Hotel - 20 February 2012

SOFITEL’S MUMBAI FANTASY

Sofitel Mumbai www.sofitel.com Sofitel Luxury Hotels has opened the doors on its first hotel in India, the Sofitel Mumbai BKC, located in the city’s bustling Bandra Kurla Complex business district. Sofitel’s Worldwide CEO Robert Gaymer-Jones said the new Sofitel Mumbai BKC is a shining example of the brand’s expansion strategy, which involves being present in

Restaurant - 18 November 2011

Hail Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia: 155 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC (03) 9537 0001 or www.fitzrovia.com.au Paul Jewson and Marco Pugnaloni have resurfaced with a brand new all-day eatery, after having wowed the crowds cramming into the all-too-small Outpost. For South Yarra locals, the tiny triangle tenancy (co-owned with Salvatore from St Ali) was the perfect introduction to Jewson’s

Bar - 18 November 2011

Guilty Pleasure

Bar100: 100 George Street, The Rocks VIC (02) 8070 9311 or www.bar100.com.au There are certain elements about Bar100 that feel a little left of centre. Staring deep through the eyes of a stain-glassed Jesus while sipping on something a little more substantial than communion wine could raise more guilt then even a Catholic could bear.

Backchat - 4 August 2011

POP-UPCYCLE

Cafe Culture is running an Upcycling Competition at Saturday Indesign. Upcycling is the honourable process of converting waste or unwanted materials into new products. When trash becomes treasure. So if you can dream up anything better than a clock plate, send your design — can be a CAD drawing, or even just a hand illustration,

Restaurant - 19 July 2011

HALF MOON RISES

Half Moon: 120 Church Street, Brighton VIC (03) 9591 0611 or www.halfmoon.com.au Always considered somewhat of a sister venue to The Botanical while Paul Wilson was heading both ships, Brighton’s Half Moon pub is really quite distinct. In full view of the railway station, on a street lined with European cars, Half Moon is open,

Function Space - 13 July 2011

PIER GROUP

The Pier: Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC (03) 5222 6444 or www.thepiergeelong.com.au Photos: Shannon McGrath Endearing himself to Geelong locals is Cameron Ling’s stock and trade. With two AFL premierships under his belt, if it hasn’t earned the footballer keys to the city by now, it certainly has opened a few doors. The

Pub - 12 July 2011

SETTING THE PUBLIC BAR

Prahran Hotel: 82 High St, Prahran VIC (03) 9529 2168 or www.prahranhotel.com Photos: Shannon McGrath Pubs come easily to the four guys that make up Sand Hill Road. Well, the business of running them that is. They know what makes a local pub, and don’t stray too far away from the basics of a parma

Restaurant - 6 June 2011

BY YOUR CHINNY CHIN CHIN

Chin Chin: 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC www.chinchinrestaurant.com.au I imagine Chris Lucas sitting cross-legged, chin-stroking Monkey-style, pondering how he was going to import the simple naivety of South East Asian eating houses and still have it fall within the Lucas lexicon. By the hair of his chinny chin chin, Lucas realised the only real way

Casino - 2 June 2011

BISTRO GUILLAME CROWNED AGAIN

Guillame Brahimi has relocated Bistro Guillame within Crown. A quick peek through the window reveals those lovely upside-down-chef-hats pendants have been relocated with it, and the whole thing is looking very Parisien and fresh. More to come soon.