THE BLOCKS

“This is where the journey starts” begins the dapper sommelier, referring to the meticulously scattered design in the vast warehouse. Channelling Willy Wonka on a tour of mind-boggling creations, our enthusiastic guide leads us through the sensory wonderland of scented sculptures and mysterious art at THE BLOCKS. 

Catering to Gen Y’s notoriously short attention span and penchant for the new, pop ups venues continue to address our insatiable quest for novelty, quality and entertainment. From the long-standing Bucket List that still draws a crowd, to Bizarre Bazaar’s laneway markets, each seems to be more innovative then the last. The allure of limited time, perceived exclusivity and reliance on word of mouth combine to create a recipe for success that challenges the long-held dominance of permanent venues. 

Open in Sydney for only three weeks before embarking on a world tour, the collaboration between Penfolds and London’s Studio Toogood is an inspired example of a creative installation. Imploring us to disregard the snobbery associated with wine and follow our intuition, the team has invited Australian artists, perfumers and sculptures to create wine inspired experiences for visitors. 

Starting with a virtual number 1 that is a fragment of light projected onto the wooden floor, we smell a sculpture, enjoy the art works and assess our instinctive reaction to both. Each category of art and smell has been derived from the words usually associated with particular brackets of wine, and are intended to help us disregard preconceived notions of wine. 

Our journey through the senses is educational and fun, stretching our minds laterally to fuse art, wine and food (not too much of a struggle really). Once we’ve picked our favourites, the sommelier reveals the corresponding Penfolds Bin and Luxury wines that sit behind them. We choose 1. Aromatic Whites and 4. Regional Reds, and sit down for a tasting. At $35 for 4 x 75ml glasses, we’ve discovered the grape version of Wonka’s chocolate river paradise, and start to appreciate the subtle differences between the blends. 

Despite the transient nature of the venue, no detail has been overlooked. From Riedel crystal wine glasses to Mud Australia porcelain plates, we sit under canopies of illuminated glass grapes on chairs hand cast from raw aluminium specifically for the event. While Sydney’s last undeveloped historic wharf building will feel empty when THE BLOCKS departs for Melbourne on 4 May, Penfolds and Studio Toogood have further raised the bar (literally) for pop up innovation. 

Lifeafterfive* was a guest of THE BLOCKS and enjoyed a free tasting bracket worth $35.

The Blocks
http://www.theblockslive.com/
16th March-5th April
Pier 2/3 13 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Wed-Fri 4pm-11pm and Sat-Sun 1pm-11pm

Kokomo Coconut Water

Food, like fashion, has a tendency to go through fads – often subliminally, super foods, cuisine and health kicks follow trends set by early adopters and savvy marketers. Just as Summer 2011/12 is all about bold block colours, low hemlines and lacy layers, our palates are set to be buzzing with apple cider (Batlow gets my vote), tacos and anything acai-flavoured – from yoghurt to ice cream to potato chips. 

The latest “super food” to reach a well-hyped tipping point is coconut water – sneakily popping up on menus, supermarket shelves and in gym cabinets all over town.

I was lucky enough to receive a pack of 12 x Kokomo Coconut Waters to taste. Made in Mango and Natural flavours, they are packaged in poppas that hark back to school lunches and weekend sport. Watery (not milky, as is a popular misconception), the flavour is an acquired taste that improves when imagining the magical health benefits simultaneously imbibed.

Some random facts about coconut water:

• It is identical to human blood plasma. It was used by both sides during the Pacific War (1941-1945) to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers 
• Contains more potassium than a banana & a high source of electrolytes 
• Coconut water is found in young green coconuts that are approximately 7 months old 

My Kokomo poppas were refreshing and tasty – ideal for after a workout. Whether a super food or a passing fad, coconut water seems to be emerging as the latest must-have fitness accessory. Don your block colours, hop on your fixie and pop one in your basket (just don’t crush your prescription-less glasses).

Lifeafterfive* was sent Kokomo Coconut Waters by Soup.  Kokomo is Fairtrade Certified and will be stocked in Coles supermarkets.

Italians just want to welcome people, however simple, in abundance

"IN SURRY HILLS ONE GUY IS REINVENTING THE IDEA OF THE EVENING MEAL BY OPENING HIS SPACE FOR A WEEKLY GATHERING OF FRIENDS & STRANGERS. SO GRAB YOURSELF A SEAT, PASS THE WINE & PITCH IN BECAUSE THIS IS NEIGHBOURHOOD DINING AT IT'S VERY BEST. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF NORMAL RESTAURANTS IN SYDNEY. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM"

Decantered wine is poured, fresh bread ready for olive oil dunking as a group of old friends find seats at the long table. A live guitarist provides ambiance as we share abundant, wholesome, grandmother-worthy food, swap seats as the evening progresses and make ourselves at home.

Recreating the dining experience of any large Italian family, Table for 20 provides a home away from home where the food is hearty, the owners and staff are friendly and the wine is plentiful. For those who have been living under a rock for the past few years, Table for 20 was one of Sydney’s first concept dining experiences. Despite its popularity (large group bookings must be made months in advance), it thrives on the personal touch and passion of its owner – Michael Fantuz.

He personally welcomes us to dinner and stays for a chat, describing a childhood of large European households where food was shared, people were everywhere and memories were created. The love of the job is evident in the attention to detail, the genuine warmth of the staff as they take your coat and invite you to Sticky Bar upstairs while waiting for a table – as if they are inviting you into their home. 

Michael Fantuz welcomes us to dinner

The three set courses change daily, and ten percent of the proceeds go to the Hope Street Mission, a local charity that provides services to homeless people. Hidden in a Surry Hills alley, passion for family and community, personality and originality characterise this well known but hard to find gem. 

Michael tells us of his plan to open a Buffalo Mozzarella bar in Darlinghurst, a trend that has taken off in New York, Tokyo and Milan. Despite the niche appeal of the concept, if the new venue has the energy, character and authenticity of Table for 20, it may be worth getting your booking in now – before the rest of Sydney catches on.

TABLE FOR 20
3C Set menu
+ Mum's Limoncello
BYO wine only - no corkage
Or drink mine
Live music every night
$70 Wed,Thurs,Fri&Sat
Functions available for Sat
Legs under the table for dinner by 8pm
182 Campbell St, Surry Hills
SUMMER @ STICKY
Sticky Bar open from 5.30pm

Il Fornaio, St Kilda

With the hot new ‘we’re so cool we’ve made an effort to look like we’ve made no effort’ cafes flourishing all over Sydney, it’s easy to forget that Melbourne has been doing super-urban, hipster laneway style café bars since Fawkner established his colonial settlement in 1835 (give or take a few years).  This possibly explains why Melbourne was Australia’s most populous city for approximately ten years until 1891*.

Melbourne invented the menu on a blackboard, minimalist warehouse look furnished with high quality baked goods that have become the hallmark ingredients of success and originality for recent additions to the Sydney café /bar scene.  Stumbling across Il Fornaio on a sunny St Kilda morning, we discover real plants on the walls, random stuffed toys on the ceiling and a well thought out menu that does Melbournites proud.  Not to mention the cheeky, hipster waiters who banter with us mercilessly as we navigate the tricky sweet versus savoury brunch debate.

With Entourage Season 1 and a date with Conrad (bidding up to $60) distracting us from the main game, we enjoy our fair-trade, organic coffee  (made with “magic beans”) and peruse the menu.  Despite the irresistible array of cakes beckoning to us from the counter, savoury wins. And impresses.

*...and then they realised that Sydney had beaches.

I think, therefore I ... blog

I am regularly amazed, surprised and inspired by the ingenuity of friends, family and work colleagues I am lucky enough to be surrounded by.  The number of people who work full time, have projects on the side, write blogs, start businesses, help charities, study – often quietly, without fanfare or a need for recognition.  Scratch the surface and you discover such extraordinary talent and interest hiding in people you think you know well.

This manifests itself in a number of ways - I have recently stumbled across a number of blogs by friends with a unique take on life, and decided it was time to share.

Zero Dollar Amateur Baby

What do you do in your spare time if you’re a hot shot lawyer, serious touch footy player, yoga enthusiast, completing a Masters degree while navigating the expat Hong Kong social circuit?  Probably pretty bored with all that time on your hands.  Or you could just sign up for a womens’ boxing tournament and learn to fight (Hong Kong Hedge Fund Fite Night) – oh, and write a blog while you’re at it.

http://zerodollaramateurbaby.tumblr.com

17 Hours Behind

Two Aussie expats on a one year secondment to Chicago (yes, one of them may be my sister).  Hilarious take on all things American.

http://17hoursbehind.wordpress.com

Anika Patel

Creative, challenging, honest ideas for provoking thoughts and discussion – “Sometimes a good idea rattles around in your head like a loose pinball and it’s only when we share it with other people, that the idea takes shape and form”.

http://anipatel.wordpress.com

Summer in the City

Take a leave of absence from your job as a management consultant; head to the city where dreams are made of;  find an internship with a non-profit tech startup.  Easy.  Challenging? Inspirational.  Now read the blog;

http://startupsummerinthecity.blogspot.com

Eat Drink Play by Ms Darlinghurst

Ms Darlinghurst needs no introduction. Arbiter of all things trendy, foodie and fun in the Sydney social scene, she has taken the Eastern Suburbs by storm with initiatives like Secret Foodies, Sydney Bar Tours, and EatDrinkPlay.   

www.eatdrinkplay.com

Barology

A supremely creative type disguised behind a suit by day, Paul Somers and his team are passionate about the Sydney bar scene.  They are creating a community focused on bars, nightlife and innovation while using film to bring the places they visit to life.

http://www.barology.com.au

The Sweetest Truth

A med-student crazy about all things cupcake. .. “If T.S Eliot's Prufrock claimed to measure out his meagre life in coffee spoons, I believe my existence could well be quantified by the numerous measuring cups of flour, sugar and cocoa that I sift and stir each week in pursuit of baking perfection.”

http://cupcakestoentice.blogspot.com

xx Lifeafterfive*


PS. Do you write a blog? Do you have a friend who does but is too shy to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Cuervo Fiesta Mexicano at Cafe Pacifico

The word fiesta instantly conjures images of Mexico - saucy dancing, salsa laden cuisine, and salt rimmed tequila based cocktails.  A city that can’t resist a party, the Sydney scene has recently seen an outbreak of all things Mexican with new Mexican cantinas, themed bars and cuisine popping up everywhere.  Pubs such as The Norfolk are featuring tacos on their menu (even if they are korean meatball flavour), while chains such as Guzman y Gomez are exploding into foodcourts all around town.  While hot newbies such as Barrio Chino and El Loco are drawing crowds, we would be remiss to forget where it all started in 1997; Café Pacifico.

Olivia Guest, Donna Freak, Alex Adams (Ms Darlinghurst) & their donkey

With over 90 tequilas on their menu, Café Pacifico is the logical host for Cuervo’s Fiesta Mexicano on 13 September as part of BarShow Week 2011.  Cuervo’s master blenders, Don Francisco Hajnal and Phil Bayly, swizzle drinks, blend agave syrup and twirl bottles for a crowd wearing hipster hats that I suspect will reappear in force on Bondi’s grassy knoll this summer.

Donna Freak (Secret Foodies) & Daniella Alhadeff (lifeafterfive*)

Pinatas hang from the ceiling, blow up donkeys lose their tails while maracas are shaken in time with the latino music.  Traditional margueritas on the rocks with agave syrup is my drink of choice, with braver (it’s a school night!) souls opting for the Anejo ‘Old Fashioned’ marguerita concoction.  There are Batangos (as discovered at the Schweppes Elixir launch), another drink that resembles a latino Bloody Mary (tomato juice anyone?) and quality tequila shots are handed out like canapés.

The food lives up to all cheesy, spicy expectations, with delicious mini quesadillas of all varieties in abundance, corn fritter balls and cerviches making an appearance and ensuring  stomachs are lined.

With colourful streamers cascading over the crowd, the bartender performing his moves from the tabletop and the bar fraternity out in force, Café Pacifico and Jose Cuervo are proving that they’re ready to lead Sydney’s charge to Latin America.  Grab a donkey, plant a cactus and get your maracas ready for a fiesta near you.

Pinatas waiting to be opened

A happy Mexican

Diesel Island; the land of the stupid and home of the brave

A pink goat greets us as we enter a non-descript warehouse in Alexandria, followed by crashing waves, a denim flag and a welcome line of models threatening to fight us with feather pillows. 

Welcome to Diesel Island, ‘the land of the stupid and home of the brave’.  Where cocktails are served with provocatively labelled flags, scantily Diesel-clad ‘island natives’ loll about in tree houses and Alexandra Richards (daughter of Rolling Stone, Keith Richards) DJs to over 250 well-heeled ‘pioneers’.

Diesel Island... where heels are high & goats are pink

The locals in their natural habitat

Island Law #2; Trouble makers shouldn't be sent to jail but art school

We have been invited to ‘help shape the future of this magnificent country’ at the Sydney event on 31 August 2011.  The controversial global campaign aims to provoke discussion and push boundaries by stating that the world is f**cked up, but Diesel Island is the least f**cked up country of all.

Conceived by advertising agency Santo, the campaign documents the first pioneers arriving on the tropical island – “living exciting experiences, solving some of the world’s oldest problems and holding wild parties to celebrate the birth of their nation”.

Alexandra Richards DJs to the crowd

Martin Matthews, General Manager of Brand Collective, explains that while Australians aren’t as aware of Diesel’s satirical, ironic character, the concept of challenging the status quo and rewriting the rules while having fun resonates with the Australian ethos.

The natives stand to attention as the Diesel Island anthem plays over the big screens, the cocktails are abundant and a giant seafood paella is cooked under driftwood scaffolding.  I am reminded of island law # 7 – everything that exists was once imagined.  Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be a hard sell to Aussies looking for a utopian escape.  Just be sure to reach the island before someone calls on the PM to ‘stop the boats’.


Watch the history of Diesel Island

Pioneer Jane Willesdorf enjoys a rebellious cocktail

"We prevent terrorist attacks by not pissing them off"