Category: FOOD & DRINK

Where to drink pink: The Lanique pop-up bar in London

Updated: 16/11/2022

Lanique, Spirit of Rose has teamed up with VAULT Festival 2020 (28th January – 22nd March), to bring bespoke rose tinted cocktails to London’s boldest arts and theatre celebration. At The Vaults on Waterloo’s Leake Street, The Rose Bar is an immersive cocktail experience from Lanique, taking you on a journey through the drinks’ rich history. You’ll start in 18th century Prussia, through to modern day London. All in drink form. All delicious. All pink. And the best bit? It’s free to visit. For more and to plan your visit, head to the website.

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

Tags: Lanique, London festivals, London gin, pink gin, Vault festival London

Sydney: Bar Totti’s open – and why you should care

by James Banham

Posted: 17/02/2020

The ivy in Sydney has a new housemate: Bar Totti. It’s walk in only, the relative to the Bondi version and front-and-centre in the ivy complex right in the middle of the city, giving visitors all the alcohol-fuelled, foodie haven-ness that’s synonymous with the Merivale movement. It’s fun, high-energy and ready for a party, putting chefs Mike Eggert and Jake Ahrens (Ash St. Cellar, Uccello) behind the pans to serve-up the simple and delicious food Totti’s is renowned for. With a menu built on wood-fired bread, house-made antipasti and snacks, it’s a simple offering to line the stomach before visiting any of the the ivy’s other venues well into the night. The antipasti list is touting about 20 options, like sardines, anchovies, octopus, scallop crudo, prosciutto, ‘nduja, burrata, baked tomino and marinated peppers. Snacks are ‘alla griglia’ (grilled), like king prawns, chili and fennel, halloumi, oregano and lemon, chicken wings, honey and rosemary, and grilled garfish lemon and bay leaf. The drinks? Simple. The desserts? On the menu. The atmosphere? Worth it. For a visit, go to ivy, Shop 4/330 George Street.

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

Melbourne: The Prince Public Bar is open again

by James Banham

Posted: 17/02/2020

Late nights, Sunday mornings, bayside debauchery and live music shenanigans are back at the gateway to the southeast: The Prince Public Bar. St Kilda’s legendary local Prince Public Bar is calling first drinks again with the legendary pad flaunting a new look since closing in April to undergo a major overhaul. Remodelled by IF Architecture’s Iva Foschia, a long-time collaborator of the corner locale, the new design pays homage to its Art Deco heritage reimagined through a modern lens. The entire ground floor has been opened up to create light, roomy spaces, with an internal staircase allowing a more free-flowing connection to the hotel lobby and Prince Dining Room. At the heart of the venue is a large oval island bar, reinstated to its original orientation and grandeur. With breakfast-to-lunch at the hands of Chef Dan Cooper’s approachable, seasonal menu, there’s no reason to not check him out at the Prince website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne bars, Melbourne Prince Bar, Melbourne Public bar, St Kilda bars

Sydney: Coogee Pavillion's middle level is now open!

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

It’s about time! For as long as any coastie’s conscionable memory extends, the middle level at the Merivale Coogee Pavillion’s been shut. But, no more! Complete with three venues – restaurant mimi’s, cocktail bar will’s and wine and tapas bar Una Más – it’s a new addition to the coastside haunt that’s slammed every weekend. More space, more on offer, more reasons to go, the ‘Pav”s new places to eat and drink are guided by the cooking philosophy of executive chef Jordan Toft (Bert’s, Bar Topa) – a simple, yet special style of dining sparked by a Mediterranean heart, through an Australian lens. New feeds on offer span the likes of warmed Queensland scallop, chicken wing murri and summer fennel, barbequed black lip abalone skewer, pancetta, bay and yeasted puff pastry arlettes, warm d’affinois. Coogee Pavilion’s middle floor has been five years in the making and is the product of an inspiring collaboration between Toft, Justin Hemmes and Merivale’s design team (Bettina Hemmes, Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of ACME, and stylist Amanda Talbot). To see more of the menu, make a booking, go to the Coogee Pavillion’s website. To see more, scroll down.

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

It’s okay to drink chilled red wine, but if you don’t believe us, ask the experts at Taylors Wines

by Emi Berry

Updated: 01/12/2019

Contrary to popular belief, you can enjoy a chilled, full-bodied red wine over summer. “Sacré bleu!,” we hear you say! But yes, it’s true. Gone are the days when red wines are said to be enjoyed best at room temperature, by the fireplace in the middle of winter. And in fact, the concept of drinking wine at room temperature originates from Europe, where wines were kept in chilly cellars at ‘Europrean room temperatures’. The average room temperature in Australia is approximately 23 degrees, which is somewhat warmer than the chilly cellars of Europe, making it just that little too warm for the optimum serving temperature. According to Taylors Wines, full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz should actually be served at between 16 to 18 degrees celsius. If you prefer a lighter-bodied red such as Pinot Noir, it should be served at 12-14 degrees celsius. Experts at Taylors also say if red wine is served too warm, the alcohol will dominate and mask its subtle flavours. But if you need further convincing that drinking chilled red is actually okay, then it’s best you hear it from the experts at Taylors Wines, who are launching the Summer House of Shiraz – a 90-minute, temperature themed wine tasting experience at a stunning Point Piper venue overlooking Sydney Harbour. To access the venue, you will be transported to and from the Summer House via private water taxi from Rose Bay. The Summer House will open its doors and private jetty for two days, Saturday 7 December and… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: drink wine, drinks, red wine, summer drinks, summer drinks guide, taylors wines, wine

Cold coffee for a hot summer: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters do it right

by James Banham

Posted: 30/11/2019

Cold brew coffee isn’t a new thing; but doing it right is. Seven Miles Coffee Roasters are pretty top notch when it comes to their brews, to the point where they’ve even managed to craft their own cold brew for the warmer months. Based in Manly NSW, they know a temperature-or-two, so the art of perfecting a refreshing cold drip – as opposed to your regular latte – is an acquired thing. The cold brew summer blend has the capacity to satisfy Aussies’ seasonal tastes – some of the highest standards in the world if you’ve ever tried they shit they call ‘coffee’ in the UK – with new blend is set to meet the ever-increasing demand for cold brew. Expertly roasted, blended and ground by the squad at Seven Miles, this new creation takes the guesswork out of cold brewing to give seasoned professionals and at-home baristas a helping hand, ensuring maximum flavour every time. Here’s the goods. And here’s how to make it.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Cold brew, Cold coffee for a hot summer: Seven Miles Coffee Roasters do it right, How to make cold brew coffee, Roasted coffee, Seven Miles Roast

Drinks of Fire & Ice: Johnnie Walker is keeping GoT living

by James Banham

Posted: 30/11/2019

The finale might come and come (and left a tonne of questions unanswered in its wake), but Johnnie Walker isn’t letting it go that easily. The whisky man has made two new batches, the Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire, available since October. The new whiskies are inspired by the two great Houses who face off in the final series of Game of Thrones – House Stark, represented by the fearsome Direwolf, and House Targaryen, represented by the fire-breathing Dragon. Johnnie Walker is calling on Game of Thrones fans to declare their allegiance, Stark or Targaryen, Direwolf or Dragon. Whether it’s fire you desire or you have ice in your veins, Johnnie Walker has a Game of Thrones whisky for you. Fever obviously takes a while to die down in the UK – German Gymnasium have just intro’d a new range of cocktails in the show’s honour, too! A Song of Ice has a crisp, clean taste inspired by the unforgiving, sharp Winterfell terrain and the freezing ice that shapes its mountains and stops its rivers. Meanwhile, A Song of Fire boasts flavours of subtle smoke from the peated malts of the Caol Ila distillery. Synonymous with the House in which it hails from A Song of Fire’s full-bodied flavour delivers subtle red fruit, a sweet smoke and a hint of spice like those laden in the markets of Meereen Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire will both be available in October 2019 until supplies last with an SRP: Available from liquor stores nationwide from late October. $69.99 for 700ml.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Johnnie Walker Fire whisky, Johnnie Walker ice whisky, Johnnie Walker whisky, Song Fire Ice, whisky

Buy wine and gift one automatically – How Burge Wines is doing Christmas

by James Banham

Posted: 30/11/2019

Until 3 December iconic Barossa-based wine producer is running their Buy a Burge, Gift a Burge promotion, a limited-time thing offering consumers who purchase a bottle of Grant Burge the opportunity to gift a second bottle to someone special. Whether it’s a present for a wine-lover or a surprise and delight moment for that someone special, the promotion, aptly titled ‘Buy a Burge, Gift a Burge’, offers you a wonderful opportunity to both gift and enjoy high quality wines this festive season, from a delicious Grant Burge, Shiraz or Sparkling Wine. Here’s how to do it… Buy a bottle of Grant Burge wine from a participating range and participating store Jump online and visit giftaburge.com.au Upload your details, including the purchase receipt, and nominate a friend or family member who you wish to gift Your nominated friend of family member will then receive a unique voucher they can redeem for a bottle of Grant Burge (from the same range and any store from the same participating retailer) Merry drinking.

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tags: Burge wines, free wine

Q Dining dishes out top notch seasonal fare atop Sydney’s Circular Quay

by THE F

Updated: 16/11/2022

Hotel restaurants are having a moment. No longer relegated to being a last resort for hotel guests, they’ve become dining institutions in their own right, for guests and locals alike. Such is the case with Q Dining. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand, Q Dining occupies a prime spot on Circular Quay, with floor to ceiling windows showcasing its enviable harbour view. Q Dining offers a regularly changing menu, showcasing Australia’s best seasonal produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. The a la carte menu features tried and tested staples with a distinctly Australian twist; pork sourced from Byron Bay is accented with saltbush, whilst poached cod is seasoned with coastal herbs. Sides consist of classic staples like butter bean salad, mash, baked cauliflower, and shoestring fries. Vegetarians are also catered for here, with a sublime lemon thyme risotto with strong notes of parmesan, or spicy linguine with roasted red pepper and herbs among the dishes that can be served meatless. Dessert isn’t an afterthought at Q Dining, with innovative dishes like a white chocolate yogurt crémeux served with mandarin sorbet and pistachio, or a classic yet well executed buttermilk panna cotta providing a sweet end to a delicious meal. The beverage list is thorough, featuring wines from around the world, as well as a concise cocktail list. Its clean, modern aesthetic also cements Q Dining as a fine dining one to watch. Featuring high ceilings, metallic pendant lights, and a subtle blue and wood colour scheme which blends perfectly with the harbour view outside,… Read More

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

Tags: best restaurants sydney, circular quay, q dining, Q Dining Sydney, Q Dining Sydney review, sydney, Sydney restaurant guide, sydney restaurants, where to eat sydney

Melbourne: Ketel One Vodka takes over the city’s Arbory Afloat riverside bar

by James Banham

Posted: 25/11/2019

Vodka is versatile. And so is the range of things to do in Melbourne in the summer. Combine the two and you get Ketel One Botanical; a new vodka range by the brand that combines the throat-burning deliciousness of vodka with the fragrant and floral notes of, well… Flowers. Arbory Afloat, Melbourne’s latest summertime destination, is all about summer in the city and vodka, so they’ve combined the two in honour of the new batch, creating a lush oasis on the venues’ upper deck to celebrate the launch of the new spirit. Arbory Afloat is serving each of the three new Ketel One Botanical varietals in a simple yet elegant, smooth-sipping spritz. You can enjoy these: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint spritz; Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose spritz; Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom spritz; To accompany the take-over, Arbory Afloat has created a range of merchandise; T-shirts, hats and towels inspired by the botanicals from Ketel One Botanical. Find it all at Arbory Afloat, opening hours: daily 11am – 1am, from now until 23 February 2020.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: arbory afloat, Melbourne Arbory Afloat, Melbourne bar, melbourne bars

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More