ROVIN RAVEN: May 2015

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

48HRS IN CANBERRA

Canberra has certainly come a long way, if you only have 2 days here is our top picks to make sure you enjoy your time with the family.

STAY
QT Hotel www.qtcanberra.com.au
Hotel Hotel www.hotel-hotel.com.au

SOMETHING SPECIAL
Jamala Wildlife Lodge www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au

EAT
Mocan & Green Grout www.mocanandgreengrout.com
Temporada www.temporada.com.au
Akiba www.akiba.com.au
The Old Bus Depot Fresh Food Markets www.obdm.com.au

PLAY
Questacon www.questacon.edu.au
National Botanic Gardens www.anbg.gov.au/gardens
The Dinasour Museum www.nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
Reptile Zoo www.thereptilezoo.com
Floriade www.floriadeaustralia.com
Canberra Aviary www.canberrawalkinaviary.com.au
The National Museum www.nma.gov.au
The National Libary
The National Art Gallery

1. Becco
Amazing Italian in a Melbourne laneway surrounded by street art and plenty of character
11-25 Crossley Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
www.becco.com.au

2. Attica
Multi-award winning Attica has been Gourmet Traveller's restaurant of the year as well as many other key restaurant awards. Chef Ben Shewry creates beautifully balanced, modern cuisine in a relaxed dining environment.
74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea VIC 3185
www.attica.com.au

3. Gazi
We had an amazing time at Gazi. Run by celebrity chef and restauranteur George Calombaris from MasterChef, the restaurants is a fantastic relaxed fun vibe with the most delicious simple dining experience that is unmatched.
2 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
www.gazirestaurant.com.au

4. Tonka
Surrounded by the ever changing and uber cool street art of Melbourne laneways, Tonka is a hidden gem. The name Tonka pays homage to the building which was the former home of the iconic Melbourne nightclub, Honky Tonks.
20 Duckboard Place, Melbourne VIC 3000
www.tonkarestaurant.com.au

5. Gingerboy

A modern Australian adaptation of Asian hawker-style street market food. The restaurant is fast-paced, youthful and dynamic - the cocktails are to die for and the best coconut rice in town.

27-29 Crossley Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

www.gingerboy.com.au

6. Huxtaburger

Described as the best burger in town, Huxtaburger is now at four locations throughout Melbourne including the CBD and Collingwood.

www.huxtaburger.com.au

7. Cutler+Co

This multi awaring-winning gorgeous dining room is located in an old metal works factory on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy within Melbourne's first suburb and industrial area.

55-57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

www.cutlerandco.com.au

8. Siglo

My favourite bar in Melbourne by far... the goal is to always finish the evening with a glass of champagne or red wine at the classy roof top bar. The view overlooking Parliament House is quite spectacular at night and the ever changing art and student crowd creates the most amazing atmosphere.

Level 3, look for the door next to the European and go straight to the roof, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

www.theeuropean.com.au

9. HiHou

This is what Melbourne is all https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3802515005324041038#editor/target=post;postID=4084629345748538528about, hidden bars in dodgy laneways... you have to ring a doorbell on an unmarked door to get inside. Hihou translates to 'Secret Treasure' in Japanese and this certainly is just that. An extensive Sake list to classy cocktails, HiHou has it all.

Level 1, 1 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD VIC 3000

www.hihou.com.au

10. Cumulus Inc.

This eating house and bar has received a Chef's Hat five years in a row from 2010 to 2014. The consistent approach to quality and customer service is outstanding and a reason why this establishment will continue to be a strong presence in the Melbourne food scene.

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

www.cumulusinc.com.au

VIVID SYDNEY - TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE

There is 3 days to go until Vivid Sydney, a unique annual event of light, music and ideas. Winter used to be so bland in Sydney before Vivid and now this event lights up the city and bring it to life in what is usually the quietest period of the year. If you haven't planned your Vivid adventure here is our Top 10 to see and do:

Vivid Sydney
22 May - 8 June 2015
www.vividsydney.com

1. Pyrmont & The Star
Location: Pyrmont and The Star Casino; Daily 6pm - Midnight
This event is free and runs 22 May - 8 June. Pyrmonts harbourside precinct will be transformed into a multi-sensory, entertainment zone where the event producers hand over the control to us! Interactive games and activities on a scale never before seen. Installations and activations from Pyrmont Bridge to the Stars spectacular rooftop bar.

2. Transcendence
Location: Martin Place CBD; Daily 6pm - Midnight
Artist Joseph Crossley from the UK has designed a light installation using the latest in Intel technology. This event brings together new media art, projection mapping to computer mapping and more. Each night during Vivid, the light show will feature a hand-picked collection of artists to work alongside Joseph to create an ever-changing visual feast.

3. The Dresses
Location: Kendall Lane, The Rocks CBD; Daily 6pm - Midnight
Artist Tae Gon Kim originates from France. Tae's ethereal work The Dresses shapes hundreds of fibre-optic strands into the form of three beautiful dresses which appear to float in mid-air as if the area is haunted by three beautiful ghosts.

4. Life Story
Location: Argyle St The Rocks; Daily 7pm - Midnight
BBC Earth's Life Story installation featured the flowing natural imagery of bird, marine and animal life. Originally filmed by the BBC Natural History Unit for it's epic television series, the installation transforms the vaulted roof of the Argyle Cut with projected 'fractals' which create vase, never-ending patterns of texture, colours and shapes.

5. Beat
Location: Hickson Rd Reserve; Daily 6pm - Midnight
Beat is the most amazing series of large translucent shapes that emit an intense pulsating light display when touched and timed to the rhythm of the human heart. the objects increase the intensity of their pulse to keep pace with the individual's own cardiac rhythm.

6. Dolly
Location: Campbells Cove, Sydney CBD; Daily 6pm - Midnight
Tina Fox has created a intense 3m tall light up doll made entirely from crochet. The doll's extra long arms and huggable body begs to be embraced by both children and adults. Come hug Dolly ;)

7. The Music

Vivid is just as much about the music as it is about the amazing light installations. There are so many events it's impossible to list them all here so if you're into your music then visit http://www.vividsydney.com/search/events/type/music for tickets and more information

8. Vivid App
Downloand today and stay in touch!
With the new Vivid Sydney app you can browse and discover what's on near you, personalise photos with words and light filters, save your favourite items and much more.

9. Vivid Trails
http://www.vividsydney.com/trails
Looking for a walking map or a list of destinations so you can walk and view, then visit the Trails maps provided in detail for the discerning adventure seeker.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

SEMARA ULUWATU BALI

I know this might be controversial but we can't forget the majestic beauty of Bali.

The Semara Luxury Villa Resort Uluwatu is located approximately 15 km south of Ngurah Rai International Airport in an area commonly referred to as 'The Bukit'. The resort is located on the southern most tip of the island of Bali perched high above the Indian Ocean on the white limestone cliffs of Uluwatu.

Take note of the surf below and the immaculate details of the resort.

Bali is still beautiful, the people are beautiful.... this place is beautiful.

For more information visit www.semarauluwatu.com

DATE NIGHT IN SYDNEY

So you've finally secured a baby sitter and it's time to spend some quality time with your partner but you're stumped for where to go. You really want to stay north of the Harbour Bridge so you're close to home but somewhere romantic and special where you normally wouldn't even dream of taking the kids... so try one of these amazing places.

1. Sails http://www.sailslavenderbay.com/ - located near Kirribilli most likely as close to the bridge as you want to get.

2. Ripples www.rippleschowderbay.com - Chowder Bay is so pretty and so quiet, this restaurant has one of the best views in Sydney and as close to the harbour as you can possibly get.

3. Ormeggio www.ormeggio.com.au - located at the Spit in Mosman, another spectacular water dining option which has won numerous awards and if I'm not mistaking a chef's hat.

4. Pilu www.piluatfreshwater.com.au - located right on Freshwater Beach in an old historic beach cottage. Serving traditional sardinian cuisine and offering one of the best locations for functions and events.

5. Hugo's www.hugos.com.au - there are several locations for Hugo's but the best one for me is located right on Manly Wharf, open air dining restaurant with a lounge-like feel, this is where most people in Manly spend their special nights. The food is divine especially the seafood and the cocktail to match are equally pleasing.

6. JellyFish - this is a locals secret. JellyFish moved into Manly or should I say North Steyne to be exact some time ago and has been a local favourite since. My favourite dish is the saffron seafood risotto which melts in your mouth.

7. Barbuto www.barbutorestaurant.com.au - moved across the road from South Narrabeen beach about 4 years ago and since then with the shortage of fine dining options on the Northern Beaches has booked out most weekends. Peter Gilmore of the famous Quay restaurant was once quoted as saying Barbuto serves one of the best steaks he has ever eaten.

8. Bather Pavillion in Balmoral is a long time favourite of the Mosmanites...

9. Public Dining - a new comer in Balmoral taking over the old Watermark location with it's Nordic interior design situated right on Balmoral Beach has also become a favourite for the local Balmorians ;)

10. Papi Chulo www.merival.com.au/papichulo took over the old Manly Phoenix restaurant location situated right on Manly Wharf and has given Hugo's a run for their money. This is one of my favourite restaurants on the Northern Beaches - a little bit of San Fran right in Manly.

11. Lastly... if you want somewhere fun try SoCal in Neutral Bay - for me a lover of all things Tequila this is my ideal location!!!! Possible not the most romantic of places but damn you will have some fun here ;) www.socalsydney.com.au