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Latest contemporary art-Sydney

Sydney’s contemporary art scene keeps on evolving – with a new contemporary photographic gallery, Black Eye opening in Darlinghurst and the Sydney exhibition and street work of the global contemporary artist Vhils.

Black Eye – contemporary photography gallery – Darlinghurst

Black Eye, a contemporary photography gallery has just opened at 138 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst (between the Film Club and Jewish Museum). Black Eye’s first exhibition is Facade by photographer Tom Evangelidis whose gallery this is. Evangelidis looks at the details that give our modern urban landscape its character and richness. Facade delivers an eclectic mix of different architectural eras – gothic churches from the 13 th century to the unique austeriry of the communism of the 20th century. Evangelidis takes us from Prague to Bucharest – to Hanoi, Sofia, Istanbul and on to St Petersburg. His images are large (12o cm x 150 cm) and shot using traditional methods and only one sheet of film per location.

jack-mundey---vhils---skalitzers---berlin---sydneycool

Jack Mundey – portrait

Down at the Rocks is the Sydney popup exhibition – Dissolve by Portguese born artist Alexandre Farto aka Vhils. Vhils has been in Sydney creating the works in this exhibition – as well as crafting one of his works in a Sydney public space. Vhils’ practice is based in street art and he takes materials from the urban landscape to create often large scale works on buildings. He’s created a work on the steps that lead up from the foot of Globe St to Harrington St in The Rocks. It’s a huge portrait of Sydney environmental activist, Jack Mundey whose leadership led to the preservation of Victoria St, Potts Point and other inner city areas.

vhils---globe-st---sydney---skalitzers-contemporary-art-sydney

Jack Mundey – Vhils

It’s exciting to see the continued evolution of Sydney contemporary art and how it’s becoming more global. Vhils’ visit and exhibition should encourage more contemporary European artists to exhibit here. The Vhils exhibition through Skalizters Gallery in Berlin is on in the space of the old Gucci store at 140 George St until 6 April. Sydneycool was excited to see Skalizters Gallery here in Sydney – we’re on our way to see their gallery in Berlin in a few weeks so the connection was a good surprise for us.

RivaReno Gelateria- very Italian gelato

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There’s a new kid on the block in the Sydney gelato world – RivaReno’s flagship Sydney gelateria in Darlinghurst is the first store outside Italy. Originally from Bologna, RivaReno has gelateria in Turin, Milano, Marittima, Ferrara, Florence and Rome.

Kieran Tosolini - Sydney gelato - rivareno gelateria darlinghurst - must do sydney

Kieran Tosolini – an eye on Sydney gelato

RivaReno gelato uses all natural ingredients - it contains no hydrogenated fat, preservatives, artificial colourings or flavourings.RivaReno gelato was named “Migliore gelateria d’Italia” (Best gelato in Italy) in 2008 by the Golosaria association – which recognises the best Italian artisan producers.

So how is RivaReno gelato different to other gelati in Sydney. Well first thing you notice, the colours are less vivid because no artificial colourings are used, but it’s the taste that will win you over – creamy, velvety with sometimes intense and sometimes subtle flavours. They’ve developed their own unique system to make the perfect gelato. The gelateria in Darlinghurst has a lab where every flavour is made in the same way RivaReno Gelateria in Italy do. It’s made on site every day and kept in gelato cylinders or “pozzetti” which cover the gelato. This means it keeps its freshness and they can produce very small quantities more often as required. As well as classic gelato, RivaReno also offers sorbet and granita.

caffe - riva reno gelateria - sydney gelato - must do sydney

Caffe – 100% Arabica coffee with chocolate slivers

sydney gelato - rivareno gelateria darlinghurst - must do sydney

One of the many natural flavours at RivaReno

We’ve tried a few flavours like Alice – mascarpone, premium Marsala, lashings of gianduja sauce, Contessa – Sicilian almonds and Piedmont hazelnuts with crushed amaretti and caramelised almond, Limone sorbet – made with Sicilian lemon juice and peel of lemons from Calabria and Caffe – 100% Arabica coffee with chocolate slivers.

It was good to have the chance to meet and a quick chat with the charming owner of the Australian leg of RivaReno – Kieran Tosolini. After looking around Italy to find a perfect gelato maker, he settled on RivaReno because of it’s authenicity and quality. He spent quite a bit of time looking at the production of gelato so that the Sydney RivaReno Gelateria would be as authentic as in Italy.

Alice - riva reno gelateria - sydney gelato - must do sydney - darlinghurst

Alice – mascarpone, premium Marsala, dripping with gianduja sauce

RivaReno Gelateria is open daily from 12pm – 12am.

RivaReno Gelateria

280 Crown Street, Darlinghurst Sydney 2010

World’s Best 50 Bar list-3 Cool Sydney Bars in

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The World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2012 is just out – and it’s fantastic to see three cool Sydney Bars up there with the world’s best. Baxter Inn, Eau de Vie and newcomer Palmer and Co made the best 50 list.

Baxter Inn, a Sydneycool favourite, is in at no. 7 on the 50 Best Bar list. Brought to us by the Shady Pines team, this bar has the largest range of whiskies in Sydney, well made cocktails and a location and space that puts intrigue into going for a drink. Baxter Inn also won Best Bar in Asia Pacific and Highest New Entry.

Palmer & Co, the new bar from the Establishment group and Justin Hemmes, made the list at no. 21. Palmer and Co is alongside the Establishment in Abercrombie Lane, Sydney CBD.

One of first cool Sydney small bars – Eau de Vie comes in at no 25. Eau de Vie is no stranger to the 50 Best Bar list from last year – the space and service and, of course, drinks speak for themselves. One of sydneycool’s top 5 bars.

Making to the ones to watch list in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2013 is Shady Pines, the other cool Sydney bar from Anton Forte and Jason Scott – the duo responsible for the Baxter Inn.

Check out these cool Sydney bars – and see why they’re in the World’s 50 Best Bar list. Drinks International, who run the awards say ‘Sydney is fast becoming one of the most exciting drinks cities in the world’ – we know why!

PS Congratulations to Black Pearl from Melbourne no: 17.

Crave International Food Festival- cool Sydney food

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One of the sydney cool food highlights of the year – Crave International Food Festival starts October 1. This year, there are hundreds of individual events.

We always enjoy that Sydney institution – the Night Noodle Markets – over 13 nights. Also World Chef Showcase is always worth a look – and this year, former local boys Jason Atherton from Pollen Street Social and David Thompson from Nahm both in London as well as the respected and world renowed Antonio Carluccio. The lineup continues with some local icons – Matt Moran from Aria and Chiswick, Mark Best from Marque and Alessandro Pavoni from Ormeggio at the Spit, Mosman in Sydney.

This year, we’re checking out the Talks and Thoughts – especially the session – Food writing and reading in a multi-platform world – where next? with David Chang from Momofuku.

And for the Showcase Dinners – Sydneycool has picked The Celtic Tiger Returns – for one night only – Sunday 7th October at 4Fourteen Restaurant. Four chefs collaborating to produce a six-course degustation with dishes and flavours that are reminiscent of their Celtic background. From Sydney Colin Fassnidge and Carla Jones from 4Fourteen and Four in Hand. with Andrew McConnell and John Paul Twomey from Cutler&Co and Cumulis Inc, from Melbourne, very exciting.

So check out some of the events at Crave – and you get to understand why Sydney is the capital of cool food in Australia.

Latest news-cool bars and cool Sydney restaurants

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Here’s our update on the latest new bars and cool sydney restaurants.

One of our favourite small bars – Grandma’s is opening a new bar – The Wild Rover – it’s at 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills. The news from the team is that the opening has been delayed and 20th September or just before is the new date. Grandma’s kids tell us to expect a bar that’s ‘a swashbuckling, foot stomping riotous escape from pomp’ – bring it on!

Grandmas Bar - The Wild Rover - cool Sydney bars

the Wild Rover - cool Sydney bar - Grandmas Bar - sydneycool

Another new cool Sydney bar that’s underway is Monopole – it’s a wine bar and eatery from the Bentley Bar group. Monopole will be located at 71 Macleay St Potts Point (just around the corner from Challis Ave) with the space being designed by Pascale Gomes-McNabb. They’re promising wine friendly food including a range of in-house cured meats with a menu designed to share. We can report that work is underway on the refit – Brent and Nick from Bentley tell us they hope to be open by December.

Hinky Dinks Bar in Darlinghurst is going strong – with their monthly wine flight club, you get to sample some great wines from around Australia or the world with matched small bites – all for around fifty-five dollars per person. Sydneycool has been to most and it’s a great night with a few friends and if you’re lucky, you get to chat with ‘cool as’ barman - ‘James the man’ who makes a kickass martini with Tanqueray Ten – leaves you wanting more. Next wine flight club is 18th September so don’t miss out – book on 8084 6379 or email info[at]hinkydinks.com.au. PS: We love sexy Dan, who runs flight club and ‘James the man’, but the girls at Hinky Dinks are the real thing – love a grass skirt!

Congrats also to the Hinky Dinks team for a stack of nominations in the Australian Bar Awards including New Bar of the Year.

The girls at Hinky Dinks Bar - cool Sydney bars

Kickass martini by barman James - Hinky Dinks Bar - cool Sydney bars

One of the girls - Hinky Dinks Bar - cool Sydney bars

Roberto Marchetti from North Bondi Italian Food, la Macelleria Butcher and former partner in Icebergs has put together the Gowings Bar and Grill in the hotel that will grace the old Gowings site on the corner of George and Market Sts, Sydney CBD. Gowings Bar and Grill will have the style of a European brassiere – with wood fired rotisseries and ovens using produce from Australia’s best artisan providores. The food will be complimented with wines from exciting young winemakers from all around the world. Robert tells us it will be open around mid September.

Spooning Goats - cool Sydney bars - new small Sydney CBD bar

Spooning Goats - cool Sydney bar in York St Sydney CBD

We checked out Spooning Goats, not long after it opened – this is a small bar in York St Sydney City. It was the first week and we liked it – this bar is like someone’s living room in the 1970s complete with authentic chairs, coffee tables and light fittings and cool as wallpaper. Check it out – it’s at 32 York St.

Spooning Goats - small Sydney CBD bar - York St

Spooning Goats - cool Sydney bars - York St Sydney CBD

It’s been a tough year for the cool Sydney restaurant scene – and we, at sydneycool, were so sad to see the end of Becasse ♥. It was one of the top fine dining restaurants in Australia if not the world, but things must and do move on.

And we’re excited about the new cool Sydney restaurants and bars coming like Mr Wong- just opened in the CBD. Sydneycool was there to tell you about it.

Hinky Dinks Bar-Wine Flight Club-very cool

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Hinky Dinks Bar in Darlinghurst, a cool Sydney bar, has been sourcing some lesser known local and global wines and matching them with food to deliver their Tuesday Night Flight Club.

Always on the lookout to try wines from off the beaten track, sydneycool has become a regular at these monthly taste treats. Starting with our own Hunter Valley NSW wines, the next wine flight saw some interesting wines from Heathcote and last Tuesday night’s Flight Club was very exciting with wines from Argentina. Normally a wine flight might give you one wine from a region, here you get to sample five or so wines – all well matched to small portions of casual food. Dan and the team at Hinky Dinks give us punters a rundown on the wines, complete with tasting notes, and the matched small dishes.

Slow cooked lamb shanks - Hinky Dinks - Darlinghurst - Wine Flight Club - cool Sydney bar

Argentinian wine Hinky Dinks - Darlinghurst - monthly Wine Flight Club - cool Sydney bar

Hinky Dinks - Darlinghurst - Wine Flight Club - cool Sydney bar

This month’s wines came from Michelle Parmentier and the team at Exclusive Vines – they included Tomero Torrontes – a white from high altitude vineyards in the Salta province of northern Argentina (lychee on the tongue with clean, dry finish) matched with a soft taco, braised chicken with jalapeno mayonnaise. Also was impressed with a malbec – Postales del Fin del Mundo Rosado from Patagonia (lots of berry and red fruit in this wine) and a malbec/cab sauvignon Vistalba Corte C from Mendoza (Blackcurrant and plum with hints of tobacco, chocolate and spice on the nose with intense tannins on the palate). This one was matched with slow-braised lamb shank served off the shank with roast beetroot and goat’s cheese salad.

Hinky Dink’s Tuesday Night Flight Club is casual winetasting, without the hordes that you might get at the usual wine events. The matched food is also casual and full of punch – Dan is very knowledgeable with the wines, and he’s not short of a laugh to keep wine Flight Club at Hinky Dinks a relaxed evening and a cool Sydney bar night and all that for about $55 – now that’s a pretty cool night. The next Tuesday night Flight Club is on 26th June – get along to try wines of Tasmania.

Hinky Dinks Bar

185 Darlinghurst Rd Darlinghurst Sydney 2010

Hinky Dinks Website

Fu Manchu-Eau de Vie-darlinghurst

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Opening night at the new Fu Manchu in Darlinghurst Road, a very cool Sydney restaurant, was exciting for us at sydneycool – we’ve always thought the old Fu Manchu space was great, if a bit cramped at times. Having said that, we liked it – so to see how it would go in its new larger space was interesting – after all Fu Manchu has been around for about 15 years and that for a Sydney restaurant is amazing!!!

Well it didn’t disappoint, the look is very cool Chinese, marble, wood, screens all cleverly put together with intimate banquettes for small groups and seating for couples. It’s all looking very hip, with a large shiny steel kitchen at the back of the room that you can look in to. We also love the large red double doors that take you through to the Kirketon Hotel and the very famous bar Eau de Vie, which has made it into the top 50 bars in the world – have a read of our post on Eau de Vie.

The new Fu Manchu - cool Sydney restaurant in Darlnghurst

Fu Manchu Darlinghurst - a classic cool sydney restaurant

But back to Fu Manchu and the really important thing – the food which was very good at the old Fu Manchu, we’re glad to report is still very good.

The kitchen at Fu manchu - Darlinghurst - cool Sydney restaurant

Sang Choi Bao - the new Fu Manchu - cool Sydney restaurant

We started with the Fu Manchu broth which was clear and clean tasting with the mild steamed flavour of shredded chicken floating through it with melt in your mouth wontons – all steaming hot. Next, Fairweather choose the classic Sang Choi Bao to share – it was well executed and the perfect combination of very moist pork mince and water chestnuts with iceberg lettuce. For the main part of the meal we choose the braised beef brisket which is slow cooked with star anise, the beef just fell apart into tender sinewy mouthfuls and a soft warm haunting flavour star anise, perfect on this chilly Sydney night.

Fu manchu - Darlinghurst - cool Sydney restaurant

The new Fu Manchu - cool Sydney restaurant - Darlinghurst

The verdict – the new Fu Manchu is as good as the old and we’re happy about that. It really is a very cool Asian Sydney restaurant with the heritage to prove it – 15 years on- now that’s cool, congratulations Annie and all at Fu Manchu.

Fu Manchu Restaurant

229 Darlinghurst Rd Darlinghurst Sydney 2010

sydneycool rating♥♥

Fu Manchu Website

cool sydney restaurant- bar update

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Always lots happening in the cool Sydney restaurant and bar scene – so here at sydneycool we’re going to tell you about one-off events to watch out for plus new bars and restaurants that’ll be opening before they do so you can be ahead of the game.

One of our favourite sydney cool restaurants/bars, Berta is having it’s second birthday. We love this cool space, the martinis are some of our favs and the food always surprises. So for it’s birthday, there’s a special celebration on Saturday 9th of June with a banquet – tables groaning with a succession of chef O Tama Carey’s most-loved dishes and matched with some fine Italian vini.

June’s going to be a exciting month – one of sydneycool’s admired chefs, Christine Manfield‘s latest cookbook ‘Tasting India’ has won the prestigious Cookbook of the Year and Best Culinary Travel at the 2012 IACP awards in New York. We’ve followed Christine and her various restaurants and she’s still up there with the best. So to celebrate Christine’s win, Universal Restaurant is presenting a lunar dinner on Thursday 21st June with a menu showcasing some of Christine’s favourite Indian recipes.

Now a couple of new bars to look out for. We reckon Grandma’s Bar is one of the best cool Sydney bars – now ‘Grandmas and the kids’ are opening another bar. This one’ll be in lower Surry Hills – 75 Campbell St – so stay tuned to sydneycool and find out when’s opening.

And another small Sydney CBD bar that’s sounds intruiging – Spooning Goats opens soon at 32 York St, Sydney CBD. It’ll be cocktails, boutique beers from NSW micro breweries and a small wine list and the owner Jason will showcase local emerging artists by using the wall space as gallery space free of charge and live acoustic music every week.

STOP PRESS – the new Fu Manchu opens tomorrow night – 21st May – in it’s new location at 229 Darlinghurst Rd in the Kirketon Hotel looking very, very cool.

PS Keep glued to sydneycool in the next few weeks for a chance to win a copy of Tasting India

The Hazy Rose- new Sydney small bar

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The Hazy Rose is a new cool Sydney bar in Stanley Street, Darlinghurst (opposite Bill and Tonys). Not much has opened in recent times in Stanley St that’s been worth going to – so it’s good to see this cool small bar lift the vibe of the area.

Once you climb the dark stairs from street level, there’s a long narrow room with French doors opening on to a terrace overlooking Stanley St. At the other end of the room are the loos – typical of a Sydney terrace, a bar with stools running along one side and lots of different types of comfy vintage seating around the room in intimate groupings.

The Hazy Rose - East Sydney - cool Sydney bars

The Hazy Rose - Stanley St -Darlinghurst - cool Sydney bars

We were given a warm welcome by the person behind the bar – who, within minutes, came over with glasses of water and a drinks menu. Fairweather ordered one of the house cocktails – Hamish – tequila, Talikser single malt whisky and bitters – a combo that worked perfectly – tequila taste to start, developing to a distinctly whisky middle then finishing with the bitters. I ordered a classic dry Martini and was asked what gin I prefer – also given a run down on the different qualities of the gins (we love that). So I left it up to the waiter – she settled on Sipsmith from Hammersmith, London. It was perfect – just one hesitation, I’m not keen on a large thick twist of lemon rind that takes over your glass – a fine small twist is far more classic in martinis.

The Hazy Rose - Hamish cocktail -Darlinghurst - cool Sydney bars

The Hazy Rose - Darlinghurst - cool Sydney bar

We loved the very cool music at Hazy Rose – like the Band, Thunderclap Newman and a song called Fujiyama Mama which is also the name of one of their cocktails.

After our cocktails, we thought we’d try the cheese board which was good if but very small. Our bar person suggested a glass of Monte Antico – Tuscan Sangiovese blend which worked very well with the cheese.

This is a very cool Sydney small bar, the service sharp and knowledgable, drinks are on the money, their comfy chairs, low lighting and very, very cool music. Hazy Rose is the new place in East Sydney – check it out.

The Hazy Rose

83 Stanley St, Darlinghurst Sydney 2010

The Hazy Rose Website

Dust in very cool Darlinghurst

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Dust in Darlinghurst is a local icon and over the years has become a regular for those who enjoy boho shopping. It is a treasure trove for jewellery, whether you’re looking for pearls, strings and strings from any era or skull rings to adore your fingers, maybe a perfect plaited silver neck choker to go with the Lanvin dress you just bought – There also wonderful prints and paintings, that lamp you can’t live without. Or a coffee table from the seventies that you think to yourself, Estee Lauder would have definitely had this in her Manhattan apartment, the list goes on forever.

Dust in Darlinghurst - Sydney vintage - part of cool Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia

Dust in Darlinghurst - Sydney vintage clothes - sydney boho shopping

The owners Stephane and Donna who are from France and New Zealand have created Dust in this corner of Darlinghurst over the last 12 years, and will always lend a word of advice if you need.

Dust - Darlinghurst - Sydney vintage clothes - cool Darlinghurst Sydney Australia

Dust - Darlinghurst - Sydney vintage shopping

So check out Dust this great Darlinghurst gem, then walk around the corner to have the best gelato in Sydney at Messina (also have a look out for the great write up Messina got in April Wallpaper Magazine, page 50). Then you will be ready for a glass of wine and lunch at Buffalo Dining Club – this is the coolest stop in Darlinghurst for a glass of wine. Here is a small list of some boho shopping with in a stone’s throw – Blue Spinach at 348 Liverpool Street for designer vintage clothes and accessories from Hermes to Gap (women and men) – Sedition at 275 Victoria Street, a men’s barber and art gallery, always on the edge and not for the classics – love his windows!

A great Sydney day in Darlinghurst!

P S (not a footy jumper or AFL scarfe in sight)