Category: FOOD & DRINK

Messina drumsticks are a thing this summer

Posted: 19/01/2019

There’s a new icecream in town and it’s a combo between Drumstick and Gelato Messina. The time to get excited is now. Since 1963, Drumstick has been doing its thing in Australia and in 2019, they’re teaming up with Gelato Messina to create something new for summer. The new Drumstick cones are inspired by some of Gelato Messina’s most popular flavours, with ingredients made in the Messina kitchen. They do four flavours: Mango & Salted Coconut Fresh Kensington Pride mango sorbet entwined with Murray River Salted Coconut sorbet, topped with Kensington Pride Mango sauce and toasted coconut flakes. Vanilla Bean & Peanut Praline Rich three fold vanilla bean ice cream, topped with a sweet & salty peanut praline and dark chocolate. Roasted Hazelnut A unique MESSINA hazelnut sauce made with hazelnuts all the way from Cortemilia in Italy, swirled through an indulgent gelato, topped with roasted hazelnuts. Dulce de Leche Made with MESSINA’s trade mark Dulce de Leche sauce combined with creamy ice cream and chocolate coated biscuit pieces.

Category: DESSERTS, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Gelato Messina, Messina, Messina Drumstick, Messina Peterd Drumstick, THE F Messina

Get cheap beer when it gets hot: Sydney Beer Co introduces surge pricing

by James Banham

Posted: 16/01/2019

The higher the mercury goes, the lower your cost of beer becomes. That’s the stuff of a good deal. With summer being as rough as it is in Oz and Sydney being as much of a hard taskmaster as it is when it comes to sweet reprieve, the Sydney Beer Co made a good decision that involves you saving a tonne. Their very own ‘Sydney Beer Co. Summer Price Index’ will dictate the discount on it easy drinking beer that basically means, simply put, when the temperature goes up, the beer price comes down. This temperature focused discounting is an exclusive limited-time thing that can monitor yourself with the temperature price index using your phone. Ranging from 0% to 49%, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Imperial Hotel Erskineville, Daniel San Manly, Park House and Northies will offer discounts to be locked in on Sydney Beer Co. lager based on the real-time temperature. Get it at each venue every day until 17th March 2019. Here’s how to get cheap beer Follow these simple steps to redeem the discount:1. Sign up to the Summer Price Index with Sydney Beer Co. at www.sbcsummerpriceindex.com.2. Once the temperature hits 30°C, choose to lock in your discount.3. Nominate a two-hour block of time on that day to redeem your discount. Note the discount is only valid on the day it’s locked in and for the two-hour block you nominate, with a limit of one claim per person each day, so choose wisely!5. You will receive an email with your discount confirmation.6. Visit a participating venue to… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Cheap beer Sydney, Sydney beer brands, Sydney Beer Co, the f sydney, THE F Sydney Beer Co

Angelo’s Cabarita debuts a brand-new look for the new year

by Kate Iselin

Posted: 16/01/2019

Angelo’s Cabarita first came in to being as a function centre. While it was the first stop for weddings and christenings for anyone seeking a bayside view of Cabarita, it may not have been number one on your list if you were looking for an afternoon glass of bubbles or an evening meal with the family – until now. Everything has had a re-vamp, from the interior to the menu to the wine list. While the venue has always been spacious, it’s now chic, warm, and welcoming, with bucketloads of natural light and a private dining space for those super-special occasions. A classically Australian menu takes nods of inspiration from Italy, with fresh seafood and pasture-fed cuts of meat taking prime position alongside creamy gnocchi, zucchini flowers, and the famous beetroot risotto (you really have to try it). The bar is fully-stocked with everything you need to sip and swill your way through a long, Italian-inspired lunch: kick things off with an Aperol spritz (or a negroni if you’re in the mood) and share a bottle or two of Prosecco, before finishing off with an Espresso Martini that will give you all the energy you need to make it back to the dock to catch the last ferry home. While Cabarita is admittedly more than a quick stroll away from the city, the journey is well worth it, especially if you’re travelling by water. Nobody in Sydney needs any excuse for a day out, especially when the weather is this good: but… Read More

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

How to drink smoke: The new batch by Johnnie Walker

by James Banham

Posted: 15/01/2019

When it comes to trends in the whisky game, smokiness is at the pinnacle. So when ol’ mate Johnnie takes a step into the flame with his latest batch, Sweet Peat, you know it’s making waves again. It’s the latest creation from the whisky brand’s experimental Blenders’ Batch project, which started over 10 years ago. A small team of Johnnie Walker blenders began a series of experiments matching flavours and aromas to explore what happens when different types of smoke and sweetness collide. It gave birth to the limited edition small batches we’re all for, the result of which is this caramel sweetness meets peated smoke. It’s nice. For those whisky nerds playing at home; at the heart of Johnnie Walker Sweet Peat is whisky from the island distillery of Caol Ila, matured in refill casks and specifically chosen for its soft bonfire smoke and hidden sweetness. Speyside malts, including Cardhu, matured in refill casks, add sweet fresh fruit flavours such as apple, orange and pineapple. Whisky from Glendullan, aged in sherry casks, brings additional sweetness, rich fruity notes and balance. It’s a limited edition bottle and batch that you can get for yourself at Dan Murphy’s stores from early January 2019, $55.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Johnnie Walker Sweet Peat, THE F Johnnie Walker, THE F Sweet Peat, THE F whisky, whisky review

What’s on at Canberra Good Food Month, March 2019

by James Banham

Posted: 15/01/2019

Canberra Good Food Month is back again and in 2019, is serving-up the goods, tastier than ever before. Following in the footsteps of its Melbourne and Sydney brother and sister, as well as its success of 2018, Canberra Good Food Month will hit the Capitol in March 2019. With all the typical Good Food Month events and happenings, this year’s iteration will be about celebrating three fine elements of cooking: cooking with fire, Asian inspiration and the young, emerging talent in Australian food. It’s all about putting Canberra on the ever-growing foodie pedestal. Here are three must-see events at Canberra Good Food Month: Adam Liaw’s Chinese-Australian Food Odyssey | Chairman & Yip | Friday 15 March, 6.30-10.30pm | Tickets $190 Adam Liaw will take food lovers on an edible history through the past, present and future of Chinese food in Australia with Kwok Keung Tung, head chef at Michelin-starred restaurant, Chairman Hong Kong. Ticket price includes a six-course dinner with matched wines. Fire at Dusk with Lennox Hastie & James Viles | Pialligo Estate | Saturday 9 March, 6.30pm-10pm | Tickets $160 Lennox Hastie (Firedoor) and James Viles (Biota Dining) will show off thier wood-fired grilling craft over the asado open fire-pit at the Asador Etxebarri (number six on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants), before opening Australia’s only fully wood fuelled restaurant. Ticket price includes a four-course dinner with matched wines, served with an arrival canape and cocktail. Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi | Aubergine | Sunday 17 March, 12.30pm-3.00pm | Tickets $150 Three… Read More

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

Tags: adam liaw, canberra good food month, THE F Canberra, THE F Canberra Good Food Month

The wine festival in Wellington New Zealand to know about

by James Banham

Posted: 13/01/2019

The Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival is on 9 March 2019, held on the banks of the Ruamahunga River in the Gladstone wine growing region. If you’re nearby, it’s worth the trip. The festival is a great place to sample some of the area’s top drops and regional produce, showing off the best of NZ. This year marks 13 years of the festival that pairs vineyards with regional restaurants to produce a range of outstanding dishes. It gives visitors the chance to sample the fare and take their pick of wines from not only the larger, better known wineries of the region, but also from some of the area’s smaller, boutique producers. The sheltered riverside setting is close to both Masterton and Carterton, which is only 1 hr 15 from Wellington. See more about the festival here.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: new zealand wine, new zealand wine festival, Wairarapa, Wairarapa wine festival

ARTS & CULTURE

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

Labyrinth in Concert comes to London’s Royal Festival Hall

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Prepare to be whisked away to the mystical realm of Goblin City with a legendary twist, as “Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert” makes its grand debut at London’s Royal Festival Hall. On Friday, 28th November 2025, fans of this beloved musical fantasy film will experience a spectacular fusion of cinema and live music that promises to be nothing short of magical. For the first time ever, Jim Henson’s original masterpiece, starring the one and only David Bowie, will come alive on stage with a captivating live band performance. Audiences will be treated to the enchanting melodies of Bowie’s original vocals, accompanied by the band in perfect harmony, all set against the backdrop of the movie projected on a large HD cinema screen. It’s a chance to relive the unforgettable music and adventure that has captured hearts for nearly 40 years since the film’s release in 1986. Produced by Black Ink Presents, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, this unique concert experience is set to enthral long-time fans and newcomers alike. Known for breathing new life into iconic films with live orchestras and bands, Black Ink Presents has previously dazzled audiences with events like Batman, Ghostbusters, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. CEO John Kinsner shares his excitement, stating, “I have always been a huge fan of the groundbreaking collaboration of Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, and Trevor Jones on this film, and bringing it to fans in a live concert screening experience is a dream come true. Getting to hear Bowie’s vocals with a live… Read More

Why rush to National Art School postgrad show

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Step into the vibrant world of the arts at the National Art School (NAS) as it proudly unveils the 2024 Postgrad Show, a spectacular showcase of over 400 works by Australia’s next generation of emerging artists. Open to the public until 17 November 2024, this annual exhibition has firmly established itself as a pivotal event in Sydney’s cultural calendar, attracting gallerists, collectors, and art enthusiasts eager to discover fresh talent. The Postgrad Show serves as a launchpad for these budding artists, featuring the final bodies of work by the Master of Fine Art (MFA) graduates. This year’s exhibition offers an eclectic mix of mediums including painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, collage, 3D printing, performance, photography, drawing, and ceramics. Each piece is a testament to the diverse themes being explored—ranging from natural and digital ecosystems to identity, the Anthropocene, philosophy, and personal narratives. Ceramics take centre stage with artists like Benjamin Akuila, who delves into themes of construction, authenticity, and plasticity, informed by his Tongan heritage. His work offers a compelling exploration of queer and diasporic identity through hybrid cultural narratives. Meanwhile, Chrystie Longworth uses ceramic forms to navigate femininity, identity, and domesticity, drawing inspiration from historical subversive messages crafted by women in textiles. Her work, with its tactile terracotta and pigment surfaces, invites viewers to experience a subtle play of light and texture. From the drawing studios, Quan Zhu Ma marries traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary practices, using innovative materials like heated charcoal and ash. His work reimagines traditional ink art, creating a fusion that resonates… Read More