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Come through the latest doors to open across our island. As if you need a reason to visit Tassie! We’ve given you 15 and hope to see you this year during the wintery goodness that is Dark Mofo. Stay warm and take a peek at the latest happenings we’ve handpicked. Some haven’t even opened but aren’t far away!  SWEET SASSAFRAS. Image: Facebook SWEET SASSAFRAS Petite in size but big in heart. At Sweet Sassafras the menu changes with the seasonal goodness of the small producers and local farmers they support. It’s a cosy little coffee shop with real Tassie flavour from Mt Roland Hazelnuts to Amber Harvest Honey and crusty bread from Pigeon Whole Bakers. Drop in for a bite and board game. Lay a linen napkin on your lap and sip through a stainless steel straw – less waste – happy planet. Visit Sweet Sassafras at 279 Elizabeth St, Hobart  TI AMA. Image: Facebook TI AMA Ti Ama might just have the coolest pizza oven on the island. Head there for rustic Italian and sourdough wood fired pizza along with great cocktails and house-made pasta. Anyone for a share plate of chargrilled Pirate’s Bay octopus, potato, parsley and smoked aioli? Visit Ti Ama at 13 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point  FARO Image credit: Jesse Hunniford FARO Faro is Mona’s new bar and restaurant in the Pharos Wing. Faro … pharos … are you pronouncing correctly? ‘Faro’ means ‘lighthouse’ in Spanish and is the English word for ‘pharos.’ This aside, Executive Chef Vince Trim is at the helm of a place designed for sharing. Signature sangria comes by the glass (or litre) and there’s share plates aplenty beneath towering 13 metre ceilings. Visit Faro at 655 Main Rd, Berriedale  Image: courtesy of Island Magazine SILENT READING PARTY Have you been silent reading lately? Gather with other Hobartians on the first Wednesday of every month and …. Drink. Read. Eat. Repeat. Hosted by Island Magazine and Transportation Press, keep an eye out for next month’s venue here. Also, if you’re a writer looking for some silent writing time, the Island Magazine office also turns into a writing cave for 3 hours every Tuesday in the old Mercury Building at 91-93 Macquarie Street, Hobart. To find out more here.  SHOTGUN Image credit: Ross Giblin SHOTGUN CAFÉ Great coffee, smooth New Orleans tunes, cheery baristas and a vibrant space have just added serious colour to the Murray Street strip. Try to walk in and not feel brighter! Narrow in stature but big on personality, Shotgun is the latest ‘meeting place’ in Hobart. Visit Shotgun at 49-51 Murray Street, Hobart  IMAGO. Image: Facebook IMAGO BAKERY AND PATISSERIE Delectable bakery treats in Hobart’s CBD! Flaky almond croissants, champagne loaves, wintry pies and more. Keep an eye out for Imago at this year’s Dark Mofo. They’ll be teaming with The Glass House and Chef David Ball at the winter feast. Visit Imago at 114 Elizabeth Street CHARLOTTE JACK Get ready. Come August 2018 Ben Milbourne’s first restaurant will open in Providore Place, Devonport. Milbourne, of Ben’s Menu notoriety (Channel 10) will swing open the doors to a restaurant unlike any other the North West Coast has seen. He’s busy filming more TV shows right now so stay tuned. Visit Ben Milbourne 7K DISTILLERY About half an hour out of Hobart, 7K was dreamt up by Tyler Clark who downed tools on his former work to follow his distillery mission. Pushing boundaries with native produce with new craft spirits, the Aqua Vitae Modern Gin is a must try. In old Latin, Aqua Vita means ‘water for life.’ Make contact for a distillery visit. Visit: 7K Distillery  GRAIN OF THE SILOS. Image; Facebook GRAIN OF THE SILOS Opening in June, Grain of the Silos is about venturing across Tasmania’s landscape to source our very best local produce for the Grain menu. From the port to the wilds, community is key for Head chef Peter Twitchett who has worked in kitchens worldwide. Expect sustainable and delicious in stylish surrounds come June 2. Visit: Grain of the Silos at 89/91 Lindsay St, Launceston  GASTOWN EAST. Image; Facebook GASTOWN EAST Get your Canadian fix in Hobart. After spending time in Canada, the owners became captivated by Canadian cuisine, ranging from the game influence of Ontario to the French inspired pastries of Quebec. That’s right, Bellerive Tasmania just got a little bit Canadian. Visit Gastown East at 5/16 Cambridge Rd, Bellerive  SUMINATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT. Image: Facebook SUMINATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Tucked away in King Street, Suminato brings fresh Japanese flavours to Sandy Bay. Think Tassie fresh oysters with six special sauces or a sashimi chef selection. They also have a ‘no raw’ menu for those who prefer their Japanese all cooked. Visit Suminato at 48 King Street, Sandy Bay  PABLO'S. Image: Facebook PABLO’S COCKTAILS AND DREAMS With its Speak Easy feel, how do cocktails by the fire sound? Tucked down a laneway, this 1920s style bar is well suited to those who like to rest back on Chesterfield lounges and tap away to some live jazz. Find Pablo's at 101 Harrington Street, Hobart REV Café Right in the heart of Hobart’s CBD you’ll find REV. Pop in for an all day brekkie or a long lunch. They bake delish muffins every day and serve up great coffee. They also do a very handy beef burger made with prime grass fed beef, bacon and topped with their in-house mayo. Find REV at 119 Liverpool St Hobart  GORMANSTON FOOD STORE. Image: Facebook GORMANSTON FOOD STORE Had Afghani food lately? In Moonah there’s authentic Afghani cooked to order every day. There’s naan straight from the tandoor and always a welcoming smile. Take a traditional seat on the floor cushions or park yourself at a table. Don’t forget to order a freshly squeezed juice. Visit GFS at 35 Gormanston Road, Moonah, Tasmania SOUTH ON HAMPDEN Under the watch of restaurateur Ian South, South on Hampden is a great go-to for brunch in Battery Point. It’s also open for dinner and warmer days invite craft ales or cocktails in the courtyard. Be sure to take a peek at the petite bar tucked away out back! Visit South on Hampden at 45 Hampden Road, Battery Point P.S. FIND CHEF STEVE CUMPER AT THE FERN TREE TAVERN If you loved his food at Red Velvet Lounge you’ll be excited that Chef Steve Cumper is now at the Fern Tree Tavern whipping up a storm in the higher altitudes, en route to Mount Wellington’s pinnacle. Stop in for a drink by the open fire and a hearty meal this winter. Relaxed atmosphere and generous serves come standard. Visit Fern Tree Tavern at 680 Huon Rd, Fern Tree
Last month Bobby Alu was beamed into 1.7 billion homes, strumming the ukulele to his own song amidst 200 beach-going dancers, at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. This Thursday (May 9), he’ll be bringing his cruisy Polynesian vibes to Willie Smith's Apple Shed and The Homestead on Friday.
Image credit: Monica Buscarino
If you like the idea of ‘finding your flow’ and going about your days to ‘the rhythm of your own making,’ you’ll enjoy this drummer and uke strummer live. The Byron Bay singer is coming as part of a huge 2018 Australian and New Zealand tour with his latest single Move. Listen here.
For the last five years, Alu has been touring as Xavier Rudd’s drummer. It’s been quite a ride since the day Xavier asked for a quick jam and then suggested they play a gig. After 20 minutes of rehearsal, Alu found himself performing in front of 10,000 at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest. He’s looking forward to a couple of relaxed days in Tassie, after a schedule that included 35 shows in 34 days across 10 different countries. 
Image credit: Monica Buscarino
“I’d been so busy with Xavier that it feels great to be back writing songs again. Move was fun to make. This is the start of a new album, the first taste of it. It feels amazing to create something, record it and now take it on the road,” says Alu.
This isn’t Alu’s first time to Tasmania. He has performed on Bruny Island, busked at Salamanca Market (getting very sunburnt despite the cold weather) and has travelled up to the Bay of Fires and around the north. He also came at 13, as captain of the Queensland Athletics Team. The aspiring sprinter has fond memories of how good the Hobart tap water tasted in the 90s. As a young boy he hoped to run in an Olympic or Commonwealth Games. Although he didn’t make it to the Commonwealth Games as a sprinter, he made it as a strummer. His family and friends cheered him on in the Gold Coast crowd. His smooth harmonies and rhythm are inspired by a strong family lineage of Polynesian performance. Alu uses Samoan log drums and instruments handed down through generations. 
Image: supplied
“My mum is from Samoa,” he says, “She taught me to play the ukulele when I was young and her brothers taught me to play the drums. Dad left Australia on a scuba diving trip in the Pacific, saw mum dancing and not long after I arrived! Mum works in Aged Care, takes her ukulele every day and sings to them.”
When Alu does local shows he’ll often get his Mum up to dance. In the 80s, she flew the flag, a pro dancer in a Polynesian dance group. During performances, young Alu would often drift off to sleep beneath the drums. No surprise why Polynesian rhythm runs deep in his blood. “I did six months of an engineering degree and hated it,” smiles Alu. “Music took over. It’s amazing to think the ukulele and Samoan log drums have taken me around the world.” 
Image credit: Monica Buscarino
Don’t miss Bobby Alu at Willie Smiths in Grove on the 10th of May and The Homestead in Hobart on the 11th of May. What will you enjoy live? According to his website: Expect a fresh, simple sound with tastes of Polynesian ukulele, Pacific beats, catchy songs, tasty harmony and powerful log drumming on a bed of slick style.
Sounds good to us! He’s even prepared a cruisy Tassie playlist for us here. “His chilled out Pacific tunes have a long-lasting feel good effect and his finely crafted songs have instant appeal.” ABC Radio Australia “Smooth hammock music genius.” The AU Review TAILORED TASMANIA Want to know more about Tassie? There's other newish news on our blog here. Book Tasmanian adventures in real time and book accommodation with Tailored Tas. We've got your trip sorted and can also deliver the latest edition of Tailored Tasmania with free shipping to your doorstep. Words Alice Hansen Images: Monica Buscarino |
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