New Central Coast precinct aims to scale the heights

The rapidly growing Central Coast region north of Sydney will welcome a new hotel and lifestyle precinct this summer.

voco Gosford & The Archibald Precinct will make its official debut on December 1, featuring the Central Coast's highest rooftop bar and ballroom.

At the centre of it all is Astra, the rooftop bar and Japanese dining concept perched on Level 28 that is being promoted as the region's new destination for sky-high cocktails and fire-driven dining.

voco Gosford, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' premium portfolio, will add a new vibe to the heart of Gosford.

The hotel's 130 guest rooms draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape as well as voco's three brand hallmarks of 'Come on in', 'Me time' and 'voco life'.

How very hip.

I'm told "each guest room offers vibrantly playful interiors that include plush sustainable bedding, modern bathrooms and sweeping views across the city or bay, with most opening out to private balconies".

Among the highlights are a podium-level swimming pool with a swim-up bar, an on-site wellness centre and six dining and bar experiences. 

As part of The Archibald Precinct, family-friendly watering hole Archies will be home to two dining experiences: Ironbark Kitchen with modern Australian cuisine and pub grub, and Paolo's with hand-rolled pasta, trattoria-style dishes and wood-fired pizza. 

The jewel in the crown will be Astra, the Central Coast's highest rooftop bar and Japanese inspired izakaya. 

At the heart of the experience will be the hibachi grill, using premium binchōtan charcoal to sear meats and seafood before they are finished in a charcoal oven. 

Bookings for the hotel and restaurants open from November 12, ahead of the official launch on December 1. 

voco Gosford joins a growing collection of over 107 voco hotels globally, including six in Australia and New Zealand.

For bookings, and more info see https://thearchibald.com.au/

Meet the Australian chef taking Japanese flavours to Bali

An Australian chef known as a yakitori master is taking his skills to Bali to showcase Japanese cuisine. 

Chef Adam Liston from Shōbōsho restaurant in Adelaide is the man at the centre of the cross-cultural adventure. 

Shōbōsho means 'fire station' in Japanese and Liston says he has a lifelong passion for the traditions of  yakitori cooking, which utilises smoke, steam and fire in dishes like BBQ pork and kimchi kushiyaki and shiitake soy-braised beef short rib with grilled spring onions and katsuobushi cream. 

He will be joining erxecutive chef Yudha Permana on Tuesday, October 24, for a preview tasting with snacks and cocktails overlooking Batu Balong beach at Yuki Canggu, and for a flame-grilled 'Izakaya Dinner' at Yuki Uluwatu on Thursday, October 26. 

"We have been followers of Adam for many years and thrilled to collaborate with him at Yuki," says Rai Sutama, founder of Japanese-influenced Yuki. 

"His expertise and passion for Japanese cooking perfectly align with our commitment to creativity and exceptional flavours.” 

Yuki has two distinct locales - in Canggu (opened in December 2021) and Uluwatu (opened in August 2023).

See https://www.yuki-bali.com/

A taste of Japan - in Slovenia

It is hard to imagine three very different cultures. But here we are; two Australians eating Japanese cuisine in Slovenia. 

The world is small nowadays - and it turns out that Moysushi in Ljubljana makes some very tidy Japanese dishes - and offers some appropriate local wines by the glass. 

The aburi plate was particularly impressive.

Not so surprising, perhaps, now there are Japanese and Thai eateries around the world, but perhaps worth noting if you want a change of culinary pace after several days in Ljubljana.

Moysushi, Mestni trg 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Take a