Urban Ground Is a Massive, All-in-One Food-Truck Park, Health-Food Cafe and Distillery in Mordialloc

Originally published on Broadsheet.

A co-founder of Carlton’s D.O.C and his former head chef have teamed up to transform an old car-wrecking site into a buzzing, family-friendly space that gets moving at 7am and doesn’t stop until near midnight. And there’s room for 250 people, plus dogs. Continue reading “Urban Ground Is a Massive, All-in-One Food-Truck Park, Health-Food Cafe and Distillery in Mordialloc”

The New-Look Ponyfish Island Is a Slice of Palm Springs Smack Bang in the Middle of the Yarra

Originally published on Broadsheet.

The redesign, by award-winning Adelaide firm Studio Gram, features dramatic curved archways, terrazzo-topped tables and soft green sunshades. Step aboard for Ponystar Martinis, rosé-sangria jugs and – soon – an Asian-focussed menu. Continue reading “The New-Look Ponyfish Island Is a Slice of Palm Springs Smack Bang in the Middle of the Yarra”

First Look: Piccolina’s Sleek New Richmond Store Looks More Like a Cocktail Bar Than a Gelateria

Originally published on Broadsheet.

The fourth outpost has an industrial-chic fit-out by Melbourne firm Hecker Guthrie – and greyscale never looked quite so good. Plus, get your favourite gelato crowned by a new whipped-cream machine, just like in Italy.

Continue reading “First Look: Piccolina’s Sleek New Richmond Store Looks More Like a Cocktail Bar Than a Gelateria”

Sample Nanjing’s Signature Dishes – They’re Some of Chinese Cuisine’s Best

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

The city of Nanjing – China’s old capital – is the home to Jinling cuisine. It’s not totally clear when the cuisine first appeared; some believe it may have been as early as 2400 years ago. The sub-cuisine has had plenty of time to evolve, and Nanjing’s regal history has made it a leading culinary city in China today.

Continue reading “Sample Nanjing’s Signature Dishes – They’re Some of Chinese Cuisine’s Best”

For the First Time Ever, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Releases a Cookbook

Originally published on Broadsheet.

Ever wonder what the world’s top chefs whip up when out of their whites? Well, Massimo Bottura makes a nut-free pesto pasta; Mauro Colagreco of the top restaurant in the world does a fish stew, and Clare Smyth – soon to open a diner in Sydney – makes a fiery chicken stir-fry.
Continue reading “For the First Time Ever, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Releases a Cookbook”

Mr Brownie is Four Storeys of 70s and 80s Tunes and British-Indian Fare in South Melbourne

Originally published on Broadsheet.

The latest from the owner of Horn Please and Daughter In Law has a bar on each eclectic level – including one on the roof with city views – with vindaloo pies, samosa burgers and curry chips on the menu. 

Continue reading “Mr Brownie is Four Storeys of 70s and 80s Tunes and British-Indian Fare in South Melbourne”

Eat Like an Italian: Try Cooking Three of Italy’s National Treasures

Originally published on SBS.

‘Italian food’ is really a massive umbrella shielding the country’s highly-localised cuisines. The real discovery comes from finding out which dishes hail from where, and what they were born out of – be it poverty or triumph.

Continue reading “Eat Like an Italian: Try Cooking Three of Italy’s National Treasures”

Video | Kekou is a Modern Asian Newcomer to be Reckoned With

Originally published on Zomato, produced in collaboration with Andy Hardy Films.

It’s a big call, but we’re going to make it. Kekou is one of the most exciting, forward-thinking restaurants we have visited in the last year. It’s a simple concept, done exceptionally well – pairing Australian 18 rotating craft beers with progressive Asian-inspired dishes. Continue reading “Video | Kekou is a Modern Asian Newcomer to be Reckoned With”

Video | The Trick to Quick? Pick-a-Stick

Originally published on Zomato, produced in collaboration with Raw Films.

There’s something truly human, almost caveman-like, about eating food off a stick. Well, Pick-a-Stick certainly caters to that, bringing shāo kǎo – the Chinese way of eating skewered food – to the CBD. It’s not a genre of Chinese food that has totally taken off in Melbourne yet, but we believe it will. Your choice of ingredients, either fried or cooked over coals. What’s not to like? Continue reading “Video | The Trick to Quick? Pick-a-Stick”

Video | When is There Not a Dinnertime Line at Hakata Gensuke?

Originally published on Zomato, produced in collaboration with Raw Films.

As soon as you step both feet through the door at Hakata Gensuke, “irasshaimase!” (welcome in Japanese) will boomerang back at you. Like a comforting bowl of ramen, the service often is, too.  Continue reading “Video | When is There Not a Dinnertime Line at Hakata Gensuke?”

Begging For Help: Care Assistant’s Letter Reveals the Realities of a Nursing Home Battling Covid

Originally published on HelloCare.

HelloCare has attained a de-identified letter from an aged care worker sent to Leading Age Services Australia desperately asking for more registered nurses (RNs) and personal care assistants (PCAs) on board. The home they work at was down to only one PCA at one point.

Continue reading “Begging For Help: Care Assistant’s Letter Reveals the Realities of a Nursing Home Battling Covid”

Coasting on the North Island: Exploring the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

Scenic, versatile and beautifully understated – if New Zealand is on your travel radar, consider putting the Bay of Plenty on your wish list. It was named by James Cook when he anchored in the country in 1769, and it’s a name that still rings true today. Continue reading “Coasting on the North Island: Exploring the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand”

First Look: A CBD Cake Shop-Slash-Cafe From Insta-Famous Baker Raymond Tan

Originally published on Broadsheet.

Step inside for Malaysian chicken-curry pies; egg-and-Spam brioche rolls; jazzed-up fortune cookies; and the signature kuih (petite, glutinous desserts flavoured with mung bean paste, coconut and more).

Continue reading “First Look: A CBD Cake Shop-Slash-Cafe From Insta-Famous Baker Raymond Tan”

Why This is the Year to Plan the Perfect Camping Vacation

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

Few activities can make you slow down and recharge quite like camping. In the age of coronavirus, these sort of trips satisfy our desire for adventure. You can stay local, you have more control over your destination, and it’s affordable.

Continue reading “Why This is the Year to Plan the Perfect Camping Vacation”

Revealed: Winners of Australia’s 2020 Houses Awards

Originally published on Broadsheet.

Modest and sustainable designs reigned supreme at this year’s celebration of Australia’s best residential architecture. And, as budgets shrink and the line between home and work blurs, the winners think the pandemic could change the face of home design.

Continue reading “Revealed: Winners of Australia’s 2020 Houses Awards”

Video | Taiwan’s Cult Boba Brand Xing Fu Tang Lands in Melbourne

Originally published on Zomato, produced in collaboration with Raw Films.

Xing Fu Tang is the first boba store we’ve visited in Melbourne that makes its tapioca pearls from absolute scratch – dough and all, made every morning. As such, the boba is comparatively softer and easier to digest.

Continue reading “Video | Taiwan’s Cult Boba Brand Xing Fu Tang Lands in Melbourne”