Author: Samantha Low

PAFU is the next Japanese dessert to trend in Australia

The onslaught of Japanese desserts continue to hail down on Australia. From the team that brought you Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, comes PAFU, a puff pastry store launching in Melbourne’s QV this December 16th. What exactly is PAFU? A puff or ‘パフ’ in the Japanese language, is the Japanese response to the traditional French apple turnover…

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VIVID Ideas Review: The Rise of the Cat Memes Empire with Buzzfeed’s Jonah Peretti

The first fifteen minutes of the live discussion saw Jonah Peretti, CEO of Buzzfeed, probed by Leigh Sales, anchorwoman of ABC’s 7.30, Dr Phil-style. This was Vivid Ideas’ first Game-Changer talk for 2017, and quoting Peretti, following questions on where he was born, what his childhood was like and which teachers supported him the most,…

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Review: 12-Micron is a stunning new entry on The Streets of Barangaroo (Sydney)

What is Australian cuisine, and in particular, modern Australian cuisine? At 12-Micron, this means creating a space that showcases the very best this country has to offer, from the cuisine to the interior, from the produce to the plates they ultimately sit on. This is what Barangaroo’s latest stands for right down to its namesake,…

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The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room’s Crab Carnival returns for enormous crustacean celebration (Sydney)

The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room are back with Crab Carnival and this year is set to be their biggest yet. Now in its fourth year, the Carnival will be a celebration of all things crustacean for 28 days, beginning Monday 20th March until Sunday 16th April. Chef Sean Connolly, The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room and…

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Barangaroo serves up the impressive 12-Micron restaurant and late-night dessert bar (Sydney)

12-Micron is the new kid on the street, The Streets of Barangaroo that is. It’s an impressive new 230-seater restaurant, late-night dessert kitchen, and bar with majestic harbour views to boot. The 12-Micron name, inspired by the rare and coveted fine 12-micron wool fibre, marks the venue’s ethos to celebrate the best of Australian produce. 12-Micron Executive…

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New year, new menu: Double Bay’s Mrs Sippy announces some changes (Sydney)

Double Bay’s iconic restaurant and bar Mrs Sippy has launched a brand new menu just in time for Summer, celebrating their fifth year with significant changes that should see the popular hotspot charge through these holidays with style. The new additions feature light, fresh and summer-ready dishes aimed at pairing with your midday heat right…

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Mövenpick introduce signature ice cream sandwiches to their Australian boutiques

As we reach the heat-wave bringing centre of Australia’s summer, Swiss ice cream brand Mövenpick has announced a range of signature Ice Cream Sandwich to be sold at their dessert boutiques. The sandwich will be made up of their high quality creamy ice cream and two rich chocolate cookies as the outer layer, giving folks…

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Review: Old City Kitchen and Bar – Newtown (Sydney)

Middle East meets Mediterranean at this unassuming spot on a side street in Newtown. Old City Kitchen and Bar is only a couple of paces away from busy King St but it is significantly quieter and more intimate than say, its rockabilly neighbour Miss Peaches, located a mere two doors down. The professional finish of the…

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The Grounds of Alexandria now has its own on-site bakery (Sydney)

Alexandria destination The Grounds is well experienced with serving its patrons artisan breads and pastries but their latest venture, The Bakery, will see this offering carried through with even more gusto and allow for some exciting exclusives. Think trays of lime & meringue tartlets, freshly baked Pigion Seed loaf, a pistachio olive oil and polenta cake…

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Review: ABODE Bistro & Bar’s Chocolate High Tea – CBD (Sydney)

High tea is something I grew up having a deep reverence for. My paternal grandmother loved it despite not being big on sweets. But whether you’re into the components of it or not, it’s undeniable that there’s something that’s very refined about sitting in a pretty little salon, nibbling on a huge amount of small things…

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Hotel Review: A Blissful 24 hours at Hotel Realm (Canberra, Australia)

Canberra isn’t typically known as a getaway destination but the short three-hour drive from Sydney makes Canberra sufficiently far away to give you that ‘going away’ feeling yet still close enough that a quick 24-hour stay is more than achievable. Also a plus are the pockets of luxury that you’ll find at our nation’s capital…

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Review: Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar – Canberra (ACT)

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to try out Hotel Realm’s “Buvette Bliss” package, a current deal which includes a two course meal at Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar, the five-star property’s fresh French dining option. The package’s set menu is specially designed by the Executive Chef Fabian Wagnon, and also comes with…

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A Day Well Spent: Eating and drinking my way through the Hunter Valley (NSW, Australia)

On my last trip to the Hunter to cover the famous Hunter Valley food fight, I was lucky enough to sample more Hunter fare. I say Hunter fare here because even though it isn’t too far from Sydney (slightly more than a two hour drive), a lot of the food I tried tasted like an entirely…

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Review: Yakitori Yurippi – Crows Nest (Sydney)

Winter isn’t coming, it’s here and hell-bent on freezing the behings of every Sydneysider. But aside from your usual comfort foods of soups, stews and ramen, taking a trip to your local yakitori den also works as a keep warm tactic. That’s exactly what we did last week when the good guys at Yurippi in Crows…

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Five things you didn’t know about Orange is the New Black producer and creator Jenji Kohan

The scene at Town Hall was set with Vivid’s characteristic neon hues of light. Once the strobes were dimmed, a live singing and dance rendition of “You’ve Got Time” by Regina Spektor, also known as the opening song of Orange is The New Black, kicked the show off. There’s something meta-fictional to be said about…

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First Impressions: VIVE Cooking School – in the kitchen with Manu Feildel

I talk food, write food and occasionally cook food from the comfort of my own kitchen but can I put my money where my mouth is and deliver a truly authentic French dining experience? Probably not, but there is no reason why I shouldn’t give it a go.  Last weekend I was able to do just that…

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Near record crowds flock to 20th Biennale of Sydney

The Biennale of Sydney has announced that visitation to the 20th Biennale of Sydney: The future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed, was the second highest on record. Curated by Artistic Director Dr. Stephanie Rosenthal, the 20th Biennale, which ran from 18 March – 5 June 2016, featured more than 200 works…

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Spotlight on Hunter Valley: Recapping the seventh annual Hunter Culinary Food Fight (NSW)

What happens when some of the top chefs from Sydney and the Hunter Valley are split into two teams and tasked with battling it out in the name of charity? I found out last weekend while up in the Hunter for the Hunter Culinary Association’s (HCA) 7th Annual Food Fight. The event aimed to raise…

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Vivid Ideas 2016: How to Become a Digital Juggernaut like Margaret Zhang

She turned 23 years old the day before talking in front of hundreds at Sydney’s Town Hall. It’s undeniable that Margaret Zhang has achieved more in her young years of living than most could say they have in a lifetime. Her recent Vivid Ideas Game Changers segment encompassed brand differentiation in the digital age, told…

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Six “Alternative” Things to do in Tokyo, Japan

As impressive as Tokyo Tower might be, if you’ve been to Tokyo a couple of times you would concede that even the majestic Meiji Jingu can get a bit passe. The fact is, the mecca wonderland of Japan certainly has more to offer than meets the eye. I encourage you to jump in at the…

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Recap: Felix, Ash St. Cellar, Bistrode CBD and more showcased at Merivale’s European Laneway (Sydney)

We continued to march on into Merivale and its aptly named festival this year with the hotly anticipated European Laneway, fashioned as a feast under the stars. After a series of successful events in previous years, the laneway was once again choc-a-block of the best food and drink the Merivale group has to offer, all…

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Review: Cheekyburger – Chippendale (Sydney)

Cheekyburger, once a Paddington-only exclusive, has opened up shop a little closer to the CBD locale. You can check out their fresh new look at The Chippendale Hotel, located a stone’s throw from Broadway. One can get nice and cosy in the dimly lit interior of the pub or make like my friends and I…

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Review: Miss Peaches (new menu, summer 2015) – Newtown (Sydney)

Through a narrow door and up some stairs nearby The Marlborough Hotel is the passage through to Miss Peaches now well-established as one of the most popular diners in the area. There is a cool breeze blowing in and sitting high above one of Newtown’s busiest streets has afforded me the perfect view to people…

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Sydney Pop-Up: Grey Goose’s Salon at Vine – Double Bay

Double Bay’s Vine paints a pretty picture on most days with an Eastern suburban feel against a soothing evening backdrop, but when paired with a French inspired pop-up bar, the vibe is taken to the next level just as the sun begins to set. I scored an early invite to the Grey Goose’s Salon at…

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Hack Food Launch Party at Fishburners (Sydney)

This Thursday saw the launch party for HackFood, Australia’s first food-themed hackathon. A hackathon is a weekend-long business building competition and start-up boot camp that aims to encourage its participants to uncover unique digital technology solutions to combat some of the biggest challenges faced in traditional industries Despite the connotations associated with the term ‘hackathon’,…

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Wok on Inn – Zetland (Sydney)

Wok on Inn is part of a formidable line up at East Village in Zetland (think The Village Crow, Lucio Pizzeria, and Taste Baguette) that’ll be competing for the chance to fill your bellies on a lazy day, of which there should be plenty this spring and summer. This Zetland branch marks Wok on Inn’s…

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Devon on Danks x Young Henrys x Sakenet banquet – Waterloo (Sydney)

The air is cool but the nights are getting warmer. Spring has most certainly sprung here in Australia and Devon on Danks is embracing the changing of the seasons by tag-teaming with alcohol aficionados Young Henrys and Sakenet for a full-blown Asian inspired banquet that’s sure to leave one dizzy. Two roads diverged are presented…

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