Movie: The Fabelmans

 

Hi guys! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and Merry Christmas and are off to good start to 2023. At the end of last year I was lucky enough to attend the Adelaide Preview Screening of THE FABELMANS at Wallis Mitcham Cinemas. I really enjoyed the film, so thought I'd post about it. It opens at movie theatres on January 5, so make sure you get along and check it out!

Cast: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Gabriel LaBelle
Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Release Date: 5/1/2023

“Movies are dreams that you never forget.”

A deeply personal portrait of 20th Century American childhood, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a coming-of-age story about a young man’s discovery of a shattering family secret and an exploration of the power of movies to help us see the truth about each other and ourselves. Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see "The Greatest Show on Earth." Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.

Inspired by Spielberg’s own childhood, The Fabelmans is written by Spielberg and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, and directed by Steven Spielberg. It is a semi-autobiographical story loosely based on Spielberg's adolescence and first years as a filmmaker, told through an original story of the fictional Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker who explores how the power of films can help him see the truth about his dysfunctional family and those around him.

I loved this film. It was a beautiful, heart-warming experience with a captivating story and an amazing cast. Michelle Williams is outstanding as usual, but really the entire ensemble cast shines here. Not only does the movie look good, it takes you on an emotional journey and is an absolute must-see for film buffs and anyone interested in the filmmaking process. Highly recommended!

The Fabelmans opens in Australia on January 5, make sure you check it out!

Disclaimer - We were invited to attend the Preview Screening. Images courtesy of PR.

La Boca X Prancing Pony Matched Beers Dinner

 

Hi guys! Last Thursday we went to the La Boca X Prancing Pony Brewery Matched Beers Dinner held at La Boca Bar & Grill in the city and had a fabulous time! As soon as I saw the six course menu I knew I had to buy tickets to this special dinner, as each course sounded delicious! This was also a great chance to try some craft beers, which I don't normally order. We were so happy to see upon arrival that we were seated on our own instead of on long shared tables, like a recent matched wines dinner we attended. As introverts, we are much more comfortable sitting by ourselves than having to make small talk with a bunch of strangers we'll never see again lol.

Let's have a look at the menu!

Course 1

Signature Beef Empanadas
Traditional Argentinean beef empanadas, loaded with a mixture of ground beef, capsicum, olives and onions. (The only course that concerned me because I dislike olives, but I didn't taste them and this was a delightful start to the night!).
Paired with Blaze Of Haze
Easy-going and refreshing. Moderate to high hop aroma. Sweet fruits, predominantly strawberries, followed by gooseberry and blackberry, with a very slight note of citrus. Creamy mouthfeel and smooth bitterness, with a hint of toasty oat from the malt. (Loved this beer, the paler the better for me).

Course 2

Choripan With Criolla Salsa
Chorizo sausage, crusty bread accompanied by relish composed of onion, capsicum, tomato and vinegar. (I definitely tasted the vinegar here! This is a smaller version of a very similar dish from their express lunch menu which I've had before, with a different bread, but I liked this version more.)
Paired with Sunshine Ale
A refreshing Summer Ale with a smooth and delicate hop flavour. Beautifully balanced with moderate bitterness and a citrus kick. Pineapple, lychee and honeydew melon shining through from the hop, with a delicate biscuit malty finish. (I really enjoyed this beer too, couldn't discern the flavours though lol.)

Course 3
Honey Mustard Glazed Pork Ribs
24 hours slow cooked pork ribs, finished on a wood fire grill and glazed with honey mustard. (These ribs were so tasty! More would have been good but they have to do small portions when there's six courses!).
Paired with Hopwork Orange
A refreshing Pale Ale with hop aromas of orange, tangerines and pine, alongside balanced caramel malt flavours. (I love the play on A Clockwork Orange here, very clever! Love these flavours and it was nice to try it in a craft beer).

Course 4

Asado Pork Belly Bondiola
Authentic Argentinian sandwich with thick slice of pork belly asado, chimichurri and rocket leaf. (This was delicious! I'm a huge fan of pork belly, so really enjoyed this tender juicy meat with the crispy crackling in the bread pocket).
Paired with India Red Ale
Mango, passionfruit, blackcurrant, apricot and pineapple hop aroma making the beer super fruity combined with strong caramel malt character. Supreme Champion Beer at the International Beer Challenge in London, 2016. (Another yummy beer and an award winner, no less! Loved the fruity flavours).

Course 5

Mini Wagyu Burger
Wood fire grilled homemade juicy Wagyu burger patty, provolone cheese and mini brioche bun. (They don't mention that it comes with fries and they were so good! I think drinking this much beer elevates all the flavours haha. I couldn't finish my burger though, so it went to hubby).
Paired with Amber Ale
The Amber Ale is a  full-bodied American style ale, delicately floral and slightly spicy hops. The hint of caramel malt makes this beer super toasty and cosy, but also surprisingly refreshing. (Try as I might, I couldn't make out the spicy taste. Probably a little too strong for me).

Course 6

Churros With Dulce De Leche
Deep fried churros coated with cinnamon sugar and served with traditional caramel sauce. (Delicious and a great way to finish the night. However a spoon would have been nice so we didn't have to use our fingers to reach the remaining caramel sauce at the bottom of the jar, lol).
Paired with Pinkers Brut IPA
Eden Pink has brewed for Prancing Pony Brewery for a fifth of her life now. This IPA Brut style celebrates that. It is super dry with a low IBU and an ABV of 7.2%. The flavour profile is tropical, with hints of lychee. Eden used a combination of tropical hops including Eldorado, Sabro, Amarillo and Citra. (Six beers in and you're expecting a flavour profile breakdown? I don't know my own name at this point! Not gonna lie, I skulled this and we were on our way lol).

Overall, this was a fantastic experience and I'm so glad we went! You don't have to make any choices on the night as all food and drinks are set, so you just sit back, relax and enjoy each course as it's served. I'm definitely keen to do more alcohol-matched dinners in the future, as they are so much fun.

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Gaja by Sashi Restaurant Launch!

Gaja by Sashi
4/86 Pirie Street
Adelaide 5000

Hi guys! A few weeks ago I attended the Launch of Gaja by Sashi in Adelaide. Hands up all the Masterchef fans! You'll remember Sashi Cheliah as the Winner of Season 10 of Masterchef Australia, and what a deserving winner he was. Sashi had a vision of opening a small cafe in Adelaide, but after being crowned the winner, this dream changed to what we have today, a fully fledged restaurant with bar, in the heart of the Adelaide.

GAJA in sanskrit means 'elephant', which symbolises strength, wisdom, royalty and solidarity in Hindu culture. This is apt given that Sashi's food is bold and bursting with robust flavour! With dishes on the Gaja menu spanning Indian, Singaporean and Malaysian cuisines, there's sure to be something to suit all tastes. You can check out the menu here.

Sashi's background in law enforcement is evident, with the birdcage section of the restaurant dedicated to rehabilitation. Also on display is his famed Masterchef white jacket, a bit of nostalgia for you to check out when you go and visit! Gaja by Sashi is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. Follow them on Instagram to keep up to date!

Also keep an eye out in Woolworths for Sashi's new line of Home Chef Kits called Sashi's Secret. The Sweet and Sour Pork and the Singaporean Chilli Prawn both sound delicious and I can't wait to give them a go!

Many thanks to Girl About Town for the invitation.

You may be interested in Sunday Sessions at The Holdy

Linking up with Life This Week

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Disclaimer: Max The Unicorn blog attended this launch on a Media invite, all food and drinks were provided. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

Do you watch Masterchef? What do you think the next season will be like with the new judges?

Sunday Sessions at The Holdy!

The Holdy
83 Brighton Road
Glenelg SA

Hi guys! Recently I was lucky enough to attend the Launch of the Sunday Sessions at The Holdy, an iconic pub in the Bay (Glenelg in South Australia for the non-locals), and it was such a chilled-out, fun filled afternoon. Held in the hotel's delightful Beer Garden, the Sunday Sessions are nautical-themed, so the area was decorated with anchors, ring buoys and absolutely no pirates! Being so close to the beach, this is the perfect theme, especially with the weather heating up and the fresh sea air to take in.

The Sessions start from 2pm every Sunday and run right through 'til the end of February, and they boast some amazing drink specials, including $6 Two Suns pints, $7 Grey Goose and $8 Spritz! I tried the Pink Gin, Grand Fizz and Aperol Spritz and all three drinks were refreshing and delicious. I'm sure The Holdy will be adding more Summer cocktails in coming weeks, so be sure to keep an eye on their Instagram, as you don't want to miss out on their Specials!

The food was absolutely on point too. I'm not the biggest fan of seafood, so the fact that I was in heaven over the melt-in-your-mouth salt and pepper squid is a testament to how well it was cooked. We also sampled crispy spring rolls, yummy mini pizza slices and of course the amazing grazing table (which was just for the launch). I enjoyed lunch at The Holdy with my family a few months ago, though, and the meals were fantastic. I remember thinking the kids meal sizes were generous and the garlic bread was super tasty!

The live music added to the chilled out feel for me, which was perfect. I'm sure some people were buzzing with energy, especially watching the talented Simmsy on drums, but I was super content just to catch up with bloggers, chat with friends and enjoy delicious food and cocktails. Speaking music, upcoming guests include Senor Sanchez on November 17, Audioporn on the decks and Simmsy on the drums on December 1, and DJ Souli on November 24 and December 15.

So now you know where your new Summer hang out spot is, Adelaide! Be sure to grab your friends and hit up Sundays Sessions at The Holdy, where you can get your good vibes on and get a little bit Nauti!

Many thanks to Girl About Town for the invitation.

You may be interested in Adelaide Event: Marion Hotel Launch

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Disclaimer: Max The Unicorn blog attended on a media invite, all food and drinks were provided. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite thing to do on a Sunday?

Adelaide Event: Marion Hotel Launch!

Marion Hotel
849 Marion Road
Mitchell Park
SA 5043

Hi guys! Last week saw the official Launch of the The Marion Hotel in Adelaide. Yes, the Marion Hotel has been around for years, but they've recently undergone a massive $20 million renovation, and I must say, the results are stylish, modern and very impressive. The outdoor garden area, expansive dining area and entertainment areas have all been redesigned and upgraded, in the Hotel's first refurbishment in twenty years. They also have brand new super stylish hotel rooms, so this really is a venue to check out if you're in the area!

I was lucky enough to enjoy a lovely array of delicious wines at the event, along with a stunningly beautiful dessert grazing table that was filled with mini cakes, macarons, nuts, fruits, cheese and doughnut towers! Seriously, I couldn't stop looking at it! I also tried a delicious gin and tonic from the garden bar, and sampled tempura vegetables, chicken crostini and mouth-wateringly good lamb chops that came out as finger food. One day I will try the sushi, but I couldn't muster the courage on this occasion, despite it looking delicious! After enjoying live entertainment from the Pedro Brothers, we witnessed the official opening of The Marion Hotel by the Hon Steven Marshall MP, the Premier of South Australia.

Afterwards, my friend and I ventured into the Lovin' Livin' Locale gig near the bar and enjoyed some really yummy Give Me S'More cocktails, whilst listening to some great local acts, including Heaps Good Friends, Stellie and Void. All up, this was a fantastic night showcasing a gorgeous venue, and I was so honoured to be invited!

Many thanks to Girl About Town for the invitation and The Marion Hotel for their kind hospitality.

You may be interested in Hurley Cellar Opening at the Marion Hotel

Linking up with Life This Week

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Disclaimer: Max The Unicorn attended this launch on a media invite. All opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What would you go for first from the amazing grazing table?

Hola! Condesa Torrensville Bar and Restaurant Opening!

Condesa Torrensville
180 Henley Beach Rd
Torrensville SA

Hi guys! Last week I attended the opening of Adelaide's newest Mexican bar and restaurant, Condesa Torrensville, located inside the Hotel Royal on Henley Beach Road. Condesa offers a new take on traditional Mexican food, encapsulating the essence and flavour of the Mexican streets. This is a vibrant, funky, modern restaurant offering delicious Mexican fare and tempting cocktails you simply must try!

'La Condesa is a beautiful bohemian district within Mexico City. The streets are lined with trees, stunning Art Deco buildings and a bounty of hip and arty boutiques, restaurants and cafes. From cosy and charming bookshops during the day to dancing in the streets at night, you will fall in love with the place.'

Eggplant Frito

Foodies will be delighted with the gourmet options available, each dish bursting with authentic Mexican flavours. Head Chef Ashley Nguyen, formerly of Mexican Society, has put together an impressive menu, elevating each dish and adding an inspired modern twist. His philosophy is 'food is everything' and this certainly shows on the plate! Some of these yummy temptations include; 16-Hour Beef Cheek Fajitas, Roasted Chicken Mole and Chargrilled Ancho Chile Octopus. If you're intimidated by octopus there's Loco Fries, Vegetarian or Pork Canitas Nachos and four types of Tacos, so there really is something for everyone! The menu is versatile, so although it's designed with sharing in mind, you can definitely eat alone (or just simply not share, haha). There's even a Kid's Menu consisting of 'safe' options such as nuggets, fish or half schnitzel and chips (my 11 year old is super fussy, so I'm always relieved when safe options are available) and tacos, nachos and burritos for the more adventurous kids! And yes the kids meals include an Ice Cream Sundae! HOLA!

Chicken Flautas

Chargrilled Ancho Chile Octopus + Classic Margarita

Cauliflower Frito Taco

Wild Mushroom Tostada

Smoked Chargrilled Elote

Chicken Tinga Taco

Condesa looks gorgeous with cute little cactus pots decorating the bar and tables and a bold, colourful Mexican wall mural expertly painted by The Walking Creative. This is the ideal background for selfies, and Insta-worthy food and drink pics. There's also a roaring open fireplace, perfect to warm you up this Winter!

Sparkling White Sangria FTW!

Classic Margarita

Roasted Chicken Mole

So. Many. Nachos!

Hibiscus Kingfish Ceviche

Condesa really love Tequila, so it was perfect that the official launch took place on the 24th of July, World Tequila Day! On the night I enjoyed their Classic Margaritas and Sparkling White Sangria, but they have an extensive Drinks Menu, so it would be remiss not to mention a few more options. There's Mojitos, Caipirinhas, Lychee Martinis, Gin Berrys and Cherry Sours, as well as a wide range of wines and a lovely range of SA gins, each paired with a unique selection of delicious garnishes and Fever-Tree tonics. For a non-alcoholic option I would highly recommend the Guava Jarritos; I tried hubby's and it was delicious!

And because we all love a great deal, here are Condesa's Current Specials!

~ $20 Sangria jugs, all day, every day!
~ Hola Friday! (5-7pm every Friday!) $10 Margaritas ~ 2 for 1 Tacos ~ $10 Loco Fries ~ $7 selected Mexican Beers! 

Oh! My tray of Sangria has arrived! lol

You can check out Condesa's menu at their website here and keep up to date with their specials on their Facebook page.

You may be interested in Hurley Cellar Opening at the Marion Hotel

Linking up with Life This Week and Mummy Mondays

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Disclaimer: Max The Unicorn plus guest attended upon invitation, all food and drinks were provided. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post. Please ask permission to use photos and credit me @imhungrymax/Max The Unicorn including links if sharing these photos. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite Mexican dish?