• Franca is turning four this month, and it’s celebrating with the return of old menu favourites – and free cake for all. The fine French spot is plating up a riff on a gateaux framboise, with gold leaf and fresh raspberries atop layers of hazelnut mousseline, raspberry jam and buttermilk sponge. Every table will receive a slice per person on the house.

• Rico’s Tacos in Chippendale has shut up shop. But you’ll only be Rico-less for a month – keep a look out for an announcement about exciting new digs in the next few weeks.

• Moncur Cellars' Shiraz Uncorked is hitting Bistro Moncur on Monday August 14. Try over 100 spicy red drops from Aussie producers in one of two sessions (5pm–7pm or 7pm–9pm) at the one-night-only event. Tickets are $50, which is redeemable on a case to take home.

This year, gift them a dinner to remember with a Broadsheet Gift Card.

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• Messina Creative, the fine diner where everything on the six-course set menu contains gelato or ice-cream, is reopening in Marrickville next week. Bookings are open now.

• Chai die-hards will be thrilled to know that Pennant Hills favourite Ambi’s Chai Bar has taken its Afro-Punjabi brewed-on-the-spot pours to Canberra – an ideal reason to roadtrip.

• Artists are taking up residence in The Front Room at The Alex. Sydney-based artist Samuel Hodge’s kaleidoscopic exhibition Ghost Friend in the Shed will be on show until October 1.

• Fruity candlemonger Nonna’s Grocer is getting creative with writer and recipe developer Gemma Plunkett, delivering the hottest new pairing: candles and recipes. Sign up to Plunkett’s delicious newsletter Ding to get in on the series, which started with griddled toast, jammy eggs and a block of butter begging to be burnt.

• Hot, new Bondi restaurant Promenade, in the refurbed Pavilion, has launched a breakfast menu for Friday to Sunday mornings. A dessert-as-brekkie croissant bread and butter pudding joins a savoury goat’s curd pancake, smoked pork hock toastie, a snacky king salmon plate and all the usual morning mainstays.

• PS40’s next Tuesday Takeover is set to be a banger. Adam Hall of Kanin Project is bringing his favourite pulutan (a Filipino term for little plates best enjoyed with drinks and friends), like pineapple-topped scallop kinilaw and a decadent pork inasal.

• Food For Everyone’s founder and artist Gemma Leslie has launched a limited run of a duo of prints. There’s just 50 of each the 3pm Espresso and 7pm Dirty Martini, with each print sold providing 10 meals to those experiencing food insecurity.

• The Crown’s Cantonese restaurant Silks' all-you-can-eat yum cha menu is in full swing. Head in for a free-flowing lunch of dumplings, rice rolls, egg tarts and more. Monday–Thursday lunchtime bookings are $68pp, and Friday–Sunday $98pp.

• Yo-Chi has launched Tribute Tuesday, an initiative that sees essential workers acknowledged each week with free swirls of frozen yoghurt. This week lifeguards and lifesavers were treated, so keep your eyes on the brand’s feed this Sunday for who’s up next.

• In Central Coast news, Saddles Mount White is welcoming a new management team. No drastic changes to the venue are expected, though there will be a fresh menu and more space for al fresco dining. The restaurant will be closed from October 9–13.

• New Zealand-born seltzer brand Pals has launched its latest flavour and it’s already scored big, winning gold at the 2023 Hard Seltzers Masters. The Red One brings a red peach and yuzu combo to the line-up, housed in another cute-as pastel tinnie (aesthetics are important, people).

• The team behind sibling Northern Beaches restaurants Alma and St Alma are now delivering their fresh Mexican flavours to you. Alma at Home brings the option of kingfish tostadas, agave beef short ribs, potato pavé and more to your next catering-worthy event.