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.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and Weiss team up to indulge chocolate lovers through Autumn

Historic chocolatiers Weiss Chocolate are partnering up with Sofitel Sydney Wentworth over the next few months to fill the property with various chocolate inspired experiences including a chocolate high tea and bespoke dessert cocktail menu. Anyone heading along to the high-end hotel for the extra layers of indulgence from now through to the end of…

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Sean Wotherspoon’s corduroy-inspired Nike Air Max hybrid will launch in Australia this March

Arriving on Air Max Day, March 26th, will be Sean Wotherspoon’s hugely playful Nike Air Max hybrid. With the show finally getting a wide release, select Australian retailers will be stocking this colourful sneaker which is the result of the recent Vote Forward content held by Nike in 2017. As you can guess, Wotherspoon remained…

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World’s top chefs give their best recommendations in the third edition of ‘Where Chefs Eat’

More than 30 Australian chefs will be included in the latest edition of Where Chefs Eat, a unique guide that features a whopping 7,043 recommendations on where to eat around the world, with those recommendations all coming from some of the world’s most respected chefs. Now in its third edition, the guide seeks to include…

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Australian films set to make an impact at SXSW Film Festival 2018

In just over a week, (9th – 17th March) the annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) will be turning Austin into an incubator of creativity across film, music, technology, gaming and various other industries. It’s consistently one of the biggest – if not the biggest – showcase events in the world, and for…

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The Fuscaldo family have opened a new Italian restaurant and cafe near Hyde Park (Sydney)

Sydney’s ever-changing William Street has copped a new neighbourhood Italian café and restaurant with Vizio Caffé e Cucina, opening up on the Hyde Park end of the long strip with designs on serving up hearty international breakfasts, leisurely lunches and authentic Italian dinners. The venue is owned by the Fuscaldo family, who have a long…

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Dr. Martens to open their first ever Australian retail store in Sydney

Veteran fashion brand Dr. Martens has always had a strong presence in Australia, but did you know they’ve never actually had a dedicated retail store? That’s all about to change come the turn of the month as the iconic brand long built on the ideals of individuality and self-expression will launch its very first Australian…

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Interview: Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and the story behind a new $4000 whisky

Glenfiddich’s Malt Master Brian Kinsman has selected, overseen and nurtured the latest expression releases as part of the extremely rare and sought after Glenfiddich Rare Collection Programme. The Glenfiddich 1977 Rare Collection Cask No. 15176, priced at around AUD $4,352 and released exclusively to travel retailer Heinemann Duty Free (in Sydney and Kuala Lumpur airports)…

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SKYY Vodka are fitting engagement rings to their cans to celebrate same sex marriage

Just about every step forward in society is accompanied by about a few hundred brands trying to show that they are down with the current topics of discussion. Most of the time it’s cringeworthy and ends up on certain yellow-journalism blogs as advertorial, or even TV spots starring any one of the however many Kardashians…

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HBO are building a two acre version of Sweetwater for Westworld fans at SXSW

As far as immersive experiences at SXSW go, it’s going to be hard to top what HBO have planned. To celebrate the forthcoming second season premiere of their critically acclaimed series Westworld (Sunday 22nd April in the U.S, which would be Monday 23rd April in Australia) the network have went and built the entire town…

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Review: AVANI debuts in Broadbeach to soak up the classic Gold Coast lifestyle

A $150 million development has birthed AVANI Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences: an ultra-slick, ultra-modern addition to the Gold Coast’s already teeming apartment accommodation scene, though not an unwelcome one. Opened in time for April’s 2018 Commonwealth Games, the debut property from the brand is one of two entry points into the Australian and New Zealand…

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Emirates announce new route from Dubai to Auckland via Bali

Emirates are set to introduce the only year-round flight between Bali and Auckland with a new service launching from 14th June 2018. Originating in Dubai, the new route adds to the airlines daily services to New Zealand, making that a total of three in addition to Emirates’ existing non-stop daily service between Dubai and Auckland,…

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Fratelli Fresh is serving up pizza with a whole steamed lobster on top (Sydney)

Fratelli Fresh are upping the decadent pizza game in Sydney come next month by introducing The Lobster to their already bustling menu of special and traditional pizzas. As you can probably tell from the image above, that’s a pizza topped with rich fior di latte, garlic and parsley and a freakin’ whole steamed lobster which…

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Nike are bringing an interactive obstacle course to Collingwood Art Precinct (Melbourne)

Whatever happens when you mash a music festival with an interactive obstacle course is exactly what’s going to go down at Collingwood Art Precinct on Saturday 3rd March, as Nike Australia invite locals and visitors to The House of Go. For one weekend only, Nike will be taking over the precinct with what they’re describing…

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Hawaiian Airlines are introducing a non-stop service between Long Beach and Honolulu

As of 1st June 2018, Hawaiian Airlines will introduce a daily non-stop service between Long Beach, California and Honolulu, Hawaii. Serviced by the airline’s new Airbus A321neo aircraft, the route represents a step up in convenience for Southern Californian travellers who want to enjoy and explore one of the most sought-after tropical destinations in the…

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CLOVES and G Flip join massive Aussie contingent headed to SXSW 2018

With SXSW (AKA “every music lovers ultimate fantasy”) just weeks away from taking over Austin, Texas the annual event continues to add names from all over the world to the seemingly endless program of live music. As always, Australia is going to be very well represented across the week, with the latest artists joining the…

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Sunaana Festival set to rock Portland, Maine with a weekend of craft beer, food and music

Heating up for its second year in Portland, Maine will be Sunaana (an inuit word meaning “what is it”), a winter beer and music festival taking place across the enormous 30-acre Thompson’s Point and representing a surprising connection between the New England city and the Nordic country of Iceland. It was such a roaring success…

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Glenfiddich release ultra rare 1977 Rare Collection Cask for lovers of high-end whisky

Exclusively stocked at Heinemann Duty Free stores in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney Airports is an ultra rare single cask whisky by industry icons Glenfiddich. Found on the shelves across both stores thanks to a recent partnership, Glenfiddich 1977 Rare Collection Cask No. 15176 has been presented to whisky enthusiasts as a single cask, aged for…

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Three Blue Ducks to open their first Queensland restaurant at the new W Brisbane

Not only is Brisbane getting an epic Australian return for the W Hotel brand with W Brisbane, but it has been confirmed that one of the property’s on-site restaurants will be none other than a Queensland iteration of Sydney-originated favourite Three Blue Ducks. The hugely anticipated April debut of the 312-room modern hotel will open…

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South West Rocks’ Seabreeze Hotel to host two-day craft beer festival in March (NSW)

Across the weekend of 10th and 11th March, Seabreeze Beach Hotel in South West Rocks will be once again hosting Crafts on the Coast. The annual craft beer festival will be drawing on some of the best names in the north coast brew and cider scene to make its third year bigger than ever before,…

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Review: Waterloo’s Allegra Dining is a hidden gem worth digging for (Sydney)

Sydney’s food blogger community has been raving about Waterloo’s Allegra Dining for quite some time and it seems, in this particular case, it’s perfectly fine to buy into the hype. Tucked away at the far end of the breezy courtyard of 18 Danks Street, which also hosts Kepos & Co and a bunch of showrooms,…

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One of New York’s most legendary parties is making its Sydney debut this weekend

One of New York’s most acclaimed and distinctive club nights (and labels) of the past decade is making a surprising trip on over to Sydney via reliable party people Astral People and Cake Wines. Founded by Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, Mister Saturday Night will have it’s down under debut this Sunday 25th February at…

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Craft beer icons BrewDog are opening a $30 million brewery in Brisbane

Pioneering Scottish craft beer company BrewDog have announced plans to open their first Australian facility in Brisbane with production to commence by 2019. The name which has been at the forefront of the craft beer revolution in Europe for years perked the interest of the Brisbane City Council and their economic development board Brisbane Marketing,…

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Ginkgo Bar & Dining is Darlinghurst’s new late-night dumpling pop up (Sydney)

Darlinghurst has got a new late-night dumpling go-to with Ginkgo Bar & Dining, a North East Chinese pop-up restaurant from the same team behind Ultimo’s beloved Harbin style restaurant Chulin. Owner Carly Jin and her husband Tim are aiming to make this a showcase for Harbin style dining, with a menu featuring over 16 varieties…

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Gourmet Cinema returns to Melbourne this March

Gourmet Cinema will be returning to Melbourne this March, calling upon six of the city’s best restaurants to complement an eclectic film program screemed at the Caufield Racecourse. The annual outdoor movie and food experience will feature food and drink from four restaurants per session, with one hero restaurant taking creative licence with a special…

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Portland, Maine set to embrace winter with a music and beer festival inspired by Iceland Airwaves

Heating up for its second year in Portland, Maine will be Sunaana (an inuit word meaning “what is it”), a winter beer and music festival taking place across the enormous 30-acre Thompson’s Point and representing a surprising connection between the New England city and the Nordic country of Iceland. It was such a roaring success…

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Mantra Hotels have launched a massive sale across their Australia, NZ & Hawaii network

From now until the 21st February, Mantra Hotels is offering their largest ever global sale, featuring significant savings on more than 130 hotels across the Mantra, Peppers, BreakFree and Art Series Hotel properties in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. The sale represents a big savings opportunity for both visitors and staycationers with stays up to…

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Marriott Hotel makes Indonesian debut with 347-room hotel in Yogyakarta

Indonesia’s first ever internationally branded Marriott Hotel has made its debut with the opening Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel. Referencing the country’s rapidly growing market for both domestic and international travel, the renowned hotel brand is strategically positioned in an area of Yogyakarta where guests are able to immerse themselves in local culture and explore the city’s…

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Kurt Vile, Nathaniel Rateliff and more to join Willie Nelson at this year’s Luck Reunion during SXSW

Following tour dates across the U.S as he returns to the road later this month, unimpeachable music legend Willie Nelson will circle back to Austin, Texas mid-March where he will headline his 6th annual Luck Reunion. The festival that happens in the midst of SXSW will once again be spread across Nelson’s Luck Ranch just…

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Melbourne’s acclaimed urban glamping rooftop hotel announces April closure

One of the most unique hotels in Australia will sadly be shutting down – or should we say, zipping up – later this year. Melbourne’s urban glamping concept St. Jerome’s – The Hotel, the brainchild of Laneway Festival co-founder Jerome Borazio, has announced a sad farewell set for April 25th, packing up their 21 world-class…

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Portland, Maine to channel the spirit of Iceland Airwaves with music and beer festival ‘Sunaana’

Heating up for its second year in Portland, Maine will be Sunaana (an inuit word meaning “what is it”), a winter beer and music festival taking place across the enormous 30-acre Thompson’s Point and representing a surprising connection between the New England city and the Nordic country of Iceland. It was such a roaring success…

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