Quite often I’ll order a cocktail instead of dessert to assuage my guilt. The seductresses at New Gold Mountain have ruined this restraint by offering double the gluttony; cocktails AND dessert. Tonight is a little more special as the bar celebrates World Cocktail Week (it’s like Xmas around here) with – as they put it –… Read on
Events
Diary: Champagne x Perfume
Weapons of mass seduction. That’s what Samantha Taylor and Kyla Kirkpatrick peddle; each lady boasting unparalleled expertise in all things scented and sparkling respectively. They are teaming up for the first time to become a tour de force of luxury; holding Champagne and perfume masterclasses starting on the afternoon of May 26th. These classes will… Read on
1806 Cocktail Competition
There’s quite a few cocktail competitions held around town – and the globe – for professional bartenders. Not so many for we at-home mixologists. 1806 recognised this and handed over the shakers to drinkers as part of their 5th birthday celebrations recently. Five concoctions submitted by regulars we put to a vigorous taste-test with the most popular… Read on
Diary: Brown Brothers Hidden Vineyard
The Secret Garden was one of my favourite childhood storybooks. Now Brown Brothers have brought a more grown up version to life with their pop-up Hidden Vineyard. I entered the space – at the utterly transformed Establishment Studios – to whispers from fellow guests of “it’s magical” and “genius”. Essentially they are hosting a summer… Read on
How to buy (& drink) Prosecco
Prosecco is to the Italians what champagne is to the French (sans the pricetag). At a recent masterclass hosted by Brown Brothers, I learnt a thing or two about the sparkling elixir; most notably that you don’t have to be a master of wine at all to enjoy it. Here’s a few things you should know about… Read on
Diary: Taste of Melbourne
I had my first ever Taste of Melbourne experience last night. Shameful I know since it’s been running for years, but a fitting time to visit as the global “restaurant festival” is rejuvenated by moving to a new alfresco location. And there’s plenty of liquid sustenance for barflys among the food. To start, stop by… Read on
200 years worth of champagne
What is a celebration without champagne? Especially when said celebration is all about champagne! Founded in 1812 when Eugene Laurent and Mathilde Emilie Perrier fell in love and married, French house Laurent Perrier celebrates 200 years of wine-making this year. For a lucky few select Australian devotees this meant a chance to sip a champagne specially released for bicentenary; Grand Siecle… Read on
Space…the final frontier (for Whisky)
Scottish distillery Ardbeg recently launched a limited edition Whisky dubbed ‘Galileo’ after the genius Italian astronomer. Their launchpad; 1806. Fierce space invader battles were played out while mint juleps served in spacebags and experimental honey lemon shots (that were mind-bendingly hot and cold simultaneously) we used to toast the launch. The Galileo whisky has been released… Read on
Day of the Dead Festival 2012
The first Day of the Dead Festival has premièred in Melbourne, launching at the new Cellar Bar in the basement of St Kilda’s Newmarket Hotel. Intended to be a annual event, the festival is derived from Mexico’s tradition Dia De Los Muertos. Likened somewhat to Halloween, the Day of the Dead is a time when tributes are offered to spirits… Read on
GQ Speakeasy presents Belvedere Unfiltered
The crystal-like space of Mon Bijou was transformed for one night only into a darkly seductive speakeasy as GQ magazine hosted a launch for Belvedere’s newly released unfiltered vodka. Bartenders weren’t shy about showing off the potent vodka; serving powerful martinis, manhattans and a cucumber smash cocktail that put hair on my chest come first sip (albeit sans… Read on