Sofitel Brisbane: (07) 3835 3535 or www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au Sofitel is upping the ante. The primo French hotel chain is giving its brand a polish, thanks to a name change (Sofitel Luxury Hotels) and a regime of oo-la-la refits. The Sofitel Brisbane is one of the more recent to benefit from a makeover, $7m worth to be
Pacific Dining Room: (02) 6680 7055 or www.pacificdiningroom.com.au Donning the sandals and shorts and road tripping North towards the sun and sand is an inviting prospect for some in the Southern states. Far from a holiday though, John and Lisa Van Haandel decided to make the trip work for themselves handing over a generous sum
Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons: Crown Promenade, Southbank VIC (03) 9694 7400 or www.idrb.com Italian-sounding enough for you? For your info: in this case the ‘Sons’ are the brains of the operation. More to the point, the ‘Sons’ (Robert Marchetti and Maurice Terzini) represent the golden partnership behind Bondi’s top-shelf Icebergs Dining Room. Marchetti and Terzini
Verde Restaurant and Bar: corner Stanley & Riley Sts, East Sydney NSW (02) 9380 8877 or info@verde.net.au I can’t imagine anyone doubting the authenticity of Verde Restaurant and Bar — it’s as Italian as an Azzurri, Ferrari and Sophia Loren pizza. Owned by Antonio Ruggerino, Louie Kallas and Vince Squillace, the three cousins from Calabria
Pass me my pom poms and ra-ra skirt cos I’m heading up the cheerleaders for this clip — it’s a masterpiece! Let’s consider Run’s setup for a moment. Gnarls Barkley find themselves in an imaginary late ’80s public access show called City Vibin’ — “the double number one, crazy-fresh show” — compered by a boob
RACV is obviously better known as a company to call when you’ve blown a gasket or in need of some insurance. But currently it’s expanding and diversifying the resort side of its business. The Inverloch resort undoubtedly represents a step up in quality and is definitely a world away from the ‘power point and shower
Maedaya Bar: 400 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC (03) 9428 3918 Toshi Maeda grew up in the province of Hyogo, Japan, famous for having the best sake rice. For the last 10 years, he has based himself in Australia, while touring the world with punk rock group Mach Pelican. Realising that his motherland’s sake wasn’t widely
Loungueville Hotel: 80 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW |(02) 94272021 or www.loungevillehotel.com Longueville Hotel engaged Marchese + Partners to complete the $3.5m refurbishment of the existing hotel including the public bar, lounge, restaurant and kitchen areas, and the addition of an extensive outdoor deck area. The deck area has a range of seating options with
Joe’s Shoe Store: 233 High Street, Northcote VIC (03) 9482 7666 Julian Beattie: www.makestuff.com.au Photo: Gustavo Adolfo Prince Gonzalez Joe’s Shoe Store is a beautifully comfortable new bar (in Melbourne’s increasingly cool suburb of Northcote) with wonderfully engaging staff. Without hesitation you’re asked if you want to start up a tab, a gesture of respect
Cristal: (03) 9826 3330 Dean Johnson of Tryst has realised a new after-dark vision in the heart of South Yarra, Melbourne. The Cristal cocktail and champagne bar was designed from scratch and features a dedicated lounge area with leather chesterfields and high wingback chairs, a heated balcony and private entertainment booths separated by heavy drapes