FOOD & DRINK

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

16/04/2024

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.

A unique fusion of whiskey and art in Sydney

12/04/2024

By James Banham

The ‘Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar’, is an initiative set to enchant Sydneysiders from 17th April to 8th May, 2024.

Ruben’s Deli does good food in Melbourne’s Armadale

12/04/2024

By James Banham

What really sets this Melbourne gem apart isn’t just its delectable sandwiches; it’s the incredible catering service spearheaded by owner Amanda Ruben, that’s capturing the hearts of food lovers across the city.

Sweet Greek Delights in Melbourne

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Sweet Greek is offering the same beloved seasonal dishes with a fresh new look that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Tag: Best Melbourne restaurants

Unleash your palate: a unique culinary journey at Maha East

by James Banham

Posted: 30/06/2023

Get ready for a gastronomic spectacle that will ignite your senses this 4th of July! Welcome to Maha East, where the extraordinary culinary prowess of renowned chef Shane Delia meets the innovative winemaking craft of Eddie Chami from Mersel Wines. This promises to be an evening of indulgence, leaving you with an unforgettable dining experience. As the sun sets and the lights dim, the magic unfolds. Chef Shane Delia, known for his inventive and delectable dishes, is curating a three-course tasting menu that showcases some of Maha East’s most popular creations. Each dish is a journey through the rich tapestry of flavour profiles that have made Maha East a culinary hotspot. But what’s a remarkable meal without the perfect wine? Enter Eddie Chami, the passionate Lebanese winemaker who has been redefining the wine industry with his unique creations. Eddie’s Mersel Wines are crafted from indigenous Lebanese grape varieties, using organic farming methods and natural production techniques. His innovative portfolio includes Piquette, PetNat, and skin-contact wines – all beautifully fermented, unfiltered, and unfined, with minimal or no sulfites. Every course on the menu is thoughtfully paired with a selection from Mersel Wines. These pairings are meticulously curated to enhance the flavours of each dish, creating an immersive dining experience that goes beyond the plate and the glass. For $140pp, immerse yourself in this tantalizing fusion of food and wine, starting at 7:00 pm. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now for this exceptional evening of culinary delight. And the experience doesn’t end with the meal…. Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK

Tags: Best Melbourne restaurants, Maha Easy, Melbour restaurants

Sri Lankan restaurant in Melbourne – INDU opens its doors

by James Banham

Updated: 16/02/2021

For the times you’re hankering something with Sri Lankan flavours; think INDU. It’s open in Melbourne, turning out the cuisine that puts that part of the globe on the map, like Smoked Yarra Valley goats leg dosa, Indu-cured kingfish, Thilaka’s potato curry and the Great Lamb Raan. It can be found in the front of the iconic Collins Quarter building in the middle of Melbourne. Just sniff for and follow the dark and aromatic aromas produced by their menu inspired by the coast and village and delicious dishes. Find INDU at 86A Collins St, Melbourne and more at the INDU website

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Best Melbourne restaurants, INDU Melbourne, melbourne restaurants, Melbourne Sri Lankan restaurant, Sri Lankan restaurant Melbourne

ARTS & CULTURE

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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.

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.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

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Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More