Latest news with #Zenon
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Melbourne's most famous coffee is magic. But who gets to claim it?
Trampoline. Videotape. Linoleum. Windsurfer. Plenty of products started life as trademarks, from Aspirin to Zoom, slowly easing into lower-case status in the dictionary. Some brands echo the creator's name, from biro to leotard, while others explain the gadget's function, such as Philips' air fryer or Sony's memory stick. Further labels derive from serendipity. Some 20 years ago, that happened on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, after a string of experiments between customer and barista. Zenon Misko, a Ukrainian-Australian trademark attorney, was the customer needing a double ristretto to face the day. Cate Della Bosca, owner of Newtown S.C., was the alchemist open to ideas. 'Around mid-morning,' recalls Zenon, 'I took a break from the office to grab a coffee. But in winter, I wanted something that would last a bit longer, so I'd get a double-ristretto flat white.' A mouthful to order, and a chore to drink, the cool-brown dregs lacking foam and energy by the time the cup was nearing done. 'So I said to Cate, let's try a double-ristretto-three-quarter-flat-white…' . Ten syllables this time, but the hit was a hit. Cate ensured the elixir had that delicate micro-foam layer, the ristretto pour maintained its punch, the reduced milk its temperature. Ten cups later, in that café code enjoyed among regulars, Zenon was asking for that magical coffee he liked, as Cate waved her steam wand. Voila, the magic arrived. Arrived in the Macquarie too, listed as definition #7 after the supernatural front-runners, though curiously the coffee is marked as Victorian only, as if the recipe has retained its postcode. But just like windsurfers, good ideas travel, the Zenon-Cate magic moving to Sydney, Singapore, New York, Tokyo, even to Nambour (though I hear they call the blend a grom up there). Stroll into your nearest 7-Eleven and there on the coffee-maker's screen you'll find the magic icon (a three-quarter brown blob) beside the macchiato and piccolo latte. Across the ditch in England, should you visit any of the 1000-plus Marks & Spencer outlets, you'll have the option of ordering 'the company's latest culinary adventure, this time a concept imported from Australia, known as the 'Magic Coffee'' – to quote the catalogue, inverted commas included. As for the price tag? Order the brew and – poof – you'll see £3.15 disappear from your account like magic. Loading The magic is equally big in Thailand too, where Zenon and his young family lived for several years. 'There's a café in Phra Khanong, an emerging part of Bangkok, called Karo Coffee Roasters. Karo is a Sri Lankan born and raised in the Maldives whose magic is the best I've tasted.' Seems the sorcery – or make that saucery – has reached the world's palate. Yet the art of magic, we know, is misdirection. Whether the blend and its label began on Brunswick Street, or across the Yarra, or even in Frankenstein's castle a year prior to this story, is hardly Zenon's concern. 'I'm open to others thinking they own the idea, the name, whatever. It's not 'our' coffee. Cate and I know where we were when we came up with the mix.' In a reversal of cultural cringe, one British food critic disputed the term as 'magic doesn't end with a vowel so can't be a coffee type.' At least one thing we do know: Magic Marker is the trade name – and intellectual property – of Bic. While a magic coffee, by contrast, belongs to the people.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Melbourne's most famous coffee is magic. But who gets to claim it?
Trampoline. Videotape. Linoleum. Windsurfer. Plenty of products started life as trademarks, from Aspirin to Zoom, slowly easing into lower-case status in the dictionary. Some brands echo the creator's name, from biro to leotard, while others explain the gadget's function, such as Philips' air fryer or Sony's memory stick. Further labels derive from serendipity. Some 20 years ago, that happened on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, after a string of experiments between customer and barista. Zenon Misko, a Ukrainian-Australian trademark attorney, was the customer needing a double ristretto to face the day. Cate Della Bosca, owner of Newtown S.C., was the alchemist open to ideas. 'Around mid-morning,' recalls Zenon, 'I took a break from the office to grab a coffee. But in winter, I wanted something that would last a bit longer, so I'd get a double-ristretto flat white.' A mouthful to order, and a chore to drink, the cool-brown dregs lacking foam and energy by the time the cup was nearing done. 'So I said to Cate, let's try a double-ristretto-three-quarter-flat-white…' . Ten syllables this time, but the hit was a hit. Cate ensured the elixir had that delicate micro-foam layer, the ristretto pour maintained its punch, the reduced milk its temperature. Ten cups later, in that café code enjoyed among regulars, Zenon was asking for that magical coffee he liked, as Cate waved her steam wand. Voila, the magic arrived. Arrived in the Macquarie too, listed as definition #7 after the supernatural front-runners, though curiously the coffee is marked as Victorian only, as if the recipe has retained its postcode. But just like windsurfers, good ideas travel, the Zenon-Cate magic moving to Sydney, Singapore, New York, Tokyo, even to Nambour (though I hear they call the blend a grom up there). Stroll into your nearest 7-Eleven and there on the coffee-maker's screen you'll find the magic icon (a three-quarter brown blob) beside the macchiato and piccolo latte. Across the ditch in England, should you visit any of the 1000-plus Marks & Spencer outlets, you'll have the option of ordering 'the company's latest culinary adventure, this time a concept imported from Australia, known as the 'Magic Coffee'' – to quote the catalogue, inverted commas included. As for the price tag? Order the brew and – poof – you'll see £3.15 disappear from your account like magic. Loading The magic is equally big in Thailand too, where Zenon and his young family lived for several years. 'There's a café in Phra Khanong, an emerging part of Bangkok, called Karo Coffee Roasters. Karo is a Sri Lankan born and raised in the Maldives whose magic is the best I've tasted.' Seems the sorcery – or make that saucery – has reached the world's palate. Yet the art of magic, we know, is misdirection. Whether the blend and its label began on Brunswick Street, or across the Yarra, or even in Frankenstein's castle a year prior to this story, is hardly Zenon's concern. 'I'm open to others thinking they own the idea, the name, whatever. It's not 'our' coffee. Cate and I know where we were when we came up with the mix.' In a reversal of cultural cringe, one British food critic disputed the term as 'magic doesn't end with a vowel so can't be a coffee type.' At least one thing we do know: Magic Marker is the trade name – and intellectual property – of Bic. While a magic coffee, by contrast, belongs to the people.
Time Out Dubai
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Futuristic dining spot Zenon Dubai gets a new menu this summer
Tucked inside Kempinski Central Avenue, Zenon Dubai is far from your typical dinner spot. Sure, it's a looker, and yes, it's got flair, but you don't go here for normal. You go here for the extraordinary. The striking interior – inspired by Greek mythology – makes the spot stand out in Dubai's crowded fine dining scene, while the anamorphic screens and laser lighting give the space a futuristic, otherworldly feel. Prefer to dine outside? The terrace offers a temperature-controlled setting that's perfect for relaxed evenings. With stunning interiors and a Mediterranean-meets-Asian menu, this is the perfect spot when you're trying to impress someone special. Meet the chefs Helmed by the talented trio, chef Lorenzo Buccarini, chef Thomas Papas and chef Tatsuya Ueda, the kitchen is where tradition meets modern. Chef Lorenzo, a La Petite Maison graduate trained in Italy, brings a wealth of experience from Bali, the Bahamas and Dubai to the table, infusing each dish with seasonal Italian charm. Chef Thomas, meanwhile, cooks straight from the soul, with Greek roots that run deep and a passion for produce that goes all the way back to picking tomatoes with his grandfather. Chef Tatsuya Ueda, a dedicated sushi chef at Zenon, embodies a futuristic and forward-looking ethos with every dish. Between them, they've racked up accolades from Gault&Millau and Gambero Rosso, and it shows. Explore the new menu This is where things get interesting. The new menu additions bring together refined techniques with big, bold flavours. The beef tataki is glorious. A thinly sliced beef striploin that's lightly seared and served with daikon, ponzu, red onions and a spicy citrus soy sauce. There's the shrimp saganaki drenched in a rich tomato base layered between langoustine bisque and bubbling feta, and the wagyu beef skewers that marry soy, mirin and miso with a crunchy hit of spicy tempura flakes. Don't sleep on the maccheroncini al pesto. It might sound familiar, but the garlic-chilli breadcrumb crumble gives it a cheeky twist. Prefer something chilled to start? The seabass ceviche dressed in passion fruit leche de tigre is a zesty number that balances citrus, spice and crunch in all the right places. Don't miss the ebi miso yaki, a tiger prawn grilled just right, brushed with miso mayo, and finished with a flicker of togarashi spice. Bold, punchy and rather good with a glass of something chilled. For dessert, the Aphrodite cheesecake keeps things sweet. This modern cheesecake comes wrapped in a lovely phyllo dough and is served with pistachio-yogurt parfait and honey. Or you could tuck into the Guanaja chocolate fondant masterpiece, created with camel milk ice cream and traditional sabayon with Marsala ice cream. Next time you're in the mood for something a little different, where Greek mythology meets global ingredients, you know where to book. Open daily noon-3am. Kempinski Central Avenue, @zenondubai
Pink Villa
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kirsten Storms Reacts to Days of Our Lives Co-Star Drake Hogestyn's Sudden Death: ‘I Don't Feel Like…'
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death. Kirsten Storms reflected on the death of her former TV dad and Days of Our Lives co-star, Drake Hogestyn. The actress worked with the late veteran star from 1999 to 2004. In a conversation with Insider TV, Storms shared that the news did not feel real to her. The actress revealed that she got to know the late actor personally during their time on the sets of the daily soap. Hogestyn passed away in September 2024 after suffering from pancreatic cancer. The actor was 70 at the time of his death. While talking to the media portal, the actress revealed, 'I think because I hadn't seen him in a while, I feel like it's not real that he's gone.' She further stated, 'He just was my favorite person there and a legend. So happy and always in a good mood. And prepared.' Storms shared that the late actor gave his 100% at his work and that she was really sad when she heard the news of Hogestyn passing away. Apart from sharing a close bond with the actor, the Zenon alum revealed that she even dated Hogestyn's son. Elaborating on the statements, the actress noted, 'I dated Drake's son, Ben [Hogestyn] for a couple of years, and I got to spend a lot of time with Drake and his family.' The late veteran actor was one of the prominent people in the show and played the character of John Black for 38 years. In his statement to People Magazine, the executive producer of Days of Our Lives stated that Hogestyn was an ultimate team player, and he will be dearly missed. The producer, Ken Corday, mentioned, 'There are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched." Speaking about her time on the show, Kirsten Storms shared that it was her first time playing the role at such an intense pace. She also won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Child Actor in 2001.
