Author: Erica Enriquez

On the surface, you’d probably be right in thinking that Japanese and Lebanese cuisine have virtually zero in common. I mean they rhyme, but that’s probably about it, right? Enter Mezza Train, the first restaurant of its kind in Australia (or possibly the world) that serves mezze-style dishes on a Japanese “sushi train” type conveyor belt.  For the…

The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, is considered by many as the birthplace of the modern Gay Rights movement, when, in the early hours of June 28th, 1969, violent demonstrations took place between members of the LGBT community and the police.  It was the first time that Gay people stood up, as a group, to oppression and victimisation, and cemented the Stonewall as…

There’s never an off-season for ice cream, even if that season is blasting you with icy chills. As proof, Mövenpick has edged forward with a new winter menu, which includes everything from chocolate fondant to apple strudel to freshly baked waffles. In designing the winter menu, the team have used only the best ingredients they could source,…

Iconic Potts Point institution Gazebo is getting a bit of a makeover, redefining itself with a new Mediterranean inspired menu, a wine list that champions regional and international names, and music to bring the community together. The move to a more culinary Mediterranean experience includes the introduction of shared plates, a wider range of local and international…

Following last year’s success, Darling Harbour will once again turn into Sydney’s “winter playground” for 2016’s Cool Yule, an event that runs from 2nd to the 17th July, during the winter school holidays. When Darling Harbour transforms into a winter wonderland, visitors can meander through an bewitching frozen forest, do a couple of rounds on the ice rink or enjoy some ice-skating…

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels’ (HSH) renovation of The Peninsula Beijing is well on its way to completion, set to unveil a first peak into the $US123 million upgrade in August 2016.  Changes to the hotel, which began in late 2015 and will be complete in early 2017, include redesigned public spaces, restaurants, rooms and suites.  Changes in the first phase…

Glebe marches to the beat of a different drummer. Erudite misfits call it home, as do students, families, travellers and long-time residents. It’s affectionate and invigorating, a place where old terrace houses sit a stone’s throw away from UTS and Sydney University. Future leaders and creatives rub shoulders with the traditional and the comfortable. This is where you’ll find Bombay Street Kitchen. Run…

New retro restaurant/cafe/bar Zebra Green makes its home in the heart of Bondi Junction, giving surrounding eateries a run for their money with their niche comfort food offering. The brainchild of Shane Lurie from Blue Orange,  this new venue draws on Lurie’s experience as a world traveller and childhood in South Africa, where he learned about fine dining at his parents’ restaurant, Les Marquis….

Exciting times ahead for Westfield North Lakes with the introduction of a new event, The Laneway Weekender, which runs from Friday, 24th June until Sunday 26th June. The family friendly affair (although, as a venue serving alcohol, minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult, parent or guardian at all times) will feature great food, live music, pop-up bars and even entertainment for…

From the airport lounge to the runway landing, United Airlines new business class product, United Polaris, will ensure weary business travellers journey to and from their destinations in comfort and style. Launching on 1st December, 2016, the United Polaris service will offer enhanced in flight food and beverage options, new custom bedding supplied by Saks…

Confession time: who hasn’t ever promised their friends/partner/family the responsibility of booking dinner at a restaurant, only to completely forget (or just find the task all to arduous), and pray, to every food god in the universe, that there will be a table available for Friday night, no booking made? New dining reservations app, Quandoo, works to remedy the problem. As…

He surfed the menu, worked with three-star Michelin champ Marco Pierre White and set the USA on fire with his TV appearances, and now, internationally-known Chef Curtis Stone introduces Australians to his local restaurant, on the Princess Cruises’ superliner Sun Princess, called SHARE.  The Melbourne-born chef opened his first restaurant, Maude in Beverly Hills 2 years ago, but the arrival of SHARE to Australian shores will make…

If you’re in Queensland this week, celebrating in style is definitely on the cards for you if you head to the Palazzo Versace, as the whole venue goes all out for Queensland Week.   The Palazzo Versace Gold Coast opens up its world of Italian style, glamour and luxury until 12th June, to celebrate the state of Queensland becoming a separate colony in…

Get ready folks, St Kilda’s newest craft beer haven has just opened, and it has 13 rotating craft beers on tap, New York style deli food, a jukebox, and a hunting lodge/American diner atmosphere to boot. Freddie Wimpoles takes over the former George Hotel in St Kilda, and takes its name from beer aficionado and businessman (and mayor…

For anybody looking for a quick winter getaway interstate, matched with local tipple to boot, a trip to either Bendigo, VIC or Adelaide SA might just be the trick. The Art Series Hotel Group is offering a great promotional winter rate at their boutique hotels in these regions. The Gather and Indulge package at The…

When you think of style and poise in Australian fashion, leading designer Leona Edmiston springs to mind.  It’s no wonder, then, that The Langham in Sydney, a hotel equally as stylish, has partnered with the celebrated designer to hold a series of glamourous afternoon tea sittings throughout the month of May. Held in the hotel’s chic Palm Court tea…

Kim Baker, a war correspondent stationed in Afghanistan around 2005, is told by her local guide and interpreter, Fahim, that she is growing attached to the “thrill of the chase” – the hunting down of the leads, the perilous situations, the fearlessness of living and working in a war-torn country.  He tells her seriously and…

Modern living getting you down?  Maybe it’s time to rearrange your schedule this week and head to some of Sydney’s best bars like Earl’s Juke Joint, Papa Gede’s and The Wild Rover (just to name a few) to take part in the inaugural Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned Week, which will run from 11th to 20th May in select bars around…

The nation’s oldest wine region is set to showcase the best of its wine and food culture, as the Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival kicks off in May and June of 2016.  Visitors to the region can take part in over 70 culinary events and activities, with additional activities also taking place in various venues and wineries. It’s…

“Butter chicken is not authentic Indian food,” said restaurateur Freddie Zulfiqar at a sit-down media event for Zaaffran this past Tuesday night. It was a sentiment shared by the 110-strong crowd gathered to enjoy the established Indian restaurant’s cuisine in the buzzing Darling Harbour precinct. What Zaaffran (meaning saffron) does well is “capture the essence…

Coffee connoisseur Jason Ghebar has been building up the Charlotte brand (with Charlotte Cafe, Charlotte’s Little Sister and Baby Charlotte) since 2008.  What started as a single cafe in Birchgrove then branched out to Manly, Pennant Hills and Mosman, and now the newest member of the Charlotte brand makes its way to the Australian Technology Park,…

Ananas Bar & Brasserie fans bemoaning the departure of their favourite restaurant from The Rocks precinct don’t have to wait for its reopening in Darling Harbour in September to munch on their celebrated French cuisine.  Café Ananas will take over sister restaurant Café Nice‘s location at 2 Phillip Street.  It’s a name and signage change for the Phillip…

The newly-renovated Prahran venue, Mt. Erica Hotel has started a weekly Off The Beaten Truck food truck festival, adding to its already stellar lineup of events, curating a line-up of the city’s best mobile food stores every Sunday in High Street car park, bringing in three or four trucks each week. The festival also features entertainment…

Fort Denison opens up to the public again during Vivid Sydney, as diners are given the opportunity to view the Sydney Harbour lights from the city’s only harbour island restaurant. Dinner De-LIGHTS, at Fort Denison Restaurant will be back again on Friday and Saturday evenings during the Vivid Sydney festival, as well as the Sunday of the long weekend….

If you’ve been partaking in this month’s Bavarian Brewfest at participating Bavarian Bier Cafés in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as Munich Brauhaus in Sydney and Melbourne, you’ll be happy to know that the month of welcoming a range of new craft and seasonal beers isn’t quite over just yet, and there are…

Spending a long weekend in Byron Bay is probably something akin to bliss, but to combine the short trip away with a huge foodie package is nothing short of heavenly! The Byron and Taste Byron Bay‘s Terase Davidson have created a special foodie tour package that allows visitors to not only stay at The Byron, but also…

Established Sydney CBD dining icon, Machiavelli Restaurant, has now opened its Rushcutters Bay counterpart on Neild Avenue in a warehouse-style venue. The new restaurant, Bar Machiavelli, is also run by original Machiavelli creator Paola Toppi and seeks to add the Rushcutter Bay’s popular Italian dining scene which already includes Popolo and ACME. The menu will feature…

Woolloomooloo’s iconic 100 year old wharf has been given a new lease on life with the recent arrival of the Ovolo Woolloomooloo hotel, “Ovolo-ising” the building at 6 Cowper Wharf Road with energy and glamour, very much in keeping with what visitors and locals have come to expect from the quintessential Sydney precinct. Opened in…

Riesling is having a bit of an Australian renaissance of late, and to celebrate, CHISWICK Woollahra and South Australia’s most renowned winemakers Leo Buring will join forces to create a one-of-a-kind food and wine experience.  To be held on Tuesday, 12th April at 6:30pm (for a 7pm start), the event will showcase the rich berry, fruit, and…

Hump days are ending on a seriously stylish level from here on in!  Wednesday nights at Saké Restaurant & Bar  in The Rocks now feature the Dragon Lounge, a sexy, sensual after-hours hangout in a hidden, upper level of the restaurant’s building on Argyle Street. From 9pm every Wednesday, Dragon Lounge  offers a mid-week, upscale retreat for those who want to linger…