Author: Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.

Freds Merivale

Mr. Wong, Totti’s and more Merivale restaurants switch to delivery

Although Justin Hemmes had announced the closure of his considerable restaurants and bars due to COVID-19 just a few weeks ago, his Merivale empire is now switching to delivery with the of launch a “Merivale at Home” platform. This will allow diners to take advantage of a new at-home dining service that delivers some of…

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Red Spice Road

Recipe: Red Spice Road’s Roasted King Prawns, Coconut Mustard Sauce

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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LocalSpots

LocalSpots: new gift card app to support small businesses during lockdown

There has been much discussion about ways we can help support struggling small businesses across the hospitality and retail sectors in the face of COVID-19. Now that the government has, necessarily, shuttered all non-essential venues, cash flow has all but frozen for Australia’s favourite restaurants, cafes, florists, hairdressers and the like. How do we support…

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IIKO Ramen

Recipe: IIKO Mazesoba’s DIY broth-less ramen

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Bayonetta

Why Bayonetta and Vanquish is the perfect isolation bundle for action-loving gamers

Two games I never finished have been repackaged, remastered and released as a solid double package. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the hell out of my brief time with both Bayonetta (2009) and Vanquish (2010) but it was at a point in my life when video games ebbed out of my radar for a…

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Espresso Martini

You can now get kegs of espresso martini delivered straight to your door

Although they’ve shut doors for now, Glebe’s stalwart Toxteth Hotel is making the most of the situation by using their bottle shop delivery service in the best way possible. That, of course, means kegs filled with their reliable espresso martinis are doing the rounds. Though it’s not just espresso martini on the menu. Kegs of…

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Cheese Wheel

Salt Meats Cheese now doing delivery for their epic brie spaghetti cheese wheel

Sydney cheese lovers need not go without one of Salt Meat Cheese’s epic 1 kilo brie spaghetti cheese wheels. The Drummoyne store has now jumped on the delivery chain, adapting to the current COVID-19 situation and current Government restrictions by making the indulgent meal available for anyone to consume in their own home. From every…

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Shabazz Palaces

Track of the Day: Shabazz Palaces “Chocolate Souffle” (2019)

Reliably experimental Seattle rap duo Shabazz Palaces are launching higher into space with the charmingly off-kilter “Chocolate Souffle.” The new single, lifted from forthcoming album The Don of Diamond Dreams, is a quick follow-up to recent cut “Fast Learner,” but this time heading deeper into the weird and unearthly with strong flows of electro-funk and…

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Ngala Crunchies

Recipe: South African Ngala Crunchies – a safari staple

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Cold Fashioned

Recipe: Westward Whiskey Cold Fashioned

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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BrewDog

Brisbane’s BrewDog now doing contactless drive thru for cars and boats

It seems like just yesterday world renowned brewery BrewDog opened an ambitious brewpub in Brisbane. The multinational, Scotland-born brewery has since become one of the city’s most attractive haunts, but recent developments with Covid-19 has shuttered the opportunity to actually go soak up the atmosphere. That’s why the team have decided to introduce a completely…

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Attica Recipe

Recipe: Attica head chef Ben Shewry’s Winter Bolognaise

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

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Pick Up at Tottis

Totti’s is now doing takeaway, and yes that puffy woodfired bread is on the menu

Totti’s has become somewhat of a phenomenon for Merivale, swiftly rising to become a dining institution thanks largely to their famously charred woodfired flatbread. Now, Totti’s has joined the chorus of restaurants around the world cutting dine-in options to adapt to social distancing measures. The beloved Bondi local will be doing takeaway from The Bottle…

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Huawei P40

Huawei’s P40 series set to redefine smartphone photography, again

With Huawei’s P30 series smoking competition on camera smarts, it seems the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is playing to their strengths with their new flagship P40 series. This time the phone comes in three different versions – P40, P40 Pro, P40 Pro+ – and hosts an impressive spec sheet that should easily make up for the…

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Run the Jewels

Track of the Day: Run the Jewels Feat. Greg Nice & DJ Premier “Ohh La La” (2020)

As Run the Jewels prep RTJ4, originally planed for release around the time of the now-postponed Coachella, the behemoth duo unleash the album’s second taster. And for this one they’ve hooked up with icon DJ Premier and Nice & Smooth legend Greg Nice. Titled “Ohh La La,” the cut is a stomping ode to Gang…

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Belly Bao

Newtown favourite Belly Bao opens takeaway window with full menu

It’s been weeks of pure shock, for everyone (okay, maybe except for this absolute dickhead). The hospitality industry has especially suffered a critical blow, as scenes around the world have been hit tremendously hard with the impact of COVID-19. In Australia, some of our favourite venues are scrambling to adapt or shut their doors. This…

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Etihad

Etihad Airways temporarily suspends all services to and from the UAE

On advice from the local Government, Etihad Airways has now moved to temporarily suspend all flights to, from and via its home hub of Abu Dhabi. This follows almost daily announcements from airlines around the world who continue to react to the ongoing threat from Covid-19 and its profound effect on travel. This decision has…

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Cocktaoo Island

Biennale of Sydney has closed and will move to a digital format for now

In a first for the historic Biennale of Sydney, the currently running arts program will, for now, shut down and move to online. In response to the growing thread of Covid-19, the dynamic city-wide exhibition is working with long-time partner Google to digitise more than 700 artworks by 101 artists and collectives. In 2020, Biennale…

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Virgin Australia

Qantas and Virgin Australia have started cutting more domestic flights

As some Australian states shut their borders, the nation’s largest carriers, Qantas and Virgin Australia, have begun to cut more domestic services. Although they’ve already cut domestic capacity by up to 60%, the airlines have continued to axe some of their most frequented routes in response to the ongoing threat of Covid-19. A combination of…

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Memphis Tourism

The City of Memphis has announced a virtual music festival

Virtual music festivals are fast becoming the norm in this time of covid-19 and social distancing, so it’s only right that one of the most famous live music destinations in the world jumps on board. The city of Memphis has today announced a digitised festival to bring entertainment and stress relief to those around the…

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The Borough Box

Some of Australia’s top sommeliers launch natural wine delivery service

Lo-Fi Wine directors James Audas (former Noma and Silvereye sommelier) and Tom Sheer (former Love Tilly Divine and Oscillate Wildly sommelier) have officially launched The Borough Box. Available for Sydney and Melbourne, it’s a continuously evolving monthly subscription service that will focus on delivering sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines to Aussies in this time of…

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TheFork now lets you track which restaurants offer delivery and pick-up

As the restaurants, cafes and bars concerned with the health and safety of their staff and customers start to adapt to social distancing, online restaurant booking platform TheFork has made some necessary changes. In response to the ongoing threat from COVID-19, the platform has introduced a search function filtering restaurants that are now offering pick-up…

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Emirates

Emirates to suspend all passenger flights from March 25th

Following stages of select flight cancellations, Emirates, the world’s largest airline by international traffic, has now announced the suspension of all passenger operations. The extreme measure will take place from 25th March, responding to the rapid and ongoing spread of Covid-19 as the virus decimates the demand for international travel. In a statement to media,…

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Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach has been closed due to covid-19 and selfishness

The NSW Government has made the decision to shut Bondi Beach for the time being. The rather blunt closure comes after a sweltering Friday during which the golden sands exceeded Australia’s recently introduced outdoor-gathering limit of 500, necessary to slow the spread of Covid-19. Photos of a packed-out Bondi Beach went viral yesterday, with beachgoers…

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Etihad

Etihad is now allowing passengers to cancel flights for future credit

In response to the current situation with Covid-19, Etihad Airways has introduced “Etihad Credit” to give guests the freedom to delay their travel plans. It simply works by permitting a free cancellation and is offering the original value of their booking to be used as credit towards their next trip. As the situation continues to…

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Julia Jacklin

ISOL-AID: “Social distancing” music festival announced for Australia

Taking place entirely on social media, ISOL-AID has been speedily pulled together with a cracking Aussie line-up to adapt to a post-covid world. As the coronavirus continues to decimate industries around the world, the live music scene has been dramatically effected due to the understandable need to practice strict social distancing. In a bid to…

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Chargrill Charlies

Chargrill Charlie’s is going “contactless” in response to Coronavirus

As local businesses start to adapt to the current situation with Covid, chicken chain Chargrill Charlie’s has joined in by implemented a new “contactless” ordering system. Ensuring they can still serve their local communities despite the need for social distancing, Chargrill Charlie’s has introduced a “Eat Contactless with Charlie’s” addition to their smartphone app. This…

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NOMAD up the Road

Gift Cards: how to support Aussie restaurants during the Coronavirus pandemic

Covid-19, a novel coronavirus, has spread around the world and continues to cause unprecedented health, social and economic crises. Experts are pleading with people to take this seriously, while many separate on the two (equally stupid) extremes of naivety/complacency, and panic/fear-mongering. Social distancing is absolutely crucial to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but as a…

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Hawaiian Airlines suspend flights

Hawaiian Airlines has suspended Australian and New Zealand flights

In response to the coronavirus and recent travel restrictions in Australia and New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines has today announced that it will temporarily suspend nonstop services between Honolulu and its Australian and New Zealand gateways. The suspension will come into effect later this month, temporarily halting flights extending to numerous services. The five-times-weekly between SYD…

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Vivid Sydney

Statement released regarding Vivid Sydney’s cancellation in response to coronavirus

As most people now know, Vivid Sydney will not be on for this year. The event, which in 2019 attracted 2.4 million visitors, has been cancelled in response to the growing thread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19. The NSW Government has made this decision following recommendations by the Federal Government and health authorities to limit…

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