Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tel Aviv-inspired Shaffa in Surry Hills is Middle Eastern cuisine at its best

Updated: 12/04/2024

Hidden down a narrow passageway in the heart of Surry Hills is an exciting venue featuring delicious, Israeli-inspired cuisine that is just as beautiful to look at as it is to savour. Launched last year just before the 2021 lockdown, Shaffa – rightly so – is now having its time in the sun, with curious passers-by drawn into the passageway by the sounds of middle eastern music, only to discover this hidden gem and its incredibly delicious dishes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shaffa (@shaffasydney) Shaffa is owned by Israeli-born chef Erez Nahum and is designed to evoke memories of Tel Aviv and its vibrant, bustling marketplaces. The building in which the venue is located is bursting with personality and has a rich history dating back to the 1850s when it was previously an inn, which you can read all about as you make your way down the passageway to the restaurant. The Weekend Bottomless Brunch Feast is the perfect option for a long, lazy lunch, available on Saturdays and Sundays for two-hour sittings between 12 pm and 4 pm. For $70pp, the menu is long, generous, provides a good selection of some of the venue’s best dishes and is guaranteed to leave you feeling more than satisfied. There is also an a la carte option and two set menus to choose from for weekday lunches and dinners (a $76pp set menu and a more substantial $95pp set menu). But be warned, if you choose the set menu option, you will… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: bottomless lunch, israeli cuisine, israeli food, middle eastern restaurant, shaffa

Stout is making a comeback and is no longer the drink of nanas

by Emi Berry

Posted: 05/07/2022

Often perceived as ‘the drink your nana drinks’, stout is back in vogue and is one of the fastest-growing beer subcategories, growing at a rate of over 8 per cent year-on-year in sales. “Stout is having a re-birth,” says Bill Ryan, category manager of craft beer at Dan Murphy’s and BWS. “Zytho Stout is leading the category, growing at an annual rate of more than 50 per cent. While stout is predominantly drunk by Baby Boomers and Gen X, Gen Z is switching to stout, too – at a growth rate of almost 10 per cent. Beer Diva Kirrily Waldhorn, also known as Australia’s ‘First Lady of Beer’ says stout is the perfect winter drink. “Stout has a characteristically complex flavour profile with rich chocolate, coffee and roasted nut notes, creating the perfect indulgent drink to snuggle up by the fire with on a cold winter’s night.” Zytho White Stout, RRP: $80 x 24-case; $20 x 4-pack; $6 ea. Exciting, innovative and totally unique, Zytho White Stout offers a fresh, new take on classic dark Stout. It’s light in colour but comes with all of the roasty toasty complexity that you would expect from a dark Stout. The background smokiness is interlaced with rich coffee and a hint of vanilla, with an intense rush of dark chocolate on sip, creating a delicious, easy- drinking drop. Zytho Velvet Luxe Stout. RRP: $74 x 24-case; $19 x 4-pack; $6.50 ea. As the saying goes, “There can be no light, without dark,” which is why Zytho Velvet Luxe… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tags: alcohol, stout

Morning snacks just got interesting with the all-new Krispy Kreme Duffin

by Emi Berry

Updated: 05/07/2022

Yes, you read correctly! Krispy Kreme Australia is taking mid-morning snacks to a ‘hole’ new level with the release of the world-first Krispy Kreme Duffin. From today, Aussies will be able to get their hands on the new on-the-go doughnut-muffin snack from Krispy Kreme and 7-Eleven stores across the nation. Combining the best of both worlds, the Krispy Kreme Duffin has a muffin-like texture, with delicious fillings and a variety of toppings, they are sure to satisfy any mid-morning craving. The Duffin comes in three mouth-watering flavours: Apple & Cinnamon, Blueberry & White Choc Double Choc “We’re so excited to be launching this world-first for the brand in Australia. We always like to bring new and exciting products to our fans and hope they love this new product just as much as we loved creating it,” said Olivia Sutherland, Marketing Director at Krispy Kreme Australia. Apple & Cinnamon with spiced apple filling – RRP $4 The Krispy Kreme Apple & Cinnamon Duffin has a muffin-like texture, with a delicious spiced apple filling, dipped in cinnamon icing and topped with dried apple and honey toasted oats, they are sure to satisfy any mid-morning craving. Blueberry & White Choc Made with real blueberries and a blueberry filling – RRP $4 The Krispy Kreme Blueberry & White Choc Duffin has a muffin-like texture, with a delicious blueberry filling, dipped in white choc truffle and topped with freeze-dried blueberries, they are sure to satisfy any mid-morning craving. Double Choc Choc chip pieces and a choc custard filling – RRP… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: duffins, krispy kreme, krispy kreme doughnuts

Be the first to see Australia’s Eco-Flat wine bottle

by Danielle Kirk

Posted: 03/07/2022

You may not be thinking about the carbon footprint of your wine while you’re sipping away, but the footprint is driven up quite a bit by the shipping of the full glass bottles themselves! Australian wine brands Banrock Station and Taylors Wine are addressing this by being the first to launch the innovative eco-flat wine bottle. Accolade Wines, who launched the eco-flat bottle two years ago in Europe, is on a mission to improve the sustainability of the wine industry and has ambitious targets to advance circular economy packaging across its entire portfolio. Banrock Station has 25 years of sustainability heritage through their production efforts, vegan friendly blends and now even lighter and more recycled material bottles. The potential for the eco wine bottle to improve the carbon footprint for winemaking is also important for Taylors Wines particularly given that viticulture is one of the most climate-sensitive agricultural businesses, and as we know Australian bushfires, drought and flooding have hurt wine growers over the last few years. So what is so special about the eco-flat bottle? Well, the bottle is made entirely from Australian-sourced 100% recycled PET plastic. Which is helping to reshape the carbon footprint of wine by targeting the industry’s environmental hotspot, the glass bottle. Using recycled PET also saves weight during shipping and with the bottles being 83% lighter, emissions in transport are reduced as well as the energy in production and recycling to further tackle greenhouse gas emissions. The slimmer, flatter profile allows twice as many bottles to fit in a… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tags: banrock station, eco flat bottle, wine

Get your Martini on at Bar Ombré with The Botanist Gin

15.06 2022 The Botanist Gin at Bar Ombre WT1 1360 scaled

by Danielle Kirk

Posted: 03/07/2022

Calling all martini enthusiasts! One of Sydney’s best rooftop bars with premier harbour bridge views, Bar Ombré, has teamed up with The Botanist Gin to bring you the The Botanist Gin x Bar Ombré Martini menu until July 17th. The menu consists of five different martinis that have been perfectly paired with food items that complement the flavours. Kick off the self-guided tasting with the Classic Dry Martini paired with Marinated Italian Olives, before moving onto the vibrant Mandarin Gimlet with a delectable Prawn and Saffron Risotto. Our personal favourites were the Australiana inspired Lemon Balm Martini alongside a Pesce Del Giorno (which happened to be perfectly cooked Tasmanian salmon the day we tried), and the Elderflower and Mint Martini with a truly tasty Lentil and Kale Salad. If you have room, the final martini is the Island Dreaming, a tropical blend that pairs with Nutella Pizza. Sit back, relax after work or on the weekend for a long lunch with friends and try the paired menu, or try your own pairings on for size! After all, the Botanist Gin is a versatile blend that suits any martini, with sweet and earthy aromas from the Islay 22 botanicals, as well as lovely floral and herbal overtones. We also tried Bar Ombré’s classic Tiramisu Martini for dessert! The world is your martini! Please drink responsibly, and always eat food while drinking to ensure safe consumption. If you or a loved one feel they have a problem with alcohol, help is available.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: bar ombre, gin, paired menu, the botanist gin

The best non-alcoholic tipples to try this Dry July

by Danielle Kirk

Updated: 03/07/2022

Research from DrinkWise indicates that 43% of all alcohol drinkers want to cut down their consumption. Dry July is a great annual reminder to reflect on your drinking habits and reset. Not familiar with the month-long challenge? Dry July is simply a month of going “dry” on alcohol for whatever reason speaks to you, whether that’s to raise money for charity, try to curb negative drinking habits, or even lose a couple kilos. Whatever your reasons, the challenge doesn’t have to be shall we say, challenging, when it comes to socialising or knocking off work for the week. Every year more and more great alcohol free alternatives besides the standard soft drink or soda water are popping onto the market and we’ve rounded them up for you. For the wine lovers Hardy’s, ZERO Hardy’s has taken their wine making experience and perfected it to make alcohol free wine. The Hardy’s ZERO range is crafted using state-of-the-art technology that gently de-alcoholises the wine at a cooler temperature while retaining natural flavours, aromas and body, just like regular wine. The process also makes it lower in sugar and calories compared to other zero-alcohol wines that use traditional dealcoholising methods. Boasting three varieties: ZERO Shiraz, ZERO Chardonnay and ZERO Sparkling, you can sip the wine you love without the alcohol. Plus and Minus, Zero Alcohol Wines Plus and Minus offers a contemporary range of wines developed to be richer in antioxidants, minus the alcohol. ?Their latest innovations are the Plus and Minus Bubbly Rose and Plus and Minus… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tags: alcohol free beer, alcohol free spirits, alcohol free wine, dry july

Celebrity chef Adam Liaw on how to cook with mushrooms

by THE F

Posted: 28/06/2022

Protein and plant-based, mushrooms are a great alternative to otherwise traditional sources of nutrients and the best thing is, they’re so easy to eat, use and cook with! Adam Liaw, winner of Masterchef Australia season two, explains more… How can you increase veg consumption for the whole family? One of the easiest ways to increase your vegetable consumption is to look for substitutions in your cooking. Australian Mushrooms are great for this because they have a great texture that’s suitable for a lot of different forms of cooking, as well as having a depth of flavour that matches well with meat or poultry. You don’t have to go completely vegetarian with your dishes, either. Try adding chopped mushrooms to replace half the meat in any dish you might use mince, from bolognese and beef stew to burgers and Shepherd’s pie. Australian Mushrooms are high in chitin, a kind of fibre, so they’re a great high-fibre substitute for meat. Here’s my recipe for a Wellington burger where the patty is made 50:50 from Australian Mushrooms and beef mince. Chopping Australian Mushrooms First things first, you don’t need to break the stalk off mushrooms. I see some people do this out of habit but you absolutely should not be doing that. All of the mushroom is edible so if you’re throwing out the stalk you’re just wasting your money. You don’t need to trim the stalk, either. Use the stalk to stabilise the mushroom as you cut. Place the mushroom on your cutting board so that both… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tempus Two steps into gin territory with world first prosecco gin

by Danielle Kirk

Updated: 06/07/2022

If you thought Tempus Two was all about wines, well you’d be correct, but hold onto your hats because this iconic wine company is expanding its offering to include gin! Continuing their creative thinking from wine making, Tempus Two are bringing that innovation to the gin space with their first release of three wine-based gins. The range captures the distinctive characteristics of each varietal by creating a wine spirit base using the latest spinning cone technology, before infusing the botanicals. Tempus Two’s Chief Winemaker, Andrew Duff says: “The idea for our Tempus Two Gin range came from a desire to creatively harness the unique wine spirit that was extracted during the process used to make our low alcohol Lighten Up wines. We saw an opportunity to develop the varietal properties of the alcohol that was spun off and repurpose it into a range of high-quality gins. Using a combination of traditional and non-traditional extraction and distillation methods, we’ve created a product that both reduces our environmental impact and harnesses delicious wine qualities in a premium gin.” The stand out from the pack is a world first Prosecco Gin. Floral, fun, light and elegant, the Prosecco Gin is a blend of juniper, citrus and rose buds. Suffice to say you’ve never had anything like this! Pairing great with soda or tonic, or even in a martini, this will quickly become a home bar staple. The deep red Shiraz Gin on the other hand is sweet and peppery, infused with wild botanicals and a shiraz juice that… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: gin, prosecco gin, tempus two

Celebrate Margarita Month at Bondi surf bar Salty’s

by Danielle Kirk

Posted: 22/06/2022

National Margarita Day may be February 22, but at Salty’s, one of Bondi’s newest and best additions for a chill drink, they believe the margarita to be so iconic it needs an entire month to be celebrated. Quite frankly, we agree. From the 1st to 31st July, Salty’s will be salting the rims on 2-4-1 margaritas using Olmeca Altos Tequila, Mondays to Fridays. Margi enthusiasts can take their pick from Salty’s nine (yes, NINE!) signature margaritas, including the chilli-infused She’s A Scorcher, Salty’s unique Espresso Marg and The Big Kahuna – a classic style margarita served in a goblet with a Coronita beer topper. It also wouldn’t be July, or Margarita Month, without a 4th of July party. Salty’s will be hosting an Independence Day bash at their prime Bondi Beach location with 2-4-1 margs, Americana style eats and DJs blasting American anthems all night (Miley’s Party in the USA anyone?). And if that wasn’t enough, there will also be two Olmeca Altos Tequila Masterclass experiences featuring tequila tasting and margarita shaking on Wednesday 6 and 27 July for the tequila aficionados amongst us. Keep an eye on their website and Instagram for tickets and updates on the best month of the year – Margarita Month. Please drink responsibly, and always eat food while drinking to ensure safe consumption. If you or a loved one feel they have a problem with alcohol, help is available.

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: bondi beach, margarita, margarita month

Your favourite Aussie bartenders add local flavour to 4th of July cocktails

by Danielle Kirk

Updated: 06/07/2022

The 4th of July may pass Australians by with nary a thought, but what if we told you it was worth celebrating this year with an American classic cocktail in hand, but with a local twist. Partnering with ‘Cheers! Spirits from the USA’, 22 well-known Australian bartenders and mixologists lent their expertise to creating a free cocktail book for Independence Day, containing a range of cocktails that hero American spirits, but with an Aussie twist, and designed specifically to be made and enjoyed ar home. The cocktail list highlights the quality and versatility of American spirit brands including Angel’s Envy, Jack Daniels, Koval, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Westland, Westward American Single Malt Whiskey and Woodford Reserve. Once you download the cocktail book, the recipes are yours to keep, but if you do prefer someone else making your drinks (you’re only human), the participating bartenders will also have them available at their venue from June 27-July 4. Have a gander at the below list of bartenders and their creations, plus the venue to find them at: Simon Hopkins (Jolene’s Sydney – NSW) puts a chocolate spin on the classic Old Fashioned using Westward Whiskey. Dan Gregory (The Gresham Bar – QLD) is showcasing a Woodford Reserve Goin’ Out West. Adam Lau (Grain Bar – NSW) develops the DJ Sutherland celebrating Westland American Oak Whiskey. Grace Rawlins (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues – SA) is using Westland Peated Whiskey in the innovative Spicy Peat cocktail. Chris Garner (The Barrie – NSW) is highlighting Wild Turkey… Read More

Category: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, BRISBANE, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, RECIPES, SYDNEY

Tags: american cocktails, cocktails, free cocktail book, free recipe book

ARTS & CULTURE

breakdance head spin pexels pixabay 159273

Experience break dancing like never before this MAy

24/04/2024

By James Banham

Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More

Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

24/04/2024

By James Banham

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

Lauren Brincat When Do I Breathe 2024. Performer Jasmin Lancaster. Photographer Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist

Public performance in Randwick Sydney by artist Lauren Brincat

22/04/2024

By James Banham

This week, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct will experience an exceptional infusion of art and community spirit through a public performance by the celebrated multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brincat. Scheduled for one-night only, on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Brincat’s performance marks the launch of the new Laneway Art Program. This initiative, commissioned by the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct and supported by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, seeks to enhance perceptions of safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people navigating the streets and laneways of the Precinct. Brincat, along with Rochelle Haley, another leading Australian artist, has been entrusted with the mission to improve night-time connectivity and comfort within the precinct through performance-based and site-specific artwork. Both artists have engaged directly with health workers in the area to shape their projects, aiming to make the public spaces more welcoming and to strengthen the sense of community, safety, and inclusiveness across the site. The artwork, titled When do I breathe?, is an ambitious collaboration with sound artist Evelyn Ida Morris, UNSW Choral Director Sonia Maddock, and choreographer Charmene Yap. It invites the public to actively participate in shaping new paths across the precinct, offering a unique experience that encompasses three activation sites within the UNSW Kensington and the hospital precinct. The performance, beginning at 5:00 pm on the UNSW Scientia Lawn, is a reflection on the interconnectedness of local communities, especially those separated by differing work shifts and daily rhythms. Aiming to reclaim public space through collective action, When do I breathe? presents an… Read More

Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired

22/04/2024

By James Banham

On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More

film movie reel pexels daydream 20432081

Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.