Concrete Playground

Spring has sprung: the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and mating right outside your office window when you're trying to concentrate on a spreadsheet. It's time to fling off the knitwear and thermals and explore Sydney in the sun. Concrete Playground has collaborated with some of Sydney's favourite bloggers to bring you the best picks of what our city has to offer in music, art, food, film and fashion this spring, as they describe their ideal spring weekend in Sydney.

This is Sydney By The Blog: Spring Fever.

Part One: Ms Darlinghurst from Eat Drink Play and Secret Foodies

Well, ideally I'll behave myself on Friday night and not be drinking watermelon cocktails at Pocket Bar or sipping from tin cups at Shady Pines Saloon. Ideally I would be hangover free.

It would be a glorious day and I’d wake up early for a run through the Botanical Gardens. I’d run to the Opera House and pretend I’m Rocky as I run up and down the stairs. I’d realise I’m not Rocky and head back through the Domain towards Potts Point. Yes, I’d be sweaty and gross but no-one would really mind at the Potts Point Markets where I’d buy some organic fruit and vegetables. I’d walk past the lady who makes those amazing cakes and pastries and completely ignore the last delectable, mouth-watering brownie left sitting there.

I’d head down to Fratelli Fresh and buy some buffalo mozzarella, fresh truss tomatoes, a loaf of crusty bread and the caramelised garlic and onion loaf too.

Walking back past the markets I’d stop, succumb and buy that brownie. The nice lady will smile and hand me the already bagged delight — she knew I’d be back, we play this game almost every weekend.

Back at my Darlo apartment I'd shower, pack some yummy food, grab my flatmate and a few bottles of wine and head to North Bondi. We’d sit on the grassy hill with our friends eating, drinking and celebrating the return of long summer days. Then to North Bondi Italian for scorpion cocktails, Campari with blood orange and nibble on peanuts straight from the shell. Someone would order the squid - we’d all eat it.

Then we’d go to Beach Burrito where we’d meet more friends, pull up a chair and sip frozen margaritas until the sun sets. Who are we kidding? It’s not summer yet. It’ll be cold when the sun sets so we’ll head back to Darlo, layer the clothes and head to Secret Foodies. No-one will know where they’re going or who they’ll meet until two hours before the event. When we get there we’ll eat awesome food, meet cool people and the chef behind the meal.

The next morning, I’ll wake up with a pile of clothes on the floor, a mask and several half full cocktails lying around my room. Breakfast time! I’ll head to Tiger Mottle, at Five Ways in Paddington for the mushrooms, pesto and parmesan on sourdough. We’ll wait, but it’ll be worth it. Right, hangover cured. It's Pimms O’Clock! I’ll ride my BMX to The Village, sit in the sun with locals and play with passing French Bulldogs. I’ll be hungry again by around 5.30pm so we’ll head around the corner and grab an early dinner at Phamish. We’ll order the usual — salt and pepper squid, rice paper rolls and what ever else takes our fancy.

Then it’s time to head home, fight off the Sunday blues and get ready to do it all again next weekend.

Part Two: Louise Hawson of 52 Suburbs