Oh boy, we’re entering spooky season. Halloween is just three weeks away and the team at Man of Many is already getting in the mood. We’ve got our horror movie collections lined up, costumes at the ready and a swathe of true crime documentaries just waiting to be binged. Before then, however, we’ve got the unenviable task of serving up Staff Favourites for your enjoyment. Here is this week’s edition.
Wynns’ 2021 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
I don’t drink very much anymore, but when I do – I tend to reach for the top shelf. The benefit of only having a glass or two every few months is that I don’t feel bad cracking into something that would generally be reserved for a special occasion; even if there is no occasion to celebrate. Wynns’ 2021 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is precisely the kind of drop I’m talking about.
First crafted in 1982, the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is Wynns’ flagship red and ode to the remarkable Coonawarra region in South Australia. Sourcing only the top fruit from Wynns’ extensive Cabernet Sauvignon plantings, the Riddoch is a subtle and vibrant exploration of florals and cherries that feel innately luxurious.
This week, I got my hands on the new 2021 edition, which comes in a stunning presentation box designed for the wine collector. Rich and dark, this outstanding drop is the perfect embodiment of the Coonawarra style and something I may have to indulge in a little more regularly.
Favourite Article of the Week: What LVMH’s ‘Extraordinary’ 10-Year Deal Means for the F1
Orbitkey Key Organiser
Frank Arthur – Co-Founder
This week, I want to shine a light on the Orbitkey Key Organiser. It’s not just my favourite pick of the week but one of my all-time favourite possessions. I know that’s a bold claim, but it’s well-earned. For those unfamiliar, the Orbitkey Key Organiser is a sleek, compact holder for your keys. It may not sound like a game-changer, but trust me, your pocket will thank you. No more jangling or awkwardly poking keys; they sit together snugly, giving your pocket a neat, discreet feel. And when you need one, each key swivels out individually for easy access. As a former industrial designer, I find elegance in the execution of a simple, functional solution, and this product masterfully solves a problem that most people never knew they had.
6 years ago, after living life feeling like a dungeon master lugging around a bunch of keys, I got myself an Orbikey Organiser. But as my first one was deteriorating with wear and tear, I recently treated myself to a new Key Organiser in the leather Blackout colourway. While Orbitkey offers a range of add-on accessories, my go-to was always the bottle opener. I can’t even count how many times it’s saved the day. This time I opted for the Multi-tool. Made from stainless steel coated in titanium, it packs nine tools into one, including a box cutter, screwdriver, rule, and of course, a bottle opener.
Favourite Article of the Week: Jaguar Land Rover Employed a Robotic Guard Dog to Fast-Track EV Future
Dan Dan, Pyrmont
John Guanzon – Head of Social
A brand new 170-seat Asian-fusion restaurant called “Dan Dan” has recently opened up on Harris St in Pyrmont and it’s shaking things up with a truly unique menu full of modern twists on traditional faves. I recently dined at Dan Dan with a small group of friends for dinner, and let me tell you – this place over-delivered in every way. While I’ve had my fair share of modern Asian-inspired cuisine, Dan Dan really stands out with its bold, well-executed dishes that pack a punch of flavour. It’s safe to say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and how incredibly tasty everything was.
Now, onto the food highlights. The Sashimi Tots were absolute winners – crispy golden potato gems paired with fresh salmon sashimi, ponzu, and a burst of flavour from the chilli mayo, caviar, and nori dust. This dish alone could convert any sceptic – but then again, if you’re sceptical about sashimi-anything, we can’t be friends. The cheeseburger spring rolls? I had my doubts, but they turned out to be a fun and delicious twist on a classic snack, blending all those familiar cheeseburger flavours in a crunchy, golden shell. But of course, no visit to Dan Dan would be complete without trying the signature Dan Dan noodles. With just the right balance of spice and depth of flavour, it’s the kind of dish you’ll find yourself craving long after you’ve left.
Dan Dan’s cocktail range was surprisingly quite creative and full of character, with concoctions like a Banana Bread Espresso Martini, a Cherry Blossom Sour, and a Wasabi-Spiced Shizuoka Margarita – all designed to pair perfectly with the vibrant Pan-Asian flavours of the food. Whether you’re on the hunt for your next foodie destination or just in the mood for good noods, Dan Dan is a real gem not to be passed up on.
Favourite Article of the Week: Best Steak Restaurants in Sydney
Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt Whisky
The Thomson New Zealand Whisky Manuka Single Malt Wood Smoke is a unique and captivating experience. This whisky masterfully blends rich malt flavours with the distinctive, subtle sweetness of manuka wood smoke, delivering a warm, smoky finish that’s both smooth and complex. The balance of sweet and earthy tones makes it perfect for those who appreciate a well-rounded whisky. Whether you’re a whisky connoisseur or in your exploration phase like myself, this is a bottle worth savouring. A true gem from Thomson that showcases the best of New Zealand craftsmanship.
Favourite Article of the Week: Best Steak Restaurants in Sydney
Love on the Run
Dean Blake – Journalist – Tech, Entertainment & Features
After taking a break last week to watch some nice, relaxing whales, I’m back to true crime this week. Netflix’s Jailbreak: Love on the Run launched recently, and after watching it, I can confirm that it’s a fascinating story of star-crossed lovers going against the grain to be together at any cost. It just so happens that the lovers in question are a prison correctional officer and a convicted felon who plot to escape prison life together.
If you think that sounds interesting, keep in mind that this is a documentary and these events actually happened. It’s wild, and we get to peek behind the curtain a little to see what brought the two together, how they ended up where they are, and hear from the people around them to get some insight into who they really are. It’s not really the kind of love story that was ever going to have a happy ending, though, but it isn’t a bad way to spend an evening.
Early Access: Enshrouded
My friends and I have a standing date each week to play some fun little co-op games together, and for the past few weeks, we’ve been obsessed with an Early Access indie-survival-crafting-open-world-exploration-RPG mish-mash called Enshrouded. There’s a story in there, somewhere, about how the world fell apart when a deadly shroud brought monsters out of the depths or something, but honestly, we’re so entranced by the minute-to-minute gameplay loop that we’re largely ignoring what the game is telling us. Instead, we’re making our own fun.
You can build a character before entering the world, where you’ll be expected to chop down trees, mine stones, make weapons, explore the world to unlock a new set of crafting recipes, and then upgrade your base to do it all over again. It’s the kind of thing my friends and I love, and we’re already getting overwhelmed with just how much is already in the game despite the fact it is in Early Access still, with active development set to continue well into 2025. It’s scratching the same itch as Valheim did many moons ago, which is almost the highest praise I can give a game like this.
If you’re on the fence about trying this one out, take it from me: it’s really good, it’s worth the AU$45 they’re charging on Steam, and it’ll give you a lot to do very quickly.
Favourite Article of the Week: The Best Smartwatches to Fit Your Life
Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac
Beatrix Boon – Social Content Producer
The MX Master re-mastered! This mouse is unlike any other. I’ve been using the previous model for years, editing all day every day. I prefer the Logitech MX Master over any other as I’m able to side-scroll my timeline in Premiere and customise the buttons, all while enjoying an ergonomic design that never makes my hand cramp, even when working for extended periods of time.
This new and improved edition for Mac has been so beautiful to use and I love the elegant new white colourway. There are so many upgrades with this new model; its matte and tactile material, the soft press click (it’s so quiet!) and its ability to run with Mac is even better than before. As a video editor, this mouse makes me faster and absolutely more productive throughout the day. I’m so sad whenever I forget to take it with me when I’m on the road!
Favourite Article of the Week: Jaguar Land Rover Employed a Robotic Guard Dog to Fast-Track EV Future
Sunbeam’s Frappe Iced + Hot Coffee Machine
Dayna Aspite – Branded Content Associate
The Sunbeam Frappe Iced + Hot Coffee Machine has been a total game-changer in my daily routine. It’s super convenient, letting me make hot coffee when I need it or whip up a frappe when I’m craving something cold. With the warmer weather coming in, iced coffee just hits different, and this machine makes it so easy! Whether it’s a quick morning brew or an afternoon frappe, it’s easily become my fav thing to use to get my caffeine fix.
Being a single machine means bench space has been optimised. Living in a machine and tech heavy household, this has been super easy to fit in without having to move much around. It’s also a hit with guests. It’s not everyday I can offer a coffee or matcha frappe. It’s also fairly quiet considering the blender portion of the machine and morning friendly with the measurements tagged on the side of the blender jug.
Favourite Article of the Week: Logitech’s MX Mechanical Mini Keyboard Review: Substance over Style
