Newcastle is developing its reputation as being a major hub (out of Sydney) for emerging art and culture. Along with that, the bar scene is slowly transforming from loud mega-pubs to small, dark, intimate spots, slightly off the beaten path and all done with style and pizzaz. Bar Petite is a new establishment close to Newcastle beach, housing a mix of French colonial touches, a polished timber bar and a modern Australian menu. The atmosphere is relaxed, the meals a mix of tasty snacks and larger mains, and the wine menu draws on the best of local Hunter Valley drops. I ate there a few weeks back and was particularly impressed by the cosmopolitan decor and the pleasantly adventurous flavouring of the foods.

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In honor of the 3D release of that cinematic gem Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, a French fast food chain has created a series of burgers, including the Dark Vador burger, which looks like it might do interesting things to your poop.

While we’ve seen cold brew popping up around town as temperatures rise, the crew at Coffee Supreme have taken cold brew to the next level with the limited release of their Don Pachi Geisha.

This stunning coffee, now legendary after winning Best of Panama 2011 and breaking the record for the most expensive coffee traded at US$111 per pound, is one of the rarest and arguably one of the best coffees being cupped this year. Gushing with strawberry notes and a creamy body, the Supreme crew have done it again, creating an exceptionally refreshing brew that’s become the most sought after sip this summer.

The people over at Amanda Oakleaf Cakes made this sweet, life-sized cake shaped like an imperial stormtrooper for the Arisia sci-fi convention in Boston.

Spanakopita, tomato and feta salad, grape leaves. The Greek tradition has given the world a plethora of beautifully simple eats. But no amount of feta could compete with the ultimate gift from the Greek gods: Olive oil. The sun soaked Mediterranean hills mean that Greece has a natural talent for producing some of the world’s finest olive oils.

And thanks to Olive Branch — a new boutique olive oil brand — even if you’re under the gray clouds of England, you can bring the warm sun of Crete into your kitchen. Founded by a Cretan native, this budding company is turning out a gorgeous, nutty olive oil with low acidity and rich flavor. All of Olive Branch’s olives are naturally grown and hand-picked by local cooperatives in Crete before making their way to England. Between the packaging and taste, in no time you’ll be dousing it on everything from pastas to soups to, yes, feta.

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Who says frozen pizza boxes can’t be creative? With slogans such as ‘Being cheesy is a good thing’ and ‘Don’t have a cow, literally’, Hornall Anderson took a fun approach with this new range of gluten free pizzas. So have a slice or two and don’t feel guilty.

Forget the chateaux. Forget the birds. Forget whatever nonsensical French-countryside illustrations you’ve seen on wine labels. And enter Mash. Always creative, never predictable, Mash is one of our favorite creative agencies. Hailing from Australia, their portfolio is an excess of clever, unexpected, and quirky takes on otherwise predictable products – like wine.

Case and point: Return of the Living Red. From the collaborative folks at Redheads Studio out of Australia’s infamous wine region, McLaren Vale, comes this intriguing, complex, and mysterious wine. It is only fitting then that Mash created packaging equally compelling yet ominous. A small folder-like pack of old photos and disturbing illustrations printed on old-school uncoated paper work together to imply to the otherwise unassuming drinker, that the living dead roam the ins and outs of vineyards. The menacing package hangs from the bottle’s neck with twine, sealed under a daunting drip of oozing, blood red wax.

But don’t let the packaging fool you – the goods inside are said to be well worth every last plumy drop. And if you don’t think so, you may well want to keep a light on at night. You never know who is lurking behind the vines.

From gold embroidered royal iced flowers to brocaded cameo decor topped treats, Amber Spiegal has a real knack for baking and decorating Victorian-inspired cookies in her aptly named Etsy store, SweetAmbs.

The Baking and Pastry Arts graduate at The Culinary Institute of America in New York is renowned for her signature orange zest, vanilla bean and cardamom recipe that she finishes with vanilla royal icing. I’d bet my pennies these cookies taste as delicious as they look.

France equals Paris equals (Good) Food. If you are on a budget and want to eat at the best tables in Paris, check out Rachel Bajada’s lunch list. An Aussie expat living in Paris, she also provides some amazing recipes to try now if you can’t wait to go to France.

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Any tried and true foodie in Buenos Aires is an assiduous follower of Chef Diego Felix’s’ closed door restaurant, Casa Felix. Typically, however, his inspired pescatarian eats are only available a few months out of the year in Buenos Aires while the rest of the time, the Felix clan travels through Argentina, San Francisco, New York, Puerto Rico, and Latin America, generally, hosting closed door diners around the world. Luckily for all of us here in Buenos Aires, his contemporary yet distinctively regional fare can now be found in private events around the city as well thanks to the super exclusive Oasis Clubhouse.

Every other Wednesday in Oasis’ Palermo Soho location, Chef Felix is in-house serving-up a tapas menu perfect for accompanying cocktails. Rather than a sit down meal, these smaller events allow his strong Latin American influences to transform into an inspired selection of seafood tapas and finger foods, giving his loyal followers a new and exciting sampling of his culinary skills.

As with any Felix menu, ceviche is a must. His Peruvian causas with white fish ceviche and fresh apricots, in particular, does not disappoint. Succulent corn and grouper fish cakes awaken your appetite and the anticipation of more treats to come. On a recent visit, the surprise of the night was Colombian inspired steamed areppas with fresh fish, Portobello mushrooms, and cilantro. The savory selection finished with a white bean spread on homemade toasted bread with curated sardines, diced beetroot, and dill. For a touch of sweetness, the evening drew to a close with fragrant shortbread cookies and lavender ice cream. Throughout the evening Chef Felix helped serve his guests and make the rounds giving details of his food and inspiration, making it a one of a kind event in Buenos Aires and the perfect opening to an exciting summer season of eating.

The Lost At E Minor crew in Newcastle aren’t spoilt for choice in the way of yum cha, and even with the promise of a night of wine and dumplings, the location of the New Shanghai restaurant was at the Charlestown Square mega-mall. Let’s admit, suburban shopping centre Chinese hasn’t often been authentic, nor worthy of visiting more than once. However, as you step onto the pebbled-floors amongst a wooden ambiance to feast on assorted dumplings, there’s a sense that authentic and delicious noodles and dumplings have finally arrived, even if it’s not quite where you might have expected.

I’ve always been fascinated by food as it appears in cinema and literature, so this awesome montage of food scenes from iconic movies really stirs up some nostalgia in me.

Just a notch under US-grade pepper spray on the Scoville heat scale, the Bhut jolokia pepper is the second hottest pepper in the world. This handy kit helps you grow your own, just in case you need some serious spice in your life.

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Anyone who knows me knows I am partial to a nice sip of vodka. But in the day time, it’s a different matter, well before midday anyway. Then it’s all about the mighty cuppa. And We Are Tea share the same passion. Operating from opposite St. Pauls cathedral, not only do they have a cool tea shop, but they make their own award-winning blends. Trust me, these guys are turning the art of tea into alchemy.

As a nationally recognized voice in the style space, I live a fairly glamorous life. So when I heard my apartment bell ring the other day — quelle surprise! — it was a hand delivered pint of Chozen Ice Cream, to whom it’s handler had the unfortunate experience of finding me in my most bewitching ensemble to date: my robe. At 3pm in the afternoon. Very glamorous.

I had been anticipating its arrival and since I’ve been living milk, cheese, and butter-free for close to four months now, I wasn’t sure how I’d react to its sitting on my kitchen counter. The packaging is cute and further tempted my interest. Using the traditionally Jewish blue and white colors, the pint reads what it means to be Chozen: that is, kosher, all-natural, ultra-premium ice cream inspired by Jewish holidays and traditional desserts, like Matzoh Crunch, Rugulech and Chocolate Babka. I was handed their latest Espresso flavor, aptly titled “Coffee Talk.”

I couldn’t resist. I ripped open the lid and nibbled a spoonful. Then another. And then some more. I don’t know if it was that I’ve been off dairy for a while, or if the product is THAT good, but I can deem it one of the creamiest, dreamiest ice creams I’ve tasted to date. Buttery, delicious, with the espresso flavor perfectly pronounced. To further prove its deliciousness, my lactose-intolerant boyfriend schlepped home from work to finish off the whole pint in one sitting. Now, that’s what I call chutzpah.

A lot of people are into homebrew these days, but I’m much more of a wine person, so this kit for making homemade wine really excites me.

There is a beauty in baking from the touch of flour to the sound of an egg cracking open. In this sweet piece, Tiger in a Jar captures that sensory experience and portrays the artistry of baking.

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I am a total sucker for clever packaging. I particular love these fuel canisters filled with cherry, pear and plum schnapps from Mini Garage Winery. Named Super K, Super W and Super Z the schnapps are made by wine grower Anthony Hammond, who manufactures and refines his delicatessen foods out of an old tractor factory.

It’s getting cooler over here in the Northwestern hemisphere and so it seems our bellies are turning faithfully to those luxuriant hot cuppas to take off the chill: be it hot cocoa, café mocha, apple cider or best of all, mulled wine. And what could be more comforting than your favourite morning brew combined with the sweet spices of mulled wine?

Not much, or so we at The Urban Grocer think, which is why we will happily divulge that the latest limited edition bottle of mulled wine from Swedish-based company Blossa has dropped. And this year it’s boasting even greater appeal with the addition of Arabica bean infusions.

If the image of deeply aromatic coffee swirling into cloves, cinnamon, and orange and steaming forth from your warmed cup of glögg hasn’t won you over already, then the bottle will. The stout bottle with its bold type and seductive burgundy hue permeating through frosted glass will surely enhance your dining table, and enrich your guests. Skål to that.

Even though I’m easily won over by chocolate, I still have to hand it to Mary + Matt. The clever name and design alone are enough to make me want to try their Chocolate Googly Eyes.