RELEASE THE HOUNDS ON SZN SIX! Wow. It's was a long, weird, mouldy summer/autumn but we're finally BACK! We took an extra long break and now we are refreessshhhedd and ready to jump into a season of both sensuous and unctuous recommendations. We're planning trips and booking flights and packing boxes and shaking things up. But don't worry! We're not leaving you again for a long time. To whet your appetite, this week we've got standing-room-only bars, Japanese spas, a few fun beauty tips and a noodle dish so quick and delicious you'll be making it tomorrow for lunch. Allons-y!
EAT
SR
Night+Market Pad Thai A dish so quick and delicious you could and should make it RIGHT NOW. Soaking the rice noodles is the hardest part.
SM
Dan Pelosi’s vodka sawce is the best possible thing you could do with that old bottle of vodka you have sitting in your bar cart. Unctuous, creamy and delicious.
WATCH
SR
Severance (Apple TV) is prestige Sci-Fi, a workplace satire, a buddy comedy and a corporate thriller rolled into one surreal package. Makes signing up to another streaming service worth it!
READ
SM
Brilliant Highly Enthused listener Ana Kinsella has written the incredible book Look Here. A love letter to people watching, London and being out in the world! You can get a taste for her writing in her newsletter.
BUY/DO
SR
Take yourself out for a solo dinner. Make it an event. If you’re nervous follow these tips: Warm up with lunch; pick a place with bar seating; ask the restaurant if they’ll do half serves; take a book or a notebook if you must! But I promise if you settle in with your second glass of wine and just watch the people around you, you won’t even want to reach for your phone.
SM
Japanese Bathhouse, Blue Mountains What else do we need to tell you really? It’s Spaaaaradise.
The Fast Five!
SR
Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush A seemingly magical formula that goes from solid to sheer. SoRo has it in Almost Rose and Almost Mauve. Pick them up at Sephora for $36.
Yolo Intel If you’re in travel planning mode for the first time in years, consider this substack as Vogue-esque high-end escapist inspiration.
Joe’s Table This teeny Thai restaurant in Darlinghurst is a one-man show. Delicious, BYO and a local secret.
The Row Spotify Playlists We’ll never be able to afford their clothes but they do excellent playlists! Great to put on while you’re slamming through those tasks that aren’t super interesting but have to get done.
Saison Vermouth is crafter by the headchef of Embla. Think delicious seasonal releases like Quince and Black walnut. Mix with a splash of tonic or enjoy over ice.
SM
White Moon Bar, Newtown This tiny bar (the night time spot by Tokyo Lamington) feels like you’ve taken a trip to Japan. Try the Jatz with pickled radish, cream cheese and chives.
Coloured French Tip Nails Here’s a fun trend to try! Works best on gel nails, but you can make it work with normal polish too.
DS & Durga Car Fragrance, Mecca Bougie car fragrance - why not! SM got Big Sur After Rain which “fills the air with the scent of the Highway 1 drive down the Californian coast; rainwater in the eucalyptus groves, magnolia and wet wood.”
Caretakers Cottage, Melbourne CBD Is a tiny but perfectly formed pub out behind a church. Get a guiness, or a martini with pink pickled cocktail onions. (For this and many many more perfect Melbourne spots you want the Highly Enthused Melb Google Map!)
Sportscraft Tatiana Mohair Cardigan in Scarlet. Just a fuzzy cardi for winter! In a bright red! So fluffy! So soft! So good with jeans and a white t-shirt.
That’s it for this week! See you in a fortnight.
S&S