In Japan, they have manhole covers as street art. This one was photographed one evening on the way to dinner at Amataro, when our Tokyo friends pointed down to our feet and yelled out, “Manhoru no Futa!” (manhole cover) We learnt that they come in a variety of designs and colours, depicting localities, utility type [...]

Sitting at Le Grand Café by Bécasse in the shiny new incarnation of the Alliance Française de Sydney, I am reminded of how quickly time passes. The last time I was at the Clarence Street address, I was still in high school uniform participating in various concours and competitions that the Alliance ran for French [...]

“Good evening. May I offer you a cocktail with the compliments of Richard Branson and Virgin?” This must be a dream. Or an opening line from a movie or a setting for a lavish fantasy. I blink and remind myself that we are at Vessel, a swanky new venue in Sydney’s King Street Wharf. Our [...]

The Rocks Aroma Festival 2010 promised visitors the experience of the world through taste sensations. With four corners of the globe showcasing coffee, tea, chocolate and food, Sydneysiders descended to the historic Rocks area of Sydney where the event spilled onto the harbour foreshores. What it also served was a good dose of patience. The [...]

On this Bastille Day in Sydney, the ambience at Restaurant A Toute Heure is very French. Crisp white tablecloths, tricolore napkins, Bernardeau porcelain tea lights and the sounds of Charles Aznavour, Thomas Fersen and Patricia Kaas fill the dining room. On one wall, a foulard commemorating 50th anniversary of la France Libre, on another, framed [...]

There’s nothing like the first swig of a rough red wine as it goes down the throat. At 10 am. Cassoulet, red wine and baguettes have become a tradition at La Gerbe d’Or in Sydney’s suburb of Paddington. Every year, owner Franck François puts on a generous serve of food and wine for francophiles who [...]

On Monday July 5 2010, the Gourmantic duo attended The Salt Book launch at Mumu Grill in Sydney’s Crows Nest. A few days earlier, I had won a ticket the event when I entered a Twitter competition run by @helenlovesfood of Arbon Publishing. With the principle of ‘salt wise’ , the Savouring Salt event gave [...]