Following the announcement of New Edition’s reformation, the Australian tour dates for Bell Biv DeVoe & Ginuwine have been rescheduled to August to allow for the trio to partake in New Edition’s reunion tour.

Loyal fans, the long wait is finally over! Illusive and The Frontier Touring Company are happy to announce that American R&B legends BELL BIV DEVOE and GINUWINE are heading to Australia and New Zealand in August 2012 for the very first time.

After their days in New Edition came to an end with the departure of lead singer Bobby Brown in 1986, members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe carried on to form Bell Biv DeVoe. The results were funkier, the lyrics and vocals were sexier, and the overall sound was taken to a whole new level.

Their debut album, 1990’s Poison produced the title track hit as well as the equally successful ‘Do Me!’. The album itself went on to sell over three million copies and is considered a ‘90s R&B classic.

Once you’ve ridden the glass elevator from the Hilton’s lobby up to Zeta Bar, you’ll first notice the slick interior. Red velvet armchairs and foot stools prove awfully appealing, while the cosy nooks and crannies are perfect spots to impress a date. The terrace is popular during warm weather and offers stunning views of the Queen Victoria Building. A number of private booths and VIP areas are also stashed away and have in the past hosted a diverse range of celebrities.

Zeta Bar’s head bartender Grant Collins is behind the drinks list and seems to revel in creating playful and innovative cocktails. You know a bar takes their cocktails seriously when their cocktail list is sub-divided into six categories. At Zeta Bar, the listings feature the ‘signature’, ‘experimental’, ‘deconstructed’, ‘twisted classics’ and ‘forgotten classics’. This is the place to really try something other than the standards – although they do the standards pretty well also.

But at Zeta Bar the classics take a back seat to drinks with edible components and liquid nitrogen infusions. The Zeta Prohibition Iced Tea harkens back to the 1920s and is served in a jam-jar wrapped in a brown paper bag. The Casino is another great drink and derives from Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual, circa 1882. It is gin mixed with maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and orange bitters shaken with cracked ice, served straight up, in an antique martini glass.

And if that’s not edgy enough for you, there’s the Smoked Bacon Manhattan – a smoky bacon-infused bourbon, a dash of maple syrup, a splash of cherry syrup and sweet and dry vermouth. It’s served in a martini glass with crispy bacon on top, and comes complete with instructions.

And while throughout the week it’s all about cutting-edge cocktails and the moody atmosphere, Saturday nights see the party people descend en-masse as a mix of house and visiting DJs turn the bar into a stylish nightclub. The Saturday night soirees are extremely popular, so dress sharp and arrive early to guarantee entry.

Zeta Bar is located on Level 4 of the Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, City. Opening hours are: Mon-Sat 5pm-late.

http://www.zetabar.com.au/

Established in 2000, and located in the swish King Street Wharf complex, Cargo Bar has quickly established itself as serious player in the after-work and weekend catch-up market. The venue officially is split in two, with the downstairs bar and courtyard called Cargo Bar, and the upstairs section, which primarily serves as a nightclub, known as Cargo Lounge.

The downstairs section consists of a large harbourside courtyard and an indoor area with a massive bar and booth-style seating. The transition between indoor and outdoor is seamless, meaning that even inside, patrons can feel the cool breezes and watch the sunset to the west. In fair weather, outside is usually the most popular place to and the tables can fill up very quickly. Cargo Bar’s location and popularity ensures it can get very busy.

Cargo Lounge bills itself as a little bit slicker and more exclusive. In the afternoons the terrace fills with drinkers, while come nightfall, a rotating roster of DJs and live musicians perform for patrons. Cargo Lounge stays open late seven days a week and has entertainment every night, making it a particularly popular spot for party animals to gather.

At the bar, there is a large range of beers on tap and plenty of favourites by the bottle. The wine list covers all of the major varieties. The cocktail list is also pretty impressive and runs to the sweeter and more summery flavours. There’s a watermelon and rose sling, minted passionfruit martini or a pear and caramel daiquiri. The to-share cocktails, served in carafes, are also popular and although fairly light, make a good choice on a balmy evening. Classics such as mojitos, daiquiris and martinis are also popular as the evening wears on.

Cargo Bar also has some good choices for filling your stomach as you sip your cocktail. Pizzas are the most popular option and are great if you’re with a group. There are also plenty of pub favourites such as steak sandwiches, burgers and salads on the menu.

Cargo Bar is located as 52-60 The Promenade, King Street Wharf, City. Opening hours are: Sun-Thu 12 noon-12 midnight; Fri-Sat 12 noon-4am.

http://www.cargobar.com.au/index.html

Manly’s long crescent of famous sand is the reason people flock to the suburb and the beach offers plenty of fine spots for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. The beach is patrolled year-round and there are a number of safe areas for a dip. Surfers and bodyboarders will also find plenty of good breaks, while novices can learn the tricks of the trade at one of the many surf schools which operate from the beach.

The Steyne promenade runs along the beachfront and is a favourite haunt of joggers, walkers, skaters and dog-walkers. Towering Norfolk Island Pines rise above the promenade and create many pleasant shaded areas ideal for seaside fish and chips or simply taking in the views.

Shelly Beach is another must-see and is a beautiful wedge of sand that proves popular with swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers. One of New South Wales’ rare north-facing beaches, Shelly Beach is a picturesque oceanfront area made all the better by its surrounding park and spectacular views back towards Manly Beach. Shelly Beach is accessible from the southern end of Manly Beach via a coastal walkway.

Not only blessed with gorgeous ocean beaches, Manly also enjoys frontage along the calm waters of Sydney Harbour. A swimming beach exists adjacent to the ferry wharf and has a netted area popular with families with children. Oceanworld Manly is also a short hop from the ferry wharf and remains one of the area’s best-loved attractions. Visitors can travel through the Oceanarium and come face to face with sharks, stingrays and turtles.

A number of other attractive harbour bays and beaches are also within reach. Little Manly and Store beaches are secluded coves great for a dip. Fairlight Beach is another pretty swimming spot and boasts a large swimming pool. The Manly to Spit Walk begins at the ferry wharf and is one of Sydney’s best hiking trails. The walk guides visitors along the high cliffs and pockets of bushland that hug the harbour foreshore, revealing hidden beaches and glorious harbour vistas.

Manly’s Corso is a long pedestrian mall that links the ferry wharf with the beach. Lined with shops, restaurants and pubs, the street is a tourist favourite and is perfect for an amble. Many restaurants operate along the Corso, as do a similarly large number of takeaways and cafes. Pubs and bars are plentiful along the northern reaches of the Corso and the beachfront Steyne, and offer a great setting for a sundowner or nightcap.

The famous Manly ferry from Circular Quay takes around half an hour to cross the harbour and is a major tourist attraction in its own right, offering visitors close-up views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and North Head. Manly is also linked to the city and surrounding suburbs by bus services.

Red Lantern brings the flavours of Saigon to a terrace house in Surry Hills. Headed by chef Luke Ngyuen, who is well-known for his TV appearances, cookbooks and love of Vietnamese food, Red Lantern packs a big punch and draws diners in droves. Ngyuen and his sister, Pauline Nguyen, and her partner Mark Jensen, own Red Lantern and have created a super-stylish eatery, one that encompasses classic Vietnamese cuisine, sustainable ingredients and a beautiful dining room.

Located on Crown Street, in the heart of Surry Hills’ dining precent, Red Lantern covers every nook and cranny of an old terrace house. The décor is dark and moody with black, gold and red colours dominating. Nice touches such as the red lampshades and polished wooden floorboards give the restaurant are more homely feel than many other fine diners. And whilst a step up from your usual suburban Vietnamese restaurant experience, and it must be said, a considerable step-up in price, Red Lantern does classic Vietnamese with flair.

Starters include favourites such as rice paper rolls, chilli salted squid and a salad of duck breast. Goi Cuon – rice paper rolls with prawns, pork, vermicelli, perilla leaves and garlic chives makes a perfect start to the meal. Other entrees such as Goi Du Du – twice cooked pork belly, tiger prawns, green papaya, perilla and mint; and Muc Rang Muo – lightly battered chilli salted squid, are also popular.

The main courses are where Red Lantern really shines. Ca Chien Don – snapper, with a salad of green mango, radish and Vietnamese herbs; and Ca Hap Ca Cot Dua – trevalla poached in prawn, tomato and coconut bisque are both fresh and delicious and more than a little step-up from fish dishes at other Vietnamese restaurants. King prawns with Red Lantern XO sauce and glass noodles is another highlight.

The dessert menu is similarly impressive. Com Nep La Chuoi – red sticky rice in banana leaf; and Kem Flan – coconut Crème Caramel are deliciously indulgent way to end your meal at Red Lantern.

The tasting menu is one of the most popular options at Red Lantern – especially for groups – and allows you to sample some of the best dishes on the menu without having to agonise over which ones you will be missing. There are various tasting menus available, including ones which include dessert and matching wines.

Red Lantern is located at 545 Crown St, Surry Hills. Opening hours are: lunch Tue-Fri 12noon-2pm; dinner daily 6pm-late.

http://www.redlantern.com.au/

Established in 2001, Guillaume at Bennelong sits in the southern sail of the Opera House and is spread across several levels. There are three sections: a cocktail bar, a main dining area, and the dining floor. The cocktail bar is the place to have a drink or sample the tapas menu before a show at the Opera House, while the dining area and dining floor are the more formal dining areas. The interiors are super slick and tastefully furnished, while the high ceilings ensure every seat in the house offers remarkable views of the Botanic Gardens, Circular Quay and of course, the Harbour Bridge.

Guillaume at Bennelong offers both an a la carte and a degustation menu. Both menus vary with the seasons, and are subject to change, but the most popular starter remains Guillaume’s signature entree of yellow fin tuna, served with a soy and mustard seed vinaigrette. Other starters, like the scallops with caviar, and the king prawn ravioli, also tips diners off to the fact that they are not in for a mundane dining experience.

The hits keep coming when the menu moves to mains. The John Dory fillet, served with carrot and ginger puree, coriander and pommes allumettes is a very upmarket rendition of fish and chips. Similarly, steamed pink snapper fillet with clams and mussels doesn’t disappoint. Red meat options such as the braised lamb shoulder and beef tenderloin are both rich and hearty dishes.

Sampling the dessert menu at Guillaume at Bennelong is a must. The payoffs are evident in the restaurant’s much talked about chocolate soufflé, which is sweet, flavoursome and delicious. The dessert menu also includes hits like fresh raspberries with pistachio gateau, vanilla cream and raspberry sorbet; and the pineapple tart with coconut sorbet. And with the restaurants French connections, it’s also hard to go past the excellent cheese selection on offer.

Guillaume at Bennelong boasts a very impressive wine list. Sommelier John Clancy presides over a cellar housing 400 varieties of mainly Australian and French wines, with a heavy emphasis on wines from the Bordeaux region.

Guillaume at Bennelong is located at the Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Circular Quay. Opening hours are: lunch Thu-Fri 12noon-3pm; dinner Mon-Sat 5.30pm-late.

http://www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au/

Englishman Jamie Oliver is one of the world’s most famous chefs. From TV shows to cookbooks, from charities to restaurants, Oliver’s got quite a few fingers in the pie. And so it was with much fanfare that his latest branch of Jamie’s Italian landed in Sydney late last year. Despite its short lifespan and no reservations policy, Jamie’s Italian pulls in diners like nothing else in town.

Located on Pitt Street, Jamie’s Italian is housed in a whopping space, which is part industrial warehouse and part mega bistro. The space is loud and brash; this probably isn’t the place for a romantic candlelit dinner, unless of course, your date really likes Jamie Oliver. The whole experience, from the no-reservations policy to the ultra efficient service is designed to feed as many people as possible, as fast as possible. But despite the quick turnover of diners, the wait for a table can still be very long. Schedule your visit for early evening or mid-week unless you want to wait for a very long time.

The food is comforting and accessible, despite some left-field entries. Jamie Oliver says he serves food that Italians love eating, but Italians rarely eat things such as the Italian nachos – deep-fried ravioli or the Italiano burger for that matter – but they’re both pretty tasty all the same.

The entrees include dishes such as mini chilli peppers, marinated sardines and a host of creative brushchettas – spanner crab with zesty mayo for example. The antipasti selection is similarly creative with a good selection of meat and vegetable ‘planks’ and some tasty mozzarella and gorgonzola salads. The arancini balls are a hit, and can lay claim to being the most authentically Italian dish.

The pasta courses consist of classics such as spaghetti bolognaise, bucatini carbonara and fusili arrabiata. Risotto and ravioli dishes don’t steer to far from course, but are good value just the same.

The secondi courses are where Jamie’s Italian really hits its stride. The Ligurian fish stew served with crunchy crostini, ripped herbs and wild garlic aioli is a major highlight. Tuscan wild boar sausages are also a rather fancy way to enjoy bangers and mash. The grilled chicken, baby pink snapper and veal saltimbocca are also worth a look to find out where Oliver hits his mark.

The wine list covers varieties from Italy and Victoria and includes a number of sweet wines and a few drops that are hard to find. The desserts are also pretty good, with the best bets being Italian standards like affogato, tiramisu and panna cotta.

Jamie’s Italian is located at 107 Pitt St, City. Opening hours are Mon-Sat 11:30-Late.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/au/italian/sydney

Perhaps the most talked about tenant of Eating World is Gumshara Ramen. Opened in 2009 by Japanese expat Mori Higashida, Gumshara specialises in authentic Japanese ramen noodles. Tonkotsu ramen is the most popular dish and consists of ramen noodles set in a thick pork broth topped with pork slices. The soup is full-bodied and delicious and has a very, very strong flavour. Ramen lovers rave about Gumshara but for those not sure whether they can tackle a bowl, ask for a shoyu or miso variety, which are a little less filling.

Singapore Shiok!* is another much talked about tenant of Eating World and is a good choice for diners after a quick feed in a hurry. It’s menu is quite limited but it’s authentic Singapore-style favourites like Hainan chicken rice, har mee (prawn noodle soup) and char kway teow (noodle stir-fry) bring expats and those in the know up to their counter. If you’ve ever been to Singapore and enjoyed the food, Singapore Shiok!* should be on your list.

Gourmet Sizzling Plate shares the back wall of Eating World with Gumshara Ramen and specialises in chicken, pork and fish dishes. Shangdong chicken is a highlight and the pork sizzling plates also rate a mention. Although overshadowed by its much more popular Japanese neighbour, Gourmet Sizzling Plate does a steady trade and offers some interesting flavours.

Another stall which doesn’t challenge too much is Hong Kong King’s Chef. This stall offers up some fairly standard Cantonese fare which is tasty and value friendly regardless; think san choi bow, beef in black bean sauce and honey king prawns. The more adventurous can find some interesting things on the menu, but this is not the place for excitement, just comforting Cantonese.

Other stalls worth a look in Eating World include Kimama Kitchen, which offers traditional Japanese favourites such as gyoza, karage don and some tasty Japanese curries. Servings are big and dishes come with rice and miso soup.

Pondok Selera Indonesian Food lures Indonesian students and families with their cheap and cheerful no-fuss fare – ox-tail soup is the highlight.

At Thai is relatively new and is the only Thai representative in Eating World. Try the fried fish in Thai salad sauce, which is an entire fried fish accompanied by a traditional Thai salad. At just over ten bucks, it’s a steal and will easily serve two people.

Eating World food court is located at 25-29 Dixon Street in the heart of Chinatown and is open from 10am to 10pm daily. Some of the stalls keep their own hours, so it’s best to check if you wish to visit a specific one.