Category: FOOD & DRINK

A new Mexican restaurant lights up Pink Alley in Melbourne

Mexican restaurant Melbourne

Life’s back to (almost) normal and now, it’s time to get back into the groove. Melbourne’s Pink Alley is welcoming a new resident: Meijco Melbourne! Think: tableside gauc, late-night margaritas and over 260 varieties of tequila and mezcal – the largest selection in Melbourne – all while open until 3am on weekends. You’ll find it in the courtyard and glasshouse space of the existing Collins Quarter Building right in the middle of the city. Mejico is a place inspired by a love of life, flavour and festivity, bringing the streets of modern Mexico to Melbourne with colour, music, aroma and of course, margaritas. With courtyard dining and an upstairs tequila bar and margarita lounge, Mejico is serving delicious market-to-table lunch and dinner daily, uniting regional flavours and techniques from the city with influences from coastal towns. And it wouldn’t be a new Melbourne restaurant without an artistic collaboration, so the Sydney-cum-Melbourne foodmasters have opted to team with Ash Keating, who’s created a large neon pink and black, hand-painted mural in the entryway and other artworks entire two-storey space. Find Mejico Melbourne at 1 Pink Alley, Melbourne.

You can now find Bar Rosella in The Domain Melbourne

Bar Rosella

Renowned northside restaurant, Bar Rosella, is bringing its Italian-inspired food and summer drinks menu southside for a limited edition pop up in The Domain. The Bar Rosella x 31 Coventry Italian Bar and Café pop up is thanks to a collaboration between Bar Rosella and the new 31 Coventry Street project that will one day house a permanent Bar Rosella Tramezzini Bar in its lobby. Find it there from 10am – 6pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Bar Rosella team will also be offering their limited edition picnic boxes for 2 – 3 people, which includes Italian antipasti, cheese and nibbles, and can be pre-ordered and enjoyed in the Botanical Gardens across the road. Check it out at the website.

Pimp up your summer cocktails with seasonal Australian Mangoes

Aussie Summer Mango Spritz02

You know summer is on its way when your local grocer or supermarket starts stocking sweet, juicy mangoes and even better — starts selling them by the tray at a reasonable price. But what can you do with all those mangoes apart from making a fresh fruit salad or slicing it over your muesli?  You’d be surprised! How does mango chia pudding, barbecue mojito mango cheeks, or fish tacos with fresh mango salsa sound? The Australian Mangoes website has loads of useful recipes ranging from breakfast, dessert, dinner lunch, and snack recipes. There’s also a refreshing ‘Aussie Summer Mango Spritz’ recipe, perfect for a lazy Friday evening tipple to kick off the long-awaited weekend.  So without further ado, here is the recipe for that mouth-watering spritz. This recipe serves 10 2 Mangoes 4 cups ice 500ml Aperol, chilled 4 cups ice 750 ml bottle chilled Prosecco 750 ml chilled soda water Mango syrup 2 mangoes 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water Method For the syrup, peel and roughly chop mango flesh. Place into a blender or processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan. Add sugar and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, boil gently for 3 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug. Set aside to cool. Pour into a sterilized bottle. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Peel and dice the flesh from mangoes. Divide the ice among 10 glasses. Spoon 2 tablespoons of mango syrup into each glass. Top each with 50ml Aperol… Read More

Enjoy the Bon Fromage Festival of European Cheeses from the comfort of your own home

cheese 2

Things are being done a little differently this year, including the Bon Fromage Festival of European Cheeses, which is being held online for the first time.  Running from 21 – 29 November 2020, the virtual festival is a celebration of the finest French fromage and provides cheese lovers with access to order exclusive French cheese packs and participate in free online masterclasses. There are many masterclasses to choose from including Blue Loves, Strong and Stinky, The Classics, Soft and Creamy, and  Elevated Cheese Snacks. Take a look at the full line up here.  These masterclasses are free of charge and you can sign up anytime during the festival.  If you want to take this culinary experience to the next level, there is a limited selection of VIP Packs with exclusive workshops also available. Each VIP Pack and masterclass has been curated by some of Australia’s leading artisanal cheese and beverage merchants including Sydney’s Simon Johnson Quality Foods, Adelaide’s Smelly Cheese Shop, and The Drink Hive. What’s included in the VIP Packs? These exclusive culinary packs and masterclasses are curated by Bon Fromage and some of Australia’s best artisanal cheese and beverage merchants. The packs range between $85-$140 including shipping.  The VIP Packs can be ordered up until Sunday 22 November.  The Drink Hive – a collection of perfectly paired French cheese and wine. Masterclass on Friday 27th November at 7pm. Simon Johnson – a collection of very different French cheeses and paired condiments. Masterclass on Saturday 28th November at 5pm. The Maker and Monger –… Read More

A night in with Jacob – Australia’s newest premium sparkling wine

Jacob sparkling wine

South Australian premium wine brand JACOB is offering a bookable sparkling tower experience for the month of November to celebrate the launch of Australia’s newest premium vintage sparkling wine. Using classic champagne varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and an extensive ageing period of 32 months, this gorgeous sparkling has arrived just in time to be enjoyed over summer and the festive season. Talk about timing!  2020 has certainly made us rethink the way we do things, including get-togethers with our friends. And that’s why this concept is pure genius. There’s no need to worry about crowds at bars because this sparkling wine tower comes to your home! Jacob wine expert, Kristy Farrell will introduce you to the 2017 vintage while you and your friends enjoy a glass of this very enjoyable drop, coupled with a sumptuous antipasto board. The ‘event’ features three tiers of Jacob sparkling wine, a staff member that will assist with setting up the wine tower and antipasto board, your very own JACOB wine expert, and a seriously delicious antipasto board from The Grounds. Even the glassware is provided. All you need to do is call up the friends and stream some good music.  Valued at over $500, the event is priced at $150 and runs from 6 – 8 pm every Friday and Saturday night during November for groups of people between 7-14. Oh, and obviously you’ll need to be over 18 years old to enjoy the sparkling wine.  Here’s what people are saying about Jacob: “It’s a… Read More

Make the most of freedom: drinks at the Argyle Sydney

Argyle summer 2

It’s summer, we’re free and you need to go out with friends. The Argyle has you covered and has turned itself into an oasis of alcohol-fuelled enjoyment to keep you ticking the whole weekend. A summery oasis in the heart of the city, it comes complete with tropical flowers and vines cascading from the ceiling and intertwined with lights, disco balls and inflatable swimming pool paraphernalia. Just to get you in the mood. Head into the Argyle every Wednesday to Saturday from 4pm to 7pm and treat yourself to two floors, six bars and safe socialising measures in place for a themed summer soiree on the calendar every Friday night. Entry is free, but bookings are recommended. Dress in theme for ultimate selfie satisfaction. For more, head to the Argyle website.

Drink in a garden bubble by Sydney Harbour at Pier One Hotel

Pier One Garden Bubble

Perched upon the balcony of one of the Pier One Hotels’ incredible Harbour View Balcony Suites, you’ll find an outdoor oasis is filled with lush greenery and trendy rattan furniture, utilising the best views in Sydney. Floral arrangements by the creatives at POHO Flowers sit amongst the space, with cushions and throws adding pastel pops of colour. Come sunset, a floral chandelier and scattered fairy lights illuminate the space, complete with spanning water and cityscape views. You want pretty? Done. Whimsical? Deal. Stunning environs? Tick. Grammable? You know it. With food and bev packages, choose from Mediterranean style, cheese and charcuterie or indulgent desserts, or add one of the feasting menu packages to graze on throughout the day. In addition to the abundant wine list, Pier One Hotel have also created a series of colourful glitter cocktails, with delicious summer flavour combinations; perfect to soak up the sun and enjoy in the Garden Bubble. Keen? Make a booking at the Pier One Hotel’s website

Spice up your summer cocktails with new Captain Morgan’s Gingerbread Spiced

Captain Morgan Gingerbread

Because summer’s for drinking, listen up. Just in time to spice up summer drinks, Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced has just launched in Australia, serving your bevs hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, Gingerbread Spiced can be enjoyed as a flavourful base for cocktails with your crew or to add some seasonal spice to your rum and cola. You can officially now have you cake and drink it, too. What to make with it? Why, The Captain’s Gingerbread Apple Pie cocktail, of course. A delicious mix of Captain Morgan Gingerbread Spiced and fresh cloudy apple juice that tastes as good as it sounds. Get it for $45 at shops across the country. How to make Captain Morgan’s Gingerbread apple pie cocktail Spiced Simple Syrup: Combine granulated sugar, water, and whole cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Steep 5 minutes; discard cloves. Dip rims of 2 highball glasses into corn syrup, then coat with finely crushed gingersnap cookies and coarse sugar; set aside. Add ice cubs, Gingerbread Spiced Rum, fresh lime juice and spiced simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake well. Pour into prepared glasses. Top each drink with ginger beer and a dash of apple juice. Garnish with sugar-coated rosemary sprigs and cranberries, if desired.

Have your cake and drink it: What to do with new Baileys Red Velvet

Baileys red velvet

Just when you thought mixing whiskey and cream couldn’t get better; it did. For a limited time only, Baileys is pumping out red velvet deliciousness for the festive season, ideal for dessert-like decadence and sensational cocktails. Like this one. The Red Velvet Martini (1.3 standard drinks) Add 50mls of Baileys Red Velvet Cupcake and 25mls of vodka into an ice-filled shaker. Shake with ice and pour into a martini glass. Top with whipped cream for added decadence. Baileys Red Velvet Cupcake (700ml) will be available from mid-October for a limited time at all leading liquor stores nationwide – until stocks last. RRP $35.99. 17% ABV

Let’s get gay: POOF DOOF’s HALLOQWEEN Bloody Banquet feat. Kitty Glitter at ivy

Beresford SYdney Halloqween

Sydney’s ivy, right in the heart of town, is hosting a Halloween bash worthy of getting excited about – Halloqween! Yas. A 3-hour jam-packed haunt will serve you a seated service event and show, with food by Totti’s, a costume extravaganza, and red carpet arrivals. It’ll be camp. There will be a full line-up of bloody valentines including drag devils, vampiric vocalists and so many more horrors.  First release tickets on sale now from here and include entry, entertainment, inclusive drinks package, two-course meal by Totti’s plus a trick or treat dessert goodie bag.