Blog
Studio Enti is the design practice of ceramicist Naomi Taplin, producing porcelain tableware, lighting and home decor. Leading restaurants Nomad & Lotus at Barangaroo use Studio Enti's dinnerware. Each unique piece of handmade porcelain is made to be used and enjoyed. A strong belief in the necessity of good design and concepts of longevity and sustainability are the major driving forces behind the work of Studio Enti.
Scandinavia and Japan are half a world apart, but Daniel Jackson and his crew combine the two cultures seamlessly at Edition Coffee Roasters. The result is a beautifully presented menu of about eight seasonal dishes served with a delicate, woodsy feel. Jackson selects single origin/estate green beans and roast them for batch brew, pour-over, aero-press, Japanese drip and cold brew. The Nordic-Japanese blend can be felt everywhere, from the honeycomb of white counter tiles, to the concrete floor and lean aesthetic.
A local eating house that indulges Sydney locals with seasonally influenced, ingredient-focused cuisine. The name 'The Commons' refers to the ‘shared environmental and cultural resources of a city’, and they are proud to support Sydney producers wherever they can.
Where we are starting our evening with a fun cocktail from Pocket Bar, was already a successful online design emporium before landing in Foley Street via the City of Sydney's Creative Spaces program on Oxford Street. The store / gallery space features artwork, jewellery and homewares by both local Sydney artists and talented regional designers. Founded by visual merchandiser Jess Polaschek, The Tribe aims to provide a platform for emerging creatives to develop their brand and showcase their work to a wider market. The Tribe’s Foley Street space also hosts a variety of exhibitions and workshops.
Last month's dining walk with various media guests of Eastside Sydney was epic! We kicked-off at Ovolo Woolloomooloo with a sneak peak behind the scenes and front of house of Trip Advisor's current No 1 hotel in Sydney. Everyone loved the quirky decoration of each rooms - that included bright retro style furniture and the latest in technology - including a voice-activated system of all the rooms functions in the ACDC tribute room. We were lucky to receive a gift of the Biology brand skincare from our hosts, which is included in all the guests bathrooms.
We popped out for a ladies night on Saturday at Dear Sainte Éloise and it was buzzing! Dark & sexy with warm reds, dark stained wood and a touch of velvet the space has been transformed from it's previous incarnation as Waterman's Lobster Bar. The name Dear Sainte Éloise was taken from George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London, in which the writer prays for "just enough to buy some bread and a bottle of wine". (see the photo below for a partial view of the bar's black board with the chapter scrawled across it).
Re-discovering Ponsonby Rd on this trip back to our hometown of Auckland.. One2One Cafe is where the original Atomic cafe used to be and next door to our favourite Magazino store. Co-owner Chris Priestly has put the focus back on the beans and the food - with his former chef from Kerouac days the gifted Mark Nicholson in the kitchen.
We had the rare pleasure of dining at Sokyo at The Star last week, before attending a performance of the fabulous Ladies in Black as part of Sydney Festival in the Lyric Theatre. What a dynamic environment in which to enjoy contemporary Japanese cuisine! At 6:30 on a Wednesday evening the place was buzzing with date-night couples and little families. Situated in the foyer of the stunning Darling Hotel with minimalist Japanese screens dividing the sexy bar and restaurants spaces
