Category: ASIAN FOOD

International chefs are coming to Sydney for The Blend with Chivas Regal at Ms G’s Potts Point

Posted: 01/10/2018

Executive Chef Dan Hong will collaborate with some of his favourite chefs to launch The Blend in Sydney. It’ll be an exclusive series of international chef collaborations, bespoke cocktails and whisky blending at Ms.G’s in Potts Point, overlooking some pretty sweet views of the Sydney city skyline. Ms G’s fast became known for its quality food and good times, but now, they’re cracking her wide open, inviting-in guest chefs to come and cook with Dan Hong to create an experimental menu that will be served for two nights only, and see one signature dish available for the month. The events will be become the ultimate weeknight parties with DJs, roving snacks, bespoke Chivas Regal cocktails that have been created for the event to match the menu especially and whisky stations throughout the venue where you can sample and learn more about the different blends if that’s your thing. LA chef Kris Yenbamroong of Night + Market fame will be in town on 10 and 11 October. Also, Jowett Yu of Hong Kong’s Ho Lee Fook and Louis Tikram of LP & EP, LA will be kicking around on 12 and 13 November. Here’s what you ned to know: October Dates: Wed 10th and Thu 11th Oct Chef: Kris Yenbamroong Restaurant: NIGHT + MARKET, LA November Dates: Mon 12th and Tue 13th Nov Chef: Louis Tikram & Jowett Yu Restaurant: LP & EP, LA and Ho Lee Fook, Hong Kong Get tickets from Merivale.

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

Tags: chivas blend ms gs, chivas regal, dan hong, ms gs, potts point

Tokyo-cool Japanese restaurant in Darling Square, Bang Bang will shoot you down

by James Banham

Posted: 23/09/2018

If you dig Japan and Japanese food, then new Tokyo eatery in Darling Square, Bang Bang, will more than do it for you. A little Shinjuku, a little inner-city Tokyo, a little seaside Sydney, Bang Bang is a Robotronic, steely decorated, neon-lit, Yakuza decorated haven of Japanese-cool restaurant on the city fringe of inner Sydney. Hard to find aside from the bullet-sprayed roller doors and hauntingly good Japanese scents wafting out the door, Bang Bang is on Steam Mill Lane underneath the Commonwealth Bank building, offering-up lunch to dinner for the more trendy eaters amongst us. Head chef Kokubo Yuji’s (ex-Nobu Tokyo) casual lunch menu is an array of Japanese favourites including omelettes, udon, curries, signature donburi, and ‘The Bang Bang Tebasaki’: a tower of double-fried chicken wings doused in a peppery soy glaze. They’re doing something new with the cuisine, playing with flavours and different versions of presentation that takes a different, but completely welcome step away from traditional Japanese eating. Think cocktails served in hollowed-out grapefruits, sushi platters presented on fresh slate sheets and a cocktail called the “otakuastic” served in a 1- litre butler pump, perfect for large groups. Bang Bang 14 Steam Mill Lane, Darling Square, Haymarket Opening hours: 11:30am-10:30pm

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

Tags: bang bang, darling square, japanese, japanese restaurants, sydney japanese restaurants

Kenny Rens is the Japanese place in Woollahra you didn’t know existed

by James Banham

Updated: 08/11/2018

If you know Woollahra in Sydney’s inner-east, you know it’s a quiet little slice of town. The streets are old and wide, with over-hanging trees; the houses are expansive and empty to add a bit of seclusion in the middle of town; and he restaurants – though few and far-between – offer something completely all their own in a format you’d be hard done by to find in many other parts of the city. Welcome, Kenny Rens. Lunch time at Kenny Rens? How amazing is this weather?! ???? A post shared by K E N N Y R E N S (@kennyrens) on Jul 28, 2018 at 7:09pm PDT Kenny Rens is a Japanese restaurant and bar, tucked away, ever so clandestinely behind a small cafe front, right next to the incredibly popular Chargrill Charlie’s chicken shop, you’d almost never guess it’s there. You enter through a dark wooden door and his little slice of Japanese gastronomy awaits you. ‘He’, as such, is not a real man, but the creation of local Sydney restauranteur, Nick Diamond whose travels and love for Japan gave rise to his new project. Hence the authentic atmosphere and look of the whole place. All dark wood, very moody and with the traditionalistic touch of a chef with the Japanese hachimaki – coupled with a drinks list that is as far-reaching as it is well done – what Kenny Rens offers is something new to the area, and new for lovers of far Eastern cuisine. Their latest menu addition, the Robata grill, is a… Read More

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

Tags: japanese food sydney, japanese restaurant, kenny rens

ARTS & CULTURE

Rum Tum Tugger and 2022 International Tour Company c Alessandro Pinna

CATS the musical is coming back to Sydney

17/10/2024

By James Banham

Step into a world of enchanting felines and timeless melodies as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, CATS, returns to Theatre Royal Sydney. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in June 2025, this legendary production is set to captivate audiences once more, in the very theatre where its Australian journey began back in 1985. CATS first leapt onto the stage at the New London Theatre in 1981, revolutionising musical theatre with its dazzling fusion of music, dance, and T.S. Eliot’s whimsical poetry from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. Since then, it has mesmerised over 81 million viewers across more than 50 countries, earning accolades including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. On Broadway, it reigned supreme for 18 years, collecting seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and establishing itself as a defining piece of the British “mega-musical” phenomenon. Producer John Frost of Crossroads Live reflects on the show’s enduring allure: “CATS is a legendary show that I’ve admired for over 40 years. A sparkling fusion of music, dance, and verse, it was revolutionary when it first opened and enticed new audiences into the world of musical theatre. I can’t wait to bring the original production of CATS back to Australia where it all began, at Theatre Royal Sydney, to celebrate its 40th anniversary in Australia.” The magic of CATS lies in its heartwarming tale of the Jellicle cat tribe. Each year, these unique felines gather for the Jellicle Ball, where their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, makes the pivotal Jellicle choice, deciding which cat will… Read More

Dance, theatre and live music come together in Nobodaddy at Sadler’s Wells

17/10/2024

By James Banham

Experience the magic of dance at Sadler’s Wells Theatre this November with the enchanting production of “Nobodaddy,” brought to life by the brilliant Michael Keegan-Dolan and his acclaimed company, Tea? Da?sa. Running from 27th to 30th November, this groundbreaking performance promises to captivate audiences with its innovative fusion of dance, theatre, and live music. Following the success of their previous work, Mám, Keegan-Dolan returns to Sadler’s Wells with Nobodaddy, a powerful and evocative creation co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and making its London premiere. Inspired by a William Blake poem, this production emerges from the heart of Ireland’s Gaeltacht in West Kerry, offering a unique exploration of themes that resonate deeply with audiences. Nobodaddy is a large-scale dance and theatre ritual, featuring nine dancers seamlessly blending movement with song, accompanied by six musicians performing live on stage. The piece includes the extraordinary talents of renowned folk singer Sam Amidon, whose expertise in banjo, guitar, and fiddle enriches the performance. With seven acclaimed solo albums to his name, Amidon’s collaboration with Tea? Da?sa brings a vibrant, musical heartbeat to this immersive experience. The name “Nobodaddy,” an anagram for “Old daddy Nobody” or “Nobody’s daddy,” was coined by English Romantic poet William Blake. While Blake’s Nobodaddy represented a destructive divinity, Tea? Da?sa’s interpretation is a tribute to peacemakers and the harbingers of goodwill—an artistic nod to the power of unity and creativity. Created over eight weeks in the scenic surroundings of Kerry, Nobodaddy is a testament to Keegan-Dolan’s distinctive style of contemporary dance. The production is a celebration… Read More

The Lehman Trilogy 2024 L R Howard W Overshown Aaron Krohn © Mark Douet 50A6969.JPG

Lehman Trilogy is the play to see in London this season

13/10/2024

By James Banham

The return of The Lehman Trilogy to London’s West End is nothing short of a theatrical triumph. Having garnered critical acclaim and five Tony Awards®, this production reclaims its rightful place on the stage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, dazzling audiences with its epic narrative and stellar performances. With its limited run until 5 January 2025, this is an unmissable opportunity to witness a play that has captivated over half a million viewers worldwide. Penned by the masterful Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power, and brought to life by the visionary director Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy is a sweeping saga that chronicles the rise and fall of a family that not only changed the world but also shaped modern financial history. The story begins on a cold September morning in 1844, with a young Bavarian immigrant dreaming of a new life, and unfolds into a gripping tale spanning 163 years, culminating in the dramatic collapse of Lehman Brothers. This production boasts a formidable cast, with John Heffernan delivering a magnetic performance as Henry Lehman. Heffernan, known for his roles in Edward II and Oppenheimer, brings depth and nuance to the character. Alongside him, Aaron Krohn shines as Mayer Lehman, drawing on his rich experience with Sam Mendes’ previous works, including Cabaret and The Bridge Project. Howard W. Overshown rounds out the trio with his compelling portrayal of Emanuel Lehman, further solidifying his reputation from notable performances in Richard III and A Soldier’s Play. The ensemble is supported by a creative dream team, including set… Read More

What to see at Victorian Opera’s 2025 season

09/10/2024

By James Banham

Victorian Opera’s Season 2025 is set to be a dazzling display of theatrical brilliance, blending rare operatic masterpieces with the glitz of Broadway and literary adaptations. Topping the season’s bill is the first-ever fully staged production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Follies,” running from February 1-6 at the iconic Palais Theatre in St Kilda. Picture this: a run-down theatre on the brink of demolition becomes the backdrop for a starry reunion of former chorus girls, rekindling the magic of their interwar performances. With luminaries like Marina Prior, Antoinette Halloran, and Rhonda Burchmore gracing the stage, it’s bound to be a spectacle that will go down in Australian musical theatre history. Under the expert artistic direction of Stuart Maunder AM, Victorian Opera continues to innovate and enchant. After their previous successes with productions like “Sweeney Todd” and “My Fair Lady,” Maunder once again teams up with Tony Award-winning designer Roger Kirk AM to bring this glamorous vision to life. The musical prowess of Phoebe Briggs and Orchestra Victoria will ensure a mesmerizing auditory experience. Come August, the Palais Theatre will once again be abuzz with excitement as Victorian Opera presents a fresh take on Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio.” This darkly comic opera is a heady mix of romance, heroism, and a touch of humor, set against Mozart’s emotionally charged score. Directed by Constantine Costi and featuring talents like Cleo Lee-McGowan and Katherine Allen, this production promises a thrilling ride through an operatic landscape filled with loyalty, love, and laughter. October brings us “Katya… Read More

If you like art, then you need to visit Royal Academy London

05/10/2024

By James Banham

At the dawn of the 16th century, the artistic landscape of Republican Florence became the stage for an extraordinary convergence of talent and ambition. Three illustrious figures of the Italian Renaissance—Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael—found themselves vying for the favor of the city’s most influential patrons. On January 25, 1504, Florence’s leading artists gathered to determine the rightful home for Michelangelo’s nearly completed masterpiece, David. This pivotal meeting included Leonardo da Vinci, who, like Michelangelo, had recently returned to his birthplace, setting the scene for a creative rivalry that would shape the Renaissance. The exhibition, beginning with Michelangelo’s acclaimed Taddei Tondo, delves into the competitive yet inspiring relationship between Michelangelo and Leonardo, and the profound impact they had on the youthful Raphael. Visitors will encounter some of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance drawing, including Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon and preparatory studies by both Leonardo and Michelangelo for their murals commissioned by the Florentine government for the newly built council hall in the Palazzo Vecchio. Organised by the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust and the National Gallery, this exhibition offers a captivating journey through the artistic rivalry and collaboration that defined a pivotal era in art history. Michelangelo, Leonardo, RaphaelFlorence, c. 15049 November 2024 – 16 February 202510am–6pm, Tuesdays to Sundays10am-9pm, Fridays