In this week’s issue: Mary's Burgers comes to Sydney's CBD, Taste Orange @ Sydney returns bigger and better for 2014, The Winery Surry Hills presents the king of all wine tasting events,the Regional Dinner Series continues at Balla, Equitana returns to Melbourne, Mordeo Bar & Bistro holds "Jammin Da House", and so much more
FOOD
MARY'S NEWTOWN BRINGS THEIR FAMOUS BURGERS TO CBD (SYDNEY)
The super popular (perhaps TOO popular) Mary's in Newtown is doing something pretty amazing. They are bringing the cause of all that hype - their stunning burgers - straight to the CBD with a takeaway burger shop set to open on Castlereagh Street in September or October. Expect cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, shakes, and the occasional limited edition burger.
TASTE ORANGE @ SYDNEY (SYDNEY)
Taste Orange @ Sydney is back again, and it is bigger and better than ever before this August. Spanning three days and two nights, Taste Orange @ Sydney gives Sydneysiders more of what they have enjoyed year after year from this event showcasing an incredible region full of good food and wine. Martin Place will yet again host the celebration of Orange’s iconic fine food, fine wine, and fine people. In true country style, Taste Orange @ Sydney will charm the city of Sydney from August 20 until August 22, so add those dates to your diary and set an alarm so you can capitalise on the wine and food tastings on offer, as well as an exhibition of the cultural talent of Orange with live music and entertainment.
REGIONAL DINNER SERIES AT BALLA (SYDNEY)
On August 5th, Stefano Manfredi will host the second dinner of the Regional Dinner Series at the famous Balla restaurant. This series is inspired by the Italian region of Friuli. Guest will enjoy a number of Friuli delicacies including Montasio, a fresh cow’s milk cheese, and Prosciutto di San Daniele, served on a bed of polenta gnocchi. For main meal, guests will also enjoy Stefano’s sweet and sour venison with braised red cabbage. The event costs $95pp, and bookings can be made by calling 02 9777 9000
THE GOLDEN SHEAF WINTER SPECIALS (SYDNEY)
A great pub meal with friends, live jazz and a vibrant atmosphere is what we all need to help us get through these colder months and in Sydney’s east, and The Golden Sheaf is the place to enjoy just that and more. An eastern suburbs institution and award-winning neighbourhood pub, the Golden Sheaf Hotel’s Bistro serves up some of the best pub food in the east every day of the week. Awarded Three Schooners by the SMH Pub Good Guide in 2014, The Golden Sheaf’s tasty seasonal Bistro dishes and salads are sure to take the edge off winter. Generous portion sizes, great value for money and plenty of choice make Sheaf Bistro a consistent favourite among locals. Sheaf Bistro menu highlights include Winter inspired dishes, fresh seafood, and traditional pub favourites. For more info, check out http://www.goldensheaf.com.au/
SAKÉ RESTAURANT & BAR COMES TO DOUBLE BAY (SYDNEY)
The signature tastes and dynamic contemporary Japanese experience that Sydneysiders have grown to love from Saké Restaurant & Bar are coming to Double Bay. The doors of the brand new Saké venue will open in the prestigious Sydney suburb of Double Bay. The new restaurant is set to open its doors in December 2014. Set to open under the stylish InterContinental Hotel on 33 Cross Street, Double Bay in Sydney, NSW. Featuring a stunning bar, indoor seating for 120 and outdoor seating for up to 30, the new Saké Restaurant & Bar Double Bay will be an exciting addition to the burgeoning Double Bay dining scene.
COOGEE PAVILION SET TO OPEN (SYDNEY)
Coogee Pavilion, Merivale’s stunning new beachside venue, will open the doors to its beautifully refurbished ground floor this July 24. Offering a variety of casual dining experiences in a fun, beachside setting, the ground floor kitchen will be led by a team of dynamic Merivale chefs including Jordan Toft, Zac Sykes, Vincenzo Biondini and Danielle Alvarez. Catering to a broad range of tastes and budgets, the ground floor will offer a produce-driven seasonal menu, designed with a coastal sensibility. This new venue will showcase Australia’s bountiful and diverse produce and befit the quintessential Sydney setting. For further information, visit www.merivale.com/coogeepavilion
CITY 2 SURF CELEBRATIONS AT PAPERPLANES (SYDNEY)
Bondi Beach’s best Sunday Session is embracing the big race and will host the biggest SushiPlanes yet! Live music, drink specials & of course their $30 all you can eat menu will be running all day & all night at PaperPlanes; exclusively for the City 2 Surf. SushiPlanes is a blockbuster all you can eat event, offering a Chef’s Selected menu of fresh sushi rolls, gyozas, tempura baskets, crunchy kara age chicken, their celebrated pork belly buns, fish tacos & much more – all for only $30 per person! The menu is receiving rave reviews and can cater to vegetarian and gluten-free diets. This eating extravaganza, intended to re-fuel runners & spectators alike, is perfectly paired with SushiPlanes exclusive City 2 Surf drink specials. Bookings are recommended, and can be made on http://paperplanesbondi.com/
DRINKS
JAMMIN DA HOUSE AT MORDEO BISTRO & BAR (SYDNEY)
Recently opened Mordeo Bistro & Bar, located in the Assembly of Deutsche Bank place, is hosting the 12th Jammin da House. Jammin da House is Mordeo supplier Ona Coffee’s very own latte art jam; a small, fun latte art competition. It’s a chance for any barista who can pour latte art to compete against other baristas from all over Sydney and the state. This Jammin da House is the 12th in Ona Coffee’s history, but the very first to be held in Sydney. Jammin da House is a head to head, knock out style competition. In the first round, baristas are pipped against each other to pour a randomly selected, common form of latte art; a heart, tulip or rosetta. Three judges select the winner between each competitors pour, and the winner goes through to the next round. The following rounds are freestyle latte art; this is where the barista really gets to show off their skills. Find out more at www.onacoffee.com.au
CHRISTMAS IN JULY MR TIPPLY’S (SYDNEY)
Mr Tipply’s is hearing up to get festive and celebrate all things Christmas, in July. A selection of Christmas inspired Winter Warmers will be featured on the menu for the week long celebration, including lamb shank and pumpkin salad, roast beef and The Works, as well as Yorkshire puddings, and to drink, mulled wine and egg nog at $5 each. On Christmas eve, July 24, celebrate with festive cocktails and dance the night away to Christmas tunes around the exceptional Christmas tree feature. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas in July and look forward to celebrating with you this Winter, at Mr Tipply’s. For further details, please visit http://mrtipplys.com
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE CLIFF DIVE (SYDNEY)
Still in its infancy, Papuan inspired venue The Cliff Dive has claimed its stake in Sydney’s late night scene, establishing a cult following of night owls who return week after week for a vibe that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. Drinks flow and the music is warm and tropical. As the night gets later, the music gets louder and the underwater dance floor gets a steamy work out. TCD’s next big aim is to try and transform the venue into more than just another night club. Clubbers fear not. There will be no change to the dance off that occurs every weekend, however before 11pm, the underwater dancefloor will enjoy more of a warm lounge vibe. In addition, there will be a new food section called Yurippi. Yurippi will be pumping out street food that will take you straight to a South East Asian island paradise. The cocktail drink list has also expanded and remains deliberately delicious with a focus on great drinks and even better drinking.
KINGSWOOD COFFEE AT WORLD SQUARE (SYDNEY)
Kingswood Coffee is launching at World Square, serving up high quality cups of Sydney’s favourite vice, with an owner who’s pedigree includes a ‘2 Cup’ rating in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Coffee Guide. Kingswood Coffee will bring its own unique house blend for milk based coffees with rotating espresso and filter options for black coffee lovers. Kingswood will also cater to sweet-lovers with delicious pastries Penny Four and Brickfields Bakery.
THE GOLDEN SHEAF - INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY (SYDNEY)
The Golden Sheaf wants to help you enjoy one of the most popular and arguably the most important worldwide celebration, International Beer Day. The Golden Sheaf has teamed up with passionate brewers North Down Craft Beer Movement to celebrate this special occasion and will host a one night only pop up beer bar in The Sheaf’s famous beer garden. Get your friends involved and discover flavours from around the world and truly honour your beloved drink. North Down Craft Beer Movement have gone all out so you can enjoy all the delicious possibilities beer has to offer. There will be everything from refreshing honeyed-fruit flavoured Pale Ale from Japan, to something that packs more of a punch in a big thick American style double India Pale Ale. So, whether you’re a beer lover or just keen to get in on the celebration, get ready to raise a glass for another year of International Beer Day. For more details, head to http://goldensheaf.com.au/
THE WINERY SURRY HILLS PINOT NOIR TASTING (SYDNEY)
On August 27, The Winery Surry Hills will play host to 15 of Central Otago’s finest wineries and producers as they come together for one night only to showcase the very best in pinot noir. Firmly cementing itself as one of Sydney’s premier wine destinations, each of the 15 different wineries will take over the ground level of The Winery as guests are invited to meet the makers and taste their way through labels including Domain Road, Ellero, Felton Road, Judge Rock, Misha’s, Mt Difficulty, Mud House, Nanny Goat, Nevis Bluff Wines, Prophets Rock, Quartz Reef, Rockburn, Two Degrees, Two Paddocks and Wooing Tree. The event follows on from the success of last year’s Central Otago Pinot Noir evening at Gazebo Wine Garden and promises to offer passionate Pinot lovers and novices alike a chance to learn more about this stunning varietal. The event commences at 6:30pm and concludes at 8:30pm. Tickets are available for $45. To book a place contact the reservations team on 02 9331 0833
CAFESMART 2014
Annual charity event CafeSmart is calling on coffee drinkers to make a cupful of difference on August 8. The initiative, from charity StreetSmart is aiming to raise money for the homeless from consumers’ daily caffeine hit. One dollar of every coffee sold on the day will be donated by participating cafes to funding local projects. The simple message is ‘Drink Coffee Do Good - and help from the ground up.’ Find participating cafes in your local area at www.streetsmartaustralia.org/findcafe and visit on the day to purchase yourself and your friends a round of extra-beneficial coffees. StreetSmart is also encouraging coffee drinkers to consider donating an extra one dollar at the counter, to reach this year’s target of $100,000.
THE NEWTOWN HOTEL - THE ART OF CONVERSATION (SYDNEY)
Since the dawning of time good wine has gone hand in hand with great conversation, but sometimes, for whatever reason, having a good old natter (especially with a stranger) can be a little awkward. Throughout June, July, and August, Cake Wines will be taking over the back bar at Newtown Hotel with a concept that aims to explore the lost art of conversation, through a string of ideas that encourage people to open up and get talking. From a hanging manifesto that sets down some hard and fast “pro-conversationist” rules for people entering the bar, to a conversation tree where punters are obliged to talk to a stranger, to the hundreds of cue cards crafted by Melbourne’s hugely successful “The School of Life” that prompt conversation in various different ways.
The space will also play host to 2 events that tie into the theme:
Dumbofeather Conversation Series
Dumbo Feather is a quarterly Australian publication featuring conversations with extraordinary people. Whether they’ve touched millions or just those nearby, what unites the people Dumbo Feather features is their passion. For this event, guests will spend an evening with Mike McEnearney, founder of kitchen by Mike. After cooking for more than 20 years in some of the top restaurants in the world, Mike was in search of something more, and in his words, "something less.” Thursday July 10th 6pm-7:30pm
Cake Wines School of Wine
Run by Stuart Brookshaw, Head Sommelier of Cake Wines, along with a number of entertaining panelists from the wine world, the real world and another world entirely…the School of Wine is a light-hearted, high-brow/low-brow look at exciting topics and trends in wine, food and culture. Stay tuned for more details! Thursday August 7th 7pm
BAR100 SHOWING COMMONWALTH GAMES (SYDNEY)
BAR100’s sports bar, Sports Central, will be showcasing all the excitement of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games from July 23 until August 3. With Sports Central featuring a 3.5 metre LED screen - one of Sydney's largest and two additional 1.4 metre screens, patrons will be able to enjoy all the action of 71 countries competing in 17 sports at this year’s 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Patrons can expect to see countries battle it out in sporting disciplines such as athletics, aquatics, cycling, rugby, boxing, weightlifting and triathlon. During every major sporting event BAR100 provides special food and beverage offers.
DÉLONGHI DEDICA
Australia is a nation of coffee lovers with an increasing number of people embracing café culture in their own homes. With this in mind, DéLonghi has answered the pleas of self-made connoisseurs around the country with its latest offering – the Dedica Manual Coffee Machine.Encompassing the heart and soul of Italian heritage, the Dedica exhibits a simple, compact design with an elegant gloss finish and chrome touches. At only 15cm wide, the stylish machine is designed to fit any kitchen or office space with a clean and sleek look which will add flare to any room. The Dedica is available for $349 (RRP) and can be purchased from all leading home appliance retailers across Australia from August 2014. For more details on DéLonghi's products, visit http://www.delonghi.com/en-int/products/coffee
FASHION & CULTURE
QT HOTEL'S SPAQ CROWNED BEST NSW SPA (SYDNEY)
QT Sydney’s luxurious day spa, spaQ, has been recognised for its commitment to delivering the highest level of service at the Tourism Accommodation Awards for Excellence last night, awarded Health Club & Spa Facilities of the Year 2014. The Tourism Accommodation Australia (NSW) Awards for Excellence are recognised as the most prestigious hospitality awards, honouring high achievement in a wide range of categories in the accommodation industry. This achievement marks one of many for spaQ Sydney which were nominated and made the shortlist for Best Hotel Spa Australasia at the ASPA Awards of Excellence and has featured on the Conde Nast Traveller 2013 ‘Hot Spas Lists’ in the U.S. and Russia. For more information on spaQ visit www.spa-Q.com.au
EQUITANA MELBOURNE (MELBOURNE)
The extravagant event Equitana is returning to Melbourne! Equitana Melbourne is recognised as the premier equine festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Since 1999, the event, run across four action packed days, combines world-class competition, exhibitions, education sessions and the ultimate equine shopping precinct, appealing to both horse aficionados and entertainment lovers alike. Equitana’s elite competition schedule encompasses the Olympic Disciplines of Dressage, Jumping and a shortened form of Eventing, as well as western sports including Cutting, Reining and Barrel Racing. In addition there will be breed showcases with Miniature Horses and Arabians, and a team sports showcase featuring Polo, Polocrosse, Tentpegging, Australiana style events, extreme carriage driving and much more. This world class event will be taking place from November 20 to November 23. Tickets are available from www.equitana.com.au