Food & Drink

The Cheese Lovers Festival is returning to the Hunter Valley this June

There’s no better combination that cheese, wine, and the Hunter Valley. Nick Haddow leads the cream of artisan cheese makers descending on the Hunter Valley for two days this June for the popular Cheese Lovers Festival; sponsored by Kurrajong Kitchen. Held in spectacular Hunter Valley, the two-day festival, taking place on Saturday 17th June and…

Read more

Sydney’s getting an espresso martini festival next month

All hail the espresso martini, a genius fusion of caffeine and alcohol created by a fellow named Dick and a never to be named supermodel. Regardless of how it came to be, the more important thing is there’s an official festival idolising the signature cocktail heading our way. Following its recent success in Melbourne last…

Read more

Randwick’s The DOG Hotel has something special planned for ANZAC Day (Sydney)

As we approach Australia’s national day of remembrance, ANZAC Day, some of the country’s best pubs are preparing for one of their busiest days of the year. Something about kicking back with friends and drinking beer has somehow become attached to the national public holiday, and for years these drinking institutions have been putting on…

Read more

Epic program announced for Melbourne’s Good Beer Week 2017

Australia’s premier craft beer festival, Good Beer Week is returning to Melbourne from 12-21 May for its seventh year, celebrating the best of Australian and International brews. To help punters choose their own Good Beer Week adventure, this year’s program has been streamlined into four main categories: Beer Lover, Foodie, Beer Geek, and Good Times….

Read more

The Best Places to Celebrate Easter 2017 in Sydney

Easter AKA the longest public holiday of all time, is upon us once again. While chocolate is definitely what the doctor ordered for the four-day weekend, there’s going to be plenty of special menus and events offering all kinds of savoury and sweet deliciousness. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites in Sydney for you,…

Read more

Flower Child Cafe brings a taste of the tropics to Warringah Mall (Sydney)

Co-founded by Chris Lu (Happy as Larry Pizza Truck, Bondi Hardware) and Adam Choker (The Grounds of Alexandria) newly launched cafe, garden and eatery the Flower Child Cafe lends itself to Warringah Mall’s ‘world class design’ philosophy whilst providing a tropical oasis from the exhausting business of retail therapy. ACME & Co (The Grounds, Drake…

Read more

Wizardfest is Australia’s first touring Harry Potter inspired party

If you hadn’t noticed already, pop culture inspired parties are very popular. There’s something about dressing up and stepping into an IRL RPG-like world where you down cocktails named after cultural touchstones and quote things in badly imitated voices without getting awkward stares. So Wizardfest should go down a treat. What’s Wizardfest? Well as you…

Read more

Recipe: Sake Jr’s Japanese Fried Chicken with Gochujang Sauce

By day, fast-casual chain Saké Jr is a health-focused Japanese inspired smorgasbord of fresh DIY Japanese bowls and sides. With an injection to their menu from renowned chef Neil Perry, the increasingly popular chain has introduced a “Jr By Night” menu that pushes into a different kind of vibe, with a special night-only offering including…

Read more

Ray-Ban are now letting you turn your social media feed into a new pair of sunnies

Sunglass stalwarts Ray-Ban have decided to kick their successful “Ray-Ban Remix” concept up a notch and tap further into the social media generation by allowing customers to personalise new pairs of sunglasses with their Instagram or Facebook feeds. The enormously successful, visual-first social media platforms have come to capture users’ personalities, presenting feeds which are…

Read more

Keg & Brew are doing vegemite pies and specially made 2-Up Pale Ale for ANZAC DAY (Sydney)

Along with Sydney’s annual ANZAC Day March, our national day of remembrance is often used to celebrate the relaxed way of life credited to this country. In other words, it’s always an excuse to spend the day with mates at one of Australia’s most beloved institutions: the pub. The harbour city’s seemingly endless collection of…

Read more

Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke launches Hawke’s Brewing Co. lager

Bob Hawke, former Australian Prime Minister, has announced to opening of his very own beer brand, putting his name to the new Hawke’s Brewing Co., a Port Melbourne brewery founded by locals Nathan Lennon and David Gibson, brew. To celebrate, they’ll be rolling out their very first product, a Hawke’s Lager, across several iconic Sydney…

Read more

Guardians of the Galaxy themed Doritos Supernova launches in Australia

With the second Guardians of the Galaxy not too far away Marvel have partnered with beloved party-style Doritos to launch some very oddly coloured limited edition chips, going by the name of Doritos Supernova. The snack has now landed in shelves across the country, bringing with it a flavour description that promises a zesty blast…

Read more

Emirates passengers can use laptops until they board US-Bound services; announce on board loan service

It was revealed last month that passengers either coming from, or transiting in, a slew of Middle Eastern countries, would have to adhere to strict new conditions when it came to the sorts of electronics they were able to bring on board. Basically, any electronics larger than a smartphone (larger than 16cm (6.3in) long, 9.3cm…

Read more

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2017 have been announced, here’s the full list of winners

The anticipation was at an all time high this past Wednesday at a special ceremony held at Melbourne’s historic Royal Exhibition Building. With the highly authoritative World’s 50 Best Restaurants already announcing their 100-51 positions last week, with some very fine entries, discerning diners all across the world were speculating as to which destinations would…

Read more

Review: Carmen inspires a Spanish feast at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Mrs Macquaries Point (Sydney)

With spectacular harbour views and the Sydney cityscape as a backdrop, Carmen at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a delight for the senses with vibrant costumes, spectacular fireworks, and as a result Spanish-inspired dining. Five different restaurant and bar areas, ranging from casual to fine dining, are on offer for pre-performance experiences. Casual options…

Read more

There’s a Maker’s Mark pop-up now open at The Argyle (Sydney)

Maker’s Mark, the Kentucky company behind the handmade whisky, are showcasing an “old-fashioned” pop-up in one of Sydney’s oldest buildings. From the 27th of March to 23rd of April, Maker’s Mark will transform the courtyard of The Argyle in The Rocks into an open-air bar that will have more than just an extensive range of…

Read more

White Rabbit Brewery have released a Pana Chocolate stout for Easter

One of our favourite craft breweries here over at the AU is the consistent and imaginative White Rabbit. The sister brewery to Little Creatures, both occupying the same space in Geelong, have impressed with recent experiments like their red wine infused craft beer, so it stands to reason that this latest release is going to…

Read more

Breaking Bad’s Los Pollos Hermanos is popping up in Sydney next week, and so is Gus Fring

Gone but definitely not forgotten, AMC’s now iconic Breaking Bad series is still making waves through pop culture, largely in thanks to currently running spin-off Better Call Saul, the third season of which will be premiering in Australia in Stan come April 11th. Cause the celebrate? You’re god damn right. After popping up at SXSW…

Read more

Mjolner is Redfern’s new viking-themed carvery and whisky bar (Sydney)

Mjølner (pronounced Mjol-near), Asgard and Valhalla: three terms one would associate with storied Viking culture and the legend of Thor, and possibly some of the last things you’d associate with Sydney’s dining scene. That’s changed now that The Speakeasy Group, the same team behind Eau de Vie (both Sydney and Melbourne), Boilermakerhouse and The Roosevelt,…

Read more

Super Combo, a Street Fighter themed burger bar, opens in Bowen Hills (Brisbane)

Under The Green apartments at the Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills is where you’ll find the recently opened Super Combo, a burger bar that looks to Arcade classic Street Fighter for inspiration. Co-owned by Hao Vu and Michael Nham (of Melbourne’s NSHRY), who both grew up mashing buttons on Street Fighter II at their local…

Read more

Review: Chefs Gallery refresh their menu with a range of new flavours (Sydney)

I’m constantly impressed by just how damn successful Chef’s Gallery is. The restaurant, which has a flagship at Town Hall but has expanded in recent years to places like Parramatta and Hurstville, is constantly one of the busiest dining spots in the area, always commanding a wait list that can stretch to an hour if…

Read more

Ben & Jerry’s free cone day will take place across Australia this Tuesday

Each year dominant ice-cream brand Ben & Jerry’s thank their many fans for a year of support with a day entirely dedicated to free ice-cream. They’ve been doing this public service since 1979, etching a nice little tradition for themselves and watching as demand piles up – last year they handed out over 103,000 scoops…

Read more

Modern Australian, Spain and North African cuisine come together at Abacus Bar & Kitchen (Melbourne)

“Every dish has a story”, offers chef Chris Connolly (ex-Top Paddock) who spearheads the attractive new Abacus Bar & Kitchen with owner Dylan Whitmore. The new venture, which is positioned on Chapel Street nearby Prahran Market, is promising something new and innovative for the area, touting modern Australian with flourishes from Spain and North Africa….

Read more

Sepia to close in December as Chef Martin Benn and Vicki Wild plan Melbourne restaurant

Three-hatted fine dining institution Sepia, one of Sydney’s most celebrated and popular dining hotspots, has made a big announcement. The team driving the restaurant, acclaimed chef Martin Benn and his partner Vicki Wild, will not only be departing the venue after eight incredibly successful years and numerous awards (they’ve maintained three hats every year since…

Read more

OzHarvest branches into the UK with help from Jamie Oliver & the Duchess of Cornwall

OzHarvest, the charity dedicated to reducing food waste and eliminating hunger, has landed overseas to tackle this growing issue on a global scale. UKHarvest is now a thing, and has the full support of some pretty influential people – HRH the Duchess of Cornwall as patron, as well as Jamie Oliver and his foundation. The…

Read more

Win a double pass to Wanderlust 108, the world’s largest yoga and lifestyle event

Wanderlust 108 is the world’s largest yoga and lifestyle event, and it’s back in down under for a third year! Explore the idea of Wanderlust even further when it comes to town especially when the day itself will be a world first; a mindful triathlon. This involves is a five kilometre walk or run, a…

Read more

Nike Air VaporMax finally launches in Australia

Sneaker freakers and running junkies rejoice – seven years in the making, the Nike Air VaporMax has finally arrived. Landing this week in Australia, the shoe is now available to shop at Nike.com, Hype DC and Footlocker – and we’re sure these kicks will disappear pretty quickly. This year marks 30 years of the Nike…

Read more

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017: positions 51-100 have been announced

In case you haven’t heard, the highly authoritative World’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony is being held in Melbourne next week. Often referred to as the definitive ranking of culinary excellence across the globe, the anticipated list will be released on Wednesday 5th April after much deliberation by an anonymous panel made up of over 1,000…

Read more

Mrs Sippy and Veuve Cliquot are now doing bottomless champagne brunches in Double Bay (Sydney)

One of Double Bay’s most endearing venues, Mrs Sippy, has teamed up with Veuve Cliquot for “The Brunch at Mrs Sippy” to give a little refresh to their regular schedule. Brunch has long been a preferred pastime for Sydneysiders and now Head Chef Andreanne Pelletier will be serving a new menu with a bottomless Veuve…

Read more

Burgapalooza is bringing Sydney’s best to Marrickville this weekend

With last years inaugural event a runaway success, the well-connected team behind Hashtag Burgers are itching to bring Burgapalooza 2017 and stretching it to much bigger scale. Whereas last year’s burger-focused festival was rooted in Manning Bar, this year brings the two-day eat-a-thon to Marrickville’s leafy Fraser Park (after nonsensical complaints from Newtown locals) with…

Read more