Category: FOOD & DRINK

Auburn Hotel Melbourne gets a new future

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The iconic Auburn Hotel in Hawthorn is set to receive a multi-million-dollar expansion, providing the local community with fresh indoor and outdoor spaces to savor food, drinks, and good times. Since 1888, this historic pub has been a landmark at the corner of Auburn Road and Victoria Street. Now, it’s transforming the adjacent Regan Motors site into a vibrant hub for the Hawthorn community – a gathering destination for locals and workers alike. The popular beer garden will undergo an upgrade, featuring a new woodfire pizza bar, picnic tables, and an expanded sun-soaked lawn for elevated weekend sessions. A brand-new kids’ playground will also be added, making it perfect for the little ones, especially during the Auburn Hotel’s locally-loved Family Funday held every Sunday. In addition to the beer garden extension, the Auburn Hotel will convert the former Regan Motors site into a laid-back, atrium-style dining hub. This relaxed space will also include a function area extending onto a sprawling deck. The new area will seamlessly blend the location’s history with modern finishes, offering the best of Auburn Hotel with a fresh twist. Guests can anticipate a mouthwatering new menu alongside the unveiling of the revamped spaces, featuring the pub classics Auburn Hotel is famous for, as well as a selection of scrumptious woodfired pizzas, bites, and small plates perfect for group grazing in the beer garden. The Auburn Hotel makeover will maintain the cherished local hub experience while offering more spaces for the community to enjoy year-round. Although demolition on the new site has… Read More

Alchemist Copenhagen has hit new level

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Alchemist in Copenhagen has won the prestigious Art of Hospitality Award from Gin Mare, the official gin partner of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. This accolade celebrates Alchemist’s groundbreaking multi-sensory dining experience that has revolutionised hospitality. The Alchemist’s dining odyssey is divided into various ‘acts,’ transporting guests through diverse locations, artistic styles, and exceptional craftsmanship. By blending elements from gastronomy, theatre, art, science, and technology, Alchemist offers an unparalleled dining adventure. The Art of Hospitality Award recognises restaurants that deliver extraordinary culinary experiences where guests feel welcomed and connected. Alchemist’s comprehensive approach achieves this, offering an unmatched multi-sensory journey, taking over the No.1 spot from Atomix, New York. Gin Mare celebrated this year’s awards with an exclusive menu during a two-day pop-up event – Villa Mare, showcasing dazzling Gin Mare cocktails inspired by the brand’s signature botanicals. William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, congratulates Alchemist and praises the collaboration with Gin Mare, acknowledging the finest in hospitality.

You’ve been drinking coffee wrong. Here’s how to do it

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Looking to up your coffee tasting game? Did you know that slurping can actually help you taste your coffee better by engaging your sense of smell? To provide some expert advice on the right way to taste your coffee, Nespresso Coffee Ambassador Mitch Monaghan is here to share his top tips on how to find your go-to coffee blend. So, forget traditional etiquette and start by smelling your coffee before taking a sip, then follow it up with three sharp sniffs and a slurp to awaken your senses. And if you need a palate cleanser in between tastings, grab some plain white bread and water crackers. Plus, Nespresso is re-launching its ‘Find your Favourite’ collection, featuring a selection of its most popular coffee blends, to help you create cafe-quality coffees at home that hit just right every time. Find a little Q&A with Mitch below… Q: Do you have any tips for new coffee drinkers to find their favourite coffee blend?   For all new coffee drinkers, there are a few key considerations to bear in mind when selecting a coffee blend to suit you:   1. Complete the coffee profiler quiz on the Nespresso Australia website. It will match you with 4 coffee capsules you may enjoy.    2. Think about flavours you enjoy (e.g. shortbread, toffee and chocolate) and look for three to four different coffee blends that contain these notes so that you have points of comparison.  3. Approach a coffee tasting similar to wine tasting – always start with the lightest coffee first and work your way up to the higher intensity so you can appreciate the nuances between them and to not overwhelm your… Read More

A new experience awaits this winter at Pier One Sydney

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Pier One Sydney Harbour has a new winter experience in store for guests, and it’s called “The Glass Room.” After six years of success with “Igloos on the Pier,” Pier One partnered with Alyce Tran, co-founder of In The Roundhouse, to create a new experience that promises to delight visitors this season. The Glass Room is an elevated transformation of one of Pier One’s luxury balcony suites, where guests can enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour while soaking in a cedar hot tub, sipping cocktails, and snacking on treats with friends. The suite has been transformed into a maximalist-inspired interior to create an inviting space, with plush furnishings of pink and red hues that are perfect for group gatherings. “I love colour and I wanted to bring something fresh to transport people into a cool interior that they would enjoy hanging out using trendy shapes, colors and design elements,” said Alyce Tran. “Guests will be immersed in an experience that brightens their mood and lifts their spirits.” Food and drink menus include a selection of cold and hot dishes, such as Sydney Rock Oysters, Whipped Cod Roe and Bottarga, Artisan Cured Meats and Cheeses, Breaded Brie with Kumquat Chutney, and more. Signature cocktails like the Pineapple Daquiri and Limoncello Spritz are available, along with sharing options like Cosmopolitans, Mojitos, and Aperol Spritz. Non-alcoholic carafes include Strawberry Raspberry Fizz and Innocent Mojito, and a variety of wine, beer, and soft drinks are also available. In addition to the food and drinks, guests can take a dip… Read More

Superchef Simon Rogan coming to Australia

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Internationally renowned British chef, restaurateur, and farm-to-table pioneer, Simon Rogan, is bringing his three-Michelin starred restaurant, L’Enclume, to Balmoral Beach’s iconic Bathers’ Pavilion for a five-week residency starting from Wednesday 19 July till Sunday 20 August, with only five weeks left until the event. The Bathers’ Pavilion team is excited to announce further details of this fully immersive dining experience. The team behind the residency has gone above and beyond to ensure that the local experience reflects the full L’Enclume experience in an Australian context. This includes wine flights, exclusive cellar list, service, and tableware. The team has also commissioned local ceramicists Malcolm Greenwood, Simon Reece, and Leia Sherblom to create unique versions of the tableware used at L’Enclume. Furthermore, bespoke wood artist Ted O’Donnell is hand carving 100 wooden spoons for a signature dish. Head Sommelier, Valentin Mouillard, and Director of Operations, Tom Sykes, have worked together to create three spectacular wine flights to pair with the eight-course menu. An exclusive private cellar list of extremely rare and hard-to-get vintages has been curated in partnership with The Royal Mail. Both Simon Rogan Restaurants/UMBEL Restaurant Group and Bathers’ Pavilion are passionate about providing opportunities for young hospitality talent and the industry’s great potential for career development. As part of the residency, two chef’s tables on Thursday 27 July and Tuesday 9 August will be dedicated to passionate and driven young professionals in hospitality who are 30 years old or younger. They will get an opportunity to learn from and interact with Simon Rogan and his… Read More

Sydney’s Chiswick unveils plans for winter including a new seasonal menu

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Woollahra’s Chiswick is embracing winter with a series of exciting activities that will delight guests all season long. Live Music Tuesdays, Roasts & Jazz Sundays and the highly anticipated annual Truffle Dinner are among the highlights. Throughout June, Chiswick will host an array of live bands every Tuesday evening from 6 pm onwards, while guests dine on Head Chef Taylor Cullen’s garden harvest menu. Meanwhile, truffles take center stage in special menu items throughout the winter season, culminating in the annual truffle dinner on June 21st. In July, Roasts & Jazz Sundays will feature rotating menu options of succulent pork and beef accompanied by live jazz performances. The series of events will culminate in ‘Christmas in July’ on July 30th, featuring a special menu of Matt Moran’s honey glazed ham, Chiswick roast turkey, duck fat potatoes, and spiced parsnip and carrot. Chiswick’s winter cocktail selection, including Penny in NY, Yulefest Records, and Sorreal Clarity, perfectly complements the cooler season. Alongside the cocktails is a wine list curated by Head Sommelier Georgie Davidson-Brown, featuring sustainable, elegant drops from the country’s top producers. Experience the true essence of winter at Chiswick, where enticing flavours, captivating performances, and warm hospitality blend together harmoniously to create an unforgettable dining experience.

You can’t miss Champagne Moments at Shell House this winter

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If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the winter blue, look no further than the palazzo-style spaces in Shell House, one of Sydney’s chicest bars and eateries. Teaming up with Perrier Jouët Champagne, Shell House is launching a six-week program of interactive events showcasing music, entertainment, culture, dining and drinking, aptly named Champagne Moments. With a range of events taking place within Shell House, there’s something to suit every vibe: While some events require only a reservation (although get in early, Shell House is often booked out!), other high end events are ticketed and have limited spots. A night with the James Morrison Quartet A true virtuoso, Morrison’s talents extend beyond the trumpet as he skilfully masters the piano, all brass instruments, and double bass. The event takes place across both the Clocktower Bar and the Dining Room. Champagne and canapés on arrival in the Clocktower Bar, accompanied by live music from The Menzies Jazz Trio. Guests will then move into the Dining Room for a special three-course menu crafted by Culinary Director Joel Bickford and Head Chef Aaron Ward with a paired wine option selected by Alex Kirkwood. The evening culminates as James Morrison and his exceptional jazz ensemble take to the stage for 2 x 50 sets of unforgettable live jazz. Date: Tuesday 27th June Time: 6:30pm Price: $225 (Glass of Perrier Jouët, canapés on arrival + 3 course menu + entertainment) Wet, Cold & Delicious #2 – Tuna Dinner with John Susman and Narito Ishii Beginning in the Clocktower Bar with a… Read More

Experience plant-based Peruvian at Calle Rey

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Whether you’re vegan full time, or just looking to mix it up and eat a bit less meat, everyone should be heading straight to Calle Rey in Newton for divine plant-based food (seriously, check out their Instagram). The menu is a real fusion, think mainly Peruvian, elements of Mexican and wait for it, Japanese! We visited recently and are here to share the menu highlights! First of all, Calle Rey also houses the Diablo Pisco Bar, which is open late Fridays and Saturdays, however that means there is always pisco available behind the bar! If you’ve never tried a Pisco Sour, this is the place to get one. Not only are they expertly made, but there’s a tasting paddle which means you can try a few flavours! You may be wondering how a pisco sour is made with no egg whites, well that’s the bartenders secret but we have a sneaky suspicion that the plant based foamer is aqua faba. Not a pisco fan? There’s also a margarita tasting paddle *wink wink* We tried plenty on the menu thanks to the set tasting menus. There are two to choose from, a classic one, or a Japanese one. We opted for the classic as we’re big fans of Mexican cuisine and wanted to see how Peruvian came to life. We weren’t disappointed! The jackfruit ‘chicken’ nachos were HUGE and then we still had charred corn, two tacos (you got to choose the flavours too, don’t miss the eggplant!) and the real stand out: the buffalo cauliflower…. Read More

Tread Softly: The eco-conscious gin and vodka brand that’s winning awards

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Fourth Wave Wine’s eco-conscious brand, Tread Softly, has been making waves in the spirits industry with its award-winning gin and vodka. Tread Softly recently received recognition at the London Spirits Competition 2023, International Wine and Spirits Challenge 2023 (IWSC), and Dan Murphy’s Decoded Spirit Awards 2023. The brand’s Tread Softly Dry Gin and Tread Softly Pink Gin were both awarded gold medals at the London Spirits Competition, with scores of 92 and 90 points, respectively. Tread Softly Native Botanical Vodka and Tread Softly Native Botanical Pink Vodka received silver medals at the same event. Furthermore, Tread Softly Native Botanical Pink Vodka was awarded a silver medal at the IWSC, with an impressive score of 94 points. At the Dan Murphy’s Decoded Spirit Awards 2023, Tread Softly Dry Gin won the Best Value Pick Award in the Gin – Australian category among 450 entries. The award-winning Dry Gin features native citrus and floral jasmine notes, creating a bold flavor profile that has captivated gin enthusiasts. Nicholas Crampton, Director of Fourth Wave Wine, expressed his delight at Tread Softly’s recent awards, stating that they reflect the company’s commitment to crafting high-quality spirits and providing unparalleled quality to customers. Tread Softly is also known for its eco-friendliness, planting an Australian native tree for every six bottles sold. In 2021, the brand received its dedicated planting site, the Tread Softly Forest, in the Yarra Yarra biodiversity corridor. To date, it has planted over one million native trees and is still growing. Tread Softly Botanical Pink Vodka, Dry Gin, Pink… Read More

End of an era: Cuckoo Callay on Crown Street Sydney closes

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ESCA Group is bidding farewell to Cuckoo Callay after six years of unforgettable memories. This eclectic venue will be closing its doors on 11 June, making room for an exciting new venture. But before they say their final goodbyes, Cuckoo Callay is bringing back their all-time favourite dishes for a limited time. The iconic Return of the MacDaddy, a combination of bacon, mac and cheese all stuffed into a flaky croissant, is making a comeback along with the mouth-watering Lemon and White Chocolate Hotcakes. For those feeling a little savoury about their departure, the Lamb Rendang Roti Tacos are also returning. Co-Founder of ESCA Group, Ibrahim Moubadder says, “It’s bittersweet to bid farewell to Cuckoo Callay. The venue wriggled its way onto Crown Street and brought locals a quirky combo of delicious food and great memories. However, we do believe it’s time to embark on a new adventure that pushes the boundaries and challenges the ordinary.” Dine with Cuckoo Callay before they close and fill out a ‘goodbye postcard’ to thank staff members for the memories. Filling out one of these cards will give patrons a chance to win 1 in 5 exclusive double dinner experiences to be the first to experience the newest venue at the soft opening. But don’t worry, ESCA’s newest Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant, It?, will be opening later this year in place of Cuckoo Callay. So mark your calendars and don’t miss your last chance to try their quirky creations before they close their doors forever on 11 June.