Author: Nazia Hafiz

Film Review: Free Solo (USA, 2018) an unflinching look at scaling a 3200 foot rock without a rope

Whether it be physical or academic it is without a doubt that greatness and feats of greatness require a certain level of determination, mental grit and skill that very few are willing to foster within themselves. Alex Honnold however meets those qualities in the unlikeliest of ways in documentary/semi biopic Free Solo, a story of…

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Japanese Film Festival Review: One Cut of the Dead (Japan, 2017) is a genius take on the Zombie comedy genre

One Cut of the Dead is not your run of the mill Zombie film, nor should any moviegoer make the same mistake as this reviewer and assume they’re going to go watch a Japanese version of Shaun of the Dead as they’ll find themselves completely flabbergasted by what’s put in front of them. In a…

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Applejack launch their first sleek Sydney CBD venue Bopp & Tone

Hospitality group Applejack known for producing unconventional yet elegant venues (The Butler Potts Point, The Botanist Kirribilli, SoCal Sydney, Della Hyde) have launched a new restaurant and bar at their first Sydney CBD location, just a stone’s throw from Wynyard station on Carrington street. Dubbed Bopp & Tone, founders Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll’s latest…

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Live Review: Thunderstorm doesn’t dampen Taylor Swift’s triumphant return to Sydney

Pop powerhouse Taylor Swift is on her second visit to our fair country having graced our shores as part of her 1989 World Tour three years ago, flaunting a larger than life stadium show that somehow entertains and inspires without completely losing those moments of intimacy and connection Swift fans treasure. Swift wisely showcases a…

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Grant’s unveil new Triple Wood Blended Scotch in Australia

Supplier of Australia’s second Scotch of choice Grant’s Whisky have launched a brand new blended scotch sporting a fresh new look and name as part of a global re-branding exercise. Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky was unveiled this week at Grant William & Sons offices in North Sydney, its eye catching amber colour and…

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Three Sydney food events not to be missed this August

I know I know, it’s cold – you don’t want to get out of your snuggie, you’re firmly planted in front of your nice warm not by any means energy saving heater and the thought of going anywhere is just not a thing that’s happening right now. But you have to eat at some point…

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Review: Hacienda revamps Cuban inspired menu with newly appointed Executive Chef

Situated on the third floor of 5 star hotel Pullman Quay Grand, Hacienda’s old world Cuban charm and prime location have made it the perfect spot for an evening cocktail whilst marvelling at Sydney’s stunning harbour views. The luxe vista bar has recently revamped its distinctly Cuban menu thanks to award winning head chef Joshua…

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Belles Hot Chicken opens in Darling Square with bottomless weekend brunches (Sydney)

As of this week, Belles glorious mouth burning really f*ckin hot chicken will be accessible from a third location at Darling Square in Sydney, rounding out its sixth site nationwide and cementing its ridiculous popularity amongst Sydneysiders. Head founder and chef Morgan McGlone has negotiated a few more tremendous collaborations for this launch (the last…

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Review: Stanton & Co is a welcome addition to Rosebery’s latest dining hotspot (Sydney)

What was once classified as a pretty quiet part of Rosebery has now become a bustling foodie haven thanks to the opening of The Cannery, a dining precinct jam packed full of notable restaurants, coffee roasters and purveyors of fine goods. Australian-Japanese influenced Stanton & Co has recently taken its place alongside other reputable eateries…

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Tomotaka Ishizuka introduces Japanese Kaiseki to Melbourne

Acclaimed Japanese chef Tomotaka Ishizuka is opening a restaurant under his namesake on Melbourne’s Bourke Street in the hopes of introducing the local food scene to a truly refined and delicate Japanese food art form comparable to Western haute cuisine. For anyone fortunate enough to get into the 16 seater restaurant a unique sensory experience…

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Australia’s first ever 24/7 Pho restaurant has opened in Melbourne

They are the anti soup nazis of our generation, three humble lads set on making Vietnamese Pho available 24/7 for Melbourne locals and visitors. Thai Ho, Midawell Phal and George Do are hoping to wow late night crowds with a magical bowl of Pho any time of day, any day of the week with this…

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New Walsh Bay restaurant Seventeen opens just in time for summer holidays (Sydney)

Inspired by the seventeen moorings floating along Sydney’s foreshore, Walsh Bay’s latest nautical themed dining venue Seventeen will be opening this week just in time for summer, boasting spectacular water views in a 100 seater cafe/deli/restaurant setting. Headed up by Clint Jaeger (Tetsuya’s, Banc, Bill’s and Hugo’s) Seventeen’s versatility is reflected in its menu which…

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Woollahra’s The Lord Dudley ushers in new era with Garden Restaurant (Sydney)

As one of Sydney’s oldest English pubs the usual expectation of a little old world charm that comes with being a staple watering hole for Paddington locals may be warranted but it’s stumbling onto The Garden Restaurant, nestled beneath a cosy light filled atrium within the hotel’s quirky layout, that comes as a pleasant surprise….

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There’s a free Nutella food truck making its way along the East Coast this month

Yes you heard right, as if New South Wales wasn’t Nutella crazed enough, as if we already didn’t have enough Nutella cafes or Tella bars or chocolate festivals where Nutella is uber prominent in everything or infamous donuts filled with chocolatey hazelnut goodness (I’m looking at you Krispy Kreme). Those sexy evil geniuses at Nutella…

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Review: Pullman Quay Grand’s Q Dining impresses with new menu (Sydney)

The Pullman luxury hotel chain has been a strong leader in Australia’s hospitality sector, with highlights in the last couple of years including the opening of their new location at Sydney airport and a sleek refurbishment of Pullman Quay Grand’s Quadrant restaurant now dubbed Q Dining.  Led by Executive Chef Stefan Brademann (Bennelong, The Fat…

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Matt Moran returns to Paddo Inn with New Grill (Sydney)

The Paddington Inn affectionately dubbed ‘Paddo Inn’ by locals is reigniting an old friendship with renown chef Matt Moran who began his illustrious career there over two decades ago. The Inn which is operated by Solotel gave Moran his first leg up in the industry and was the catalyst for a very prosperous partnership between…

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Ananas introduces new menu just in time for Vivid Sydney

It’s grown to be one of the most popular and chaotic events of the year with hoards of tourists flocking to Sydney for the sensory overload that is Vivid Festival. There is more than one way to enjoy Sydney’s lit up surrounds during this event and given the chaos and crowds sometimes it’s nice to…

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Good Food for Good Cause: YWCA’s Song Kitchen to support domestic violence victims

Nourishment is a fundamental part of life and a way of connecting with our loved ones regularly, so why not make those nights out count even more by supporting a good cause? This notion seems to be gaining momentum across the food industry with Song kitchen’s profit for purpose model aiming to do just that….

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FLUX contemporary Hawaiian designer pop-up rides a wave into Sydney this week

This time of year it’s mighty tempting to fight them winter chills and head off somewhere sunny, welcoming and familiar. Hawaii remains a top destination for us Aussies which is unsurprising, given how similarly laid back and beachy the vibe is over there. So for anyone craving an eternal summer or daydreaming about their next…

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Sydney’s top chefs are cooking up a multicultural lamb dining experience at The Currency Kitchen (Sydney)

Three Williams Cafe have been pretty open to collaborative projects in the past, such as their art gallery collaboration with Brad Robson a couple of years ago so it’s great to see the space handed over for another worthy cause, hosting a five night pop-up dining experience dubbed The Currency Kitchen. Meat and Livestock Australia…

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The team behind Mary’s and The Unicorn announce big plans for The Lansdowne Hotel (Sydney)

We have news and it’s yuuuuge!!! Chippendale’s iconic live music venue The Lansdowne Hotel is re-opening and there just aren’t enough exclamation points in the universe to contain or express our excitement. After the closure of many a wild and wonderful place such as The Newtown Social Club, The Annandale Hotel and Goodgod Small Club…

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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…

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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…

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Sydney’s top chefs gear up for OzHarvest’s Kitchen Table Series

Food rescue organisation OzHarvest will be teaming up with Head Chefs from reputable establishments including Acme, Biota, Otto, Bennelong, Nomad and Paper Daisy to raise funds and awareness around food security and wastage, as part of an annual Kitchen Table Dinner series running from 10th-14th & 17th-21st October to celebrate Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Month….

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Abseil for Youth: abseil down 33 storeys face first for charity this October in Sydney’s CBD

Fundraising for a great cause has reached dizzying new heights (pun fully intended) with a hoard of thrill seeking good samaritans set to abseil down the 33 level office building at 1 Market Street in Sydney’s CBD this October in a bid to raise funds for Sir David Martin Foundation. In a record breaking attempt…

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The Randwick Club launches expansive Cantonese restaurant Zhu Canton (Sydney)

The Randwick Club’s third level has now doors to an elegant Cantonese inspired dining experience, Zhu Canton, this past week. The modern Asian restaurant’s name shares several different meanings including ‘host’, ‘to join together’ and ‘to express good wishes’ and is an expansive, beautifully furnished offering that will open guests up to a daily Yum…

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Pullman Grand Quay launches Cuban inspired bar Hacienda (Sydney)

Adding a touch of Cuban flair to Pullman Quay Grand’s lavish atmosphere, new vista bar Hacienda made its presence known this week, welcoming 200 guests through its doors. The bar’s influences consist of botanical elements with a hint of plantation sheik and all the trimmings of Miami inspired vintage architecture, whilst taking complete advantage of…

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Mr Black’s caffeinated cocktail classes impress at The Rocks Aroma Festival (Sydney)

Be prepared for a heady, hilarious and more importantly, intriguing experience when settling in for a schooling on caffeinated mixology by local cold pressed coffee liqueur gurus Mr Black. National Brand Ambassador, Malcolm Gandar knows how to spin a good yarn and has an ungodly knack for incorporating the deliciousness of Mr Black and a…

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Pullman Hotels open Mobius Bar and Grill in Mascot (Sydney)

The unveiling of an internationally branded five star hotel in none other than the surrounding area near Sydney Airport signifies two things. One: business is booming, represented not only in the increase of travellers through the airport, but the spurt in residential property development, eateries and cafes. Two: food options continue to improve and are…

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Review: La Puerta (Winter Menu 2016) – Neutral Bay (Sydney)

La Puerta translates from Spanish to ‘the door’ and without a doubt guests who step through the doors belonging this particular latino infused restaurant tucked away just off Military Road in Neutral Bay will instantly feel themselves immersed in the vibrancy, passion and warmth Head Chef and Colombian native Oscar Espinosa had intended. South American…

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