How good is the weekend? With the AFL Grand Final occupying the vast majority of the space in our brains, the next 48 hours is essentially a write-off for us. We’ll be glued to the television, cracking beers, eating wings and screaming advice at players who can’t hear us (and rightfully shouldn’t listen). That’s not to say this week has been wasted, however. The last seven days have been loaded with a bevy of great new products and experiences, and we’re more than happy to share them with you. Here is Man of Many’s Staff Favourites for this week.
Supersized Wicked Sister High Protein Pudding
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been hitting the gym hard and trying to put on a bit more muscle, which essentially means I’ve been eating like a horse. My meals have doubled in size and my protein intake is at prime Ronnie Coleman levels, but I must admit, I am getting a little sick of chicken and rice. Truth be told, I’ve been craving something sweet and this week, I finally indulged.
The legends over at Wicked Sister sent me a sample pack of its new supersized high-protein puddings. The rich and creamy desserts were exactly what I was looking for, satisfying my sweet cravings and allowing me to dip into the deliciousness of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and banana goodies without breaking my calorie count. At 510 grams, the big dog desserts are a huge size step up from the 170 gram single scoops I’m used to seeing, however, they are still loaded with a stellar 15 grams of protein per serving. If you want to join me on the gain train, I highly recommend heading over to Coles and picking up a few tubs of Wicked Sister’s upgraded High Protein Puddings.
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Kingsleys Long Lunch
John Guanzon – Head of Social
This week, I entered the latter half of my mid-thirties, and with each passing year, I find myself appreciating birthday celebrations more when they’re low-key, intimate, and shared with just a few close ones. The perfect way to celebrate this year turned out to be a long and delicious lunch at Kingsleys in Woolloomoolloo. Situated towards the end of the iconic Finger Wharf, Kingsleys has made a name for itself with a menu that heroes high-quality Australian produce, with a focus on fresh seafood and premium cuts of steak.
One of their current specials though is a daily “long lunch” which includes a delicious two-course meal plus bottomless drinks for two hours, all for $139 per person. Now, when I say two courses, I’m not talking just two plates of food – it’s a full feast. The menu is all about balance: starting with delicate Yellowfin Tuna Crudo offset by the richness of Duck Liver Parfait and Black Onyx Beef Cheek Croquettes. The steak-tasting platter was unbelievable. Pair that with Truffled Mac and Cheese, crispy Brussel Sprouts, and Roasted Bone Marrow and you know you’ve hit the jackpot for a high-quality lunch. A bonus would be the stunning waterfront view and a glorious Sydney afternoon. The sum of all of that: a birthday, well spent.
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Wild God by Nick Cave
Rob Edwards – Branded Content Editor
While I certainly believe he’s more than deserving of the devoted following he’s accrued over the last 40 years or so, I’m someone who’s always respected rather than loved Nick Cave’s music. I’ve gone through phases where he’s been a larger part of my musical diet, but I’ve never taken that leap into out-and-out fandom. Having said that, I’ve become pretty obsessed with his latest album.
It’s hard to put my finger on precisely why Wild God has had such an effect on me, but I challenge anyone not to be moved by the fact that despite the immense tragedy Cave has endured in his life—losing two sons, Arthur in 2015 and Jethro in 2022—there’s a defiant sense of hope and joy running through the album. His sadness and grief are also very much present, but as you listen, you can’t help feeling elated as Cave’s love for the beauty he still finds in the world wills its way to the surface with gritted teeth. It makes me want to cheer, even if just quietly to myself.
There is and likely always will be a shadow across Cave’s work, as would be expected from anyone who’s suffered as much loss as he has, but this incredible album is an against-the-odds celebration and one I imagine I’ll return to for a long time to come.
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Nanoleaf Blocks
Ben McKimm – Journalist – Automotive & Fashion
So, I’m a massive RGB nerd. Yes, I know it’s a bit cringe-worthy to have colour-changing downlights and the rest, but I’m all in when it comes to RGB feature lighting on the wall of your gaming room or study. Nanoleaf has been the leader in this category for years, and their latest invention might be their best yet. They’re called Nanoleaf Blocks, and they combine the best of RGB lighting with real, helpful storage shelves and pinboards. That means you can hang your gaming headphones, store your Funko Pops, and keep your controllers back-lit when not used. This game-changer is for RGB lovers like myself, and I can’t wait to set up my starter pack! Quick note: You’ll need a stud finder or similar to set up the pinboards and shelves as they need to be fixed to the wall, and double-sided tape won’t do.
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A Whale of a Time
Dean Blake – Journalist – Tech, Entertainment & Features
This week, I decided to take a break from depressing true-crime documentaries and instead focus on some good, old-fashioned nature. ‘Whales with Steve Backshall’ takes us deep under the ocean to show off the kinds of lives enjoyed by the world’s biggest animals, and how they’re learning to co-exist with, and avoid, human life. In the series, we get some pretty incredible footage of dolphins playing, whales sleeping vertically in the deep blue, and a diver that has spent a literal decade filming a particular pod, and learns to communicate with them through bubbles. It’s really quite incredible.
Plus, you learn about the heroic ways we humans are trying to save the species as it heads into a hotter, more difficult future, which is always encouraging. It’s nice to remember that people can do good! You can watch Whales on ABC iView, which is nice and free, so I’d advise anyone that is in the mood for some animal documentary goodness to check it out!
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Tita Carinderia
Beatrix Boon – Social Video Producer
From the same owners of legendary Donut Papi comes Tita’s. I’m a fiend for a good Filipino dessert, but my issue is that all the good places are quite far away from the city. When I found out about Tita’s, my assumption was that it would be a bit more ‘trendy’ than those other places (not in a good way), being in the Inner West after all. However, walking in, I ate my words, being met instantly with a feeling of warmth and authenticity.
The Carinderia is part grocery store, part restaurant with so many options to eat, both sweet and savoury. What took us here wasn’t the good vibes, nor was it the banging pastries, but their notorious ube soft-serve. It absolutely delivered, living up to and beyond the hype. It was a perfectly balanced sweetness-to ube ratio beautifully presented, and so so creamy. And, get this, it’s only $3! Definitely going back for another sometime soon.
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Tres Tribus Mezcal Espadín
Jacob Osborn – Staff Writer
The small batch mezcal from Tres Tribus is handcrafted in the remote mountains of Oaxaca by fifth-generation Maestro Mezcalero Juan Antonio Coronel. Not only is the B Corp certified brand racking up all kinds of major awards, but they go the extra mile in terms of sustainable practices, such as a replanting program that plants four new agaves for every one harvested.
Until recently, Tres Tribus focused on rare artisanal mezcals at premium prices, but they’ve just debuted a new Espadín expression. While more affordable than its counterparts, the mezcal is nevertheless quite complex and delicious. It’s grassy, smoky, and herbal on the nose, with a similarly diverse taste that brings in notes of sweet agave and peppermint. Consider me an instant fan of the effortless sipper and the label that crafted it.
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