Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, read, be merry.
EAT: Yum Cha Saturdays at Hanoi Hannah
In 2018, Melburnians embraced a Yum Cha free-for-all at Hanoi Hannah’s Richmond outpost as an alternative to the typical weekend brunching routine. Now, Hanoi Hannah Volume 2 will bring the feasting series back for a second season of limitless fishbowl cocktails and moreish share plates.
Punters are encouraged to flock to Hanoi’s Elsternwick outpost in good company between 12.30pm – 2.30pm on Saturdays to indulge in a relay of Viet-style dishes. The rotating menu nods to yum cha staples while infusing the fresh flavours of Vietnam, with prices ranging from $6 and $12.
The volley of yum cha on offer includes:
– Slices of dry-aged roast duck
– Pho coun – lemongrass beef and thai basil wrapped in rice noodle sheets
– Salt ‘n’ pepper squid with kaffir lime salt and nouc mam (dipping sauce)
– Mini rice paper rolls
– Chicken and lemongrass steamed buns
Because Yum Cha wouldn’t be complete without some boozy libations, diners can sip on bottomless fishbowls of AO / Adults Only Ice Tea (spiced rum, fresh orange, green tea, Vietnamese mint) and a caffeinated Loaded Viet Coffee Fishbowl (Bacardi Gold Rum, frozen Vietnamese coffee, condensed milk) for $30 per person.
Yum Cha Saturdays is running now, with sessionable sips and smashable plates to cap the week off with in the heart of Elsternwick.
For more info and bookings, please click here.
DRINK: Houghton Reserve’s New Award Winning (And Super Affordable) Premium Wine Range
Known for its rich history and generations of winemaking craftsmanship, iconic Western Australia winery Houghton is introducing a new contemporary range to its stable of award-winning premium wines, Houghton Reserve, and relaunching the exceptional Houghton Wisdom range with a new label and varietal, Pinot Noir.
The Houghton Reserve range epitomises Western Australia’s signature varietals and features a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc at a RRP of $14.99. The Houghton Wisdom range highlights the unique characters of Western Australia’s finest sub-regions and includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at a RRP of $40.
For a premium quality drop that is effortless to enjoy, Houghton Reserve is the perfect place to start. The Reserve Shiraz is fresh, bright and peppery while the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon promises a full-flavoured red wine with distinctive varietal characteristics of cassis, black olive and blackberry. The Reserve Chardonnay is a fresh and fruit-driven wine displaying beautiful stone fruit and citrus on the palate complemented by subtle oak influences. Alternatively, the Reserve Sauvignon Blanc welcomes a vibrant and juicy palate with flavours of blackcurrant, lime segments and zesty pink grapefruit. The Reserve range label also features an embellished golden swan, which is a nod to Houghton’s origins in the Upper Swan region of Western Australia.
For more information on Houghton Wines, visit www.houghton-wines.com.au
BUY: Bohemian Skin
Australian skincare brand, Bohemian Skin, have developed a trusty range of skincare products that we can rely on throughout our lives. From combating acne during puberty, to pregnancy-related skincare concerns, to skin ageing later in life; the ethical team at Bohemian Skin have developed a cruelty free, chemically free, no fuss skincare range that’s perfect for all skin types – from sensitive to acne prone. Suitable for use throughout our entire life-cycle (even during breast-feeding!), Bohemian Skin have pioneered a range of natural and vegan friendly skincare products that will revolutionise the way you think about skincare.
The Bohemian Skin journey began when Australian, Morgan Littler, was constantly on the hunt for holy-grail beauty products after battling common skin troubles but felt that she was compromising her general health by using the chemically-infused skincare products widely available in Australia. After falling pregnant in 2015, Morgan had more to protect that just herself. It was then that her passion and obsession with safe and and natural skincare amplified. After searching tirelessly for a skincare regime suitable and effective during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, Morgan began formulating ideas for her ideal skincare product range and with the encouragement of her husband, Keenan, and the support of a team of ethical cosmetic, bio and quality control chemists – the Bohemian Skin journey began. Launching in April 2016, Bohemian Skin was proudly one of the first brands in Australia to market their range as pregnancy suitable. Containing only good ingredients that look after yourself, Bohemian Skin also looks after others by donating 10cents from every product sale to the very worthy charity PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Association). Boasting a gorgeous range of gentle, yet incredibly effective products, Bohemian Skin has revolutionised the standard skincare regime by providing a range that works for every body, for life!
The lush range of pregnancy-suitable products provided by Bohemian Skin include a Gel Cleanser (150ml, $32 RRP) that promotes clarity and youthfulness with hero ingredients of hempseed oil, coconut water, witch hazel and lactic acid; a safe and natural Purifying Toner (200ml, $28 RRP) that assists in the removal of blemish causing bacteria while refining pores and balancing PH levels to reveal a clarified and radiant complexion; a nourishing Facial Moisturiser (100ml, $37 RRP) that promotes clarity and hydration without leaving skin feeling greasy or shiny; a Rejuvenating HY C Serum (30ml, $52 RRP) that fights free radical damage and encourages cell renewal; a Bright Eyes Cream (15ml, $34 RRP) that brightens, firms, hydrated and nourishes the eye area; a Spot Assist Treatment (15ml, $32 RRP) to banish blemishes and includes a colloidal sulphur that boasts anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in drawing out impurities and cleansing pores; and a hydrating Facial Mask (150ml, $32 RRP) that contains kaolin clay as a natural, gentle exfoliant that purifies pores, removes excess oil and evens skin tone.
To find out more about the range, please click here.
TRY: Love Your Guts’ Krauts & Kefirs
Love Your Guts, a wholesome brand offering pure Tasmanian produce at its bacterial best, introduces a trio of bespoke fermented foods and a five-flavour range of Water Kefir – Kombucha’s much cuter cousin.
Love Your Guts Co manufactures Water Kefir, Sauerkraut and Kimchi in interesting and delicious flavours using locally sourced, sustainable Tasmanian produce in a small town called Quioba in the isle’s north west.
Crafted in small batches by fermentation master Caleb Robertson, Love Your Guts makes pure fermented foods that are not only delicious but truly beneficial for your belly. The products use no artificial flavours, no dilution, and contain simple, organic ingredients wherever possible.
Caleb was following his parent’s footsteps as a natural therapist in their thriving clinic in our most southern state when he noticed a distinct lack of good quality fermented foods in the market, despite its well-documented influence on promoting a healthy gut microbiome and wellbeing. He began sharing his own homemade Sauerkraut and Water Kefir with clients and his recipes were an instant hit – and so, Love Your Guts Co was born.
The brand’s popularity has since grown exponentially, with a suite of five Water Kefir flavours and three bespoke Sauerkraut and Kimchi flavours now available nationwide.
For more info on the range, including stockists, please visit http://loveyourguts.co/
VISIT: The AGL Perfect Light Film Festival
The AGL Perfect Light Film Festival will be held in Broken Hill from Friday 1 November to Sunday 3 November. The entire Festival program is FREE to attend.
The Festival kicks off with a launch at Silver City Cinema on the Friday night featuring the NSW premiere screening of the Australian made documentary SUZI Q. SUZI Q is the definitive, unexpurgated story of the girl from Detroit City who redefined the role and image of women in rock’n’roll when she broke through around the world in 1973. The screening will be followed by drinks and nibbles and a Q&A with the films Executive Producer Adam La Rosa. This is open to everyone and is free to attend.
Then on Saturday November 2, more than 1,500 people are expected to attend the festival’s FREE public, outdoor screening in Sturt Park. Bring a rug, some friends and enjoy 15 short films all judged live on the night by a panel of celebrity judges, awarding monetary prizes. The Festival will feature Broken Hill Primary School films and the announcement and screening of the Broken Hill Art Exchange AGL Desert Equinox winners! A special twilight market will also join the Festival in Sturt Park on the night. Celebrity judges include NITV Editor Rhanna Collins, The Living Room’s Barry du Bois and actor Firass Dirani.
The Sunday features a free filmmaking symposium, supported by the Foundation Broken Hill and RUOK held at the Broken Hill Civic Centre. This is a perfect opportunity for established and aspiring filmmakers to learn more about the industry from established professionals in the field.
For more information including a detailed three-day program visit www.perfectlightfilmfestival.com.au.
READ: The Essential Guide To Fun Travel On A Budget – Australia Free 3
Planning an Aussie road trip this summer? Don’t know how you are going to afford it? Australia Free 3 can help. This book is the result of seven years of independent travel and research by author Mike Koch, and is the latest edition of Australia’s best guide on fun travel in Australia on a budget. Other books simply show you where to rest up or camp: half of Australia Free’s content is actually about making the best use of your time once you get there.
Or, if apps are more your thing, there is a recently updated Australia Free app available on iTunes or Google Play for only $5.99, which will save many headaches caused by “What-can-we-do-now-I’m-bored?” syndrome.
Listed, with photographs, are hundreds of free-access swimming spots, waterfalls and beaches, hundreds of free-to-enter museums, hundreds of free-access walks and lookouts, hundreds of free-access parks, gardens and opportunities for wildlife interaction, plus over 1500 of the best free roadside rest areas and camping spots.
This guide is so easy to use – arrive anywhere, find it on the map and refer to the dots that are all the things to see and do all around that area. No need to collect two hundred brochures or for everyone to be buried in their phones trying to figure out what to do. Just see it on the map and do it.
This book is perfect for young families or older retirees on their great Aussie road trips, or of course backpackers looking to see what this amazing country has to offer without blowing their limited budget! All states are covered and many are hidden spots that only the locals know.
The hardcover, spiral bound, 460 page book is in all good bookstores and online at Booktopia www.booktopia.com.au for $55 RRP.
