NEW ROMAN DINING From the streets of Rome comes MARTA, the latest venture by Popolo’s Flavio Carnevale. Set to replace Popolo in Rushcutters’s Bay in mid-September, it will offer classics like pomodoro ripieno (stuffed baked tomato, pictured).

Banksii Vermouth Bar and Bistro will launch a daily Grazing Table this month, perfect for groups, parties, and events opting for an afternoon grazing on a seasonal spread of snacks and drinks. The Grazing Table is for groups of 10 – 12 people at $70/head, for a minimum 10 guests. for more information, visit banksii.sydney

Sydney’s first standalone saké shop has landed in Stanmore. Launched by the team behind Chef’s Armoury, Sakeshop offers classic and modern saké to go, handmade tinware, as well as tastings and workshops.

Bondi favourite North Bondi Fish is bringing back it’s City to Surf afterparty this year in the form of a brunch. From 11am guest will sip on Aperol Spritz whilst grazing on fruit platters, pastries, granola and plenty of NBF favourites like fish tacos, king crab sliders, fish & chips, fresh salads, cod brandade, oysters, sashimi plates, bagels and Tasmanian cured salmon. The DJ will be playing tunes on the balcony all day, with the party being opened to the public after 2pm. Tickets are $95 all inclusive, drinks package includes Aperol Spritz, wine and beer, prosecco, coffee, tea and juice.

For the second year in a row Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel will host a lavish Winter Wonderland Gala Dinner lead by renowned celebrity chef, My Kitchen Rules judge and regular delicious. contributor, Colin Fassnidge. The cheeky Irish chef, who is best known for his signature nose-to-tail cooking philosophy, will share his passion for food and his journey to becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs over an extraordinary four-course gala dinner on Saturday 26 August 2017. The four-course gala dinner starts at 6.30pm and is priced at $170 per person, including paired NSW wines. To book, call (02) 4785 0094 or visit fairmontresort.com.au.

Indulge in New York desserts without the jetlag. From Dominique Ansel’s cookie shots to Christina Tosi’s crack pie, Yasmin Newman’s Desserts Of New York And How To Eat Them All is a sweet adventure with more than 40 recipes. $39.99 Click here for an exclusive extract from this new book.

Joe’s Bar, located on the ground floor of East Hotel in Kingston, Canberra, has a well-earned reputation as one of the city’s coolest meeting places, with politicians, journalists, travellers and confidants gathering in the sumptuously designed space to enjoy the curated wine and cocktail lists and exceptional ‘stuzzichini’ or tapas-style food. Joe’s takes the presentation of it’s sharing plates and drinks to a new level with Art of Aperitivo, transforming their antipasto and libations to an art form on a visual par with Kelly Ross’ delicious interior design. Upon arrival, guests are offered a bowl of addictive, spiced popcorn whilst they peruse the menu and select a drink from the diverse imported and local wine list or inviting range of bespoke and traditional cocktails. The food menu contains a beautifully presented range of dishes that have been designed to be shared over drinks and conversation by Executive Chef Francesco Balestrieri, the maestro in charge of Joe’s sister restaurant Agostinis, with each dish having a link back to his Roman origins.

August has been dubbed 31 Days of Duck and Beaujolais at city bar and eatery Arbory. Each week sees a different dish and wine pairing, like this flaky duck pie with a pear and frisee salad matched to an aromatic 2016 Paul Durdilly wine.

Ginger beer just got deliciously grown up with Lick Pier’s new boozy brew. Its Midnight Ginger Beer brings the spice, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and a little chilli, all at a cheery 4 per cent alcohol. $20 for four cans.

Bombini Buzz is the Arts Centre’s latest production. Get share plates and sweet and savoury snacks, as well as Seven Seeds coffee and Stomping Ground beers, before or after a show, at this new riverside bar and cafe inside Hamer Hall.

To celebrate the collaboration between Biggie Smalls and Four Pillars, the Biggie Smalls food truck will be calling Healesville home for one weekend only from Friday, 18th August through to Sunday 20th August so gin lovers can try the new Gin and Juice and feast on a ‘B.S.P’ Biggie snack pack or k’bab. The exclusive drink features Four Pillars’ ‘Rare Dry Gin’, Cloudy Apple, Pomegranate and Spiced Syrup. A fruity yet spice combination which screams Middle Eastern deliciousness to perfectly accompany your ‘Dirty South’ or ‘C. Wallace’ k’bab. Be sure to see Shane Delia and the team at Four Pillars Distillery, 2A Lilydale Road, Healesville from Friday, 18th – Sunday, 20th August.

Din Tai Fung, arguably the world’s most famous dumpling specialist, is taking a trip down memory lane and a look into the future with an 18-course special menu. For one night only, on 17 August in Sydney and Melbourne, guests can expect eight new flavours, the return of the giant Xiao Long Bao, crowd favourites and classics with a twist. Click here to book for Sydney and click here to book for Melbourne.

Attention Game Of Thrones fans, Soleil Pool Bar at Rydges South Bank has created two cocktails in honour of the hit TV series. Choose from the White Walker based on Belvedere Vodka or the Stormborn starring Chivas 12 (pictured).

Some of the best recipes of Brisbane’s Golden Pig chef Katrina Ryan feature in new cookbook, The Great Australian Baking Book. Other contributors to the volume include Margaret Fulton and Maggie Beer. $49.99, out now.