cocktails around town, soup 101 and a love letter to TV

Aug 02, 2023

Lucky ol’ me has had a very tasty, very indulgent month. (You’ve got to balance out the grim middle section of winter somehow.) So in no particular order, here are my top five gastronomic highlights…

Let’s start with a Shiraz Gin Sour at the super cute Gracie in Hardware Lane. I’m struggling to think of a more delicious (and perfectly pink) way to kick off an evening. My personal recommendation: sandwich a stop at Gracie between a long day at work, and a big Italian dinner. Oh! Speaking of…

When a midweek pasta craving pops up (as they so often do), The Hardware Club ticks that box beautifully. Cosy vibes, lovely service, good food, great wine… what else is there to say? Such a treat.

We’re six newsletters in, so I know you know my feelings by now on both martinis, and The Everleigh. So just imagine my pure, unbridled delight at their recent addition of a weekday martini service, featuring a carafe for two (at least, that’s the recommended serving size), served on ice, with choice of garnishes. Heaven. Just heaven. Heaven! (And also, dangerously good value.)

How about we keep the martini theme going? So I absolutely love going somewhere for the first time and getting straight into the house martini. It tells you a lot about a place. And I believe Henry Sugar was telling me, ‘we’re down for a good time’. Me too, Henry Sugar, me too!

Lastly, I’m afraid I have to bring the tone down a notch. I have to admit that I’ve committed a crime, actually. You see, I’ve lived in Melbourne for six and a half years now and have only just been to La Tortilleria for the first time. I know, I know! But look, it’s been rectified, and I’m more than on board. The tacos, the quesedillas, the margaritas - just gorgeous.

watch

Barbie

It’s hardly a sleeper hit, but I couldn’t not mention Barbie. It’s been taking up a very significant amount of real estate in my brain. You know when you get your hopes up SO high for something? You’ve been anticipating it for so long, and you’ve placed the bar as high as you can reach? Well, how often does that thing go ahead and surpass your lofty expectations? I’m wagering not very often at all. We’re so lucky to have been treated to this wonderful, pink, silly, clever, camp, thoughtful, over-the-top, brilliant movie. Greta for President and Gosling for the Oscar.

make

Red Lentil Soup by the Kitchn

Here’s what I’m proposing: take this simple, straightforward soup recipe and do whatever the hell you want with it. I’m calling it - it’s un-mess-up-able. Take whatever veggies you’ve got, add whatever spices you fancy, throw in water or stock or coconut milk or whatever your heart and/ or stomach desires. For example, I added a bunch of spices like turmeric and coriander, and used a litre of chicken stock. I also gave it a good blitz at the end so it was nice and velvet-y. The bare bones of a very reliable soup recipe are here, so go forth and make the meal of your winter dreams (or just empty out whatever’s sitting at the bottom of your fridge).

watch

History of the Sitcom on SBS On Demand

Gosh, I just love television so much. Particularly, television that makes you happy. And usually, that means sitcom. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to double down and spend a week working my way through this eight part docu-series about the history of the humble sitcom. The way they reflect what’s happening in society at a certain time… and the way they allow us to escape what’s happening in society at a certain time. Working women, divorced families, racial tension, religion, sexuality, you name it… it’s all played out on the ever-growing screens in our living rooms. As someone who grew up on Get Smart and Bewitched just as much as Friends and How I Met Your Mother (thanks Dad, and thank you re-runs), this was so up my alley. Watch for equal parts nostalgia, warmth and education.

Lots of low key, easy tunes in the mix for ya this month. Listening back, I can’t help but notice the way it gradually turns into the kind of playlist made by someone who desperately wishes she was on a tropical island holiday. But not to worry, it absolutely works for cosy winter evenings in with a red wine as well. Enjoy!