FOOD & DRINK

A place to eat in Coogee: Marra Bar & Grill

22/04/2024

As the leaves turn and we welcome the cooler, more reflective seasons of autumn and winter, the Coogee Bay Hotel proudly unveils its latest culinary delights at the renowned Marra Bar & Grill. This eagerly anticipated menu refresh aligns perfectly with the launch of the “Quintessentially Coogee” campaign, a heartfelt initiative designed to reward patrons and cement the hotel’s deep-rooted allegiance to its local community. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Coogee and boasting unparalleled views of its iconic beach, Marra Bar & Grill has long stood as a beacon of exceptional dining. This season’s offerings bring to the table an enriched palette of flavors, starting with perfectly seared Scallops atop a rustic blend of crushed peas and potato scallops – a true homage to autumn’s bounty. The curated Charcuterie Board, with its fine selection of Ortiz anchovies, delicately shaved jamón, and De Palma salami, along with marinated olives and pickles, provides the perfect shareable feast for those crisp coastal evenings. Continuing with the theme of comforting classics, the menu features the heartwarming Bangers & Mash—pork & fennel sausages served over a bed of silky colcannon and finished with a mustard jus. The oven-roasted half chicken, accompanied by kipfler potatoes seasoned with thyme and parmesan, captures the essence of home-cooked warmth. For those seeking a more refined touch to the traditional pub fare, the Wagyu Burger offers a gourmet twist, and the zesty Chicken Wings, served with a cooling ranch dressing, promise to tantalize the taste buds. Seafood lovers are not forgotten, with the Casarecce… Read More

Go to Adrian Richardson’s new Italian joint, Pasta Bambino

22/04/2024

By James Banham

Affordable Gourmet Pasta and Classic Cocktails at Bouvier Bar In a heartwarming homage to his Italian roots and an answer to the current economic squeeze, celebrated chef Adrian Richardson unveils ‘Pasta Bambino’, a winter pop-up nestled within the cozy confines of Bouvier Bar, on Melbourne’s iconic Lygon Street. Offering an escape into the warmth of Italian cuisine, this pop-up is poised to serve up an array of classic Italian pasta dishes, alongside handcrafted cocktails and wine, all priced to please. Since its opening in 2017, Bouvier Bar has become a staple in Brunswick East, known for its classic cocktails and unmatched hospitality. Adrian Richardson, the culinary force behind La Luna Bistro and now Pasta Bambino, aims to stir the pot in the current dining scene with affordable, yet gourmet, pasta offerings reflective of his Italian heritage. Drawing from childhood memories of making pasta from scratch with his Italian grandparents, Adrian’s approach with Pasta Bambino is simple yet profound. “Some of my fondest food memories are helping my Italian grandparents in the kitchen,” Richardson recounts, tying his culinary endeavors back to his foundational experiences with food. The pop-up restaurant’s menu sings a ballad of traditional Italian comfort food, with the promise of changing offerings to keep the palette intrigued. Patrons can look forward to starting their meals with tasty smaller plates like crumbed and fried mozzarella and an antipasto board brimming with Mediterranean delights. Main dishes feature a variety of handmade and locally sourced gourmet pasta such as casarecce bolognese and fresh ricotta gnocchi, not to… Read More

ST. ALi coffee in Melbourne has a new shop

20/04/2024

By James Banham

ST. ALi, the revered Melbourne coffee institution, is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest venture on Bali’s shores. This April, coffee aficionados and culinary enthusiasts will be welcomed at the brand new ST. ALi cafe located on the ground floor of the avant-garde FURTHER HOTEL in the lively and promising district of Pererenan. This expansion marks a significant milestone, promising to infuse Bali’s blossoming coffee scene with ST. ALi’s celebrated blend of premium coffee and gastronomic flair. “Expanding into Bali presents an exhilarating opportunity for us to introduce the ST. ALi philosophy to a wider audience. Pererenan’s evolving culinary landscape and its rich, immersive culture provide the ideal setting for our brand to flourish,” proclaimed Lachlan Ward, CEO of ST. ALi. FURTHER HOTEL has quickly made its mark since its establishment in 2023, earning accolades for its innovative hotel concept that seamlessly integrates with the community ethos of Bali’s southwest coastline. This collaboration between ST. ALi and FURTHER HOTEL is set to enrich the guest experience significantly, marrying the hotel’s novel approach with ST. ALi’s expertise in coffee and cuisine. “Partnering with ST. ALi to bring the essence of Melbourne’s coffee culture to Pererenan is a fulfillment of a long-held aspiration,” expressed Simon Digby, Co-Founder of FURTHER HOTEL. “Facing some of Bali’s most sought-after surf spots, we anticipate ST. ALi will become a morning hub for surfers eager for their coffee fix.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ST ALi INDONESIA (@stali.id) In line with this partnership, ST. ALi Bali,… Read More

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

By Danielle Kirk

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Adelaide Hills wineries worth a visit

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Renowned for its cool climate, this picturesque locale offers an ideal terroir for producing some of the most exquisite wines known to connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

Tag: baking

New Hill St Baking Mixes have just made at-home baking a breeze

by Emi Berry

Updated: 19/11/2022

Baking doesn’t get any easier than this – even if you’re rubbish in the kitchen! Say hello to no-fuss baking with New Zealand baking company Hill St officially launching their collection of easy-to-use baking kits in Australia. Now there is no excuse not to bake up a storm AND have fun doing it! Available from Woolworths, the base range gives you the flexibility to make chocolate brownies, chocolate cake, scones, vanilla cake, biscotti, chocolate cookies and more! It’s the perfect solution to your next Sunday baking session. There are three easy to create recipes on the back of each pack, so it’s no one-trick pony. For instance, with the Vanilla Baking Mix, you can make a zesty lemon loaf, party cupcakes or a delicious vanilla cake. Is dairy-free? As for your vegan or dairy-free friends, they’re covered as well, as the Hill St Base range is dairy-free and vegan, with options for allergies, intolerances, and dietary preferences. The Hill St Base range is built on classic flavours that take you back to your childhood and includes Chocolate, Vanilla, Dough and Choc Chunk Cookie Baking Mix, as well as Kids Cupcake Baking Kits in Cosmic or Jungle themes. Hill St is also committed to using clean, simple ingredients and single-ingredient foods that are mostly unprocessed, free of chemical additives and rich in nutrients. Their packaging is either recyclable or compostable with sustainably sourced materials. The baking mixes start from $6.50 and are available exclusively in Woolworths. If you’re looking for more inspo, head to the New… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: baking, baking a cake, cake mix, cooking, easy cooking, hill st baking mix

Get baked at Sydney’s newest pop-up event – The Big Bake

by Emi Berry

Updated: 22/10/2022

We’re all looking for interesting and fun events to get us out of the house, so here’s one for Sydneysiders who don’t mind getting their fingers sticky while enjoying a cocktail or two. From the team who brought us Floating Cinema, Bumper Cars on Ice, Beyond Cinema, and the Mad Hatters Tea Party, Viral Ventures has launched yet another innovative and fun pop-up event to keep us entertained. It’s called The Big Bake and it’s currently running in the Sydney CBD until the end of April. This baking-themed event is the perfect way to spend a fun night out with a friend, a group of friends, or even as part of a corporate challenge. It runs for 90 minutes and during this time, you’ll be rolling your sleeves up bake, create, design & whisk (while sipping your cocktail when you’re not whisking eggs whites or combining your dry ingredients). Before kicking off, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival. There is a bar conveniently located right next to your kitchen workspace, so you and your friends can start a tab and enjoy some come cocktails during the session. Also be prepared to participate in some hilarious games that will have your friends in stitches and grabbing their mobiles to capture the moment to unashamedly share on social. Each Big Bake session offers multiple recipes to choose from and recipes change each week. You could be making cupcakes or custard tart one week, and mouthwatering salted caramel brownies and cheesecakes the next. Tickets are… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: baking, cooking, cooking event, the big bake, viral ventures

Take the stress out of baking with these super fun kits by Baker’s Box

by Emi Berry

Posted: 21/06/2020

Your bestie just called and asked whether you’d like to come over with a few other gal pals for an afternoon of baked festivities. Oh, and bring a plate! The truth is, you’re not regular baker, so the chances of you having all the staples in the pantry are next to zero. You look in the pantry and your suspicions are confirmed. You’re pretty much out of everything you need to whip up a batch of brownies or cupcakes. And that means going to the supermarket and spending a bomb just to restock the pantry. And let’s be honest, the standard supermarket cake or brownie mix isn’t going to cut it, either, so that’s not an option. This brings us to Baker’s Box, a clever and new way of baking at home. This innovative business beautifully assembles baking kits that contain pretty much everything you need (minus perishables such as eggs or milk) so that you can create mouth-watering baked goodies such as cakes, cookies, and slices at a whim. Plus you can take all the credit for baking such glorious looking treats. Kits contain pre-measured ingredients so as long as you’re able to follow a recipe, you shouldn’t have any problems pulling together a plate of baked goods that will knock the socks off your guests. And you don’t have to be an experienced baker – beginners will also find the kits extremely user-friendly. Because the ingredients are pre-measured to the exact amount required for each recipe, this not only helps save time, but… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, DESSERTS, FOOD & DRINK, RECIPES

Tags: baking, cooking at home, London desserts

The country’s sweetest event – the ‘Cake Bake & Sweets Show’ is back in town

by Emi Berry

Posted: 07/11/2019

Are you that person that effortlessly bakes delicious slices and takes them to work to share with colleagues just because you love baking or the family member everyone turns to when they need a standout birthday cake? Then you’re going to want to head to The Cake Bake & Sweets Show for further baking inspo, as it’s back in town! And this year at the same venue, you’ll also be able to experience an exciting new foodie event that will appeal to the home cook – For The Love of Cooking. But first of all, let’s talk sweeties! From cakes, decorating, sugar craft, sweets and everything in between, The Cake Bake & Sweets Show is back in Sydney at ICC Darling Harbour from Friday, 8 November – Sunday, 10 November. Melbourne, don’t fret! You too, will have the opportunity to experience the sweet smell emanating from the The Cake Bake & Sweets Show at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from Friday, 29 November – Sunday, 1 December. Experience demonstrations by some of Australia’s best dessert and sweet creators including, Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs; award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou; and cake creative Katherine Sabbath. At the time of writing, the super popular ‘Queen Make & Take’ classes were sold out at the Sydney show, however if you’re planning to head to the Melbourne show, make sure you get in early. You may also want to upskill your cake decorating and fondant moulding skills by taking part in one of the many workshops on offer,… Read More

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

Tags: baking, cake bake sweets show, cake bake sweets show sydney, dessert, sweets show

ARTS & CULTURE

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 THE F

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

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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.

For excellent Flamenco, look to Sadler’s Wells

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Step into a world where tradition meets innovation, where old blends seamlessly with new to create something entirely original and electrifying. At Sadler’s Wells, the iconic Paco Peña, accompanied by his talented Paco Peña Dance Company, presents Solera – a captivating production that breathes new life into the timeless art of flamenco. As the evening unfolds, prepare to be mesmerised by a fusion of exceptional music, dance, and passion that transcends boundaries and embodies the essence of human emotions in all their raw beauty. The show opens with a symphony of everyday sounds that seamlessly transform into a vibrant celebration of the human spirit. Take away the traditional red Flamenco dress and imagine you’re in a studio with friends who are just chilling and decide to have a dance. They chat in-between sets, sip water, play on their phones – all normal every day stuff – that plays an insightful and very real backdrop to the magic unfolding in the foreground. From the rhythmic beats of percussionist Julio Alcocer to the exquisite melodies woven by guitars and voices, every moment is a testament to the skill and artistry of the performers. Directed with precision by Jude Kelly CBE, Solera masterfully transitions from the mundane to the magical, immersing the audience in a world of colour, light, and drama that is nothing short of spellbinding. In the second act, the stage comes alive with a spectacle of performance, accentuated by striking costumes and evocative lighting that elevate the talents of the company to new heights. Dancers… Read More

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.