 10 sherrys to choose from, you can spend your evening tasting just those and pair them with dishes containing sherry notes and flavours. If you’d prefer to try it all however, the wine menu is a Spanish wine lovers dream. Featuring varieties less common in Australia, it’s a feast for the tastebuds with a knowledgeable sommelier on staff to guide you through, and… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK

Tags: best bars, gildas, lennox hastie, surry hills, wine bar