How good is a short week? With the Easter Monday holiday rolling into the start of this week, the Saturday vibes have arrived like a freight train, shuddering us into the party mood. Sure, the weather might be a little gloomy outside but that’s no reason to write off the next two days. Why not settle into the couch and watch Conor McGregor giggle and lurch across Florida for two hours in Road House? Or Andrew Scott get moody and broody in Ripley? Or just enjoy the selection of goodies we’ve unearthed this week in our Man of Many Staff Favourites. Have at it.
Shōgun on Disney+
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
It’s been a crazy month here at Man of Many in light of all the happenings with the News Media Bargaining Code and Meta. If you haven’t already, definitely check out Nick’s Editor’s Letter on things you can do to help out! Given it’s been so busy, I’ve needed a good show to switch off at night and I must say, Shōgun on Disney+ is absolutely epic. It has all the good things you expect from Game of Thrones, except that it’s based on real historical events of Western settlement in Japan. Having grown up in Japan, I love that the show is half Japanese and half English spoken. It has a 9.1/10 rating on IMDB and an insane 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so you know it’s good.
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‘Kasso’ Japanese Skateboarding Gameshow
Frank Arthur – Co-Founder
True to tradition, Japan has dropped another banger of a game show, Kasso. You can think of Kasso as the Takeshi’s castle of skateboarding. Due to a lack of English subtitles and my non-existent Japanese vocabulary, I have no idea about what anyone is saying, but it doesn’t even matter. The thrill is in the visuals.
Skaters are challenged with courses that test various elements of their board skills from speed, and control to sheer courage. The format – skaters take turns attempting to complete some of the boldest, skate courses you’ve ever seen. Moving obstacles, water features, downhill bombs colourful LED lights, the Kasso has it all. In my opinion, this celebration of skateboarding prowess and creativity is currently the only game show worth watching.
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Stella Restaurant and Bar
Richie Hall – Video Producer
In search of your next bottomless brunch in Melbourne? Look no further than Stella on the bustling Chapel St in South Yarra. Enjoy a free flow of menu Italian favourites with bottomless Piper Champagne, beer, wine and cocktails for $118pp. More in the mood for bottomless pizza? For $88pp you’ll be treated to a free flow of pizza and bottomless selected Spritz’s. The beautiful open-air rooftop is the place to be on a sunny Sunday afternoon and the two bottomless brunch options provide great value for money. Check it out!
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Bickford’s 150th Anniversary Syrup Range
Dayna Aspite – Branded Content Associate
Bickford’s just dropped their new nostalgic syrup range in celebration of their 150th year anniversary. I was lucky enough to give them a go over the long weekend, and they did not disappoint at the family gatho! Whether it was for a fancy mocktail, cocktail, or just adding a lil to spice up some soda water, the syrups were having a main character moment for sure.
I’m not one to shy away from trying something new, especially when it involves mixing up a classic childhood treat with a grown-up twist. In comes a boozy lime spider that really hit the spot while soaking up some sun. I added white rum and Bickford’s Lime Spider syrup to some soda water before topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream I had infused with the same white rum. Made it extra fancy with some lime zest to top it all off. This combo was also just as amazing with their classic raspberry syrup. It definitely felt like a blast from the past making some Aussie classics like the spider and fire engines, and safe to say it won’t be the last!
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Mee So: A Taste of Seoul & Tokyo in Sydney
Elliott Barsby – Commercial Director
For my wife’s birthday, I treated her to a fun-filled night out on the vibrant streets of Seoul and Tokyo, all without leaving Sydney. Mee So is an exciting Asian fusion gem that combines the energy of these bustling cities with modern flair and some inventive culinary creations. From its funky, Instagram-worthy interiors to its creative cocktail menu inspired by Japanese and Korean artists, Mee So was a dining and drinking adventure.
It’s worth visiting to experience the cocktail menu alone, with imaginative concoctions inspired by Japanese and Korean artists. My pick, Shiota Webs, was a colourful combination of tequila, gochugaru-infused agave, and raspberry sorbet. My wife went for the Dots Obsession, a refreshing blend of soju, vodka, watermelon, and mezcal. We’ll be back to work our way through the rest of the list.
Spoilt for choice with an extensive dining menu, and not wanting to miss out on anything, we opted for the Mee So Tasty tasting menu. Standouts included the Japanese Style Tuna Tartare with salmon roe and pickled daikon, and the Peking Duck Bao, featuring succulent slow-roasted duck breast nestled in fluffy bao buns.
The true star of the evening, however, was the Airy Cheesecake, a heavenly dessert adorned with a birthday candle for my wife. The delicate texture and divine flavour left my wife claiming that it was “the best dessert I’ve ever tasted.” A definite highlight of our dining experience.
Adding to the fun atmosphere, Mee So offers retro arcade tables where guests can engage in friendly competitions. I couldn’t help brushing off my Pac-Man and Space Invaders skills, over a final cocktail, an unexpected twist and a fantastically fun end to the evening.
Mee So is a must-visit destination for those seeking a lively night out filled with creative cocktails and expertly crafted fusion cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of Asian street food or simply looking for a unique dining experience, be sure to give Mee So a go.
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Helldivers 2
Rob Edwards – Branded Content Editor
I tend to have a short attention span when it comes to video games. I can only enjoy most titles for 30 minutes or so before boredom sets in and I start looking for something else to do. Helldivers 2 is a rare exception, and for the last few weeks I’ve come back to play this cooperative third-person shooter on my PlayStation 5 again and again.
The thing is, Helldivers 2 is essentially Starship Troopers, the criminally underrated action-packed satire from director Paul Verhoeven. You fight on behalf of Super Earth against either the Terminids, a vicious alien race that bears more than a passing resemblance to Troopers’ Arachnids (stopping just shy of lawsuit territory), or the Automatons, a robotic menace who echo Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator in similar fashion.
The game’s action is frenetic and gory as you deliver “democracy” via an impressive arsenal that includes a variety of devastating airstrikes you can call in from your own personal spacecraft waiting in orbit — I named mine ‘Hammer of Family Values,’ which is now proudly emblazoned down its side. That’s just a hint of the kind of tongue-in-cheek humour that has helped Helldivers 2 embrace what made Starship Troopers such a cult classic. Kill some bugs for Super Earth!
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Curio Cottage Designer Jewellery
Naman Singh – Content & SEO Specialist
With a South Asian spin on conventional jewellery, Curio Cottage offers beautifully crafted, intricate ornaments with touches of Indian designs throughout. Whether you’re on the lookout for statement pieces, or something more subtle, Curio Cottage has it all.
Curio Cottage’s founder, Mr Lal describes his inspiration for the jewellery as “a beautiful flower, an exotic bird, or an evocative nazm (poem), anything can trigger that magnificent piece you want to create!”. Additionally, creativity for these pieces is sourced from all over the Indian subcontinent, with each part of India offering incredibly diverse designs, colours and styles.
The independent brand stocks everything from earrings, rings, necklaces to more traditional Indian jewellery types like bangles, ethnic nose rings and head pieces. They only have three stores in India, all located in Mumbai, but fret not, as you can shop their stunning collections from closer to home too.
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Bed Threads
Marcus Hurley – Sales and Partnerships Manager
I have recently experienced the linen update I didn’t know I needed. To me, bed sheets are something that have always just existed. Whether they are hand-me-downs from when I moved out of my parents many moons ago or that one time I thought a Millennium Falcon bedsheet set from Target was a good idea, bedsheets never really occupied much space in my mind outside of “I should probably wash my sheets”.
Boy have I been missing out. Enter Bed Threads—the ultimate choice for incredibly comfortable bedding that’s as customizable as it is comfy. With Bed Threads, you’re not just buying a standard set of sheets, you can build your own bundle, tailored to your taste and colour palette desires. Whether you’re into the breezy feel of linen or the smoothness of cotton, they’ve got you covered in every shade imaginable.
Since my girlfriend moved in recently, it seemed the ideal time to level up our bedding, and Bed Threads was the immediate choice. My partner’s friends, upon paying us a visit, joked that my old sheets were probably subpar compared to the luxury I was currently sleeping in (they were right, but still, ouch). Now, we’ve stepped up our comfort game big time, plus, Bed Threads’ commitment to sustainability and ethical production makes sleeping even sweeter. Upgrade your sleep game Bed Threads, you will never want to leave your bedroom again.
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Rewild Bagnums
John Guanzon – Head of Social
What I love about camping is the slow, no-agenda days and spending quality, uninterrupted time with family and friends. This Easter long weekend, one of the crowd favourites in my camping cool box was the Rewild Bagnums that I packed, which are essentially “fancy goon bags”. Now, these aren’t your regular boxed goonie bags, the packaging is sleek, well designed and screams ‘I’m a sophisticated wine drinker’.
The nifty little finger holes at the top of the bags make it look like you’re carrying around a cute little handbag. Not only is the packaging functional, but the wines are actually quite tasty. Sustainably made with minimal intervention, the Duxton Vineyard wines are fresh and easy to drink. Designed to be shared, each Bagnum holds 1.5 litres (the equivalent of x2 750ml bottles) and is 90 per cent lighter than glass, making it perfect for picnics, BBQs and of course, camping. And if for some reason you can’t finish the 1.5L of tasty wine, the Rewild Bagnum keeps fresh for up to 30 days after opening. The Rewild Bagnums are available in Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, with my favourite pick, the chardonnay.
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Country Road Leather Weekender
Allie Woodard – Branded Content Intern
With the long weekend behind us and only five weeks left in Australia, I have found myself looking up weekend adventures to explore areas outside of Sydney in order to make the most out of my time here. With only a small backpack and big suitcase with me, a weekender bag has been a favorite of mine for traveling efficiently while still having all the essentials. No more wrinkled clothes from being stuffed or paying the extra fees for checking as weekender bags are the ideal size for soaring through the sky or hitting the open road.
This Country Road Leather Weekender Bag can be a game-changer for your next trip. Its sleek and durable 100% leather design makes it perfect for travel as it will age gracefully with each adventure. With enough room for multiple outfits and all your amenities, it will be your go-to for efficient and stylish travel.
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