For one of the year’s shorter months, it feels like June has taken a lot longer than its prescribed 30. It might have something to do with being busy, but I wonder if it’s that final climb uphill to the middle of the year before we hurtle down towards 2027.
There’s definitely something to be said for the massive variety of weather we’ve had in Sydney – everything from freezing cold evenings to gloriously warm days to torrential rain.
At least the days are getting longer from now on.
This month, we’ve had plenty to do; a trip to Tasmania, a stay in the city, a new rooftop bar unlocked, friends visiting, Vivid ending, lots of live stuff (bands, theatre, musicals), and of course the World Cup starting in Mexico, Canada and the USA.
Lots to talk about, so let’s get cracking!
we hope you enjoy this Flavour of the Month of June.
Cheers – Jim & Christina xx
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We haven’t been down to Tasmania for absolutely ages. I just wish the reason for our trip was for happier reasons. Unfortunately though, we’re here for a funeral. Our wonderful friend Sharon’s mum sadly passed away last week and we’re here to give the family whatever support we can and to say goodbye to lovely Pat.
She will be very much missed.
But Pat wouldn’t want us to just sit and be maudlin about things, so we do the right thing and check out as many breweries, distilleries, pie shops and cafes as we can while we’re here.
First stop is the excellent Island State Brewery in Devonport, where I get amongst a very fancy looking tasting paddle while we catch up with poor Sharon.
We also head out of Devonport to explore a bit more of Tasmania’s north. On Sharon’s family’s recommendations, we head northwest to Atrium Cafe, which is part of The Cove Tasmania – a very flash-looking hotel.
The cafe turns into the hotel‘s restaurant Basalt in the evening, but during the day, this clifftop venue looks out over the raging seas of the Bass Strait while wooly goats weather the rain.
We sit and enjoy the view and one of the tastiest cheese and pastrami toasties we’ve had in ages.
Next, we pop into the town of Ulverstone for a scallop pie. The family have recommended Oliver’s Bakery here, which I’ve already scoped out. It’s a chain, but only here in Tas and it’s very popular with the locals. The pies are excellent – we go for one curry, one mornay. We’re impressed with the scrupulous guarantee of at least five scallops per pie here.
Under Sharon’s orders, we head next to Spreyton and its eponymous cider brewery. The tasting paddle is definitely the way to go – especially as it comes with a pint of your choosing once you’ve finished the paddle. What a good idea!
Post-cider, we head to Latrobe to see the Big Platypus outside the (sadly closed) Woodcutters’ Hall of Fame on the banks of the Mersey River that girts the elegantly named Pig Island.
While we’re in town, we decide to check out Reliquaire, a mind-bending funhouse of a shop on Latrobe high street.
There’s just so much weird stuff in here – the perfect spot for zany Christmas gifts or falling into a dimensional vortex – or a jump scare from a T Rex when you think you’re going into the Dr Who tardis! Well worth a visit.
Tonight, Sharon and her family are busy doing their own thing, which gives me the opportunity to give my regional Australian town theory a spin.
It is my humble belief that medium to large regional towns around Australia have some of the best Indian restaurants out there. I’ve tried this theory with great success in New South Wales, so I’m excited to give it a whirl in Tasmania.
Our meal at Taj Mahal in Devonport has confirmed my theory beyond any shadow of a doubt. If you’re looking for a top curry in northern TAS, look no further than this place. It’s exceptional.
Today, we fly back to Sydney, so we have one last stroll through Devonport with our mate Sharon. We stop to enjoy the view from the Devonport Waterfront Elevated Walkway & Lookout, which stretches out over the Mersea River with the pretty cool backdrop of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry when it’s docked here.
In spite of the tragic circumstances, it’s been lovely to see Sharon and her family. It’s been far too long since we were last here. We can’t wait to come back.
By the way, we didn’t go on the Spirit of Tasmania this time, though we have sailed on her before.
Our flight out from Launceston isn’t until this afternoon, so we take our time on the short drive between Devonport and the airport.
There’s a wonderful lookout along the road that has incredible views of the Tamar River and the stunning Tasmanian countryside.
Once in Launceston, we discover we still have plenty of time for lunch, so we pop into a brewery that Christina has spotted called Du Cane.
While we’re deciding on which beer and pizza to order, there’s a loud pop and hiss, and a billowing cloud of steam fills the room. One of the brewery boilers seems to have blown a gasket. The kitchen has to switch off for safety reasons leaving us with only enough time to enjoy a pint before check-in.
The beer’s excellent though and the food, which we stare at longingly, looks delicious. It just means we’ll have to come back when we’ve got a bit more time. I’m ok with that!
We’re back in Sydney just in time to see our mates Sonia and Chris, who moved up the northern NSW a while ago. They’re in town for business, but have found a spare minute to catch up with us.
It’s never a dull moment with these two – especially when Chris’s jeans are that high! ?
Tonight, we’re in the city to check out a hotel we haven’t been to before. This is the Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour – one of its rather nice corner suites.
Watch this space for a full review of this hotel. Apart from being a bit compact, this one is a pretty good option for a short city stay in Sydney. It’s right next to Chinatown and Darling Harbour on Sussex Street between Liverpool and Bathurst Streets, and has plenty going for it.
Downstairs past the lobby is the The Sussex Store – the hotel’s cafe-come-restaurant. We stop in for a spot of breakfast before we go and I tell you what, the bacon and egg roll here is worth travelling for. Bacon, cheddar, tomato chilli jam, a fried egg and a hash brown on brioche all for just $16? That’s not a normal price for Sydney.
Christina’s Breakfast Bowl (with a very sensible side of grilled halloumi) is also generous for its $22 price tag. Whipped fava beans, roasted beetroot, pumpkin, braised legumes, sauteed cavolo nero, creamy avocado and smoked salmon. Not bad at all.
But this has to be the absolute highlight of the Vibe Darling Harbour: Above 319 is the cutest rooftop bar in Sydney, with an outstanding drinks menu, brilliant service and delicious bar snacks. If you ask nicely, you can even order food that’s on the Sussex Store restaurant dinner menu.
There’s also an unbelievable happy hour here of $10 beers and wines, and $15 cocktails Wednesday to Friday 4.30-6.30.
This bar is all about supporting local as well, which we love. I’m impressed to see its house pour for rum is Red Mill, made in Rozelle, which they’ve created a whole sub menu for.
There’s also a great non-alcoholic cocktail menu that turns Dry July and alike into something you can actually enjoy. It’s such a good menu in fact that we featured it in our recent Dry July story here.
Seeing as we’re so close to Darling Harbour, Christina and I decide to face the crowds and check out the last weekend of Vivid Sydney.
Last month, I was witness to the failed drone show that saw many of the drones fall out of the sky into Darling Harbour. To replace the drones, the organisers put on twice-nightly fireworks, so we’ve come down to the waterfront to see what it’s like.
The crowds are pretty bad, but the show’s impressive and it’s good to get out and about when these things are on, but I have to be honest, I don’t think I’ll bother again.
Tonight I’m out in Dulwich Hill with my mate Gareth to see our friend Nick play in his band Lost In The Woods. If you haven’t heard of these guys, they really are excellent and well worth a listen. You can find them on Spotify here.
Tonight, they’re playing at a great little venue called Butcher’s Brew that’s all about live music.
Gareth used to live in Dulwich Hill or (as he used to jokingly refer to it) ‘Dull As Hell’. Well, it’s not dull anymore. With this place and the freshly renovated Gladstone Hotel across the road, and umpteen food options around the place, it’s a suburb that can hardly be called dull.
Anyway, Nick and the other band members do an amazing job with two perfect sets. Nick even manages to play two sets of keys – his own beloved Nord and the house upright – at the same time!
Today, Christina and I are out in Balmain to watch the first of Australia’s Fifa World Cup group matches.
Our first attempt to find a good spot in the East Village Hotel has been thwarted by the mysterious decision to move the live band, which is always here in the beer garden on Sundays, indoors right in front of the big screen because there’s been a fair bit of rain around.
We feel sorry for the band, who will be battling against the crowd, but at least the TVs have all been turned onto mute.
Anyway, we decide grab a bite to eat before the game then move on to a different venue. But the food takes so long, we end up missing the start, racing home and watching the first half there.
But here we are at last, squeezed into the Royal Oak for the (much more exciting) second half. It’s all worth it though: Australia goes on to win 2-0!
Today, Christina has taken her mum Jeanette to the beach. The beach! It’s the middle of winter. But as you can see, today is unseasonably warm. There are even a few crazies swimming!
Christina and Jeanette satisfy themselves with a bit of a toe dip then fish and chips at the local takeaway. What a lovely day.
I’ve been left home alone tonight. Christina is out with her mates, who refer to themselves as ‘the WAGs’, at Totti’s Rozelle. It’s a good option for dinner – you’ll never have a bad meal there and the atmosphere is always fun and lively, but I think things like the novelty puffy bread is a bit over-priced.
Dessert, by all accounts, is excellent though. The baked cheesecake goes down a treat and Christina inspires most of the group to have an affogato as well.
This evening, Christina is out at a media event with our friend and neighbour Rebecca. They’re at a charming little event space called the Clarence Vault Room for the launch of brand new Aussie gin Playfair Gin.
We’re all for more women working in the Australian craft spirits space and founder Anna Playfair-Hannay has really created something special with her new gin.
With roots back in the farmlands of southern Scotland, Anna has brought to life a boutique gin from her distillery in the McLaren Vale that is not only incredibly versatile, but also full of flavour.
Along with botanicals of juniper, coriander, cardamom and lemon, Anna has added a little taste of Scotland with the inclusion of thistles, which brings out a light, floral note in the otherwise spicy, citrus, juniper-forward gin.
Christina and Rebecca work their way through the cocktail menu of martinis, gimlets, G&Ts and negronis, showing just how user-friendly this juice is.
Buy Playfair Gin direct from the distillery here.
All this talk of ‘play fair’ leads me nicely on to what I’m doing today. Finally, the day has come: I get to play at the Balmain Peninsula’s (and quite possibly the whole country’s) most picturesque sports ground.
This is Birchgrove Oval.
I have played here once in the five years I’ve been with the club, but it was incredibly rainy, windy and cold, and we lost. Today is dry, calm, warm and most importantly a winner! After 90 minutes, we’re up 3-2 against Abbotsford Jnrs.
If you haven’t heard of Garry Starr or his comedy performance ‘Classic Penguins’, this one’s going to take some faith on your part.
We’re at the Carriageworks in Darlington at the behest of our friends Stevie and Mel (of Stevie English fame) to see… well, I still don’t really know what.
Classic Penguins is a clever concept. Garry Starr uses the titles from all the paperback Penguin Classic books as prompts for his show. From a bookshelf on stage, he places each title under a camera for the audience to see, works in a pun or a bit of physical comedy that connects with the book, then swipes it onto the ever-growing pile on the floor.
He does all this completely naked. Especially the physical stuff.
And then there’s the audience participation – a phrase that sends shivers down my spine even when everyone’s fully dressed. Thankfully, Christina has booked us seats far enough away to avoid most contact with Garry, even when he crowd surfs from the stage all the way to the back of the theatre.
“What, naked?” I hear you ask.
Oh, yes. Naked. And sweaty.
But this really is a brilliant show. His performance is – both literally and figuratively – balls-out crazy. And if you’re in New York or London anytime soon, look out for Garry Starr’s Classic Penguins. His show is going international!
I’m on another tasting panel at Intermedia’s offices today for Trade Buyer’s Magazine. It’s an industry publication that guides bars and bottleshops around Australia on what to stock and serve.
Christina and I are on these panels quite often, where we blind taste a range of wines or spirits, and our scores and recommendations go into the mag.
This time round, we’re looking at Australian Shiraz and Shiraz blends, and there’s quite a lot to get through. Between six groups, we have over 140 separate wines to judge in an hour or so.
One thing we notice from the pretty broad selection of regions, wineries and blends is how the Aussie palate is changing towards a lighter style Shiraz. There’s still a backbone of big, bold reds that make the market, but more and more lighter medium-bodied Shiraz seems to be emerging. Good news for places like the Hunter Valley, Orange and the ACT, not so good for the Barossa.
Tonight, Christina and I are out with our mates Anton, Paul and Jo for another live performance. This time, it’s a musical – a format I usually avoid like the plague, but this one should be good.
It’s the life story of Jack Karlson aka the Succulent Chinese Meal Guy.
We’re at the intimate Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville and I’ve got to say, this is a really well crafted play. Somehow the six actors and two musicians have stretched a meme into a 100-minute performance that is clever, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.
I’ve never heard so many puns from Chinese dishes and I certainly wasn’t expecting lyrics to work in Jack Karlson’s other famous lines ‘I see you know your judo well’, ‘this is democracy manifest’ and of course ‘get your hands of my penis’!
Keep your eye open for A Succulent Chinese Musical?! in your nearest city. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of it.
Tonight, I’ve been invited to a very exclusive sitting. My friends Kath and Jarrod have a mate they jokingly refer to as the Lebanese Mafia. At least, I think they’re joking.
Either way, this guy has a penchant for whisky – especially Aussie whisky – and I’ve somehow been brought along to join in the fun. And what fun it is.
We start – as all whisky tastings should – with a dram or two, some food and a good cigar. Then our generous host takes us downstairs to his whisky room.
That’s right, the photos you see are of a private collection in an underground whisky lair. There’s even an elevator down to it!
We spend a lovely evening tasting various rare whiskies – though we don’t get to open the original Sullivan’s Cove bottles. Fair enough. We finish up some eight hours later and a drop of 69.1%ABV single barrel from Corowa Distillery on the NSW border. What a night.
It’s Game 3 of Australia’s group stage matches for the World Cup and it’s Friday lunchtime, so we’re at Sydney Brewery Rozelle to support the Socceroos in their battle against Paraguay and for a spot in the Group of 32.
Sydney Brewery Rozelle has really set itself up well as a sporting venue. Its massive HD screen is visible from pretty much anywhere in the brewery, the food’s on point and the beers are tasty and well-priced. It’s good to have a place like this on the peninsula.
Also, there’s Peanut.
This cat has been knocking about this part of Rozelle for years and is a legend in his own right. He’s comfortable in flowerbeds or lording it in the brewery, and the ubiquitous dogs of Balmain don’t seem to bother him at all. If you see him, say hi to Peanut!
The game ends 0-0 by the way, but that’s enough to see Australia finish 2nd in the group below USA. Paraguay is through as one of the best 3rd place teams, but sadly for Turkiye, the World Cup ends here.
This is some of Christina’s crazy jujitsu gang. They get together on a regular basis and take over large sections of pubs around Balmain. Indeed, tonight, we’re out in the Balmain on Mullens Street. It’s always a fun night with these guys, though the conversation very often veers into strange uncharted territory, miles away from jujitsu techniques, that’s for sure.
But don’t be fooled by their jolly demeanour; this is a group not to be messed with.
I wonder what the collective noun for lethal weapons is.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this taste of June ’26.
Cheers – Jim & Christina x