Category: FOOD & DRINK

We’re calling it, this is the best Italian restaurant in Sydney

casa mia osteria newtown italian

This is a huge call, but we’re willing to make it. The best Italian restaurant in Sydney is Casa Mia Osteria in Newtown. We’ve tried a lot of them, but this intimate joint at the end of King St has blown us away with it’s authentic Roman dishes and delicious Italian wines. Casa Mia translates to “at home”, and that’s exactly how you feel entering their doors. The team are the epitome of generous Italian hospitality and make thoughtful recommendations. Casa Mia Osteria is the personal project of two friends who have known each other from back in Italy, Andrea Nazzari (from Tetsuya’s, Rockpool Bar & Grill, and Baccomato Osteria) and Valerio Boncompagni (previously executive chef at Baccomato Osteria). Boncompagni cooks everything in-house including the sourdough, focaccia and salumi. After learning how to make salumi from his uncle during his childhood in Toscana, he developed a passion for cured meat that he marinates with nearly 15 different herbs and spices and of course with no addition of preservatives. Depending on the days, you may taste Pancetta, Wagyu bresaola, capocollo, Lamb prosciutto, finocchiona, mortadella, nduja (a spicy pork spread), guanciale (pig cheek), and more. You’ll get something new every time you dine and in true Roman style, nothing is wasted, so come with an open mind. One of their best items on the menu has to be the wood-fired pinsa Romana (Roman pizza), which are cooked in the traditional way and more oval in shape. The dough is made from three types of flour and rested… Read More

Double up on the drinks with new Vodka Cruiser range

VODKA CRUISER DOUBLE cheers

The golden days of scamming your parents to buy extra drinks for a party by asking them to secretly by doubles (for legal reasons this is a joke) can now be relived with new Vodka Cruiser Doubles. Vodka Cruiser Double is the newest edition to the beloved Vodka Cruiser range, offering punters approximately two standard drinks per can. If you’re like us and enjoy a pre-game, or simply get too full from liquid and despise shots (excluding tequila of course), the Vodka Cruiser Double is the answer to your prayers with double the alcohol and the same amount of 375ml volume. Staying faithful to their tasty flavour roots, the Vodka Cruiser Double comes in slick black and neon can in Guava, Raspberry and Lemon Lime. Available right now at all good alcohol retailers.

What to know before buying a sustainable wine

sustainable wine

Have you tried a sustainable wine? Or rather, have you gone to try one and quickly realised that you’re not really sure what to look for, what’s fact and what’s “greenwashing”, and what even tastes good?! According to a study from Finder, 1 in 2 Australians are seeking out greener products and local bottleos are now full of sustainable tipples, so what’s worth buying? Rewild Senior Winemaker Tony Allen wants to cut the green spin and help you find the best sustainable wine amidst all the ‘green sipping’. Firstly, what is sustainable wine? Sustainable wine refers to wine that is produced using environmentally responsible and sociallyequitable practices that prioritise the long-term health and viability of the vineyard, surroundingecosystem and the community. The goal of sustainable wine production is to minimiseenvironmental impact while producing high-quality wine that meets the needs of consumers. Writing sustainable wine on the label doesn’t automatically make it organic, biodynamic or natural, it does however define the wine as being made with a conscious effort to reduce harm to the environment during the winemaking process, such as reducing wastefulness in winemaking, water consumption, energy usage, carbon emissions on top of utilising eco-friendly farming practices. How do you know if a wine is sustainable? Check the label! In order to be certified, vineyards and wineries must go through rigorous third- party evaluations to ensure their farming practices are top-tier and hit all the sustainable standards. Look out for a certification seal on the bottle such as the SWA Logo, which demonstrates that the… Read More

Nespresso has just dropped a new compact and colourful machine

Nespresso Vertuo Pop Green scaled

Coffee gods, Nespresso have launched a new coffee machine and it’s the most compact, and colourful, in the Vertuo range yet. Introducing the Vertuo POP! The six new colours are an interior enthusiasts dream, allowing maximum space personalisation while not taking up any extra space. Coffee lovers can choose from Spicy Red, Mango Yellow, Aqua Mint or Pacific Blue, or go classic with Liquorice Black or Coconut White. It’ll be hard to choose just one for your kitchen! Nespresso are no strangers to awards, and this new Vertuo machine has already won the 2022 iF Design Award in the product category for its sleek and compact design, as well as connectivity features. The Vertuo POP also happens to be the most affordable machine from the Vertuo range so far, which as we know with the rising cost of living, is a blessing. Nespresso’s Business Executive Officer General Manager, Jean-Marc Dragoli says is more important now than ever given 63% of Australian coffee drinkers claim to be making their coffee at home as part of a plan to save money. Given Nespresso pods on average cost $1.20 per shot, it’s a swap many will be happy to make. “We know Australian coffee lovers are feeling the pinch, with the cost of living on the rise,” says Dragoli, “The new Vertuo POP offers an elegant solution for those seeking cafe-quality coffee at home and in a more compact style. The sleek design and bright colours, will elevate any kitchen or workspace, no matter the size.” Small in… Read More

How to celebrate Coogee Bay Hotel’s 150th birthday

People sitting in a beachfront beer garden soaked in sunshine

Need another reason for a Sunday sesh? Then, look no further. The Garden at Coogee Bay Hotel for an epic party that’s sure to be one for the history books for their 150th birthday celebration. The event promises a range of exciting activities, including live music and DJs, a special kids’ corner with face painting and balloon animals, delicious food and drink specials, and a massive birthday cake to cap it all off. This milestone celebration marks the start of a year-long extravaganza, divided into three distinct phases, that will showcase the hotel’s rich history, current vibrant spirit, and ambitious future plans. The first phase, ‘The Legacy,’ will run from February to April, followed by ‘Forever Young’ from May to August, and ‘Many Happy Returns’ from September to November. So, if sun-soaked bevs with an ocean view are up your alley, then head to the Coogee Bay Hotel website for more

Spice up your life with this Smiths Chips and Mad Mex Collab

Capture

The genius brains at Mad Mex have taken their collab with Smiths a step further: meet the limited edition Double Crunch Hot Sauce Nachos! The people couldn’t get enough of the Smith’s x Mad Mex Hot Sauce Chips, so Mad Mex has turned up the heat (literally, we tried them and they’re SPICY!) on their Smith’s collaboration with limited edition menu item, Double Crunch Hot Sauce Nachos, served as a fiery alternative to corn chips with the Smith’s x Mad Mex Hot Sauce chips. It’s a unique twist that definitely adds crunch and heat (get the gauc!), and if you’ve never tried chips AKA crisps as your nacho base, this is your sign to give it a try. Perhaps the best part is you can choose from a range of toppings including chicken, beef, pork and vegetarian. Get your hot little hands on them at all Mad Mex stores until 20 March 2023.

Make mine a martini this World Pride

stoli

World Pride isn’t wrapping up yet and there are still plenty of opportunities to celebrate with a cheeky libation. In homage to the iconic martini, Stoli Vodka is hosting ‘Martini Mayhem’ at The Conservatory Bar by Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park until 7 March. This fabulous takeover champions the frivolity and diversity of the beloved martini. Miss Martini herself, AKA Ana Page, has lovingly crafted a menu of five on theme martinis inspired by pride icons themselves; Kylie Minogue, George Michael, Donna Summer, Shirley Bassey and Madonna. Expect martinis using Stoli’s range of premium, salted karamel, cucumber and vanil vodka. Ranging from fresh flavours like mint, cucumber and elderflower to form the ‘Supernova’, to a sultry salted caramel espresso martini aptly named ‘I Feel Love’, along with a classic martini – the ‘Lucky Star’ which is ripe with grapefruit bitters and a 23-karat gold leaf olive. You can score these tasty tipples for only $12 during happy hour in The Conservatory Bar every weekday between 5pm-7pm, before heading out to their World Pride events happening around Sydney. While you’re getting in the moodwith martinis, dial it up another level at the Oyster Shucking station! It will be available Friday to Sunday, offering fresh oysters with fun vodka-fusions including vodka granita in pride colours and martini mignonettes. “I’m so excited for the chance to work with Stoli this WorldPride season, not only is it something I hold close to my heart, but I knew that with Stoli’s range of flavours, we would be able to create… Read More

How to eat out in Sydney without breaking the bank

Frenchies food table

Here’s your ticket to affordable eating in Sydney again. Cost of living crisis, who? In good news, it’s back; TheFork, leading online restaurant reservation platform, is excited to announce Australia’s biggest dining event, TheFork Festival, has returned for another year from 1 March to 2 April.  TheFork Festival is all about discovery without breaking the bank – for four weeks, anyone who books a restaurant reservation through TheFork at any of their participating restaurants will receive up to 50% off their dining bill. That could mean dining out all day for less than $35 – that’s way below the average single-household grocery bill per week of $104! Here’s what a delicious day out in Sydney could look like! Enjoy $4 Hotcakes at On Conwell for breakfast, a Vietnamese Fried Rice $12 at 14 North 108 East for lunch and a Mix Plate Tacos at Roast Republic for dinner at only $15. For more info and to make your plan of attack for how to eat your way through Sydney, head to The Fork’s website, linked above.

Nespresso’s limited edition collection with Chiara Ferragni is its chicest yet

OG influencer, Italian fashion icon and entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni has teamed up with Nespresso for the mother of all Milano in the most chic coffee range collaboration we’ve ever seen. We all know Italian coffee is where it’s at and Nespresso’s new and limited-edition collection, co-developed with Chiara, pays homage to Milan’s history, architecture, and lifestyle. The collection features a new coffee blend, Milano Intenso, a range of stylish accessories and a GORGEOUS CitiZ Nespresso machine. Dripping in gold accents, when we say this range is chic (and also super limited edition), we mean it. The entire collection is adorned in a bespoke geometric deep green design with gold accents influenced by Milan’s historic locations, Villa Necchi, Palazzo Montedoria and Duomo Cathedral, and is inspired by Chiara’s vision of the city. The coffee itself is made for Australians who love a robust bean. Milano Intenso has a medium-dark roast, and a high intensity rating of eight, with a classic combination of cocoa and roasted-cereal notes. Nespresso recommends that this be enjoyed as a cappuccino given it’s medium-dark roast pairs well with milk. “My love of coffee and Italy knows no limits, so I jumped at the chance to collaborate again with my dear Nespresso family to co-develop this limited-edition collection,” Chiara tells, “The new range has been inspired by the creativity and rich culture of Milan, and I am so excited to bring to life such great tasting coffee with beautiful accessories and machine for coffee lovers to enjoy wherever they are.” Sip in style… Read More

The latest release from The Macallan is where coffee meets whisky

the macallan harmony whisky

Iconic whisky makers, The Macallan, are back with their second annual release of The Harmony Collection and this time the flavours are inspired by coffee. The Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica single malt whisky explores the intersection of coffee and whisky production and challenges even the most staunch whisky drinker to be creative and test their palate by pairing it with coffee. This limited edition whisky is a must try! The Harmony Collection is inspired by a deep connection to the natural world, which has been at the heart of The Macallan for nearly 200 years. Starting in 2021 with the release of Rich Cacao which offered indulgent chocolate flavour notes and incorporated discarded husks from cacao pods in the packaging.Sustainability and nature have been constants since The Macallan began crafting single malt whisky, and The Harmony Collection releases showcase this across different food industries. For their latest release, Inspired by Intense Arabica, The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner has created the distinct Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean flavour profile to playfully pair with coffee to unlock distinct flavour profiles. Steven says, “Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration. There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience. Whisky Maker’s Notes:The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense… Read More