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.
Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program and Hoyts have partnered on a redemption program that will allow Aussie locals and visitors to use their points at Hoyts cinemas to purchase movie tickets and snacks. In addition, members of Hoyts Rewards and the Qantas Frequent Flyer program will be able to earn points when catching a film. QFF…
A street party in Milsons Point that isn’t New Year’s Eve? We’re down for that. Across two days in October the affluent harbourside Sydney suburb will be hosting a two-day interactive pop up designed along the theme of “Now and Then, New and Old”, borrowing patches of the 20s, 70s, 80s and 90s for an…
Helping refresh and refocus a big player in Liverpool’s dining scene, chef Leigh Mcdivitt (ex-Merivale) has teamed up with Clayton Ries to head the big renewal of the Macquarie Hotel’s bistro. The team have moved on from Collin Fassnidge’s Banksia Bistro to transform the new project into a star dining destination for the greater Western…
It’s been their hidden secret since the luxury property opened last year, but now the luxurious Art-Deco Primus Hotel in Sydney CBD has decided to share their New York inspired Level Seven rooftop bar with the wider public. Focused on positioning the urban oasis as a stylish champagne and cocktail destination, the heritage hotel will…
Father’s Day fast approaches on Sunday, September 3rd, and those who plan early can often find some of the best gifts around. Make sure you’re not leaving these ones to the last minute, because they are surely going to be the popular gift choices as the big day creeps towards us. From a beer curating…
We’re surprised someone didn’t think of this sooner to be honest. Melbourne’s popular St Kilda Burger Bar (STKBB) are slinging a different kind of burger special to celebrate the AFL finals series, pushing out a very, very ‘Strayan hybrid food that takes the ever-loved burger and mashes it up with a meat pie. Dubbed “The…
Not sure where you’re going to be taking dad come this year’s Father’s Day weekend? Not to worry, plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, event spaces and hotels will be putting on their very best for the occasion but for those who live in or around either Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra we’re picked out some of…
Japanese dining powerhouse Saké Restaurant & Bar in Double Bay (nope, not the one in The Rocks) certainly knows how to connect to their locale. We’re surprised they didn’t do this one sooner to be honest, which is introduce an epic and decadent free-flow champagne package to their popular weekend lunch sessions. And it won’t…
Between vinyl markets, conceptual performances, video installations, and almost 40 of Helsinki’s top restaurants, Flow Festival played host to some incredible live music across three days, the result of an intelligent and wide-reaching music program that spanned everything from world-dominating pop and Finnish indie rock to obscure classical music homages, era-focused vinyl DJ sets, sweaty…
While all eyes and ears were on Frank Ocean for the sunlit final day of Flow Festival 2017, there was plenty of quality live performances, from artists both renowned and obscure, to cap the annual event in the best way possible. The atmosphere was electric all through the day, and unlike Saturday there wasn’t a…
Strangely enough the legendary Wu Tang Clan have decided to use Australia as its official launch country for the crew’s very own premium liqueur line in collaboration with Melbourne-based Divas Beverages, which features four different flavours each very, very affordable. They’re produced locally in Australia, handcrafted with the intention to be used as either a…
After dominating the casual eats scene in Collingwood for years now Biggie Smalls is finally ready to expand, with a new store in Windsor due to open its doors this September. Shane Delia’s gourmet kebab and hip hop empire has grown considerably since first being introduced in Melbourne, even inspiring a food truck which will…
Saturday was a big one for Helsinki’s Flow Festival, not only featuring an exceptionally strong line-up of both locals and internationals, but also putting the infrastructure to the test as a brief but powerful storm swept across the city in the evening and caused a bit of chaos. Finnish locals MC Taakibörsta held it down…
Crafted in the shadows of a disused power planet about a 30 minute walk from the heart of Helsinki, Finland’s award-winning Flow Festival sprung to life on Friday for its 14th year, threaded throughout the already existing infrastucture of the Suvilahti cultural precinct with a heady mix of music, food & drink, and art. It…
Colourful, insightful, witty and one of the most important cookbooks you’ll find in Australia this year. That’s how I’d describe Brae: Recipes and Stories from the Restaurant by Dan Hunter, a 256-page and incredibly comprehensive book with recipes and stories from the acclaimed chef and his regional VIC restaurant. Now one of the most acclaimed…
The hotels surrounding Sydney Airport see plenty of last-minute bookings and regular full-houses, so there’s no doubt that Mantra’s new addition to the area will be a hit. Airport hotels aren’t the most exciting stays in any city (although you do find the occasional stunner), but they are the most convenient for weary travelers who…
What began as a concept for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End DLC evolved into a substantial and important continuation for Naughty Dog’s mega successful cinematic action-adventure franchise, the result of which is Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Not the most exciting or unexpected title for what is essentially a spin-off, but a fairly appropriate one seeing…
Highly celebrated Surry Hills restaurant Nomad has taken their love of wine to the next level with a brand new dedicated Wine Club, a subscription-based service that will be delivering a curated selection of local, seasonal and rare wines straight to your door. The restaurant has a long history of deep involvement in Australia’s diverse…
Redfern has a new bar and dining local with Misfits, a newly opened retro-inspired venue that’s located on the first floor of the building that edges both Redfern and George Streets. Preceded by a bright neon sign, the new offering from W Short Hotel Group – the same behind institutions like The Glenmore and The…
After selling out its first pop-up earlier this year, Majestic Hawker has plans on returning to feed Melbourne locals from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th August. Open for dinner for just three hours, from 7pm to 10pm, the hawker kitchen will be pushing out many of the same dishes which made the July iteration such…
Earlier this week Mantra Group made the huge announcement that they entered into an agreement with the Deague Group to acquire the Australia-owned Art Series Hotel Group for approximately $52 million. In what is a big step forward for the hotel group, Mantra will be welcoming a series of seven luxury hotels that span more…
When James Wan’s The Conjuring hit cinemas in 2013 it was rightfully heralded as one of the greatest supernatural horrors ever made, instantly shooting to the very top of many genre aficionados’ lists and sewing the seeds for an ever-expanding cinematic universe to the scale no horror franchise has pulled off before. Then Annabelle was…
The winemakers of Rutherglen are bringing a pop-up wine bar to Melbourne CBD, shaped into the narrow Driver Lane for three days (Friday 25th to Sunday 27th August). Aimed at highlighting the essence of wines made in the iconic Rutherglen region of Victoria, the one-off pop-up will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to taste…
Rockpool Dining Group have expanded on their award-winning Melbourne ristorante by finally bringing Rosetta to Sydney, adding to the city’s rich scene of sophisticated Italian dining with a massive three-level venue which features a panoramic outdoor terrace a mezzanine dining room, and a split-level bar. Set to open next week, 15th August, Rosetta Sydney will…
After close to two decades of dominance in Sydney’s nightlife scene, Cargo Bar and Bungalow 8 are set to finish their current run, close, and reopen later this year with major makeovers. They won’t be shuffling out of their current cycle in any small fashion either, with both venues set to host massive closing parties…
Welcome to Burger Watch, where we acknowledge the constant creativity bursting from all sides of the epic burger wave that regularly sweeps Australia. The highest-of-high demand is reserved for this timeless food staple and just about every interpretation of it, whether it to be an over-the-top glutton-fest or a focus on simple burgers done well….
This weekend the annual smooth Festival of Chocolate returns to Sydney’s harbourside the Rocks precinct, bringing an enormous amount of dessert-focused goodness including chef presentations, endless rows of stalls, and a bunch of activities. It’s grown into one of the city’s most anticipated foodie events, and to help you prepare we’ve put together a list…
Fast-food giant KFC, like most fast-food stalwarts, regularly uses Australia as a testing ground for new menu items. The latest: a brand spanking new Zinger Mozzarella burger, taking one of KFC’s most popular orders and slapping it with the most decadent of Italian cheeses. While it’s not a substantial change for what a zinger, it…
JBL sure do like to cover all bases. While those who prefer what is now the standard size of portable speakers have been well satisfied with the likes of the Flip 3, anyone who wants a bit more muscle and meat while still retaining at least some semblance of portability should lean towards the super-sized…
Is New Jack Swing still alive and kicking? It’d be hard to argue for the style’s viability in today’s market of crayon-rap and sparse, bass heavy and drug-addled R&B, but there’s no denying the nostalgic value of the genre and its various pioneers, two of which performed together for the first time in Australia at…
