I mentioned last newsletter the joy it brings when an unassuming restaurant is an absolute banger. It’s just such a delight, right? And Freda’s Bistro in Fitzroy is another spot that 100 per cent ticks that box. Serving up beautiful, European-centric food, with a ‘feed me’ option that I highly recommend (and no need to be disappointed when you see it coming with a main of chicken rather than the duck - it is VERY good), with an excellent wine list and cocktails. Plus! You can always judge a bar or restaurant by the strength of its martini (is a rule I just made up) and this was a good ‘un. I had such a great night here with a group of mates a few weeks back - it was a simple but wonderful meal. What Frida’s does, it does very well. Head here for your next spesh occasion - it’s perfect for a big group, or an intimate catch up. Just sit back, and let an excellent meal and excellent evening unfold.
read
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This series is hardly a new one, I know - it’s been on my must-read pile for a bit now. But I’m SO glad I finally got to it. The Thursday Murder Club absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s the most charming book I’ve read in a long time, plus - it’s full of murder! What else could you want in a novel? And I must say, Richard Osman is a genius for employing residents of an aged care home as our heroes. Because when you think about it (and I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve thought about it), who better to make up a crack team of crime-solvers than a group of people with more life experience than any of us, a nothing-to-lose mindset, and a whole heap of time on their hands? Really, never has a crime novel been so damn endearing. I’m head over heels for Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron - and I’m so, so happy there are three more books in this series. Perfect holiday read, perfect weekend read, perfect beach read.
watch
The Greatest Night in Pop on Netflix
WELL, if this ain’t just a great ol’ time wrapped up in a doco. I must admit, I’ve never dedicated a huge amount of thought to We Are The World (the song, nor the logistics it must have taken to make it happen). How naive I’ve been! Because think about it - how the honest hell do you even get Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Tina Turner amongst so, so many others in one recording studio at one time? Not to mention the pressure of recording a seven minute long track (did you remember it’s a seven minute long song? I didn’t!) on a wildly tight timeline? As it happens, only Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones are capable of making that happen, and what a wonderful story it makes. Come for the pure surrealism of seeing so many superstars in one room, and stay for the charm as they figure out how to work with each other across varying genres, vocal ranges and egos. And get starstruck by each other! Can you imagine! Such a great watch for a cosy night in.
listen
Lavender Days by Caamp
Mmm… sweet, folky goodness. Caamp are such a dependable and delightful band, and Lavender Days is no exception. The 2022 album from the American trio is such a gorgeous listen, chock-a-block full of feelings - and I mean that in the best way. Like, at the risk of sounding totally saccharine, if you could bottle a crisp Autumn day into music, this record is what you’d end up with. I highly recommend giving it a spin on a lazy weekend afternoon, or alternatively if you’d like to inject some romance into your work day (and I, for one, am constantly trying to romanticise various parts of my life - WFH days included). My favourite tracks, for what’s it worth, are Come With Me Now, The Otter and Snowshoes - but the whole thing’s a dream. These lads know what they’re doing - this one’s going to be on high rotation for a while, I reckon.
Lots of feel-good indie tunes in this month’s mix, with a bit of Beyonce, some 80s and a dance break thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!
Stay good,
Lisa xx
I've had The Thursday Murder Club on my TBR for an age too, AND own the next two books in the series, oops... I'm glad Richard Osman's writing career has taken off but I do miss him on Pointless. And putting Freda’s Bistro on the list, stat.