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The Age
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Sydney's best dog-friendly venues now serve ‘puppitini' cocktails and pooch-only high teas
Eating out Pet-friendly 'We're BYO human': Cafes are embracing four-legged friends like never before. Previous SlideNext Slide The lunch crowd at St Peters cafe Baba G's are more enthusiastic than most – salivating over the menu, tearing into beef hamburgers and taking off to run laps of the artificial turf. While dog-friendly cafes, bars and restaurants have become commonplace in Sydney, Baba G's is one of a growing number catering specifically to the canine experience. The converted warehouse cafe, opened in December, features a dog-friendly menu with dishes such as Korean fried chicken, cheese pie and strawberry doughnuts. There's a fenced indoor play area stocked with toys, an open-air grooming salon and the capacity to host dog birthday parties (balloon arches optional). 'At our business, dogs come first and humans come second,' says owner-operator Sam Ayoub. But humans are looked after, too. Specialty coffee from Melbourne roastery Zest and whisked-to-order matcha lattes are served in handmade ceramics, alongside a selection of sandwiches and Son of a Baker pastries. At Enfield cafe Paw Haus, it's 'BYO human', says manager Annabelle Harper. Paw Haus opened in October and, like Baba G's, offers grooming services, play areas and food options for both dogs and people. In Sydney, where dogs outnumber children in almost half of the city's council areas, the concept of pet-friendly third spaces is popular among dog owners and enthusiasts alike. Harper says her venue attracts many customers who don't own a pet of their own, but want to spend time playing with free-roaming dogs or feeding fish waffles to the rescue kittens (available for adoption in a separate room). The new spaces join pubs such as The Carrington in Surry Hills and the Courthouse in Newtown, which serve dedicated dog menus. Puppy Tail Cafe in Lane Cove and Cafe Bones in Leichhardt have set up shop beside dog parks, and dogs are now treated to a complimentary 'puppitini' (water in a coupe glass, garnished with prosciutto) at Bar Demo in Enmore. 'When it comes to allowing dogs in cafes and other hospitality venues, it's changing for the better,' Ayoub says. 'Dogs are family, but you only get maybe 10 to 12 years with them, so why not make the most of that time?' 10 of the best dog-friendly venues in Sydney Baba G's Cafe & Grooming Salon, St Peter s Baba G's was born out of Ayoub's love for his Afghan hound Baba Ganoush, and a desire to create a calm, cage-free grooming salon for dogs of all sizes. Dogs are the focus, but Baba G's also functions as an excellent standalone cafe with quality pastries, matcha and specialty coffee. Good to know: Sydney Park is within walking distance. Paw Haus by Pet Us, Enfield A two-storey terrace with an off-leash dog cafe, room to cuddle rescue cats, and a grooming salon. Burgers and wraps are prepared in a food truck in the outdoor garden, and dogs are treated to human-grade treats including salmon and chia cookies and blueberry yoghurt smoothies. Good to know: There's a separate quiet room for timid dogs. 244 Liverpool Road, Enfield, Doglateria, Bondi Junction Take your dog on an ice-cream date at this Bondi gelateria, which serves Italian gelato for humans and lactose-free, human-grade 'dog-lato' ($6.50 per scoop) in flavours such as peanut butter and honey, strawberry and banana, and mango and carrot. Good to know: Want to step it up a notch? Take on the 'doggy high tea' serving two dogs for $42. Puppy Tail Cafe, Lane Cove Dog nutritionist Naoko Okamoto serves organic lamb mince, vegie waffles and 'doggie lattes' at this small Lane Cove outpost, cleverly positioned beside Blackman Park off-leash dog park. For humans, there are Japanese-inspired dishes including tonkatsu pork sandos and onigiri. Good to know: Blackman Park dog park is divided into two separate areas for small and large dogs. Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West, Cafe Bones, Leichhardt Cafe Bones is located within the Hawthorne Canal Reserve off-leash park, serving solid, simple cafe fare such as toasted sandwiches, bagels and traditional Aussie spiders. It's a great place to meet fellow owners, but it can be difficult to find a car park on weekends. Good to know: Cafe Bones bakes bacon and cheese 'puppfins' for dogs. 1 Canal Road, Leichhardt, Forrester's, Surry Hills Fancy a roast dinner? Forrester's pub serves a $35 roast every night with an oversized Yorkshire pudding, dubbed 'the big Yorkie'. Dogs can now get in on the action with non-alcoholic dog-friendly beers and the $10 'pawkie': a bowl of kibble served with gravy and a miniature Yorkshire pudding. Good to know: Pawkies are free between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays for 'yappy hour'. Bar Demo, Enmore Sip martinis with your dog at Bar Demo, the new vinyl-spinning cocktail bar on Enmore Road from two ex-Double Deuce bartenders. The 'puppitini' is complimentary and contains no alcohol, just water garnished with prosciutto (healthier alternatives to come). Good to know: Try the frozen gin-based house martini, or one of 12 natural wines by the glass. 85 Enmore Road, Newtown, The Carrington, Surry Hills Charming corner pub The Carrington is a contender for the best dog-friendly pub in Sydney, welcoming furry friends both inside and outside. The menu includes steak and vegies or beef tartare for dogs, and pub classics (plus some great pastas) for humans. Good to know: Dogs must be on their best behaviour: 'If you bark, to the park!'
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney's best dog-friendly venues now serve ‘puppitini' cocktails and pooch-only high teas
Eating out Pet-friendly 'We're BYO human': Cafes are embracing four-legged friends like never before. Previous SlideNext Slide The lunch crowd at St Peters cafe Baba G's are more enthusiastic than most – salivating over the menu, tearing into beef hamburgers and taking off to run laps of the artificial turf. While dog-friendly cafes, bars and restaurants have become commonplace in Sydney, Baba G's is one of a growing number catering specifically to the canine experience. The converted warehouse cafe, opened in December, features a dog-friendly menu with dishes such as Korean fried chicken, cheese pie and strawberry doughnuts. There's a fenced indoor play area stocked with toys, an open-air grooming salon and the capacity to host dog birthday parties (balloon arches optional). 'At our business, dogs come first and humans come second,' says owner-operator Sam Ayoub. But humans are looked after, too. Specialty coffee from Melbourne roastery Zest and whisked-to-order matcha lattes are served in handmade ceramics, alongside a selection of sandwiches and Son of a Baker pastries. At Enfield cafe Paw Haus, it's 'BYO human', says manager Annabelle Harper. Paw Haus opened in October and, like Baba G's, offers grooming services, play areas and food options for both dogs and people. In Sydney, where dogs outnumber children in almost half of the city's council areas, the concept of pet-friendly third spaces is popular among dog owners and enthusiasts alike. Harper says her venue attracts many customers who don't own a pet of their own, but want to spend time playing with free-roaming dogs or feeding fish waffles to the rescue kittens (available for adoption in a separate room). The new spaces join pubs such as The Carrington in Surry Hills and the Courthouse in Newtown, which serve dedicated dog menus. Puppy Tail Cafe in Lane Cove and Cafe Bones in Leichhardt have set up shop beside dog parks, and dogs are now treated to a complimentary 'puppitini' (water in a coupe glass, garnished with prosciutto) at Bar Demo in Enmore. 'When it comes to allowing dogs in cafes and other hospitality venues, it's changing for the better,' Ayoub says. 'Dogs are family, but you only get maybe 10 to 12 years with them, so why not make the most of that time?' 10 of the best dog-friendly venues in Sydney Baba G's Cafe & Grooming Salon, St Peter s Baba G's was born out of Ayoub's love for his Afghan hound Baba Ganoush, and a desire to create a calm, cage-free grooming salon for dogs of all sizes. Dogs are the focus, but Baba G's also functions as an excellent standalone cafe with quality pastries, matcha and specialty coffee. Good to know: Sydney Park is within walking distance. Paw Haus by Pet Us, Enfield A two-storey terrace with an off-leash dog cafe, room to cuddle rescue cats, and a grooming salon. Burgers and wraps are prepared in a food truck in the outdoor garden, and dogs are treated to human-grade treats including salmon and chia cookies and blueberry yoghurt smoothies. Good to know: There's a separate quiet room for timid dogs. 244 Liverpool Road, Enfield, Doglateria, Bondi Junction Take your dog on an ice-cream date at this Bondi gelateria, which serves Italian gelato for humans and lactose-free, human-grade 'dog-lato' ($6.50 per scoop) in flavours such as peanut butter and honey, strawberry and banana, and mango and carrot. Good to know: Want to step it up a notch? Take on the 'doggy high tea' serving two dogs for $42. Puppy Tail Cafe, Lane Cove Dog nutritionist Naoko Okamoto serves organic lamb mince, vegie waffles and 'doggie lattes' at this small Lane Cove outpost, cleverly positioned beside Blackman Park off-leash dog park. For humans, there are Japanese-inspired dishes including tonkatsu pork sandos and onigiri. Good to know: Blackman Park dog park is divided into two separate areas for small and large dogs. Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West, Cafe Bones, Leichhardt Cafe Bones is located within the Hawthorne Canal Reserve off-leash park, serving solid, simple cafe fare such as toasted sandwiches, bagels and traditional Aussie spiders. It's a great place to meet fellow owners, but it can be difficult to find a car park on weekends. Good to know: Cafe Bones bakes bacon and cheese 'puppfins' for dogs. 1 Canal Road, Leichhardt, Forrester's, Surry Hills Fancy a roast dinner? Forrester's pub serves a $35 roast every night with an oversized Yorkshire pudding, dubbed 'the big Yorkie'. Dogs can now get in on the action with non-alcoholic dog-friendly beers and the $10 'pawkie': a bowl of kibble served with gravy and a miniature Yorkshire pudding. Good to know: Pawkies are free between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays for 'yappy hour'. Bar Demo, Enmore Sip martinis with your dog at Bar Demo, the new vinyl-spinning cocktail bar on Enmore Road from two ex-Double Deuce bartenders. The 'puppitini' is complimentary and contains no alcohol, just water garnished with prosciutto (healthier alternatives to come). Good to know: Try the frozen gin-based house martini, or one of 12 natural wines by the glass. 85 Enmore Road, Newtown, The Carrington, Surry Hills Charming corner pub The Carrington is a contender for the best dog-friendly pub in Sydney, welcoming furry friends both inside and outside. The menu includes steak and vegies or beef tartare for dogs, and pub classics (plus some great pastas) for humans. Good to know: Dogs must be on their best behaviour: 'If you bark, to the park!'
Hospitality Net
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Sofitel reinvents the hotel uniform and unveils an exclusive collaboration with the French designer Cordelia de Castellane
This new collection, embodying the highest standards of French savoir-faire, will be rolled out across Sofitel hotels throughout 2026. Comprising 45 pieces, the Vestiaire has been thoughtfully designed to suit all professions and destinations, while expressing an elegant, fluid, and boldly contemporary style — a reflection of the renaissance of Accor's most quintessentially French luxury brand. Empowering 25,000 employees to embody the French Zest Sofitel and Cordelia de Castellane have teamed up to create a new closet for all employees at the brand's 120-plus hotels worldwide. With her experience of the most prestigious French luxury houses, Cordelia brings a touch of modernity and sophistication to this collection, while preserving the finest standards of French craftsmanship. Conceived as a celebration of the brand's hotel teams - 25,000 employees worldwide - and the culture of personalized service inherited from the French art of hospitality, this collaboration embodies the very essence of French elegance. With its flowing, resolutely Parisian cuts, accessories and unostentatious elegance, it breaks with the monotony often associated with traditional uniforms, offering instead a bold and authentic expression of French chic. The partnership marks a key milestone in Sofitel's ongoing renaissance, as the brand continues its global expansion with 32 new openings planned over the next three years. All of these properties embody the Sofitel spirit, blending French zest with local cultural richness, a commitment symbolized by the 'Cultural Link', the iconic logo creating a bridge between world's cultures. The new Vestiaire features the graphic Sofitel logo in a collection of exclusive prints, transforming Sofitel's visual signature into a luxurious monogram. A high-end, modular and evolving Vestiaire Designed with flexibility in mind, the Sofitel wardrobe introduces a fresh fashion-forward approach tailored to every role and destination. Under the artistic direction of Cordelia de Castellane, the collection seamlessly blends timeless silhouettes with practical needs, offering a variety of noble fabrics, textures, and color palettes suitable for both city hotels and resorts. Each piece has been crafted using flexible and durable materials — internationally tested across pilot hotels — to meet the everyday needs of hotel staff. The wardrobe adapts to all body types, roles, and climates, ensuring both comfort and elegance. In line with Sofitel's CSR commitments, each uniform is made from high-quality materials built to withstand daily demands while remaining effortlessly elegant, thanks to refined details and impeccable finishes. This wardrobe also reflects Sofitel's dedication to responsible luxury. Developed in partnership with Paris Good Fashion, the initiative ensures every step of production respects principles of sustainability, repairability, and recyclability — reducing environmental impact and contributing to more responsible resource management. Cordelia de Castellane, shaping the creative universe of Sofitel Vestiaire The inspiration underpinning this new collection draws directly from the unique creative world of Cordelia de Castellane, a designer whose work is marked by a fusion of tradition and modernity. Her vision of luxury combines timeless elegance with creative audacity, subtly blending classic and contemporary elements. The Sofitel Vestiaire is much more than a uniform: it's a manifesto. It's a tribute to our teams, who are the first to embody the renaissance of Sofitel. It reflects the joy of embracing a brand, the pride of being its ambassador, and the desire to wear our values in silk, knit, or cotton. We want this wardrobe to be emotionally resonant, exacting and refined, but also effortlessly chic. That's why we needed a visionary. This partnership with Cordelia de Castellane is the meeting of two visions of luxury, united by a shared passion for exceptional design. Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems For me, Sofitel is a madeleine de Proust. It brings back childhood memories, iconic hotels, and a very specific vision of French luxury. Sofitel is more than a hotel brand — it's a way of life, a natural elegance paired with a deep openness to the world. Paris was a major inspiration for this collection — because Paris means effortless chic, cultural richness, precision tailoring, and that uniquely bold creativity. I wanted to imagine a wardrobe that expresses this Parisian sophistication, but also the warmth of hospitality and the pride of representing a house. These are garments designed to last, to move with the body, and to make every team member feel beautiful, free, and proud, adds Cordelia de Castellane. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Zest launches early dementia screening test
Zest has unveiled a new app-based cognitive test designed to screen for the early signs of dementia, as efforts ramp up in healthcare to protect against age-related neurological decline. Developed alongside a team at the University of Cambridge University's Memory Lab, the London-headquartered biotech's Precision Memory Assessment (PREMAZ) test is intended to detect subtle cognitive changes that may occur decades before the symptoms of dementia arise. PREMAZ works by focusing on testing in the areas of memory function most affected in early dementia: episodic- and recognition-related memory, the brain's processing speed, and executive function in relation to decision-making and working memory. By enabling earlier detection and empowering people to make preventative changes sooner, this technology could dramatically reduce the number of Alzheimer's cases and change the future of brain health, according to Zest. 'By moving this technology from the lab into people's hands, we're creating new opportunities for earlier detection, better interventions, and ultimately better outcomes,' explained Professor Jon Simons, Cambridge Memory Lab's lead and scientific director on the project with Zest. 'The sensitivity of our memory precision task means we can detect subtle memory changes at an early stage when they can still be remedied by cognitive and lifestyle interventions that may protect against further age-related decline.' Various companies are on the road towards developing early dementia detection tools, with each taking slightly different approaches towards the early detection of the neurodegenerative condition. Since gaining clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2025, Oxford Brain Diagnostics (OBD) is gearing up to launch a software tool designed to evaluate the early signs of dementia by analysing MRI scans. Meanwhile, a research team led by the University of Edinburgh is using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a software tool for use by optometrists to detect dementia risk from a routine eye test. Work is also underway in determining what factors may increase or reduce an individual's risk of developing dementia in later life. A study recently published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that people with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in their blood had a lower risk of developing dementia. Further research suggests that those who experience hearing loss yet forego cochlear implants or hearing aids, may be at greater risk of developing dementia. "Zest launches early dementia screening test" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Food companies' edible waste given to charities thanks to AI tool trial
Millions of meals worth of wasted food could be redistributed thanks to an artificial intelligence tool being trialled by companies across the UK, including Nestlé. The AI tool, which has already generated an 87% reduction in edible food waste at one of the Swiss conglomerate's factories over its first two-week trial period, is intended to 'design out' food waste by providing real-time monitoring, tracking and insights of wasted ingredients and products. Under the pilot scheme,Nestlé said that up to 700 tonnes of quality surplus food – the equivalent of up to 1.5 million meals – could be saved. The trial is also estimated to prevent up to 1,400 tonnes of CO2 being emitted, helping to save up to £14m in running costs. Alina Sartogo, one of the co-founders of Zest, which developed the tool, said all the food waste it identified is edible, but not sellable at a profit for the manufacturers. For example, the waste might include a broken KitKat bar, or a product with an expiry date that's too short to sell on to retailers. The Zest software could be expanded across the food supply chain on a subscription basis by March next year, following a series of pilots with different manufacturers. A second pilot with Nestlé has recently been launched after receiving funding from the government agency Innovate UK's BridgeAI scheme, which provides a £1.9m match-funded grant for AI projects. Esra Kasapoglu, director of AI and data economy at the agency, said the project represented a 'solution that aims to transform food sourcing and distribution across the UK, cutting waste, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering costs'. Some 4.6m tonnes of edible food, equivalent to 10bn meals of food, is wasted in the UK each year. Simon Millard, director of food at the charity FareShare, said the technology would 'make a huge difference' to its work to redistribute food to more than 8,000 charities and community groups across the UK. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion For the latest pilot, Sustainable Ventures, which supports climate startups, has brought together several companies, including Nestlé; the machine learning-based logistics system provider Bristol Superlight, Howard Tenens Logistics, the supply chain management system FuturePlus, FareShare, and Google Cloud's BigQuery and Vertex AI platform.
