• what’s on guide • food and drink • local features • city map • shopping
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SYDNEY
Welcome to issue two of citysider magazine! Since our first issue hit the streets in May, we’ve been overwhelmed by the welcome the publication has received from the CBD community. We hope you enjoy this second issue as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
Here’s to Spring citysiders - enjoy the brighter evenings, the jacaranda blooms and a spot of alfresco dining and we’ll see you again in Summer!
We proudly acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as customary owners of the land on which we live, work and share these stories. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
Esper Group Director Andrew Wallace at Rovollo in Martin Place. The venue’s art, right, includes a one-of-a-kind Tantri Mustika vase, bespoke artwork by Bei Wallace and a Moya Delany pendant light, pictured with the hand painted ceiling mural.
of dining THE ART
Discover the hospo hotspots where the art on the walls is as carefully curated as the menus and wine lists
From oversized paintings and mural-covered ceilings to custom lighting and commissioned ceramics, bespoke design has become a not-so-secret ingredient for Sydney’s dining destinations. Across the city, hospo venues aren’t settling for off-the-shelf décor or mass-produced prints, they’re investing in artwork to elevate their dining experience. Newly opened Rovollo in Martin Place may be small in size, just 88 sqm, but it’s big on heart.
“I THINK THERE’S SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT A SPACE WHEN IT’S BEEN CREATED BY PEOPLE WHO CARE”
As well as a vibrant menu of Italian dishes, including a theatrical pasta made tableside in a flaming 20kg wheel of cheese and a decadent 24-layer chocolate cake, the venue’s detailed interior is as delicious as the food.
“A lot of love has been put into the interiors,” explains Andrew Wallace, Director of Esper Group, the team behind Rovollo and sister venue Mille Vini in Surry Hills. “As a family run business, it’s important to us to be personal, warm and inviting.”
“We want the care and love we’re pouring into the venue to be felt by our guests, so that when they’re here they’re doing more than just consuming a meal,” he continues. “We want to create an immersive 360-degree dining experience that feels both opulent and approachable and takes guests on a journey where they feel welcome and know they’ll create memories each time they visit.
ART AND ABOUT
“The venue’s art plays a huge role in that and everything, right down to the hand-painted side plates, has been carefully considered.”
Wallace’s fiancé, graphic designer Ellie Wilkinson, poured over 100 hours into hand-drawing the whimsical characters that appear throughout the venue, from the illustrated drinks coasters to the website and venue branding.
Even the ceiling has become a canvas, covered with a striking 10 metre-long mural that was designed by Ellie and painted over six days by a specialist artist.
A dramatic central pendant light, created by artist Moya Delany from a repurposed parachute, floats above custom-made banquettes and illuminates the mural to warm the space and provide a welcome contrast to the grey tones of the city outside.
“There’s not much room in the venue for traditional styling,” Andrew continues. “So we brought in extra character from above!”
One especially meaningful piece, which hangs in pride of place in the dining room,
is a painting by Andrew’s mum, Bei Wallace. The self-taught artist began painting during the Covid lockdowns and has created some smaller pieces for Mille Vini.
“It’s wonderful having Mum’s art here,” Andrews says. “It really makes the venue feel like home. We’ve had beautiful feedback
about the mural and the artworks and I think there’s something really special about a space when it’s been created by people who care.”
On George Street, the recently reopened and reimagined three-level Jacksons on George also has an art collection featuring commissioned pieces by hand-selected local creatives. Showcased throughout the venue, the works inject a sense of playfulness, colour and culture into the space.
Two-time Archibald finalist and 2018 Sulman prize winner, Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey, has created a 1.8 x 1.5 metre artwork in her signature style, championing kungka kunpu (strong women) and weaving references to pop culture together with Anangu culture and traditions.
On the stairwell, a burst of colour welcomes guests thanks to an unmissable artwork by creative Marty Baptist. Connecting the first two levels of the venue, the mural, called The Star We Live By, celebrates the significance of the
“THIS CREATIVE COLLABORATION MARKS AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER OF HOSPITALITY FOR THE CBD”
L to R: Rovollo’s theatrical pasta dish is made tableside in a flaming wheel of cheese; the dining room; Cracked Suzies, The Star We Live By and Kaylene Whiskey’s work at Jacksons on George
sun as a symbol of life and vitality and brings a vibrancy to the cement wall that is its canvas.
The creativity continues in the Public Bar bathrooms, where mirrors feature Cracked Suzies, a humorous series by Abby Constable which prompts guests to reflect - literallyon their perceptions of beauty and emotion.
“This creative collaboration marks an exciting new chapter of hospitality for the CBD, fusing the worlds of hospitality, architecture, design and art which we hope delivers an experience that is unique to this city,” says Kirsten Stanisich, Director of Richards Stanisich, the design team behind the new look venue.
So next time you dine out, look up. Or across. Or under your plate. Because chances are, you’ll discover design is being dished up in every detail. ●
NEPTUNE’S GROTTO
Northern Rivers
artist Toni Clarke’s 18-metre mural spans the Bridge Street venue, covering the sandstone walls with a snapshot of a ‘rambunctious dinner party’. The work captures the energy of restaurant life and includes a crowd of colourful characters.
Art on the menu
LA RIVIERA
At the Bambini Group’s elegant Mediterranean venue on Phillip Street, the wall is covered with a hand-painted seascape by Sydney artist Genevieve Felix-Reynolds. inspired by Jean Cocteau, ancient ruins and decorative vases.
ATKI
Perry Drakopoulos of Sydney Restaurant Group oversaw interiors at their Greek venue on Woolloomooloo Wharf. Inspired by an Aegean sunset, the decor blends coastal-kitsch with star fish motifs, ceramics by Alex and Trahanas and a palette of blush pinks, plums and ivory.
CAPELLA SYDNEY
Over 1400 artworks are displayed throughout the hotel. Two notable pieces include Meadow, a kinetic lighting sculpture Inspired by Australian wildflowers, in the lounge area, and Gaagal, a mural by Indigenous artist, Otis Hope Carey, in the McRae Bar.
Committed to resolving your family law dispute.
How a history of family violence may impact your property settlement.
From 10 June 2025, changes were implemented to the Family Law Act so that now, the economic impact of family violence must be considered by the Court when making decisions about the division of your relationship property.
Family violence encompasses coercive control as well as economic and financial abuse, for example when one party in a relationship controls all the finances or spending.
The impact of family violence may be seen to be relevant by the Court in assessing a party’s contribution during a relationship,
for example, if their homemaker or parenting contribution was more arduous because of family violence or if they were precluded from working. Family violence may also have an impact on how a Court might assess someone’s future needs especially if they have ongoing trauma or counselling costs.
The 10 June 2025 amendments also allow parties to a relationship to make an Application to the Court about ownership of a family pet. The Court will need to consider any animal abuse as a form of family violence and the attachment of each party and the children to the pet in question. The Court cannot make orders for shared care of a family pet.
If you have questions about any of these issues, you should speak to a family lawyer about how the changes might impact you.
SURRY HILLS + NORTHERN BEACHES
Flowing Rhythm Mobile, Flensted, $109
MCA Store, Museum Contemporary Art 140 George Street, The Rocks or store.mca.com.au
Sol de Janeiro
Cheirosa 62™ Perfume Mist 240ml, $62 MECCA Cnr Market and George Streets
Silver Wrap Around Leaf Ring, $75 Maewenn Designer Jewellery 75 George Street, The Rocks and The Rocks Market
Black Mini Hobo Bag, $695 GANNI
The Galeries, 500 George Street or ganni.com
Australian Honey Macadamias, Milk Chocolate 165g, $24.90
Koko Black Queen Victoria Building, Strand Arcade or Westfiield Sydney or kokoblack.com
Australian Food by Bill Granger, $50 Title 400 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo or titlemusicfilmbooks.com
Sydney Opera House
Wine Glass, $39.99
Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point or sydneyoperahouseshop.com
Bergamot & Jasmine
Hand & Body Lotion, $37.99
Dux Collection Sydney 23 Playfair St, The Rocks
Fresh Fabbrica Malfadine, $8 Fabbrica Pasta Shop 161 King Street or ciaofabbrica.com
90 years young!
It’s a big happy 90th birthday to Luna Park, Sydney’s heritage-listed amusement park and home to the city’s most famous face. Officially opened to the public on the 4th October 1935, the five-acre site at Lavender Bay became an instant icon, with queues snaking under the Harbour Bridge to experience the rides and shows.
Two and a half million feet of timber and 60,000 bags of cement were used in the construction of the park, with early attractions such as The Dipper, the River Caves, the Tumble Bug and Funny Land drawing a steady stream of visitors.
While the rides and even the face may have changed over the years, nine decades on, Luna Park remains an iconic piece of Sydney’s cultural landscape. ●
Just for fun
The Luna Park face has gone through eight iterations since the park’s opening in 1935. The current face, made of fiberglass, was installed in 1995 and is based on the “Old King Cole” design from 1950. The pillars on either side of the face are modelled after the Chrysler Building in New York.
MODERN MYTHS
Critically acclaimed UK duo bring award-winning storytelling to the Sydney Fringe Festival
Two of the most talked-about shows on the international fringe circuit are landing in The Rocks this Sydney Fringe Festival, as British duo Wright & Grainger present their award-winning storytelling productions Orpheus and HELIOS from the 4th-28th September.
Writer-performers Alexander Wright and Phil Grainger have become known for their stripped-back, audience-first approach that’s part gig, part theatrical experience.
Performed over 500 times across the UK, Europe and Australia, the two shows combine the spoken-word with original live music and breathe new life into Greek myths.
In Orpheus, the myth of the musician who journeys to the underworld for love is retold in the backstreets of London, where a man meets a woman in a karaoke bar and is pulled into a tale of longing and loss.
HELIOS, which drew five-star reviews at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe and was hailed by The Guardian as ‘a lovely, lifeaffirming piece of gig theatre’, reimagines the son of the sun god as a modern-day boy on a life-affirming quest, exploring identity, family and the power of belief.
Both shows are to be performed at the heritage-listed 37 George Street in The Rocks, one of the CBD’s most atmospheric venues.
Fringe-goers looking for something powerful and personal are advised to book early as these intimate shows have a track record of selling out fast. ●
Wright & Grainger perform Orpheus and HELIOS as part of Sydney Fringe from 4-28 September at 37 George Street, The Rocks. Head to sydneyfringe.com for more info and for tickets.
British storytelling duo Wright & Grainger in their energetic reimagining of the Greek myths
FORTUNE A good
Steven and Fiona Speed are the couple behind the bar at Sydney’s oldest pub
Then and now
Established in 1828, the Fortune of War is Sydney’s oldest continuously licensed pub. It was a favourite for locals, sailors and soldiers, famously known as the ‘first and last stop ashore’ for those heading off to, or returning from, service.
When Steven ‘Speedy’ Speed and his wife Fiona took over iconic
Rocks watering hole The Fortune of War, along with the neighbouring Russell Boutique Hotel in 2013, they didn’t just buy a business - they took on a legacy.
Over a decade later, the couple have brought that legacy into a new era with a careful transformation of both the famous pub that’s been pouring pints since 1828 and the historic Russell.
“People visit the Fortune of War because they want to take their time to read the walls and talk to us about what it’s like to work at Sydney’s oldest pub,” Speedy says. “It’s a place steeped in history and now more people than ever will be able to enjoy it.”
The Russell features 28 individually styled rooms each refreshed with a warm, Australiana feel. Originally constructed in the 1800s as a hospital, the building’s charming quirks have been lovingly preserved.
“None of the rooms are in sequential order,” Speedy laughs. “I’ve been here almost 13 years and I still get confused where each one is!”
The renovation also includes a major new addition to the pub with a restaurant now located in the adjoining heritage-listed spaces previously occupied by The Push Bar and two retail stores.
Bistro 1828, named after the year former convict Samuel Terry built the pub, features an open-plan kitchen with an all-day menu
by acclaimed ex-Bistro Moncur chef Mark Williamson. Dishes include Aussie pub classics, such as the Fortune’s signature fish and chips and beef and Guinness stew.
The transformation hasn’t been limited to interiors, with The Rocks also enjoying a new lease of life thanks to new alfresco dining rules. “Before Covid, if I put a chair outside so someone could enjoy a drink while looking at the Harbour Bridge, I’d be told it wasn’t allowed,” Speedy says. “Outdoor dining in The Rocks has been a game-changer for small businesses like us.”
“OUTDOOR DINING IN THE ROCKS HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER”
The shift has helped re-energise The Rocks, drawing more foot traffic and giving visitors new ways to experience the pub’s old-school charm. “It’s played a major role in revitalising the CBD,” Speedy continues. “The city centre is more accessible and safer than ever.”
The Speeds recently renewed their licence for another 20 years, cementing their place as locals for decades to come.
“Having your name above the door of Sydney’s oldest pub is hard work, but also an immense privilege and honour. It’s the pinnacle of my 38-year career in hospitality,” Speedy says. “We’re a country pub in the heart of the city. That’s the soul of this place and always will be.”
And if he could pour a coldie for anyone?
“I’d love to serve Samuel Terry,” Speedy smiles. “I’d like to hear a story or two from that man!” ●
Steven ‘Speedy’ Speed and wife Fiona at The Russell Hotel, next door to the Fortune of War pub in The Rocks
what’s on?
• live music • food & drink • galleries • sport • exhibitions • theatre • and lots more!
EVERY FRI & SAT 10.30AM-12.30PM TRIBAL WARRIOR ABORIGINAL CULTURAL CRUISES
TRIBALWARRIOR.ORG
Immerse yourself in Eora Heritage on an unforgettable and powerful journey aboard the Mari Nawi, “big canoe,” and explore Sydney’s stunning Harbour in the warm and welcoming company of knowledgeable Aboriginal guides and crew. Run by the Tribal Warrior organisation, these two-hour cultural cruises depart every Friday and Saturday and offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with the living culture and history of the Eora people, the traditional custodians of the land and water you’ll be traversing. You’ll
hear Dreamtime stories and traditional songs and discover insights into the spiritual and cultural significance of Sydney’s foreshore. The tour includes a visit to Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island), where you’ll learn about traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques. An Aboriginal cultural performance caps off this unique journey that’s as enriching as it is enjoyable. Guests leave with a deeper connection to the ancient traditions that continue to thrive in modern Sydney. Adults $77 | Children $49.50 | Bookings essential
september
29 AUGUST - 11 OCTOBER
HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli ENSEMBLE.COM.AU
In this new comedy with Georgie Parker, A Country Practice addict and self-professed fanatic Melanie Tait imagines what it was like for the writers to pen the episode that became a defining cultural moment in Australia’s TV history - when Molly Jones takes her final breath. Whether you’re a diehard fan of this iconic TV series or simply a lover of a cracking Australian story, you’ll be rolling in the aisles with laughter at How To Plot A Hit In Two Days.
6 SEPTEMBER
MIRACLE MOON WALK 2025 @ ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL SQUARE
7, 14 AND 27 SEPTEMBER
KIRRIBILLI MARKET @ MILSONS POINT TUNNEL
FROM 12 SEPTEMBER
HERE YOU COME AGAIN @ THEATRE ROYAL SYDNEY
13 SEPTEMBER
WALLABIES V ARGENTINA - RUGBY UNION @ ALLIANZ STADIUM
THURSDAYS, 6-8.30PM
JAZZ SESSIONS @ THE ROCKS SQUARE, FREE
WHAT’S ON
1-30 SEPTEMBER
SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL
SYDNEYFRINGE.COM
Discover NSW’s biggest arts fest with over 450 exciting multi-genre events presented in over 70 venues around the city.
5 SEPTEMBER WINE AND CANAPES EVENING CRUISE @ SYDNEY HARBOUR TALL SHIPS
14 SEPTEMBER THE BLAK MARKETS
@ 22 LOWER FORT ST, DAWES POINT
20 SEPTEMBER
VEUVE CLICQUOT IN THE SUN HARBOUR CRUISE @ THE JACKSON SUPERYACHT
19 SEPTEMBER - 18 OCTOBER
WHITEFELLA YELLA TREE @ SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY
19-21 SEPTEMBER THE BIG DESIGN MARKET SYDNEY @ CARRIAGEWORKS
EVERY FRIDAY, 7AM THE RUN CLUB BARANGAROO @ HICKSON PARK
21 SEPTEMBER
CARMAN’S FUN RUN
@ DARLING ISLAND ROAD, PYRMONT
FROM 26 SEPTEMBER
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL @ SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE
UNTIL 19 OCTOBER
CERITH WYN EVANS EXHIBITION
@ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
october
4 OCTOBER
MIKE HEWSON - THE KEY’S UNDER THE MAT
@ ART GALLERY OF NSW - NAALA BADU
BUILDING
13-19 OCTOBER
SXSW SYDNEY 2025
@ MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
FROM 16 OCTOBER
WAR BRIDES, GROOMS AND BABIES
EXHIBITION
@ NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
25 OCTOBER
AUSTRALIA V INDIA - ODI SERIES
@ SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND
25 OCTOBER
INTERNATIONAL JAPANESE KIMONO COMPETITION
@ SYDNEY TOWN HALL
26 OCTOBER
CANCER COUNCIL NSW’S 7 BRIDGES WALK @ START FROM 6 VILLAGE LOCATIONS
31 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EV AUTOSHOW @ ICC SYDNEY
25 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER
ARTISANS IN THE GARDENS
@ THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney BOTANICGARDENS.ORG.AU
Experience Australia’s finest established and emerging artists and craftspeople, with over 3,000 works on display, including sculpture, ceramics, hand-blown glass, jewellery and textiles. For the first time, Artisans in the Gardens will span across two venues, Lion Gate Lodge and Victoria Lodge in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
4 NOVEMBER - EXPERIENCE MELBOURNE
CUP ON THE JACKSON SUPERYACHT
THEJACKSON.COM.AU
Leave the crowded city behind and experience race day aboard The Jackson, Australia’s most luxurious superyacht. You’ll cruise the world’s most beautiful Harbour in style for four hours with a three-course lunch designed by celeb chef Nelly Robinson, free-flowing Chandon, three big screens for the racing action, live entertainment and lots more from $250pp.
november
1 NOVEMBER
JOSH PYKE
@ CITY RECITAL HALL
EVERY TUESDAY, 7-11PM
MUSICAL BINGO AND $1 HOTDOGS
@ SODA FACTORY
EVERY TUESDAY, 7-9AM
CASUAL BADMINTON
@ KING GEORGE V RECREATION CENTRE
7 NOVEMBER - 14 DECEMBER
EDWARD ALBEE’S WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF
@ ROSLYN PACKER THEATRE
19 NOVEMBER - 7 DECEMBER
BELL SHAKESPEARE ROMEO & JULIET
@ SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
22 NOVEMBER
SYDNEY MALAYSIA FESTIVAL
@ TUMBALONG PARK, FREE
FROM 30 NOVEMBER
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL @ THEATRE ROYAL SYDNEY
SATURDAY + SUNDAY, 10AM-5PM
THE ROCKS MARKET
@ GEORGE ST, THE ROCKS
pick of the gigs
5 SEPTEMBER
ODD MOB
@ METRO THEATRE
13 SEPTEMBER
LEANN RIMES
@ ICC SYDNEY
20 SEPTEMBER
WUNDERHORSE
@ METRO THEATRE
10-11 OCTOBER
MARCIA SINGS SUMMER FEATURING
SPECIAL GUEST CASEY DONOVAN
@ SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
16-18 OCTOBER
LIME CORDIALE WITH THE SYDNEY
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
@ SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
24 OCTOBER
ROYEL OTIS
@ HORDERN PAVILION
24 OCTOBER
SAMARA JOY
@ CITY RECITAL HALL
8 NOVEMBER
THE CLOUDS
@ METRO THEATRE
9 NOVEMBER
CLIFF RICHARD
@ STATE THEATRE
18 NOVEMBER
WITCH (WE INTEND TO CAUSE HAVOC)
@ CITY RECITAL HALL
27 NOVEMBER
KAISER CHIEFS
@ HORDERN PAVILION
29 NOVEMBER
TIM MINCHIN
@ ICC SYDNEY
the bar RAISING
Meet the chef behind the menu at Henry Deane
Perched high above the sandstone terraces of Millers Point, Henry Deane, the rooftop lounge situated atop Hotel Palisade, delivers elevation in every sense. From the sweeping harbour views to inventive cocktails and an innovative food menu, the iconic venue has entered a bold new chapter to mark its 10th birthday with Head Chef, David McConaghie, and Head of Bars, Kau Sampaio (ex Four Seasons and Caterpillar Club) at the helm.
Since arriving in Sydney in late 2019, British-born McConaghie has risen through the ranks of the Henry Deane kitchen.
“WORKING THIS WAY FORCES YOU TO BE MORE CREATIVE”
His first menu in the top job is a confident reflection of his style, presenting Modern Australian dishes underpinned by classic techniques and layered with a variety of global influences.
“I’m originally from the UK but I grew up near Toulouse in the South of France and that’s where I started my career as a chef,” McConaghie says. “I’m classically trained and worked in traditional French bistros and fine dining venues for five years before arriving in Australia. That background influences everything I do.”
“The menu at Henry Deane is Modern Australian with strong classical techniques and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences,” he continues. “You’ll find classical methods in the sauces, desserts, or the base idea of a dish…such as a lavender crème
anglaise that accompanies a rhubarb crumble or a smoked mushroom broth paired with Jerusalem artichokes. I’ll use that solid foundation and inject it with Middle Eastern flavours through clever spice cookery, smoking or seasoning.”
Take the Chickpea Panisse with smoked carrot and macadamia feta, which sees the humble carrot given a 48-hour makeover - steamed, smoked, roasted, diced, marinated and seasoned to create a kind of tartare.
“I’ve loved vegetables since I was a kid,” McConaghie says. “Amazing farmers and good old Mother Nature result in incredible produce for us chefs to play with.”
Another dish on McConaghie’s inaugural food offering is the Jerusalem artichokes with smoked mushroom jus, cultured cream and guanciale. “They’re one of those underutilised ingredients with huge potential,” he says. “Rich, smoky, salty and packed with umami flavours but also creamy with a nice acidity to finish it off.”
McConaghie and Sampaio are passionate about sustainability, ensuring ingredients are maximised across the food and drinks menus.
“In every dish, there’s something leftover and we try to view that as a blank page,” McConaghie says. “There’s still so much flavour and potential in these ingredients. For example, when we make herb oils, we can use the leftover solids to season a marinade, puree or butter and rendered fats can be smoked to become dressings or emulsified into sauces. It’s about getting the absolute most out of every element and working this way forces you to be more creative.”
As well as David’s new dishes, there are 10 house cocktails to explore, which also support the sustainability goals. These include the Home Slice, made with Vegemite infused vodka and vanilla-charcoal syrup, and the Miss Marshie, which combines champagne from opened bottles usually headed for the bin with marshmallow syrup and a pineapple foam made using fish tank air pumps instead of gas.
“By utilising the same produce as the kitchen, the food and drinks speak to each other,” Sampaio says. “We’re taking guests on a sensory journey where their whole palate is activated.” l
Clockwise from far left: Spill The Tea - Johnnie Walker Black Label with home brew peach ice tea; a collection of dishes from the menu including the Chickpea Panisse with smoked carrot and macadamia feta; Head Chef David McConaghie; the view from the dining room; Raw Fish with coconut, green pepper oil and pickled cucumber.
foodie news
Discover these tasty little nuggets of newness just around the corner
Local eats and treats
TASTE LA DOLCE VITA AT BARANGAROO
Meet Gina, the new waterfront Italian restaurant bringing house-made pasta and sun-soaked Amalfi vibes to Barangaroo. The kitchen is led by Group Executive Chef Michael Chang (formerly Head Chef at hatted Maydanoz), alongside Sicilian-born Head Chef Giuseppe Pappalardo (ex-Molto Italian in Canberra). Together, the duo deliver a vibrant, seasonal spin on classic Italian flavours with a strong focus on house-made pasta, premium proteins and a rotating antipasti menu. Expect five freshly rolled pastas on the menu each day, from bucatini and calamarata to casarecce, pappardelle and Gina’s signature leek and ricotta-filled caramelle served with
brown butter, pictured. Seafood lovers can dive into the Moreton Bay Bug pappardelle with chilli oil and cherry tomato, while meatier options include a rich grass-fed lamb ragù and rosemary. The antipasti selection includes cold cuts sliced to order at the bar - think Girolamo wagyu bresaola, LP’s mortadella and wild venison and botanical gin salami, alongside share plates like scallop crudo with blood orange, sardine fritte with smoked salt and cod roe or calamari with soppressata and XO sauce. From the grill, a trio of steaks is available from just $35, each paired with jus and house-made mustard. Expect amore at first bite! l www.ginapastabar.com.au Shop 11/33 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
TAPAS TIME
6 Loftus Lane
Relive a Euro summer in a CBD laneway at Sydney’s first Basque-style pintxos bar. The award-winning Deux Frères is serving up a selection of bite-sized delights including $6 gildas, pictured, and a selection of tapas such as sliced to order jamón, black truffle Manchego, patatas bravas and dishes cooked on the Hibachi grill.
BITE SIZE BRILLIANCE
10 Bridge Street
CHILL YO’SELF OUT
Dixon House, 413 Sussex St, Haymarket Froyo is back and it’s had a flavour makeover at OH MY YO. Run by Howin Chui, who is behind Master Cow Hot Pot in World Square, and Executive Chef Zac Ng, owner of the hatted Restaurant Ka, frozen yoghurt comes in a rotating range of flavours including boozy Moutai, soy sauce, matcha, avocado, yuzu lemon, chocolate, strawberry, plain and more, with 22 self-serve topping choices.
Discover fine dining without the price tag at Ette. Enjoy complimentary house made focaccia and olive oil on arrival and select from their signature “snackEtte” menu, a unique take on shareable, flavour-forward dishes all priced at $9.50 and served to the table in under five minutes. Think pork crackling with spiced apple dipping sauce, sashimi mosaic with nori wasabi and tuna tartare with Calabrian chilli and whipped avocado. Want something more substantial? Rotating Land, Sea, and Grain specials form a compact main menu with each dish priced at just $39. Recent dishes have included fish of the day, served with yuzu beurre blanc and sea greens and Coq au Vin with pancetta, silver skin onions and shimeji mushroom.
A ONE DISH WONDER
24 York Street
There’s no food order FOMO at 24 York from Hunter St. Hospitality, which serves up just one main dish: steak frites. For $48, you’ll dine on a 220g MB2+ scotch fillet, the same cut used at Rockpool Melbourne, served with beef-tallow fries and a choice of chimichurri, peppercorn, veal jus or umami butter. It’s a sharp return to simple, well-executed dining with no QR codes, no 12-page menus, just steak done properly. There’s one side on offer, an $8 crisp green salad and mustard dressing, and dessert is similarly singular with a $12 slice of New York cheesecake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
FOODIE NEWS
AFTERNOON DELIGHT
6 Cowper Wharf Roadway
Dive into Dolce & Mare, Ovolo Woolloomooloo’s new high tea that’s a delicious tribute to Italian-Australian heritage by the sea. Think mini lobster brioche rolls, Sicilian swordfish croquettes and sweet treats like Limoncello ricotta cake. Pair your feast with specialty tea, Italian prosecco or Veuve Clicquot. Served at Bar Woolloomooloo, this two-hour indulgence runs Thursday to Saturday at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm - from $89pp.
TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD @HOME
Paddo’s beloved Tequila Mockingbird is spreading its wings and bringing their bold South American flavours straight to the CBD. The new Tequila Mockingbird Takeaway brings taco boxes, empanadas, tostadas, mains and desserts as well as shake-it-yourself cocktails (hello margaritas!) to your doorstep. So whether it’s lunch with a twist or dinner for two, dining in just got spicier! Available for pickup from Paddington or delivery to 12 city suburbs. Head to www.tequila-mockingbird.com.au/takeaway to find out more and to order.
IT’S A SCOOP
Shop 9, 31-33 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour Supermodel Tyra Banks’ ice cream store, SMiZE and DREAM, is now open in Darling Harbour. Chill out with flavours including Tyra’s Favorite - salted caramel butter and butter-roasted pecans; and Darling Harbour Dream - lemon-kissed ice cream with chunks of housemade shortbread biscuits and swirls of blueberry jam.
OOH LA LOULOU!
1 Elizabeth Street
Enjoy a taste of a joie de vivre at Etymon’s Loulou Bistro in the CBD. The two-level Parisienne restaurant is the sister venue to Loulou Milsons Point and features both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace overlooking Elizabeth Street. Enjoy a buttery caramelised brioche at breakfast or indulge in the iconic John Dory with sauce Champagne for lunch and dinner. Don’t miss L’Apéro happy hour from 4-7pm, with $2 escargots, $2 oysters and signature cocktails like the Kir Royale made with house-made cassis. Salut!
four of the best sandos
POLLO: POACHED CHICKEN, WALDORF SALAD AND ICEBERG ON HOUSEMADE SLICED SOURDOUGH, $19 FIORE SANDWICH 151 Clarence Street fioresandwich.com
NONNA’S POLPETTE: BEEF MEATBALLS, NAPOLETANA SAUCE, PARMESAN AND HOUSE-MADE PESTO, $19 LA PANINERIA
Curtin Place, 280 George Street lapanineria.com.au
MIDNIGHT IN HAVANA: LEFTOVER ROTISSERIE PORCHETTA, HAM, SWISS CHEESE, ZUCCHINI PICKLES, MUSTARD ON A POTATO ROLL, $19
A.P QUAY
Entrance on Young Street, Quay Quarter apbakery.com.au
SALAD SANDWICH: CUCUMBER, TOMATO, BEETROOT, CARROTS, ALFALFA, MONSTER MAYO AND VINTAGE CHEDDAR, $16
JUNE’S SHOPPE 60 Carrington Street junes.com.au
PUZZLES with Quizmaster Clay
The Sydney Quiz
1. What is currently the tallest building in Sydney?
2. In what year did Sydney host the Summer Olympics?
3. Which island in Sydney Harbour is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
4. How long did it take to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge? 8, 10 or 15 years. Bonus point for the year it opened.
5. Sydney’s oldest pub, The Fortune of War in The Rocks, started trading in which year? 1818, 1828 or 1838?
6. How many stops are there on the City Circle rail line?
7. Which tech giant opened a major flagship store on George Street in 2015, drawing huge crowds?
8. Which American talk show host famously filmed segments from the Sydney Opera House during her 2010 Australian tour?
SUDOKU Slot the numbers 1 to 9 into every horizontal line, vertical row and 3 x 3 square.
Wordsearch
Find the below Sydney park names in the grid. Words may be found going forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.
Ted the Puggle chats to threeand-a-half-year-old Ginny the Sheepadoodle about a shock harbourside discovery...
‘You never know what
someone might leave behind!’
TED: You’ve been through a bit of an ordeal recently Ginny. What happened?
GINNY: I’d just finished my morning scamper around Bradfield Park and was heading to get a drink at the water fountain by Jeffrey Street Wharf, when I smelled something yummy. Human poo! Even better than seagull poo I reckon. I started eating it and my humans, Neil and Katie, were very, very, verrrrry cross. They rinsed my mouth several times but little did we know, there was some really nasty stuff in what I’d eaten.
T: What happened next Ginny?
G: Well, I didn’t feel too great after we got home–I usually have a big drink of water after a walk, but I was too tired to do anything but collapse on my bed. My pawrents took my heart rate and even though I was panting it was much slower than usual. Worst of all, I wasn’t interested in treats, even my faves held right under my nose!
Here’s me chilling out at home. I mostly sleep when my paw-rents are out and I’m always really excited to see them when they get back. Couch pup-tato
T: I bet you gave your pawrents a fright!
G: They were incredibly worried, especially when I wouldn’t even move my head for kangaroo jerky. So they called my vet, Crystal at Pet Medical Milsons Point, described my symptoms and told her what I’d eaten. She said immediately ‘that sounds like marijuana poisoning’ and to bring me in as soon as possible. I couldn’t stand up anymore at this point, so Neil, had to carry all 23kg of me to the car, even though we live very close to the vet.
T: What treatment did you have?
G: Everyone was incredible. They quickly gave me something to make me vomit and tested my pee for multiple drugs to see what exactly I’d ingested. Turns out, not only was there marijuana but cocaine as well!
Pet Medical did everything they could to get the drugs out of my system as quickly as possible. In addition to an emetic, I had an enema and a special injection to bind with the drugs and get them out of my blood.
T: How are you feeling now?
G: I’m fully recovered and back to my usual energetic self! I had to take it easy (no scampering) and eat chicken and pumpkin for a few days while my tummy settled down. But it’s never a bad day when I get chicken and my humans paid even more attention to me than usual, which was great.
Feeling paw-some
Me scampering through the park and feeling lots better.
I love my walkies and am now really good at ‘leave it.’
I also went back to the vet for a blood test to make sure the treatment hadn’t affected my insides and thankfully it was all clear.
T: Sounds like you gave everyone a shock Ginny! Now you’re feeling better, where are your fave places for walkies?
G: Most days I get some energy out running after a ball in Bradfield Park before settling down for a well-behaved walk. We follow the boardwalk around Lavender Bay to Wendy Whiteley’s Garden or we’ll head to Mary Booth Lookout and home via Admiralty House. My bestie is Bruce, @brucetheaussiesheepadoodle. We go to each other’s house or meet up in the park. When we first see each other, we go crazy, chasing, rumbling and wrestling! It’s chaos but unmistakably joyful - the kind of wild, tumbling fun only besties understand.
T: What advice would you give to doggos looking for sneaky snackies in the park?
G: Well, my experience is a reminder that you never know what someone might leave behind and that it might have something in it that could be very bad for you. I’m not allowed off leash where picnickers have been now and my humans and I have been practicing ‘leave it’ a lot – just in case. People leave chicken bones and fish hooks on the foreshore without thinking about us doggies, so humans always need to keep a close eye on the ground. ●
Animal MATTERS
with Pet Medical Milsons Point’s Dr Jo-Ann Chan BVSc
Providing veterinary care with love and compassion.
To see more of Ginny’s adventures go to Instagram @sydneysheepadoodle
We all know dogs love a good sniff and snuffle, but not everything in the bushes is as innocent as it seems. From mystery snacks, like the one Ginny found, to spiky plants poking eyes or causing allergies and grass seeds which burrow into ears and paws. From swollen paws packed with sharp, sneaky seeds, painful red eyes from scratchy twigs and plenty of ‘what did they just eat!?’ moments, we’ve seen it all here at Pet Medical Milsons Point.
But if your dog seems itchy, sniffly or sore, simply pop by the clinic. Our team have lots of treats on hand and we’re always happy to help. Snout
So next time your pup dives into a shrub or seems overly fixated with something on the foreshore, channel your inner detective. A quick call of their name or a strict ‘leave it’ might save you both some trouble.
Honorary President of Lifeline International, John Brogden
Answering
THE CALL
Marking World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, citysider speaks to Honorary President of Lifeline International, John Brogden, about hope, healing and helping others stay alive
This feature discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
In Australia, 3300 people die by suicide each year. That’s nine people - seven men and two women - every day. Twenty years ago, John Brogden could have been one of them.
In 2005, the then NSW Liberal Party Leader survived a suicide attempt following the sudden implosion of his political career. Today, the Sydneysider is one of the country’s fiercest advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
“In the past two decades, we’ve seen an extraordinary improvement in public
“WE HAVE TO THINK OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE SAME WAY WE THINK OF PHYSICAL HEALTH”
understanding of mental illness and of suicide,” John tells citysider. “We’ve come a long way and I think we talk about mental illness more openly, and certainly with a lot more compassion. We have to think of mental health in the same way we think of physical health. It’s as normal to have a mental illness as it is to have, say, a heart condition. It’s another physical illness of the body that just happens to be in the brain.”
“Suicide remains a very difficult topic to talk about - it probably always will be,” he continues. “But there’s much more awareness of suicide and the importance and the need for suicide prevention. We don’t want to normalise suicide. We don’t want people to take their own life. We want them to stay alive. We want them to get through those dark periods and still be here.”
Chair of Lifeline Australia, the nation’s suicide prevention support charity, from
2012 to 2021, Brogden went on to become Chair, and now Honorary President, of the charity’s global arm, Lifeline International.
The organisation’s mission is simple and powerful: to listen without judgment, connect with those experiencing personal crisis and empower them to stay alive.
“Suicide rates are very stubborn in Australia,” John continues. “They’re not dropping and they’re actually growing among older Australians, older men in particular. At Lifeline, we believe every suicide is preventable with the right sort of support at the right time for somebody who’s in crisis.”
Despite growing awareness, many people feel unsure of how to help someone in distress.
“It’s not an easy conversation to have,” John admits. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. But all our research shows the best way to approach someone you’re concerned about is to ask directly ‘Are you suicidal? Do you want to kill yourself?’ For many people that is an incredibly difficult thing to say to somebody, even if they’re a close friend. But what we’ve seen is rather than tiptoe around the subject, people will respond to that direct question.”
“You don’t have to be a heart surgeon to help somebody who’s had a heart attack, nor do you have to be a psychiatrist to help somebody who’s suicidal,” he continues. “You take them to an emergency department, you ring Triple 0, you ring Lifeline, you put your phone on speaker, you stay with them. That’s the most important thing. You’ve got to stay with them to get them through. Lifeline is like a paramedic - we’re there to save your life and get you to treatment.”
“LIFELINE IS LIKE A PARAMEDIC - WE’RE THERE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE AND GET YOU TO TREATMENT”
Brogden reflects candidly on the personal circumstances that led to his lowest point, and the growth that’s followed.
“I was extremely ambitious as a young man,” he says, recalling his political rise. Elected to Parliament at 27, he became Leader of the NSW Opposition on his 33rd birthday in 2002, the youngest person ever to lead a major political party in Australia. But in 2005, after making offensive comments in a bar following a function, Brogden’s political career rapidly unravelled. Facing a storm of media attention and personal turmoil, he resigned as party leader, and, soon after, attempted to take his own life.
“My career - and back then I believed that my career was everything - was over...I was depressed, disgraced, ashamed and sorry for what I’d done,” John says. “I convinced myself that to kill myself was not just the only thing to do, but the best thing to do. To take away the shame and burden from the people who loved, cared for and supported me. I thank God I survived.”
“For me, those achievements were never good enough,” he admits. “I was always focussed on what’s next...my biggest piece of advice to myself back then, and what I try to do now, is to stop to smell the roses. Most things you do in life have stress attached. It’s how you handle that stress. And I think part of that is stopping to realise you’re going OK.”
“I still have downs from time to time,” John continues. “I’m medicated. I go to counselling once a week, sometimes twice. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll probably live my life with depression and suicidal ideation…particularly when something personal goes wrong or my reputation is challenged, I can go to a very dark place very quickly. But I know how to recognise that now. You’ve got to learn to live with it, I think it’s very important. I don’t live through it. I think it’s got to be part of you, not all of you.”
“The
anonymity of texting is powerful”
Sonny is a Digital Crisis Support Volunteer for Lifeline’s Text and Online Chat Service
In early 2021, I lost a close friend to suicide. A few months later, I took part in the Push-Up Challenge, 3,000 push-ups in a month to honour lives lost. Inspired to do more, when I saw Lifeline was recruiting Digital Crisis Support Volunteers, I applied. I was approved in October that same year and I’ve been volunteering ever since.
I balance the role with my full-time job, usually doing early shifts from 6-10am. All my interactions are through text messages
John now uses his experience as a way to connect with others.
“People often come up to me after events or in the street and share their stories and it’s like we share a language,” he says. “I see them open up and I think it instantly allows you to have a more intimate conversation because they know you will understand what they’ve been through.”
“They will tell me they’ve called Lifeline,” John continues. “And when I ask them about that, the first thing they all say is ‘they listened.’ In many senses it’s extraordinary that at the darkest point in your life you’d ring a complete stranger. But it’s because you can’t speak to anyone else. And you know you’ll be listened to, anonymously and without judgement.”
Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line, along with text and digital services, are available 24/7, answered by highly trained volunteers at over 40 Member Centres across the country.
“We’re lucky to have Lifeline in Australia with over 10,000 volunteers answering more than a million calls and around 100,000 texts every year,” John says. “So many countries don’t have a resource like Lifeline, or they have a very small helpline with limited funding and only a handful of volunteers. And around 40 countries still consider suicide a crime. There are lots of opportunities for Lifeline International to make
which are displayed on a computer screen.
Even after all the training, it was very confronting to read messages saying ‘I want to die’. But the more I’ve done this role, the more strength and purpose I’ve found. The anonymity of texting is powerful and people can message from wherever they are – libraries, workplaces, parks - without worrying about being overheard. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to listen to someone and help them shift from despair to a place where they feel heard. ●
lasting positive change and prevent suicide all across the world.”
At the end of last year, Brogden released Profiles In Hope, a book sharing the lived experiences of 15 people who’ve faced mental health struggles and suicide, ranging from everyday Aussies to world champion surfer Layne Beachley and media mogul James Packer. All royalties from the sale of the book go directly to Lifeline.
“I was lucky to interview extraordinary people,” John says. “Some of them are famous, others you’ve never heard of. I really wanted that mix because it doesn’t matter where you come from or how much privilege you have, you can still be suicidal or have mental illness. Stories of hope encourage others to reach out for help, they save lives, because they show that it’s possible to come back from the darkest place. There is always hope even when you feel most hopeless.”
“The reality is that with compassion, help, support and love, suicide is largely preventable,” Brogden concludes. “No matter how dark life gets or how hopeless things seem, no human is beyond repair. There’s always a way back.” ●
Profiles in Hope by John Brogden, Hachette, is available at all good bookshops.
To find out about fundraising or becoming a Lifeline volunteer, head to lifeline.org.au
CITY INSIDER
Gemmologist and Director of Sovereign, Susie, has worked in Sydney CBD since last century!
My favourite place for coffee is… Edition Roasters on George Street. Their coffee is great and I love their delicious banana bread with miso butter.
I’ve been working in town for so long that it’s hard to pick my favourite meal ever but I always enjoy going to…Regazzi, Leo and Spice Temple.
If I want to have a wine, I go to…Fix Wine on Elizabeth Street. The wine list is great and I’ll sit at the window table and watching the world go by.
My top three favourite shops/services in the area are…SpaQ at the QT Hotel for a real treat; Incu in the Galeries which has such an interesting selection of clothes; and Haigh’s chocolate which needs no explanation!
My fave lunchtime takeaway is…Fiore Sandwich on Clarence
If I feel like a cocktail, I go to… Cantina OK! I love a margarita and they have an extensive tequila and mezcal collection.
Street. I’ve tried a few delicious things but can’t go past their mortadella roll.
My ideal day in the area would consist of…a walk over the Bridge and back via the Botanic Gardens, followed by a couple of hours at SpaQ followed by a glass of bubbles.
The event that keeps me in the city after work is… Vivid. The whole city becomes so colourful and it looks stunning from both sides of the harbour.
If I’ve got guests in town, I’ll take them…for a walk through the Botanic Gardens and around the Opera House. It never fails to impress!
My favourite walk in the area is…through the park at Barangaroo and around the foreshore. The laneways that wind around the new buildings filter out onto the harbour and are lined with lots of places to stop for a drink or bite to eat.
The secret spot I love to go to in the city is…Observatory Hill. The views over the harbour are amazing.
The thing about the city area I love the most is… that it’s filled with people from everywhere coming together to enjoy such a lively, bustling place.
The three words I’d use to describe Sydney CBD are… energetic, colourful and character- lled
