Sydney’s most stunning cinema, Westpac OpenAir, has just reopened, so you can watch blockbusters under the stars all summer long. The COVID-safe edition of the program means you can view safely in style, sipping bubbles and munching on premium bites from Kitchen by Mike. Order the Kitchen by Mike box and sit pretty in the Croser Garden, with vibrant, fresh and wholesome food and a complimentary glass of Croser NV Sparkling ($49 p.p), or keep it casual with the Picnic by Mike boxes, where you’ll have the choice of cheese ($21), cheese and charcuterie ($37) or a vegan selection ($25). To view the program or to book, click here.
Westpac OpenAir Cinema opens with Kitchen by Mike hampers and a champagne garden
Plus, 7 news bites for your week ahead.
Jump Start January
Riley Street Garage is injecting the fun back into the new year with Jump Start January. Each Wednesday and Thursday in January, diners can take a joyride of the menu, with 8 of the venue’s best dishes, including the fish tartare sushi roll, baked eggplant, scotch fillet, truffle mash & broccolini, deconstructed cheesecake and more, for the special price of just $55. There are only 4 nights of the deal left, so you’ll want to reserve a spot asap.
Un-bee-lievable
Redfern doughnuttery, Donut Papi, has created quite the buzz with their newest creation, a special honey-filled doughnut that’s sweet-as-can-bee. The Save the Bees doughnut is a decadent collaboration with New Zealand-based manuka honey business, Waimete, and features a citrus-white chocolate glaze, a Waitmete honey bullseye, cake doughnut honeybee, and wattleseed, white chocolate and honeycomb shard. Priced at $8:50, $1 of each doughnut sold will be donated to Save the Bees Australia, to support bee conservation and protect our tiniest workers. The doughnut (priced at $8.50) will be available for two weeks only, so fly by Donut Papi this Wednesday to avoid missing out!
Whisky business
Dine for good this February with The Macallan Whisky’s evening of decanters and decadence at Aria in Sydney. Set to be held in the dreamy Harbour Room, all proceeds from the dinner will go to Matt Moran’s charity Thankful4farmers. The dinner will see National Macallan Whisky Ambassador and expert, Josh O’Brien, guide guests through a tasting of the Macallan Double Cask Range and Rare Cask, perfectly matched with a 6-course menu from Aria’s Executive chef, Joel Bickford. Learn more about pairing whisky and food, all the while enjoining an unrivalled view of the Sydney Opera House. Tickets are limited, reserve your place now to avoid missing out.
Slice of heaven
Dan Pepperell, formerly of Hubert’s and Alberto’s Lounge, has flipped out a new pizza menu for Frankie’s. Taking inspiration from the famous slices of New York City, Swillhouse co-founder Anton Forte and renowned chef Pepperell toured the Big Apple with a list of pizza particulars to research: prove and cook times, dough composition, sauce style, cheese mixes and toppings. What results is a finessed dough cooked at a low temperature, to create a crispy, blistered crust with dough that’s got “chew, tang and depth of flavour.” It’s a selection of pizzas that’s both classic and fresh, authentic and undeniably Frankie’s. Joining the perked-up pies is a hot new beer list, welcoming a lengthy list of eclectic craft brews and old school favourites.
Have a break
Chocolate lovers rejoice, KitKat has just announced two brand new flavours inspired by favourite Australian ice cream flavours. The new bars, Mint Choc Chip and Caramel Crisp, are set to make your mouth melt and the perfect pairing for January’s hottest days. Coating the dreamy wafer fingers we all know and love, the Mint Choc Chip bar is covered in creamy mint flavoured choc, topped with Swiss cocoa crisps, all on a smooth milk chocolate base, while the Caramel Crisp includes a smooth caramel flavoured choc, topped with French caramel flakes, on a white chocolate base. Grab yours now at grocery and convenient stores nationwide.
The culinary arts
Lucio’s, one of Sydney’s most beloved Italian restaurants, is set to close its doors later this month, and there’s not much that can ease the pain. The announcement of the Bonham’s auction of the venue’s unrivalled art collection, however, helps. Recognised by The Independent as one of the five top restaurants in the world for art, Lucio has collected and displayed 200 pieces of art over its almost 40 years of history – as the nominal chef said, “a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.” Artists such as John Olsen and Gary Shead have flocked to the restaurant for decades, often swapping plates of pasta for a painting – both masterpieces in their own right. As Lucio himself once said, ”Food and art for me is like the air that I breathe,” and this auction is set to be a fitting tribute to the institution, and a celeration of Lucio and Sally Galetto’s contribution to the Australian culinary and art landscapes. More information about the auction is available at https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26938/#/!
Bowlo and beers
Grab your mates and swing by your local bowlo, Young Henrys has dropped a limited edition beer with alt-country/folk band, Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys. The Bowlo Bitter is a thirst-quenching new brew with subtle grassy tones, a result of Aussie Cascade hops and the perfect quencher for this January heat. The Bowlo Bitter will be available in kegs only at selected venues and to celebrate the release, Young Henrys are sending the band on an East Coast tour hitting up some of their favourite bowling clubs in NSW. Kicking off in Newcastle on Thusday January 21st at the Adamstown Bowlo in Newcastle, before heading to Byron Bay and Wombarra and then finishing off at Petersham Bowlo on Saturday January 30th for one last hurrah.