Published:
Readtime: 8 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
Another fabulous week draws to a close and we find ourselves just a few short hours away from September. Where does the time go? For the Man of Many team, the past month has been littered with new releases, rumours, reveals, and requisite fun, keeping us all out of breath and on our toes. Ben McKimm took a stab at Australia’s first full self-driving (supervised) Tesla, while Rob Edwards went hands-on with Luminox’s surprisingly affordable Red Bull Ampol Watches. Meanwhile, Dean Blake gave us a glimpse at what we might see at Apple’s upcoming tech showcase and I…well, kept the positive vibes going. With that in mind, here’s what kept us sane this week in Man of Many’s Staff Favourites.
Levi’s Men’s Twisted Trucker Jacket
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
As my bank account will attest, I’m a big denim guy. It’s pretty much the only thing that I will drop bulk cash on, usually in the form of selvedge jeans, but I am quite partial to a quality denim jacket. Over the years, I’ve copped a fair few, all in varying sizes, shapes, designs and cuts, so when Levi’s came to me with a new variation, it certainly piqued my interest.
The new men’s Twisted Trucker Jacket is the iconic San Francisco label’s latest iteration of the famous denim jacket silhouette, and it features a far more relaxed fit. Leaning into the same androgynous aesthetic we saw on the recent Levi’s Blue Tab collection, the Twisted collection is designed for all-year wear, cut to fall naturally rather than tight around the midsection. As a big fan of ’70s-era Levi’s pieces, I love the integration of the classic point collar and the double press-stub under neck fixtures.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of relaxed-fit denim, so I chose to size down to a medium, and I am glad that I did. The sloped shoulder design fits better on my frame, and by sizing down, I’ve wound up with a perfectly cropped jacket that feels comfortable without being oversized. A huge win in my books and a massive return to form for Levi’s.
Favourite Article of the Week: Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is a Masterclass in Perfection Through Patience
Quay Restaurant Sydney
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
Working at Man of Many, some weeks are just better than others. Through a sheer alignment of the stars (and my work calendar), I found myself in the ridiculously fortunate position of dining at two of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants on consecutive nights. First, a meal at Bennelong, celebrating its birthday anniversary, followed by Peter Gilmore’s Quay with my partner, gazing back at the Opera House from across the water. While the timing was unintentional, I certainly wasn’t complaining about getting to explore these two dining icons.
Bennelong was magnificent. It served up hearty, soulful food, cooked to absolute perfection. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm, sophisticated hug, but Quay was something else entirely. If Bennelong is the NSW Art Gallery, Quay is the Contemporary Museum of Art that tickles your senses in ways you never expected.
The whole experience was one of meticulous detail. The plates themselves are works of art, and remind me of growing up in Japan with beautiful dark ceramics. In the restaurant, you are positioned in the centre of Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House directly opposite and the Harbour Bridge to the side. Even as a Sydneysider, I never get tired of the view.
The evening began with an amuse-bouche (a tiny bite designed to cleanse and awaken the palate). As the plates continued to come out to the table, it was clear that Quay is an exploration of pure gastronomy, with different textures and flavours that surprise with every bite. What I loved about this set menu was the delicate balance of ingredients that you’d never think of putting together but seem to work perfectly.
Two dishes stood out for me as highlights. First, the Mud crab dumpling, but to call it a mere dumpling feels like a disservice. It was a perfect, silky parcel that burst with an intensity of flavour. Then came the Raw pearl oyster. I’ve had my fair share of oysters, but this was on another level. You can see why by the picture above.
Now, let’s talk about the wine. If you’re going to fork out the cash for an experience like this, you may as well consider going all out, and I can’t stress this enough. Get the matching wines. The sommelier’s selections added to the whole experience as we chatted away over both the food and wine tasting. While it certainly comes with a price tag, this definitely isn’t the kind of meal that will leave you hungry.
Favourite Article of the Week: What We Learned from Google’s Awkward Pixel 10 Announcement
Favourite Video of the Week: TEASER: This will shock everyone!
GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
Ben McKimm – Journalist – Automotive & Fashion
- Powertrain: 2.0-litre turbo petrol + electric motors (Plug-in Hybrid)
- Output: ~300 kW / 750 Nm (combined)
- EV Range: ~115 km (NEDC)
- Transmission: 9-speed auto (hybrid-specific tuning)
- Drivetrain: On-demand 4WD
- Braked towing: 3,500 kg
- Unbraked towing: 750 kg
- Payload: ~700 kg
- Dimensions: Length: 5,455 mm, Width: 1,991 mm, Height: 1,924 mm
I hadn’t sat behind the wheel of a Chinese ute for a while, and after seeing so many of these GWM Cannon utes on the road, I thought it was about time I checked one out to see what they are all about. They’re a bit far removed from the luxury SUVs and sports cars that I usually cover for the website, but now and then, you need a reset to see where we’re at in the new car market. Like the BYD Shark 6, which has become a sales monster, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV (from $57,490 driveaway) I drove for a week is a petrol-powered ute that can be driven for more than 100 kilometres on battery power alone, at highway speeds no less.
It’s shocking how far these utes have come in just a short time. The first one I drove two years ago was shocking, but now, I can confidently say that they’re 95% of the way to figuring out how to make a class-leading product. Okay, the Cannon Alpha PHEV doesn’t look as good as a Ranger or its cheaper diesel-powered cousin, the Cannon. However, I can’t poke many holes in its otherwise comfortable, tech-filled cabin, or the ride and handling, which is a notch above many competitors.
While I didn’t get a chance to make a full review video for this one, AllOffroad4x4 made an excellent video with the car on the hoist, even comparing it to the Toyota Prado.
Favourite Article of the Week: We Tested Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on Australian Roads
Favourite Video of the Week: TEASER: This will shock everyone!
The Ironclad Lil’ Legacy Pan
Alex Martinez – Media Sales and Brand Partnerships
I love cooking. A quality I inherited from my mum, who used to get me to help her cook dinners and meals from a young age. I particularly love experimenting with meals and following my Italian friends’ cooking ethos, which is that recipes are just a guide, and you’re better off following your heart or going rogue. What I cook with is important to me, and I’ve been recently using The Ironclad Lil’ Legay Pan.
It’s the first pan I’ve used that feels to me like it has a more profound respect and gravitas to it; quite a strange feeling for an inanimate object. The first thing that stood out, even prior to use, is the weight and sturdiness of the cast iron. It just feels impressive. This exact weight means you can give the contents of the pan a decent mix or stir without needing to hold the handle (which does get hot, which I see as a minor drawback). Its versatile size makes it perfect for everything from searing steaks to frying eggs, and it transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven.
Now, finally (and I feel like an old man saying this), but one of the most impressive features is the 100-year, three-generation replacement warranty it comes with. You get a cool, scroll-like agreement that covers all scenarios, including how the pan is covered for 100 years, if the business goes bust and even if humans evolve to a point where cooking is obsolete (not kidding). The guarantee is also cast directly into the iron base of every pan. So I’m loving the pan, but I still have many more uses to get out of it. Definitely worth a crack if you are looking for a multi-purpose pan that will last a minimum of 100 years.
Favourite Article of the Week: 20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Deliver
Favourite Video of the Week: The Naked Gun (2025) was actually… good?
Comments
We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.