FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
National Margarita Day is upon us (22 February), so if the tequila based bev is for you in all its tart, zingy or chilli incarnations, then listen up. Here are some recipes to try: And remember, don’t forget the Cointreau. The Original Margarita: Ingredients: Method: The Berry Margarita: Ingredients: Method: The Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita Ingredients: Method: The Coconut Ginger Margarita Ingredients: Method:
A hangover of darker days, street dining was a thing and now – thanks to the fact the NSW Government has made a good decision for once – it’s here to stay (until 2025, at least)! People have loved enjoying their street culture at home and around the city, so we’ve put together a list of some local favourites that are keeping the outdoor dining vibe going until 2025 – and until it gets too cold. Re, South Eveleigh Sip on sustainable spritzes in the industrial warehouse setting at the world’s first permanent no-waste bar. Re’s furnishing and tables are made from recycled bottles and plastic bags, and drinks follow suit using 99.9% wasted ingredients. The alfresco terrace is spacious and buzzing with activity each night. Botanic House Botanic House is currently hosting a pop-up outdoor bar ‘Gin in the Garden’ in collaboration with Tanqueray. Play board games on the lawn and sip on premixed bottles and cocktails from Thursday – Sunday, 2 – 7pm until Sunday 5th March. North Bondi Fish Steps from the sand and surf of one of the world’s most famous beaches, North Bondi Fish is outdoor dining at its best. Listen to live music on the spacious balcony every Sunday from 4-7pm, and watch the sun go down with fresh seafood and a spritz in hand. Shell House Terrace, CBD Dine sky-high on level nine of the CBD’s heritage clocktower building on the L-shaped garden terrace at Shell House. Sand-coloured umbrellas and fruiting cumquat trees set the scene for a… Read More
Nothing says love quite like a nice experience out. Treat your special someone in Sydney with these options.
Tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas recently dominated on the court at the Australian Open! But that’s not all he’s been up to. Off court he has partnered with fellow Greek player Maria Sakkari to raise funds for a good cause while feeding hungry tennis fans. They have partnered with fast and fresh Greek eatery, Hella Good, for the duration of the Australian Open to serve up two limited-edition dishes, with proceeds from sales going to The Australian Tennis Foundation. Hella Good, from the same team as Melbourne’s iconic Greek restaurant Stalactites, is popping up at the Australian Open for the duration of the tournament to serve ‘The Stef’ – a souvlaki filled with marinated chicken giros, hot seasoned chips, crisp lettuce, tomato, red onion and homemade tzatziki sauce, all wrapped up in warm pita bread. For those after the perfect tennis meal on-the-go, there’s the ‘The Sakkari Snack Pack’ which includes marinated chicken giros, hot seasoned chips, warm pita bread and homemade tzatziki. Tsitsipas has previously partnered with Stalactites, his go-to restaurant to visit when in Melbourne, to create a souvlaki to raise funds for a good cause. This year, proceeds are going to The Australian Tennis Foundation, which aims to inspire brighter futures for disadvantaged children and young people through tennis. The limited-edition ‘Stef’ and ‘The Sakkari Snack Pack’ will be on sale until the end of the Australian Open on Sunday 29th January at the Hella Good Australian Open pop-up. Find Hella Good at Chadstone, Fitzroy and the Emporium.
This year on 9 February, the country celebrates National Pizza Day. So if you need another reason (not likely) to smash a pizza, then get excited, because this one’s sanctioned by the motherland itself. Italy, if you didn’t figure that out. The award-winning Melbourne restaurant brand 400 Gradi is celebrating the day in full force, pumping out their Italy-approved pizzas for Melburnians. 400 Gradi was the first ever Australian pizza chain to sell traditional Neapolitan pizza, which needs to adhere to the guidelines of the True Neapolitan Pizza Association in order to be allowed to sell it. The brand was recently voted one of the best pizzas in the world in the 50 Top Pizza Award Night in Madrid, where Johnny di Francesco’s popular pizza was ranked 6th in the world. Guests visiting the restaurant on National Pizza Day will have the opportunity to try this traditional Italian pizza along with a range of other options with high-quality Italian ingredients. So, get onto it and make a booking!
Because there are never enough brunch and lunch places in Melbourne, King & Godfree has kjoined the fray. And it’s more than welcome! This Summer, the Carlton deli King and Godfree is expanding its eat-in offering to include breakfast and brunch on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am – 3pm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by King & Godfree (@kingandgodfree) They’ve put together a curated selection of breakfast staples and brunch essentials delivered with an Italian spin. You can choose from an assortment of savoury and sweet items, from poached eggs with Barkley grandmother ham, melted scamorza, fried sage, hollandaise and crumpets to buttermilk waffles with coffee mascarpone, maple syrup and berries. Also on the menu is a selection of cold and hot panini’s prepared daily such as mortadella, fior di latte, pistachio pesto and rocket or polpette, napoli and scamorza. It’s never too early to imbibe something a little stronger, and King and Godfree’s cocktail selection does not disappoint. Pair brunch with a forza garibaldi, nonnino sour or bellini, or for a soft morning start, there’s an array of freshly squeezed juices, homemade iced teas and sodas, and of course, Italian coffee brewed to perfection. Find King & Godfree in Carlton
The Year of the Rabbit ?? symbolises longevity, positivity, auspiciousness, wittiness, cautiousness, cleverness, deftness and self-protection. So, why not ring it in by eating like a Ming Dynasty king around Sydney? There are countless options on offer for Chinese nationals, friends and families and their friends and family from locally and abroad, which is great, because if Chinese New Year is about one thing: it’s about eating a lot, making a lot of noise (refer Chinese dragons!) and bringing in the new year with generosity, friendliness and good times. Here’s a round up of a few options around town to add to your diaries. Chinese New Year in Sydney Sokyo’s prosperity lobster The Star Sydney will illuminate itself with opulence and colourful activities to delight the senses during the Festival of Abundance, a two-week long Lunar New Year celebration of food and art, from Saturday January 21 st to Sunday February 5th. Ringing in the Year of the Rabbit, The Star Sydney’s signature restaurants will each offer dishes created from the finest ingredients that have cultural significance to the Lunar New Year, bringing diners good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead. Australia’s most expensive sashimi platter will be served up by Sokyo’s skilled chefs, sure to satisfy seafood lovers. The stunning $888 “Prosperity” lobster sashimi platter is packed with twelve kinds of fish and lobster, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Aria – Seven-course tasting menu Aria’s limited-edition tasting menu showcases prestige ingredients to match their unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour. The Lunar… Read More
Boxed drinks makes you think one thing – goon. But shake off those nightmares; this is so much better – and far more useful. The days of boxed alcohol are back upon us thanks to the Mandatory Spirit Co. who’ve deigned now the time to release vodka and gin in a stackable, handy new format (think ideal for parties). With a very low carbon footprint, BIB is the lowest of any liquor packaging and is designed to extend the shelf life of products. By using a lightweight box shape, dead space is minimised whilst also maximising transport capacity. In comparison, one truck transporting BIB holds the same volume as 7 trucks carrying glass bottles, therefore lowering emissions and transport costs for a more eco-friendly beverage. Being an Australian owned company, Mandatory Spirit Co. have designed these Vodka and Gin spirits to cater especially for Aussies. The new Mandatory Spirit Co spirits range is sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan and is a perfect summertime addition as the weather warms up. Each box contains 1.5 litres and can be nabbed for $84.95 from retailers
Because no one wants the weekend to end, Coogee Bay Hotel’s new Seaside Sessions as of January is the ultimate excuse to indulge in sumptuous eats, bottomless drinks, and breathtaking beach views. Every Sunday, the Balcony Bar transforms into a seaside paradise of live music, delicious 10-course share menu, and 90 minutes of unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Peroni, Mimosas, and more. Plus, with its prime location perched above the hotel’s famous garden, you’ll have the best seat in the house (if not all of Coogee) to soak up the sunny vibes. It’s not a walk-in thing, though. With a predetermined menu and gastronomic experience in-wait for you, you’ll have to sign up to try the bite-sized treats; try the tender pork belly bites with refreshing pea tendrils, tart pickled apple, and rich brandy jus. For a taste of the sea, dig into the succulent blue swimmer crab with orecchiette and a kick of lemon and chilli. And for a hearty main, enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth Josper grilled beef brisket with velvety whipped sweet potato, refreshing minted zucchini, and a generous drizzle of bourbon jus. That’s just some of the offerings on this delectable menu. When: Sundays Time: 11:30am – late Where: Balcony Bar Cost: $129pp Menu: See menuBookings: coogeebayhotel.com.au/whats-on/seaside-sessions
If wine and cheese are your thing, then this is the news you want. There’s a one-day festival held on Sunday 5th March that will give Melburnians – and visitors! – the chance to experience 50 local wineries, cheese and artisan producers all under the one roof. Held at the Port Melbourne Timber Yard, which will be converted into an epic wine and cheese delicatessen that has to be seen to be ‘brie-lieved’. Running across two mouth-watering sessions, foodies can meet each boutique producer, sample free tastings and support local vendors by buying goods brought from all corners of Victoria and beyond. he live music, DJs and roving artists will keep guests entertained while their taste buds take a trip around Victoria, whilst the little ones keep busy in the dedicated kids’ zone complete with face painting, lawn games, and more interactive games. And for those looking to get their feet dirty and take home some delicious prizes on the day, Wine & Cheese Fest will be running their famous Grape Stomp Competition between 3pm and 4pm. Expressions of interest are now open, wineandcheesefest.com.au/grape-stomp-comp When: Sunday 5th March, 2023, 11.30am – 8pm (across two sessions) 1st session: 11.30am – 3pm 2nd session: 3.30pm – 7pm Where: The Timber Yard – 351 Plummer St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Who: 50 local wineries, cheese, and artisan producers Why: To celebrate the 10th year of bringing together local wine and cheese makers under one roof for all to enjoy. Cost: General Admission: $44-$59, Total Wine Indulgence (TWI) $89/$94, VIP $150
