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Cantina OK!, Sydney CBD

Paul
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Cantina OK!, Sydney CBD

SYDNEY | Cantina OK! is a “World’s 50 Best” award winning bar, located in a blink and you’ll miss it delivery laneway garage in Sydney’s CBD. The tiny, standing-only venue only fits 20 people which, combined with the friendly and welcoming service provided by owners Alex Dowd and Jeremy Blackmore, and venue manager Alex Gilmour, helps to create an intimate, special space.

The trio visited Mexico in 2018, sampling tequila and mezcal, and meeting with small-batch producers across three states. It’s this experience, and the relationships formed, that make up the backbone of Cantina OK!

Behind the bar you’ll find a selection of hand-sourced, hand-imported, handmade agave spirits. They’re classified by region, producer, and flavour kernel. Each bottle has a story behind it, which the trio will passionately share with you if you’re interested. To the side, you’ll see glass vessels traditionally used to store mezcal. Inside them are various mixtures and concoctions used in the rotating list of cocktails.

Cocktails include things like the signature “Margarita OK!”, a blend of tequila, mezcal, lime, and orange oil; the “Fuzz OK!”, which combines tequila, sour mango, fresh lime, and pineapple fuzz; and “Silk OK!”, a mix of tequila, milk pudding, almond, red cinnamon soda, and hand-shaved rose ice. It’s all very good.

If you’re in the mood for something other than agave, there’s also a few wines and beers on offer.

Cantina OK!

Council Place
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 4:00pm to 2:00am

Yakamoz, Brunswick East

Paul
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0
Yakamoz, Brunswick East

MELBOURNE | Yakamoz is the new restaurant from father and son duo Ali and Ogulcan Atay. It’s the sister restaurant to Halikarnas across the road. I was invited in by Ali to check out the new space, which goes beyond the traditional Turkish focus of the former, with a wider, contemporary Mediterranean and Aegean remit.

Istanbul born and raised head chef Cagri Ergin grew up with a passion for cooking and a love for the flavours of the Mediterranean and Anatolia. At Yakamoz, he’s putting a contemporary spin on traditional dishes, using experience honed working in several of Turkey’s top restaurants.

A highlight is meat, seafood, and vegetables cooked in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. It’s food that’s designed to share, broadly split into small dishes, pide, and large plates. Pide are a must order, with a thing, crispy charred base and generous fillings like spinach, parsley, dill, and kasar cheese; mushroom, onion, and green peppers; and minced beef, tomato, onion, and peppers.

For small plates, it’s things like dips with Turkish flatbread; crispy manti (dumplings), stuffed with spiced mince and herbs, labneh, chilli butter, and walnuts; and bulgur köfte (meatballs), with cucumber labneh, chilli oil, and almonds.

Moving onto large plates, you have to try the six hour slow cooked beef rib with roast potato mash, shallots, and beef jus. The meat is super tender and falls apart with succulent melt in your mouth fat.

For dessert, the soğuk (cold) baklava is something you rarely see, if ever, in Melbourne. It was created around four years ago in the town of Diyarbakir, close to the Syrian border, and has become popular throughout Turkey.

It’s made using traditional baklava dough mixed with milk, pistachios, and butter. Once baked, it’s allowed to cool before being topped milk. It’s then refrigerated. It’s served cold, sprinkled with a generous amount of cocoa powder and milk powder. The result is something that’s less crispy than traditional baklava, lighter, much less sweet, and healthier.

If you’re thirsty, there’s Turkish beer, and a small selection of wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic Turkish drinks.

Yakamoz

74 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: 0422 284 916
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Wed – Mon: 5:30pm to 11:30pm

Your Mates Brewing Co., Warana

Paul
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0
Your Mates Brewing Co., Warana

SUNSHINE COAST | Your Mates Brewing Co. began life in 2014 when mates and craft beer lovers Christian McGarry and Matt Hepburn, after a year spent trying to find a craft brewery that was exactly what they were looking for, decided to quit their day jobs and start their own.

With the help of other mates and locals (hence the name), the duo were able to see their idea come to fruition. Today, Your Mates Brewing Co. is one of the most popular craft breweries on the Sunshine Coast. Their beers have won several awards, and gained national recognition, but the community ethos of the brewery hasn’t changed.

You pick up on it when you step into the Warana brewpub, which opened in 2018. It’s housed in an unpretentious converted warehouse, away from the main tourist drag, filled with locals, and nods to the community.

On tap you’ll find Your Mates’ core range of beers, along with a rotating selection of seasonal and limited brews. The beers tend to be sessionable ones, designed with the Sunshine Coast heat and humidity in mind. The award-winning Larry, a 4.5% ABV Pale Ale, is the most popular beer, with notes of pineapple, passionfruit, and mango. My favourite, Sally, is a 6.0% ABV Pale Ale with flavours of pineapple, pine, and citrus. Tasting paddles are available if you want to try a few things.

If you’re not a beer drinker, there’s a small selection of rotating red, white, rose, and sparkling wines sourced from Qld and small batch wineries. There’s also a few cocktails and non-alc options.

To eat, it’s a selection of brewpub favourites, featuring fresh local produce, sustainable meat, and local seafood. Think low and slow American BBQ, burgers, fish and chips, and a parma. Dietary requirements are well catered for, with several gluten-free and vegan options.

Your Mates Brewing Co.

41 Technology Drive
Warana
Queensland 4575
Australia

Telephone: (07) 5329 4733
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Sun, Tue – Thu: 11:00am to 9:00pm
Fri – Sat: 11:00am to 11:00pm

Amphlett House, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Amphlett House, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Amphlett House is one of several hotel restaurants that have opened in Melbourne this year, aiming to challenge preconceptions about what a hotel restaurant can be. Part of the Ovolo Laneways hotel, Amphlett House occupies the space formerly home of Mrs. Parmas. The decor’s been refreshed and the space brightened up, but it’s not too different to what it was.

This isn’t a bad thing, as it works into what the venue is aiming to sell itself is, a gastropub of sorts, with an offering that’s rooted in the classics, but modern, exciting, and Australian. 1980s is the theme here, with the decor, and of course the name itself, nodding to the era.

The food menu has been developed by executive chef Ian Curley and head chef Ben Green, while the drinks offering has been put together by drinks maestro Andrea Gualdi. Curley and Green both have British heritage, and they lean into that at Amphlett House.

There’s top notch steaks, and a fantastic fish and chips on the menu, but there’s a lot more to things than that. I was particularly taken by the use of offal on the menu. Ox tongue with pickled red cabbage and horseradish cream is a must order from the entrée section of the menu, while seared beef heart with lentils and creamed spinach is a must order main. Bone marrow toast shows promise, although oddly, it doesn’t really showcase the marrow, or come topped with the bone.

Just like any good pub, the menu features a solid selection of snacks that pair well with drinks. Do try the puffed beef cheeks, served with chilli salt and malt vinegar. Lamb shoulder croquettes with smoked salt and aioli; and duck liver parfait with goats cheese and warm brioche are both winners. For something sweet, the espresso martini tiramisu, and fresh baked madeleines with chocolate sauce both hit the spot.

On the drinks front, one thing that’s remained from Mrs. Parmas is a tap and packaged beer list that’s filled with local and independent craft brews and a range of styles. There’s also a surprisingly extensive wine and spirit list. For cocktails, it’s highballs and Australian takes on the classics. The Eucalyptus smoked margarita, a blend of Australian agave spirit, eucalyptus, agave, and lime, is fantastic.

Amphlett House

19-25 Little Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 8692 0780
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Thu: 11:30am to 10:00pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30pm to 10:00pm
Sun: 3:30pm to 6:30pm

TISIRI, Coburg North

Paul
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0
TISIRI, Coburg North

MELBOURNE | TISIRI is a Coburg North food truck focusing on wood-charcoal-grilled meats, and comfort food with a twist. It was founded in 2021 by friends Abdulhai Abdu, Adam Shukor, Abdulrahman Omara, Burak Efe, Serag Ahmed, and Mustafa Kurkcu. I was recently invited over by Abdulhai to check it out.

Between them, the friends have over a decade of experience working in Melbourne’s cafes and restaurants, and catering large music festivals. The pandemic opened a window for them to strike it out on their own and open their first business.

They popped up across town in 2021 and 2022, before finding a permanent home in a new little food truck park in a former used car sales lot in Coburg North, dubbed “Coburg Corner”. It’s a great little spot, currently home to TISIRI, kebab truck “K Lish”, Nepalese and Bhatti food truck “The Flavours”, waffle vendor “Indulge Waffles”, and an Iraqi knafeh truck. A few more trucks are slated to open before the end of the year.

The dishes on TSIRI’s are borne from Abdulhai and Adam’s love of food, and meals shared with friends and family. Their aim with TISIRI is to create simple dishes that are comforting, approachable, and delicious.

Most of what you’ll find on the menu started as a limited specials, tweaked based on customer feedback and TISIRI’s own evolving sense of what’s working and not working, before graduating to the full menu.

Inspiration comes from the boys’ industry peers (Abdulhai counts Raph Rashid of Beatbox Kitchen/Juanita Peaches, and the team at Good Measure as particular inspirations), along with the classic dishes that they enjoy eating at home.

Abdulhai brought out a selection of favourites for me to try, and consider me impressed. I couldn’t fault anything. One of the most popular items is the brisket roll, and it’s easy to see why. Tender jus soaked beef brisket, Kewpie mayo, house pickles, and fried onions in a Turkish roll, which all come together wonderfully. Also must try are the loaded buffalo fries. Boneless chicken thighs coated in Sriracha butter, cheese sauce, and fried onions, on lemon pepper shoestring fries.

Harissa spiced lamb skewers feature tender chunks of lamb with melt-in-your-mouth fat and a big char flavour. You can also get the lamb in a soft Turkish roll with labneh and mixed salad. Other items include things like a HSP with beef brisket and caramelised onions, a smashed patty cheeseburger, wings, fried chicken, and a few sides.

It’s food which can be heavy and unbalanced at many places, but the TISIRI boys get the balance between light and heavy elements, and flavours, just right. To drink, it’s Moroccan mint tea and a few Middle Eastern juices and sodas. Liquor licence pending, there should be a small bar opening on the site later on this year.

Food trucks have become all the rage over the past decade, and with that, has come a sense of commercialisation and a loss of the independent spirit and sense of community that encapsulate what food trucks are all about. “Coburg Corner” might not have the hype or money behind it that some of Melbourne’s bigger food truck parks do, but thanks to people like the TISIRI boys, and the other vendors here, it’s got a heart and realness that big marketing budgets can’t buy.

TISIRI

1083 Sydney Road
Coburg North
Victoria 3058
Australia

Telephone: 0403 349 971
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun, Tue – Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Fri – Sat: 5:00pm to 11:00pm

One Or Two, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
One Or Two, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | One Or Two is a recently opened Chinatown laneway bar from ex-Above Board, Byrdi, and The Everleigh bartender, Andy Chu. It’s a small, narrow space, in a heritage-listed building dating back to 1895. The design is clean and minimal, drawing inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi. That is, appreciating the transience and the impermanence of nature.

The focus at One Or Two is on innovative cocktails, and whiskies that you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere in town, if at all. The whisky list features mostly single malt drops from Scotland, while the cocktail list features considered creations that draw on Andy’s experience and study of classic cocktails.

On any given day you can expect to find three unique creations, three classics, and three guest cocktails from some of the world’s best bars.

The Yin Yang Milk Punch, for example, is an ode to one of Andy’s favourite drinks growing up in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong cafe Heyday next door. It’s a wonderful blend of Plantation Dark Rum, Marionette Nocino, Mr Black, coffee, and tea, clarified and mixed.

There’s a small selection of snacks on offer, and both the drinks and snacks menu rotates regularly. Classic cocktails are available on request, and there’s also a few local wines and beers, plus rare sake and sochu, on offer.

One Or Two

18 Celestial Avenue
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Tue – Sat: 4:00pm to 12:00am

Hotel South Melbourne, South Melbourne

Paul
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0
Hotel South Melbourne, South Melbourne

MELBOURNE | Hotel South Melbourne is the latest incarnation of the Clarendon street pub that first opened in 1854, and was most recently known as the Market Hotel. The venue has been given a new lease of life by owners Tyson and Ashleigh Chambers (Melbourne Food and Brew, Golden Hills Brewery), focusing on quality pub food, and beers from the duo’s brewery.

The brickwork has been exposed and cleaned up, and the floors restored and polished. Combine with a more open layout and brighter lighting, the vibe is fresher and more vibrant than before. There’s a beer garden out back, and private spaces for functions. There’s still big screens showing live sports too.

The food menu features an assortment of pub classics done right. Steaks with your choice of sauce, pizzas, parmas, burgers and the like. To drink, it’s the full range of Golden Hills beers on tap, plus a mostly local list of sparkling, red, and white wines. There’s also a mostly local spirits list used to make house and classic cocktails.

Hotel South Melbourne

160 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne
Victoria 3205
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9056 5569
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 11:30pm

Vesper Cocktail Bar, Silom

Paul
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0
Vesper Cocktail Bar, Silom

BANGKOK | Vesper Cocktail Bar is an “Asia’s 50 Best” award-winning bar in Bangkok’s vibrant Silom district. It’s a low-lit, moody space, with a long marble bar adorned with plush stools, and a number of comfy couches and small tables. Music is jazzy, and chill, at a low volume conducive to conversation.

The cocktail menu is broadly European inspired, with nods to the bar’s Thai surrounds. The Banana Pancake Sour blends Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Amontillado Sherry, salted and roasted banana, lemon, and Punt e Mes. Also try the Mama Sour, a Mama Tom Yum inspired cocktail featuring Ketel One vodka, elderflower liqueur, Noilly Prat, chilli honey, lime, lemon, and tom yum flavours.

Classics are available on request, and there’s also a small selection non-alcoholic cocktails, red and white wine, and bubbles.

If you’re in the mood for a bit, Vesper offers a handful of bar snacks. Think caviar and jamon, a trio of dips with bread, and lamb meatballs.

Vesper Cocktail Bar

10/15 Convent Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Telephone: 02 235 2777
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 5:30pm to 1:00am

Flying Jetstar Economy Class From Bangkok To Melbourne

Paul
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0
Flying Jetstar Economy Class From Bangkok To Melbourne

TRAVEL | Jetstar operates daily flights between Bangkok and Melbourne. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (“Dreamliner”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy and Business Class.

Check In

Online check-in is not available for international Jetstar flights to or from Australia. Unfortunately the only option is to line up at the check in counter and wait for a staff member to check you in, even if you only have carry on luggage. The process at the counter itself is straight forward, but with everyone on the flight having to join the one line, many of whom have bags to check in, it can take a while to move through.

Luggage

When flying international with Jetstar Economy, your checked luggage allowance will depend on your fare. On the basic Economy Starter fare you can purchase between 15-40kg of checked luggage allowance in 5kg increments. A Plus bundle gets you 20kg with the option to purchase up to 20kg more, and the Max bundle gets you 30kg with an option to purchase up to 10kg more. For carry-on it’s one main plus one small bag up to 7kg total, with an option to purchase and additional 7kg.

Service

I had no complaints about the service of the staff at all stages of my flight experience. Staff were friendly and helpful, but not overbearing.

Cabin

The Jetstar Economy cabin on the Dreamliner that flies from Bangkok to Melbourne features 314 seats, in a 3-3-3 layout. There are enough flight attendants around so getting the attention of someone should you need assistance isn’t an issue. Colour wise it’s orange, and varying tones of grey, in line with Jetstar’s branding. When it comes to cleanliness, everything nice and clean.

Seat

The leather seat has dimensions of about 76cm x 43cm, on the smaller end of the scale but in line with what you find on most low cost airlines flying this sort of distance. Like any economy seat, it doesn’t recline that far back. There’s an adjustable cushioned headrest which is handy when you want to get some sleep, and not often found on low cost carriers.

There are small armrests, and a leather pocket sleeve at the back of the seat in front to place a few things. There’s not much space to get work done with the tray down if you’ve got a laptop, but for a tablet sized device it’s possible to get some productive stuff done.

There’s a USB port for charging devices, and a power outlet (two for each bank of three seats) but do be aware that the power provided is at USA power standards of 110V AC 60 cycles (Hz), not Australian power standards of 220V AC 50 cycles (Hz).

I opted to upgrade to a front section seat, which gets you a considerable increase in legroom, plus room to stand and stretch without bothering anyone, for AUD$38.

Entertainment

Unlike a lot of low cost carriers, Jetstar’s Economy seats do have seat back screens (22.9cm), however to make use of the entertainment you’ll have to pay AUD$10 to access it. Entertainment is also included with some of the fare bundles that you can pre-purchase before your flight.

There’s a general selection of the latest movies and TV shows from the USA, Japan and elsewhere, plus music and a few radio stations and podcasts. The radio stations are free and don’t require the entertainment bundle. I opted to load my iPad with a few games and movies rather than pay for entertainment so can’t speak to the quality of the headphones that come with the entertainment bundle.

Food

Food isn’t included with Jetstar’s base Starter fares, but you can pre-purchase a meal, or choose from the on-board menu. If you add one of the bundles to your fare you’ll generally get a meal or meal voucher included. Food options include things like salads and sandwiches, noodle bowls and a variety of snacks and drinks – alcoholic and non-alcoholic. If you choose to pre-purchase the options are similar to what you find in Qantas economy.

Amenities

No amenities are included with the base Starter fare but you can pre-purchase an ‘international chill kit’ for $25. It includes an eye mask, earplugs, inflatable pillow, socks, lip balm, hand cream, wet-wipe, pen, and blanket.

Verdict

Overall I enjoyed my Jetstar flight from Bangkok to Melbourne. When I purchase a seat on a low cost carrier the main things I’m looking for is a good flight price, reliability, friendly service and a comfortable seat. All of the other extras I can live without.

Hail Lilith, Footscray

Paul
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0
Hail Lilith, Footscray

MELBOURNE | Hail Lilith is a small Footscray bar, hidden in Maiden Square, just behind Leeds Street. It’s named for Lilith, a goddess/demon from Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology, thought to be the first wife of Adam. Banished from the Garden of Eden for her refusal to be subservient to Adam, Lilith is one of the earliest examples in literature of a women demonised for her unwillingness to conform and obey.

In that vein, Hail Lilith is an accepting welcoming place. Staff are friendly, and it’s a judgment-free venue. The space is dark, with red lighting, plenty of iconography, and great, loud music. It all combines to create quite a vibe.

The focus of the menu is on bourbon-based cocktails and a 100% vegan, plant-based menu. To drink, it’s on-theme cocktails that hit the spot. Try the signature “Hail Lilith”, a blend of bourbon, vanilla vodka, pomegranate juice, and a black cherry syrup. Also try the ‘Vamp Blood’, a house take on the classic, Bloody Mary.

To eat, it’s a selection of snacks and larger plates. Those who are triggered by the words “plant-based”, will be happy to know that chef Tania Murdocco’s menu features food that everyone can enjoy. There’s food that’s inherently vegan, like crispy lemon, rosemary, and confit garlic new potatoes; baked gnocchi with ‘nduja cream; and beetroot labne with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pepperberry, and ciabatta. There’s also things like soy-based buffalo ‘wings’; v2 patty burgers; and watermelon tartare with capers, shallots, yolk, and lavosh. It’s all very tasty stuff.

Keep an eye out on Hail Lilith’s socials for details on events and pop-ups each week. There’s free fortnightly burlesque shows, Sunday brunch every two weeks, and things like “paint and sin” art classes.

Hail Lilith

40A Leeds Street
Footscray
Victoria 3011
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Wed – Fri: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 2:00pm to 11:00pm
Sun: 2:00pm to 9:00pm

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